Thursday, April 20, 2017

Review: Duels and Deception - Cindy Anstey

Duels and Deception 
Cindy Anstey
Genre: Young Adult, Historical, Romance
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Goodreads
Reading Challenges: #NGEW2017

Lydia Whitfield has always had a plan to fulfill her obligations as her father's heir. She would run the family estate and than marry the man he chose for her before his death. She would marry for the sake of the estate, and there was no need for a love match. This all seemed well and fine, until Robert Newton entered her life. All of sudden, there were these feelings, and a kidnapping, blackmail, and a duel.

I don't know what it is, but I find books set in the Regency time period so delightful. Everyone is so prim and proper even when they aren't being prim and proper. Duels and Deception pulled me right back to those genteel times, and kept a smile on face for essentially all 368 pages.

Things I liked:

  • Lydia was fabulous! In a time when women was supposed to be seen and not heard, she was bold, daring, and apparently overeducated, if you asked her uncle. She challenged the men in her life, and asserted herself often, but commonly did so for the good of others. 
"Barley, you do realize that I'm not ever going to be a mouse sitting int he background, nodding in agreement whenever you bother to glance in my direction?"
  • Robert was just so charming. I fell instantly for him. He was so sweet and protective, and immediately began advocating and assisting Lydia, but it was even better in his head! He had so many swoony thoughts about Lydia, and well, I live for that stuff. 
"He knew she was saying something, but he couldn't hear her above the noise of his hammering heart and the buzz in his ears."
  • The duels were quite amusing. The interactions were rather fun, and the final duel was a real hoot. Way to pick your weapon there, Robert. 
  • The deception was seamlessly woven into the story, and gave it that extra tension and intrigue. I did guess it, but for me, that's half the fun. There were a few twists that surprised me and some that made me laugh out loud too. 
  • The romance was perfect. I was discussing this with another blogger, and she pretty much nailed it, when she tagged it as "cute and low-drama". They had the pressure of society to deal with, as he had no title and she had an estate, but there was not all that OTT stuff, that can sometimes get on your nerves. Rather, Anstey did a fabulous job maintaining the overall tone of the book and aligning their romance to that. 
Things I didn't like:
  • Honestly, I have nothing. 
This book was fun and fancy-free, and you know I love my books that way. The story was engaging with a little mystery and suspense in there for good measure, and the result was a lot of smiling, laughing, and swooning from me. 


**I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book









What weapon would you choose for a duel?
Let us know in the comments!

12 comments:

  1. So much love for this book in the reviews I've read! And it definitely sounds like it's totally worthy of it all :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was such a delightful read, and yes, all the tales you heard are true. =)

      Delete
  2. Cute and low-drama is the perfect way to describe this! I loved that there weren't any angsty feelings, and despite the obstacles between them it's pretty clear to both Robert and Lydia that they're meant to be together. *happy sigh*

    The duels were hilarious! The final scene was so clever, and I even laughed aloud a few times.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The one duel was so much fun, but alas, nobody selected my weapon of choice -- gloves. There's nothing like a good glove slapping.

      Delete
  3. I have seen a lot of great reviews for this book. I am definitely going to have to get my hands on it. Glad you enjoyed it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have actually seen a lot of great reviews from those who read a lot of that Austen inspired type stuff liking it, which speaks volumes for the authors command of the time period. It was fun, and it made me laugh and swoon. What more could I ask for?

      Delete
  4. This sounds fun and lighthearted, and I love that first quote. And it sounds like the duels are awesome!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was terribly fun, and the BIG duel was hilarious. Don't want to spoil the weapon of choice for any of those who may read it, but the early 80s (1980s, that is) came to mind with that weapon of choice *hint, hint*

      Delete
  5. THIS BOOOOOOOOK! *heart eyes* I loved that final duel. And I LOVED the final scene with Robert and Lydia, in which did The Thing and all the readers sighed with happiness because OMG SO CUTE. These books! Gah! We need Suitors & Sabotage ASAP. :D

    Wonderful review, Sam! Have a lovely weekend. =)

    Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really was so fun and cute and all kinds of happy feels. Yes! Suitors & Sabotage, NOW! =)

      Delete
  6. Great review. I knew this was going to be a book I buy but your review has reminded me why I am so excited to get reading. I love a good regency setting and this sounds like it's amazing. Filled with great characters and a good story. I will enjoy every page and it has a great romance to boot so really why haven't I bought it yet?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This was an impulse book for me. I had read a lot of favorable reviews, and I was in the mood for something lighter. I don't normally read historicals (it's contemporaries almost all the time here), but it was a fun change of pace.

      Delete