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emmehooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Drug abuse, Grief, Drug use, Addiction, Death, and Sexual content
Moderate: Transphobia, Kidnapping, Violence, and Physical abuse
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Lesbophobia, and Death of parent
samchase112's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Deadnaming, War, Vomit, Violence, Drug abuse, Kidnapping, Sexual content, and Addiction
Moderate: Transphobia, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Grief
ninjamuse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Addiction, Classism, Drug abuse, and Mental illness
Moderate: Alcoholism, War, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexism
Minor: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, and Death of parent
jessie_h's review against another edition
5.0
I'm becoming more and more convinced that Alexis Hall can write anything they want and will make it totally fabulous. This book was no different. The amount of heart and vulnerability in this story is both astounding and beautiful. I was a bit worried that this would be really angsty given the premise. But while Viola is worried about being judged for choosing to live as her most authentic self, it wasn't the whole plot of the book and I can't tell you how much I appreciated that. There are still some heavy topics discussed in this book and some angst but it was so perfectly balanced out with sweetness and joy. It was heartwarming that everyone who Viola came out to not only accepted her but supported her so fully in her quest to live the life she was meant to.
Viola and Gracewood are war veterans and we see how that has affected them. Gracewood was shot in the leg and has to use a cane for the rest of his life. He also suffers quite severely from PTSD. I am grateful that the author didn't gloss over or minimize those affects like I have seen in several of the Regency romances over the years. Viola does not have PTSD in the same way that Gracewood does but how her actions and choices in the war haunt her is never seen as being less than his trauma.
The romance between Viola and Gracewood was everything! This book is a master class in how to write a romance novel. I saw it described in someone's review that described this romance as a second chance at first love which is a wonderfully apt description. The romance is full of instant attraction but manages to still be a slow burn and very intimate and tender. Watching Viola and Gracewood discover that there is so much more to the other that they didn't know was *chef's kiss*. They aren't perfect but they are perfect for one another. I adored watching them fall in love so much!
It was mentioned in the author's note that this could be the beginning of a new series and I really really hope it is! I loved so many of the secondary characters! And I cannot tell you how much I need a Mira book and a Lady Lilimere book in my life! I can't recommend A Lady for a Duke enough! If you want to read a truly unique and well-written queer historical romance, this is the book for you.
*ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley and this review was originally posted on the Goldilox and the Three Weres blog.
Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Transphobia, Grief, and War
Moderate: Kidnapping, Body horror, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcoholism
Minor: Child abuse and Death of parent
ladythana's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Deadnaming and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, Transphobia, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Confinement, Addiction, Child abuse, Sexual content, Mental illness, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Abandonment, Ableism, and Confinement
ruthiedr89's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Grief, Ableism, Death, and Sexual content
Moderate: Classism, Deadnaming, Gun violence, and Death
Minor: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, and Emotional abuse
wanderingtales's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, War, and Addiction
Moderate: Violence, Medical trauma, Dysphoria, Death, Ableism, War, Vomit, Kidnapping, and Classism
caseythereader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
- Oh, my heart. A LADY FOR A DUKE is one of the best romance novels I've ever read. It's full of the best banter and the deepest feelings, and it's so fantastically queer.
- I absolutely adore that while Viola is of course worried about transphobia, it's not the entire plot of the book. Everyone she comes out to accepts her fully and without question, smoothly using her correct name and pronouns while working to give her the support she needs.
- Viola and Gracewood are the sweetest pair, each helping each other understand and deal with their traumas, untangle their feelings, and love each other wholly.
Graphic: Abandonment, Ableism, Blood, Drug abuse, Death of parent, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, War, Classism, Death, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Addiction, Alcohol, Cursing, Deadnaming, Kidnapping, Sexual content, and Violence