A review by smuttymcbookface
The Duke Who Didn't by Courtney Milan

funny lighthearted slow-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This was such a wholesome, sweet book with wonderful banter between the two MCs.

I loved the integration of Hakka culture into the this sweet romance. It was wonderfully balanced as part of Chloe's daily life, and it was easy to see why Jeremy was so drawn to it; the part of his heritage that his aunt tried to refuse on his behalf.

The chats between Chloe and Jeremy were light-hearted, sweet, and often hilarious. I loved getting glimpses into their two perspectives, and although Chloe felt obtuse at first when she purposefully overlooked his overt signals, it became more clear later on that
she knew that Dukes did not just run away with the poor village woman
.

I love a take-charge heroine, and Chloe was definitely that. She comfortably set boundaries, chose what she was happy to do, and I loved the inn scene.
Deciding to take fate into her own hands seemed very true to her character, and I love how this confidence continued when attempting to seduce him. I also loved how nervous and fumbly Jeremy was, so contrary to his normally easygoing facade.
I love it when a main character just can't articulate properly around their love interest, and this was adorable executed for Jeremy.

Although I've seen reviews that didn't like how easily resolved the conflicts were, I actually quite enjoyed it. This was about two sweet, wonderfully matched people learning to forge a life together, and it didn't need external drama or lies to heighten it.

Additionally, the inclusion of two epilogues is never a bad thing for me. I loved
seeing how their personalities translated into parenthood. However, the White and Whistler resolution had me rolling my eyes at their comeuppance.


The thing that stops me rating this any higher is that I found myself bored for a section in the middle; when they were going to the inn, and when Jeremy was tutoring the newcomer in the Wedgeford trials. Their days really did drag on forever, and I know that they were supposed to be busy days, but I just wasn't interested in it all. There was the minutiae done well; the labelling of jars where Jeremy and Mr Fong chatted, or Chloe's conversations with her mother, or the prepping of the dough. But when it didn't feel well done, it was a trudge to get through.
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