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upturnedroots's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
4.0
Definitely one of the more unique histrom's I've read with the emphasis on Arthurian lore, stealing recipes, and the pacing for the main couple's relationship. Loved the spice but think we could have had more development of the main couple that sort of got lost in the adventure/hijinks.
webbsusa's review
2.0
Oof. I was so looking forward to Meg’s story, and this was a clunker. For a hero that is supposed to be highly intelligent, Lucien was awfully thick-headed. I ended up skimming much of the book because I could not stand yet another chapter of Lucien carrying on about how sky or deceitful Meg was. It was the same ridiculousness, over and over again. The man couldn’t see the truth even when it was staring him in the face (literally, in the case of Guinevere).
Meg deserved a better story and a better hero.
Meg deserved a better story and a better hero.
ontheshelf_romance's review against another edition
3.0
Never Seduce a Duke by Vivienne Lorret
My first book by this author and, I have to say, it was absolutely bonkers! I don’t even know where to start with this review, the novel was silly and dispended disbelieve all the way through the read.
From the recipes the aunts were trying to steal to the duke following the heroine all over Europe because he thought she was someone else, and that someon, had stolen his ancient cookbook. Honestly, I’m not even sure how the author came up with the plot, but it took me an age to read because it was just so unrealistic. And that’s before we get to the secret baby trope… That’s always a big no-no for me.
However, I did enjoy the characters of the duke, his quirkiness that could, today, be attributed to something like Autism. It was interesting to read how his family just brushed aside his quirks but how our heroine Meg, loved him for who he was.
I’m not sure I’d go back and read the others in the series, although I have heard great things about them and that was one of the reasons, I wanted to read this book, but I would try another book by this author.
3 stars.
Thank you to the publisher (Avon Books) for an ARC copy of the book. All reviews and opinions are my own.
My first book by this author and, I have to say, it was absolutely bonkers! I don’t even know where to start with this review, the novel was silly and dispended disbelieve all the way through the read.
From the recipes the aunts were trying to steal to the duke following the heroine all over Europe because he thought she was someone else, and that someon, had stolen his ancient cookbook. Honestly, I’m not even sure how the author came up with the plot, but it took me an age to read because it was just so unrealistic. And that’s before we get to the secret baby trope… That’s always a big no-no for me.
However, I did enjoy the characters of the duke, his quirkiness that could, today, be attributed to something like Autism. It was interesting to read how his family just brushed aside his quirks but how our heroine Meg, loved him for who he was.
I’m not sure I’d go back and read the others in the series, although I have heard great things about them and that was one of the reasons, I wanted to read this book, but I would try another book by this author.
3 stars.
Thank you to the publisher (Avon Books) for an ARC copy of the book. All reviews and opinions are my own.
beckwritesbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
kimmiereadsalot's review
2.0
Was almost nice and rounded up to 3 stars. But decided on 2 because it’s been a day since I finished and I’m still angry.
This book started off so good. The slow build. The tension. The banter. I thought this was going to be a 4+ star read.
Then the author totally jumped the shark. I was pissed. I seriously had to put it down for a week before continuing.
When I came back to it, it wasn’t any better. I loathed the time jump and the lack of communication. The whole last 1/3 just didn’t redeem itself for me.
So 2 grr stars.
This book started off so good. The slow build. The tension. The banter. I thought this was going to be a 4+ star read.
Then the author totally jumped the shark. I was pissed. I seriously had to put it down for a week before continuing.
When I came back to it, it wasn’t any better. I loathed the time jump and the lack of communication. The whole last 1/3 just didn’t redeem itself for me.
So 2 grr stars.
deann's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
amberreadsalot's review against another edition
5.0
I adore Vivienne Lorret and a secret baby trope is one of my favorites, so I really enjoyed this book. MFC Meg is on an extended journey seeking to leave behind what she thinks is heartbreak. She is traveling with the recipe stealing aunts of her sister-in-law, characters I loved in prior books. The sisters steer their tour to the estate of the reclusive Duke of Merleton, aka Lucien. Through a series of rib-tickling events, Meg and Lucien end up meeting in a dark hallway. He has been experimenting with family recipes and his reaction to Meg leads him to think one is working (clue - he is just really turned on by Meg), and runs off to test it on someone else.
Meanwhile his family's recipe book is stolen and Lucien becomes convinced that Meg stole it. Thus he begins to follow her across the continent, seeking return of his book but ending up falling for Meg, who falls for him, too. Through another series of less funny events, the two end up separated. The latter half of the book follows their journey back to one another.
I loved both Meg and Lucien. Lucien's logical mind is extraordinary and amusing. Meg is a secure young woman who knows what she wants, and what she doesn't. The love scenes were steamy, the sexual tension intense, and the contrast between familial love and familial hate is well done. 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary ARC of this book. The opinions herein are entirely my own.
Meanwhile his family's recipe book is stolen and Lucien becomes convinced that Meg stole it. Thus he begins to follow her across the continent, seeking return of his book but ending up falling for Meg, who falls for him, too. Through another series of less funny events, the two end up separated. The latter half of the book follows their journey back to one another.
I loved both Meg and Lucien. Lucien's logical mind is extraordinary and amusing. Meg is a secure young woman who knows what she wants, and what she doesn't. The love scenes were steamy, the sexual tension intense, and the contrast between familial love and familial hate is well done. 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary ARC of this book. The opinions herein are entirely my own.
crownoflaurel's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent and Pregnancy
tippyloohoo's review
2.0
I wanted to like this book so badly, really I did. I had high hopes for it after enjoying the other books in the series. And it started out interestingly enough. But it was so disappointing. I was really hoping that there would be more to do with the Arthurian legends, but aside from the book that is the focus of the story and the names used, there wasn't any meaningful connection. It was also soooooooo predictable. Now, all historical romos have a certain level of predictability, but this one was over the top. I knew who the bad character was going to be the moment they appeared on the page. Also, there was no resolution with the Daniel situation. One moment he is there, presumably to get Meg to marry him, and then he suddenly leaves and we never hear from him again. It was very unsatisfying. The only truly enjoyable part of the whole book is the aunts. Those two deserve their own damn book.
jillmlong's review
1.0
This book was not for me. I didn't like the characters. I don't like stories that revolve around lies and misunderstandings. I also realized that I don't like books that have a King Arthur element to it.