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aqtbenz's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Alcoholism, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexism and Infidelity
meganpbennett's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Bullying, and Infidelity
bradleygiselle's review
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Outing, Physical abuse, and Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity and Racism
This book contains outing someone without their permission. It is done 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 think it was the authors intent was to harm but I believe they simply didn't think about it and need to do better towards future LGBTQIA+ characters they write.decklededgess's review
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Homophobia, and Sexism
fivecatsinacoat's review
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
writtenbydnicole's review
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity and Medical trauma
booksbytheglass's review against another edition
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
this book was so so adorable & perfect for this time of year!! plus, I’m team love actually iykyk :’)
dani’s best friend leo is marrying a princess, yes an actual princess. since dani’s the best woman, she has to deal the man of honor, max, who just happens to be a baron, son of a duke. this would all be a wonderful distraction from the fact that she’s in the middle of a messy divorce and hates her boss EXCEPT for the fact that max is the most insufferable person who refuses to take his duties seriously and believe in love. should dani really be judging a book by its cover, though? or is the world right about the big bad baron?
I absolutely adored the vibes of this whole story!! I felt like I was reading a hallmark movie without all of the cheese crammed in there. it was perfectly written!
the characters were all so unique but relatable at the same time that I found myself reading about the same problems I have along with a soon to be duchess lol. it was heartwarming and perfect for the season!!
thank you to netgalley and avon harper voyager for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for a review.
rating: 4.5 stars
wine pairing: alsace geurztraimer
dani’s best friend leo is marrying a princess, yes an actual princess. since dani’s the best woman, she has to deal the man of honor, max, who just happens to be a baron, son of a duke. this would all be a wonderful distraction from the fact that she’s in the middle of a messy divorce and hates her boss EXCEPT for the fact that max is the most insufferable person who refuses to take his duties seriously and believe in love. should dani really be judging a book by its cover, though? or is the world right about the big bad baron?
I absolutely adored the vibes of this whole story!! I felt like I was reading a hallmark movie without all of the cheese crammed in there. it was perfectly written!
the characters were all so unique but relatable at the same time that I found myself reading about the same problems I have along with a soon to be duchess lol. it was heartwarming and perfect for the season!!
thank you to netgalley and avon harper voyager for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for a review.
rating: 4.5 stars
wine pairing: alsace geurztraimer
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
madsmcw_reads's review
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity and Medical trauma
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