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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to provide an honest review.
In this historical romance we are following Eleanor who is a privateer who obtains art, alcohol, artifacts, etc for wealthy people of society. Meanwhile, the Duke of Danby, Sher, is trying to rid the country of smugglers to make sure the kingdom doesn't fall into bankruptcy. Although they have opposing goals, they are attracted to each other creating a tangled web which eventually leaves them both in tenuous circumstances.
Firstly, I really liked the premise of this book. We had this spunky heroine who is independent, caring and has lovely, trusting relationships with her staff. I am sure they are out there but I have never read a romance with a female smuggler so I liked those hard and soft aspects of her character. I also really liked the side plot of Margaret and seeing how that progressed throughout the book and in their relationship.
Despite what I did like, I felt that the conflict was resolved too quickly. I would have loved more fleshed out backstories for both of the main characters, especially Eleanor. We know she had a rough past because of money problems stemming from her fathers illness but I wish we got more details of her scrounging to survive and keep her family afloat. We are told Sher is a rake but we dont really see evidence of this on page. He doesnt't have a lot of personality IMO. I also would have liked more angst. It felt like other minor events happening around them took away from the romance so I didn't really feel adequately convinced of their want of each other. The mundane married life took up too much real estate in the second half of the book. If that was condensed, there would have been far more room for character development and the romance itself.
Overall, this was just okay. Its a fun, easy read with a good premise but it needed more fleshing out. I think this would be a great option for people who want less romance or just want to try out historicals for the first time. The smut is also pretty tame compared to other historicals I've read so this can be an option for readers who want more fade-to-black smut.
2.5 stars rounded up to a 3
In this historical romance we are following Eleanor who is a privateer who obtains art, alcohol, artifacts, etc for wealthy people of society. Meanwhile, the Duke of Danby, Sher, is trying to rid the country of smugglers to make sure the kingdom doesn't fall into bankruptcy. Although they have opposing goals, they are attracted to each other creating a tangled web which eventually leaves them both in tenuous circumstances.
Firstly, I really liked the premise of this book. We had this spunky heroine who is independent, caring and has lovely, trusting relationships with her staff. I am sure they are out there but I have never read a romance with a female smuggler so I liked those hard and soft aspects of her character. I also really liked the side plot of Margaret and seeing how that progressed throughout the book and in their relationship.
Despite what I did like, I felt that the conflict was resolved too quickly. I would have loved more fleshed out backstories for both of the main characters, especially Eleanor. We know she had a rough past because of money problems stemming from her fathers illness but I wish we got more details of her scrounging to survive and keep her family afloat. We are told Sher is a rake but we dont really see evidence of this on page. He doesnt't have a lot of personality IMO. I also would have liked more angst. It felt like other minor events happening around them took away from the romance so I didn't really feel adequately convinced of their want of each other. The mundane married life took up too much real estate in the second half of the book. If that was condensed, there would have been far more room for character development and the romance itself.
Overall, this was just okay. Its a fun, easy read with a good premise but it needed more fleshing out. I think this would be a great option for people who want less romance or just want to try out historicals for the first time. The smut is also pretty tame compared to other historicals I've read so this can be an option for readers who want more fade-to-black smut.
2.5 stars rounded up to a 3
Another author who writes Regency romances with enough plot, but not too much to take away from the romance and development of the characters and their story.
Even though "privateer" was a bit of a stretch, I really enjoyed reading about how Eleanor overcame the money difficulties she would face given her circumstances.
I liked the scenario created by the author and found it very intriguing with the smuggling business. The plot was interesting and made me want to need it all at once.
There were some parts that felt a bit rushed for me, but it didn't affect my opinions on the overall book.
I'm very interested in reading more novels by Amy Janecki!
This book was sent to me for free in exchange for a review via Netgalley, nonetheless this opinions are my own.
I liked the scenario created by the author and found it very intriguing with the smuggling business. The plot was interesting and made me want to need it all at once.
There were some parts that felt a bit rushed for me, but it didn't affect my opinions on the overall book.
I'm very interested in reading more novels by Amy Janecki!
This book was sent to me for free in exchange for a review via Netgalley, nonetheless this opinions are my own.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
When she became a debutante, Eleanor discovered that her family was in financial ruin. Her father is a viscount but when he came back from the war, he sunk into a depression that left him uncommunicative for a decade. The Baroness of Derby took Eleanor under her wing and from there Eleanor manages to build a smuggling empire. The Prince of Wales may be on her side but when Sherborn Price, the Duke of Danby is given the role to oversee the task of clearing England's shores of smugglers, Eleanor knows she's in trouble.
She was Eleanor Kent, a woman with nerves of steel, who needed no man, especially a man who stood to ruin the empire she had spent years building.
This is third in a series but I had no problems starting here; there is clearly characters from previous books but they weren't intrusive. What I did have some problem with was how little Eleanor's privateer aspect played a part. The beginning explains the hows and whys of Eleanor becoming a privateer, even mentions how she went on some runs and brings in the Prince of Wales for some real historical figure addition as he knows and helps her avoid authorities, but by the time the reader comes into the story, Eleanor is more of an interior designer. The style of chinoiserie is said to be popular at this time (you will read this word over and over) and Eleanor is supposedly the authority on it. Sherborn comes into the story as he meets Eleanor and the Prince leads him to think Eleanor could be smuggling items into England, ending smuggling is a new task he has been charged with. His curiosity and attraction have him inviting Eleanor to his home under the guise that his mother wants to redo a salon in the chinoiserie style.
He was as beautiful as nightshade and the jumping in the pit of her stomach was nothing but a warning.
I'm not sure if, because of the title, I was looking for more action, maybe even some high seas, that this story ended up feeling a little dull and meandering. As the attraction grows between Eleanor and Sherborn, she gets angsty over thinking Sherborn is just faking it so he can get close to her and get evidence of her smuggling. Sherborn isn't the greatest detective and for the most part overhears some things and then hires a Bow Street Runner to do the investigating for him and then his focus is him liking Eleanor.
The middle gives us a baby found in a park that Eleanor decides she must keep, her father talking for the first time in ten years because Sherborn reads to him from a dirty book, and then Sherborn deciding that he must marry Eleanor to protect her when/if she gets in trouble for smuggling. Feeling put out about the lack of any high seas action or smuggling danger action, I turned to the romance but while there were some felt hints of attraction between the two, their physicality scenes were uncomfortable to read. Their first kiss scene reads as dubious consent as Eleanor kept telling Sherborn “No.” and trying to refuse his kisses, which he just kept ignoring. I could see some calling it weaker dubious consent but it was still dubious consent. The last 20% has Sherborn working to court his wife but Eleanor dealing with the housekeeper and maids butts in at times and takes away from the romance. The last 10% has their first sex scene and starts off with a little of the dubious consent again, has a sick baby interruption, and then Eleanor finally getting into it. There's one more ending sex scene that felt out of place before Eleanor and Sherborn get their happily ever after. If you don't go in expecting some privateer action like I did and have enjoyed previous books in the series, you'd probably enjoy this more gradual paced story.
When she became a debutante, Eleanor discovered that her family was in financial ruin. Her father is a viscount but when he came back from the war, he sunk into a depression that left him uncommunicative for a decade. The Baroness of Derby took Eleanor under her wing and from there Eleanor manages to build a smuggling empire. The Prince of Wales may be on her side but when Sherborn Price, the Duke of Danby is given the role to oversee the task of clearing England's shores of smugglers, Eleanor knows she's in trouble.
She was Eleanor Kent, a woman with nerves of steel, who needed no man, especially a man who stood to ruin the empire she had spent years building.
This is third in a series but I had no problems starting here; there is clearly characters from previous books but they weren't intrusive. What I did have some problem with was how little Eleanor's privateer aspect played a part. The beginning explains the hows and whys of Eleanor becoming a privateer, even mentions how she went on some runs and brings in the Prince of Wales for some real historical figure addition as he knows and helps her avoid authorities, but by the time the reader comes into the story, Eleanor is more of an interior designer. The style of chinoiserie is said to be popular at this time (you will read this word over and over) and Eleanor is supposedly the authority on it. Sherborn comes into the story as he meets Eleanor and the Prince leads him to think Eleanor could be smuggling items into England, ending smuggling is a new task he has been charged with. His curiosity and attraction have him inviting Eleanor to his home under the guise that his mother wants to redo a salon in the chinoiserie style.
He was as beautiful as nightshade and the jumping in the pit of her stomach was nothing but a warning.
I'm not sure if, because of the title, I was looking for more action, maybe even some high seas, that this story ended up feeling a little dull and meandering. As the attraction grows between Eleanor and Sherborn, she gets angsty over thinking Sherborn is just faking it so he can get close to her and get evidence of her smuggling. Sherborn isn't the greatest detective and for the most part overhears some things and then hires a Bow Street Runner to do the investigating for him and then his focus is him liking Eleanor.
The middle gives us a baby found in a park that Eleanor decides she must keep, her father talking for the first time in ten years because Sherborn reads to him from a dirty book, and then Sherborn deciding that he must marry Eleanor to protect her when/if she gets in trouble for smuggling. Feeling put out about the lack of any high seas action or smuggling danger action, I turned to the romance but while there were some felt hints of attraction between the two, their physicality scenes were uncomfortable to read. Their first kiss scene reads as dubious consent as Eleanor kept telling Sherborn “No.” and trying to refuse his kisses, which he just kept ignoring. I could see some calling it weaker dubious consent but it was still dubious consent. The last 20% has Sherborn working to court his wife but Eleanor dealing with the housekeeper and maids butts in at times and takes away from the romance. The last 10% has their first sex scene and starts off with a little of the dubious consent again, has a sick baby interruption, and then Eleanor finally getting into it. There's one more ending sex scene that felt out of place before Eleanor and Sherborn get their happily ever after. If you don't go in expecting some privateer action like I did and have enjoyed previous books in the series, you'd probably enjoy this more gradual paced story.
I received this for an honest review from Netgalley. This was a book I listened to on audiobook. This is a story of a women left destitute after her father is injured in battle. She takes to smuggling to make the money to keep her home. There is a duke she was interested in, but she had a terrible coming out season and swore off marriage. The Duke is investigating smuggling for the King, but the heroine is the smuggler being investigated, This is a wonderful tale of how everything works out in the end.
This was a very lovely story. Eleanor is a strong female heroine that is a head of herself for the time period. She is a good business woman that supports herself and her father. Sher, is the Duke of Danby who finds himself drawn to Eleanor. This is a slow burn but well worth the wait.
A fun historical romance with an enemies to lovers vibe, but where the enemies aspect could have been a lot more contentious. I enjoyed continuing the story of Eleanor who was introduced in the last book. I would have loved a bit more with the Eversham’s because I think it’s nice to not just read a romance. But also read about friendships.
While I really enjoyed Eleanor’s character. I think the Duke could have been developed a bit more. His character was just a bit flat, his anger entitled and ... I don’t know. Just a bit lacking. Even in his development of feelings.
That being said. If you like historical romances. You will enjoy this.
While I really enjoyed Eleanor’s character. I think the Duke could have been developed a bit more. His character was just a bit flat, his anger entitled and ... I don’t know. Just a bit lacking. Even in his development of feelings.
That being said. If you like historical romances. You will enjoy this.
arc provided by netgalley for an honest review
This is the third book in the Devilish Dukes series but it can be read as a stand alone.
We have two main characters:
— Sherborn (Sher) Price, the Duke of Danby: He has to put an end to the smuggling that has been happening across the country and in return empties the country’s treasury.
— Eleanor Kent, daughter of Viscount Lisle: She is a smuggler, specifically a privateer, who is doing this as a way to support her family after her father’s injury. Although, her family is plenty wealthy now…it’s the fun and excitement that keeps her going along with smuggling.
They meet at the Prince’s dinner under the disguise that Sher needs her to help redecorating his room but he is under the correct assumption that she knows something about the smuggling. After spending lots of time together, their attraction grows more and more but Eleanor knows Sher is spying on her and decides she will no longer see him.
They end up getting married so her “bad deeds” won’t be held against her. It starts off as an enemies to lovers to a marriage of convenience and they must work through their differences to get along.
This was not a story that particularly captivated me but it was an easy read and would recommend it to lovers of marriage of convenience.
This is the third book in the Devilish Dukes series but it can be read as a stand alone.
We have two main characters:
— Sherborn (Sher) Price, the Duke of Danby: He has to put an end to the smuggling that has been happening across the country and in return empties the country’s treasury.
— Eleanor Kent, daughter of Viscount Lisle: She is a smuggler, specifically a privateer, who is doing this as a way to support her family after her father’s injury. Although, her family is plenty wealthy now…it’s the fun and excitement that keeps her going along with smuggling.
They meet at the Prince’s dinner under the disguise that Sher needs her to help redecorating his room but he is under the correct assumption that she knows something about the smuggling. After spending lots of time together, their attraction grows more and more but Eleanor knows Sher is spying on her and decides she will no longer see him.
They end up getting married so her “bad deeds” won’t be held against her. It starts off as an enemies to lovers to a marriage of convenience and they must work through their differences to get along.
This was not a story that particularly captivated me but it was an easy read and would recommend it to lovers of marriage of convenience.
**I received an advanced listener's copy of this audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
DNF @ 26%
I was super stoked since this had generally high ratings. The premise was set up quite well actually and the writing was well done, but when they went off on a horse ride into the woods she finds a baby and decides to keep it??? Sorry I don't want orphan infants suddenly taking over my romance narrative, and we had just barely started showing interest beyond his sneaking around/trying to expose her as a smuggler. Just gonna DNF and move on.
DNF @ 26%
I was super stoked since this had generally high ratings. The premise was set up quite well actually and the writing was well done, but when they went off on a horse ride into the woods she finds a baby and decides to keep it??? Sorry I don't want orphan infants suddenly taking over my romance narrative, and we had just barely started showing interest beyond his sneaking around/trying to expose her as a smuggler. Just gonna DNF and move on.
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Duke's Privateer, while the third in the Devilish Dukes series, reads easily as a standalone.
Ultimately, it was a quick, well-written romance but I have a hard pass on one of the tropes the author used to show Eleanor's softer side. Sher was less rake than I expected but I enjoyed the conflict he had between his duty and the attraction to Eleanor. I just didn't find myself swept away with the romance. I do recommend for lovers of the marriage of convenience, enemies-to-lovers, and a strong, independent heroine that dabbles in smuggling.
Tropes: Marriage of Convenience, Enemies-to-Lovers
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ultimately, it was a quick, well-written romance but I have a hard pass on one of the tropes the author used to show Eleanor's softer side. Sher was less rake than I expected but I enjoyed the conflict he had between his duty and the attraction to Eleanor. I just didn't find myself swept away with the romance. I do recommend for lovers of the marriage of convenience, enemies-to-lovers, and a strong, independent heroine that dabbles in smuggling.
Tropes: Marriage of Convenience, Enemies-to-Lovers
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.