A Duke of One’s Own by Emma Orchard - Book Review - Blog Tour

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.

The premise is interesting. The book starts great. However, the narrative is weighed down by some fluff and continues to be slow throughout. Lighthearted reads aren’t supposed to be this slow! 

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!