Aphrodite and the Duke: A Novel

The Dubells #1

by J.J. McAvoy

Aphrodite Du Bell déteste son prénom. Alors que la haute société loue sa peau brune et ses traits exquis, elle n’en peut plus d’être identifiée à la déesse de la beauté et de l’amour. Il y a quatre ans, ses attraits n’ont pas empêché Evander Eagleman de l’abandonner pour en épouser une autre. Lorsque sa mère lui demande d’accompagner sa jeune soeur pour son entrée dans le monde, elle se promet de se garder des hommes et notamment du traître qui lui a brisé le cœur. Or, ce dernier, désormais veuf, est bien déterminé à la reconquérir…

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Audiobook, Regency

Audible Audio

First published August 23, 2022

About the author

I’m a twenty-year-old something born in Montreal, Canada but currently living in Virginia for school. I would tell you want my major is however after two years I still have no idea what I’m doing.

So I’m a writer (duh that’s how you found me), movie enthusiast, and self-proclaimed chef. I love music even though I can’t sing or dance to save my life. (That doesn’t necessarily stop me but you’ve been warned.)

I started Ruthless People the summer of 2013 in hopes of giving myself a new type of love and crime drama. I never knew so many people thought like me! I feel truly blessed to have fans like you all! Writing is my true love and having you all enjoy my words is a dream come true.

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Reviews

[Kezia Duah · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I started this, I told myself, “I really need to read more regency romances.” Do I still think this? Well, I feel less inclined to read another one.

I’m not trying to bash this book from the start, but I just think these books are not for me. I only prefer the romance parts in these books because they are always the ones that make your heart flutter. Everything else though, I usually I’m not a fan of because even though the many patriarchal views and constant people-pleasing behavior is quite appropriate and realistic for the time period, I still get quite uncomfortable.

Evander and Aprodite were beautiful for each other. I think they were both equally great and annoying characters. One thing I can definitely tell you is that they weren’t the same people by the end. I'm still not necessarily sure whether I liked who they were by the end.

There was of course a lot more other than the romance, mainly family tension. Aphrodite with her loving and “perfect” family dramatically contrasted with Evander’s mess of a family. I really like how McAvoy highlighted how this affected their relationship. Seriously though, Evander’s family had serious issues and I found this to be the most interesting part of the book. Even though Aphrodite’s family was portrayed to be more loving, I still found most of them obnoxious.

Still the book was able to keep my attention till the very end so that’s 1 star right there.

[TJ ☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars 💫

"I hope my sister shatters your heart."
"She does every day when I wake up and see that she is not my wife."

🎭 tropes: second chance, regency
🎭 historical romance isn't normally my genre but this one had me smiling. the MC's were both lively, romantic, and so well suited for each other it was cute
🎭 a bit low in angst for my taste but overall a very well written second chance romance
🎭 arc review, opinions are my own

[Booked and Busy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate to say it but this was awful

[K.J. Charles]

That rare thing: a histrom advertised as being 'like Bridgerton' that *is* actually like Bridgerton (TV) in that it simply puts POC into Regency England haut ton without explanation or making any sort of deal of it. I'm alongside that: yes, it consciously ignores the exact parts of history that nationalists would also prefer to pretend didn't happen, but the Romancelandia Regency is completely made up anyway and ignores a ton of other bad things, so let's not use realism as an excuse to exclude people from a fantasy.

That said, this one didn't really work for me. The language is very consciously archaic but didn't ring quite right, and I found it too distancing for me to engage with the characters. Stylistic DNF for me, thus a big YMMV.

[Hannah B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved the first 75% of this but lordy the ending was absolutely too much for me. I obviously knew his brother was going to be the entire third act but it got worse than I thought and then they were feeling bad for him like sorry he was truly evil idk. I was super stressed for the last half of the book bc of course it was all going to go to shit but I didn’t know wheeeeeen.

I appreciated how Evander did take the threats and danger seriously because when that doesn’t happen…I anger. He punched and wanted to take the high road less than Aphrodite so point to him. I did also love Aphrodite though because she took no shit and her relationship with Emmaline was adorable. I just wish the ending didn’t suck the joy out of an incredibly sweet story.

I was more emotionally attached to Aphrodite by the end because Evander was a bit hot and cold. I understood most of his reasoning, but I felt we got the most depth with Aphrodite. I also let why he ended up not marrying her in the past slip without much groveling, but I think the ending needed more of him appreciating all she was doing for the household. I also adored her family and wanted more of their wholesome dynamic. Her mom was such a bad ass.

