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chroniclesofabookreader's review against another edition
5.0
TOP REC
With a skill that speaks of a writer with many published works under her belt, Peckham’s debut novel The Duke I Tempted shined brilliantly in every aspect. The luscious and rich romance held substance and a sweet, earned tension that was threaded through every word between the strong, willful Poppy and the brooding, adaptive Westmead. The sheer beauty of the cover only highlights a mere slice of what’s inside, and I fell deeply and willingly into their love story from their first introduction.
The best historical romance writers spend their time developing a heroine not fit for their time—business-minded, inventive, strong, willing women—of which Poppy could not help but fulfill. Her shucking of what’s expected was what made her fun and wholly believable while his unabashed adoration of those qualities in her made me love him. Peckham slowly built a tenuous business relationship between them and created a decadent slow-burn romance that superseded a what-should-be into a what-cannot-help-but-be, and it was all too easy to become swept up in it. Their rocky road traveled every emotion and pitfall with honesty and bravado while still managing to protect that first initial spark between them—keeping me rooting for their love while my heart felt equally as crushed.
The Duke I Tempted was as alluring and beguiling as I’d hoped it to be. I look forward to what else this new writer can add to the genre and the love stories that she’ll create within it. There aren’t words to explain the sheer brilliance of this story other than saying it’s a must-read for any romance fan who wants to fall so deeply she feels.
With a skill that speaks of a writer with many published works under her belt, Peckham’s debut novel The Duke I Tempted shined brilliantly in every aspect. The luscious and rich romance held substance and a sweet, earned tension that was threaded through every word between the strong, willful Poppy and the brooding, adaptive Westmead. The sheer beauty of the cover only highlights a mere slice of what’s inside, and I fell deeply and willingly into their love story from their first introduction.
The best historical romance writers spend their time developing a heroine not fit for their time—business-minded, inventive, strong, willing women—of which Poppy could not help but fulfill. Her shucking of what’s expected was what made her fun and wholly believable while his unabashed adoration of those qualities in her made me love him. Peckham slowly built a tenuous business relationship between them and created a decadent slow-burn romance that superseded a what-should-be into a what-cannot-help-but-be, and it was all too easy to become swept up in it. Their rocky road traveled every emotion and pitfall with honesty and bravado while still managing to protect that first initial spark between them—keeping me rooting for their love while my heart felt equally as crushed.
The Duke I Tempted was as alluring and beguiling as I’d hoped it to be. I look forward to what else this new writer can add to the genre and the love stories that she’ll create within it. There aren’t words to explain the sheer brilliance of this story other than saying it’s a must-read for any romance fan who wants to fall so deeply she feels.
booklvrkat's review against another edition
4.0
Absolutely a great short listen for this Historical Romance reader. It is unique (although tongue in cheek at times), the characters are believable (in a historical romance way), and the passion (wow) that flourished between the duke and his future wife was like a blanket for the soul. Yup, I am all mushy with this first in the series, and I am keenly awaiting the second book to drop from the library.
zg123's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book has BDSM, but it glosses over much of it.
I found the pace slow for my taste and started to skim the book. Interesting premise, but I felt the book over emphasized the lack of communication between the characters. I lost patience with them.
I found the pace slow for my taste and started to skim the book. Interesting premise, but I felt the book over emphasized the lack of communication between the characters. I lost patience with them.
missblissreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
cabuff's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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
4.25
sarahholt's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-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
Things I liked: Archer's desire for them to be equals from day one, accurate BDSM portrayal, that Poppy never once judged him for what he liked, Constance being a wonderful friend, Archer and Constance's investment in Poppy's business, accurate portrayal of Archer's PTSD symptoms, Poppy was never pressured to give up the clothes that made her comfortable, the amount of thought Archer put in to making sure Poppy was as independent as possible while married, Tom as a villain, Poppy seeking out professional help to give Archer what he needs safely, and I LOVED the concept of the magical indoor forest, that was one of the coolest things I've read in a long time.
Things I didn't love: I feel like some of the conflict was from situations created just for the sake of conflict or misunderstanding, rather than it coming from plot relevant events. For example, the fire felt like it was just a device for Archer's PTSD to be displayed and for both of them to feel unheard. They already had a lot of miscommunication by that point in the book so I don't think it was vital that it happened again, and I think Archer's PTSD could have been expanded on when Georgie was lost. There was also a couple side plots that weren't resolved but maybe they'll be addressed in the next book.
About the "cheating": Archer's desires were never sexual in nature, they were about giving up control to feel more grounded. People do that in a lot of ways, this one just happens to include nudity. Arousal was a byproduct, not the main goal. Also Poppy's hurt was because he didn't trust her to share that with her, not that he was doing it with someone else.
I think this was a wonderful first novel and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
Things I didn't love: I feel like some of the conflict was from situations created just for the sake of conflict or misunderstanding, rather than it coming from plot relevant events. For example, the fire felt like it was just a device for Archer's PTSD to be displayed and for both of them to feel unheard. They already had a lot of miscommunication by that point in the book so I don't think it was vital that it happened again, and I think Archer's PTSD could have been expanded on when Georgie was lost. There was also a couple side plots that weren't resolved but maybe they'll be addressed in the next book.
About the "cheating": Archer's desires were never sexual in nature, they were about giving up control to feel more grounded. People do that in a lot of ways, this one just happens to include nudity. Arousal was a byproduct, not the main goal. Also Poppy's hurt was because he didn't trust her to share that with her, not that he was doing it with someone else.
I think this was a wonderful first novel and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
arithefan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
vpalmer0508's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mskennedyreads's review against another edition
3.75
It isn't my favourite type of spice but the relationship and characters were SO well drawn. Looking forward to book 2!