Reviews with content warning for Emotional abuse - Duke, Actually

Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Duke, Actually by Jenny Holiday

24 reviews

allingoodtime's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective 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? It's complicated

3.5

There are a lot of heavy things dealt with in this story, and I greatly enjoyed the characters, yet I never felt fully immersed in the story. To be fair, I think my expectations were for a different type of story. I don’t know why that was since I read the first story I knew it ran along the lines of a Hallmark movie. I love Hallmark movies, but they are also something that I can enjoy while doing other things. Few and far between are the ones that grip me to the extent that I remember particulars about the story above and beyond the other movies on the channel.

Okay, I am starting to sound like I didn’t like this book. I actually did like it and found comfort in the story. Max is funny and kind while also being rakish and flirty. Dani has a surprisingly childlike joy in the simple things. They start as friends after Dani makes it perfectly clear nothing will ever happen between them. I love their friendship and the way Max always shows up for Dani.

With as many things that I loved about this story, it’s frustrating to not be able to express what kept it in the “good/great” category and out of the “fantastic” zone. If you’re in the mood for a Hallmark type of story with a bit more heat and angst, I’d say go for it.

Content Warnings

kemperwrites's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny hopeful lighthearted tense slow-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

3.75

Content Warnings

trufflesmcgee's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny hopeful lighthearted slow-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

It was a fun holiday read. The end conflict before the resolution seemed a bit over dramatisised but generally it was enjoyable.

Content Warnings

amberinpieces's review

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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? Yes

4.25

Content Warnings

taliabasma's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful lighthearted relaxing sad 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

3.75

I liked Max but also felt like he wasn’t fully fleshed out. He went from being suave man to not in like three pages, then the rest of the book he’s still being called suave but he hardly does anything in this book deserving that title. In the first book, yes he’s a playboy, but I wish we saw the reduction of playboy more than “all of a sudden” he’s in a dry spell. Idk the idea was there, execution was not (imo).

Content Warnings