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mephala's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Four Weeks of Scandal, the final installment in the Hazard of Dukes series, was very light, but ultimately rather forgettable book.
While reading I was never fully invested in Octavia and Gabriel’s story; they were ok characters, but there was something missing in their romance, some spark. The chemistry was there, but it was very sparse, and through the whole book I didn’t quite get why they fell for each other.
I enjoyed the reference to Persephone and Hades story, especially because it had a nice genre reversal as it was pretty clear from the beginning it was Octavia who “ruled the underworld”.
This pretty much sums up how the author flipped the typical characteristics the hero and heroine in (historical) romance usually have. Gabriel is more optimistic, gentle, while Octavia seems almost weary of the world, maybe even slightly jaded. He’s a scholar, she was never shy to admit she didn’t know much about Mythology. What comes to mind is a bluestocking meeting a worldly rake/libertine/ruler of the underworld. I quite liked that.
As well as the ‘found family’ trope and presence of cute pets.
The hero and heroine had a nice “meet cute”, and the sex scenes were great – I think the hottest I’ve read by this author.
Unfortunately, I felt like the story dragged a little and it never fully captured my attention.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence
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