gasoline_allie's review against another edition
3.0
I feel conflicted. I loved Christopher, liked Freya's independence, and enjoyed the way the story touched upon the rights of women during that time. On the other hand, the secret society of the "Wise Women" was cringy, and it pissed me off that only 329/468 pages of the book were devoted to this novel and the rest was a novella by a different author.
All in all, it had potential, but it was unsatisfying and unhauled without regret. No need to continue this series.
All in all, it had potential, but it was unsatisfying and unhauled without regret. No need to continue this series.
laurenjodi's review
4.0
Not the Duke's Darling
4 Stars
Following a devastating tragedy that destroyed her family, Freya de Moray's life changed forever. As a member of a secret order, Freya lives under an assumed name and helps women in need. But when she comes face-to-face with Christopher Renshaw, the man who ruined her family, Freye swears vengeance even as she longs for his touch.
The plot of this book is more convoluted than Hoyt's Maiden Lane series. There are several intersecting storylines and it takes concentration to keep track. Nevertheless, it all eventually comes together quite well even though one or two threads could have been better developed, especially the mystery surrounding the Dunkelder.
The romance is engaging although Freya is not always likable. While her anger toward Christopher is understandable, her treatment of him is excessively harsh, especially once the truth is revealed. Christopher is much more appealing, and his traumatic backstory only enhances his allure. They have fantastic chemistry and their banter is excellent.
The hints at the romance in the next book are very intriguing and it will be difficult to wait until August 2020 for the next installment.
4 Stars
Following a devastating tragedy that destroyed her family, Freya de Moray's life changed forever. As a member of a secret order, Freya lives under an assumed name and helps women in need. But when she comes face-to-face with Christopher Renshaw, the man who ruined her family, Freye swears vengeance even as she longs for his touch.
The plot of this book is more convoluted than Hoyt's Maiden Lane series. There are several intersecting storylines and it takes concentration to keep track. Nevertheless, it all eventually comes together quite well even though one or two threads could have been better developed, especially the mystery surrounding the Dunkelder.
The romance is engaging although Freya is not always likable. While her anger toward Christopher is understandable, her treatment of him is excessively harsh, especially once the truth is revealed. Christopher is much more appealing, and his traumatic backstory only enhances his allure. They have fantastic chemistry and their banter is excellent.
The hints at the romance in the next book are very intriguing and it will be difficult to wait until August 2020 for the next installment.
sabregirl's review
4.0
There was something about this book that I didn't like but I can't put my finger on it.
bookwife's review
5.0
I love Elizabeth Hoyt. I love her writing and her characters and I loved this story. I have also been reading for 4 hours straight and my eyeballs hurt so Im not going to write a review. I just loved it!
rjordan19's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑 (some might be a bit longer? Some felt light to me though)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: A bit
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine
When mains are first on page together: Almost immediately (about 2%)
Cliffhanger: No – the romance is a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes? But it’s just the ending of the sections of the story of The Grey Court Changeling which started each chapter, not of the actual characters.
Format: got as a “read now” option on NetGalley and just getting to it now after a few years
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
I think yes – this is book 1 but a lot of things were established and set up in this book that will continue through the series.
Basic plot:
When Freya is faced with her nemesis and cause of the downfall of her family at a house party, she begins to take her revenge.
Give this a try if you want:
- Georgian romance (1760)
- London and countryside setting
- childhood friends
- enemies to lovers (on heroine’s side)
- widower hero
- bit of mystery/secret identity
- duel
- revenge
- beloved pets – this was the first historical book (or any book) I’ve read that basically had a service dog
- claustrophobic hero
- medium steam – 4 full scenes but some felt on the lighter side
Ages:
- Heroine is 27, hero is ‘past 30’
First line:
Had someone asked Freya Stewart de Moray at the age of twelve what she expected to be doing fifteen years later, she would’ve listed three things.
My thoughts:
I didn’t hear the best things about this novel so I put off reading it forever. Maybe because my expectations were so low was why I ended up enjoying it!
It does have some darkness running through it and some plot events left unanswered for sure (and I’m not sure if the series will get finished so if that is a deal breaker for you maybe put off this series for now and see).
Christopher is our hero and he has some major flaws. But I love how he was able to admit that and become a better person from what happened. I thought he was really protective of Freya and really bared his heart to her to get her to forgive him.
Freya is so independent and determined. I struggled with her a bit with how long it took her to open up with Christopher. I know our heroines are always the ones giving to the heroes but my heart just ached with how badly Christopher wanted her to trust him and let him in and she held strong for most of the book.
This book surprised me with how emotional it was – I felt the angst so much in this, and I was aching during some of the scenes. Everyone talks about and loves Maiden Lane but I really enjoyed this one (And maybe it’s because I’ve only read 2 of the Maiden Lane series to compare so I don’t have certain expectations in my head?) I’m definitely eager to try the next one in the series after this.
Endearments:
The hero calls the heroine darling
Quotes/spoiler-y thoughts:
Harlowe straightened to his full towering height. His mahogany hair was down around his shoulders, he was flushed, and he wore a ferocious scowl on his face.
He was absolutely breathtaking.
---
She was wearing only her chemise.
His vow to himself to guard her without touching her fled.
Her breasts were unbound, round and full, the indentation of her waist a curve to incite a man to violence.
To ruin.
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- death of parents remembered, death/murder on page, death of a child
- imprisonment
- spousal abuse
- mention of injury resulting in disability and depression
- hero has PTSD from his time in India resulting in claustrophobia
- witch hunting/burning
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex: No
18% - kiss
31% - kiss
36% - kiss
46% - kiss
65% - 🔥 kisses, blow job (incomplete), missionary
75% - 🔥 kisses, her on top
84% - 🔥 missionary
91% - 🔥 Thank god you’re alive sex (missionary)
95% - kiss
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑 (some might be a bit longer? Some felt light to me though)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: A bit
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine
When mains are first on page together: Almost immediately (about 2%)
Cliffhanger: No – the romance is a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes? But it’s just the ending of the sections of the story of The Grey Court Changeling which started each chapter, not of the actual characters.
Format: got as a “read now” option on NetGalley and just getting to it now after a few years
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
I think yes – this is book 1 but a lot of things were established and set up in this book that will continue through the series.
Basic plot:
When Freya is faced with her nemesis and cause of the downfall of her family at a house party, she begins to take her revenge.
Give this a try if you want:
- Georgian romance (1760)
- London and countryside setting
- childhood friends
- enemies to lovers (on heroine’s side)
- widower hero
- bit of mystery/secret identity
- duel
- revenge
- beloved pets – this was the first historical book (or any book) I’ve read that basically had a service dog
- claustrophobic hero
- medium steam – 4 full scenes but some felt on the lighter side
Ages:
- Heroine is 27, hero is ‘past 30’
First line:
Had someone asked Freya Stewart de Moray at the age of twelve what she expected to be doing fifteen years later, she would’ve listed three things.
My thoughts:
I didn’t hear the best things about this novel so I put off reading it forever. Maybe because my expectations were so low was why I ended up enjoying it!
It does have some darkness running through it and some plot events left unanswered for sure (and I’m not sure if the series will get finished so if that is a deal breaker for you maybe put off this series for now and see).
Christopher is our hero and he has some major flaws. But I love how he was able to admit that and become a better person from what happened. I thought he was really protective of Freya and really bared his heart to her to get her to forgive him.
Freya is so independent and determined. I struggled with her a bit with how long it took her to open up with Christopher. I know our heroines are always the ones giving to the heroes but my heart just ached with how badly Christopher wanted her to trust him and let him in and she held strong for most of the book.
This book surprised me with how emotional it was – I felt the angst so much in this, and I was aching during some of the scenes. Everyone talks about and loves Maiden Lane but I really enjoyed this one (And maybe it’s because I’ve only read 2 of the Maiden Lane series to compare so I don’t have certain expectations in my head?) I’m definitely eager to try the next one in the series after this.
Endearments:
Quotes/spoiler-y thoughts:
Harlowe straightened to his full towering height. His mahogany hair was down around his shoulders, he was flushed, and he wore a ferocious scowl on his face.
He was absolutely breathtaking.
---
She was wearing only her chemise.
His vow to himself to guard her without touching her fled.
Her breasts were unbound, round and full, the indentation of her waist a curve to incite a man to violence.
To ruin.
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- death of parents remembered, death/murder on page, death of a child
- imprisonment
- spousal abuse
- mention of injury resulting in disability and depression
- hero has PTSD from his time in India resulting in claustrophobia
- witch hunting/burning
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex:
18% - kiss
31% - kiss
36% - kiss
46% - kiss
65% - 🔥 kisses, blow job (incomplete), missionary
75% - 🔥 kisses, her on top
84% - 🔥 missionary
91% - 🔥 Thank god you’re alive sex (missionary)
95% - kiss
librarianmillie's review
2.0
I hate to say this, because the Maiden Lane series is one of my favorite, but this novel is a beast to get through. There are too many character, too many subplots, and did not know what was going on half the time, and because of this I stopped caring about the romance between the two main characters. I'm hoping the next book in the series will be more focused. I usually love Elizabeth Hoyt and this just made me disappointed.
brittanyt's review
3.0
https://everyoneneedsbibliotherapy.wordpress.com/2019/01/22/not-the-dukes-darling-by-elizabeth-hoyt/
katleap's review
4.0
4 stars
I received an e-ARC copy of Not the Duke's Darling from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Christopher Renshaw and Freya De Morya knew each other once. But that was 15 years ago before a tragedy tore their families apart. Now Freya works for a secret organization that helps women and is hiding her identity. When she goes to a house party to look for evidence of a muder and stop a bill about burning witches, she is reunited with Christopher, and it is not a happy reunion.
I liked Christopher and Freya. I thought they had fire and spark. Freya is brave, independent, and definitely flawed. She carries the hurt done to her family close to her heart and that makes it hard for her to trust. As the book progresses Freya's shell thins and eventually bursts. Christopher has some PTSD from his time in India and regrets his choices made as a young man. I like that he want's Freya prickles and all.
I think that this book was chock full of plot and didn't get to explore all its potential. Freya is a Wise Woman and a spy and I wish I could have learned a lot more about that part of her life, 99% of which takes place pre-book. She’s got so much potential and instead she comes out a bit too stubborn and shrewish. Christopher's story in India is touched on, but I wanted more sympathy for him as a youth. I also wanted to see him interact with more people besides Freya and Tess.
The secondary characters were awesome. I'm hopeful Messalina Greycourt and her sister will make a reappearance. I am also really curious about Gabriel Hawthorne. And I want to know what happened with Arabella Holland. Did she marry the earl?
So mostly I just needed a longer book. All the elements were there, I just need more backstory for both the main characters and they needed more time to fall past what they remembered of each other and actually love what is now.
I received an e-ARC copy of Not the Duke's Darling from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Christopher Renshaw and Freya De Morya knew each other once. But that was 15 years ago before a tragedy tore their families apart. Now Freya works for a secret organization that helps women and is hiding her identity. When she goes to a house party to look for evidence of a muder and stop a bill about burning witches, she is reunited with Christopher, and it is not a happy reunion.
I liked Christopher and Freya. I thought they had fire and spark. Freya is brave, independent, and definitely flawed. She carries the hurt done to her family close to her heart and that makes it hard for her to trust. As the book progresses Freya's shell thins and eventually bursts. Christopher has some PTSD from his time in India and regrets his choices made as a young man. I like that he want's Freya prickles and all.
I think that this book was chock full of plot and didn't get to explore all its potential. Freya is a Wise Woman and a spy and I wish I could have learned a lot more about that part of her life, 99% of which takes place pre-book. She’s got so much potential and instead she comes out a bit too stubborn and shrewish. Christopher's story in India is touched on, but I wanted more sympathy for him as a youth. I also wanted to see him interact with more people besides Freya and Tess.
The secondary characters were awesome. I'm hopeful Messalina Greycourt and her sister will make a reappearance. I am also really curious about Gabriel Hawthorne. And I want to know what happened with Arabella Holland. Did she marry the earl?
So mostly I just needed a longer book. All the elements were there, I just need more backstory for both the main characters and they needed more time to fall past what they remembered of each other and actually love what is now.
retiring2read's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
gracesbookss's review
3.0
(3.5/5) I want a sequel of Freya & Christopher’s story so please and thank you!! I surprisingly loved this book. I bought it at a target in Chicago at 9:30 pm cause I was bored in the city while my sister and her friends were out clubbing and I wanted something to occupy me! THIS WORKED! I always hated covers like these with the people on the front BUT I felt so drawn to this one for some reason! I’m glad the universe brought me to this great story! What a great way to start off 2019!
Honestly, the plot was very predictable and boring, however, it was Freya and Kester's relationship that made me fall in love with the story. There were numerous times where Hoyt wrote conflict just so there would be conflict. I also felt like the whole plot about the wise women should've been dragged out more. I wish we would've heard more about that witches mark on the Well House. The whole Scottish Witch Hunter plot was very lacking and I almost wish that it was more complex than it was.
This one could be a whole series just about the witch hunting in Europe during the 1700s and Freya and Christopher's life together because she is a Wise Woman. There were so many opportunities to make this an amazing novel. Now that doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy this one, because I clearly did, however, it was pure entertainment. Some books you read to better yourself as a person and others you read because you want a quick entertaining read. I am not a changed person from reading this and that makes a lot of sense.
Some of the histories were off which was upsetting but not a big deal if you don't care about that stuff. I'm minoring in history so it's important to me. Like I said, It was entertainment, not a life-changing read.
I am looking forward to continuing the series with the next Greycourt novel in 2019
Honestly, the plot was very predictable and boring, however, it was Freya and Kester's relationship that made me fall in love with the story. There were numerous times where Hoyt wrote conflict just so there would be conflict. I also felt like the whole plot about the wise women should've been dragged out more. I wish we would've heard more about that witches mark on the Well House. The whole Scottish Witch Hunter plot was very lacking and I almost wish that it was more complex than it was.
This one could be a whole series just about the witch hunting in Europe during the 1700s and Freya and Christopher's life together because she is a Wise Woman. There were so many opportunities to make this an amazing novel. Now that doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy this one, because I clearly did, however, it was pure entertainment. Some books you read to better yourself as a person and others you read because you want a quick entertaining read. I am not a changed person from reading this and that makes a lot of sense.
Some of the histories were off which was upsetting but not a big deal if you don't care about that stuff. I'm minoring in history so it's important to me. Like I said, It was entertainment, not a life-changing read.
I am looking forward to continuing the series with the next Greycourt novel in 2019