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bethehart's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This is my favourite one of the series so far I really resonated with Ivy. At first I was hesitant about West when he kept pushing this seduction but once she set her boundaries, he was very respectful. I loved seeing them falling in love. Really good read.
emma_caputi's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
ireadgoodbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lassarina's review against another edition
5.0
I definitely wandered into the middle of a series here, where a young lady who completely reinvented herself as a paid companion (having been ruined by a nobleman and subsequently thrown out of her parents' house when she was quite young) is forced into proximity at a house party with a man she and her wallflower friends nicknamed the Duke of Desire. She doesn't like him for being a rake; he finds her intriguing. Commence romance!
I absolutely loved Ivy. She was a fantastic heroine, stubborn and whip-smart and kind and delightful. She thinks marriage is a terrible trap, but her two best friends have recently fallen prey and she's left alone. She has a passionate interest in charity and in matters intellectual, and she really feels like a well-thought-out and well-rounded character.
Sebastian Westgate is a duke known for his enthusiastic affairs, usually with married women. I won't spoil the underlying thing going on there, but I found it delightful and thoroughly unusual and charming, and I really enjoyed it. The other thing I really enjoyed about him is that when Ivy tells him to sod off, he does. He sends a proper note of apology and does not in fact spend all his time stalking her; he endeavors to abide the rules she has set. (Both parties occasionally violate these rules, but I really appreciated that when she told him to back off, he did.)
Overall, I found the relationship and its slow growth between them to be really charming and clever, and I liked the way the romance grew. I liked the way it circled back to both of their pasts and brought them to resolution if not happiness. I loved the tension between these two characters and the whip-smart witty conversations they traded. I am definitely interested in looking up the rest of the series.
I absolutely loved Ivy. She was a fantastic heroine, stubborn and whip-smart and kind and delightful. She thinks marriage is a terrible trap, but her two best friends have recently fallen prey and she's left alone. She has a passionate interest in charity and in matters intellectual, and she really feels like a well-thought-out and well-rounded character.
Sebastian Westgate is a duke known for his enthusiastic affairs, usually with married women. I won't spoil the underlying thing going on there, but I found it delightful and thoroughly unusual and charming, and I really enjoyed it. The other thing I really enjoyed about him is that when Ivy tells him to sod off, he does. He sends a proper note of apology and does not in fact spend all his time stalking her; he endeavors to abide the rules she has set. (Both parties occasionally violate these rules, but I really appreciated that when she told him to back off, he did.)
Overall, I found the relationship and its slow growth between them to be really charming and clever, and I liked the way the romance grew. I liked the way it circled back to both of their pasts and brought them to resolution if not happiness. I loved the tension between these two characters and the whip-smart witty conversations they traded. I am definitely interested in looking up the rest of the series.
miolla's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
- 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
Both main characters struggle with trauma. The events are not graphicly depicted, but they're still prevalent throughout the storyline.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual violence, and Abandonment
b_nour's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
suzanne's review against another edition
4.0
A wonderful book with a strong hero and heroine both. They fit together well because they were both kind, good people who didn't let their adverse situations overcome them. They are both survivors and it made them into wonderful, caring people.
Definitely the best Untouchables book thus far in the series.
Definitely the best Untouchables book thus far in the series.
readingwithmerb's review against another edition
3.0
~ 3.5 stars ~
Ivy Breckenridge is content with being a companion and never marrying. But when going to a house party in the country, she is drawn to the person she least expected, Sebastian Westage, Duke of Clare, also known as ‘The Duke if Desire’. His many affairs with married women have made him the type of man Ivy thought she’d want nothing to do with, but he has shown her a kind, passionate and intelligent side that she was not expecting. However Ivy’s past has left her fiercely independent and distrustful, and it will take a lot for her walls to come down and for her to love again.
Man this was swoony. What really worked in this books favor was the passionate longing between Ivy and West. After the end of the house party, it was so painful to see them pine for each other but do nothing about it. I absolutely loved their chemistry, and Ivy’s defiance and stubbornness made it extra intense. I did find Ivy became a bit irritating towards the end, even though I understood her reluctance came from a place of trauma and fear, it still made for a frustrating reading experience at times. Overall though I actually really liked Ivy, it was inspiring to see a woman from that time period stand up for herself despite the humiliation and mistreatment she faced. I think independent women are always lovely to read about, and so I cannot wait for the next book in this series!
The Untouchables rating order:
The Duke of Deception ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯
The Duke of Desire ✯ ✯ ✯.5
The Duke of Daring ✯ ✯ ✯.5
The Forbidden Duke ✯ ✯ ✯
Ivy Breckenridge is content with being a companion and never marrying. But when going to a house party in the country, she is drawn to the person she least expected, Sebastian Westage, Duke of Clare, also known as ‘The Duke if Desire’. His many affairs with married women have made him the type of man Ivy thought she’d want nothing to do with, but he has shown her a kind, passionate and intelligent side that she was not expecting. However Ivy’s past has left her fiercely independent and distrustful, and it will take a lot for her walls to come down and for her to love again.
Man this was swoony. What really worked in this books favor was the passionate longing between Ivy and West. After the end of the house party, it was so painful to see them pine for each other but do nothing about it. I absolutely loved their chemistry, and Ivy’s defiance and stubbornness made it extra intense. I did find Ivy became a bit irritating towards the end, even though I understood her reluctance came from a place of trauma and fear, it still made for a frustrating reading experience at times. Overall though I actually really liked Ivy, it was inspiring to see a woman from that time period stand up for herself despite the humiliation and mistreatment she faced. I think independent women are always lovely to read about, and so I cannot wait for the next book in this series!
The Untouchables rating order:
The Duke of Deception ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯
The Duke of Desire ✯ ✯ ✯.5
The Duke of Daring ✯ ✯ ✯.5
The Forbidden Duke ✯ ✯ ✯