Series: Once Upon a Dukedom, #2
Traits & Tropes: forced proximity; pining; caregiving; titled hero; class difference; working heroine; matchmaking
Publication Date: 09.28.21
Genre/Setting: Historical; Victorian; London, England; Scotland, 1874
Heat Level: 4
Rating: 5 stars
Hugh Brinsley-Norton, the Duke of Kingsland, can no longer put off his need to marry, but his focus has long been on restoring the dukedom his father ruined and he has no time for frivolous courtship. He does the expedient thing and places an ad asking ladies of high society to write a letter extolling the reasons they should be his duchess and places his secretary in charge of making the selection.
Penelope Pettypeace can’t conceive of a more awful undertaking than selecting a bride for the man she loves. Still, her employer is a good man, even if he is clueless, and she’s determined to find someone who will appreciate him.
When an anonymous note threatens to reveal disastrous secrets, King confronts the situation with Penelope in tow. Soon he realizes he wants her by his side and no one else, and he’s willing to risk everything he’s built to keep her with him as he slowly realizes his perfect match has been right beneath his nose all along.
I was so unsure of this book at first because I thought we might be heading for some other woman drama that I would want no part of, but I’m happy to say that didn’t really happen here. I’m not sure I’ve ever read a heroine who pined for her hero while also being so strong, independent, and efficient and I couldn’t help but like her for it. Hugh, I wanted to shake for being so oblivious and yet he was still very charming in his own oblivious way. Both Hugh and Penelope had secrets they wanted to keep hidden but I loved that they were able to confide in and rely on each other. I’m still not really sure exactly when Hugh stopped seeing Penelope as just a secretary and began appreciating her as a woman and developing feelings for her, but that inexplicability never really bothered me. Hugh’s gradual self-realization made for an interesting read and the need to know their secrets kept me turning pages after my bedtime. I was rooting for these two and I really wound up loving their story, especially as it features one of the best grand romantic gestures I’ve ever read. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/376301665
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3769883293
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