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saurahsaurus's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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? It's complicated
4.25
I really liked this book! I was seeking out a light-hearted read with a love interest for a bit of escapism. I ended up liking it more than I’d thought I would. I learned a bit about history, and found that it wasn’t as light as its tags would indicate. In fact, I thought the book was rather emotional, angst-y, and at times even heart-wrenching.
The main characters and their love story were very compelling, to the point that I could actually see this occurring in the past. They’re a bit star-crossed, and that’s what made things so emotional: in real history, their socio-economic circumstances would have precluded their love from blossoming, much less their initial meeting. Thankfully, this is fiction so we’re allowed to dream :)
The main characters and their love story were very compelling, to the point that I could actually see this occurring in the past. They’re a bit star-crossed, and that’s what made things so emotional: in real history, their socio-economic circumstances would have precluded their love from blossoming, much less their initial meeting. Thankfully, this is fiction so we’re allowed to dream :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Misogyny, Sexism, and Classism
Moderate: Colonisation, Alcohol, Abandonment, Police brutality, Sexual assault, Bullying, Physical abuse, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Pregnancy, Miscarriage, and Infidelity
A note about what the “sexual assault” tag, with minor spoilers (that are not major plot spoilers).meganpbennett's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Bringing Down The Duke is a perfectly readable Victorian Romance, with strong-willed women and cold aristocratic men. If that's your thing, look no farther. Set during the Disraeli-Gladstone election in Britain, this book follows our heroine as she is admitted to Oxford and joins the Suffragettes, making fast friends and learning about herself. We meet the cold aristocrat when Annabelle, our Vicar's daughter heroine, hands the Duke a pamphlet asking him to repeal a law that makes married women the chattel property of their husbands. It is an awkward combination of love at first sight (him) and hatred at first sight (her). This only gets worse when Annabelle and her Suffragette friends end up at his "house" and he accuses her of being a prostitute. She promptly storms out into the snow and he follows.
While I liked this story, there were parts of it that weren't fun or easy to read. Annabelle's worries about her money and where she will live are too real, as is what happens during after the protest. It felt like there were elements from The Taming of the Shrew, as well, with Sebastian wearing down our strong-willed Suffragette until she decides that, if he acts like that, he must love her, and if he loves her, she must, therefore, love him.
While I liked this story, there were parts of it that weren't fun or easy to read. Annabelle's worries about her money and where she will live are too real, as is what happens during after the protest. It felt like there were elements from The Taming of the Shrew, as well, with Sebastian wearing down our strong-willed Suffragette until she decides that, if he acts like that, he must love her, and if he loves her, she must, therefore, love him.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Police brutality, and Misogyny
Moderate: Miscarriage and Sexual assault
m_jean's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I gave this book 3.5 / 5 stars because, while there is a strong female protagonist, her passion for social justice and personal growth is stunted when she falls victim to the classic "enemies to lovers" trope. I would warn anyone going into this novel that it focuses substantially more on romantic escapades than activism. However, it was a very easy read with a nice helping of suspense and resolution.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Physical abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny and Police brutality
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