On the plus side, there wasn’t really a breakup because Criminal Activity got in the way of Evander being angry at Aphrodite for making baller moves. (**SPOILERISH: It had to be done literally the only thing that man cared about was public opinion so that’s why it unhinged him so to have them all turn against him.)

Now that I know how everything happens, I can reread this book with zero stress. I’m actually obsessed with the first half of the book. Like that second chance hit so good. Also when he slept on her side of the bed when they were fighting bc he missed her??? Scientists have yet to study the decibel at which I SCREAMED. I can get over the ending because I liked the rest of the book so much, but it did deduct a full star.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶️🌶️/5

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book wasn't for me.

Second chance romance isn't one of my favorite tropes but I do enjoy it occasionally. I need a lot of groveling in a second chance romance. This book gave me nothing. I was bored.

As always with Romance I'm sure it's just me. I don't normally read much Romance but in the last couple of months I have been reading quite a bit. I think I have a better idea of what I like and don't like in Romance. And I just don't think I enjoy reading about a couple being just being happy and in love. I need some drama in my Romance.

This book wasn't for me. I think J.J. McAvoy is talented writer and I would read more books by her in the future.

No recommendation.

[BookmarkedByAlia · Rating 4 out of 5]

After being coaxed into reading this for over a year now I finally bit the bullet and dove in.
THIS!!🙌🏾
It gave ALL the Bridgerton/Queen Charlotte vibes which is good and bad because on one hand I loved being swept into the Regency era, but by it being sooo close to the show it was pretty predictable.
I absolutely loved the relationships Aphrodite had with her siblings…Abena was my favorite😂
I had a hard time with Hathor at first but after a while she was tolerable-still annoying but tolerable LOL
Aphrodite and Evander’s relationship was cute but I think I would’ve liked them to court a little longer so we as the reader could’ve had a better connection with them as a couple.
There was drama, melodrama, scandals, secrets and lies all throughout this and I loved it.
Definitely a good palate cleanser between heavier reads. I am no doubt continuing on with this series I’ve already downloaded the next one on my Kindle.

Special thanks to Kayla and Luci for talking so highly of this series. Y’all didn’t lie😜

[Rachel L]

DNF at 27%

Over 100 pages in and nothing happening. Not for me.

[Obsidian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Please note that I received this book via NetGalley. This did not affect my rating or review.

Oh this one hurts. I wanted to love this book so much. But I was really bored throughout my reading. The good stuff, author McAvoy has the period language down to a tee. I honestly thought I was reading a Jane Austen novel at times. McAvoy also has done research into the period of England at the time and that was most appreciated. But I felt like I got dumped into this book mid-series. I was so surprised that it’s the first book. And the lead character Aphrodite bored me to tears. I was more interested in her family and her mother and father honestly. The Duke in the title, is Evander Eagleman who is also bland as anything. I just wanted there to be more there there. Instead the book just goes on a very long [extremely long] explanation of every little thing to the point you just don’t care about the central romance.

“Aphrodite and the Duke” follows Aphrodite Du Bell who has been absent from London after Duke Everely, Evander Eagleman, did not propose to her like she thought he always would. Dealing with the embarrassment of him announcing his wedding, she goes back to the countryside until her mother calls her to London. It’s her younger sister’s debut, and her mother is determined for Aphrodite to make a match as well since it may cause their family scandal that the eldest is still unwed. Being back in the ton has Aphrodite recalling how much she hates it, and it seems that the Duke is everywhere now that he is widowed. The book follows the two of them as Evander does his best to “win” back Aphrodite.

So I loved the fact that McAvoy had Aphrodite be a biracial character. Her father is white, her mother is Black. The book even points out how the children look different and one sister has white skin and blonde hair (got to love genetics). And I love that no one turns a hair about it frankly. It also baffled me that you would read regency romance and people of color were not a thing, unless they were “savages” attacking or something. Yes, I did read a lot of medieval romance set during the time of the Crusades.

That said, everything else felt flat for me. I didn’t get why Aphrodite was ever into the Duke. The conservations they had did not make me think, yes, this is the man for you. It just felt very very dull after a while. The book also switched points of view too much. We get Aphrodite, her parents, her brother, Evander, etc. I have no idea why McAvoy didn’t just have the points of view by Aphrodite and the Duke. It felt random especially because the others don’t really pop up again after a while so I wondered at the point.

I do love that McAvoy took the time to write this book in the time/place that it takes place. But I do think that is why so many readers struggled with it. It gets very boring. Bless, I never did finish Sense and Sensibility because I was bored to tears by it in written form. The flow was pretty awful too. It just felt like nothing was happening for a good portion of the book.

