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jennireadsmaybe'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
In all seriousness, I thoroughly enjoyed The Duke Gets Desperate. Raya and Strick are the epitome of "I hate that I'm attracted to you" and it's freaking delightful. Raya completely flips Strick on his head by masterminding several ways for the failing castle to make money. She's gorgeous, business savvy, and the exact match to Strick's attitude. Chef's kiss.
I love an inheritance plot, throw in the shenanigans around saving the castle, and the forced proximity of it all and I was ready to devour this book. I wasn't Strick's biggest fan, but he won me over by the end with just how much he believed in Raya. Their chemistry had me giggling and kicking my feet.
The mystery/suspense plot felt ridiculous but in the best way. It definitely added a bit of tension that I felt was missing in the last third of the book. Can't wait to keep reading in the series.
Graphic: Racism, Sexual content, and Murder
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Alcohol
auteaandtales's review
- 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
5.0
Their chemistry was fantastic, it was enemies-to-lovers done perfectly. I love the Arab culture woven in, how much Anthony wanted to make sure she felt at home and the cute little things he did for her, and Raya was such a great character. She had so much depth and strength, and could definitely hold her own ground.
The side characters were awful and added so much extra tension, and the bonus mystery was unexpected but fun. It was predictable but I don’t think that hindered the experience at all, and not everyone would find it predictable, I’ve just read SO many thrillers and mysteries in my reading history that there’s very little that takes me by surprise anymore, I can still enjoy the ride.
Well, my only real issue with it was the drama and it felt a little over the top at times, and I’m a fan of slow burn so I think it could have been dragged out a little bit longer.
But while I wait for the next instalment in the series, I’ll have to read Diana Quincy’s other works!
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Abandonment
Minor: Racism, Islamophobia, Murder, and Alcohol
lizzie_b99's review against another edition
- 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
2.75
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Islamophobia, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
jackiepreston'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Racism, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death of parent and Murder
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? Yes
4.5
- THE DUKE GETS DESPERATE was my first Diana Quincy and it won’t be my last! I loved this enemies to lovers, competence is hot, are we fated mates story.
- I am not usually a big enemies to lovers fan, but this book does it right. It’s not “oh we had a misunderstanding and therefore hate each other forever,” it’s they legitimately have reasons to be pitted against each other and also legitimately keep pissing each other off but also they love how smart and stubborn and capable the other is and simply can’t keep away from each other.
- I also love that Raya is a Palestinian American heroine who is proud of her heritage. She belongs in this time period and in this book, an era and genre that often ignore women like her.
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Racism and Alcohol
themeadowlibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Moderate: Death, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Classism
bedtimesandbooks'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: Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol