Book Review: Dukes and Dekes by Torie Jean
[ID: a book cover with an illustration of two characters in Regency clothing about to kiss in front of a fall background. The book sits on a piece of lace on a gray wooden floor surrounded by autumn leaves and bright yellow roses. A paper flower sits in thr middle of the scene with a flower enamel bookmark in the lower right. A teacup full of orange-brown tea sits in the top right corner with a white gluten free pumpkin spice donut from Karma Baker on a white plate.]
Happy DUKES & DEKES paperback release day! Thank you so much to @AuthorTorieJean for an advanced reader’s copy of her third novel!
I’ve been anticipating this day for ages and I'm happy to say that Torie Jean has done it again with DUKES & DEKES! This adult romance book has a dreamy romance, a delightful setting, and incredibly moving endometriosis representation! Plus a Jane Austen festival (and a mischievous goat)!!! Do I need to write anything more to make you run over and add it to your TBRs??
“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a doctor in possession of the wealth of knowledge provided from a single seminar class twelve years ago will consider themself an infallible expert regarding the hellish reproductive organs housed within their fragile, unstable, constipated patient.”
Plot summary: Aulie is an event coordinator for her local Jane Austen festival and when her Lydia and Wickham actors skedaddle, she calls on her family friend (and secret crush), suspended hockey player Jack, to fill the role. But playing romance with Jack sparks all kinds of feelings… Not to mention she’s battling a mysterious chronic illness that doctors keep telling her to ignore. Can she sort out what her heart AND her body are telling her?
My thoughts: DUKES & DEKES deals with its heroine’s diagnosis journey and OMG was that a relatable, emotional experience for me. Aulie deals with so much medical gaslighting and self-doubt that unfortunately mirrored my own chronic illness journey. It’s not an easy read at all but it’s really special to see her come into her own and finally get validation for her experience!
The romance is super cute too and I couldn’t get enough of the autumn setting! (Can someone please take me to an Austen festival? Pretty please?) While the disability rep got heavy st times, overall the book felt like a cozy vacation. I laughed and I cried. It really felt like the warm hug I needed!
DUKES & DEKES is the perfect fall romance with plenty of heart and humor. Pour yourself a cup of tea, snag a pumpkin donut, and get ready for a swoony, emotional ride!