Summary
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GENRE
TROPES
AO3 TAGS
Miss Chloe Fong has plans for her life, lists for her days, and absolutely no time for nonsense. Three years ago, she told her childhood sweetheart that he could talk to her once he planned to be serious. He disappeared that very night. Except now he’s back. Jeremy Wentworth, the Duke of Lansing, has returned to the tiny village he once visited with the hope of wooing Chloe. In his defense, it took him years of attempting to be serious to realize that the endeavor was incompatible with his personality. All he has to do is convince Chloe to make room for a mischievous trickster in her life, then disclose that in all the years they’ve known each other, he’s failed to mention his real name, his title… and the minor fact that he owns her entire village. Only one thing can go wrong: Everything.
Hot Takes
What We Liked
Apers
I admit that this book is also a re-read for me (you might remember that I also re-read Secrets of a Summer Night, I’m a historical reader), but it was just as good as I remembered. I was a little worried that I wouldn’t enjoy it as much in April 2024 as I did in October 2020, since my life was a lot different then, but I’m pleased to say it still holds up as a five-star review for me. Every moment with every character, from the main couple and their friends to the side-side characters like the snobby boy in town for the Wedgeford Trials has always had me wanting more from this community. I’m pleased to say that now, unlike October 2020, the second book is out.
What We Didn’t Like
Jems
I ain’t even going to lie to y’all there wasn’t anything I didn’t like about this book. It’s lighthearted and bucolic, and every gets what they want. If you’re looking for something with more angst and heartbreak, this won’t be the book for you.
Review
Jems
Where do I even begin with this book?? When there’s crazy good banter, unique and diverse cast of characters, and undeniable chemistry and love between the leading couple. Like Apers, I lean more towards historical romances than contemporary but romance readers of all genres will find something to love in this story. Chloe and Jeremy have as much in common as they don’t and they both put in the work to get what they want, both in their relationship and in their lives. I really appreciated how the FMC didn’t lose her quirks and that the MMC loved her precisely for them. The Duke Who Didn’t is an excellent example of what a romance novel can be as well as the perfect introduction to Courtney Milan’s amazing writing!
Apers
This is one of my favorite romance novels, even though I don’t think it’s really that spicy. There’s a few sweet scenes, but the best part about the spice in this book is that both characters work together to find something that’s pleasurable for each of them. There’s no “instantly amazing” moment, it takes communication and cooperation and then they’re both seeing stars. Neither character lost their characterization during the spicy scenes, either, they both were bantering just as much in bed as they were out.
