Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall

42 reviews

smuttymcbookface's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful slow-paced

• 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: Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Gore, Addiction, and Drug abuse

Moderate: War, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Blood, and Classism

Minor: Deadnaming, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Ableism, and Vomit

miraileah's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring 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

4.75. This was adorable and I loved it. The writing was very well done, and there are several sections that I absolutely loved. The book was quite long, but honestly I wasn’t bored at any point, so I wasn’t terribly mad about it. It did feel like their relationship progressed rather fast, especially from Viola’s perspective. But there were a few short time jumps and I did read the second half quickly, so that could be in my head.

One thing I will say, I was truly thrilled that there was no third act breakup!! The issues in their relationship were at no point miscommunication, issues with Viola being trans, or Gracewood’s disability. Thank god for that.

It honestly felt like a really safe book to read as an LGBTQIA person, all of the triggering content happened prior to the start of the book, so nobody was getting actively traumatized

(except maybe Mira at the end?)

The principal characters were all generally very good to one another, which made it feel much more like them all making it through traumas and troubles together, rather than in spite of one another. That being said though, there is a ton of potentially triggering content in regards to drug abuse and PTSD, so be careful of that. All in all, a very enjoyable read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, War, Sexual content, Drug abuse, and Drug use

Moderate: Violence and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Death of parent

pkc's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective 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

Alexis Hall’s prose shines once again in this regency romance with a difference. I absolutely adored the main characters of Viola and Gracewood and I was fully engaged and rooting for them throughout. I appreciated how this was book was about two lost souls finding their new beginnings with each other, but wrapped in all the lace and crinoline that the ton permits. The queer rep was glorious and I loved the subversion of the power trope. Alexis Hall always writes such amazing romantic leads who, despite their flaws, I wind up rooting for. I only deducted a star because the pacing at the front was strange with an early revelation and it knocked me off kilter slightly. But apart from that, for the language and the romance, this was a slam dunk.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Deadnaming, Grief, Death of parent, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Kidnapping

littleflowerfairy's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Drug abuse, Sexism, Addiction, Cursing, Grief, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content

Moderate: Classism, Deadnaming, Violence, Dysphoria, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, and War

Minor: Alcohol, Blood, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Sexual harassment, and Vomit

The sexual harassment warning is very minor, nothing really happens,

it's just referring to one scene in the later half of the book where they're in a brothel, and one character makes some vulgar remarks toward Viola. He doesn't touch her inappropriately or anything like that, but I figured it'd be best to still put a small warning

hobbithopeful's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny medium-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

4.75

If you are in Bridgerton withdrawal (like me!) then this is one of those books that will help get you by until the next season drops. Oh, and did I mention this is a queer romance?!
Viola was presumed dead during the war, and in truth a part of her did die that day. She has been able to live as her true self for the past two years, but when an old friend from her past needs help, she is forced to confront her feelings, and who she left behind. 

This is the first book I have read regarding a trans character where the primary narrative/conflict isn't centered on the main character being trans. It was refreshing and delightful, words I also find myself feeling as I read through A Lady for a Duke. Alexis Hall has a way of writing that is funny, and engaging. Once all the characters are introduced I feel the book really hits its pace and I enjoyed it a lot! At times I did have to look up definitions, but I always love learning a new word. There was such vibrant cast of characters, each profoundly human and lovable I could never pick a favorite. 
There are a few more difficult topics that Hall tackles, such as PTSD, drug abuse, and ableism. I found each of these handled with grace and depicted very well, not shying away from the harsh truth of such subjects. 
I highly recommend this book, I can't wait to read more from the author. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Addiction, Drug use, and Deadnaming

Minor: Death of parent

erica_reads_things's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

4.75

This book was the perfect, cute, period romance. What an absolute joy to read. Alexis wrote in such a way that I couldn't help but highlight passages and often had to put the book down to just breathe and think about the beauty of what I had just read. So well done, so thoughtful, and so beautiful! 

I would have given it 5 stars, however

the last fourth of the book with the Mira kidnapping plot was, while cute and entertaining, a bit out of left field and felt like filler for more content and just for something to happen. It was enjoyable, but in the context of the entire book, felt a bit random.

Overall, this was a beautiful, enchanting, inclusive read and I would recommend it to anyone!!! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism and Sexual content

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

Minor: Blood, Body shaming, Violence, and Death of parent

hunkydory'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? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Alcohol, and Sexual content

Moderate: Deadnaming, Grief, and War

Minor: Death of parent, Kidnapping, and Child abuse

caelinsullivan's review against another edition

slow-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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Sexual harassment, Addiction, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Ableism, Kidnapping, Sexual content, and Chronic illness

Moderate: Transphobia, Child abuse, Death of parent, Deadnaming, Lesbophobia, Physical abuse, and War

Minor: Vomit and Suicidal thoughts

michmoo's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? It's complicated

4.0

Such a sweet romance! I loved Viola so much and I wanted all of the wonderful things for her! Highly recommend if you're into historical romance- or maybe even if you're not, it might be a nice foray into the genre.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content and Violence

Moderate: Deadnaming, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Ableism, and War

Minor: Child abuse, Death of parent, and Vomit

hannahwriightt's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Sexual content, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Deadnaming, Ableism, Addiction, Misogyny, War, Violence, and Sexism

Minor: Death, Adult/minor relationship, Kidnapping, and Death of parent