Series: Desperately Seeking Duke, #1
Tropes & Traits: marriage of convenience; reformed rake
Genre/Setting: Historical; Regency; England
Publication Date: 06.30.20
Heat Level: 3.75/5
Rating: 5 stars
When their beloved father accepts a marriage offer for her sister, Cathy, Bianca Tate is appalled, especially given the fact that the groom, Maximillian St. James, is a notorious rake. Cathy is in love with another and Bianca rebelliously helps her sister elope, only to find herself taking Cathy’s place and obliged to marry St. James.
Max has relied on his own shrewdness and charm to survive, never knowing much permanency. When a wild chance of fate sees him second in line to a dukedom, Max finds himself the recipient of a healthy allowance. But this stroke of luck comes with conditions imposed by the dragonish Duchess of Carlyle, the most pressing of them being the need for respectability. Since the fastest way to being establishing that respectability is a perfectly respectable marriage, it doesn’t much matter to Max which of the Tate sisters he marries. Either way, he gets a stake in their family’s successful business and positive changes in his lifestyle to report to the duchess.
Bianca is determined to protect her family’s successful ceramics business and her role in it, no matter what. Despite Max’s apparent business acumen and the temptation he presents, Bianca is determined to keep him at bay. When Max takes note of the lovely, brilliant woman beneath the bluster, he’s determined to show Bianca all the love and devotion he’s developed for her, even if she never returns his sentiments.
This book was such a pleasant surprise. It took me awhile to get into it and to warm to the characters, especially Bianca, but it was well worth it. She and Max wound up being so lovely together and, despite its inauspicious beginnings, they had such a pure relationship by the end that it was a great read. This was a well-executed enemies to lovers trope with just a bit of intrigue to keep me turning pages and yet still light-hearted and perfect for my current mood. This was a promising start to a new series that I’ll definitely be keeping up with now.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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