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reader_fictions 's review for:
A Duke by Default
by Alyssa Cole
I love this series, and I hope it has a million books tbh, though I'm pretty sure it will just be three. I think A Duke by Default may actually be even better than A Princess in Theory, though that could just be that a hate to love romance with a grumpy guy is more my trope trash than the other.
Though, actually, I think it depends on your mood. A Princess in Theory delivers pure, A-grade fluff; despite the villainous subplot, it's entirely cute and adorable. A Duke by Default delivers some real depth, though, as Portia deals with substance abuse, family pressure, and the realization that she has ADHD. To my mind, it's a bit more well-rounded, but there are times I'd want the fluff.
Portia and Tavish have a great, classic hate to love dynamic complete with a side order of sexual tension. Like everyone else, he initially sees her as a spoiled, stuck-up brat, but he comes to realize, as the reader does, that she's a serious badass who rocks anything she sets her mind to. It's really great to get to watch Portia grow, and, though our issues weren't the same, I really relate to how mindfully she's transforming. It's very emotional watching her rebuild her relationships with others and with herself.
My one real disappointment is how little the swordmaking really came into it. She makes ONE sword, and it comes out great super conveniently. But whatever, don't get too excited about that and the book's fabulous.
Though, actually, I think it depends on your mood. A Princess in Theory delivers pure, A-grade fluff; despite the villainous subplot, it's entirely cute and adorable. A Duke by Default delivers some real depth, though, as Portia deals with substance abuse, family pressure, and the realization that she has ADHD. To my mind, it's a bit more well-rounded, but there are times I'd want the fluff.
Portia and Tavish have a great, classic hate to love dynamic complete with a side order of sexual tension. Like everyone else, he initially sees her as a spoiled, stuck-up brat, but he comes to realize, as the reader does, that she's a serious badass who rocks anything she sets her mind to. It's really great to get to watch Portia grow, and, though our issues weren't the same, I really relate to how mindfully she's transforming. It's very emotional watching her rebuild her relationships with others and with herself.
My one real disappointment is how little the swordmaking really came into it. She makes ONE sword, and it comes out great super conveniently. But whatever, don't get too excited about that and the book's fabulous.