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A review by allyonlyreadsheas
Betting on a Duke's Heart by Royaline Sing
3.0
3.5 Stars
Betting on a Duke's heart felt like an homage to older historical romances, in some ways for the better and in some ways for the worse. (I wouldn't go so far as to say it was reminiscent of old skool romance, though at one point I did put in my notes "Fuck him. He doesn't deserve a happily ever after," because he was being a giant, ducal ASSHOLE. Which is, generally, how I feel about old skool heroes.)
I really liked Dina; she was fiercely loyal to her friends, had an amazing vocation she was passionate about, and she never once questioned her own worth. I loved that she embraced both sides of her heritage so wholly, both Indian and English, and never tried to drown out one or the other. Dina was proud of who she was and where she'd come from, and I love that we get to see more of that representation, written by a South Asian woman, in a time and place that has been painted all too white by history.
I liked Aetius too, when he wasn't be an emotionally stunted a-hole. The truth is, Aeitus wanted love and companionship too much, but is terrified of getting hurt and doesn't handle it well. Half the time I wanted to hug him and the other half I wanted to slap him. The banter between Dina and Aetius was very entertaining (though there were a few times I got a little lost over who was saying what) and there were definitely a few intimate moments that were...surprising. In a very good way.
Betting on a Duke's heart felt like an homage to older historical romances, in some ways for the better and in some ways for the worse. (I wouldn't go so far as to say it was reminiscent of old skool romance, though at one point I did put in my notes "Fuck him. He doesn't deserve a happily ever after," because he was being a giant, ducal ASSHOLE. Which is, generally, how I feel about old skool heroes.)
I really liked Dina; she was fiercely loyal to her friends, had an amazing vocation she was passionate about, and she never once questioned her own worth. I loved that she embraced both sides of her heritage so wholly, both Indian and English, and never tried to drown out one or the other. Dina was proud of who she was and where she'd come from, and I love that we get to see more of that representation, written by a South Asian woman, in a time and place that has been painted all too white by history.
I liked Aetius too, when he wasn't be an emotionally stunted a-hole. The truth is, Aeitus wanted love and companionship too much, but is terrified of getting hurt and doesn't handle it well. Half the time I wanted to hug him and the other half I wanted to slap him. The banter between Dina and Aetius was very entertaining (though there were a few times I got a little lost over who was saying what) and there were definitely a few intimate moments that were...surprising. In a very good way.