A review by analenegrace
Ne'er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Amazing! Iconic! Wonderful! What more can I say about the brilliant Alexandra Vasti and her debut novel? I am so lucky to be in the same book club with her and have witnessed her amazingness in person for the last year as I waited desperately for this book to come out! 

I adored Peter and Selina! I loved how most of their relationship issues came from outside rather than from within. Peter and Selina loved each other dearly, and once they knew the other had returned their affection, their relationship moved quickly. Even before, anything preventing them from interacting was by outside design. They had fantastic communication and, in almost everything, told the truth. They cared for each other deeply; how could I not grow to love them, too? 

The supporting characters in this book were amazingly written. Every character feels fleshed out, although I can tell who's going to the MCs in the next two books, lol! I loved the children and how Peter cared for them, even when they didn't want him and were very difficult. 

Plotwise, I think a library for the sexual awakening of ladies in the Ton is iconic! Selina genuinely cared for her community in that respect. 

Peter's anti-slavery plot was terrific, especially since that is a topic often ignored in histrom. As someone from contemporary New Orleans, I found it great to see a fictional historical character who loved his home but acknowledged its profound evils. Today, we continue to look back on these things, and fiction is an important way to do that.

Alexandra Vasti has written a perfect gorgeous novel and I can't wait for books 2 and 3!!!!