This review has been made possible thanks to the lovely Mrs. Julien and Malin. Due to their generous sharing of the ebook I am now able to say that the new Loretta Chase, Dukes Prefer Blondes, was most enjoyable!
This one is the latest in Ms. Chase’s Dressmakers series of which I haven’t read any, but it didn’t feel like I was particularly missing out. This time we have Clara, a Marquess’ daughter and all around fancy lady, and Oliver “Raven” Radford, not a duke, but a lawyer. Raven is distantly related to the Dukes of Malvern, and slowly throughout the novel comes closer and closer to being the titular duke. Raven and Clara have a meet cute while being almost run down by a villain, and things progress from there as Raven shows Clara a different side of London and Clara shows Raven that Ladies are intelligent, thoughtful people.
Oh my goodness, did I love Raven. It’s rare that a hero makes me go “weeee! Let’s be best friends!”, but yeah, this obnoxious know-it-all was wonderful. I adore a bossy know-it-all (maybe as I sometimes (often) am one and married one), and to the very end kept that true to form. Clara was only okay. She was smart, but had to learn to apply common sense, which was a very frustrating wait. I did enjoy their relationship though, as both changed and grew, but in very believable manners and were overall still quite similar to who they were at the start.
Some things I enjoyed less were definitely waiting for Clara to actually use that intelligence she kept saying she had. I know Ms. Chase was making some comments on society as a whole, but a practical, full of common sense heroine wins my heart way more every time. Also I really could have done without the whole someone out to murder them side plot. It was fine for the meet cute, but by the end didn’t really make a lot of sense (London scum who have self preservation don’t go around trying to kill the heir presumptive to the Duke of Malvern). So I could have done without that. But that’s why I love romance novellas (all the relationship stuff, none of the outside fuss).
So anywho, if you like sassy, know-it-all heroes this is the book for you. Go forth and read, and dream about fictitious characters becoming real so that we all can be friends.
So I could have done without that. But that’s why I love romance novellas (all the relationship stuff, none of the outside fuss).
Just when I think we could be none more romance twins, you write something like this.
I did like Clara more than you did though. She’s been finding her feet over the course of the series and when she finally melts down on Raven, I was cheering.
From not having read the others, I could tell I was definitely missing some of her characterization as there’s clearly a lot of her back story at play here. Maybe I’ll go read those later this year (after I finish up the Baloghs, the Bournes, and the MacLeans in my queue) , and see if my opinions on her change.
If it didn’t work as a standalone with regards to her character for you, then it didn’t, but I really liked how balanced the two were and, while I remember hoping for Clara’s book, I’m not sure how well I remembered why.
I also love Chase’s embracing of the ridiculousness of the period fashions and the contempt which they deserved.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aVAWQLzCzO8/Texcg619-NI/AAAAAAAACKE/Iv8TR9M0xuc/s1600/bridal+1830s-+june+1834+la+mode.jpg
The costumes were hilarious! I also loved the fact that she admitted they took forever to get off. I cackled when Raven fell asleep waiting for her.
I *hate* the 1830s fashion. Hate. Its a strong word, but that silhouette is terrible for everyone and AWFUL.
I *hate* women’s Regency fashion. I can live with almost any other era. The 1830s have that Bo Peep thing with all the froufrou trimmings and stuff sticking up out of their heads, but at least they don’t have empire waists.
I have three words for you: Mutton. Chop. Sleeves. Ugh. And don’t even get me started on the poodle hair styles.
But I am very vocal on my distaste for this time period (and wearing it) and I’m sure Ale is cackling away somewhere.
https://www.facebook.com/291350994229977/photos/a.637952982903108.1073741828.291350994229977/637953279569745/?type=3&theater
There is definitely a lot of Clara’s backstory in the earlier books. I really liked her throughout. Warning: I think this book was by far the best of the bunch, and there are other, better uses of your time than reading the other ones.
Aside: I can’t believe you beat me to the review. I am never going to get caught up.
I have to differ on the other books – I stand by my love of the first book, I will always enjoy Marcelline & Clevedon’s story! The others were quite as good, but still worth a read though I understand it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
Oh, I really liked the first one too! I read all three very quickly (and it was back when I still paid full price for ebooks! horrors!) and liked all of them, but I liked this new one is the best. Before that I would have said the first was the best and each successive one was weaker. I just keep adding books to Beth Ellen’s TBR for her, and I thought she should be warned that she has already read the one I deem the best. But for the rest of you who I don’t get to personally shove books towards – this is a good historical romance series without any truly weak books (a rarity!).