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A review by gillianw
A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall
4.0
4 stars
Theres a lot to love about this book, especially because a trans woman gets to have a pretty fantastic HEA, surrounded by a loving family and friends, and the undying adoration of her imperfectly perfect husband. The fact that she gets that HEA without a coming out scene, and without any transphobic scorn or derision from anyone just makes it that much sweeter. Queer suffering need not apply here.
I found the pacing a bit uneven at times, which confused me because it starts off so strongly. But Viola and Gracewood’s relationship make any slow moment worthwhile. The side characters are wonderful and I felt that the descriptions of addiction and PTSD felt real and raw. However, this is mostly a quietly romantic love story about two lost friends getting to *really* meet and love each other for the first time. It’s a keeper.
Theres a lot to love about this book, especially because a trans woman gets to have a pretty fantastic HEA, surrounded by a loving family and friends, and the undying adoration of her imperfectly perfect husband. The fact that she gets that HEA without a coming out scene, and without any transphobic scorn or derision from anyone just makes it that much sweeter. Queer suffering need not apply here.
I found the pacing a bit uneven at times, which confused me because it starts off so strongly. But Viola and Gracewood’s relationship make any slow moment worthwhile. The side characters are wonderful and I felt that the descriptions of addiction and PTSD felt real and raw. However, this is mostly a quietly romantic love story about two lost friends getting to *really* meet and love each other for the first time. It’s a keeper.