The setting of the Regency era were good, but some reviewers picked up errors in things I didn’t even note.

The ending was fine, but it just felt like this book didn’t know if it wanted to be a second chance romance or what. We go into drama, thriller, etc. It just felt very off.

I read this for Cannonball Read 14, bingo square:

New: New book, new author, new-to-you author, new-to-you genre. Did you know “new” is one of the most common words in a book title?
This is the first time I have read this author, so it fits the new square. Definitely not a new genre for me though.

[Lacey (laceybooklovers) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this so much more! But I just wasn't a fan of everything outside of the romance, and there was quite a lot of it. Evander also should groveled more lol.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aphrodite and the Duke had appeal for fans of the Bridgerton show but ultimately missed the mark.

Evander Everly told Aphrodite Du Bell that he intended to marry her. She believed him and turned away all other suitors until she learned about his marriage to a woman who wasn’t her. Four years later, Evander had become a recent widower and was determined to get it right this time around. Unfortunately for him, Aphrodite wasn’t so quick to forgive.

Aphrodite and The Duke was an incredibly readable book, especially for those looking to lose themselves in regency England once again. McAvoy’s world closely mirrored that of Shonda Rimes’ Bridgerton, right down to the portrayal of Queen Charlotte. Aphrodite and the Duke started with a high but lacked chemistry and tension as the reader could only determine the characters’ attraction to each other from their childhood years together. The progression of their romance was seamless until the introduction of a cartoonesque villain who was determined to rip Aphrodite and Evander apart. With a lack of characterization and a one-dimensional villain, my excitement for this book quickly dissipated.

Aphrodite and the Duke will scratch the Bridgerton itch but it does not create an all-encompassing romance.

[Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up

Aphrodite and the Duke is a second-chance historical romance with a plot that extends well beyond marriage, and I can see why it has been compared to season 1 of Bridgerton. A diverse cast of characters, a heroine who knows nothing about marriage ahead of time, an involved queen, external conflict, and plenty of family drama all bring to mind the show.

I will say, as a regular reader of historical romances, the pacing, language, and plot choices weren't what I was expecting. And that's not necessarily a bad thing, but I wasn't surprised to see that while this author has a decent backlist of contemporary romances, it is her first foray into historicals. The language feels a bit formal for the genre and I'm interested to see if future books might show more comfort and personal style in the prose. In terms of pacing, it's unusual as well.

While many modern romances (especially with an older heroine like Aphrodite) allow their heroines some degree of understanding what happens in the bedroom, that is not the case here. Aphrodite is extremely naive and unschooled, to a somewhat unbelievable degree given her age. And that continues until the wedding, which happens around the halfway point.

The second half of the book is focused on external family conflict and the couple working through their communication issues and baggage from the past. Which I actually liked- I prefer books that look at the struggles that come with acclimating to marriage early on, but it's unexpected. Most of the time you only get post-marriage conflict in a marriage of convenience or a couple that has separated and is coming back together. This is a little different because the characters had a broken engagement, not a separation post marriage.

All that to say, this wasn't what I was expecting, but I ended up liking it pretty well. I would have liked to see Aphrodite be a bit less naive, and it would be nice to have the diversity feel like more than window dressing. I get that we're just now making more space for Black authors and other authors of color to write characters of color in historical romance, but I think authors like Vanessa Riley, Beverly Jenkins, and more recently Adriana Herrera and Erica Ridley have done a great job of making their character's identity a bigger piece of the puzzle. Not to mention for a Regency, reckoning with where most of the gentry were getting their money at the time. This isn't something that's touched on at all. And to be clear, this doesn't have to mean trauma- the authors above often avoid that.

Regardless I'm happy to see more books like this, but I think it could have gone farther. And similarly, the language could feel a bit stilted at times and I hope McAvoy is able to find a happy medium in future books that balances the formality of the time period with her own voice. All in all, not a book I loved, but one I liked and an author I hope to see more from in the future. I received an advance copy of this book via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

