NetGalley Review: Big Duke Energy

Big Duke Energy

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Rating:   ✩✩✩✩✩

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This collection of short stories was, for me, all over the shop in terms of enjoyment. Individually each story ranged from “meh” to

“wow,” though overall it was a fun read that certainly scratches the romance tropes itch in bite-sized tales 

THE EARL ON THE TRAIN by Kerrigan Byrne- This story was well written, but just didn't do it for me.  Much angst and exposition is spent on the tragic shared past of our leading couple (and maybe that means more if you have read more of the originating series) for a short story to really feel like it has done anything past “people acting completely out of character because…love?” ✩✩✩✩✩

LOVED AND FOUND: Christi Caldwell - This one was a bit better, in that the “miscommunications via meddling parents” trope holds up and serves to shorthand the couple succumbing to seeming insta-love/lust. Much better as a stand alone and has inspired me to look at more by Christie Caldwell (whom I have, somehow,  not read before).✩✩✩✩✩

THE WOLF OF WESTMORE by Amalie Howard- Now we are talking.  Protagonist actually acting on her desires while getting her money’s worth (and then some!). A fun mix of “feuding families,” “hidden identity” and “marriage of convenience” make this short story my favorite in the mix.  Granted I have read the preceding books in this series, so that may help.✩✩✩✩✩

PUT UP YOUR DUKES by Janna MacGregor - A real mixed bag on this story.  Interesting backstory, romances that feature already partnered people finding their way back to each other is a fun twist on the romance tropes. A protagonist who is doing something that doesn't center romance (this one might even drag itself over the Bechdel Test line) is pretty neat.  However, the entire resolution reads less as character growth and more as everyone just acting completely out of character.✩✩✩✩✩

DUKE OF EVERY SIN by Stacy Reid- Eh. Marriage of convenience with emotionally stunted Duke haunted by his tragic past. A nice HEA with solid resolution, but “man who needs to get his feelings sorted out like an adult is saved by a beautiful ingenue who does all the emotional labor for him” is just losing its appeal for me. Personal preference on that one since it hits many great tropes and is a well done short story otherwise. ✩✩✩✩✩

Overall, I would still recommend the collection since my critiques are more issues of personal preferences versus the writing being subpar. Everyone’s tastes differ and these snack-sized stories are a good time. 

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Published by: Oliver Herbert Books Release Date: 29 March 2022  Purchase at: Amazon