Ten Things I Hate About the Duke

Really enjoyed this, but I think I would've benefited from at least skimming the first book in the series before starting this one - I read it, but it was right when it came out a couple of years ago, and this one starts right after the events of that book, so it took me a second to get back up to speed and remember who everyone was. The blurb says this is a retelling of Taming of the Shrew, and ... it sort of is, but not really? There's an outspoken woman and someone who wants to court her younger, less combative sister, but there's no taming to speak of (and no payments or anything like in Ten Things I Hate About You). There's growth and change on both sides here, but most of the journey is the duke realizing what a jerk/asshole/etc he's been (and that he has a problem with alcohol) and deciding to finally grow the hell up. I wasn't a real fan of him in the beginning - he doesn't come off well in the first book and his stupid prank almost gets someone killed at first, but I thought the character development was done well and believably. Cassandra and Hyacinth are delights from the beginning, as is their mother. I thought the villain's motive was a little undercooked, but I didn't really mind, since the resolution is done so well. I don't think it'll happen in this series, but I'm gonna need Hyacinth to get a book of her own at some point as well.