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shannon_cocktailsandbooks's review
3.0
I enjoyed this book, but I was expecting so much more from the relationship between Marcus and Liz. I thought this was going to be an erotic historical, but in the end it was a story of a girl desperate to save her sister.
bookwife's review
4.0
So this book wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I figured it would be another smutty read with terrible writing and even worst characters. But I was surprised to find out that that wasn't true. This book actually had a plot. Liz is trying to save her sister and to do that she needs to steal from the duke. They have an immediate attraction and Liz finds out that her desires run a little bit darker and the duke is the perfect man to help her out with that. So yes of course it's smutty. How can it not be with that title? But there is a story and it's actually really good.
I liked Liz and Montague. They both had separate things going on besides the smut. It was just a really good read and I am looking forward to more from this author.
I liked Liz and Montague. They both had separate things going on besides the smut. It was just a really good read and I am looking forward to more from this author.
hellishnell's review
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
caitlyn999's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
cffergie16's review
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
witandsin's review
DNF at 44%
After four days of trying to slog through this story, I had to give up. The book’s description sounded fun and I expected a sexy historical with perhaps even a dash of intrigue. As of where I stopped reading, the blurb didn’t fit the book. Perhaps the latter 56% percent of the story was all passion and submission, but I’m not about to stick around and find out. Disciplined by the Duke is incredibly slow-paced, with an insipid heroine who is mostly memorable for her brief bouts of martyrdom and a hero who is pretty unbelievable (and I’m willing to suspend quite a bit of disbelief when reading). Almost halfway in, the romance hadn’t really developed, the sexual tension had barely started to simmer, and the letter that Liz is risking everything to find was proving to be more of a MacGuffin than an actual plot point. Perhaps the latter half of the book picked up, but when reading a book feels like a chore, it’s time to call it a quits.
After four days of trying to slog through this story, I had to give up. The book’s description sounded fun and I expected a sexy historical with perhaps even a dash of intrigue. As of where I stopped reading, the blurb didn’t fit the book. Perhaps the latter 56% percent of the story was all passion and submission, but I’m not about to stick around and find out. Disciplined by the Duke is incredibly slow-paced, with an insipid heroine who is mostly memorable for her brief bouts of martyrdom and a hero who is pretty unbelievable (and I’m willing to suspend quite a bit of disbelief when reading). Almost halfway in, the romance hadn’t really developed, the sexual tension had barely started to simmer, and the letter that Liz is risking everything to find was proving to be more of a MacGuffin than an actual plot point. Perhaps the latter half of the book picked up, but when reading a book feels like a chore, it’s time to call it a quits.
missblissreads's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
cleo_reads's review
3.0
3 1/2 stars. If you like historical romances with the fun kind of spanking without a side of misogyny and with pretty clear consent, this is the book for you. Note that it's not erotica - based on the title, I was surprised that there were only 3 or 4 ish sex scenes.
The set up requires a huge suspension of disbelief but I just kind of went with it. I enjoyed the characters and their chemistry. The slow burn and build up of sexual tension between the h/h is smoking hot. The last third or fourth of the book didn't work as well - too many plot twists, not enough sex (and I normally don't think that, but the build up deserved more, ahem, pay off). And honestly, I would have probably been more forgiving of the crazy sauce ridiculousness of the plot if there'd been just one or two more sex scenes.
The author avoided a lot of clichés that I was expecting / dreading - I kept waiting for the Duke to go all betrayed alphahole and have hate sex / punish her after discovering she lied to him. But that never happened. All the sexy spanking / discipline was respectful and consensual. The Duke is an alpha but not an alphahole. The BDSM is light - just spanking with misc implements.
CW - child abuse is hinted at off page and not the MC (as the blurb says, her sister killed their father and it's clear from Liz's reaction that she (the sister) had good reason to want him dead - the text doesn't go into details re why but there are hints if you pick up on that sort of thing)
The set up requires a huge suspension of disbelief but I just kind of went with it. I enjoyed the characters and their chemistry. The slow burn and build up of sexual tension between the h/h is smoking hot. The last third or fourth of the book didn't work as well - too many plot twists, not enough sex (and I normally don't think that, but the build up deserved more, ahem, pay off). And honestly, I would have probably been more forgiving of the crazy sauce ridiculousness of the plot if there'd been just one or two more sex scenes.
