Review: The Day of the Duchess by Sarah MacLean

The Day of the Duchess

Author: Sarah MacLean
Publisher: Avon
Series: Scandal & Scoundrel #3
Pages: ebook, 400 pages
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: June 27th 2017

Summary:

The one woman he will never forget…
Malcolm Bevingstoke, Duke of Haven, has lived the last three years in self-imposed solitude, paying the price for a mistake he can never reverse and a love he lost forever. The dukedom does not wait, however, and Haven requires an heir, which means he must find himself a wife by summer’s end. There is only one problem—he already has one.

The one man she will never forgive…
After years in exile, Seraphina, Duchess of Haven, returns to London with a single goal—to reclaim the life she left and find happiness, unencumbered by the man who broke her heart. Haven offers her a deal; Sera can have her freedom, just as soon as she finds her replacement…which requires her to spend the summer in close quarters with the husband she does not want, but somehow cannot resist.

A love that neither can deny…
The duke has a single summer to woo his wife and convince her that, despite their broken past, he can give her forever, making every day The Day of the Duchess.

Review:

Heartbreaking, frustrating and so so good!!

Sarah MacLean is a master! I felt so many emotions reading this, I was frustrated, my heart was sore and I totally loved every second of it.

At first, I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy this. It was clear from the get-go that this will be heartbreaking. I wasn't sure I was going to like the story because I wasn't a fan of Malcolm's behavior a few years back. But the amazing thing is MacLean totally redeemed him. I mean totally!
Which is odd considering, how messed up the situation was.

Then again this is a MacLean book and I adore her character building.
The Day of the Duchess absolutely shines when it comes to character building. We get to revisit characters from the previous books. And just as always MacLean write unique and interesting characters that feel realistic.
I could relate to Seraphina and Malcolm alike. I got both of their POV, I felt their heartache and their longing... Incredibly well written.
The cast is made up of strong, interesting characters. Females and males alike feel unique and fascinating.
I have 3 sisters so I know something about sisterly love. And the Talbot sisters portrait sister dynamics and love perfectly. I quite often thought of stuff we would do as sisters and how we would react similarly if we would have been in the same situation. Brilliant, if you ask me. Also made me wonder if MacLean has sisters as well.

Another testament to MacLean's knowledge of her craft is how she weaves historical facts with fiction. How she highlights social-historical situations that we kinda know, but with her fiction, she puts a face to the known facts. With that, the story feels more real but also makes the reader feel more aware of said facts.

The story is heartbreaking and yet also beautiful. Though I did end up feeling rather exasperated with the two of them. The cat and mouse games were tiring, the longing was emotionally exhausting. And yet, I wanted more. I need more, I sure hope there will be more!


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