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samsterleeee's review against another edition
4.0
A fun read! I loved both leading characters. I thought the development of their relationship felt very natural. And I loved how outspoken the heroine was! She was definitely not afraid to speak her mind.
librarianinperiwinkle's review against another edition
4.0
Emma Gladstone just needs to get paid so she can pay her rent and buy groceries. Her previous attempts to collect have gone unanswered, so she dons the wedding dress she made for the Duke of Ashbury's ex-fiancee, summons her courage, and marches up to his front door in Mayfair, never imagining how drastically that encounter will change her life, for the prickly Duke is in need of a Duchess and decides the spirited seamstress meets all his requirements.
This novel is filled with tropes: Beauty & the Beast; young, wealthy Duke marrying poor woman; scarred war veteran (Waterloo, of course); marriage of convenience; young women bearing all consequences of having sex whilst the young men get off scot-free, etc. Yet the result is a witty, banter-filled delight of a book that simultaneously deals with the lingering effects of trauma, both physical and emotional.
A few things were too unrealistic for me (yes, even for a Regency romance), such as the idea that Ash's staff would universally embrace Emma with no snobbery. None. Or that Ash wouldn't have taken at least a moment on his drive to the ball to repair his clothing as much as possible to avoid what would actually have been irreparable harm to his reputation and by extension caused Emma to be all but ostracized from society (or at least brought out the Mean Girl in every Ton member and made her life absolute hell). I don't want spoilers here, but that section was absolutely absurd and cost the book a star in my opinion.
But aside from those issues, I loved this story of two wounded souls relearning to trust and believe themselves worthy of love. I also loved Emma's new friends and hope the later books in this series feature them more prominently. Plus the banter is fabulous!
For readers' advisors: character and language doorways are both strong. It's a sex-positive book, so there are some very steamy sex scenes. Some swearing. A little violence, with Ash defending himself & Emma from would-be footpads and working out his frustration by roaming the streets at night and beating up thugs and criminals.
This novel is filled with tropes: Beauty & the Beast; young, wealthy Duke marrying poor woman; scarred war veteran (Waterloo, of course); marriage of convenience; young women bearing all consequences of having sex whilst the young men get off scot-free, etc. Yet the result is a witty, banter-filled delight of a book that simultaneously deals with the lingering effects of trauma, both physical and emotional.
A few things were too unrealistic for me (yes, even for a Regency romance), such as the idea that Ash's staff would universally embrace Emma with no snobbery. None. Or that Ash wouldn't have taken at least a moment on his drive to the ball to repair his clothing as much as possible to avoid what would actually have been irreparable harm to his reputation and by extension caused Emma to be all but ostracized from society (or at least brought out the Mean Girl in every Ton member and made her life absolute hell). I don't want spoilers here, but that section was absolutely absurd and cost the book a star in my opinion.
But aside from those issues, I loved this story of two wounded souls relearning to trust and believe themselves worthy of love. I also loved Emma's new friends and hope the later books in this series feature them more prominently. Plus the banter is fabulous!
For readers' advisors: character and language doorways are both strong. It's a sex-positive book, so there are some very steamy sex scenes. Some swearing. A little violence, with Ash defending himself & Emma from would-be footpads and working out his frustration by roaming the streets at night and beating up thugs and criminals.
mona870's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sunnylain's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
yaraa_mp's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
grymoira's review against another edition
5.0
Full of laugh out loud moments
Today, I started The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare and had a laugh-out-loud moment at page 8!!!
The line, you ask?
Today, I started The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare and had a laugh-out-loud moment at page 8!!!
The line, you ask?
kaylann's review against another edition
5.0
Perfect pick me up and make me lol read. Had the perfect amount of cheesiness
crystalmbookshelf83's review against another edition
funny
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? No
3.0
annedreya's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
4.5
amberwallace2012's review against another edition
5.0
This was a quick but very enjoyable read for me.
I Love that the Duke of Ashbury maintained his brusque manner throughout the story but at the same time contradicted it at every turn. He even let a young man become his "apprentice" for the Monster of Mayfair which was adorable.
I adored how Emma teased him with pet names at each available opportunity, when they were playing badminton and she exclaimed and called him a darling angel muffin, I lost it.
Tessa Dare knows how to write stories that are funny, delightful, and sexy!
Pepper Rating
I Love that the Duke of Ashbury maintained his brusque manner throughout the story but at the same time contradicted it at every turn. He even let a young man become his "apprentice" for the Monster of Mayfair which was adorable.
I adored how Emma teased him with pet names at each available opportunity, when they were playing badminton and she exclaimed and called him a darling angel muffin, I lost it.
Tessa Dare knows how to write stories that are funny, delightful, and sexy!
Pepper Rating