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tellingthehours's review against another edition
2.5
Second book way better. This feels like a long set up. So good at writing foreplay but the details of the actual deed fall flat
emikaa21's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
I signed up for a hot BDSM historical romance, but I should have saved myself the pain. The entire book is a giant miscommunication trope, which is my least favorite ever. The MMC is painfully immature and inconsistent, while the FMC is stubborn and blind. ALL OF IT could have been avoided with a conversation, but this book happens to be about the King and Queen of denial.
Also, the writing is a bit over the top, with so many feelings that are hard to relate to, given the inconstancies of heart of the characters. The MMC wasn't very realistic or compelling in his train of thoughts. There are constant changes of POV all along the book, sometimes several times per chapter, which is not very pleasant.
Also, the writing is a bit over the top, with so many feelings that are hard to relate to, given the inconstancies of heart of the characters. The MMC wasn't very realistic or compelling in his train of thoughts. There are constant changes of POV all along the book, sometimes several times per chapter, which is not very pleasant.
jhv_1984's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
aliciasplendeur's review against another edition
4.0
It took a minute before I was fully invested in this one.
Poppy Cavendish is working hard, the Uncle who raised her recently passed away so she must move her beloved nursery from his estate to the house he left her. But the Duke of Westmead has all the labor workers of the area working on his estate. Which he's preparing for the announcement of his engagement.
His sister is set on wowing the gathering and insists on enlisting Poppy's services, to transform the ballroom with her exotic plants.
After a series of events, The Duke finds himself proposing marriage to Poppy, figuring this arrangement makes for great business. She can offer him an heir and he can offer his help with her budding exotic nursery.
Poppy Cavendish is working hard, the Uncle who raised her recently passed away so she must move her beloved nursery from his estate to the house he left her. But the Duke of Westmead has all the labor workers of the area working on his estate. Which he's preparing for the announcement of his engagement.
His sister is set on wowing the gathering and insists on enlisting Poppy's services, to transform the ballroom with her exotic plants.
After a series of events, The Duke finds himself proposing marriage to Poppy, figuring this arrangement makes for great business. She can offer him an heir and he can offer his help with her budding exotic nursery.
weecha22's review against another edition
5.0
Very different than I expected but amazing. I loved the characters, the angst, and the bdsm aspect was very minor.
mdeckinga's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
3.0
I think I wanted this romance to be more lighthearted!
There is a lot of angst: Poppy is (understandably) upset about her fate in a misogynistic world; Archer is full of grief and self-loathing.
This is a forced-marriage romance with BDSM elements. I loved the bouncing back within scenes between both of these characters: they were believable, and raw, and I especially loved that portrayal of how Archer and Poppy negotiate the power dynamics. Except, there's a lot of "one step forward, two back" moments, and, just, this is not a book I would want to read again. The journey to that happy ending was beautiful, but not light or easily earned.
There is a lot of angst: Poppy is (understandably) upset about her fate in a misogynistic world; Archer is full of grief and self-loathing.
This is a forced-marriage romance with BDSM elements. I loved the bouncing back within scenes between both of these characters: they were believable, and raw, and I especially loved that portrayal of how Archer and Poppy negotiate the power dynamics. Except, there's a lot of "one step forward, two back" moments, and, just, this is not a book I would want to read again. The journey to that happy ending was beautiful, but not light or easily earned.
madeleinehelena's review against another edition
3.0
"It was a trap, this business of being a woman. The simple truth of it was that after all her efforts to secure her independence, she was still stuck. To accomplish what she ought, she need not have bothered with years of being single-minded and industrious. She needed only to have been born a man."
Feminist historical romance, yes please! Poppy fighting for independence and longing to be able to support herself is both uplifting and depressing - the latter due to the many obvious inequalities of simply being born a woman.
However, the "alpha heroine and beta hero being intimate"-parts of the story to me felt sort of out of place - almost like I was reading about two different characters. And the major conflict related to this was dismissed/resolved a bit too quickly - as if the characters had discussed it out of earshot from the reader.
Feminist historical romance, yes please! Poppy fighting for independence and longing to be able to support herself is both uplifting and depressing - the latter due to the many obvious inequalities of simply being born a woman.
However, the "alpha heroine and beta hero being intimate"-parts of the story to me felt sort of out of place - almost like I was reading about two different characters. And the major conflict related to this was dismissed/resolved a bit too quickly - as if the characters had discussed it out of earshot from the reader.
msmathy's review against another edition
5.0
I can’t believe this is a first novel!
I reserve my five star ratings for books that will stay with me. The duke I Tempted is one of those books. It has a deep backstory and a unique storyline but I found unexpected. In addition, I love that the heroine of the book is strong and willing to go after what she wants after she realizes what and who that is.
I reserve my five star ratings for books that will stay with me. The duke I Tempted is one of those books. It has a deep backstory and a unique storyline but I found unexpected. In addition, I love that the heroine of the book is strong and willing to go after what she wants after she realizes what and who that is.
rejena's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a dark, sexy, angst fest and I'm totally on board for the rest of this series.
isabelisalright's review against another edition
4.0
3.5
This one was quite a ride. I will discuss the 'cheating' portion later in my review with spoilers.
This reads like literary romance. It's slow and steady but also very emotional. I really felt for Poppy and felt it was a steady march towards something.
It took me a little longer than normal to finish this because of the writing style. It was a slower paced read overall. I will applaud the fact that this is a twist on the normal kink in regency. I enjoyed Archer not being the dominate and Poppy's interest in exploring it.
Now for spoilers specifically what the cheating involves.
This one was quite a ride. I will discuss the 'cheating' portion later in my review with spoilers.
This reads like literary romance. It's slow and steady but also very emotional. I really felt for Poppy and felt it was a steady march towards something.
It took me a little longer than normal to finish this because of the writing style. It was a slower paced read overall. I will applaud the fact that this is a twist on the normal kink in regency. I enjoyed Archer not being the dominate and Poppy's interest in exploring it.
Now for spoilers specifically what the cheating involves.