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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As soon as I read the back of the book, I knew I had to read it. The dramatic potential was too much. And indeed, this book did deliver on the drama. Twist after twist, some which managed to resolve in a matter of ten pages. You might think that would make the book unpleasant to read - the pacing was, admittedly, not the best. But I found it so much fun that I frankly didn't care how good the plot structure was.
I think when people hate on the romance genre, they often don't understand the point of a great deal of romance books. Not that a ton of effort doesn't go into these books - a ton often does. These books are often also quite well written with compelling characters. We have to care about people if the point of the book is for them to fall in love. The problem is that people don't like romance novels because they are not structured the way, for example, fantasy is. The nature of a lot of romance novels to have very dramatic plot points with a great deal of high emotions running throughout is a feature, not a bug. If the characters in a romance novel weren't emotive, it would be very boring. Romance novels are structured like romance novels and are, crucially, about romance. They can be 800 pages of history (looking at Outlander) they can be 200 pages of the worst literature you've ever read (I don't have a good example of this one cause I'm picky with what I read).
People wayy too often miss the forest for the trees, assume that romance novels cannot be quality because they're romance novels. That they cannot explore greater human truths. That's simply false.
Anyways, back to the book. So much drama. Drama after drama. 11/10. I did not want to read a very serious, slow-paced book rn. I wanted drama. And I got it. I also got a lot of horny people which I really appreciated. No beating around the bush in a romance novel! Characters should be attracted to each other! Especially if they dislike each other.
However I must say, after Lucy was kidnapped for however many days, I wish we'd gotten some insight into Anthony's thoughts. Did he know? Did he assume Lucy was avoiding him? Presumably not since he submitted her painting. If so, what was his thought process? If not, what was his thought process? That was the only point where the contrivance was a little too much. Having some indication of Anthony's feelings towards Lucy while she was in the asylum would have cleared that right up. Otherwise, well, I just ordered the sequel, so I obviously liked it.
I think when people hate on the romance genre, they often don't understand the point of a great deal of romance books. Not that a ton of effort doesn't go into these books - a ton often does. These books are often also quite well written with compelling characters. We have to care about people if the point of the book is for them to fall in love. The problem is that people don't like romance novels because they are not structured the way, for example, fantasy is. The nature of a lot of romance novels to have very dramatic plot points with a great deal of high emotions running throughout is a feature, not a bug. If the characters in a romance novel weren't emotive, it would be very boring. Romance novels are structured like romance novels and are, crucially, about romance. They can be 800 pages of history (looking at Outlander) they can be 200 pages of the worst literature you've ever read (I don't have a good example of this one cause I'm picky with what I read).
People wayy too often miss the forest for the trees, assume that romance novels cannot be quality because they're romance novels. That they cannot explore greater human truths. That's simply false.
Anyways, back to the book. So much drama. Drama after drama. 11/10. I did not want to read a very serious, slow-paced book rn. I wanted drama. And I got it. I also got a lot of horny people which I really appreciated. No beating around the bush in a romance novel! Characters should be attracted to each other! Especially if they dislike each other.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma
Moderate: Misogyny
Might re-rate; idk - but it was charming and stressful.
I love a good historical romance. It's my new favorite sub genre and I cannot get enough of it. The Duke Undone was my first foray into Joanna Lowell's writing and it did not disappoint. I would love to read more of her work and this series in general. Some of the characters in this book deserve to have stories of their own and I hope the publisher and author continue to expand upon this series. It is definitely one of my favorite historical romance reads so far this year. The book is full of ambiance, delightful characters, and witty prose. It truly encapsulates the time period and the tension between the two main characters. It was ambitious in its tackling of some of the darker aspects of the time period and flaws within the characters. We read about sexism in the arts and for once we have a flawed romantic lead that struggles with alcoholism and is not the perfect leading man. Which makes this book all the more complex and intriguing. I am really starting to enjoy seeing flawed protagonists in my reads as they feel more real and authentic.
The romance is superb and swoon worthy and this book certainly worth picking up. Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for giving me an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.
The romance is superb and swoon worthy and this book certainly worth picking up. Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for giving me an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.
I listened to this book on audible. I have to say that the narrator Mary Jane Wells was fantastic. This is the first audiobook I have really enjoyed…. Well that is except Winnie the Pooh
I really loved the meet-cute premise, was expecting the same light tone throughout, but there were heavier themes and a very multi-layered plot. So not entirely the fluffy read I was expecting, but it was interesting.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I tore threw this book. It was not as light reading as I expected, but it was a better story than I expected. I one hundred percent feared for the the heroine's safety and for the the hero's future. The problems and disasters loomed so huge, I could not see how their troubles could be resolved - but inch by inch Lowell got them to a happy ending.
There is a lot of plot and a full cast. Many of the societal ills and inequities of Victorian England (as much as I know of it) are on full display. Anthony is a complicated and very hurt character, and while acts of heroism don't involve killing anyone, or even breaking a nose, he grows over the course of the book and steps up for Lucy and everyone else in his life. I felt like he was a real, flawed person who earn my sympathy (also he so has ADHD and dyslexia). He was not an incarnation of the hyper competent Duke who is in control of everything and fixes all problems by throwing money at them. Lucy's artistic perspective was novel, and her commitment to her aunt and friends is so strong, I love it.
This is the second book I've read by Joanna Lowell, and I'll be keeping my eye out for what she publishes next.
Content warnings for alcoholism, death of parents, PTSD, mental illness, asylums, kidnapping, gaslighting, horse death.
There is a lot of plot and a full cast. Many of the societal ills and inequities of Victorian England (as much as I know of it) are on full display. Anthony is a complicated and very hurt character, and while acts of heroism don't involve killing anyone, or even breaking a nose, he grows over the course of the book and steps up for Lucy and everyone else in his life. I felt like he was a real, flawed person who earn my sympathy (also he so has ADHD and dyslexia). He was not an incarnation of the hyper competent Duke who is in control of everything and fixes all problems by throwing money at them. Lucy's artistic perspective was novel, and her commitment to her aunt and friends is so strong, I love it.
This is the second book I've read by Joanna Lowell, and I'll be keeping my eye out for what she publishes next.
Content warnings for alcoholism, death of parents, PTSD, mental illness, asylums, kidnapping, gaslighting, horse death.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Classism
no grit. a weak parody of something that's been done dozens of times before but better.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced