Review: Bringing Down the Duke

Title: 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:

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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.