[Lydia Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so a lot of publishers compare their historicals to Bridgerton given the success of the show and, as we all know, a lot of these books aren’t really that much like Bridgerton. But Aphrodite and the Duke really is comparable to Bridgerton—it is truly the perfect read for those who enjoy the dynamics of the Netflix rendering of the book series. If you enjoy the parts of Bridgerton that center on the Queen, the different debutantes jostling to claim the “diamond of the season” title, a big, close family, and a racially diverse high-society world, then you’ll find a lot to love in Aphrodite and the Duke. In its approach to race, the book very much works in the vein that Bridgerton opened. Aphrodite’s family is multiracial (her father is white and her society-leading mother is Black) and, much like in Bridgerton (particularly Season 2), this version of Regency London is one in which racism is not a force at play. Aphrodite is a Daphne Bridgerton-esque diamond of the season and, as her name suggests, she is regarded in the ton as the beauty not just of that year, but of her generation. I found this really satisfying because, in Bridgerton and other historical romances, we haven't yet gotten to see a character like Aphrodite—even though Edwina in Season 2 of Bridgerton is the diamond, she isn’t the heroine, so we don’t really get to see a woman of color represented as both the pinnacle of ton feminine ideals and the hero’s desires in the way that we do for Daphne in Season 1. If you are a reader hungry for this type of representation, I would definitely suggest reading Aphrodite and the Duke—I really enjoyed this aspect of the book myself.

Whereas its approach to historical romance and the depiction of Regency London is familiar due to Bridgerton, this book is unusual in aspects of its storytelling. McAvoy gives us POV sections from characters who are not just Aphrodite and Evander and we don’t get a POV section from Evander until almost halfway through the book. I rolled with this difference, but it seems distinctive enough to be worth noting and I wondered if McAvoy made this choice to set a particularly intimate tone for this series and its ensemble cast going forward. Additionally, whereas its similarities to Bridgerton might strike a reader as being more in line with a newer, modern brand of historical romance, the writing and the sensibilities its characters express in regard to gender were a little reminiscent of old school historicals, in my opinion. Aphrodite’s father and brother and the hero, Evander, were more traditional in terms of their views on gender—Aphrodite has to push all of these characters to allow her more self-determination, and that element of the book definitely ran counter to the already feminist heroes/male characters (with the exception of villains) that have become increasingly popular in the historicals of the past ten or fifteen years. If you are a reader who enjoys seeing a heroine having to reckon with typically 19th century views from her family members (and from loving family members, not just those who are clearly meant to be harmful), then you will appreciate this strand of the book. Overall, this stylistic blend makes Aphrodite and the Duke unique and totally delightful.

I recommend Aphrodite and the Duke to readers who want more of that Bridgerton feeling and, also, to those who enjoy the second chance romance and childhood-friends-to-lovers tropes!

[Precious ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟

Aphrodite and the Duke was a great job Done by McAvoy. I believe this is her first run at historical/regency, and I was impressed! I loved having MCs that were people of color and that it was utterly normal.



And for those who are unsure by what I mean, normal as in without any trauma which always seems to be evident whenever we have any form of inclusion in a book.

The story of Aphrodite and Evander is a second-chance love story, but there is more to the story than that. I liked them separately as characters, and together McAvoy wrote their chemistry well. I also felt that the story was broken up well into the different storylines and progressed at just the right speed; not rushed but a touch before slow. Plainly, it was hard to put this book down; however, you did have downtime and did not feel as though you were racing through the events taking place. Which is on par with the J.J. McAvoy books I have already read.
If you are into regency or first loves getting their happy ending, I recommend this to you!


I already have hope for a secondary story for two of the side characters. My fingers are crossed.



I will spruce this up with some quotes once the book is released, but for now, Thank you, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, for this eARC via Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion!

[✧ FLINN ✧ (Semi-Hiatus) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not it.
Very flat, bland and boring.
I usually love her work but this book didn’t worked for me.

[iReadBooksNSchit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tropes: Second Chance, Childhood friends, Children in story, Widower
⭐️⭐️⭐️ ½ /🔥🔥

What do you want from me, Your Grace?”
“A second chance.” He stepped close. “Aphrodite, I wish for another chance for us.”

Aphrodite and the Duke…what a pleasant surprise. Lovers of Bridgerton and Mr. Malcom’s list this book may be right up your alley. Yes...yes… I know, you’re tired of seeing books compared to Bridgerton, me too...but this book really does remind you of Bridgerton (the Netflix series) in its diversity and its “freshness”. Set in a regency era where race is not an issue, Aphrodite and The Duke is a heart-warming second-chance romance filled with a cast of characters who are vivid, fun and full of life.

Narrated in the first person from various points of view, the book is both delightful and engaging, although a bit annoying at times. The book is broken into two sections ­– part one and part two, which was odd as the second part was a natural continuation of the story. I also found the inclusions of narratives from secondary characters totally unnecessary. These POVs added no additional value to the story which made the story feel disjointed. I’m not a fan of books narrated solely in first person, so reading this book took a bit of getting used to. Once I did, however, I found it hard to put down. It wasn’t much of an original story nor did the passion of our MCs “burn”; nevertheless, I found myself invested in them achieving their HEA.

