kame 's review for:

A Duke by Default by Alyssa Cole
4.0

Probably a 3 1/2 star

I found this book from Rec it Wednesday from Smart B$tches insta stories.

It is a different book for me - but it was the answer to the prompt - "Favorite Contemporary you read recently" - so I hade to try it.

Portia goes to Scotland to be an apprentice for Tav a sword maker. He is rather gruff and doesnt think he needs help, and Portia is rather down on herself - as her family has llw expectations.

I like the idea, and enjoyed the new setting

Tav and Portia had chemistry right away - they fought it - then neither of them had confidence it could work.

This book is wordy - I know people speak differently in Scotland, but wow Portia could go down a self depreciating rabbit hole, and Tav spent time over thinking too.

The chemistry was there but low on romance.

The conflict that drove them apart was a long time coming and the resolution was a while coming but not satisfying to me - had me thinking thinking this may be this is one of those cliff hanger books - nope.

I may try another book from this author, but I might stay clear of this series.