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kathis_wonderland's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore is the first book in the A League of Extraordinary Women series. Annabelle finally gets the chance to study at Oxford. During her help for the women's suffrage movement she meets Sebastian, a powerful duke in England. In the efforts to win him for their cause, Annabelle is falling for him. And even though it is socially not acceptable, Sebastian falls for the country woman as well.
I've had this book on my to-read list for over three years. When a friend of mine said she had it at home, I was really excited to finally read it. However, I am a little disappointed. This book was not really my cup of tea. The characters are all rather cold and distant. None of them really appealed to me. I just didn't get warm with them. Sebastian was the coldest of them all. I did not really see his charm. He is abrupt and demanding, but he never did anything against Annabelle's wishes. All the aristocratic and misogynistic thinking made me mad. I was constantly annoyed and just did not really enjoy the writing style of this book. The sex scenes were steamy and okayish.
There was nothing extraordinary or exciting in this book. It was an okay read. Sadly, I don't want to read the other books in the series. I expected something different.
I've had this book on my to-read list for over three years. When a friend of mine said she had it at home, I was really excited to finally read it. However, I am a little disappointed. This book was not really my cup of tea. The characters are all rather cold and distant. None of them really appealed to me. I just didn't get warm with them. Sebastian was the coldest of them all. I did not really see his charm. He is abrupt and demanding, but he never did anything against Annabelle's wishes. All the aristocratic and misogynistic thinking made me mad. I was constantly annoyed and just did not really enjoy the writing style of this book. The sex scenes were steamy and okayish.
There was nothing extraordinary or exciting in this book. It was an okay read. Sadly, I don't want to read the other books in the series. I expected something different.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Police brutality, and Classism
Minor: Alcohol, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, and Infidelity
kbookish's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Classism, Miscarriage, Misogyny, and Death of parent
jelkebooks's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Honestly, this book's biggest crime is that it just is extremely boring. Oh my god, I was so bored while reading this book. It's almost unbelievable. I do think this book does try interesting things but everything is just so dragged out and slow paced that it just made me want to bash my head in.
Anyway, I did quite like Annabelle. I thought she was a very interesting character with very strong ambitions, and I love how passionate she could be about things. It's just that towards the end I felt like she lost her determination a little bit. She lost her personality a bit in favor of just being obsessed with the love interest. Talking about Sebastian, gods I did not like him. His only personality trait is that he's an ass. Truly, he is an incredibly awful person, and besides being mean to everyone in his life he has no other personality traits. Blergh!
I also wasn't a big fan of the romance. I just thought there was no chemistry between the characters at all. They had barely any moments together before they already started risking it all. They became such wet rags for each other while there was just nothing there. It became a bit annoying. Sebastian also became so obsessive over Annabelle, that he came so incredibly close to crossing her boundaries almost every time they were together. I'm still not entirely convinced Annabelle even got with him out of of pure guilt shaming. I don't know. This book just didn't work for me.
Anyway, I did quite like Annabelle. I thought she was a very interesting character with very strong ambitions, and I love how passionate she could be about things. It's just that towards the end I felt like she lost her determination a little bit. She lost her personality a bit in favor of just being obsessed with the love interest. Talking about Sebastian, gods I did not like him. His only personality trait is that he's an ass. Truly, he is an incredibly awful person, and besides being mean to everyone in his life he has no other personality traits. Blergh!
I also wasn't a big fan of the romance. I just thought there was no chemistry between the characters at all. They had barely any moments together before they already started risking it all. They became such wet rags for each other while there was just nothing there. It became a bit annoying. Sebastian also became so obsessive over Annabelle, that he came so incredibly close to crossing her boundaries almost every time they were together. I'm still not entirely convinced Annabelle even got with him out of of pure guilt shaming. I don't know. This book just didn't work for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault and Miscarriage
undecidedpersonality's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Police brutality, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Minor: Abandonment, Pregnancy, Medical content, Miscarriage, Slavery, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Grief, and Violence
jencolumb0's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I initially struggled to get into this book but am glad I gave it a second try. It’s a delightfully spicy (Victorian) pass at the Duke trope that also serves as the best articulation I have read to date of the experience of being an intelligent woman in the patriarchy. So, in that sense, it is not the most escapist of books but is a validating, enjoyable read.
Guys, particularly those looking to Do Better, put this one at the top of your TBR.
Guys, particularly those looking to Do Better, put this one at the top of your TBR.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual assault, Violence, and Police brutality
Minor: Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Miscarriage, and Forced institutionalization
madsreadsbooks17's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Pregnancy and Miscarriage
lisainbookland's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Excellently written historical romance following a suffragette going to Oxford and a lonely duke. I would have liked more focus on the academia side of things in the womens’ college and how that worked in 1870 but this is a romance. Will definitely read the rest of the series.
Content Warnings
Minor: Miscarriage
annick's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.75
The tenderness. The sensual tension. (Yes, sensual, not sexual). And the emotional intimacy as they developed affection for each other. It wasn’t just beautiful horny adults.
Almost flawless. I loved so so much of this.
Two scenes disappointed me in the final 20% - for the miscommunication plot device and for the grand gesture in the HoL.
Almost flawless. I loved so so much of this.
Two scenes disappointed me in the final 20% - for the miscommunication plot device and for the grand gesture in the HoL.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Miscarriage, Infidelity, and Death of parent
agw622's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was such an amazing read. The time period chosen was such a unique background for a romance book. I love how the line between being strong in yourself and finding love was managed so well. The charecters had depth, and I'm excited to read the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Police brutality, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Alcoholism, Colonisation, Miscarriage, Death of parent, and Infidelity
kelseyreadshr's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Bringing Down the Duke is book one in the League of Extraordinary Women series.
Annabelle had accepted her lot in life as an unpaid drudge to her cousin until she receives a stipend from the National Society for Women’s Suffrage to attend Oxford. Handing out pamphlets for reforming the The Married Women’s Property Act one day Annabelle is bumped into and kept from falling by Sebastian, Duke of Montgomery. The one person of influence that could sway those in the House of Lords their way. However, having the Queen’s ear as the Tory’s party chief strategic advisor for the upcoming election, and his family’s seat being returned to him on the line, winning Sebastian over to the suffragists side is near impossible. A chance encounter at a house party leads to an extended stay and an additional invitation to another house party for Annabelle at Sebastian’s country estate. Even with a strong growing attraction between the two, despite their political goals, is it enough for a Duke who could lose all politically and a daughter of a vicar who stands to lose everything else.
This is a new to me author that I hadn’t had a chance to read yet. The beginning was a bit of a slow start but a few chapters in and I couldn’t put it down. I loved how strong Annabelle was holding to her principles but also the hard decisions she had to make. Her concerns were very valid and brings to light how far women’s rights have come in the last 145 years and how much further there’s still to go. I enjoyed the transformation of Sebastian with Annabelle and his brother and also the political banter throughout.
There are four encounters that are delightfully steamy, though the fourth is brief.
Annabelle had accepted her lot in life as an unpaid drudge to her cousin until she receives a stipend from the National Society for Women’s Suffrage to attend Oxford. Handing out pamphlets for reforming the The Married Women’s Property Act one day Annabelle is bumped into and kept from falling by Sebastian, Duke of Montgomery. The one person of influence that could sway those in the House of Lords their way. However, having the Queen’s ear as the Tory’s party chief strategic advisor for the upcoming election, and his family’s seat being returned to him on the line, winning Sebastian over to the suffragists side is near impossible. A chance encounter at a house party leads to an extended stay and an additional invitation to another house party for Annabelle at Sebastian’s country estate. Even with a strong growing attraction between the two, despite their political goals, is it enough for a Duke who could lose all politically and a daughter of a vicar who stands to lose everything else.
This is a new to me author that I hadn’t had a chance to read yet. The beginning was a bit of a slow start but a few chapters in and I couldn’t put it down. I loved how strong Annabelle was holding to her principles but also the hard decisions she had to make. Her concerns were very valid and brings to light how far women’s rights have come in the last 145 years and how much further there’s still to go. I enjoyed the transformation of Sebastian with Annabelle and his brother and also the political banter throughout.
There are four encounters that are delightfully steamy, though the fourth is brief.
Content Warnings
Minor: Miscarriage