However, I grew tired of Beatrice's whole Women Are Not Given The Same Rights As Men and You Are A Duke So Everything Goes For You thing. I understand that she's very passionate about it, but to fault Will for not being conscious about this with every word that comes from his mouth, that was a bit much. Example: A rose is a rose is a rose. Except when your assumptions are laid bare. Because expectations can only disappoint. When hot is cold and day is night. When florals are exclusively strong and invigorating. When leather is only soft and smooth. And whilst head-turning, whilst decadent, whilst painfully chic we should remember that transgression, (like progress and modernity) is as old as the hills, as classic as Greek and as universal as Man. [Say what?]

I did listen to the ARC audiobook on netgalley narrated by Sasha Higgens. At 1x speed, it was great, but I had some echoing issues with it when I sped it up. It was a bit distracting. Her voice rather reminded me of Galadriel from Lord of the Rings when she goes ethereal talking about the ring of power. I’m not sure what was happening with it. However, I didn’t think I’d be losing my mind at hand-holding, but here we are. I also hope we get to see her pregnant/with kids in the next book(s) because I want to see them both absolutely lose their minds over a cute little spitfire baby. I love historical romances, particularly ones with dukes;) They're like palate cleansers—a feisty female protagonist, a brooding duke (or lord, viscount, prince, etc.), and the unique circumstances of that time in history. But this book didn't fulfill its promise to the reader. According to the following criteria I have therefore selected 12 of these fragrances and will comment and compare them bit by bit: When applying still a little peppery, almost scratchy - hence the title - but is after a few minutes a really cool fragrance development.

The fragrance gives partly floral, woody, warm but also then again chilled sequences (just like gin on ice) of itself - really saugeil. The longer the fragrance is on the skin, the more he becomes one with the wearer - at a good arm's length almost beguiling. This was a very well-written, emotional story featuring a cast of very likable and relatable characters. The story has a secondary romance woven into Beatrice and William’s story, but it adds to the story rather than becoming a distraction, additionally, there is plenty of witty banter, interesting historical facts, lots of familial love, emotional healing, steamy love scenes, and finally a lovely HEA complete with an epilogue. I will admit that I wasn’t a big fan of Beatrice at the beginning, she was a bit too aggressive for my taste, but as the story unfolded, my opinion changed and by the end of the book, I greatly admired her. This is the second book in the series, but the books are very loosely connected and can be read as standalone titles. I enjoyed this story and am happy to recommend this title. I was giggling a lot in the beginnig because she had not chill with him slaying him with words and he was just internally singing her praises. She had him wrapped around her fingers from the start and she didn't know it. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.* By the way, since I was talking about music, I will take the liberty of simply putting a link here.

Fortunately, there's something called Souk. So at least one bottling has made it to our home. And with the tempo, with which it goes to the Neige, I see it already coming: Sometime we come on the whole dog. It absolutely underlines the male character such as strength, sovereignty, down-to-earth, alpha, independence but also the at the same time the pleasant such as familiarity, warmth, closeness.Much Ado About Dukes draws loose inspiration from Shakespear’s Much Ado About Nothing, loose enough to keep the intrigue going but inspired enough to recognize some character dynamics and plot points. This story has EVERYTHING: insta-lust, intellectual rivals to friends to lovers, marriage of convenience, enjoyable subplot and side characters, and tension galore. Much Ado About Dukes was romantically addictive! I loved the way this book unfolded, I loved the moments that tugged at my heart and I also love that it made me scream out loud for how something played out. This book constantly pulled on my emotions! And fyi, you definitely don't have to read the first book in this series to enjoy this one! I just have to say one more thing.... I absolutely loved Ben, Will's brother. He needs his own book please! We go home with two other fragrances - virtually for the price of this one. The Duke accompanies us only on the arm of my husband, while I underhook me on the other side and grapsche over every now and then. I was not impressed that Beatrice was such a staunch defender of women and seemed so educated about everything that she could be – I just felt like the fact that she had never touched her own body and doesn’t even know what an orgasm is to be a bit unbelievable in this particular story. I think it would have fit her character a bit better if she had at least explored her own body (I get not being to achieve orgasm but to know NOTHING...)

Eva Devon, a refreshing author in this, the only second book I’ve read by her, has made a mark on this reader. “Much Ado About Dukes” is a standalone novel that is quite the entertaining and enjoyable Shakespearean story that takes the tropes of enemies-to-friends-friends-to-lovers to another level. Not to mention throwing in a marriage of convenience. Beatrice and Will are both well-developed protagonists, and they have a great love story. They have great chemistry, their banter is fantastic, and I love the way they challenge each other. However, both are hesitant to commit to another, though for very different reasons. She fears losing her autonomy, and he fears losing someone he cares deeply for. I like how they both explore their misgivings and fears as they fall deeper for each other. They are definitely a well-matched pair that brings out the best in each other!If you’re a Shakespeare fan, particularly Much Ado About Nothing (I do hope you saw that one coming lol), there are plenty of references. I also loved the Ancient Greek mentions and the flow of the narrative. I was immediately hooked and read the book super fast because I never wanted to leave them. Stands in my opinion very well guys who are dressed daily either with suit, chinos and shirt or in Britain tweed...that's why I have it...;-)

Much ado about the Duke - if you are looking for a fragrance that is Quirky slightly eccentric and androgynous then I think this is a perfect fit perfectly crisp and fresh but also with a beautiful woddy/vetiver base this is a fragrance that will hold to the skin well and will not overpower youThis takes on toxic masculinity and the nuances of how women are and were treated as less than- and it's quite explicit that this is the project of the book. So if you don't like activism in your romance, this might not be for you, but I found it to be delightful. For one brief moment, her hand rested atop his, and the weight of it, the softness, the power of that touch nearly undid him. And he could scarce believe that something so small could feel so great. Moments I liked: Will gives Beatrice boxing lessons and agrees to teach her how to throw a punch, Will’s relationships with his brothers who he raised for the past decade after their father died young and their mother left them, all of the Shakespeare. While attempting to keep love out of their relationship, they do give into their lust right away (starting on their wedding night) which was refreshing to see! Will and Beatrice also begin working side by side for ladies’ rights, he even joins her outside of Parliament to hand out pamphlets! And of course I loved the grovel at the end, his speech of all the things he hated before and then the things he actually loves.