Quincy (Rebellious Brides series) delivers a steamy Regency fraught with family discord as well as societal and racial prejudices. This gripping series starter ultimately triumphs with an honorable hero and a spirited Anglo-Arab heroine who fights for acceptance and love on her own terms.
Diana Quincy delivers a diverse, own voices historical romance that will leave readers clamoring for more ... We talk often of the need for non-white and non-Western points of view in historical romance, and Quincy offers a sparkling gem that straddles both of those, a firm reminder of how many women’s stories have been scrubbed from the pages of history ... The book suffers from an epilogue that will no doubt infuriate many readers ... Despite its missteps, Her Night with the Duke is a shimmering tale of a taboo connection turned empowerment narrative, as both Leela and Elliot must learn to claim the life they deserve, society be damned.
... an engaging read featuring a clever, spirited Anglo-Arabian heroine, although her much vaunted cleverness is inconsistent, and my disappointment in the characterisation of the hero ultimately kept it from a higher rating ... There’s one great thing in this story: Leela is a unique heroine who isn’t content to merely sit at home and live quietly as a dowager, instead forging ahead and living life as she sees fit ... Diana Quincy is a talented writer, and perhaps if the romance had been between Victoria and Hunt after he had slept with Leela, I might have found Her Night With the Duke more to my liking – mostly because Leela is a wonderful heroine and she deserved a better hero than the one she ends up stuck with. Regardless, the book is well-written and I look forward to Ms. Quincy’s next release.
Mutual pining is the driving force behind the sensual, unputdownable Regency romance that launches Quincy’s Clandestine Affairs series ... Elliot needs a respectable wife to restore his family’s reputation, while Delilah lives a life of far-flung travels that she has no plans of giving up. Their longing for but mutual avoidance of each other provides delicious torture throughout. Sexy, romantic, and unexpectedly contemporary in its approach, this is sure to win over readers with its spitfire heroine and humble hero.
Leela and Hunt’s amorous scenes are page-turners, but it’s Quincy’s extraordinary ability to convey complex emotions that sets the book apart. Quincy’s own background as a first-generation Arab American also allows her to bring indispensable detail to the story, which is enriched by details of Leela’s journey to learn about, and come to appreciate, her 'Levantine' heritage—a welcome addition to the overwhelmingly White ranks of Regency romance. An exciting start to a new Regency romance series which promises to highlight new voices from the era.
