Historical Romance Book Club discussion

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What I Did for a Duke
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BOTM 2 - February 2021 - What I Did For A Duke

Merry Jewelhound wrote: "I am up to chapter 8 and have had some truly laugh out loud moments. What is rather enjoyable is seeing how someone would react to a man in his late 30's and a lady in her early 20's."
That’s great! Long can have some good humor in her books. Have you read the others in the series or by the author?
That’s great! Long can have some good humor in her books. Have you read the others in the series or by the author?
Darbella wrote: "I recently reread this on so going to pass on rereading it again. I enjoyed this one, but it is quirky. Enjoy!"
I don’t think I will be either for the same reason, but I can easily get sucked in if someone asks a question.
I don’t think I will be either for the same reason, but I can easily get sucked in if someone asks a question.


Do the main characters of this book make an appearance in the previous books of the series?

Do the main characters of this book make an appearance in the previous books of the series?"
I say this as a person who reads in reading order, l think it's better, but not necessary for this one. They aren't as interconnected other than one plot arc through the series but it's not a HUGE focus here
I also just reread this one and will be lurking.

I don’t think I will be either for the same reason, but I can easil..."
Yes, oh I'll just reread this and oops.

Do the main characters of this book make an appearance in the previous books of the series?"
I read the first in the the series and started on the second. I had no problem following the characters lives in this book. I finished reading
the book just now. Its snowy and cold so it was a great day to stay home and read it. I gave it 5* and loved it.



I can understand your thoughts about the Heroine.

Do the main characters of this book make an appearance in the previous books of the series?"
I read this as a standalone and did not find myself confused.

I am the opposite. I am not going to reread because I did not like the hero. The entire premise is him setting out to ruin an innocent to take revenge on her brother, something she had no control over.


Missy wrote: "So I just completed chapter 2, which had quite a few character name drops, characters who will eventually get their own book in the series (or already had their own book). So my question is (and I'..."
There’s some overlap between this and book 4, in terms of timeline, but they have no shared events and the settings are completely different.
Each of the Redmonds and the Everseas get their own book, except Marcus Eversea, who is featured in the first book but not the focus. There are three books that have related characters as the leads, without a Redmond or Eversea as the h or h.
I am not sure how much you want to know. Throughout the series, I think you get a feel of both families, the feud between then and a feel for the town, which has some recurring characters.
There’s some overlap between this and book 4, in terms of timeline, but they have no shared events and the settings are completely different.
Each of the Redmonds and the Everseas get their own book, except Marcus Eversea, who is featured in the first book but not the focus. There are three books that have related characters as the leads, without a Redmond or Eversea as the h or h.
I am not sure how much you want to know. Throughout the series, I think you get a feel of both families, the feud between then and a feel for the town, which has some recurring characters.
Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Missy wrote: "So I just completed chapter 2, which had quite a few character name drops, characters who will eventually get their own book in the series (or already had their own book). So my quest..."
Also a note that Long’s strengths do not appear to lie in timing or math, FYI
Also a note that Long’s strengths do not appear to lie in timing or math, FYI

Roughly terrible grasp of math. One would think editing would fix it. I consider the loose grasp of historical timing a calendar math problem.
We read her for the swoons

lol. Thanks for the clarification. And, yes, I was wondering if the timeline overlapped. Our heroine's sister Olivia is mentioned often and she doesn't get her HEA until Book 11!!! So I was also curious if there is a time gap from this book to her book.
Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Missy wrote: "So I just completed chapter 2, which had quite a few character name drops, characters who will eventually get their own book ..."
We do indeed 😍
We do indeed 😍
Missy wrote: "Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Also a note that Long’s strengths do not appear to lie in timing or math, FYI"
lol. Thanks for the clarification. And, yes, I was wondering if the timeline overlapped..."
I think the series takes place over about 2 years.
Yes, Olivia’s is book 11 (view spoiler)
lol. Thanks for the clarification. And, yes, I was wondering if the timeline overlapped..."
I think the series takes place over about 2 years.
Yes, Olivia’s is book 11 (view spoiler)

Also I was expecting a revenge plot-fall in love-drama cause u lied to me bla bla bla and this thurned out to be so unexpected.I find it refreshing that he told her.Was anyone else surprised.I also love the Duke,what an arse setting to get revenge from an innocent :P Love him,in finction world only of course.Cannot wait for the rest :)
Amy wrote: "Hello everyone I am at 50% of the book (so don't keep on reading if u haven't reached there) and I find it hilarious.I am laughing out loud with Ian's reaction :P
Also I was expecting a revenge plo..."
Hi Amy, do you know how to use spoiler tags? I think that would be good here.
I agree there are some good LOL moments in this one!
Also I was expecting a revenge plo..."
Hi Amy, do you know how to use spoiler tags? I think that would be good here.
I agree there are some good LOL moments in this one!

Also I was expecting a..."
Ηi J.No that is why I indicated at the beginning.Can u please tell me?

