Scan barcode
webbsusa's review
4.0
3.5 stars rounded to four. I loved the premise of this book, but the first half dragged. I think there was too much internal monologue and not enough plot, honestly. The second half was much better—the pace picked up, and we didn’t spend so much time inside the characters’ heads. I liked both Beatrice and Will and found them appealing, but that couldn’t make up for the slow start.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an eARC. All opinions are my own.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an eARC. All opinions are my own.
jane_underground's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
hilsaa's review against another edition
3.0
Quick and easy. Thoroughly modern characters, but that didn’t bother me as much as it usually does in historical romance. Male love interest was likeable. The last maybe 20% became a bit over the top and repetitive, and also kind of reminded me of 10 Things I Hate About You.
labyrinth_witch's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I really love this “regency women’s rights” romance subgenre. As if that wasn’t wonderful enough, Devon offers an actual complex male character that pauses and reflects about why he’s reacting to his wife in a certain way and then chooses to act differently. He also has a host of emotions he doesn’t know how to process. And the female protagonist didn’t backdown and stood her ground with a clarity and backbone that will take your breath away. For such a small novel, it was packed with so much goodness! Devon has made it to my list of favorite authors!
mariareardsromance's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sarah_moynihan's review
2.0
‘As far as William Easton―the Duke of Blackheath―is concerned, love can go to the devil. Why would a man need passion when he has wealth, a stately home, and work to occupy his mind? But no one warned the duke that a fiery and frustratingly strong-willed activist like Lady Beatrice Haven can also be a stunning, dark-haired siren who tempts a man’s mind, body, and soul.
Lady Beatrice is determined to never marry. Ever. She would much rather fight for the rights of women and provoke the darkly handsome Duke of Blackheath, even if he does claim to be forward-thinking. After all, dukes―even gorgeous ones―are the enemy. So why does she feel such enjoyment from their heated exchanges?
But everything changes when Beatrice finds herself suddenly without fortune, a husband, or even a home. Now her future depends on the very man who sets her blood boiling. Because in order to protect his esteemed rival, the Duke of Blackheath has asked for Beatrice’s hand, inviting his once-enemy into his home...and his bed.’
________________
2.5 stars, rounded down to 2 stars.
Much Ado About Dukes is the second book in Eva Devon’s Never a Wallflower series and is a historical romance.
This is the first book in the series and by this author that I have read. I wanted to like this book and it definitely had its merits. It was amusing at points and sweet in others, there was a good balance there. But I found that this book relied too much on tropes. From the beautiful blusetocking with glasses who will never let a man tell her what to do, to the perfect duke with a 12-foot wall and a moat around him to hide his emotions because he’s actually hurt inside, amongst others. I wasn’t really a fan of the tropes this book leaned on and so it wasn’t really a match for me.
Beatrice’s character was the biggest issue in this for me, she’s a dangerous combination of arrogance and ignorance. I have a real problem with ‘feminist’ characters that feel the need to be misandrists to show their support of women’s rights. William supports her and her work and genuinely seeks to improve once he’s seen he has been ignorant or lacking in certain areas, but she only sees the negative. She doesn’t appreciate any of his efforts or good works.
This all sounded very negative of me, but it wasn’t a bad book. I see that many people enjoyed, however it was just okay for me. The tropes got in the way and so it wasn’t for me and that’s okay. I do not plan to continue with the series
_____
I would like to thank NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC, Entangled: Amara for sharing an eARC of Much Ado About Dukes by Eva Devon. This is my honest review.
Lady Beatrice is determined to never marry. Ever. She would much rather fight for the rights of women and provoke the darkly handsome Duke of Blackheath, even if he does claim to be forward-thinking. After all, dukes―even gorgeous ones―are the enemy. So why does she feel such enjoyment from their heated exchanges?
But everything changes when Beatrice finds herself suddenly without fortune, a husband, or even a home. Now her future depends on the very man who sets her blood boiling. Because in order to protect his esteemed rival, the Duke of Blackheath has asked for Beatrice’s hand, inviting his once-enemy into his home...and his bed.’
________________
2.5 stars, rounded down to 2 stars.
Much Ado About Dukes is the second book in Eva Devon’s Never a Wallflower series and is a historical romance.
This is the first book in the series and by this author that I have read. I wanted to like this book and it definitely had its merits. It was amusing at points and sweet in others, there was a good balance there. But I found that this book relied too much on tropes. From the beautiful blusetocking with glasses who will never let a man tell her what to do, to the perfect duke with a 12-foot wall and a moat around him to hide his emotions because he’s actually hurt inside, amongst others. I wasn’t really a fan of the tropes this book leaned on and so it wasn’t really a match for me.
Beatrice’s character was the biggest issue in this for me, she’s a dangerous combination of arrogance and ignorance. I have a real problem with ‘feminist’ characters that feel the need to be misandrists to show their support of women’s rights. William supports her and her work and genuinely seeks to improve once he’s seen he has been ignorant or lacking in certain areas, but she only sees the negative. She doesn’t appreciate any of his efforts or good works.
This all sounded very negative of me, but it wasn’t a bad book. I see that many people enjoyed, however it was just okay for me. The tropes got in the way and so it wasn’t for me and that’s okay. I do not plan to continue with the series
_____
I would like to thank NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC, Entangled: Amara for sharing an eARC of Much Ado About Dukes by Eva Devon. This is my honest review.
jillmlong's review
1.0
I hate to say it but I had to DNF this book. The problem might be more with me then the book. I realize I don't like historical romance books when the heroine has a "cause." For me it takes away from the romance.
aldarakamey's review against another edition
4.0
It was a sweet love story that i didn't saw coming, i enjoy it a lot and i recommended specially for those who love historical romance books, it wasn't lighthearted because the main characters overcome their traumas, but it isn't heavy either is just perfect.
beastreader's review
3.0
This is a fine book. Sadly, it just did not engage and keep my interest the whole time. I found that it was slow reading for me. Due to the fact that neither William nor Beatrice captured my attention for long periods of time. This is nothing against the story itself but the last several historical romance fiction books I have the heroine has been sassier and humorous.
In this book, William and Beatrise came off as more proper in the traditional sense. However, I will give them the benefit of the doubt that they did share some good chemistry. Which I have no issues with as I do also like this type of historical romance fiction book. Yet, because I was not as fully engaged with the characters, I did find that this book was a slow read for me. Overall, I did like this book and would try another by this author.
In this book, William and Beatrise came off as more proper in the traditional sense. However, I will give them the benefit of the doubt that they did share some good chemistry. Which I have no issues with as I do also like this type of historical romance fiction book. Yet, because I was not as fully engaged with the characters, I did find that this book was a slow read for me. Overall, I did like this book and would try another by this author.
andrea_author's review against another edition
4.0
After being abandoned by his mother as a boy, the Duke of Blackheath is determined never to fall in love. Lady Beatrice, meanwhile, has determined she'll never marry for any reason *but* love. When her fortune is lost, Blackheath offers to marry her. Can these rivals come to an understanding?
I loved the banter and the light-hearted tone of this book. The writing is brilliant. The pacing felt a little slow leading up to the loss of her fortune. After that, the plot picked up, and the novel was a joy to read. The audiobook narration was first-rate.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
I loved the banter and the light-hearted tone of this book. The writing is brilliant. The pacing felt a little slow leading up to the loss of her fortune. After that, the plot picked up, and the novel was a joy to read. The audiobook narration was first-rate.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.