Aphrodite and the Duke: A Novel (The DuBells)
“Bridgerton lovers have found their next read. J. J. McAvoy is a welcome new voice in historical romance.”—New York Times bestselling author Sarah MacLean
“McAvoy has crafted a lushly romantic tale with a real thread of danger in its pages and a swoony second-chance romance.”—Entertainment Weekly
Aphrodite Du Bell has always resented her name. While the members of the ton, and even the queen herself, praise her warm brown skin, perfect curls, and exquisite features, Aphrodite can’t help but think that living up to the literal goddess of beauty is asking a bit much. Her renowned loveliness certainly didn’t stop the love of her life from jilting her and marrying another woman four years ago.
When Aphrodite’s formidable mother summons her back to London to aid in her sister’s debut, she has no choice but to acquiesce. But Aphrodite is determined to ignore one man in particular: Evander Eagleman, the Duke of Everely, the man who devastated her all those years ago. Yet why does her guileless heart still flutter at the sight of him?
Evander Eagleman lost his chance for true love, but now that he is an unattached widower, he is determined to win back Aphrodite’s trust—and her hand in marriage. But just as the couple make strides to mend old wounds, Evander’s true reason for rejecting Aphrodite threatens their coveted future . . . and even their lives.
Don’t miss any of J.J. McAvoy’s steamy DuBells series:
APHRODITE AND THE DUKE • VERITY AND THE FORBIDDEN SUITOR • HATHOR AND HER LOVER (coming in 2024!)
“McAvoy has crafted a lushly romantic tale with a real thread of danger in its pages and a swoony second-chance romance.”—Entertainment Weekly
Aphrodite Du Bell has always resented her name. While the members of the ton, and even the queen herself, praise her warm brown skin, perfect curls, and exquisite features, Aphrodite can’t help but think that living up to the literal goddess of beauty is asking a bit much. Her renowned loveliness certainly didn’t stop the love of her life from jilting her and marrying another woman four years ago.
When Aphrodite’s formidable mother summons her back to London to aid in her sister’s debut, she has no choice but to acquiesce. But Aphrodite is determined to ignore one man in particular: Evander Eagleman, the Duke of Everely, the man who devastated her all those years ago. Yet why does her guileless heart still flutter at the sight of him?
Evander Eagleman lost his chance for true love, but now that he is an unattached widower, he is determined to win back Aphrodite’s trust—and her hand in marriage. But just as the couple make strides to mend old wounds, Evander’s true reason for rejecting Aphrodite threatens their coveted future . . . and even their lives.
Don’t miss any of J.J. McAvoy’s steamy DuBells series:
APHRODITE AND THE DUKE • VERITY AND THE FORBIDDEN SUITOR • HATHOR AND HER LOVER (coming in 2024!)
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Community Reviews
Really 2.5 stars. It's been a while since I felt so meh after reading a book. I felt like Evander, the MMC, was very beige. Even with portions of the book from his point of view he just didn't stick out to me. Aphrodite was better and more compelling, but it just wasn't the book for me.
3.5 stars
A diverse historical romance with lots of angst!
I truly enjoyed this book, the writing is exactly what I love from JJ McAvoy. She writes such fierce female leads, and I was curious to how it would translate in a historical setting... I was not disappointed.
But there were moments, that I had a hard time connecting. Aphrodite is just way too naive at times, I keep reading that she is comparable to Daphney from Bridgerton (the show) but she is a bit older, she has had family members be married, and to just not know anything about sex was way too unbelievable.
Despite some inconsistencies with the historical aspects, with Black and Brown people existing in those times, I think this book was still really enjoyable.
I am invested enough to continue the series, I just hope some more of the setting and development evolves a bit.
A diverse historical romance with lots of angst!
I truly enjoyed this book, the writing is exactly what I love from JJ McAvoy. She writes such fierce female leads, and I was curious to how it would translate in a historical setting... I was not disappointed.
But there were moments, that I had a hard time connecting. Aphrodite is just way too naive at times, I keep reading that she is comparable to Daphney from Bridgerton (the show) but she is a bit older, she has had family members be married, and to just not know anything about sex was way too unbelievable.
Despite some inconsistencies with the historical aspects, with Black and Brown people existing in those times, I think this book was still really enjoyable.
I am invested enough to continue the series, I just hope some more of the setting and development evolves a bit.
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