Reviews

The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare

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limeykiss's review against another edition

5.0

This book is so wonderful. I couldn't put it down. The sex scenes are steamy, the character development is exceptional, and the ending is sublime. This is going on the favourites shelf!

papercaper's review against another edition

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4.5

(half star off cos the B story irritated me) Omg what a fucking delightful read! This book was legit funny, like had me fucking howling and the sheer volume of wonderfully dry sarcasm was so perfect. Definitely going to be seeking out the rest of the series and other books by the author!

kristyreads's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

MISS TESSA!!! Omg I love this romance so much. It had me laughing and squealing and rooting for the couple. I loved the MCs and Tessa has the perfect blend of romance and humor. Her spicy scenes hit and the side characters are always so charming.

This is my new favorite Tessa romance and now I got to binge more.

mmariericker's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted fast-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? Yes

4.0

This is similar to the Scot in the Dark (male MC has a lot of issues around his physical appearance) but this guy was way more tolerable and the steamy scenes were far steamier. Fun! Would read more of her stuff when in need of a light book.

offbrandmusclemilk's review against another edition

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4.0

sweet and full of current pop culture

I love a steamy romance that doesn't simply end in marriage and epilogue in pregnancy. Loved the villain quoting a modern day villain.

kaitrates's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

'You're here,' he repeated, taking her hand and drawing it against his chest, right above his pounding heartbeat. 'In my heart. Somehow you crashed your way into it when I wasn't looking. The same way you barged into my library, I supposed. But you're here now, inside. Emma, you're the very life of me.'

BRB don't mind me completely SWOONING over this gorgeous, funny, steamy romance.

This was my first Tessa Dare book (though I apparently read a short story of hers in a Christmas anthology years ago) and it absolutely won't be my last. I had a blast!

So many surprising and funny moments in this! From Ash moonlighting as a vigilante (LOVE) to the many sex scenes to our badass girl group.

I've taken a long break from histrom, mostly because my taste in books has evolved. It feels good to "come home" and find unexpected disability rep in a type of book that I've definitely become less likely to pick up in recent years (namely those by white authors featuring characters who are white, cishet, conventionally attractive, thin, and appearing pre-disabled).

What kept this from being a true 5 star for me is that I wanted it to rooted in a bit more of a disability justice lens. I wanted more from Ash's character arc related to his scarring and chronic pain, as well as his identity as disabled. I wanted him to reckon with his sense of self, his internalised ableism and pretty privelege. I also chaff at the fact that this is apparently a beauty and the beast retelling because of his disability? ICK.

All in all, I really enjoyed this and am eager to dive into the rest of the series.

Content Warnings