Reviews

Her Night with the Duke by Diana Quincy

livyadri's review against another edition

I don’t care for insta love in the first place but this mmc was insufferable. Hypocritical, arrogant, and selfish.
He had this air of superiority that chokes out Leela’s entire personality when they’re together. He’s unkind to her and judgmental of her and her family. He doesn’t suffer consequences for his terrible actions and he doesn’t learn a damn thing either. I don’t think I’ve hated a male lead so much before… I was sticking around to see what would happen with the whole marriage to Victoria thing, but it was such a cop out in the end which lent to him feeling even more superior and “jilted” as if he even wanted to marry her. Boo Hiss. The absolute worst. 

nadia_amina's review

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

alissar's review

adventurous emotional funny 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

For this being my first paperback romance/bodice ripper, I really enjoyed it! I love the incorporation of Palestinian culture and Arabic, and there were times I genuinely laughed and screamed when Leela cursed in Arabic. I felt the incorporation of Arabic was a little clunky and unnatural in the beginning, but it flowed a lot better as the book went on. I also didn’t love how at times it felt like the duke was fetishizing her? It felt kind of icky and weird, but as the book went on, it was pure unadulterated worshipping and love on the Duke’s end. Their chemistry was insane and I LOVED when the Duke called Leela

Venus

before he properly knew her name. I also nearly cried when Leela talked about her identity crisis with feeling detached from her culture and Arab dude if her family, because same! I’m now on the hunt to buy more books by Diana, because this book was like crack to me. The slow burn was perfect 

ay_angie's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

walking_cheese's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

julie2525's review against another edition

5.0

A delightful find. I was sold when I heard that—in Chapter 1— the female MC whips out a giant curved knife and initiates an amazing one night stand. I’ve seen reviews complain that they don’t see the love between the 2 MCs. I assure you, there is plenty of lust and an HEA. The book is both over the top and sincere. It addresses racism, parents from 2 different and not fitting entirely in either, family dynamics, moral conflict.

If you liked Bridgerton Season 2 (distinct from Julia Quinn’s novel), this book is probably for you.

Tropes: One night stand, Scandal, Off-limits friend, Secret / forbidden love

nhlikes's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

Love a romance without a miscommunication in sight. After the initial denial of feelings, Hunt and Leela were constantly honest with each other. Their relationship is totally believable and I love that we got to see another side of Regency England through Leela’s Palestinian/Arab relatives. 

littlepepperguy's review against another edition

3.75

I like this series fine. It does the job and can hold me over between my sadder books but something about them just doesn't hit like Beverly Jenkins historical romances do. There's something a little gross or mean about the male romantic leads so far in this series and that just does nothing for me. If I'm reading Het romance the man better be perfect, groveling, and obsessed. 

That being said I appreciate the inclusion of Arabic and Arab characters. Although, it seems like quite a superficial inclusion, the Arab characters we seem the most are 2nd gen English and have almost no ties to culture. The main female lead is of Palestinian descent (maybe honestly it's not SUPER clear) and still calls the city Jerusalem when visiting, I would have loved to see it called al-Quds. And then apart from that the main "cultural" practice or difference is she drinks tea with mint. I guess it's good rep for the diaspora. 

iridian28's review

funny hopeful lighthearted 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

3.5

keraashley's review

3.25

Absolutely adoring the Palestinian elements in Diana’s books. They make regency England that much more exciting and fun. 
This is not my ideal plot for a book, bc I hate any sort of family cross over in a romantic sense, I know that she’s the step-mom and she and the Duke don’t know who each other are and there is no on page physical cheating. But boy is there emotional confusion all up in this book. 
 FMC fucking rocks, I adore her, I think more women should carry around knives and slap men who hurt their feelings. MMC was kinda flat as a character and FMC could do better but at least can communicate his feelings and knows how to grovel. 
Like superrrr insta-lovey. You guys can’t be this down bad after one all night sex fest, I do not buy it. We meet FMC’s brother for 3 pages and I liked him more than the MMC who gets like 300 pages, do with that info what you will. 
This is the lowest rated book in this series, so I am hoping there is only up from here.