A review by tipp_njam
A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • 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

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I genuinely couldn’t put the book down for the 2 and a bit days I was reading it 😭🤭 The main couple are so incredibly sweet with one another, their love and affection for one another shining through the entire novel. I can’t express how much love I have for them and how much I adore Viola’s character.

The writing, my goodness. It is so beautifully written. Alexis Hall did a wonderful job with this. I mean, i just have highlights were my only comment is “beautiful”

And for the first time in her life she allowed herself to look at him, truly look at him, as she had never dared before because it would have entangled her with a different set of possibilities —possibilities she had somehow always known weren’t the answer she was seeking. She looked at him now as a woman to a man, claiming all the freedom of it.

In addition to just gorgeous descriptions of feelings and characters — the author does such a lovely job with the side characters. My favourite, without a doubt is Lady Marleigh who never ceased to make me smile. Shes so funny and such a good friend. Half my comments on her highlights are just “THE WOMAN YOU AREE” 

I also really appreciated all Viola’s interactions with Little Bartholemew. As well as Miranda’s character!!! 

I like the complexity of Viola and Gracewood’s characters. I also appreciate that the author wanted to write a story where Viola’s trans identity was not a plot device and that they stuck to that throughout. It felt both emotional and lighthearted (to me, I know that some of this can be rather heavy for others). I just adore this book. I really do.

Given some time in between I would definitely re-read this. 

If anything, I wish there was more, though I like where and when it ended.

//diversity; characters are all white, tho the main lead is a trans woman and there are two queer side characters 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings