grisette_books 's review for:

The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare

5.0

---

4.5 stars

Stupendous. As would say Ash, rightly so.

I understand now why this book is a classic of the genre. The pen of TD was sleek and hilarious with the perfect storytelling tone - one which pulls you into the story and makes you live along its characters.

I am normally not a fan of rom-coms but this one was done so well. I laughed and smiled at every page. It was so brilliantly and effortlessly worded. I totally enjoyed how the story was first and foremost focused on how the improbable love story between bruised but strong Emma and destroyed but knightly Ash bloomed into deep, everlasting love. And I loved how this book never erred into the dreaded Tell zone; instead, it was all Show and what a delight it was! The character developments rang true and resonated, the story developments were well-paced and had flair. TD proved to be a real masterful storyteller - an example for all HR authors imho.

And while usually, I prefer my romances with some high drama, the rage-inducing kind, I didn't miss it here. Instead, palpable feelings and emotions shined through amidst a wicked sense of humour. There was bittersweetness at the edges of the painful backstories of our leads, but the bigger emotional message of how the unlikely ones can repair and complete one another was at the forefront and it was heartwarmingly beautiful to read.