I especially enjoyed the Du Bells, a prominent interracial and titled family filled with laughter and love. Their banter and interactions with one another were boisterous and pleasant and what one would expect for such a large and diverse grouping. A stark comparison to the Eaglemans, who love one another, but are not nearly as affectionate. This leads me to our hero and heroine…

Aphrodite Du Bell, named for the goddess of love is a beauty. Ironically, she’s jilted by her betrothed, a man she has known and loved for most of her life. Seeking to escape somewhere to tend to her broken and avoid gossip, she retreats to the country. After an extended period, Odite is summoned back to London by her mother to support her sister as she makes her debut. She’s also encouraged to enter the marriage mart again or have a marriage arranged for her. It’s been four years since HE left her behind, but she can’t seem to remove him from her thoughts…especially when she learns he too has returned to London. But how can she marry someone else when her heart still belongs to the man who left her for another.

Evander Eagleman, Duke of Everly has eyes for one woman and one woman only… Aphrodite Du Bell. They were the best of friends growing up and expected to wed once Odite turned eighteen; however, without notice or any explanation, Evander decides to wed another, leaving Odite dejected and broken-hearted. Now a widower, fate has provided him with a second change at happiness. When the same forces that kept him and his beloved apart four years ago threaten to separate them again, Evander will do whatever it takes to earn Odite’s forgiveness and win back her affections.

All said, I really liked this book. I enjoyed seeing people of color prominently featured during a time known for its romanticism. I loved the diversity of her characters as well as the warmth and “heart” illustrated in the narrative. I’m really looking forward to reading more of McAvoy’s work…although I do hope she moves away from the multiple POVs. This one issue almost (ALMOST) made me ditch the book. In the end, a little aggravation was worth the time invested in reading and reviewing this book.

[Cydney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading Aphrodite and the Duke was strange because I could tell I really liked J. J. McAvoy's writing style, but I did not care for Aphrodite or her Duke! Aphrodite comes across as extremely juvenile for the first half of the novel, which gives her a pretty decent arc as she grows into her duties and role. This becomes constantly undone by Aphrodite being selfish and thinking she knows best for people she won't communicate with and who refuse to communicate with her. Evander was such a selfish, self-absorbed non-communicator who made unilateral decisions without including Aphrodite or communicating his decisions. Which, I guess, was technically to be expected for a historical romance, but not when Evander proclaims progressiveness on other things.

Fitzwilliam is a comical villain who beats his chest in all of his scenes then stomps off to the side, and his mother wasn't much better. I wish there had been more development with Evander's daughter, because I've forgotten her name, but she could have evolved into a much more powerful character who made a 180 in her behavior. As it stands, her arc is more understated and she deserved more. I loved Aphrodite's relationship with her parents and siblings, and how genuinely close they all seemed.

Also, Evander didn't grovel nearly as much as he should have! Justice for Aphrodite and all the apologies she deserved! I am very excited to continue with this series!

2 ⭐️s
2 🌶️

[Madison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just want to say i was super excited for this book and, at the end of the day, the writing was beautiful…but…this was a very LOW ANGST romance, which doesn’t work for me.

This rating is due to the fact that when i read a second chance romance (and a childhood friends-to-lovers-to-not second Chance romance at that) i NEED it to have some angst and passion and yearning behind it. I just missed that chemistry between our characters that had me fully invested in their romance. This isn’t the first second chance romance I’ve rated 3/5 for this exact reason and it won’t be the last. I am very picky when it comes to second Chance as a trope so please take my review with a grain of salt.

My fave part of this book was Aphrodite’s relationship with her stepdaughter.

I really loved the rest of the Du Bell children and Verity, so i would still be happy to read more from this author in historical romance as i just think a different trope would’ve led to a better outcome for me.

I am a white woman so i cannot speak to anything else but it was really nice seeing a biracial woman as the diamond of the season and the Queen’s favoured :)

[Xiomara · Rating 3 out of 5]

After muliple days I can safely say I give it a 3 Stars. It wasn't bad but it felt unoriginal, part one was good but once we got to Part two it felt like a new book, reminded me a lot of the Ruthless People series which isn't what I'm looking for when I come to historical romances. That being said, again it wasn't bad if J.J. McAvoy can find a way to write a regency beginning to end the way part one was written she'll have it on lock.

*Receive an ARC copy from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.*

[Mimi Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

From my endorsement:

Aphrodite and the Duke is a vibrant historical romance, full of heart, heat, and thrilling period drama. A delectable treat for fans of Bridgerton!

[Kahlea Myers · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway, but that does not change my review or thoughts on the book at all.

