Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore

39 reviews

tannerlauren's review against another edition

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

Graphic: Death of parent, Miscarriage, Classism, and Sexual content

ohshebookish's review against another edition

emotional inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny and Classism

Moderate: Sexual content

Minor: Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Miscarriage

kathis_wonderland's review against another edition

emotional 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

2.75

Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore is the first book in the A League of Extraordinary Women series. Annabelle finally gets the chance to study at Oxford. During her help for the women's suffrage movement she meets Sebastian, a powerful duke in England. In the efforts to win him for their cause, Annabelle is falling for him. And even though it is socially not acceptable, Sebastian falls for the country woman as well.
 
I've had this book on my to-read list for over three years. When a friend of mine said she had it at home, I was really excited to finally read it. However, I am a little disappointed. This book was not really my cup of tea. The characters are all rather cold and distant. None of them really appealed to me. I just didn't get warm with them. Sebastian was the coldest of them all. I did not really see his charm. He is abrupt and demanding, but he never did anything against Annabelle's wishes. All the aristocratic and misogynistic thinking made me mad. I was constantly annoyed and just did not really enjoy the writing style of this book. The sex scenes were steamy and okayish.
 
There was nothing extraordinary or exciting in this book. It was an okay read. Sadly, I don't want to read the other books in the series. I expected something different. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Misogyny, and Sexism

Moderate: Sexual assault, Police brutality, and Classism

Minor: Alcohol, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, and Infidelity

kbookish's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative medium-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? It's complicated

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Classism, Miscarriage, Misogyny, and Death of parent

connerme's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Sexual content, and Misogyny

Moderate: Police brutality, Addiction, Sexual assault, Violence, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Alcoholism

Minor: Confinement, Death of parent, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and War

undecidedpersonality's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted 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? Yes

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexism, and Sexual content

Moderate: Death, Police brutality, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent

Minor: Abandonment, Pregnancy, Medical content, Miscarriage, Slavery, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Grief, and Violence

jencolumb0's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative 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

4.25

I initially struggled to get into this book but am glad I gave it a second try. It’s a delightfully spicy (Victorian) pass at the Duke trope that also serves as the best articulation I have read to date of the experience of being an intelligent woman in the patriarchy.  So, in that sense, it is not the most escapist of books but is a validating, enjoyable read.

Guys, particularly those looking to Do Better, put this one at the top of your TBR. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism and Misogyny

Moderate: Sexual assault, Violence, and Police brutality

Minor: Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Miscarriage, and Forced institutionalization

annick's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

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

4.75

The tenderness. The sensual tension. (Yes, sensual, not sexual). And the emotional intimacy as they developed affection for each other. It wasn’t just beautiful horny adults. 

Almost flawless. I loved so so much of this. 

Two scenes disappointed me in the final 20% - for the miscommunication plot device and for the grand gesture in the HoL. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Sexism, and Misogyny

Moderate: Classism

Minor: Miscarriage, Infidelity, and Death of parent

agw622's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring tense fast-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

5.0

This was such an amazing read. The time period chosen was such a unique background for a romance book. I love how the line between being strong in yourself and finding love was managed so well. The charecters had depth, and I'm excited to read the next book!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content

Moderate: Police brutality, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Alcoholism, Colonisation, Miscarriage, Death of parent, and Infidelity

booksandteatime's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Death of parent, Miscarriage, and Sexual harassment