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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
3.5 stars. Uneven. Plotting and character issues. I enjoyed the overall story but needed a little more editing. One example is a character being described as oblivious and missing nothing in back to back sentences. Will happily try the next outing from this author, lots of promise and good stuff here, just needs a bit more polish.
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
what a lovely distraction from my life. the writing was so beautiful and i just kept turning the pages without being able to put the book down
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Despite being a fresh take on historical romances and having a rather nice style of writing at times, I wish I DNFed it before it could be considered a waste of my time.
I just sailed through it so I could know what happens and get some closure.
Still, the premise was interesting and I wish good luck for the author because she does possess a commendable style of writing, though it does not pan across the entirety of the book.
I just sailed through it so I could know what happens and get some closure.
Still, the premise was interesting and I wish good luck for the author because she does possess a commendable style of writing, though it does not pan across the entirety of the book.
Pretty sure I'm on record as disliking historical romances. Most of the time writers simply transpose modern attitudes and progressive morals onto their characters. As someone who likes Victorian fiction, the disconnect between attitude and era is jarring.
That said, I'm glad I made an exception to read this book. Perhaps it's because I know so little about the Royal Academy and the author clearly knows a LOT, though she never bogs down the plot with historical background. (Also she knows a lot about the Afghan War, Victorian housing reform, and asylums. I'm impressed.) Also, Lucy Coover's lower class would enable her to have some freedoms that middle- and upper-class ladies of the era certainly did not enjoy. And the duke of the story being bound by some awful codicils that prevent him controlling his own life and inheritance make him less all-powerful than his high status would imply. It makes these characters' ability to ignore the rigid social order of their day more believable.
I loved the characters, too. How refreshing to find truly flawed people, not just people who in job interviews would say "I suppose my biggest weakness is I care too much." People who don't automatically trust one another (and for good reason), but who ultimately enable each other to reach their goals. (Not a spoiler - this IS a romance with a mandatory Happily Ever After. Though at the story's crisis point I really wasn't sure how the author would pull the HEA off!)
Top notch all around. For anyone who already likes historical fiction and wants to try out a well-written romance (I'd place The Duke Undone at "sensual" in Susanna Carr's heat level index), this is a perfect place to start.
Received a review copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
That said, I'm glad I made an exception to read this book. Perhaps it's because I know so little about the Royal Academy and the author clearly knows a LOT, though she never bogs down the plot with historical background. (Also she knows a lot about the Afghan War, Victorian housing reform, and asylums. I'm impressed.) Also, Lucy Coover's lower class would enable her to have some freedoms that middle- and upper-class ladies of the era certainly did not enjoy. And the duke of the story being bound by some awful codicils that prevent him controlling his own life and inheritance make him less all-powerful than his high status would imply. It makes these characters' ability to ignore the rigid social order of their day more believable.
I loved the characters, too. How refreshing to find truly flawed people, not just people who in job interviews would say "I suppose my biggest weakness is I care too much." People who don't automatically trust one another (and for good reason), but who ultimately enable each other to reach their goals. (Not a spoiler - this IS a romance with a mandatory Happily Ever After. Though at the story's crisis point I really wasn't sure how the author would pull the HEA off!)
Top notch all around. For anyone who already likes historical fiction and wants to try out a well-written romance (I'd place The Duke Undone at "sensual" in Susanna Carr's heat level index), this is a perfect place to start.
Received a review copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping
Minor: Confinement, Death of parent
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very thoroughly researched.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Suicide, Forced institutionalization