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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
So like the thing abt these books that’s become clearer as I read more of the author, is she puts her heroines through the RINGER but her hero’s are just … chilling? And dgmw I love melodrama so like I’m down for a mess but I would like an equal opportunity mess ya know?
Upfront: trigger warning for sexual violence and domestic abuse. Like, really uncomfortable in spots for what was implied with Lucas, Jillian's husband, and in one part, as it was actively happening.
I listened to this as an audio book because I was looking for everything Tim Campbell narrated that I was willing to listen to, and he's always great with the various voices he does. I don't think I would've read this otherwise.
I think we all could kinda suspect what an ultimate plot point was going to be, but I didn't like the extreme it reached
I appreciated that Justin wasn't like the cretins around him who, even though he had stances on propriety (which is why he initially takes issue with Jillian dressing and acting provocatively), didn't believe that men had the right to brute force with the women in their lives. There's a heartbreaking moment when Jillian runs out of Justin's house, because she thinks the anger on his face when she tells him what she had endured is aimed at her, and he has to come to her and say God, no, it's at the people who did this to you, I want to kill them. Because even in the 21st century we still have people who think that way, that a woman is in an abusive relationship because she was asking for it or deserved it or likes it. I don't think Justin finding that abhorrent makes him too modern; I think it just makes him a human being.
Also weird was reading enough about other characters that it felt like breadcrumbs were being dropped for other books in the series, and yet turns out each book in this series is with completely different characters and stands alone. (Couldn't we have gotten a book about Justin's brother, Chase?)
I listened to this as an audio book because I was looking for everything Tim Campbell narrated that I was willing to listen to, and he's always great with the various voices he does. I don't think I would've read this otherwise.
I think we all could kinda suspect what an ultimate plot point was going to be
Spoiler
Lucas isn't dead, and has been following Jillian all this time, out to make her life miserableSpoiler
J&J head for Justin's estate, then when she's shot at they come back to town, then they leave and take on secret identities, staying unmarried in Cornwall--but Lucas was like Jason from Friday the 13th, kept coming back, just when they thought they were rid of him. It started breaking the book up into too many parts.I appreciated that Justin wasn't like the cretins around him who, even though he had stances on propriety (which is why he initially takes issue with Jillian dressing and acting provocatively), didn't believe that men had the right to brute force with the women in their lives. There's a heartbreaking moment when Jillian runs out of Justin's house, because she thinks the anger on his face when she tells him what she had endured is aimed at her, and he has to come to her and say God, no, it's at the people who did this to you, I want to kill them. Because even in the 21st century we still have people who think that way, that a woman is in an abusive relationship because she was asking for it or deserved it or likes it. I don't think Justin finding that abhorrent makes him too modern; I think it just makes him a human being.
Also weird was reading enough about other characters that it felt like breadcrumbs were being dropped for other books in the series, and yet turns out each book in this series is with completely different characters and stands alone. (Couldn't we have gotten a book about Justin's brother, Chase?)
This book was such a pleasant surprise! I picked it up at random but it turned out to be so charming and tropey in the best way—Regency era enemies-to-lovers with a dash of murder mystery. Would have a higher rating except that I liked the first half so much more than the second. The “will they or won’t they?” was very sweet, but it got a little syrupy by the time they actually got together.
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really liked this. There was some redundancy, but overall an enjoyable and quick read.
I couldn't wait to continue the series, as I definitely want to read Case and Hawk's stories, even a nice reconciliation story with Lady B. Alas! The series isn't your typical romance series that then follows the other leads presented. Looking at the other titles, my guess is these are all previously unpublished (hence the vault) of ones that were probably seen too risque.
And it appears the author has disappeared, so sadly I'll just have to imagine Case's HEA and the details of Hawk's world on my own.
I couldn't wait to continue the series, as I definitely want to read Case and Hawk's stories, even a nice reconciliation story with Lady B. Alas! The series isn't your typical romance series that then follows the other leads presented. Looking at the other titles, my guess is these are all previously unpublished (hence the vault) of ones that were probably seen too risque.
And it appears the author has disappeared, so sadly I'll just have to imagine Case's HEA and the details of Hawk's world on my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence
Moderate: Rape, Blood, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury
The sexual abuse isn't graphic, just told it happened but you don't have to read through it happening
MAN, WAS THIS A WILD RIDE
(in the best way possible)
Where do I even begin???
I absolutely loved our heroine Jillian. She was a remarkable character with so much strength. I was a little shocked when the violence against her was detailed. But to see her inner strength and will to fight back, it was just
(in the best way possible)
Where do I even begin???
I absolutely loved our heroine Jillian. She was a remarkable character with so much strength. I was a little shocked when the violence against her was detailed. But to see her inner strength and will to fight back, it was just
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
| It has been a while since I read historical romance by Miss Banks. Miss Banks is well known for her erotic romance.
In Duchess of My Heart, thd BDSM is tame down and replaced with cheesy romance.
Even it is cheesy, Miss Banks done a good job bringing the story alive. I enjoy the book more than I expected.
In Duchess of My Heart, thd BDSM is tame down and replaced with cheesy romance.
Even it is cheesy, Miss Banks done a good job bringing the story alive. I enjoy the book more than I expected.
This is a case where I continue to read an author who has in the past written some books I really liked, but in looking over them collectively, I realize I disliked a lot more than the two or three I really liked. So I am thinking this is not an author for me any longer.
This book felt unrealistic and the writing and situations felt too modern in tone. The characters did not feel logical either in action, motivations or conversation. There were too many dramatic and public confrontations. Everything about this felt simplistic and ridiculous.
This book felt unrealistic and the writing and situations felt too modern in tone. The characters did not feel logical either in action, motivations or conversation. There were too many dramatic and public confrontations. Everything about this felt simplistic and ridiculous.