Welcome to Litsy!

Someone recommended this book after I complained about third act break-ups. This one doesn't feature this plot-trope.

Chloe and her father are getting by by making an "unnamed sauce" and selling it in their little village. Jeremy has been visiting the village for a few days every year, except the last three. She's just a village girl, he's a duke. He's going to leave again after a few days, she's going to pine for him. Or maybe not?

I almost bailed, the first chapter wasn‘t very good, but I‘m super glad I kept reading because this book was excellent!
A man who has hidden his past from the town he loved hopes to win the heart of a woman who refused him before - she wanted him to be committed, and he returns ready to be so, but can they get over their past to forge a new future together?
4/5 read for a historical romance that deals with race in a realistic and hopeful way.

The hero was such a good person. It was so refreshing, but sadly, took a little to get into. I‘m so used to a man needing to be reformed. But in the end, I read the second half of the book in one sitting. The banter between the characters, the misfit storyline, and the tackling of racism all made for a an excellent story! I can‘t wait for the next installment.

I had SUCH a good (if unphotogenic) supper, y‘all: tofu steaks topped with everything oil on a bed of braised chard, with roasted asparagus on the side. Put that together with a great book and I‘m a happy diner.

I finally added another book to my Courtney Milan collection! Now I‘ve just gotta decide if I want to dive in during the Readathon this weekend or save it for next week… #LaTBRrevealed

Is there a Courtney Milan book I haven't loved so far? No. There is not. The Duke Who Didn't is especially good though, I love the characters and the community and the story being told. Everything about this was great and I can't wait to see more introduced into the series. Recommended for sure!

Aww, this was fun! Not my usual genre, but saw it on some recommended reading list and picked it up. Likable characters and enough serious themes (racism, classism) to give it a little weight.

4 ⭐️s
I‘m not a huge romance reader. I LOVE romance in my stories, I just struggle with it being the main plot point. This one, however, was an absolute breath of fresh air. It has steamy moments counterbalanced with a wonderful sense of humor. Jeremy and Chloe are very likable and oh so adorable. I‘m interested to see where the author goes with this as it‘s listed as the first in a series.

Now I must hunt down a local place that makes good bao.

Going outside my comfort zone with this #BlameitonLitsy choice! 😅

I showed the hubby so he won‘t have questions when he spies me reading it later. He furrowed his whole face to the point I was surprised he could still see, then said two simple words: “But why?”

After I picked myself off the floor and could breathe again, I explained it was all your guys fault. 😜😂🤣😂

Genuinely looking forward to it. It will be a nice break from my norm. 😍❤️

#3WordReviews @ShyBookOwl

#Romance #POC #Playful

Thanks to @wanderinglynn for the tag!

I tag @Kenziejo

@ferskner I meant to post this like a week ago! 🤦‍♀️ I love them!! The candle made me cackle! 🤣❤️ I‘ve seen so many good things about The Duke Who Didn‘t and it‘s waaaaay out of my wheelhouse. I‘m so excited to get to it! It‘s definitely going on next months TBR! 😍 And NOS4A2!! Eeee!!! I‘m stoked! You‘re so awesome, thank you so much! ❤️❤️❤️

If you guys can‘t see it, the candle says: “Infused with social distancing” 😂🤣😂🤣😂

Courtney Milan is by far my favorite romance author. This one started a bit slow for me, but things picked up considerably. I love how Milan plays with expectations by upending tropes. I also absolutely adored the village of Wedgeford and hope to see more books from Milan set there. ETA: I didn't even mention the list-making! Chloe is a heroine truly after my own heart.

5 💖. One of my favorite books of 2020, we get a half-Asian Duke incognito and in love with a young woman who lives in one of his villages. They've known each other for years but he has never told her he's the Duke, so how can he ask her to marry him? So much good food! And to-do lists! And laughter! Guaranteed that you'll be craving Chinese food after this book😃

#romantsy

Exactly what I needed to read right now. Nothing too serious with likeable characters that you root for

Impulse bought this because I feel like a romance

4/5

I loved this book. It's just a purely wonderful romance that was lovely to read. I felt like I found a kindred spirit in Chloe with her extensive lists and her love for a man who does not make plans.

Also, if you're someone who nerds out about historical research, the author's note at the end of the book went into some fascinating details about food, language, and the author's connection to the Hakka people.

1. The Duke Who Didn't by Courtney Milan, Conversations by Ai Weiwei, and What Would Frida Do by Arianna Davis

2. Feeling Good by David Burns was the first book I ever read and could truthfully describe as life changing, at least for me.

3. Ring Shout by P Djeli Clark

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

Loved this! The history, characters and setting were all unique and compelling; one of the best romances I‘ve read in awhile. Milan is always so funny and filled with witty repartee! Highly recommend!

I got my two signed books from #romancingtherunoff and I'm so excited!

4-5 December 2020 (audiobook)
So this may have to be my first and last historical romance audiobook - 9 hours in 24! For me, romance novels are the fast food of the publishing industry - devoured quickly but not ultimately satisfying or nutritious. My excuse for reading this one was that it made the NY Times Notable 100 for 2020.
As far as the genre goes, I think it was quite good with its life lessons and a couple of steamy scenes. Still...

It's been a good week, littens, a good week. I'm settling happily into this book. Pictured here with one of my current WIPs, a sweater I'm making my son for Xmas. I still am getting used to him recently turning 18 and being accepted into uni for next year (he's going to WAAPA). We just found out the new Alexander Hamilton trained at WAAPA!

Yes, I read A LOT of romance. No, it is not all created equally! Yes, there is a romance at the center of the story, but it is much more about family and duty and finding your place in the world and knowing who you are and what you want. Set in a delightfully egalitarian village of mostly immigrants, it was fun and educational and made my stomach growl. Absolutely recommend, especially if current events have your anxiety at 100000% 4 👍🏼 way up!!

This was just the warm hug of a book I needed about finding places and people that love you for who you are.

Historical romance. Well written with characters I quickly came to root for. Mild peril, and plenty of emotional drama that comes naturally from the characters being themselves (rather than being forced to be stupid to make the plot work). Delightful reading, and just what I needed!
5/5

Very, very excited for Courtney Milan's new book.

There's an excerpt here: https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2020/08/exclusive-chapter-reveal-the-duke-wh...