The Duchess War

I didn't know why I had wanted to read this book until the first sex scene; then, I remembered that someone on Twitter had recommended this book as a great example of awkward sex. That scene was definitely unusual and not something I've encountered often in published novels, although I always like it in fanfic. It's very romantic to me to have characters fumbling awkwardly in bed and to have that clumsiness be a part of the intimacy they share.

I don't know if I'd recommend the book as a whole because of that scene, but I did mostly enjoy the story. Glancing at the prominent reviews here, it seems a lot of people disliked the betrayals. I didn't really mind that, although I did wish they would've just talked to each other (but I often think that).

I'm having trouble defining what did bother me about the book. Some of the elements of the main characters' backgrounds seemed overly melodramatic to me, especially the plot with Robert and his mother. At first I was emotionally involved with all of it, but as more sad pieces of Robert's childhood, along with other tragic details, like Lydia's past, were revealed, it just felt like too much to me. Also, I would have liked to see more of Minnie showing off her strategic mind.

I may read this author again, even though this book didn't totally sweep me away, because I do like the style of the writing. It's also a really feminist book, and I always appreciate that.