I Like Big Dukes and I Cannot Lie….
I find collaborative books to be a great way to find new authors and test out different styles. There are some on kindle unlimited but I also recently read I Like Big Dukes and I cannot Lie. The title was hilarious and it had so many authors who I have not previously read. I used my Amazon no Rush digital credits to get it for free. I love those! Keep an eye on them because they expire. I break down each of the novelas by author below. I highly recommend books like this if you are author shopping.
Sweet Duke of Mine by Annabelle Anders - The first novella was sweet and wholesome and a great way to start out the grouping. Not too raunchy. I would read more by this author. There was drama but it wasn’t so stressful you stop having fun reading it.
An Improper Duke by Amy Rose Bennett - This one was super sexy, but didn’t really have a lot of conflict. I didn’t dislike it but it wasn’t my favorite. I haven’t read anything like it where the conflict was so minimal it made it almost pure fun. I’m so used to being stressed with some of the authors I read that I kept waiting for something more to happen other than the characters having a great time together.
Her Reluctant Duke by Clair Brett - This was really good. I loved the character building, real conflict, real issues, very flawed characters, and it wasn’t irritating. They were very well written in my opinion. We still got a happy ending but it wasn’t easy. I would for sure read more by this author.
Dukes Give Love a Bad Name by S Cinders - This author chose a really complicated subject matter and characters with complex issues for a short novella. The build was great but kind of like one of the others, things resolved too easily. I would have loved to have seen this as it’s own novel. I don’t think there was a way you could fully explore all the issues here in this short format. The steam factor was not there either. But, not all the books within this book are Bridgerton level steamy. Again that’s ok I respect everyone’s style. I personally like a little more tension so this fell flat for me.
Two Dares and a Runaway Bride by Alyssa Clarke - I loved this one and I will definitely be adding the Wagers and Wallflowers series by this author to my to read list. I love the idea of a Whites esque club for ladies that is secret from the men. I have not seen the other authors I have read explore anything quite like it. We have seen salons and clubs of discussion or self defense but clearly there is more this place. It’s only briefly mentioned but I was still hooked enough with the brief glimpses to want to know more. This was a great balance of tension, sweetness, steam, and conflict but still maintaining a low stress environment. If you can’t tell at this point in my reviews, I do not like to be stressed when reading a book. I want to have fun and go on a journey. This is the front runner for the favorite spot now.
The Lady’s Guide to Well-Endowed Dukes by Emmanuelle De Maupassant - I don’t know that I have ever laughed while reading this genre as much as I laughed at this story. It was absolutely outrageous. Yet somehow, despite the subject matter, it was intelligent, fun, cultured, and beautiful. It felt like a full book instead of a novella. The author was able to cram a lot into it without it feeling rushed. Also I feel like this author definitely understood the assignment.
My Virtuous Duke by Tamara Gill - I have been reading Tamara Gill lately and her newsletter is how I found out about this book and I’m so glad I did. This one was in Tamara’s usual style but still within the theme of mischievous Dukes. I usually prefer the rogues and rakes to the virtuous ones. However, when it’s done right, it’s done right. The debutante during the season books are the most common in this genre so it’s nice to see a slightly older woman and widow instead. Also considering the time period and culture of that time, I find independent widows who are more forward thinking to be more realistic than a 17 year old girl at her come out being mature enough to woo a 35 year old man. Which unfortunately, is a little to common in this genre. So thank you Tamara for always giving us more!
Oh. My. God. Becky, Look at Her Duke by Caroline Lee - The second author who truly understood the assignment and took the theme dead seriously. Also, if you want a good laugh, let the kindle voiceview try to say Effinghell. You’re Welcome.
I will keep updating this post as I read more of this book!
