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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
The hero is attracted to heroine but wants to marry someone else because she’s more “proper.” The heroine has feelings for the hero but she always felt the hero settled for her as second best…and she never lets him forget that until the very end.
Literally THAT’s the plot. Too much misunderstandings and whining that made this book super frustrating for me.
Literally THAT’s the plot. Too much misunderstandings and whining that made this book super frustrating for me.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Had some funny moments, but last 100 pages felt unnecessary…Struggled to finish this and figured something must happen with so many pages left…nope.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Eloisa James can be so good. But this book is not the best example of her talents. The first half of "Not That Duke" runs concurrently with the events of the previous book in the series, "A Reluctant Countess". I liked "A Reluctant Countess", including the depiction of this book's MMC Silvester in that story. But. I have no desire to read a romance in which the MMC is essentially in love with someone who is not the FMC for at least half of the story. We of course see interactions with FMC Stella and there is little doubt Silvester finds Stella physically attractive. But he makes it quite clear that she is his second choice.
And Stella deserves so much better. Stella is a true wallflower, but is also smart, funny, and caring. She spends the first half of the book crushing on Silvester while fully aware of his feelings for Yasmin. The second half still finds her not fully secure in their relationship, and not in spite of any contrary conduct by Silvester. He goes from running off with Yasmin to coming back to tell Stella that he has essentially decided that they will marry. His consideration of her feelings seems slim to none, and I was just not a fan.
All of that said, James' writing here is, as always, witty and entertaining. I would still not hesitate to pick up another book by her. Though I would love to see Lydia really get hers in a future writing.
2.5 stars, rounded to 3. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. The opinions herein are my own.
And Stella deserves so much better. Stella is a true wallflower, but is also smart, funny, and caring. She spends the first half of the book crushing on Silvester while fully aware of his feelings for Yasmin. The second half still finds her not fully secure in their relationship, and not in spite of any contrary conduct by Silvester. He goes from running off with Yasmin to coming back to tell Stella that he has essentially decided that they will marry. His consideration of her feelings seems slim to none, and I was just not a fan.
All of that said, James' writing here is, as always, witty and entertaining. I would still not hesitate to pick up another book by her. Though I would love to see Lydia really get hers in a future writing.
2.5 stars, rounded to 3. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. The opinions herein are my own.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A delightful 3rd installment to the would be wallflowers novels. I think Stella is my favorite heroine from the three books. I immediately identified with her insecurities, especially since she was a red-haired freckled girl who had suffered through bullying. I also wondered while reading the book if the author had channeled some of herself into Stella and sure enough, at the end of the book, Eloisa admits to experiencing some of Stella’s challenges herself. I really loved this book and would recommend to anyone who wants a spicy romance with a relatable heroine.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes