wildwolverine's review
4.0
What a surprise! The novel I was the least sure about ended up being the one I liked the most out of this series! At least, so far. I don't know what it was. It didn't have any of the usual tropes that make me smile and snuggle in for a good read, and I can't really compare it to any other romance novel I've read. But maybe that's why it was a success with me. It was so different than everything else Dare has done that I was constantly surprised and was able to enjoy myself. Brava.
The story can best be described as a regency Cinderella mixed with My Fair Lady, except the hero's mother is trying to makeover the heroine while her wayward son wants the heroine to botch the job. Pauline is practical, intelligent, kind, resourceful, and genuine. More to the point, she actually demonstrates those characteristics in a way that doesn't feel over the top or Mary-Sue, unlike Susanna Finch who is perfect from tip to toe. Pauline is truly a strong heroine, and I enjoyed reading her journey.
The plot was also interesting, the supporting cast was layered, and the conflict was believable. MUCH more believable than Beauty and the Blacksmith, which has the exact same premise, but in reverse. Honestly, my only complaint was that it wasn't super romantic because I found the hero to be quite rude, at times. Even though Griff is trying to put up an indifferent front so no one suspects his true feelings for her, he genuinely hurts Pauline and has the sorriest excuses when she confronts him about it. I probably should've docked off two stars for this behavior, but Pauline was such a great heroine that she managed to make me want the romance in spite of Griff's faults.
The ending is the stuff of fairy tales. It feels shoe-horned because romance authors nowadays want heroines with career ambitions. I'm all for that, but it doesn't really work when the heroine is about to become a duchess. It's not like she'll be bored. If you like fairy-tales where things don't really make sense but there's actual class warfare, then this is a great book for you.
The story can best be described as a regency Cinderella mixed with My Fair Lady, except the hero's mother is trying to makeover the heroine while her wayward son wants the heroine to botch the job. Pauline is practical, intelligent, kind, resourceful, and genuine. More to the point, she actually demonstrates those characteristics in a way that doesn't feel over the top or Mary-Sue, unlike Susanna Finch who is perfect from tip to toe. Pauline is truly a strong heroine, and I enjoyed reading her journey.
The plot was also interesting, the supporting cast was layered, and the conflict was believable. MUCH more believable than Beauty and the Blacksmith, which has the exact same premise, but in reverse. Honestly, my only complaint was that it wasn't super romantic because I found the hero to be quite rude, at times. Even though Griff is trying to put up an indifferent front so no one suspects his true feelings for her, he genuinely hurts Pauline and has the sorriest excuses when she confronts him about it. I probably should've docked off two stars for this behavior, but Pauline was such a great heroine that she managed to make me want the romance in spite of Griff's faults.
The ending is the stuff of fairy tales. It feels shoe-horned because romance authors nowadays want heroines with career ambitions. I'm all for that, but it doesn't really work when the heroine is about to become a duchess. It's not like she'll be bored. If you like fairy-tales where things don't really make sense but there's actual class warfare, then this is a great book for you.
sri_savita's review
5.0
"The cabinet was formed of gold, and pearl and crystal shining bright. And within, it opens into a world, and a lovely little moony night. Another England there I saw. Another London with its Tower. Another Thames and other hills. And another pleasant Surrey bower."
I did not think I would love this one as much as I did because class differences sometimes aren't depicted well in these kinds of stories, but Tessa's heroines are always so easy to root for and Pauline was funny and so strong. I loved the way she cared for her sister, and even remembered some of the painful memories of times when she was embarrassed. Their family definitely wasn't an easy one, and Griff's own experiences with family, grief and loss provided the common ground for the two of them that made this work so well. Ultimately for me this felt like a book about sibling and family love, and finding and creating and understanding what that means for yourself. That's why I really enjoyed seeing how these two figured out who their people were and how to make a home of their own. I also really love how many of Tessa's heroines have a fondness for books and learning. For Pauline this was a source of strength because she knew, like Clio in Say Yes to the Marquess what she had in her mind could not be taken away by anyone.
I did not think I would love this one as much as I did because class differences sometimes aren't depicted well in these kinds of stories, but Tessa's heroines are always so easy to root for and Pauline was funny and so strong. I loved the way she cared for her sister, and even remembered some of the painful memories of times when she was embarrassed. Their family definitely wasn't an easy one, and Griff's own experiences with family, grief and loss provided the common ground for the two of them that made this work so well. Ultimately for me this felt like a book about sibling and family love, and finding and creating and understanding what that means for yourself. That's why I really enjoyed seeing how these two figured out who their people were and how to make a home of their own. I also really love how many of Tessa's heroines have a fondness for books and learning. For Pauline this was a source of strength because she knew, like Clio in Say Yes to the Marquess what she had in her mind could not be taken away by anyone.
jessicalouise25's review
3.0
I enjoyed this book but compared to the others in this series, especially A Week to be Wicked, it was just lacking. I didn't feel like I really knew the characters, the story dragged a little at points and I didn't really see the romance until the very very end. I probably would have thought more of it if I had read it before the others but it really just didn't measure up in my opinion.
lisabooksit's review
4.0
By far my favorite of the Spindle Cove series! I really liked this Cinderella type story. The sexy scenes were quite sexier than any previous books of Ms. Dare's!
zeef33's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mollyjeannette's review
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
roseybot's review
4.0
I’m I don’t know who edited the audiobook but someone needs to inform the narrator that Vauxhall is pronounce Vox.
Anyways, that quibble aside I enjoyed this — though man the whole thing about social class always seems to be brushed aside all the time. I just wish once that a book would really delve into that issue.
Anyways, that quibble aside I enjoyed this — though man the whole thing about social class always seems to be brushed aside all the time. I just wish once that a book would really delve into that issue.
laurenjodi's review
5.0
Any Duchess Will Do
4.5 Stars
Lovely and original retelling of Cinderella with a smidgeon of Pygmalion thrown in for good measure.
Griff and Pauline have amazing chemistry and their romance sizzles on the pages. Griff is dark, broody and tortured - the epitome of my favorite hero type. His personal tale of tragedy pulls at the heartstrings and makes it impossible not to love him, which is interesting considering that he is the despicable Halford from A Week To Be Wicked and his character undergoes a complete transformation.
Pauline is an engaging heroine. She has admirable internal strength and her take no prisoners attitude with Griff and his mother is priceless. Speaking of Griff's mother, the Duchess and her dynamic with Pauline is one of the highlights of the story and anyone familiar with Julia Quinn's Lady Danbury will absolutely adore her character.
Although the story is delightful with numerous laugh-out-loud moments, it is rather far-fetched and requires the reader to suspend their disbelief 100% as there is absolutely NO way a duke would marry a serving girl in Regency England. Nevertheless, Any Duchess Will Do is an emotional and entertaining addition to the Spindle Cove series.
4.5 Stars
Lovely and original retelling of Cinderella with a smidgeon of Pygmalion thrown in for good measure.
Griff and Pauline have amazing chemistry and their romance sizzles on the pages. Griff is dark, broody and tortured - the epitome of my favorite hero type. His personal tale of tragedy pulls at the heartstrings and makes it impossible not to love him, which is interesting considering that he is the despicable Halford from A Week To Be Wicked and his character undergoes a complete transformation.
Pauline is an engaging heroine. She has admirable internal strength and her take no prisoners attitude with Griff and his mother is priceless. Speaking of Griff's mother, the Duchess and her dynamic with Pauline is one of the highlights of the story and anyone familiar with Julia Quinn's Lady Danbury will absolutely adore her character.
Although the story is delightful with numerous laugh-out-loud moments, it is rather far-fetched and requires the reader to suspend their disbelief 100% as there is absolutely NO way a duke would marry a serving girl in Regency England. Nevertheless, Any Duchess Will Do is an emotional and entertaining addition to the Spindle Cove series.