Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

How to Deceive a Duke by Samara Parish

1 review

sarahsthoughtsonbooks's review

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lighthearted sad tense 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? It's complicated

4.25

When I read Samira Parish’s debut novel, HOW TO SUVIVE A SCANDAL, I had just finished deep diving one author’s backlist, and an early series by a second author. So as soon as I finished reading HOW TO SURVIVE A SCANDAL, I was okay this was a solid debut, I can see the potential of being a great writer. Now let me read her next book. Only to remember that this was a debut and there’s no backlist to deep dive. Anyways, that’s the backstory to say that Samira Parrish has brought her writing to the next level with HOW TO DECEIVE A DUKE, and she’s added some heat to her writing. 

So many things to love about our heroine, Fiona in this second chance romance. She’s a pants wearing chemist. She knows what she wants for her future - to be able to have her own home and not be dependent on the benevolence of anyone. She’s fiercely independent, and very reluctant to seek help. Especially if the help is from our hero, Edward, Duke of Wildeforde. 

On the other hand, not the biggest fan of Ned. He’s very self-sacrificing. In the years since his father’s death, he has been holding himself to the highest standards, so that there can be no scandals. Five years ago, he was about to throw caution to the wind, but he broke things off with Fiona (WITHOUT TELLING HER THE REASON), when he thought she might not be able to withstand the ton. His desire to stay scandal free, and sometimes his all knowing ways makes it hard to like him. Yet, we know that this heart is in the right place, so while it’s not easy to forgive him, it’s a possibility. 

Fiona’s dad is horrible, horrible person. Working with the instigator. Stealing her matches, and trying to sell them himself. Then using her idea for treason. Edward’s mom is also horrible. Then we have the return of the mean girl character. 

Other things not to like: the scandal surrounding Edward’s dad’s death. It’s never outrightly mentioned, but the one scene where it was mentioned that the dad was “depraved” doesn’t really sit well. It seems to be queer coded. 

Regarding the heat: Parish added it to the book. I think she received feedback about her first book lacking heat/being closed door and took it to heart. (Seriously we had some great makeout sessions in the first book, and then it was closed door from there). The sex scenes really work into the book and you feel the chemistry between Fiona and Edward. 

Content Notes: abandonment, off-page suicide, death of parent, awful parents, imprisonment, fire 

Thank you Forever (the publisher) for my gifted copy 
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