< spoiler> Type your spoiler here. < /spoiler>

Amy wrote: "Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Amy wrote: "Hello everyone I am at 50% of the book (so don't keep on reading if u haven't reached there) and I find it hilarious.I am laughing out loud with Ian's react..."
Yes, thank you for indicating that! It is what prompted my question. Hopefully Missy’s instructions helped (thanks Missy!). If you are using Goodreads in the browser and not the app, there’s also a link above the right-hand corner of the comment box that says “(some html is ok)” with some instructions on how to do a few tricks.
Yes, thank you for indicating that! It is what prompted my question. Hopefully Missy’s instructions helped (thanks Missy!). If you are using Goodreads in the browser and not the app, there’s also a link above the right-hand corner of the comment box that says “(some html is ok)” with some instructions on how to do a few tricks.
Shaz wrote: "Reading book at the moment I am up to chapter 7. Better book than the first 3 for me. Feel like it's going to be interesting to see what happens between Ian and the Duke."
Glad you’re enjoying it more. I think it’s fairly common to not like the first three as much.
Glad you’re enjoying it more. I think it’s fairly common to not like the first three as much.

One of my favorite scenes is in chapter 10 (view spoiler)

@Merry totally agree those were some of my favorite scenes as well. So much fun. And I loved that Chapt 10 scene as well

Does anyone recommend another one from her?As funny and as solid?The reviews on her other books are not encouraging :(

Do the main characters of this book make an appearance in the previous books of the series?"
I say this as a person who reads in reading ord..."
I could say that I too am pretty much a person who likes reading books in order. Unless there are some elements of plot that I dislike. Then in that case I skip a book or two in the series.
I really vacillated a lot between either starting to read the series in order from the first book to directly reading this one....... but I knew that in case I started to read them in order, I wouldn’t have caught up with this book within this month.
So I decided to compromise. I did a speed reading of the first book The Perils of Pleasure, just to familiarise myself with the author’s style of writing and to get an idea of the various members of the families around whose lives the books are set. It was a decently enjoyable read.
And now I’m going to start on this BOTM.


You could read this book as a standalone. But if you can read in order, you already know the story of the other family members. This book seems to be taking place about the same time as book 4. As Violet was mentioned, being seen at the docks. I love a book with humour.

Pravana wrote: "Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "Pravana wrote: "Can this book be read as a stand-alone?
Do the main characters of this book make an appearance in the previous books of the series?"
I say this as a person ..."
I think reading Perils of Pleasure gives a good intro to the series :-). Hope you enjoy this one.
Do the main characters of this book make an appearance in the previous books of the series?"
I say this as a person ..."
I think reading Perils of Pleasure gives a good intro to the series :-). Hope you enjoy this one.
Amy wrote: "Merry I agree!The whole thing with Ian was hilarious I am still laughing out loud. Thank you girls for the spoiler information.I am gonna use it from now on.I just finished the book and I loved it!..."
She's somewhat polarizing, and if you find you like her writing style, you'll probably like most of her books. If you like the humor, Perils of Pleasure is pretty hilarious in parts. All of her books have some humor, I think, which is something I like.
In this series, I think this book and It Happened One Midnight are the best, but I enjoy them all overall. I think the series is fun to read because it builds and you get to know the characters/families.
She's somewhat polarizing, and if you find you like her writing style, you'll probably like most of her books. If you like the humor, Perils of Pleasure is pretty hilarious in parts. All of her books have some humor, I think, which is something I like.
In this series, I think this book and It Happened One Midnight are the best, but I enjoy them all overall. I think the series is fun to read because it builds and you get to know the characters/families.


Do the main characters of this book make an appearance in the previous books of the series?"
I say t..."
Ya. You’re right Joanna. The Perils of Pleasure was a good introduction and enjoyable to read.


Revenge is such an over-used trope so I was pleased that the author used it in this way -as a means of introduction, not as the main theme.
I adored Alex, intelligent, witty, self -aware, insightful, and self-sacrificing, I totally understood the initial desire to get revenge on Ian and to choose a method that would really hurt him. I also loved how swiftly he abandoned the idea.
I mostly enjoyed this story apart from a couple of irritations, both concerning the heroine.
I found Genevieve really annoying at certain stages of the book and her behaviour was simply incredible and unacceptable at times.
(view spoiler)
But overall, it was a delicious read and I look forward to reading more of this author's work.


Books mentioned in this topic
It Happened One Midnight (other topics)Like No Other Lover (other topics)
What I Did for a Duke (other topics)
Happy Reading!
What I Did for a Duke by Julie Anne Long
For years, he's been an object of fear, fascination...and fantasy. But of all the wicked rumors that shadow the formidable Alexander Moncrieffe, Duke of Falconbridge, the ton knows one thing for certain: only fools dare cross him. And when Ian Eversea does just that, Moncrieffe knows the perfect revenge: he'll seduce Ian's innocent sister, Genevieve—the only Eversea as yet untouched by scandal. First he'll capture her heart...and then he'll break it.
But everything about Genevieve is unexpected: the passion simmering beneath her cool control, the sharp wit tempered by gentleness...And though Genevieve has heard the whispers about the duke's dark past, and knows she trifles with him at her peril, one incendiary kiss tempts her deeper into a world of extraordinary sensuality. Until Genevieve is faced with a fateful choice...is there anything she won't do for a duke?