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A review by delaneyyyw
My Inconvenient Duke by Loretta Chase
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I've read and enjoyed a few books by Loretta Chase in the past, so I was thrilled NetGalley approved me for an ARC of My Inconvenient Duke! I hadn't read any of the others in this series, and actually didn't know it was partially a prequel showing how a couple that is estranged in those books got together originally (and how they eventually reunite).
Alice is terrified that her brother's wild antics will wind up with him in a coffin and her penniless with nowhere to go. She's desperate for a husband, while trying to steer clear of her cruel cousin's machinations and also save some orphans. Blackwood, her brother's equally-dissolute best friend, follows her to London to keep an eye on her. He ends up coming to Alice's rescue more than a few times.
The couple has good chemistry, and I loved their banter. Each is pining for the other against their own best interests! The scenes between Alice and Blackwood are by far this book's strength. Chase can certainly write a fantastic pairing!!
Unfortunately, I thought the plot felt really disjointed. The external conflict felt almost episodic, like once one crazy situation was dealt with another one would pop up. Events just didn't seem to flow. And not having read the previous books, I didn't understand the "marriage in trouble" part towards the end. I wish we had less of the pre-marriage capers and more of the post-marriage emotional drama.
Overall, would recommend, but probably read the others in the series first!
Alice is terrified that her brother's wild antics will wind up with him in a coffin and her penniless with nowhere to go. She's desperate for a husband, while trying to steer clear of her cruel cousin's machinations and also save some orphans. Blackwood, her brother's equally-dissolute best friend, follows her to London to keep an eye on her. He ends up coming to Alice's rescue more than a few times.
The couple has good chemistry, and I loved their banter. Each is pining for the other against their own best interests! The scenes between Alice and Blackwood are by far this book's strength. Chase can certainly write a fantastic pairing!!
Unfortunately, I thought the plot felt really disjointed. The external conflict felt almost episodic, like once one crazy situation was dealt with another one would pop up. Events just didn't seem to flow. And not having read the previous books, I didn't understand the "marriage in trouble" part towards the end. I wish we had less of the pre-marriage capers and more of the post-marriage emotional drama.
Overall, would recommend, but probably read the others in the series first!