Series: The Byronic Book Club, #1
Traits & Tropes: widower; single dad; titled hero; bluestocking heroine; engagement of convenience; compromised
Publication Date: 06.28.22
Genre/Setting: Historical; Victorian; London, England, 1858
Heat Level: 5
Rating: 4/5
Narration Rating: 3/5
Artemis Jones has made a career for herself as a teacher at a ladies’ finishing school, but in the evenings, she indulges her true passion: writing gothic romance novels under a carefully guarded pseudonym. Her true dream is to one day open a ladies’ college, focused on true academics more than societal graces and manners. She has been saving the money from her teaching salary, but it's not so large that it's enough to keep her in her position when her dear friend asks her to come to London and support her through her first Season. Artemis reasons that this could be an opportunity for her to find a wealthy patroness to start her school. She just has to resist her aunt’s strong-armed attempts to see her married off.
Dominic Winters, the Duke of Dartmoor, hasn’t taken much interest in the social whirl since his wife died over eight years ago. But now he is starting to realize that he really does need a wife to help him with his unruly fifteen-year-old daughter. Unfortunately, due to the circumstances of his wife’s death, and the vitriol spewed by her brother, Society refers to Dominic as “The Dastardly Duke” and rumors abound that his wife was mad and that she died at his hand, leaving him with few choices. But when he meets fiery, outspoken Artemis Jones, Dominic realizes the unconventional bluestocking might suit him in every way.
For me this entire book was like a love letter to the gothic romances of old, full of frothy, flowery language and elaborate descriptions that were enhanced even further by the narration. Granted, some of the narrator’s fairly frequent mispronunciations and high-pitched, youthful voice were a little annoying, but she did a good job of nailing the generally dramatic bent of the story. Artemis did frustrate me a bit for a good chunk of the story with how closed-off and standoffish she was with Dominic while he kept giving her little bits and pieces of him. However, on the flip side of that, I liked that this dynamic allowed us to see Dominic being incredibly human and vulnerable. In much of his life, he is the formidable duke, so it was nice to also see him struggling with his feelings and fearing being hurt. It was even better when Artemis realized her feelings were genuine and put him out of his misery, but the set up here allowed for a gradual development of the relationship between Artemis and Dominic as well as growth for both of them as individuals. I liked that they both became so protective of one another and learned where their true priorities in life lay, those being family and relationships rather than allowing themselves to be governed by fear of gossip or societal limitations. I was glad to see the villain get his comeuppance and I’m interested to see where this new series is going next.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book and its audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/932847411
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4296844683
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