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ollie_again's review against another edition
emotional
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
5.0
Wow, this was so good! This is my first book by Alexis Hall and it definitely won't be the last. This was emotional, funny, heartwarming and hopeful with a dash of adventure and drama. Both Viola and Gracewood stole my heart and I was rooting for them pretty much from the very beginning. I love historical romances in general but this one is one of the few that wouldn't let me put it down. I read the whole thing in two sittings and I just wished there was more. (And though I generally don't care or like epilogues in romances, here I devoured it and asked for seconds.
The author said in the acknowledgement that the intention of the book was to tell a story of a transgender woman in a historical setting while not making it the conflict of the main story, which I think is accomplished amazingly. It was... I mean, this book was everything. My favourite quote bellow:
The author said in the acknowledgement that the intention of the book was to tell a story of a transgender woman in a historical setting while not making it the conflict of the main story, which I think is accomplished amazingly. It was... I mean, this book was everything. My favourite quote bellow:
“I know madness, and this is not it. A word from you, a glance, and I would lay all I have—all I am, or at the very least what’s left of me—at your feet. And someday, when you are ready to hear me, and to trust me, I shall, and then you can have me, or not, as it pleases you.”
“I could never marry you, Gracewood. The world—”
“Forgive my language, but”—his eyes were as steady on hers as the clasp upon her wrist, his mouth suddenly full of smiles—“fuck the world. I will change it for you if I have to.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Child abuse and Dysphoria
boglord's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Kidnapping, Grief, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Cursing, Deadnaming, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Death of parent, War, and Classism
Minor: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Infidelity, Blood, and Lesbophobia
kabrahams's review against another edition
4.0
This was a beautiful exploration of gender identity as our heroine navigates coming out to her friend (our heroine) after her transition and our hero navigates what it means to be a disabled man after his experiences in the war. The writing is lyrical or witty at times, a bit overwritten or redundant in others. Overall, it is a bit too long and the kidnapping scene near the end seemed totally unnecessary, but I still loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Deadnaming and Violence
Minor: Kidnapping and War
moonytoast's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
coming at this book from the perspective of someone who has basically read little to no historical romance (outside of my appreciation of jane austen's works) is interesting, but this has made me feel compelled to read not just alexis hall's backlist but also more queer historical romance novels!
i absolutely fell in love with the characters of viola and gracewood. i think hall did a great job of building out their prior friendship and also their own respective traumas. their chemistry upon reconnecting is so intimate and has the kind of easy kinship that i really love to see in romance stories, but it's also distinctly different from the dynamic viola and gracewood had before the war. friends to lovers tends to be a hit or miss trope for me, but this really sold me on it because there's still a significant journey that these characters go through before they actually reach the lovers part of the trope.
the side characters were also a fun time! louise and badger eavesdropping on viola and gracewood by hiding behind a plant and then interrupting their conversation, miranda going to a costume party dressed as frankenstein's monster.... i love them your honor!!!!!
the last 100 pages kinda went on a wild journey and i definitely knew something was going to happen, but wow. my brain was just like: OMG we're getting a swordfight in a brothel between viola and amberglass??????? OKAY IDK WHAT'S GOING ON BUT I'M HERE FOR IT! i blame my general lack of experience with historical romance and also the fact i am currently hopped up on medication for the worst sinus infection i've ever had in my life, but i was not prepared for that.
overall this is definitely primed to become a favorite comfort read of mine so i might eventually change this to five stars upon a re-read, but it's still absolutely lovely the first time around!
i absolutely fell in love with the characters of viola and gracewood. i think hall did a great job of building out their prior friendship and also their own respective traumas. their chemistry upon reconnecting is so intimate and has the kind of easy kinship that i really love to see in romance stories, but it's also distinctly different from the dynamic viola and gracewood had before the war. friends to lovers tends to be a hit or miss trope for me, but this really sold me on it because there's still a significant journey that these characters go through before they actually reach the lovers part of the trope.
the side characters were also a fun time! louise and badger eavesdropping on viola and gracewood by hiding behind a plant and then interrupting their conversation, miranda going to a costume party dressed as frankenstein's monster.... i love them your honor!!!!!
