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fringebookreviews 's review for:
Duchess If You Dare
by Anabelle Bryant
Thank you so much to Kensington for sending me this DRC via NetGalley! My review below is honest as always.
This book was a solid mystery with a compelling romance. Both plots seemed pretty reasonable and I had a solid grasp of each. Scarlett is a vigilante sort, working as part of the Maiden’s of Mayhem. Ambrose is a Duke and suffers from major first-born-son syndrome—aka a very heightened sense of responsibility, propriety, and dedication to his duchy. The two are initially at odds, but when both realize they’re intent on solving the same mystery, they’re forced into close proximity. ~wink wink~
I enjoyed Scarlett and Ambrose’s relationship and liked how it was coupled with the mystery. I’d have liked at least one more spicy scene, because I was invested in their chemistry and wanted more. That being said, I got tired of the relentless need for the two to be constantly at odds about their feelings. I think the denial happened one too many times for me to buy the sudden shift at the end. I just got annoyed at the tenth mention of it “only being one night” or “it will hurt to say goodbye but I must.”
I would also like to learn more about the Maiden’s of Mayhem and the individual characters. I think the story would have been enhanced by a deeper dive into their personalities so the reader could feel more connected to the world as a whole.
I did hope the sequel would have a character from this first book, but from the teaser chapter it doesn’t seem like either MC was in book one. There was a friend (Townshend) with a broken engagement who was intriguing and I’d totally sign up for a Martin book.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and read it in a few sittings! I liked Ambrose and Martin’s relationship growth, and I appreciated Scarlett’s bold character. I will hopefully be approved again for book two when it hits NetGalley! I look forward to hearing more about this series and reading more from this author.
**spoilers below please take caution**
Linie’s ending was so vague. Should’ve she be held accountable? Was she the woman that Welle’s was with at the end scene or was that another woman? I would say maybe she comes back in book two but after reading the teaser chapter, I doubt it.
I also don’t quite know why it faded to black when Scarlett clobbered Howell with the lantern. The abrupt stop just severed the tension and confused me. I wanted to see her be badass! I was happy she saved herself, rather than have Ambrose do it.
I would also have liked for the series to take a different turn and have Ambrose and Scarlett turn into a crime fighting duo and track down the women sold through the trafficking ring. I dunno it just made me sad to think that none of them were saved.
I wanted the last few paragraphs to be from Scarlett’s point of view. We got Ambrose’s but I’m more invested in how Scarlett is faring! Hopefully she makes a cameo in book two. Willie was good, but still, more Scarlett!
**TW: Sex Trafficking**
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5 |
This book was a solid mystery with a compelling romance. Both plots seemed pretty reasonable and I had a solid grasp of each. Scarlett is a vigilante sort, working as part of the Maiden’s of Mayhem. Ambrose is a Duke and suffers from major first-born-son syndrome—aka a very heightened sense of responsibility, propriety, and dedication to his duchy. The two are initially at odds, but when both realize they’re intent on solving the same mystery, they’re forced into close proximity. ~wink wink~
I enjoyed Scarlett and Ambrose’s relationship and liked how it was coupled with the mystery. I’d have liked at least one more spicy scene, because I was invested in their chemistry and wanted more. That being said, I got tired of the relentless need for the two to be constantly at odds about their feelings. I think the denial happened one too many times for me to buy the sudden shift at the end. I just got annoyed at the tenth mention of it “only being one night” or “it will hurt to say goodbye but I must.”
I would also like to learn more about the Maiden’s of Mayhem and the individual characters. I think the story would have been enhanced by a deeper dive into their personalities so the reader could feel more connected to the world as a whole.
I did hope the sequel would have a character from this first book, but from the teaser chapter it doesn’t seem like either MC was in book one. There was a friend (Townshend) with a broken engagement who was intriguing and I’d totally sign up for a Martin book.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and read it in a few sittings! I liked Ambrose and Martin’s relationship growth, and I appreciated Scarlett’s bold character. I will hopefully be approved again for book two when it hits NetGalley! I look forward to hearing more about this series and reading more from this author.
**spoilers below please take caution**
Linie’s ending was so vague. Should’ve she be held accountable? Was she the woman that Welle’s was with at the end scene or was that another woman? I would say maybe she comes back in book two but after reading the teaser chapter, I doubt it.
I also don’t quite know why it faded to black when Scarlett clobbered Howell with the lantern. The abrupt stop just severed the tension and confused me. I wanted to see her be badass! I was happy she saved herself, rather than have Ambrose do it.
I would also have liked for the series to take a different turn and have Ambrose and Scarlett turn into a crime fighting duo and track down the women sold through the trafficking ring. I dunno it just made me sad to think that none of them were saved.
I wanted the last few paragraphs to be from Scarlett’s point of view. We got Ambrose’s but I’m more invested in how Scarlett is faring! Hopefully she makes a cameo in book two. Willie was good, but still, more Scarlett!
**TW: Sex Trafficking**
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5 |