Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'

A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall

18 reviews

rhythmofryn's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

I feel like a weirdo for saying this but I wanted more conflict that Viola was trans in a society that had no cultural perception of transgender people. I feel like the other characters basically accepted her almost immediately and even today, that doesn’t happen when someone transitions. The author, Alexis Hall, raises some interesting questions about what does historical fiction even mean and if there’s value in writing stories that are just constant suffering for queer people in the name of historical accuracy. This book definitely is good for thought. I definitely could have also done without the last 25% of the book because that particular conflict felt unnecessary and overly seedy. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Sexual content

Moderate: Transphobia

Minor: Sexual assault

netflixismyroommate's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Sexism, Transphobia, Mental illness, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Kidnapping, War, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Deadnaming, Ableism, Homophobia, Grief, and Dysphoria

ninjamuse's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

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

fuzzyfairy's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful slow-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Sexual content, Sexism, Misogyny, Drug use, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, and Addiction

Moderate: Cursing, Death, Classism, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Transphobia, Vomit, Panic attacks/disorders, Gun violence, War, and Violence

Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Infidelity, Homophobia, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide attempt, Murder, Mental illness, and Blood

shelvesofivy's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Grief, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Addiction, Sexual content, Alcohol, and Drug abuse

Moderate: Death, War, Ableism, Child abuse, and Physical abuse

Minor: Death of parent, Sexism, Vomit, Sexual assault, and Transphobia

mlovesbooks's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• 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

I read this in less than 24 hours. I couldn't put it down and finish it at work (sorry, not sorry).

I loved how heartfelt this book was. It kicked all the Bridgerton books in my ranking of historical/regency era fiction.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Deadnaming

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, and Transphobia

cominguproses's review against another edition

challenging emotional 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

4.0

<i> ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Forever Publishing for the opportunity to do so!</i>

<b>Summary</b>
After nearly dying in the Battle of Waterloo, Viola is given a chance to let who she was die and emerge anew as her true self. However, she finds that her oldest and dearest friend has fallen into the pitfalls of grief thinking that she is dead. Through friendship and love, the two find their way through society and back to one another. 

<b>Review (Light spoilers, so be warned)</b>
Overall, I really liked this book. I've rarely come across a romance-never mind a regency era/period piece romance-with a transgender character that doesn't center their trans identity as the main conflict of the story. Viola being a trans woman is a portion of this story, yes, but it is by no means the focal point of the plot or the only defining characteristic she has. I think Hall did an amazing job executing this. Gracewood, Viola's friend and love interest (and other main character), also has an amazing character arc that sings true to the struggles of grief and PTSD. While it does take until the 50-60% mark to begin their relationship, the two of them are absolutely adorable together. All of the main supporting characters are amazing as well, and there is plenty of funny banter to go around. 

My only complaint about this book is that it is very slow-paced, and the language tends to drag on from time to time. However, I cannot stress enough that this is merely personal preference-this is very typical for a regency-era romance, and those who are well versed in the genre will likely not bat an eye at it. Nevertheless, I like my romances slightly faster-paced, but that is just me!

<b>Conclusion</b>
I give this book 4/5 stars - the transfeminine representation is absolutely outstanding and unlike anything I have read before. While I do like them from time to time, I've grown weary of reading stories of queer characters being persecuted for or otherwise struggling with their identity. It's so refreshing to have a story where the representation is there but is not a major point of conflict. I want happy LGBTQ+ characters! 
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes regency-era romances and/or anyone who is looking for a good queer romance. For the latter, be aware that it is a bit slow/has flowery, period-typical language, but is overall an amazing story!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Drug abuse, and Addiction

Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment

Minor: Transphobia and Dysphoria

caseythereader's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• 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

Thanks to Forever for the free advance copy of this book.

 - 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. 

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Content Warnings

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