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A review by kelseyreadshr
The Day of the Duchess by Sarah MacLean
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
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
4.0
The Day of the Duchess is the last book in the Scandal and Scoundrels trilogy. This could be read as a standalone but both MC are mentioned in the first book.
I was into and invested in this book from the beginning. I wanted the redemption story of Sera and Malcolm finding a way past their prior hurts to trust one another again and find happiness with one another. I feel like they do get this by the end but I also thought it could’ve been more. It takes a long time for the MC to have an honest conversation between them but at least when they do, they actually listen.
An event took place three years prior and it kept being brought up in their internal monologue but was never brought up between them. This ended up not being a sticking point for Sera but for me I wanted it acknowledged and apologized for. I did like how Sera took responsibility for her actions when Malcolm made his apology-that fault lied on both sides.
Overall, I was rooting for them the whole time and the story kept me intrigued.
I really enjoyed getting to know Sera’s sister, Sesily Talbot, and glad to know that her and Sera’s American friend get their own story in Bombshell from the Hell’s Belles series.
I went back and read this series after reading the Bareknuckled Bastards as Felicity Faircloth (FMC in Bareknuckled Bastards #1) was mentioned to have been ruined in this book. After finishing both series, I think it’s ok to start with Bareknuckled Bastards if you want to. She’s introduced in the latter half but her ruination isn’t as scandalous as I was expecting, but can still appreciate the linking of series.
This book has dual timelines and helped build the angst throughout. Listening to the audiobook, I had to keep track more of what year the story was in but didn’t mind the dual timeline.
There are two encounters.
CW below may contain spoilers.
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CW: divorce, infidelity, traumatic birth (still birth), fertility (incorrect diagnosis and live births in epilogue).
I was into and invested in this book from the beginning. I wanted the redemption story of Sera and Malcolm finding a way past their prior hurts to trust one another again and find happiness with one another. I feel like they do get this by the end but I also thought it could’ve been more. It takes a long time for the MC to have an honest conversation between them but at least when they do, they actually listen.
An event took place three years prior and it kept being brought up in their internal monologue but was never brought up between them. This ended up not being a sticking point for Sera but for me I wanted it acknowledged and apologized for. I did like how Sera took responsibility for her actions when Malcolm made his apology-that fault lied on both sides.
Overall, I was rooting for them the whole time and the story kept me intrigued.
I really enjoyed getting to know Sera’s sister, Sesily Talbot, and glad to know that her and Sera’s American friend get their own story in Bombshell from the Hell’s Belles series.
I went back and read this series after reading the Bareknuckled Bastards as Felicity Faircloth (FMC in Bareknuckled Bastards #1) was mentioned to have been ruined in this book. After finishing both series, I think it’s ok to start with Bareknuckled Bastards if you want to. She’s introduced in the latter half but her ruination isn’t as scandalous as I was expecting, but can still appreciate the linking of series.
This book has dual timelines and helped build the angst throughout. Listening to the audiobook, I had to keep track more of what year the story was in but didn’t mind the dual timeline.
There are two encounters.
CW below may contain spoilers.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
CW: divorce, infidelity, traumatic birth (still birth), fertility (incorrect diagnosis and live births in epilogue).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility, Infidelity, Medical trauma, and Pregnancy