Reviews with content warning for Racism - A Duke by Default

I enjoyed this book. I particularly liked Portia and how nuance her character was and seeing her growth. I do wish we had seen her stand up to her parents more. I also did not love Tavish, which is not what I expected because I am always down for a grumpy Scot, but I found him to be a bit too assholish at times.

I listened to the audiobook, and I was not a big fan of the narrator. Her Scottish accents were not great.

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skudiklier's review against another edition

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emotional 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

4.75

I liked this about as much as the first book in the series, but in slightly different ways! I like that Cole addresses some of the unhealthy relationship dynamics that most romances would just ignore because it would make things too complicated; I was ready to sort of suspend my disbelief/concerns as I normally would, and then they were directly addressed. My biggest problem with this series is that they end sort of suddenly. I wish there was an epilogue or something, though at least I know I'll probably get a glimpse of their relationship in the sequel(s).

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marareading's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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

2.75

I got the audio version of this book from my library. I adored the first in this series. This one didn't hit as hard for me. I love that both books in the series so far have been international and involve many nationalities in the MCs. The accents in the narration though were way off in this book. Though set in Scotland, everyone sounded Jamaican, and that threw it off and definitely pulled me out of the story. I will read book 3 in a physical form.

In this sequel we are following Portia. She is newly sober, and getting her life together. Arguably running from it. She has taken an apprenticeship in Scotland to learn sword making and use her art history major to spend a summer in a new culture helping a master swordsman with his armory. Tavish, said master swordsman, has his own baggage he is working through. He is a grumpy Scot. They start getting to know each other and begin to realize they compliment each other more then they thought.

I didn't love all the early references to Tavish being "older", and references to this big age gap, given she is 28, and he is 38 on this book. That isn't old, and that is barely an age gap. It is made to sound like 38 is just an insane age to be dating to considered for a relationship. It felt weird. The ending felt a bit rushed. I also wish we had more resolve with the things Portia dealt with throughout with her self doubt, ADHD, and relationship with her parents. We don't get to see a path for her on many of these things.

I did love the rep for ADHD, and the banter between our MCs. The way she learned to help herself and not everyone was wonderful. I will continue on the series, but again, likely not in audio.

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martamae77's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

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rae_bookmarkchronicles's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted 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? Yes

4.5

I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed this! Portia is so much better than she was in the first book although there were some things annoyed me.

Love the chemistry between her and Tavish. Really enjoyed getting a little bit of Ledi and Thabiso

Could have been a five star read but the tropes got me again.

Portia thinking that because she's been a fuck up in the past that she's destined to fuck up again as if making mistakes isn't normal
Portia and Tav mutually deciding to make themselves miserable by staying away from each other despite the fact that they are happy together
Portia gets mad at Tav for letting her leave even though she was the one that placed the boundaries. Then gets mad when he finally does ask her to stay

I also didn't mind the age gap at all because it wasn't creepy and wasn't brought up every 10 seconds

I also didn't love the ending because it wasn't as clear cut as A Princess in Theory and I have some questions.

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memorable's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional 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? Yes

4.25

I really like this series! I didn’t know I was one to like stories of royalty, but here I am.
I didn’t like Portia in the first book as a side character, but learned to love her in this book! It all made me understand her more and knowing where she’s coming from, her actions are understandable!
The ending felt somewhat rushed, I had the same feeling listening to the first one, too. There is such a huge built-up and then after the climax everything happens somewhat fast. I really like the story nonetheless and I definitely want to read the other books of the series, too!

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beholderess's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

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