I give this book 2.5 ⭐️, I read the entire book, though at times I simply wanted to DNF it. I will be honest, I did not like this book. One thing I don’t like about it, not that it matters much, is the cover. One of my book pet peeves is when authors put a picture of an actual person on the cover. But the cover itself wasn’t what made me not like it.

I understand that the copy I received was an ARC (advanced reader copy) meaning it is not finished. The final version will probably have some more editing, and of course I came across quite a few typos that will be fixed.

One of the reasons I didn’t like it was the writing style. It felt… very childish. It felt like a middle schooler had tried to write an adult regency romance and failed immensely. there were 2 explicit scenes in the book which is why I would say it’s NA, but even those did not excite me. I honestly did not care for them. Nor did I feel any chemistry between Evander and Aphrodite. Their relationship was very bland. The entire story left much to be desired. One of the things the author put into her writing that I did not like at all, were all the “ummmm”’s. It was very annoying, and also did not strike me as something ladies from that era would say that often. As they were very well spoken. And for everyone who is writing reviews and saying, “it was like a Jane Austen novel, it read like a classic.” No, just no. I have read a Jane Austen novel and many other classics, and this did not read like one of those at all. Classics use old English words (this did not), they have a sophisticated air (this did not), and they do not sound like they were written by a middle schooler (This did).

The second reason I didn’t like this book was that I felt like the author had gotten half the ideas for the book from the Bridgerton show/books. I came across many instances in the book where I thought to myself “that reminds me a lot of daphne and Simon.”
For example: Aphrodite does not know the second definition of aroused (she simply thinks it means to wake.” So they have a daphne/Simon moment, where evander sort of explains to her what it means, and how it is possible to “please yourself.”

"You asked me if I was aroused, did you not?" he asked,
head tilted to the side as he looked into my eyes. "Or do you
still think it merely means to arise from slumber?"
"How can I know any other meaning when no one tels
me?" I questioned. "So tell me."
"It is hard to explain. for it is a feeling."
"What is this feeling?"
"Like heat." He stepped closer, "Like fire spreading through-
out your body, desire pulsating upon the skin, and an ache in
the pit of your stomach."
"To what end?"
"The shrubbery." He inhaled and looked as though he
would eat me like a beast, and I felt my breathing become
much slower. "Or if you are skilled enough to release on your
own."

Another example: there is literally someone named edwina lol. Shes only mentioned once, I just thought it was funny. (For everyone who hasn’t watched Bridget ton in season 2 there’s a girl named edwina.)

Another example: in bridgerton Simon and daphne SPOILERS!!!

Get married but then end up fighting and not trusting one another for a time before they resolve the matter. In this book Aphrodite and evander get married and end up fighting over evander not wanting to share his past and current event/issues that are happening in the present with Aphrodite. Before they finally resolve the matter. So while it’s not about the same thing, it felt very similar.

Another example: is that evanders father is a complete piece of shit just like simons father is.

Another example: is that just like daphne and Simon SPOILERS! asked for a special license to get married within a week, Aphrodite and evander also asked for a special license. But unlike Simon/daphne, nothing “untoward” had happened between them, they simply wished to be married as soon as possible.

Another example: near of the end of the book Aphrodite sends out letters and puts in the newspaper, some very touchy and personal stuff about Evanders family, which made me think of lady whistledown.

All of these examples, though they may seem small, made the entire book almost feel like the author was trying to write a Simon/daphne retelling?

Another thing I didn’t like about the book was aphrodites sister, Hathor. Oh. my. word. I have never met a more annoying character! All she did was complain about how Aphrodite always steals the spotlight from her, and how she’ll never find a suitor because they’re all looking at Aphrodite, and blah blah blah etc. it seriously got on my nerves.

All in all I did not enjoy this book, and the only reason I finished it was to be able to write a full review. Nonetheless it was still fun to win a free book… so there’s that. Lol. But I would not recommend this. If you want a regency romance, just buy the bridgerton books.

[Debby *BabyDee* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballentine for this ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (rounded 5 Stars)
Publication Date: 8/23/22
Number of Pages: 384

Well, well…not having read anything by J.J. McAvoy, I was totally impressed with this story and her writing. I was more impressed to read my second historical romance novel that featured the heroine as a person of color…the cover and description that drew to wanting the opportunity to read “Aphrodite and the Duke”.

Thus, the story of Aphrodite “Odite” Du Bell who was considered “a Diamond” during her first season, and is still viewed as very beautiful among the ton. Her name is synonymous with being a goddess of beauty…something she finds hard living up to the name. She is summoned to her family’s home in London to assist her sister in her first season after four years of mending her heart that was broken by her first love, Evander Eagleman, the Duke of Everley.

