Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Duke, Actually by Jenny Holiday

24 reviews

meganpbennett's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I picked up Duke, Actually based on the title, and wasn't aware that it was a sequel. I ended up reading it anyway, but I'm not sure what I missed with the various characters from book 1. 

It's an interesting romance novel. Dani's a tenure-track professor of English, and Max is, well, not a Duke. They've clearly met before - in the first book - but they're sweet and romantic. Max agrees to help Dani with her cheating ex who's now dating his former student and won't sign the divorce papers. Dani's not sure what Max is getting out of this, but she goes along with it. This book contains the Royal Wedding, so of course Dani goes to the wedding, and ends up spending even more time with Max, complete with the necessary massive misunderstanding that derails the romance. 

I couldn't figure out the title. While Dani loves Love, Actually, and one of the segments - At Christmas You Tell The Truth - is important to the plot, the title didn't make sense, since Max is, actually, not a duke. It makes sense in the end, but I didn't like the ending. 

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mags_reads_'s review

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adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0


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bradleygiselle's review

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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

4.5

*Content Warning* This book contains outing someone without their permission. It is done by one main character to the other main character and isn't ever shown as being extremely problematic and potentially dangerous. The other main character is even upset that they weren't told the information sooner. I don't believe it was the authors intent to do harm but I believe they simply didn't think about it and need to do better towards future LGBTQIA+ characters they write. 

I would have given this book 5 stars if this had been handled better as I loved the rest of the book more than I can express.

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decklededgess's review

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funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

trigger warnings: infidelity, inappropriate age gap, sexual content, alcoholism, abusive parents, homophobia, misogyny, death of parent

It's been like two weeks since I've read the book and I don't remember a lot which is not great. If I recall correctly, the characters have a really sweet and strong basis of friendship that grows into a romance rather nicely. I liked how they integrated their social circles and strengthened their family ties within the relationship. The smut...I think there's one scene idk. It was fine.
The one standout part is the face that the Duke/Baron has an abusive family but the way he and his brother mend their relationship and forge forward was really nice.

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fivecatsinacoat's review

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced review copy of this title.

This was the perfect holiday romance! I loved the Hallmark-esq feel to the story, without it feeling sickly sweet. You do not need to have read the first book in the series to read this one, although it will help you to understand a few storylines that are mentioned. 

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writtenbydnicole's review

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lighthearted reflective 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

3.5


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jhaneveauguste's review

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funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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


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percervall's review

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funny lighthearted 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

5.0

It's a ✨spicy✨ Hallmark film and I'm here for it

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casey_sunshine's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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kenziewol's review

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funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Solid holiday romance read — basically a hallmark movie in book format with a touch more spice 

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