Review: The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare
I really really liked this book.
I have read two of Tessa Dare's early works and gave one two stars and the next three. One just didn't work for me, and the next I found enjoyable. But oh wow, did this book convince me that I need to continue giving Tessa Dare a try.
I thought this book was very funny; in my past experiences with Dare, I occasionally found her funny, but sometimes it edged into absurdity or into slight unkindness; I did not have these qualms with this book. I particularly thought the banter between the couple was superb.
Continuing my love fest, I found Trevor a complete delight; I adored the girl group, this has been my favorite marriage of convenience story I have read to date, and I really liked the way Dare approached social commentary. I really liked the way Dare engaged with class specifically.
This book has also employed a historical romance trope that I find very questionable. I do understand that this is a Beauty and the Beast-inspired book, so obviously, servants are a part of that story, but I really get uncomfortable with the happy servant trope. I do think historical romance needs to engage with class; they need to find a way to talk about the staff of these wealthy people who so often are the center of these stories. I just really hate it when the way these characters are engaged with is that they are devoted to their employer in a way that I don't think makes them feel very full. I did find the other aspects of retelling to be lovely, they were not too over the top, and generally, I was delighted.
Overall I just thought this book was just incredibly fun and enthralling to read. I might bump to five stars.
