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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.ldystargazer's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
What a cute read! Full of happiness and love, this book sucked me in and didn't let go until I was finished. There was a wonderful buildup that ended with a very satisfying conclusion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
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
percervall's review
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Physical abuse and Homophobia
valeriabee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
4.5
So good. Did not have the spice I expected from it. Although, while reading I was thinking about how much I love the connection between the characters to the point that the sex isnt necessary. However, we all want to know what it's like to fuck Max von Hansburg. And I want the exquisite details you know? Cause he's just so perfect that you need to know exactly how perfect he is. Because he really is perfect. And the banter between him and Dani? ICONIQUE.
Also, Dani is exactly who I want to be...sans divorce from trash specimen named Vince.
This is one of those books where the connection between the character is so real and felt so deeply. It is written so well. I'm almost afraid of reading any of Jenny Holiday's other books for fear that no couple will hit quite the way Dani and Max do.
Also, the third act breakup didnt feel so dramatic or annoying like it does in other books. It was for similar reasons (they cant admit that they love each other so they blow up at each other and one of them walks away "for good"), but it also felt like... like there was no reason to feel like it was a real breakup since you know they are both so in love. Like you're not mad at them for being scared of their feelings cause you know exactly how they got there and its like "yes you feel that so intensely it scares you."
ALSO, the way Max is so attentive and wanted to make his grand gesture perfectly align to her life and sentiments. Like he knows she starts celebrating Christmas on Dec 11 and that she loves the giant card confession in Love, Actually (which I hate and refuse Dani's argument about) -- he knows this so he aligns his confession to these facts about her. And ugh he's just so perfect I'm mad.
And the proposal at the end? Him stumbling around with his underwear at his ankles when she finally says yes. And instead of having a ring, he proposes with the thing she jokingly named as a condition the first time he proposed. Also the time he explained the proper proposal under English Teacher terms with topic sentence followed by arguments. GOD I LOVE HIM.
Also, Dani is exactly who I want to be...sans divorce from trash specimen named Vince.
This is one of those books where the connection between the character is so real and felt so deeply. It is written so well. I'm almost afraid of reading any of Jenny Holiday's other books for fear that no couple will hit quite the way Dani and Max do.
ALSO, the way Max is so attentive and wanted to make his grand gesture perfectly align to her life and sentiments. Like he knows she starts celebrating Christmas on Dec 11 and that she loves the giant card confession in Love, Actually (which I hate and refuse Dani's argument about) -- he knows this so he aligns his confession to these facts about her. And ugh he's just so perfect I'm mad.
And the proposal at the end? Him stumbling around with his underwear at his ankles when she finally says yes. And instead of having a ring, he proposes with the thing she jokingly named as a condition the first time he proposed. Also the time he explained the proper proposal under English Teacher terms with topic sentence followed by arguments. GOD I LOVE HIM.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Death of parent
casey_sunshine's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Death of parent, Bullying, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Death, and Child abuse
kenziewol's review
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Alcoholism
Minor: Child abuse, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
kbairbooks's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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
4.75
Awww! I really loved this. (Spoiler review) I loved that they weren’t 16 years old they were older AND their relationship lasted a couple of years AND they started out as friends AND they were totally open about sex and sex before marriage AND their cute moments weee so cute! I loved the characters and the banter and the deal to better their lives AND the spontaneous death of the bitch ass dad!! So good. Such fun
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
iamsammie27's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Homophobia, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Racism and Toxic relationship