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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
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 was gonna round up to 2 bc the epilogue was cute but it’s 2023 and I’m tired of rude books. I’m also tired of the fact that HarperCollins still won’t bargain with its union strikers. I’ve got a lot more to say about the book but I won’t until a fair bargain is reached.
I was over the moon when I found out that the children of the Scoundrels of St. James have their own spin-off series. Here, we get Jack and Frannie's children's love story!
Content warning:
Without spoiling the books from the Scoundrels of St. James series, Lovingdon (oh how our little Henry has grown) is a widower who finds himself being an unwilling "advisor" to his childhood friend Grace (Frannie's daughter) in her quest to find a suitor who would love her beyond her tremendous dowry. Grace's reasons for wanting to find true love and getting Lovingdon's help are not immediately apparent but when all the pieces are put in place, it makes sense. She is definitely not a naive romantic! I truly enjoyed how Grace was a complex character in her own right.
What complicates the situation is Lovingdon's love and guilt over the loss of his wife, Juliet, and daughter to typhus. It also doesn't help that Grace grew up with a crush on Lovingdon, which eventually waned when he wedded Juliet. All these factors have been handled by Lorraine Heath with nuance and finesse!
When the third-act conflict came into view, I admit it came rather out of left field. Nevertheless, the manner in which it was resolved quickly fell into place with the internal and prior external conflicts and struggles our main characters themselves face. The reconciliation between their past and present selves, in spite of the grief, illness and loss they've faced was astounding.
The elements of family and found family was really strong here too. I cried so hard when Grace danced with her father at the end. One would appreciate how big of a deal it is if they had read [b:Surrender to the Devil|5841519|Surrender to the Devil (Scoundrels of St. James, #3)|Lorraine Heath|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1322214177l/5841519._SY75_.jpg|6013659]. Also, to see how her parent's love influenced and shaped her view on love warmed my heart so! Her relationship with her mother and father individually was briefly mentioned, but was written really sweetly. Also! Seeing the children of the Scoundrels of St. James gather in the Dodger house made me smile. All the years that have passed since the original series and it felt like so much has happened. The world-building was amazing!
Content warning:
Spoiler
loss of spouse and child; terminal illness - cancerWithout spoiling the books from the Scoundrels of St. James series, Lovingdon (oh how our little Henry has grown) is a widower who finds himself being an unwilling "advisor" to his childhood friend Grace (Frannie's daughter) in her quest to find a suitor who would love her beyond her tremendous dowry. Grace's reasons for wanting to find true love and getting Lovingdon's help are not immediately apparent but when all the pieces are put in place, it makes sense. She is definitely not a naive romantic! I truly enjoyed how Grace was a complex character in her own right.
What complicates the situation is Lovingdon's love and guilt over the loss of his wife, Juliet, and daughter to typhus. It also doesn't help that Grace grew up with a crush on Lovingdon, which eventually waned when he wedded Juliet. All these factors have been handled by Lorraine Heath with nuance and finesse!
When the third-act conflict came into view, I admit it came rather out of left field. Nevertheless, the manner in which it was resolved quickly fell into place with the internal and prior external conflicts and struggles our main characters themselves face. The reconciliation between their past and present selves, in spite of the grief, illness and loss they've faced was astounding.
The elements of family and found family was really strong here too. I cried so hard when Grace danced with her father at the end. One would appreciate how big of a deal it is if they had read [b:Surrender to the Devil|5841519|Surrender to the Devil (Scoundrels of St. James, #3)|Lorraine Heath|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1322214177l/5841519._SY75_.jpg|6013659]. Also, to see how her parent's love influenced and shaped her view on love warmed my heart so! Her relationship with her mother and father individually was briefly mentioned, but was written really sweetly. Also! Seeing the children of the Scoundrels of St. James gather in the Dodger house made me smile. All the years that have passed since the original series and it felt like so much has happened. The world-building was amazing!
emotional
hopeful
slow-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
DNF about 40% through audio
Bottom line I just don’t like books with this background. What do I mean? The dead wife who is still plaguing her husbands guilt and conscience. Especially when she claims to love him. So this Duke is now considered a “scoundrel.” After his wife and daughter die he turns to debauchery. As the story progresses it’s revealed that he feels guilt over his family’s death. That as they are sick and dying his loving wife makes him promise not to let them die. Let me repeat. The woman who he claims deeply loved each other makes her husband promise not to let her or their daughter die. Why yes of course as a Duke and man he has that power and capability to overcome death. WTH. What a HORRIBLE thing to do!!!! Of course he’s going to blame himSelf and feel guilt over it. Honestly that killed this book for me. I don’t want to listen to this man carrying on about how he can never love again, blah blah blah. Then the heroine who goes to him for help who secretly has loved him all these years. Really at 11 years old you knew what love was? That’s called a crush sweetheart. Not love.
Bottom line I just don’t like books with this background. What do I mean? The dead wife who is still plaguing her husbands guilt and conscience. Especially when she claims to love him. So this Duke is now considered a “scoundrel.” After his wife and daughter die he turns to debauchery. As the story progresses it’s revealed that he feels guilt over his family’s death. That as they are sick and dying his loving wife makes him promise not to let them die. Let me repeat. The woman who he claims deeply loved each other makes her husband promise not to let her or their daughter die. Why yes of course as a Duke and man he has that power and capability to overcome death. WTH. What a HORRIBLE thing to do!!!! Of course he’s going to blame himSelf and feel guilt over it. Honestly that killed this book for me. I don’t want to listen to this man carrying on about how he can never love again, blah blah blah. Then the heroine who goes to him for help who secretly has loved him all these years. Really at 11 years old you knew what love was? That’s called a crush sweetheart. Not love.
The ending was satisfying, but it felt like the middle of the book dragged on far too long. Grace spent forever arguing with Lovingdon about the exact same thing, it got old.
Grace has been in love with Lovingdon for years. Grace knows that she will need to marry soon, even though her parents aren't forcing her to choose. They want her to find true love, the same love they have for each other. So Grace goes to Lovingdon for his help. Grace is worried than any suitor she may have will only be after her dowry, and will change his tune once they are married. So she asks for his help in figuring out which man is playing her and which one is genuine in his affection for her. Lovingdon lost his wife and daughter a couple years ago. Up until the moment he lost his wife, he was the most upstanding gentleman, one you could find no fault with. But from that moment that changed his life, he decided to stop playing by the rules. So the past couple of years he is the perfect debauched rake, enjoying gambling, drinking and plenty of women. Even though Lovingdon doesn't want to help Grace, he feels a compulsion to do so. He has always held Grace in high affection, them having grown up together. But as he gives her lessons in finding the perfect mate, he comes to the conclusion that last thing he wants is for another man to have what he considers HIS....
When The Duke Was Wicked is the first in the most latest series from Lorraine Heath. This series is somewhat connection to the Scoundrels of St. James series. The two main characters in this story were children of Frannie Darling and Jack Dodger.When I realized this, I was very excited to see how this would turn out and if we would see characters from that earlier series. Well let me just say I was fully satisfied in that certain aspect. The story begins with Grace showing up at Lovingdons with no notice, and he definitely isn't reading in the library. We see the strong spirit from Grace from the beginning of the story, and doesn't back down no matter how much Lovingdon growls and does the whole Alpha Male routine. Grace is looking to find a man to love, to accept her for who she is. From the beginning of the story you see that Grace is hiding a secret, one that even Lovingdon doesn't know. All through the story you wonder what it is, and what Lovingdon's reaction to it will be. I enjoyed seeing these two interact, especially in the beginning. I loved the scoundrel of a personality that is Lovingdon, and it was quite fun seeing Grace handle him.
The characters in this story are just as charming and endearing as ever!! I couldn't help become infatuated with them from the very beginning. Now first lets talk about Lovingdon--oh boy, was he delicious, I could gobble him all up. He definitely has the tortured male routine going on a bit, with a mix of rake and bad boy thrown in, definitely makes up for a exciting hero character. Grace is quite a favorite heroine of mine. I think the only thing I wish was better about her character, is having more trust in Lovingdon, considering they were childhood playmates. Grace has quite a bit of spine though, especially when you read this story, and gain a better appreciation for her as the heroine of the story. She does have backbone, and goes after what she wants, and is willing to fight tooth and nail for it. I loved seeing both of these characters develop more from beginning to end of the story, and their connection is beautiful and tender and powerfully passionate. Reading this has made me want to re read the Scoundrels of St James once again.
Overall When The Duke Was Wicked is a endearing romance that will set your blood rate at a higher level. A intriguing tale of romance, sacrifice, and witty dialogue that is bound to take your breath away!!! These characters will make you fall in love once again. COMPELLING!!
When The Duke Was Wicked is the first in the most latest series from Lorraine Heath. This series is somewhat connection to the Scoundrels of St. James series. The two main characters in this story were children of Frannie Darling and Jack Dodger.When I realized this, I was very excited to see how this would turn out and if we would see characters from that earlier series. Well let me just say I was fully satisfied in that certain aspect. The story begins with Grace showing up at Lovingdons with no notice, and he definitely isn't reading in the library. We see the strong spirit from Grace from the beginning of the story, and doesn't back down no matter how much Lovingdon growls and does the whole Alpha Male routine. Grace is looking to find a man to love, to accept her for who she is. From the beginning of the story you see that Grace is hiding a secret, one that even Lovingdon doesn't know. All through the story you wonder what it is, and what Lovingdon's reaction to it will be. I enjoyed seeing these two interact, especially in the beginning. I loved the scoundrel of a personality that is Lovingdon, and it was quite fun seeing Grace handle him.
The characters in this story are just as charming and endearing as ever!! I couldn't help become infatuated with them from the very beginning. Now first lets talk about Lovingdon--oh boy, was he delicious, I could gobble him all up. He definitely has the tortured male routine going on a bit, with a mix of rake and bad boy thrown in, definitely makes up for a exciting hero character. Grace is quite a favorite heroine of mine. I think the only thing I wish was better about her character, is having more trust in Lovingdon, considering they were childhood playmates. Grace has quite a bit of spine though, especially when you read this story, and gain a better appreciation for her as the heroine of the story. She does have backbone, and goes after what she wants, and is willing to fight tooth and nail for it. I loved seeing both of these characters develop more from beginning to end of the story, and their connection is beautiful and tender and powerfully passionate. Reading this has made me want to re read the Scoundrels of St James once again.
Overall When The Duke Was Wicked is a endearing romance that will set your blood rate at a higher level. A intriguing tale of romance, sacrifice, and witty dialogue that is bound to take your breath away!!! These characters will make you fall in love once again. COMPELLING!!
emotional