Rekha O'Sullivan's Reviews > Damned If I Duke

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the 'Drop Dead Dukes' series by Anna Bradley when I read it in July 2023, in fact it was a 5 star read for me.

So, when I got the opportunity to read the next book, I jumped at the opportunity. This is a little bit of an enemies to lovers story, but he falls first so it's not really enemies to lovers, because although these two fight, they aren't really enemies. I must admit that I didn't remember Prue from the previous book, so when I started reading she seemed very 'buttoned up' and a little snobbish.

Jasper is endearingly captivated but oblivious Before he even knows he likes her he points out to everyone that her hair and eyes are not brown. Her eyes are HAZEL and her hair is CARAMEL, and why is everyone so blind?

In the first half of the book, there were parts that dragged a little. While Jasper and Prue's interactions from Jasper's point of view are entertaining, I found Prue's reflections and conversations a little, well, boring at times. In the beginning of the book, I couldn't get a handle on her character.

I found Jasper extremely entertaining from the beginning. He is acerbic and witty, with a colourful turn of phrase. I particularly liked his summation of Stoneleigh's character. It must have been a lot of fun to write his scenes.

Seeing Prue through Jasper's eyes really made me warm to her and, as the story goes on, her strength and courage become more evident.

By the middle of the book I was hooked, especially when these two finally give in to their attraction.

Even if the pace didn't work for me, this was still a very enjoyable read.

I received an ARC of this book from Kensington Books and Netgalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.