A review by lsol8tion
The Duchess Effect by Tracey Livesay

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

3.25

I was kind of excited for this book because I enjoyed American Royalty. However, the Dutchess Effect didn't live up to my expectations. What I can appreciate is that Tracey Livesay gave us more of a romanticized fairy tale love story in American Royalty, but its sequel really shows that there's a lot more than meets the eye when it comes to the British Monarchy. Dani realizes that fact very quickly, especially when she's being peraded like a show pony by the Company. Although she did initially agree to doing royal activities with Jameson because of a huge investment deal with Mela-Skin, a certain state banquet event is her breaking point, and I eas worried that Dani would endorse something that's vile. Like seriously, I understsnd wanting to take your self-made brand to the next level, but
supporting COLONIZATION?
Dani had me scared for a second.

Both Dani and Jameson come to a crossroads of their realationship when the trauma they experienced in the wake of their respective loved ones spur them to react to conflict in different ways, especially considering their different socio-economic backgrounds. However, I feel like both of them coming to this realization was a bit rushed. I do love that they
both made the decision to start therapy
. I love seeing healthy relationship building in romance books.

Also there's an unresolved conflicts that I wished was addressed before the story ended. Dani's former manager was talking shit about her and her relationship on radio shows, and even going as far as to
pressure hip-hop award shows to disinvite Dani as both a presenter and performer
. He was fuckin up her bag and trying to alientate her from the community, and yet she never comfronts him? Not even in the epilouge? A Black man tryna tear down a Black woman and fuck up her reputation, and she didn't get to directly defend herself? Unserved justice in my opinion.

Lastly,
Jameson's proposal was too quick in my opinion. Him and Dani love each other deeply, but it's only been, like what, a few months since they started dating? MAYBE a year? And they just resolved such a huge conflict in relationship dynamic?
Like damn, let's slow down a bit. 
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