Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall

15 reviews

lisacanteven's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is really more of a 3.5 read without rounding up, but I think because of the wonderful representation in a genre like this it deserves rounding up to a 4.

Here's where it didn't work for me: Almost 400 pages were telling a beautiful story with lovely writing and great character development. Then it took a hard left turn somewhere just south of page 400, and we were taken on a totally different ride on a trip I did not sign up for. It wasn't a bad trip, but it wasn't the one I wanted to be on. Maybe another time I would have enjoyed the trip, but I was ready for the trip I already had to be finished. Ya getting me?

Then for a few pages just north of page 400 the story got a little patriarchal outta nowhere. I didn't really expect that one person to just excuse the other person's behavior like they used the wrong fork at fancy dinner. If you read it, think about it. How did they just get away with it, but that is kinda how it usually happens because patriarchy.

Just as I was building my case against the villain's terrible redemption arc, the ending came together in a way that did satisfy me. I mean no one took down patriarchy in this book, but maybe that wasn't the point.

Here's what did work for me: The trans representation was really nice and sweet. I thought it was the perfect blend of trans joy and trans realness. You do have to suspend your disbelief and let yourself enjoy the relationship, but experiencing the trans joy through the story is worth it. For that alone this book was worth the read despite its flaws.

TL;DR- The first 400 pages will seem very laborious, but the last 50 pages will flash before your eyes like you're fast forwarding a movie. Both these parts of the story are enjoyable in their own right, but when put together they make a confusing tale. The queer, specifically trans, representation only gave the story more depth and attachment. For that achievement this story has earned its place among must-read romance books. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Drug use, Grief, Ableism, Drug abuse, Mental illness, and Misogyny

Minor: Body shaming, Abandonment, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, and War

sproutedpages's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Ableism, Panic attacks/disorders, Gun violence, Grief, Kidnapping, Drug abuse, Deadnaming, Transphobia, Alcoholism, War, Suicidal thoughts, Dysphoria, and Abandonment

Moderate: Blood and Body shaming

brynalexa's review against another edition

I love how this is queer Bridgerton. It’s also heartwarming in that not a single person has malicious intent or hate in their hearts; especially since most queer books have an element of hate or dealing with discrimination in their plot. Speaking of plot… there was not any. Nothing happens in this book. I love the representation and the idea but it did not have enough to keep me entertained. Also, it’s one giant miscommunication trope. Everything would be solved if the characters just talked to each other. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Abandonment, War, Ableism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Drug use, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Confinement

kshertz's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I think the fact that I didn’t stop listening to this book for two days and finished it super quickly speaks for itself. It was so awesome to read about a trans person getting to live the life they wanted back in a different time period. The explanation made so much sense and the characters themselves were very well done. I really loved them and cared about what happened to them. This would be a 5.0 but it took forever to get to the sexiness. Which if you know me I need multiple and  very often.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment, Deadnaming, Sexual harassment, Addiction, Body shaming, Dysphoria, Transphobia, and Bullying

paulasnotsosecretdiary's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Transphobia, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Addiction, War, and Sexism

readingthroughinfinity's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful relaxing sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

An absolute delight of a historical romance novel. Alexis Hall always knows just the right notes to hit in these kinds of stories. With hidden identities, yearning, humour, and wonderfully dramatic love confessions, this is one of the most refreshing romances I've read in a long time. I loved Viola as a character and really enjoyed seeing how her and Gracewood's relationship progressed throughout the novel. The pacing slowed a lot in the middle, which stalled the overall progression of the story, but one the whole I thoroughly enjoyed this and would definitely recommend it. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Transphobia, Misogyny, Dysphoria, Sexual content, and Deadnaming

Minor: War, Suicidal thoughts, Drug use, and Abandonment

mariavale4's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction and Grief

Moderate: Abandonment and War

Minor: Kidnapping, Vomit, and Deadnaming

ashlikes's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drug use, Drug abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Mental illness

Moderate: Child abuse, Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Sexism, Sexual violence, Blood, Violence, Abandonment, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, War, Body shaming, Bullying, Kidnapping, Lesbophobia, Physical abuse, and Misogyny

Minor: Death, Infertility, Transphobia, Murder, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury

purplepenning's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Grief

Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Classism, Gun violence, Sexual content, War, Drug abuse, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Ableism, and Violence

Minor: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Deadnaming, Death of parent, Blood, Abandonment, Bullying, Homophobia, Vomit, and Kidnapping

jessie_h's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

5.0

Y'all! My heart! This book was everything I could have ever wanted in a historical romance! In fact, I would say it's probably the best regency romance I've ever read. It was incredibly tender and unapologetically queer and so full of hope and joy. The banter and humor was absolutely delightful and had me cackling in places! And y'all! The yearning and the pining was so well-written that you can't stop reading once you start. You have to know what happens next and if they will be able to get their happily ever after. This story made me feel all of the emotions.

I'm becoming more and more convinced that Alexis Hall can write anything they want and will make it totally fabulous. This book was no different. The amount of heart and vulnerability in this story is both astounding and beautiful. I was a bit worried that this would be really angsty given the premise. But while Viola is worried about being judged for choosing to live as her most authentic self, it wasn't the whole plot of the book and I can't tell you how much I appreciated that. There are still some heavy topics discussed in this book and some angst but it was so perfectly balanced out with sweetness and joy. It was heartwarming that everyone who Viola came out to not only accepted her but supported her so fully in her quest to live the life she was meant to.

Viola and Gracewood are war veterans and we see how that has affected them. Gracewood was shot in the leg and has to use a cane for the rest of his life. He also suffers quite severely from PTSD. I am grateful that the author didn't gloss over or minimize those affects like I have seen in several of the Regency romances over the years. Viola does not have PTSD in the same way that Gracewood does but how her actions and choices in the war haunt her is never seen as being less than his trauma.

The romance between Viola and Gracewood was everything! This book is a master class in how to write a romance novel. I saw it described in someone's review that described this romance as a second chance at first love which is a wonderfully apt description. The romance is full of instant attraction but manages to still be a slow burn and very intimate and tender. Watching Viola and Gracewood discover that there is so much more to the other that they didn't know was *chef's kiss*. They aren't perfect but they are perfect for one another. I adored watching them fall in love so much!

It was mentioned in the author's note that this could be the beginning of a new series and I really really hope it is! I loved so many of the secondary characters! And I cannot tell you how much I need a Mira book and a Lady Lilimere book in my life! I can't recommend A Lady for a Duke enough! If you want to read a truly unique and well-written queer historical romance, this is the book for you. 

*ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley and this review was originally posted on the Goldilox and the Three Weres blog.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Transphobia, Grief, and War

Moderate: Kidnapping, Body horror, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcoholism

Minor: Child abuse and Death of parent