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A review by kerite
Sins of a Wicked Duke by Sophie Jordan
2.0
I'm a fan of "heroine disguised as a man" stories, but unfortunately this one didn't do much for me. I feel like this book could've expanded more on some interesting themes - the hero's strict religious upbringing, class differences, experiences of working-class women - but the plot is pretty shallow and the hero is very unlikable.
Anyway. Meet Dominic. He goes well past rake territory and into the realm of gross, skeezy prick. His introduction has him idly fondling a boob in his carriage and pondering how he always forgets women's names. Charming. Then he passes Fallon, the heroine, fighting off an attacker on the street and stops to help. He gives her a ride and gets pouty at her "priggishness" for not wanting to have sex then and there. He wants to shock her, so he starts sucking his companion's boobs while she gropes him through his trousers. Just imagine this happening to you, and try telling me you wouldn't be disturbed! But I guess it's okay because he's oh-so gorgeous, right? And even though he loves corrupting and "plowing" innocent young ladies, he's a painter! So sensitive! And he takes care of street urchins! And he had a hard childhood! Poor tortured soul! Unfortunately none of this makes up for him being an obnoxious sleaze. The interactions between him and Fallon only cement his grossness - he doesn't listen when she says no and stop during their first sexual encounter, and says it's her fault for getting unwanted advances from men because she's supposedly deliberately "provocative." He refuses to give her a letter of reference so she can seek other employment, flat out telling her "you're not leaving." He corners her, makes vague threats, and acts like she "owes" him. When he finally takes her virginity on a kitchen table the consent is dubious, and when she tries to pull back from the pain he forces himself in anyway.
Fallon was okay, but felt like wasted potential. There was nothing major I disliked - in fact, I liked having a heroine who's had some genuine struggles - she just didn't spark a lot of sympathy or interest. I feel like she was set up to be a strong character, but she became wishy-washy when she was revealed as a woman and the duke got pushy and aggressive. She doesn't seem to have many defining personality traits, and although she's supposedly not beautiful, every nobleman she's met in the past couldn't keep his hands off her. Thus, the crossdressing.
The vast differences between the hero and heroine are barely touched on, and the very real issues that would arise between a servant and a duke marrying are magically hand-waved away. I liked the interactions between them when she was a man, but in my opinion her disguise was revealed too soon. It would've been interesting to see them develop a closeness before he realized she was a woman. After that, it's all lust, and their love feels rushed and based on sheer physical attraction.
Also, another thing that bugged me is how the book takes dim view of any woman who isn't Fallon or her friends, describing them in very petty, unflattering terms. Yeah, we get it, the heroine is just so special and different from all those other cheap simpering sluts. Considering the duke's promiscuity, it's quite the double-standard to refer to the women as "tarts" every other page.
Anyway. Meet Dominic. He goes well past rake territory and into the realm of gross, skeezy prick. His introduction has him idly fondling a boob in his carriage and pondering how he always forgets women's names. Charming. Then he passes Fallon, the heroine, fighting off an attacker on the street and stops to help. He gives her a ride and gets pouty at her "priggishness" for not wanting to have sex then and there. He wants to shock her, so he starts sucking his companion's boobs while she gropes him through his trousers. Just imagine this happening to you, and try telling me you wouldn't be disturbed! But I guess it's okay because he's oh-so gorgeous, right? And even though he loves corrupting and "plowing" innocent young ladies, he's a painter! So sensitive! And he takes care of street urchins! And he had a hard childhood! Poor tortured soul! Unfortunately none of this makes up for him being an obnoxious sleaze. The interactions between him and Fallon only cement his grossness - he doesn't listen when she says no and stop during their first sexual encounter, and says it's her fault for getting unwanted advances from men because she's supposedly deliberately "provocative." He refuses to give her a letter of reference so she can seek other employment, flat out telling her "you're not leaving." He corners her, makes vague threats, and acts like she "owes" him. When he finally takes her virginity on a kitchen table the consent is dubious, and when she tries to pull back from the pain he forces himself in anyway.
Fallon was okay, but felt like wasted potential. There was nothing major I disliked - in fact, I liked having a heroine who's had some genuine struggles - she just didn't spark a lot of sympathy or interest. I feel like she was set up to be a strong character, but she became wishy-washy when she was revealed as a woman and the duke got pushy and aggressive. She doesn't seem to have many defining personality traits, and although she's supposedly not beautiful, every nobleman she's met in the past couldn't keep his hands off her. Thus, the crossdressing.
The vast differences between the hero and heroine are barely touched on, and the very real issues that would arise between a servant and a duke marrying are magically hand-waved away. I liked the interactions between them when she was a man, but in my opinion her disguise was revealed too soon. It would've been interesting to see them develop a closeness before he realized she was a woman. After that, it's all lust, and their love feels rushed and based on sheer physical attraction.
Also, another thing that bugged me is how the book takes dim view of any woman who isn't Fallon or her friends, describing them in very petty, unflattering terms. Yeah, we get it, the heroine is just so special and different from all those other cheap simpering sluts. Considering the duke's promiscuity, it's quite the double-standard to refer to the women as "tarts" every other page.