The trope is of second chance love and begins again with Odite having her second season to find a husband, and Evander, now a widower wants to rekindle his love with her and needs to be that husband she is looking to marry. This is one sweet book with likeable characters. I found Evander to be loving and caring and it showed in his pursuit again for Aphrodite…even risking his life for her. I loved Odite’s character as well and she knew what she wanted and was tired of everyone telling her what to do. She was wise in her decisions and for both, sometimes doing everything one way in the eyes of others, does not make it right for the people involved.

Although the story started off slow in the beginning, by midway through the book it was just a wonderful breath of fresh air and introduced the conflict surrounding why Evander circumstances caused the breakup of the H/h. There was some angst but not overdone which I liked for this story. As the H/h reconstructed their relationship, I did expect more of a steamy and heated romance between the two as she was very naïve in the way of lovemaking and after four years of pining for each other. In addition, I so loved the sub-characters (Odite’s family) that brought banter, love and a humorous side to the book. The family dynamics were well-written that at times it drew me into the middle of the family.

Such a delightful and enjoyable story and I am so looking for this first to continue as a series (especially of Damon and Silva). Thank you J.J. McAvoy…I look forward to reading more from you. Highly recommend the read.

[guiltless pleasures · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the Netflix adaptation of Bridgerton? Then you’ll love this. Probably.

Aphrodite Du Bell comes from a wealthy mixed-race family in a colorblind Regency England. The man she loves abandoned her four years ago to marry someone else. Now, he’s widowed—and back on the marriage market.

There were moments I loved this book and moments where I had to make a note in my StoryGraph that simple said, “BANANA PANTS.”

Here are a few other things to know about Aphrodite and the Duke.

- Aphrodite’s family dynamics are so fun. I think JJ McAvoy captured the teasing, drama and jealousy within a large group of siblings really well.
- She also showed the real frustrations Odite (for that is her nickname) felt about her restricted lifestyle—despite having every advantage and creature comfort she could wish for. It’s now new for a historical romance to illuminate the lack of agency women used to have, but I think McAvoy did a very good job with it.
- I think the duke is kind of a dck.
- At 88%, Odite does something absolutely mind-boggling, after which it goes completely off the rails. In a delightful way, imho—but it did feel very random.

A few big notes that dropped this down to three stars:
- It’s in the first person. I think McAvoy should have gone with 3rd person omniscient narrator. Towards the beginning, she gave POVs to Odite’s brother and the duke’s sister, basically just to get us into rooms the MCs weren’t in. Giving POVs to others than the hero and heroine feels clunky, and a first-person multiple perspective book always trips me up.
- It needed a reader for historical accuracy. Just little things, like a duchess would never say, “Brilliant, thank you” to the housekeeper. And a duchess would never hold out her hand to shake anyone’s hand, let alone a tenant’s.
- And perhaps the biggest thing: I’m not sure our MCs are right for each other. I don’t really buy a HEA for these two.

BUT I did love a lot of it (especially using “being taken to the shrubbery as a euphemism for boning) and will be picking up the next in the series.

[Alana Bloom · Rating 2 out of 5]

(2.5 stars)

It is so rare to get a chance to read a historical romance that places a biracial character front and center. It was truly a breath of fresh air to have no drama or trauma around it, just people living. I was really enjoying this one right up to about 40-45%. Then all the sudden it was wedding bells and some family scandal/revenge type things in the background. I spent a significant amount of time grouching about not getting to enjoy the courtship between Aphrodite and Evander. No flashback even.

Before the nuptials was my favorite! Aphrodite's family was fabulous and full of life and color. It took no effort to get swept away with giggles as the sister's snarked at each other and brothers were brothers. Mother and Father had their own charm and irritating moments that kept the story engaging. As for our main couple...

Aphrodite was the stronger character. Her hopes, dreams, and determination all took center stage. Evander... felt more like a supporting character? I spent the last half of the book wishing Aphrodite's family would visit and liven up the place. I think it comes down to not enough time enjoying their falling in love, present or past. It leaned heavily on the inevitable feeling rather than will they? Won't they?

To be fair, I struggle a lot when a marriage happens in the middle of the book. Especially if there doesn't seem to be an interesting dynamic between the H and h (i.e. marriage of convenience, forced arrangement, and similar tropes). I ended up putting it down for large amounts of time, hoping that it was just a reading slump but every time I came back my mood stayed the same.

I was really irritated towards the end of the book. Aphrodite messes up rather significantly at around 90% and yet everything hastily comes together with no real repercussions for her actions. I don't fault her, but it seemed odd to have such a strong reaction from Evander and others to suddenly forgiving her.

