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A review by toosharpbyhalf
A Duke by Default by Alyssa Cole
3.0
This is an adorable but very silly romance. Portia is the wealthy black New York socialite recovering from a wild past, apprenticed to Tavish, a gruff sexy Scottish swordsmith who does good works in the local community. She's insecure, driven and techy and drags Tavish kicking and screaming into the 21st Century. He's grouchy, separated and has lost faith in love. Both are stubborn and self-sabotaging but massively attracted to each other.
Then he is blindsided when Portia discovers he's the secret heir of a Duke (of Edinburgh?!). If that sounds silly you'd be right, it really is the MOST silly thing, but it works because even though this is a US TV movie version of modern Scotland the two lead characters are grounded and well written. Normally I would find this Theme Park Scottish thing insanely annoying but I cared about the people and their relationship. Luckily the book never takes itself too seriously and is often very funny, with Portia's friends thirsting over videos of Tavish on social media, and Tav is familiar with historical romances which is charming.
The ending is so Rom Com it even features the actual Queen of England which makes the whole Duke of Edinburgh title feel extra weird. The end feels quite sudden and maybe doesn't deal with the themes the book has set up very well. But despite it being total nonsense the characters are sincere and I really honestly enjoyed this book.
Then he is blindsided when Portia discovers he's the secret heir of a Duke (of Edinburgh?!). If that sounds silly you'd be right, it really is the MOST silly thing, but it works because even though this is a US TV movie version of modern Scotland the two lead characters are grounded and well written. Normally I would find this Theme Park Scottish thing insanely annoying but I cared about the people and their relationship. Luckily the book never takes itself too seriously and is often very funny, with Portia's friends thirsting over videos of Tavish on social media, and Tav is familiar with historical romances which is charming.
The ending is so Rom Com it even features the actual Queen of England which makes the whole Duke of Edinburgh title feel extra weird. The end feels quite sudden and maybe doesn't deal with the themes the book has set up very well. But despite it being total nonsense the characters are sincere and I really honestly enjoyed this book.