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natashia8911's review
5.0
Definitely my favorite of the series! This was a plot line I haven't seen before, so it was refreshing and well written. Once again, Ms. Byrne's writing style is highly complimented!
earthboundcutie's review
3.0
This one was..... just okay.
I really liked the beginning, the setup was intriguing and this trope is one that I enjoy. The writing, as is usual with the other Kerrigan Byrne novels I've read, was great and the dialogue was smooth. I also thought the sex scenes were well done. However there were several subsequent happenings that I didn't like.
Firstly, the Duke. Cole was a broken man, damaged and living in darkness. I understand that, and usually, I love that. But he was such an asshole. I got the asshole-ness at the beginning/middle and I was honestly looking forward to a shit-ton of grovelling on his part. But did I get it?
Secondly, Imogen. She was absolutely wonderful. So full of light and love and passion. I honestly loved her character. But what I disliked was how she constantly just forgave the Duke for everything he did. She met every one of his antagonisms with forgiveness and love and while that is a lovely trait, I didn't think she held him responsible enough for the shitty things he said and did to her.
Finally, the ending. Or rather the lack-thereof. No epilogue, no glimpse of a real HEA. I think I would have rated the book four stars had there been an extra chapter and an epilogue. The fact that there was a pathetic amount of grovelling from Cole and Imogen was really had me finishing the book feeling unfulfilled and honestly pretty unhappy.
Imogen deserved better. She deserved a down-on-one-knee apology and an epilogue with lots of babies and an HEA.
I really liked the beginning, the setup was intriguing and this trope is one that I enjoy. The writing, as is usual with the other Kerrigan Byrne novels I've read, was great and the dialogue was smooth. I also thought the sex scenes were well done
Spoiler
although the second was slightly disturbing ie Cole's emotionsFirstly, the Duke. Cole was a broken man, damaged and living in darkness. I understand that, and usually, I love that. But he was such an asshole. I got the asshole-ness at the beginning/middle and I was honestly looking forward to a shit-ton of grovelling on his part. But did I get it?
Spoiler
NOPE.Secondly, Imogen. She was absolutely wonderful. So full of light and love and passion. I honestly loved her character. But what I disliked was how she constantly just forgave the Duke for everything he did. She met every one of his antagonisms with forgiveness and love and while that is a lovely trait, I didn't think she held him responsible enough for the shitty things he said and did to her.
Finally, the ending. Or rather the lack-thereof. No epilogue, no glimpse of a real HEA. I think I would have rated the book four stars had there been an extra chapter and an epilogue. The fact that there was a pathetic amount of grovelling from Cole and Imogen was
Spoiler
STILL IN HER HOSPITAL BEDImogen deserved better. She deserved a down-on-one-knee apology and an epilogue with lots of babies and an HEA.
lucybloodworth's review
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
sabakne's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
4.5
indecisivesailorscout's review
3.0
I love when a romance novel ends on a high note of post-coital bliss. They've earned it and I loved watching them find each other again. Even though he was a BUTT to Imogen and I was furious with Cole for being a ham handed ass for too long, I still enjoyed the story and how he redeemed himself to her.
mkcornille's review
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
sonja_ahrb's review
5.0
I've been meaning to read Kerrigan Byrne for a long time and when I saw a post about The Duke, I checked it out and decided I just had to read it! And I could kick myself for not reading her sooner because The Duke was so amazing. It wasn't at all what I was expecting, but I loved that - I loved it, period!
I have a little bit of a love/hate relationship with Cole, although love and hate are too strong of words to use, but they make the most sense to say. When I say that they're too strong, I mean that while I loved the first couple of glimpses that we say of Cole, for most of the book, I didn't love him. I didn't hate him either though, granted he can be an a*s, which he admits to, but I could never hate him. He would do something that would give me hope that I would fall for him because I truly did like him and there were things that I loved about him. Cole's dark and primal and dangerous, he's protective and possessive and I loved all of that about him and while I can't say that he stole my heart, I did love him in the end.
Even though I struggled with Cole, I had no such struggles with Imogen. She's smart, brave, kind, and sweet. Imogen is so beautiful inside and out and the way she sees things is beautiful too. She's optimistic and positive and she's always trying to find the light in everything. Imogen is just so real and genuine and good - she is absolutely wonderful and I positively loved her!
The Duke was darker than I expected - honestly, I didn't expect it at all and I might not have been surprised if I had refreshed up on the synopsis, but I just jumped right in instead. It's not really a book that you read to give you laughs, it's heartbreaking and gut wrenching at times. It's not easy, but that's what makes it so great. The Duke will capture you, make you gasp, make you laugh and smile, it will make you yell and hurt your heart as well as warm it. It is so full of depth and beauty and wisdom. It's just incredible and I can't wait to read more from Ms. Byrne.
The Duke is a standalone, it's told from Cole and Imogen's POV, and they do get their happily-ever-after.
~ Sonja, 5 Stars
I have a little bit of a love/hate relationship with Cole, although love and hate are too strong of words to use, but they make the most sense to say. When I say that they're too strong, I mean that while I loved the first couple of glimpses that we say of Cole, for most of the book, I didn't love him. I didn't hate him either though, granted he can be an a*s, which he admits to, but I could never hate him. He would do something that would give me hope that I would fall for him because I truly did like him and there were things that I loved about him. Cole's dark and primal and dangerous, he's protective and possessive and I loved all of that about him and while I can't say that he stole my heart, I did love him in the end.
Even though I struggled with Cole, I had no such struggles with Imogen. She's smart, brave, kind, and sweet. Imogen is so beautiful inside and out and the way she sees things is beautiful too. She's optimistic and positive and she's always trying to find the light in everything. Imogen is just so real and genuine and good - she is absolutely wonderful and I positively loved her!
The Duke was darker than I expected - honestly, I didn't expect it at all and I might not have been surprised if I had refreshed up on the synopsis, but I just jumped right in instead. It's not really a book that you read to give you laughs, it's heartbreaking and gut wrenching at times. It's not easy, but that's what makes it so great. The Duke will capture you, make you gasp, make you laugh and smile, it will make you yell and hurt your heart as well as warm it. It is so full of depth and beauty and wisdom. It's just incredible and I can't wait to read more from Ms. Byrne.
The Duke is a standalone, it's told from Cole and Imogen's POV, and they do get their happily-ever-after.
~ Sonja, 5 Stars
nellesnightstand1's review
5.0
nonstop, emotional, tear drenched, laughter, heartbroken, outraged, suspenseful, heartwarming story. Kerrigan Byrne puts you though an emotional rollercoaster. Her books have just gotten better and better.
i want to read it all over again.
i want to read it all over again.
hinalovestoread's review
1.0
Need I say anything after this rating?
The hero is more of a douche and the heroine is stupid to pine for him.
Love happens when hearts, minds and souls connect and not when you can't stop lusting after a body when your heart cries for another.
The hero is more of a douche and the heroine is stupid to pine for him.
Love happens when hearts, minds and souls connect and not when you can't stop lusting after a body when your heart cries for another.