Wednesday, August 31

Audiobook Review: Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare




Author: Tessa Dare
Narrator: Carmen Rose
Title: Romancing the Duke
Series: Castles Ever After #1
Genre: Historical Romance
Format: Audiobook
Published: January 28, 2014
Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 
As the daughter of a famed author, Isolde Ophelia Goodnight grew up on tales of brave knights and fair maidens. She never doubted romance would be in her future, too. The storybooks offered endless possibilities.

And as she grew older, Izzy crossed them off. One by one by one.

Ugly duckling turned swan?
Abducted by handsome highwayman?
Rescued from drudgery by charming prince?

No, no, and… Heh.

Now Izzy’s given up yearning for romance. She’ll settle for a roof over her head. What fairy tales are left over for an impoverished twenty-six year-old woman who’s never even been kissed?

This one.



Review:
I picked this one up because I want to read book 2. I'm sure the two can be read as standalones, but the sounds of this had me intrigued. 

Here we follow Izzy who is the daughter of a famed author. When he passes away, she is left with nothing. Her father never changed his will. A miracle happens when she inherits a castle after a fan of her father's passes away too. She may never find love as an improvised 26-year-old spinster, but at least she will have a home of her own. Until...she meets the Duke who owns the home is still there. They both want the castle and both have legitimate claims on it so they are forced to work together to get to the bottom of what happened. 

I felt so bad for both of them! Izzy's dad was an idiot and never changed his will so EVERYTHING went to her sleazeball of a cousin. And then there is Ransom. He is partially blinded after a certain event (I won't spoil how he received his wounds - that is a big event). He sometimes can make out shapes and muted colors, but other than that he is pretty much blind.

Ransom is a very bitter man and with good reason, but there were times he was too much. I wouldn't have dealt with him at all. He certainly was an ass to Izzy. I get him being mean to her at first, but then when they realize they both realized they are victims...he should've relented. All she wants to do is help. He is stubborn and doesn't trust anyone...which I get...but it bugged me. HOWEVER, Izzy isn't some wilted flower. She wasn't scared to stand up to him. She was my favorite character by far. Poor thing thinks she is ugly though which broke my heart. But I loved her. She deserves the world!!!!!!!

OMG the "cosplayers" who love her and the stories melted my heart! Yes, fans can be annoying, but they actually do worship her and the stories.

I will say there were parts that made me roll my eyes. Cheesy....and unrealistic. Too many smexy scenes WAY too early. Don't get me wrong...I love a good smexy scene, but this felt like fillers.  

I read a couple of reviews and I guess this is supposed to be a nod to 'Beauty and the Beast'? A bit of a stretch. Sure he has the grumpy 'tude and he has a hideous scar...but that is where the similarity ends for me. 

The narrator was okay. I liked her male voices better. Some of the girl voices seemed super similar to each other. 

Overall, this was fun. Some unrealistic bits, but enjoyable. I loved, loved, LOVED Izzy. I hope we can see her in the future books of the series. Even a glimpse or a mention will be enough for meeee. In the end, I'll give this 3 stars. 







Challenge(s):
- #38 for Audiobook challenge

3 comments:

Jen Twimom said...

I'd really like to read the author's books some day.

Carole Rae said...

I feel like this is my 2nd by her? I can't recall though

Blodeuedd said...

Dare :D fun times