The author avoided a lot of clichés that I was expecting / dreading - I kept waiting for the Duke to go all betrayed alphahole and have hate sex / punish her after discovering she lied to him. But that never happened. All the sexy spanking / discipline was respectful and consensual. The Duke is an alpha but not an alphahole. The BDSM is light - just spanking with misc implements.
CW - child abuse is hinted at off page and not the MC (as the blurb says, her sister killed their father and it's clear from Liz's reaction that she (the sister) had good reason to want him dead - the text doesn't go into details re why but there are hints if you pick up on that sort of thing)
jlee76's review
4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a spicy, very steamy read, if you not like that in your books I would advise you not to read it. Elizabeth Wilcox is at the mercy of a powerful titled man who is using her to do his dirty work. She is forced into this because she is trying to free her sister from Newgate. She was a fairly strong character, I liked her devotion to her sister who saved her from a horrible fate. There was something I can’t pinpoint that stopped me from loving this character. I just didn’t warm to her.
I liked Marcus, the Duke of Montague more. His personality shone brighter than Liz. I liked his sense of honor. His internal debate about his attraction to Liz is realistic and well developed. I also liked his friends and that all of them are covert agents to the Crown.
The plot was hot and cold for me. The interaction between the couple was electric when they were together. This wasn’t my favorite trope, the heroine being disguised and a spy. The plot did keep my interest for the most part. It was clear and was paced well. Overall I enjoyed it but I didn’t love it. I do believe I will read the next book in the series, it peaked my interest.
This was a spicy, very steamy read, if you not like that in your books I would advise you not to read it. Elizabeth Wilcox is at the mercy of a powerful titled man who is using her to do his dirty work. She is forced into this because she is trying to free her sister from Newgate. She was a fairly strong character, I liked her devotion to her sister who saved her from a horrible fate. There was something I can’t pinpoint that stopped me from loving this character. I just didn’t warm to her.
I liked Marcus, the Duke of Montague more. His personality shone brighter than Liz. I liked his sense of honor. His internal debate about his attraction to Liz is realistic and well developed. I also liked his friends and that all of them are covert agents to the Crown.
The plot was hot and cold for me. The interaction between the couple was electric when they were together. This wasn’t my favorite trope, the heroine being disguised and a spy. The plot did keep my interest for the most part. It was clear and was paced well. Overall I enjoyed it but I didn’t love it. I do believe I will read the next book in the series, it peaked my interest.
andra_mihaela_s's review
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
3.5 stars!
After listening to one of Jenn's recommendation videos (from the youtube channel "The Book Refuge"), I decided to read Alyson Chase's first book in the "Lords of Discipline" series.
I was intrigued about the espionage premise and really wanted to know if I liked some "discipline" in my romances...turns out..I'm not a big fan of that (it's easily losing my interest)
We follow Liz Wilcox undercover as a maid in the Duke of Montague estate for a top secret mission..steal a particular letter to save her sister's life!
I really enjoyed the first half of the book...where both Liz and Marcus (the Duke) needed time to figure out what they want and what they are to each other, as well as the intrigue given by Liz's mission and Marcus real job. Maybe because I LOVE a slow burn romance, or because all my emotions are captured and manipulated mostly by characters being in distress over feelings,etc, but the second half bored me a little bit. I also felt a little cheated into believing I will get a solid slow burn...that ship sailed after their first real moment, so...yeah >..>..not a strong book from beginning to end in my opinion.
Good versus bad for quick assessment!
+ we see espionage from our MC, how the life of a maid is (not a whole lot, after all this is a historical romance), and discrepancy between classes
+ we have characters that mostly stay consistent with their personalities (Liz takes a turn in the second half for me)
+we have an example of unfair justice system to women in historical times (Amanda -Liz's sister)
+we have state level secrets (the noblemen in this book are a little bit more involved than initially presented)
+good writing - easy to read and great in terms of pacing
+great repr of a light BDSM relationship for beginners (I think?)
+the male interest is not healed by our heroine due to love! (they are accepting of each other)
+loved Peggy and Mr. Todd sidestory and I wish we saw more of them
- Liz is changing her personality (from a quiet woman that always considered things to a more carnal and vocal woman, a bolder version that needed time in my opinion to be organic, especially when she still keeps other things to herself as dictated by the initial profile)
- our Duke takes quite a while to make some connections even after having a lead on the bad guy
- not truly satisfied with the bad guy's ending...although it seems plausible and I'm sure it really happened in real life too
- the servants faded to the background and straight up dissapeared after a promising start where we had a complete picture of this mansion...also, Liz gets away with a lot of things as both a maid..and as a spy...
- speaking of spies...her plans are not well though out! (she's suppossed to have experience as a spy..well...i don't really see it; we have convenient moments at the end in which she gets the job done, her plan to safe her sister is quite incredulous and I'm surprised she got out from the earl's house alive for her to meet Marcus at the end....wtf???? what happended? in the beginning she was more capable)
- Molly, Liz's roommate, is awfully blind to some things
Content warnings: child abuse, sexual harassment
Overall, this book was good for what it tried to be, but not amazing. If you want to read an espionage romance with light BDSM elements but with more emphasis on the will-they-won't-they aspect of the story and the sexual side of things, then this is a great choice for you!
Enjoy
After listening to one of Jenn's recommendation videos (from the youtube channel "The Book Refuge"), I decided to read Alyson Chase's first book in the "Lords of Discipline" series.
I was intrigued about the espionage premise and really wanted to know if I liked some "discipline" in my romances...turns out..I'm not a big fan of that (it's easily losing my interest)
We follow Liz Wilcox undercover as a maid in the Duke of Montague estate for a top secret mission..steal a particular letter to save her sister's life!
I really enjoyed the first half of the book...where both Liz and Marcus (the Duke) needed time to figure out what they want and what they are to each other, as well as the intrigue given by Liz's mission and Marcus real job. Maybe because I LOVE a slow burn romance, or because all my emotions are captured and manipulated mostly by characters being in distress over feelings,etc, but the second half bored me a little bit. I also felt a little cheated into believing I will get a solid slow burn...that ship sailed after their first real moment, so...yeah >..>..not a strong book from beginning to end in my opinion.
Good versus bad for quick assessment!
+ we see espionage from our MC, how the life of a maid is (not a whole lot, after all this is a historical romance), and discrepancy between classes
+ we have characters that mostly stay consistent with their personalities (Liz takes a turn in the second half for me)
+we have an example of unfair justice system to women in historical times (Amanda -Liz's sister)
+we have state level secrets (the noblemen in this book are a little bit more involved than initially presented)
+good writing - easy to read and great in terms of pacing
+great repr of a light BDSM relationship for beginners (I think?)
+the male interest is not healed by our heroine due to love! (they are accepting of each other)
+loved Peggy and Mr. Todd sidestory and I wish we saw more of them
- Liz is changing her personality (from a quiet woman that always considered things to a more carnal and vocal woman, a bolder version that needed time in my opinion to be organic, especially when she still keeps other things to herself as dictated by the initial profile)
- our Duke takes quite a while to make some connections even after having a lead on the bad guy
- not truly satisfied with the bad guy's ending...although it seems plausible and I'm sure it really happened in real life too
- the servants faded to the background and straight up dissapeared after a promising start where we had a complete picture of this mansion...also, Liz gets away with a lot of things as both a maid..and as a spy...
- speaking of spies...her plans are not well though out! (she's suppossed to have experience as a spy..well...i don't really see it; we have convenient moments at the end in which she gets the job done, her plan to safe her sister is quite incredulous and I'm surprised she got out from the earl's house alive for her to meet Marcus at the end....wtf???? what happended? in the beginning she was more capable)
- Molly, Liz's roommate, is awfully blind to some things
Content warnings: child abuse, sexual harassment
Overall, this book was good for what it tried to be, but not amazing. If you want to read an espionage romance with light BDSM elements but with more emphasis on the will-they-won't-they aspect of the story and the sexual side of things, then this is a great choice for you!
Enjoy
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault