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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
medium-paced
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
Complicated
lighthearted
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
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:
Complicated
I’ve read a lot of Julia Quinn around the Bridgerton universe but for some reason this duo of books about the Duke of Wyndham have just never really been on my radar. Until I saw the author big them up and discuss the experience of writing them on Instagram and then I HAD TO check them out.
Even though the books happen in the exact same timeline and cover the exact same events (I know this because I’m about 15% of the way through Mr. Cavendish, I Presume, and they’re almost identical in pacing just told from different perspectives), this is clearly the one to start from because it sets out all the players early on. The premise is that Grace is the paid companion of the dowager Duchess of Wyndham when her evil boss discovers that her late favourite son had a secret legitimate child, Jack, who she’d much rather be duke over her other grandson and current duke, Thomas. Never minding the fact that she knows nothing about Jack or his aspirations or the fact that she’s turning everyone’s lives up on their heads, the Dowager sets in motion a journey to Ireland that is about love, healing and stepping up to realities that might not be welcome to you.
In the general style of JQ, I thought this was immensely witty and indeed laugh out loud funny. I listened to it in audio from the delightful, Rosalyn Landor, and I found myself laughing out loud in public during my commute. Much like Jack and Grace’s characters, there was a lot of laughing through pain and heavy moments in that wonderful way that you have to either enjoy life’s absurdities or spend time mourning. The banter was all it should be. Secondary characters, Thomas and Amelia were vaguely likable, I suppose we will get to know them better in their own book of this due. The epilogue at the end was all it should be. In my dreams, JQ will do an even more extended epilogue like she did with Bridgerton. I quite enjoyed this.
Even though the books happen in the exact same timeline and cover the exact same events (I know this because I’m about 15% of the way through Mr. Cavendish, I Presume, and they’re almost identical in pacing just told from different perspectives), this is clearly the one to start from because it sets out all the players early on. The premise is that Grace is the paid companion of the dowager Duchess of Wyndham when her evil boss discovers that her late favourite son had a secret legitimate child, Jack, who she’d much rather be duke over her other grandson and current duke, Thomas. Never minding the fact that she knows nothing about Jack or his aspirations or the fact that she’s turning everyone’s lives up on their heads, the Dowager sets in motion a journey to Ireland that is about love, healing and stepping up to realities that might not be welcome to you.
In the general style of JQ, I thought this was immensely witty and indeed laugh out loud funny. I listened to it in audio from the delightful, Rosalyn Landor, and I found myself laughing out loud in public during my commute. Much like Jack and Grace’s characters, there was a lot of laughing through pain and heavy moments in that wonderful way that you have to either enjoy life’s absurdities or spend time mourning. The banter was all it should be. Secondary characters, Thomas and Amelia were vaguely likable, I suppose we will get to know them better in their own book of this due. The epilogue at the end was all it should be. In my dreams, JQ will do an even more extended epilogue like she did with Bridgerton. I quite enjoyed this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Grief, Death of parent, Classism
Minor: Kidnapping, Toxic friendship
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No