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jje121579's review
5.0
This coming together of two, I won’t say broken, but troubled people is an emotional journey that will have you smiling, chuckling, and then misty eyed. Forced proximity makes Duke admit he actually likes Sienna, and release some of his tightly held feelings. The storytelling has you immersed the the lives of this couple and the supporting cast of Ryder, Texas which is small town wonderful. Personal growth and childhood revelations add depth to this falling in love story and the HEA will make your day. Great read!
nikkieliz13's review
4.0
Rating: 3.75 Stars
“Funny thing about dreams, nobody tells you how sometimes they don’t live up to reality.”
Duke and Sienna’s story is heartwarming and hilarious, and I loved watching them fall in love and grow as individuals. As for secondary characters—I adored Patty, Phil, and Vivian. Not to mention the adorable Hartly McKay who stole my…well…heart. I’m looking forward to him becoming a part of Queenie and Shane’s family in the next book!
Title:[b: Duke-ing it Out]
POV(s): Duel—First Person
Interconnected Series: Yes
Standalone: Yes
Cliffhanger: No
HEA:
Spoiler
YesGenre(s): Contemporary Romance
Triggers:
Spoiler
Mentions of abuse, terminal illnessTags/Tropes:
❖ Age-Gap (8 years)
❖ Enemies-to-Lovers
❖ Ex-Pro-Football-Player-Hero
❖ Hero-Has-Something-to-Prove
❖ Hero-Runs-From-Emotions
❖ Heroine-Bonds-with-Hero’s-Family
❖ Heroine-Hides-From-Old-Life
❖ Injured-Heroine
❖ Lonely-Isolated-Heroine
❖ Pro-Athlete-Heroine (Tennis)
❖ Push-and-Pull-by-Hero
❖ Small-Town
❖ Sports-Medicine-Hero
❖ Sports-Romance
❖ Tortured-Hero
nicandbooks's review
5.0
"If you really care about someone, shouldn’t they be important enough to make a fool of yourself over?”
I loved this second book in Jami Albright's Small Town Royalty series. We have the sport trainer Duke and his client Sienna, who has decided to quit elite tennis and hide out from the world in Duke's small town. Duke underestimates Sienna and what starts as a very professional - and stand-offish - relationship between the two soon ignites. Loved this book and I can't wait for the next one.
I loved this second book in Jami Albright's Small Town Royalty series. We have the sport trainer Duke and his client Sienna, who has decided to quit elite tennis and hide out from the world in Duke's small town. Duke underestimates Sienna and what starts as a very professional - and stand-offish - relationship between the two soon ignites. Loved this book and I can't wait for the next one.
stucknbooks14's review
4.0
This woman knows who she is and what she wants. She deserves someone who will go all out and prove that he wants her too. I plan to be that man.
Duke was a pain in the butt, and yet I was on his side the entire time! Only once did I jump ship, and that was reluctantly. We knew from the get-go his complicated feelings for Sienna. And of course, his complications with feelings. So heartbreaking. I just wanted to hug him. It didn’t excuse the way he acted towards Sienna when his feelings became too much, but at least it was understandable. Of course, Sienna didn’t know that! She did however understand in her own way. She definitely didn’t excuse him though! That is a woman of strength! And she definitely gave Duke a run for his money! I’m proud of the both of them for never giving up, even if they ran away. I loved their Bonnie and Clyde games! And the sarcasm they both had plenty of. Leaving Sienna in Ryder had the exact opposite effect that Duke had planned for. And it was great for both of them! Duke stood by her side, even when he felt things get complicated. He knew he was throwing kerosine on the fire, but couldn’t avoid it. Once Duke stops fighting his emotions and fate, he becomes a man on a mission. And becomes the man Sienna deserves. Who never hesitates to let him know what she deserves (and she’s right). The ending was SO comforting.
My Favorite Quotes:
•”Shhh, let me take care of you.”
•”Are you taking me somewhere to have your wicked way with me, Mr. Wayne?” “You bet your sweet ass I am.”
•”No need to worry. I have everything I want right here.”
•’I’m on my knees in front of this woman, but it’s not a position of weakness, though I would happily beg for just one taste of her.’
•”I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you if you’ll forgive me. I need you to forgive me.”
7/10 Dirty Birdy
7/10 Friends to Lovers
7/10 Second Chance
8/10 Sports Romance
Some important things said that I believe everyone needs to hear:
•”No” is a complete sentence.
•Yes there are people with real problems and people who have less than you, but that doesn’t invalidate your feelings.”
•”If it’s how you fell, then it’s not stupid at all.”
Duke was a pain in the butt, and yet I was on his side the entire time! Only once did I jump ship, and that was reluctantly. We knew from the get-go his complicated feelings for Sienna. And of course, his complications with feelings. So heartbreaking. I just wanted to hug him. It didn’t excuse the way he acted towards Sienna when his feelings became too much, but at least it was understandable. Of course, Sienna didn’t know that! She did however understand in her own way. She definitely didn’t excuse him though! That is a woman of strength! And she definitely gave Duke a run for his money! I’m proud of the both of them for never giving up, even if they ran away. I loved their Bonnie and Clyde games! And the sarcasm they both had plenty of. Leaving Sienna in Ryder had the exact opposite effect that Duke had planned for. And it was great for both of them! Duke stood by her side, even when he felt things get complicated. He knew he was throwing kerosine on the fire, but couldn’t avoid it. Once Duke stops fighting his emotions and fate, he becomes a man on a mission. And becomes the man Sienna deserves. Who never hesitates to let him know what she deserves (and she’s right). The ending was SO comforting.
My Favorite Quotes:
•”Shhh, let me take care of you.”
•”Are you taking me somewhere to have your wicked way with me, Mr. Wayne?” “You bet your sweet ass I am.”
•”No need to worry. I have everything I want right here.”
•’I’m on my knees in front of this woman, but it’s not a position of weakness, though I would happily beg for just one taste of her.’
•”I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you if you’ll forgive me. I need you to forgive me.”
7/10 Dirty Birdy
7/10 Friends to Lovers
7/10 Second Chance
8/10 Sports Romance
Some important things said that I believe everyone needs to hear:
•”No” is a complete sentence.
•Yes there are people with real problems and people who have less than you, but that doesn’t invalidate your feelings.”
•”If it’s how you fell, then it’s not stupid at all.”
romancebookaffair's review
4.0
I loved Sienna and Duke's journey.
Duke has alot growth to go through and at sometimes it's heartbreaking to watch. I have never wanted to throttle a character as much as I did Duke's late father; the huge amount of baggage he created for Duke was awful. Sienna is so paitent with him as she tries to support him through it.
I love the journey she took, kick-started by Duke, to decide what she wanted for herself and setting out to get it. Loved the love and support she got from Patty, Phil and Vivian.
I really enjoyed this steamy romcom
Duke has alot growth to go through and at sometimes it's heartbreaking to watch. I have never wanted to throttle a character as much as I did Duke's late father; the huge amount of baggage he created for Duke was awful. Sienna is so paitent with him as she tries to support him through it.
I love the journey she took, kick-started by Duke, to decide what she wanted for herself and setting out to get it. Loved the love and support she got from Patty, Phil and Vivian.
I really enjoyed this steamy romcom
emyf34's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
msmathy's review
5.0
Fun and emotional book
I chose this book because of FB ads and I’m so glad I did. It is fun, but also deals with some real human emotions along the way. The path for Siena and Duke isn’t easy, but the end is satisfying.
I chose this book because of FB ads and I’m so glad I did. It is fun, but also deals with some real human emotions along the way. The path for Siena and Duke isn’t easy, but the end is satisfying.
paytonbox21's review
1.0
I had to DNF this book due to the MLM (multi-level marking). I absolutely love MLMs and how they prey on mothers to sell products for them. Very few people ever make it to the top and people often have to buy their own products to meet their goals. The communities are known to be toxic at all levels. I couldn't support a book that supports MLMs.
I've read a few books from this author and enjoyed her books but this one isn't it for me. I have no judgement for people in MLMs but I do not like when they are pushed onto others.
I've read a few books from this author and enjoyed her books but this one isn't it for me. I have no judgement for people in MLMs but I do not like when they are pushed onto others.
stephsromancebooktalk's review
5.0
4.5 Stars / 3 Steam Fans
A runaway injured tennis player, a trainer trying to make it big in the NFL with homeopathic therapy theories, a small town, witty, sexually charged banter. What more could you want?? I loved this ride, and I cannot wait for the next book in this series. It can be read as a standalone, but some of Jami's other characters appear.
Video review available in Week 38: Sep 19 – Sep 25, 2021, full weekly book reviews available on Steph's Romance Book Talk Patreon.
For other bookish content, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
A runaway injured tennis player, a trainer trying to make it big in the NFL with homeopathic therapy theories, a small town, witty, sexually charged banter. What more could you want?? I loved this ride, and I cannot wait for the next book in this series. It can be read as a standalone, but some of Jami's other characters appear.
Video review available in Week 38: Sep 19 – Sep 25, 2021, full weekly book reviews available on Steph's Romance Book Talk Patreon.
For other bookish content, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
ratetheromance's review
3.0
I love this author so much, but DUKE-ING IT OUT didn't quite work for me.
WHAT I LOVED:
- Grumpy + Sunshine forever! Duke is so swoony and crabby and straight-laced! I loved it when he finally ket go of some of his control. And Sienna is fiery and caring and I loved how she found her way in this book.
- I always love Found Family in my romance and this book does it so well.
- I fell in love with this small Texas town!
- This book had some great laugh-out-loud moments.
WHAT I STRUGGLED WITH:
- I felt like there was a disproportionate amount of side story in this book. We get A LOT of exposure to the town and side characters. I found myself thinking, "But what about Duke and Sienna?" fairly often.
- The ending felt very rushed. There is heaps of conflict throughout the book and it all gets resolved within the final chapter.
DUKE-ING IT OUT is a good read, just not a great read for me. But if you love small town and grumpy+sunshine then you might really love it!
RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R
TRIGGERS: death of parent, cancer, domestic abuse (past), parent emotional abuse
FEELS-O-METER: 2/5 - A bit of drama, but still a light read.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
WHAT I LOVED:
- Grumpy + Sunshine forever! Duke is so swoony and crabby and straight-laced! I loved it when he finally ket go of some of his control. And Sienna is fiery and caring and I loved how she found her way in this book.
- I always love Found Family in my romance and this book does it so well.
- I fell in love with this small Texas town!
- This book had some great laugh-out-loud moments.
WHAT I STRUGGLED WITH:
- I felt like there was a disproportionate amount of side story in this book. We get A LOT of exposure to the town and side characters. I found myself thinking, "But what about Duke and Sienna?" fairly often.
- The ending felt very rushed. There is heaps of conflict throughout the book and it all gets resolved within the final chapter.
DUKE-ING IT OUT is a good read, just not a great read for me. But if you love small town and grumpy+sunshine then you might really love it!
RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R
TRIGGERS: death of parent, cancer, domestic abuse (past), parent emotional abuse
FEELS-O-METER: 2/5 - A bit of drama, but still a light read.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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