An American Duchess

If you're wondering why a 1-star review is the top review, it's because it's pretty much spot-on. But—and I can't speak here for the other reviewers—the high rating is because I couldn't help myself: I really enjoyed the story despite its shortcomings.

Yes, the descriptive prose was often lazy. The same adjectives were sometimes used within sentences of each other when a synonym would've been better.

Yes, there are certain things that are repeated ad nauseam. He is massive in every way and has high Scandinavian cheekbones. She freckled is freckled petite freckled and freckled.

Yes, I was hoping for a lot more of the paranormal stuff and the mystery stuff and the focus was much more on the romance.

Buuuuuut. But.

I don't know a whole lot about romance novels, but I was expecting a lot of fluff. I got a lot more depth than I expected. There's social commentary here that bubbled to the surface of my consciousness whilst reading and that wasn't at all preachy. I think the historical realism and accuracy are a bit selective, and that's fine—I would have been happy to have the envelope pushed even further.

The main and supporting characters are mostly wonderful. The women are self-sufficient, strong, independent, resourceful, and commanding of respect. There's agency and there's sex positivity. There's honest introspection and self-awareness in characters, wherein they question their beliefs and biases; they listen, reflect, grow, and adapt.

I liked the pace at which Aida and Winter's relationship developed. I don't particularly have anything against instalove, but I get tired of it being used in romances. Here the relationship gets more intimate very naturally, and there's a lot of sweetness and hesitation and doubt. And dopey grins. I love the dopey grins.