He’s My Real Brother, Duke Novel Review

My Thoughts on He’s My Real Brother, Duke

"He's My Real Brother, Duke" certainly presents an intriguing premise: a reincarnation story blended with aristocracy, childcare, and a cold love interest. The synopsis alone had me eager to dive in, but my reading experience was a mixed bag. While I found some aspects enjoyable, there were also areas that left me wanting more.

First Impressions

Initially, I was drawn in by the potential of the plot. The idea of a protagonist navigating a world based on a novel she only partially read, while trying to avenge her parents, is compelling. However, I quickly found myself struggling with the writing style. It often felt disjointed, making it difficult to follow who was speaking and the timeline of events.

What Works Well

Despite the initial hurdles, there were elements that kept me reading. The slow-burn romance between the FL and ML was a definite highlight. I appreciated how their relationship developed gradually, built on trust and mutual effort rather than instant infatuation. The FL's schemes to gain the trust of those around her, from the maids to the ML himself, were also well-executed and entertaining. The intrigue surrounding the shapeshifter families and the political landscape added another layer of depth to the story, keeping me invested in unraveling the mysteries.

Areas of Concern

Unfortunately, the writing style remained a persistent issue for me. At times, it felt like I was reading a machine translation, with unclear dialogue and a tendency to "tell" rather than "show." This made it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story and connect with the characters. Additionally, some readers found the ML's possessiveness and controlling behavior off-putting, describing him as a "complete psychopath." While I didn't necessarily agree with that extreme assessment, I can see how his actions could be interpreted as problematic.

Final Verdict

Overall, "He's My Real Brother, Duke" is a story with a lot of potential that is unfortunately hampered by its execution. While I enjoyed the slow-burn romance, the intriguing plot, and the FL's scheming, the writing style and some character behaviors made it a challenging read. If you're willing to overlook these flaws, you might find something to enjoy, but proceed with caution.