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rlbooks8 's review for:
Ne'er Duke Well
by Alexandra Vasti
I've read all of this author's novellas with me enjoying each of them, but definitely liking some more than others. This first full length novel by her falls somewhere in the middle of that spectrum where I liked it a lot and I'm glad that I didn't sit on it, but I'm not head over heels for these characters either. Selina (h) and Peter (H) had many strengths and excellent scenes, but I don't know if either of them truly grew beyond having a couple realizations later in the book. For every scene that I was smiling hugely at their chemistry or how adorable the character was, there was another where I wanted to firmly shake them and ask why they were being hard-headed. Still, this is an overall lighter historical read with a hefty dose of humor and fun, while still tackling emotional upheavals for its characters and building a lovely romance that doesn't skimp on the steaminess factor. Also, special shoutout to the author for mentioning other debut authors in her author's note because authors supporting other authors is one of my favorite things.
So the book begins with Peter trying to figure out how he can ensure that he's approved for guardianship of his half siblings. He happens to bump into Selina (who he knows more peripherally but is fascinated with and admires greatly) while out with the kids and she's charmed by them and wants to help, since she's a fixer to her core (she's also drawn to the H's charm herself). The children are delightful, even though they're also suspicious of their brother. The complication of why the judge might rule against Peter on principle was hilarious. A plan forms though for him to court a couple of eligible ladies, with the idea that if he hits it off with one of them, a marriage before the hearing would make him more appealing. Except that the hijinks that ensue are more romp than romance and to top it off, he just wants Selina and she feels inner turmoil over the possibility of him being with someone else. This part isn't a trope I typically enjoy, but I did laugh a lot and you know from his POV that he only feels interest in the h so it went better than I expected.
Selina however doesn't view herself as eligible because she's secretly running a library that includes a whole section on non-"lady appropriate" books to help educate women and is a breath away from discovery and scandal at any given time. The reasoning for why she started this endeavor was some solid character development btw, I just didn't understand why she also hid it from those she loved. We all know things are going to happen though and how it comes about that Peter and Selina are FINALLY a couple was good, esp that she confesses to him before the wedding and he's so dang proud of her, my heart just melted. So the rest of the book is fun marital shenanigans, whether or not the library does create a scandal, and what happens at the hearing.
Written in third person, dual POV. I don't really consider this to have ow drama but technically the h does feel jealousy, no om drama, and the h is inexperienced while the H has some experience (the details are vague, but since the H's father was a rogue, the H has been with women but not to the extent that his father displayed).
I adored the side characters and I know at least two are getting their own stories, but hopefully more will too. Selina's twin brother's story broke my heart and I'd love to see him get a HEA, as difficult as that would be. I'd also like to add that I needed him to make an appearance and for those that might feel the same way as they read, he does not. The support system surrounding Selina was amazing though and I was flummoxed at why she didn't lean on them from the start, esp when the way they rally around her and Peter when needed was so incredible. Peter's siblings were so fierce and adorable at the same time. I did feel like some of the tales about the side characters (like Selina's friends that don't appear on page but are mentioned) gave the feeling like more had come before this book, when this actually takes place prior to at least the novella series that the author did. It was an odd feeling.
The third act tackles a lot, including the emotional vulnerability of the main characters and seeing them have to depend on each other and those around them that love them. But it was also super well done and I straight up cheered at the hearing scene, then laughed with a little bit of tears in my eye. The ending is them living their HEA with the children (you know they're going to get the kids guys, it's a spoiler that's not really a spoiler) being as precocious as you'd expect. I'm excited to read the first book about Selina's friend that releases next year and I'll continue to try whatever this author puts out.
So the book begins with Peter trying to figure out how he can ensure that he's approved for guardianship of his half siblings. He happens to bump into Selina (who he knows more peripherally but is fascinated with and admires greatly) while out with the kids and she's charmed by them and wants to help, since she's a fixer to her core (she's also drawn to the H's charm herself). The children are delightful, even though they're also suspicious of their brother. The complication of why the judge might rule against Peter on principle was hilarious. A plan forms though for him to court a couple of eligible ladies, with the idea that if he hits it off with one of them, a marriage before the hearing would make him more appealing. Except that the hijinks that ensue are more romp than romance and to top it off, he just wants Selina and she feels inner turmoil over the possibility of him being with someone else. This part isn't a trope I typically enjoy, but I did laugh a lot and you know from his POV that he only feels interest in the h so it went better than I expected.
Selina however doesn't view herself as eligible because she's secretly running a library that includes a whole section on non-"lady appropriate" books to help educate women and is a breath away from discovery and scandal at any given time. The reasoning for why she started this endeavor was some solid character development btw, I just didn't understand why she also hid it from those she loved. We all know things are going to happen though and how it comes about that Peter and Selina are FINALLY a couple was good, esp that she confesses to him before the wedding and he's so dang proud of her, my heart just melted. So the rest of the book is fun marital shenanigans, whether or not the library does create a scandal, and what happens at the hearing.
Written in third person, dual POV. I don't really consider this to have ow drama but technically the h does feel jealousy, no om drama, and the h is inexperienced while the H has some experience (the details are vague, but since the H's father was a rogue, the H has been with women but not to the extent that his father displayed).
I adored the side characters and I know at least two are getting their own stories, but hopefully more will too. Selina's twin brother's story broke my heart and I'd love to see him get a HEA, as difficult as that would be. I'd also like to add that I needed him to make an appearance and for those that might feel the same way as they read, he does not. The support system surrounding Selina was amazing though and I was flummoxed at why she didn't lean on them from the start, esp when the way they rally around her and Peter when needed was so incredible. Peter's siblings were so fierce and adorable at the same time. I did feel like some of the tales about the side characters (like Selina's friends that don't appear on page but are mentioned) gave the feeling like more had come before this book, when this actually takes place prior to at least the novella series that the author did. It was an odd feeling.
The third act tackles a lot, including the emotional vulnerability of the main characters and seeing them have to depend on each other and those around them that love them. But it was also super well done and I straight up cheered at the hearing scene, then laughed with a little bit of tears in my eye. The ending is them living their HEA with the children (you know they're going to get the kids guys, it's a spoiler that's not really a spoiler) being as precocious as you'd expect. I'm excited to read the first book about Selina's friend that releases next year and I'll continue to try whatever this author puts out.