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Review: The Duke and I

Review: The Duke and ITitle: The Duke and I: Daphne's Story
Author: Julia Quinn
Series: Bridgerton #1
Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Romance
Pages: 464
Source: Library
For: Personal Interest
Rating:
Sexual Content: 3 Flames

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There's content in this book that may be triggering to some readers. I've tried to include the possible triggers in this book at end of my review.
Goodreads Synopsis

In the ballrooms and drawing rooms of Regency London, rules abound. From their earliest days, children of aristocrats learn how to address an earl and curtsey before a prince--while other dictates of the ton are unspoken yet universally understood. A proper duke should be imperious and aloof. A young, marriageable lady should be amiable ... but not too amiable. Daphne Bridgerton has always failed at the latter. And, amiability is not a characteristic shared by Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings. Recently returned to England from abroad, he intends to shun both marriage and society--just as his callous father shunned Simon throughout his painful childhood. But amid the glittering, gossipy, cut-throat world of London’s elite, there is only one certainty: love ignores every rule...

My Thoughts

I decided to read THE DUKE AND I because the audiobook was available to borrow from my library and I really enjoyed watching the first season of BRIDGERTON on Netflix. I’m glad I decided to read the book because it was such a fun, steamy historical fiction.

I really loved the setting of Regency era England, abound with rules and etiquette. It was fun to see some of the characters trying to skirt those rules for a few seconds of privacy. I loved the themes of family, forgiveness, redemption, and love conquering all.

Despite that THE DUKE AND I is a historical romance and takes place during the time of one’s reputation being the most important thing, there are plenty of swoon-worthy moments. I really loved Daphne and her courage to help Simon, the Duke of Hastings, overcome his past trauma, showing him that love is more powerful and healing than anger and resentment. I loved the instant connection and attraction between Daphne and Simon. I especially loved the sexual tension between the two of them.

THE DUKE AND I is not only a historical romance, it’s also a thought-provoking story that deals with hard subjects like child abandonment, child abuse, betrayal, forgiveness, and healing from trauma. Though some of the scenes are hard to read, I thought the story was profound and heart-felt.

The edition I read had a second epilogue written after Quinn received many requests to know how the characters were doing. It’s set 21 years after the events in the main story. Even though I enjoyed getting a glimpse of the life Daphne and Simon had together, I thought it was a bit much due to its length.

I look forward to reading more books in the Bridgerton series and hope that I’ll like Daphne’s family as much as I liked her.

Have you read THE DUKE AND I? If so, what did you think?

Trigger Warning

There is a trigger warning for loss of a parent, death during childbirth, child abandonment, child abuse, miscarriage, and sexual assault.

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Review: Iron Flame

Review: Iron FlameTitle: Iron Flame
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Series: Empyrean #2
Genre(s): Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 623
Source: Borrowed
For: Personal Interest
Rating:
Sexual Content: 3.5 Flames

Add to Goodreads

There's content in this book that may be triggering to some readers. I've tried to include the possible triggers in this book at end of my review.
Goodreads Synopsis

Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War College--Violet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy, and the unlucky. Now the real training begins, and Violet’s already wondering how she’ll get through. It’s not just that it’s grueling and maliciously brutal, or even that it’s designed to stretch the riders’ capacity for pain beyond endurance. It’s the new vice commandant, who’s made it his personal mission to teach Violet exactly how powerless she is--unless she betrays the man she loves.

My Thoughts

After reading FOURTH WING, I needed to read IRON FLAME. Now that I’m done with both and the next book in the series isn’t out until January 2025, I’m wondering why I read these kinds of books before the whole series is out. Waiting is going to be torture.

I always worry a bit when it comes to sequels because so many of them suffer from second-book syndrome where the book is just a stepping stone to the finale with no real meat to it. Thankfully, IRON FLAME was just as good as FOURTH WING if not better. There was more adventure, intrigue, political mayhem, warfare, and lots more romance. It was everything I wanted in a romantasy and sequel.

This book was excruciating to read because of the non-stop suspense and action. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time wondering how it was all going to go down. I loved that Yarros foreshadowed the ending, making it not quite as shocking to me as it was to some, but still just as upsetting. Why, Yarros, why?!

I love the characters in this series, not only Violet and Xaden, but their squad as well. I loved the introduction of the new characters, especially the “Umbridge” of this world. Don’t get me wrong or anything. I hated that new character something fierce, but I loved to hate them because it takes a good writer to make you feel that kind of emotion. I also love Violet’s dragons. Tairn reminds me of my late Daxi-cat who was just as grumpy but still lovable. And, Andarna, oh Andarna. I love her SO much. I loved her “adolescent” attitude, her interactions with Violet and especially Tairn, and her fierce loyalty to Violet despite her youth.

I loved the world Rebecca Yarros has built and I loved it even more in IRON FLAME. I loved learning more about its lore and mythology. Honestly, if I could only read one type of story for the rest of my life, it would be this.

Anyway, just like its predecessor, IRON FLAME has earned a spot as one of my favorite books. I’m so glad my friend let me borrow her books. Now, I’ll be on pins and needles waiting for ONYX STORM!

Have you read IRON FLAME? If so, what did you think?

Trigger Warning

There is a trigger warning for loss of a parent, loss of a sibling, bullying, and animal deaths.

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Sunday News #65

Sunday Post and Sunday Salon are blog news memes hosted at Caffeinated Reviewer and Reader Buzz, respectively. It’s a chance to share news, recap the past week on your blog, and showcase books and other things.
What Happened this Week

This week has been a little hectic. Thankfully, my migraine was gone by Monday afternoon. I’ve had some minor headaches since but I think it’s because I keep clenching my jaw due to stress without realizing I’m doing it. I tried using a mouth guard and it gave me a worse headache. I’ll have to figure something else out, I guess.

I still had some things to do to get ready for school starting this Wednesday. Fortunately, I’m ready now and excited about my classes.

My BFF’s son’s birthday was the 14th so Corey and I went over to their house for his birthday party. He turned 4 and it was fun watching him interact with all the people and his excitement over his gifts.

I met with my new old therapist on Thursday. “New” because he’s not my DBT therapist I had been seeing since 2021, and “old” because he was my therapist before I moved to DBT. It was nice to talk with him again.

I made a new reading spreadsheet. I like it a lot better than my last one. I still have some tweaking to do but I’m really happy with it.

We also had a ginormous rain / hail storm on the 13th. Even though the storm only lasted for 20 minutes, we got a month’s worth of rain in that single go. It caused all kinds of flooding, including turning a local skate park into a pool. I’ve never seen that much water or hail in my life from just a storm. (Utah is a desert after all.) It was so loud and I was worried the hail was going to break our windows.

I took a video and posted it to Instagram. The video does NOT do the sound and the amount of water and hail justice. It doesn’t really show the flooding in front of our place either. Fortunately, we’re one of half the units in our complex without a basement and a window well. Every unit with a basement and window well flooded with 4-6 inches of water. At the end of the video, you’ll see the hail I picked up and put in my hand. There were a lot larger pieces. The one I picked up was the largest one I could reach without getting pummeled / soaked.

What I Blogged

Here’s what I posted on the blog this week:

What I Read and I’m Reading

I finished reading IRON FLAME by Rebecca Yarros on Friday. I loved it just as much as FOURTH WING and I’m on pins and needles now waiting for ONYX STORM in January.

I also finished the audiobook for THE DUKE AND I by Julia Quinn last night. I actually really enjoyed it. It was a lot like the first season of the Netflix show and I look forward to reading the other books in the series. I’ll be posting my reviews for both books this week.

I’ll start reading A FIRE ENDLESS by Rebecca Ross today. I’m so excited to read this book. I loved its predecessor and can’t wait to see what happens. This evening, I decided that it’s been too long since I read A RIVER ENCHANTED and want to reread it before I start A FIRE ENDLESS. However, when I got my book out, I noticed the binding has ripped and I don’t want it to get worse. I put in an order for binding tape and glue on Amazon and after I fix my book, then I’ll start reading it. For now, I’m starting ARIADNE by Jennifer Saint instead.

I’ll start listening to the audiobook of SUNSET BEACH by Mary Kay Andrews tonight. It seems intriguing. Let’s hope that’s true.

How was your week? Anything exciting happen?

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Review: Bringing Down the Duke

Review: Bringing Down the DukeTitle: Bringing Down the Duke
Author: Evie Dunmore
Series: A League of Extraordinary Women #1
Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Romance
Pages: 335
Source: Library
For: Personal Interest
Rating:
Sexual Content: 3.5 Flames

Add to Goodreads

There's content in this book that may be triggering to some readers. I've tried to include the possible triggers in this book at end of my review.
Goodreads Synopsis

England, 1879. Annabelle Archer, the brilliant but destitute daughter of a country vicar, has earned herself a place among the first cohort of female students at the renowned University of Oxford. In return for her scholarship, she must support the rising women's suffrage movement. Her charge: recruit men of influence to champion their cause. Her target: Sebastian Devereux, the cold and calculating Duke of Montgomery who steers Britain's politics at the Queen's command. Her challenge: not to give in to the powerful attraction she can't deny for the man who opposes everything she stands for.

My Thoughts

I decided to read BRINGING DOWN THE DUKE because the audiobook was available to borrow from my library. I’m so glad I decided to read it because it was such a fun, steamy historical fiction.

I really loved the setting of Victorian era England, just at the beginning of the suffragette movement and the admission of women to Oxford. I thought it gave the romance and characters, especially Annabelle and Sebastian, some depth. Not only did I love the theme of women’s rights and equality in BRINGING DOWN THE DUKE, I also loved the themes of friendship, finding one’s own way, and duty to one’s country vs. being on the right side of history.

Despite that BRINGING DOWN THE DUKE is a historical romance and takes place during the time of one’s reputation being the most important thing, there are plenty of swoon-worthy moments. I really loved Annabelle and her willingness to speak her mind even though it was looked down on at that time. I loved the instant connection and attraction between her and Sebastian, the Duke of Montgomery. I especially loved the sexual tension between the two of them.

I look forward to reading more books written by Evie Dunmore, including the other three novels in this series. I’m not quite as fond of Lady Lucy, but I’m sure I’ll like her more once I read her story. And, I really loved Catriona and Hattie so I think it’ll be fun to read their happy-every-afters.

Have you read BRINGING DOWN THE DUKE? If so, what did you think?

Trigger Warning

There is a trigger warning for loss of a parent, miscarriage, and sexual manipulation.

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Sunday News #64

Sunday Post and Sunday Salon are blog news memes hosted at Caffeinated Reviewer and Reader Buzz, respectively. It’s a chance to share news, recap the past week on your blog, and showcase books and other things.
What Happened this Week

This week has been a bit slow. I’ve mostly been getting ready for classes to start on the 21st.

What I Blogged

Here’s what I posted on the blog this week:

What I Read and I’m Reading

I listened to the audiobook for BRINGING DOWN THE DUKE by Evie Dunmore. It was a fun historical romance. I’ll be posting my review tomorrow.

I’ve also been reading IRON FLAME by Rebecca Yarros. I’ve had a migraine this week and I can’t read physical books when that happens so I’m only a little over halfway through. I should finish it this week.

I’ll start listening to the audiobook of THE DUKE AND I by Julia Quinn today. It’s the first book in the Bridgerton series, which I’ve been wanting to read for a couple of years now.

Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore

How was your week? Anything exciting happen?

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