the last 100 pages kinda went on a wild journey and i definitely knew something was going to happen, but wow. my brain was just like: OMG we're getting a swordfight in a brothel between viola and amberglass??????? OKAY IDK WHAT'S GOING ON BUT I'M HERE FOR IT! i blame my general lack of experience with historical romance and also the fact i am currently hopped up on medication for the worst sinus infection i've ever had in my life, but i was not prepared for that.
overall this is definitely primed to become a favorite comfort read of mine so i might eventually change this to five stars upon a re-read, but it's still absolutely lovely the first time around!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual content, and War
Minor: Sexism, Transphobia, Violence, and Kidnapping
bedtimesandbooks's review against another edition
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Violence, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
thefatpaperback's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
5.0
Childhood friends to lovers historical romance with trans heroine and disabled hero. This book was beautiful. It’s the only word that fits. The story is beautiful, the characters are beautiful, their love is beautiful, and the epilogue is beautiful. It’s got sorrowful moments and silly moments, but all-in-all, it’s a beauty to read and experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Deadnaming, Death, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Kidnapping, Grief, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Infertility, Violence, and War
Minor: Child abuse, Misogyny, Transphobia, Death of parent, and Classism
cammiem8's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
While not much of a game changer with regard to plot, the characters of this book made it quite an enjoyable read and a nice palate cleanser after reading a lot of darker books this month.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Kidnapping
Moderate: Sexism and Transphobia
Minor: Violence
The heroine of this novel is trans, but most of the conflict related to her trans identity is internal, her friends and family are accepting and supportive, so her concerns are about the reaction of society as a wholebookblonde's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
This is a book I expected to love and be a cute little romance with a queer twist. This book was so deeply romantic and poignant. I can’t explain how much I loved this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Violence and Kidnapping
snowydaze's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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? It's complicated
5.0
I received an audiobook copy of A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Words cannot describe how much I enjoyed listening to this novel. The narrator does an amazing job of distinguishing each character, of which there are plenty. However I will state that at times it was a little difficult to remember the importance of some of the characters because of how quickly some are introduced. Even though this became a bit annoying, by the end of the story it did become easier to remember the characters as the plot unfolded.
Furthermore, the pacing of the story works well with the plot and does not seem to rush through anything. Additionally, the slow burn style of the first half of the novel allowed for their romance to blossom in a way that was endearing and passionate. Overall, this novel portrayed a stereotypical(ish) lady and duke romance with a much needed twist and a satisfying ending.
Furthermore, the pacing of the story works well with the plot and does not seem to rush through anything. Additionally, the slow burn style of the first half of the novel allowed for their romance to blossom in a way that was endearing and passionate. Overall, this novel portrayed a stereotypical(ish) lady and duke romance with a much needed twist and a satisfying ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body shaming, Deadnaming, Misogyny, Sexual content, Violence, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, and Alcohol
Minor: War
kristynpittman's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
A trans heroine is reunited with her childhood best friend years after the war has changed them both. Viola is living as her authentic self and the Duke of Gracewood has been living a lonely and painful life of isolation.
Alexis Hall really does it like no other! I'm not the biggest historical romance reader, but this modern and fresh take on a classic genre is exactly what we needed. Not only is the story beautiful and romantic, but the author made sure that the trans representation went beyond the page. The cover model is Violet, a trans woman, AND the audiobook is narrated by British transgender female voiceover actor Kay Eluvian.
***
Thank you to LibroFM for providing me with an advanced copy for review.
Alexis Hall really does it like no other! I'm not the biggest historical romance reader, but this modern and fresh take on a classic genre is exactly what we needed. Not only is the story beautiful and romantic, but the author made sure that the trans representation went beyond the page. The cover model is Violet, a trans woman, AND the audiobook is narrated by British transgender female voiceover actor Kay Eluvian.
***
Thank you to LibroFM for providing me with an advanced copy for review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Deadnaming and Transphobia
Minor: Gun violence and Violence