Book Review
Jun. 14th, 2023 11:20 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kenjariA Duke by Default
by Alyssa Cole
In an attempt to get her life on track, Portia Hobbs travels to Scotland to apprentice with a Scottish swordsmith, Tavish McKenzie. While their first meeting does not go so well and they initially grate on each other despite their simmering attraction, Portia and Tavish eventually come to respect, like, and even bolster each other. They eventually give in to their strong attraction, but Portia's discovery that Tavish is the heir to a dukedom complicates everything. Luckily, this is a romance novel, so it all works out very happily.
I'll get my one small criticism out of the way: the ending was rather rushed and the grand gesture/grovel was a bit awkward. I really wished that Portia and Tavish had done more talking in the final scene and that it had played out with a little more intimacy. I loved so much about everything else, though. Portia is a terrific character, with a lot going on psychologically. I like how she's a bit of a mess but also very smart and capable. Tavish is a lovable grump who carries a lot on his very sexy shoulders. I loved the slow-burn of their relationship - it developed slowly and they really got to know each other before anything physical happened. I really appreciated how their story addresses the issues around falling in love with a co-worker and the need for boundaries around mixing a romantic and professional relationship. I liked how they lifted each other up.
by Alyssa Cole
In an attempt to get her life on track, Portia Hobbs travels to Scotland to apprentice with a Scottish swordsmith, Tavish McKenzie. While their first meeting does not go so well and they initially grate on each other despite their simmering attraction, Portia and Tavish eventually come to respect, like, and even bolster each other. They eventually give in to their strong attraction, but Portia's discovery that Tavish is the heir to a dukedom complicates everything. Luckily, this is a romance novel, so it all works out very happily.
I'll get my one small criticism out of the way: the ending was rather rushed and the grand gesture/grovel was a bit awkward. I really wished that Portia and Tavish had done more talking in the final scene and that it had played out with a little more intimacy. I loved so much about everything else, though. Portia is a terrific character, with a lot going on psychologically. I like how she's a bit of a mess but also very smart and capable. Tavish is a lovable grump who carries a lot on his very sexy shoulders. I loved the slow-burn of their relationship - it developed slowly and they really got to know each other before anything physical happened. I really appreciated how their story addresses the issues around falling in love with a co-worker and the need for boundaries around mixing a romantic and professional relationship. I liked how they lifted each other up.
