Wednesday, July 31, 2019

The Duke is But a Dream - Historical Romance Review

Goodreads:  The Duke is But a Dream (Debutante Diaries #2) by Anna Bennett

Rating: Just Okay
Source:  Publisher

Description:  HE’S COME TO HER RESCUE
Miss Lily Hartley is the anonymous mastermind behind the ton’s latest obsession: The Debutante’s Revenge, a titillating advice column for ladies on the marriage mart. To keep her identity secret, Lily delivers her columns disguised as a chimney sweep—which is all well and good, until she unwittingly lands in the middle of an ugly tavern brawl. Fortunately, the devastatingly handsome Duke of Stonebridge sweeps in to rescue her.Unfortunately, Lily’s dressed as a boy—and holding rather incriminating evidence linking her to the scandalous column. Drat.

SHE’S LOST HER MEMORY

When Eric Nash, Duke of Stonebridge, sees a helpless lad receive a nasty blow to the head, he’s outraged. But when he discovers there’s a beautiful woman hiding beneath the chimney sweep’s cap, he’s positively stunned. Nash would happily escort her home, but she’s forgotten her name—leaving him little choice but to take her in himself until he can locate her family. But the closer he gets to finding them, the more he doesn’t want to let her go.

WILL THEY FIND LOVE?

Lily’s trying to figure out exactly who she is…in more ways than one. With so much at stake—her column, her reputation, and even her heart—she needs a plan, and she needs it fast. Before Nash finds her family. Before he learns who she is. Before they fall totally, completely, and utterly inconveniently in love.

Genre: Romance - Historical

Why I Picked This Book: 
I've been wanting to read this author for awhile and I've only read a couple of amnesia plots.

My Impression: I'm going to start with the positive.  I really enjoyed Bennett's writing style.  It was bright and fun and her characters really did seem to come alive.  I loved Delilah and actually found myself wishing this was her story and not her brother Nash's.  The pace was fast without feeling rushed and I flew through the book.

BUT, unfortunately, I had some issues which overshadowed many of the things I really loved about it.  Where to start...  I think really it's all wrapped up in one major issue.  I just couldn't quite buy Lily's behavior.  I get that this is fiction and that this is an amnesia plot with basically comes with a warning to suspend belief but I felt like my belief was so suspended it had gone on vacation.  Lily felt like a modern character wedged into a historical setting and frankly I think I would have rolled my eyes even in a modern setting.  As well, while I love the title Debutante's Revenge, the content seems unbelievable (especially since it was started by 3 unmarried ladies) and frankly a bit dangerous.  I found myself so irritated at Lily that it overshadowed my enjoyment of the book itself. 

This isn't the last I'll read of Bennett.  Even my favorite authors have a book that just doesn't work for and I feel like I may have started on that book with Bennett.  I'm looking forward to reading more from her but I think I'll skip the Debutante Diaries series.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  I'll definitely read more of this author but I think I'll skip this series.

Would I Recommend this Book?  I wouldn't recommend this book but I think the author is definitely worth trying.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

1 comment:

  1. So good points and not so good. Good idea to give the author another read of some other book.

    ReplyDelete