Reviews with content warning for Sexual assault - Bringing Down the Duke

I didn't dislike the book, but it wasn't what I was expecting or looking for. It also couldn't seem to decide what style it was. Would not recommend, not r ally interested in reading the others in the series.

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ohshebookish's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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kathis_wonderland's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore is the first book in the A League of Extraordinary Women series. Annabelle finally gets the chance to study at Oxford. During her help for the women's suffrage movement she meets Sebastian, a powerful duke in England. In the efforts to win him for their cause, Annabelle is falling for him. And even though it is socially not acceptable, Sebastian falls for the country woman as well.

I've had this book on my to-read list for over three years. When a friend of mine said she had it at home, I was really excited to finally read it. However, I am a little disappointed. This book was not really my cup of tea. The characters are all rather cold and distant. None of them really appealed to me. I just didn't get warm with them. Sebastian was the coldest of them all. I did not really see his charm. He is abrupt and demanding, but he never did anything against Annabelle's wishes. All the aristocratic and misogynistic thinking made me mad. I was constantly annoyed and just did not really enjoy the writing style of this book. The sex scenes were steamy and okayish.

There was nothing extraordinary or exciting in this book. It was an okay read. Sadly, I don't want to read the other books in the series. I expected something different.

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jelkebooks's review against another edition

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inspiring lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

Honestly, this book's biggest crime is that it just is extremely boring. Oh my god, I was so bored while reading this book. It's almost unbelievable. I do think this book does try interesting things but everything is just so dragged out and slow paced that it just made me want to bash my head in.
Anyway, I did quite like Annabelle. I thought she was a very interesting character with very strong ambitions, and I love how passionate she could be about things. It's just that towards the end I felt like she lost her determination a little bit. She lost her personality a bit in favor of just being obsessed with the love interest. Talking about Sebastian, gods I did not like him. His only personality trait is that he's an ass. Truly, he is an incredibly awful person, and besides being mean to everyone in his life he has no other personality traits. Blergh!
I also wasn't a big fan of the romance. I just thought there was no chemistry between the characters at all. They had barely any moments together before they already started risking it all. They became such wet rags for each other while there was just nothing there. It became a bit annoying. Sebastian also became so obsessive over Annabelle, that he came so incredibly close to crossing her boundaries almost every time they were together. I'm still not entirely convinced Annabelle even got with him out of of pure guilt shaming. I don't know. This book just didn't work for me.

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jencolumb0's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative 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

4.25

I initially struggled to get into this book but am glad I gave it a second try. It’s a delightfully spicy (Victorian) pass at the Duke trope that also serves as the best articulation I have read to date of the experience of being an intelligent woman in the patriarchy. So, in that sense, it is not the most escapist of books but is a validating, enjoyable read.

Guys, particularly those looking to Do Better, put this one at the top of your TBR.

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booksandteatime's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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unsuccessfulbookclub's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative 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

4.25

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onegalonelife27's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective 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

5.0

Life’s been down recently, so I decided to re-read a book to bring me up. And it’s hard to not enjoy Evie’s Dunmore’s League of Extraordinary Ladies series. This first book in the series sets up the Victorian era with its highs of elegant balls and its lows of poverty. We are introduced to Annabelle Archer-a highly educated vicar’s daughter forced to work for her cousin as maid and nanny until she manages to convince him to let her go to Oxford as one of the first female students. What she doesn’t mention is she got a scholarship to go, so long as she supports the local suffrage chapter. And it’s during one event that she meets the Duke of Montgomery, Sebastian. Sebastian works hard to restore the family’s honor and claim his ancestral seat that his father lost. Queen Victoria herself promises to give him back the seat, if he is able to help her party win the upcoming elections. And her party does not like suffragettes trying to spread their cause around, especially inside their own homes. Yet when a political strategy sends Annabelle into Sebastian’s home, the sparks fly, and leads to sizzling, emotional romance.

One aspect of this I liked is how Annabelle is a sadder, wiser girl. She’s loved and lost before and now is on a path of self-reliance and staying safe. She’s learned how to manage men but knows she can’t rely on them for too much. Sebastian is also heavily self-reliant, since he had to take over the dukedom at a young age. He could indulge in all the sins of fellow nobles and not have a care in the world for others, but he works hard to sustain his estates and those who rely on him. Both feel the weight of the world on their shoulders, but find comfort and a fellow companion in one another.

I feel like this book also makes a statement about how wealthy and political activism are intertwined. The only reason that Annabelle gets involved and keeps being involved is because of the stipend that gets involved. The rest of the ladies involved in the suffrage cause are referred to as ladies or come from families like Annabelle’s friend Hattie who is a banker’s daughter. Annabelle runs herself ragged trying to keep up with the obligations of activism, school, and a deal with her cousin to send money to cover for her labor at his place-the jerk. Yet the rest of the ladies can just go about their days and attend meetings and protests without worry, well without too much worry. If Annabelle didn’t have to focus on survival and self-reliance, Sebastian’s offer wouldn’t be half as tempting.

Overall, if you like a series that portrays interesting heroines, great relationship dynamics, and a realistic setting, I highly recommend A League of Extraordinary Ladies, starting with this one! Happy Reading!

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