Publication Date: 22nd April 2024
Genre: Historical Romance (Regency)
Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/ADukeofOnesOwnsocial
Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204364154-a-duke-of-one-s-own
3.2 stars
One Liner: Lighthearted and steamy (but clunky
too)
Book Blurb:
Summer, 1816. A notorious rebel is about
to meet her match...
Lady Georgiana Pendlebury is no stranger to breaking
the rules of polite society. But when a so-called ‘friend’ invites her to a
clandestine party, Georgiana is shocked to discover the event is more
scandalous than even she could have imagined. So when a mysterious stranger
offers help, she accepts, not realizing their encounter will turn her life
upside down.
Later that summer, Georgiana is invited to attend a
house party at an infamous castle in Yorkshire. The gathering is a loosely
veiled effort to arrange a marriage for the Duke of Northriding, who
desperately needs an heir. Duke Gabriel Mauleverer has a terrible reputation as
a rake, and Georgiana is happy to be a guest purely for entertainment, but upon
arrival, she is shocked to discover that the Duke is none other than the
stranger who rescued her weeks earlier.
As the other ladies vie for the Duke’s attention,
Georgiana is desperate to avoid their shocking secret getting out. But she
finds herself caught, unable to avoid Gabriel’s gaze. Are they a threat to each
other? Or could they be the answer to each other’s greatest desires?
My Thoughts:
The story comes in the third-person POV of Georgiana (more) and Gabriel.
Firstly, why is this not marked as a series? Turns
out, The Runaway Heiress is the first book of the series.
This is the second. What the Lady Wants will be the third. While it works
as a standalone, I couldn’t see the need for some details until I realized it
was a part of a series. Then, it made sense.
Georgiana is a contradiction. Some elements make her appealing. But she can also get on your nerves. Gabriel is relatively better, though I wouldn’t have minded a bit more depth.
Note that the book is very much a light read. I
liked this aspect. The bits and pieces of humor elevate the story, especially
when Georgiana rambles on.
I also like that the characters communicate even if
they talk in circles. There is still some presumption, but no unwanted drama.
They can sit and talk, which is a plus. It’s okay if what they say doesn’t
always make sense to the other person. The important aspect is that they are
willing to share it.
There’s no third-act breakup, another plus. Of
course, there is some drama and attempts to cause a rift between the couple,
but it is handled the way it should be. I like that it serves as a basis for
another plot development.
There’s an unwanted chapter towards the end, which
could have been shortened to a couple of paragraphs. Once the reader the end,
they don’t want more fluff. They just need a nice rounded ending with an
epilogue. We have an epilogue, but I could have done without the gossip and
rumor chapter.
The book is promoted as a steamy romance, and it is.
I’d put it around 3.5ish steam. Think of Lisa Kleypas or Stephanie Laurens
(though Laurens would be min 4). Never mind that the author calls Georgette
Heyer her inspiration.
To summarize, A Duke of One’s Own is an enjoyable
read with a stronger second half. It would have been a 4-star with some of the
clunks toned down. Still, I cannot deny that I was entertained by the book and
am willing to read more from the author.
Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood
Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about
the book.
***
Author Bio – Emma Orchard
Emma Orchard is the author of several well-reviewed
Regency romance novels published by Allison & Busby. In her other life, she
is a literary agent. Her first book with Boldwood is a raunchy romp set in
Regency London.
Find the Author Here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555554601035
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EmmaOrchardB
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmaorchardbooks/
***
This has been a stop on the #DukeOfOnesOwn blog tour
conducted by Rachel's Random Resources. (@rararesources)
Thanks for stopping by!
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