While I was uninspired by the plot post-wedded bliss, I do really love how McAvoy approached the relationship between Aphrodite and Emeline, Evander's daughter. It was exactly what I had hoped for when it came up.

This was a decent second chance romance with low angst, medium heat. While I'm not really enamored with this couple, I am really hoping we get an HEA for Verity in the future!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

My excitement for this book’s release was intense. Am I happy I read it? Yes. Did I enjoy it? Yes. Can I recommend it? Maaaybe??? I want to love this and I did like it. There’s nothing wrong with like.

It was a fun ride and I hope that there will be many more Regency novels with characters of color. In fact, I’d be willing to read more about the Du Bell family. I don’t know that I’d do it at this price point, but that’s what libraries are for.

All in, this was a fun book. The pace was a bit off and the language was sometimes awkward, but Regency romance could use more books about black and brown characters. I hope this becomes a series and I’d like to see more of these characters.

[Kelli Matthews | SighingOurPleasure · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aphrodite Du Bell returns to London for her sister’s debut and collides with the duke who once broke her heart—cue glittering ballrooms, meddling families, and a slow-burn second chance. The characters are the win here; Aphrodite and Evander (and all the characters) are vivid. But the pacing drags and the plot meanders. This book is proof everyone needs an editor; a tighter cut would’ve lifted the whole thing.

Personal footnote: my mom loved it, and it might be her doorway into historical romance—so for that, I’m grateful.

Rounded up to 3 stars.

[RonniesBookNook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed the Dubell's. That doggone Abena! 😂😂 She gives it to you, straight no chaser. She reminds me of me. I'm definitely continuing with this series.

[Bookish Miranda · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

This Bridgerton inspired, second chance romance has some lovely moments, but ultimately fell flat for me.

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. I'm looking forward to Verity's book.

[Hanan · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5
I really hate to do this but I did not really enjoy this so I have to be honest!

I found the pacing of this to be very odd, part 1 worked well enough but it did feel rushed, they proclaim their love, reunite in less than 200 pages. Part 2 was aimless until the 290 page mark when the hints at the danger Fitzwilliam posed finally come back into the narrative. At that stage there's just about 60 to 70 pages left which leaves a lot to be done in a short amount of time. The middle section didn't drag exactly but the action fuelled sections just felt very abrupt. 

The main issue I was having is that this was a story that didn't evoke emotion, which to me is central to a romance. Whether there's angst, hard won joy, passion etc i want to connect with those emotions the characters experience but the only thing I felt while reading was a little bored. There's some promise in this book, its not all bad, the family dynamics were nice but we completely lose the other Du Bell's later on. This couple simply did not have the chemistry to carry the story themselves.

I also thought the ending with the dowager was very interesting, the way it brought attention to her perspective and made out main characters uncomfortable was a pretty solid moment. 

This brings me to my final issue. So many things were raised by the narrative without follow through. Aphrodite is insecure about how beautiful she was / how she is perceived by others as a result, I'm sorry but this was a silly choice felt like a reach to get give us an insecure heroine which is not needed! This is never followed through with either so what was the point? She constantly in part one references how she's a bird in a cage, her life ruled by men but when evander wants to marry her this is neatly forgotten about ~ is this a more general gripe I have with histroms, these thoughts are added in but never explored in a way that is fulfilling just a method to get the fmc to hold out against the mmc a little longer.

In this story specifically I was so annoyed at how little we get any attention on the conflict between the couple, he was at first insistent on not explaining jilting her when trying to get her back (dumb move) and when its all revealed she immediately forgives him no questions asked. Later in part 2 he insists on lying to her to protect her (a pattern at this point) and I was thinking this was going to be part of the emotional climax of the book. Them working through their issues as a married couple, why else have a part 2 with them as a married couple?!

The appeal of a second chance romance is that the couple love each other but could not make it work despite that love, with their second chance they work on their issues and by the end of the novel they are stronger in their relationship. For evander and aphrodite this is not true, they have such clear communication issues but they treat patterns of behaviour like one off occurrences. By the end of this novel I'm convinced they will just get stuck in argument cycles their whole life because they are unchanged as individuals and as a couple. Dont get me started on the big fight people were having with aphrodite near the end only to completely drop their anger towards her because....? No real pay off for that decision she made just drama for dramas sake and no follow through and because there were 50 pages left


Also what was the point of Tristan? he's so clearly a plot device to provide an alternative to evander but without being an actual threat! And this was emblematic of the general issue with this book despite some good elements it was just not effectively told, it should have worked more on its characters and their internal struggles than creating external pressures to test them as a couple.