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emmehooks's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Physical abuse, Transphobia, Violence, and Kidnapping
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, and Lesbophobia
samchase112's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Addiction, Deadnaming, Drug abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Vomit, Kidnapping, and War
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Transphobia
Minor: Grief
ninjamuse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Mental illness, and Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexism, and War
Minor: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, and Death of parent
jessie_h's review
5.0
I'm becoming more and more convinced that Alexis Hall can write anything they want and will make it totally fabulous. This book was no different. The amount of heart and vulnerability in this story is both astounding and beautiful. I was a bit worried that this would be really angsty given the premise. But while Viola is worried about being judged for choosing to live as her most authentic self, it wasn't the whole plot of the book and I can't tell you how much I appreciated that. There are still some heavy topics discussed in this book and some angst but it was so perfectly balanced out with sweetness and joy. It was heartwarming that everyone who Viola came out to not only accepted her but supported her so fully in her quest to live the life she was meant to.
Viola and Gracewood are war veterans and we see how that has affected them. Gracewood was shot in the leg and has to use a cane for the rest of his life. He also suffers quite severely from PTSD. I am grateful that the author didn't gloss over or minimize those affects like I have seen in several of the Regency romances over the years. Viola does not have PTSD in the same way that Gracewood does but how her actions and choices in the war haunt her is never seen as being less than his trauma.
The romance between Viola and Gracewood was everything! This book is a master class in how to write a romance novel. I saw it described in someone's review that described this romance as a second chance at first love which is a wonderfully apt description. The romance is full of instant attraction but manages to still be a slow burn and very intimate and tender. Watching Viola and Gracewood discover that there is so much more to the other that they didn't know was *chef's kiss*. They aren't perfect but they are perfect for one another. I adored watching them fall in love so much!
It was mentioned in the author's note that this could be the beginning of a new series and I really really hope it is! I loved so many of the secondary characters! And I cannot tell you how much I need a Mira book and a Lady Lilimere book in my life! I can't recommend A Lady for a Duke enough! If you want to read a truly unique and well-written queer historical romance, this is the book for you.
*ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley and this review was originally posted on the Goldilox and the Three Weres blog.
Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Transphobia, Grief, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body horror, Suicidal thoughts, and Kidnapping
Minor: Child abuse and Death of parent
ladythana's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Deadnaming and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Transphobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Confinement, and Abandonment
ruthiedr89's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Death, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Deadnaming, Death, Gun violence, and Classism
Minor: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
wanderingtales's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Death, Violence, Vomit, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Dysphoria, War, and Classism
caseythereader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
- Oh, my heart. A LADY FOR A DUKE is one of the best romance novels I've ever read. It's full of the best banter and the deepest feelings, and it's so fantastically queer.
- I absolutely adore that while Viola is of course worried about transphobia, it's not the entire plot of the book. Everyone she comes out to accepts her fully and without question, smoothly using her correct name and pronouns while working to give her the support she needs.
- Viola and Gracewood are the sweetest pair, each helping each other understand and deal with their traumas, untangle their feelings, and love each other wholly.
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, Dysphoria, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism