Any Duchess Will Do by Tessa Dare | Audio Review

Series: Spindle Cove, #4
Traits & Tropes: age gap; class difference; meddling mother; titled hero; reformed rake; slow burn
Publication Date: 05.28.13
Genre/Setting: Historical; Regency; Sussex/London
Heat Level: 4
Rating: 4/5
Narration Rating: 4/5  


Griffin York, the Duke of Halford, is determined to never marry, but his mother intends to change that by abducting him, taking him to Spindle Cove, and insisting he pick a wife from one of the ladies there. An unamused Griff decides to teach her a lesson by selecting someone who will cease her machinations forever, the serving girl in the local pub.

Pauline Simms has very sensible dreams and they don’t include dukes, only books. She longs for an entire shop full of them and all her own. This unattainable dream becomes possible when the arrogant but attractive duke offers her an unbelievable sum for a mere week of playing companion to his mother and failing at her duchess training.

When they reach London, Pauline isn’t the spectacular failure they assumed she would be. She’s brave and beguiling and Griff can’t help but desire her and the way she soothes his restlessness. But keeping her is a near impossibility; even if high society might eventually accept her, convincing her to trust in his sincerity will be even more difficult.

I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical of this book at first and was not a fan of Griff’s mother for the first few chapters. She, of course, grew on me and I wound up loving the story, right up until the dreaded third act separation. I loved seeing the character and relationship development between Griff and Pauline as she helped him explore his emotional side and heal. Pauline also grew from their interactions and learned to value herself as more than just a serving girl. After all of this growth, that separation just didn’t seem necessary, at least for such a duration. Other than that, I loved Griff’s tendency to defend Pauline and rescue her; it gave me major swoony, knight in shining armor vibes. Griff struck just the right balance of brooding hero and protector, and Pauline’s verve and lack of aristocratic airs were just what he needed to heal and come out of his shell. He was ultimately a very good man beneath the rakish tarnish he’d cloaked himself with and it was nice to see him finally realize he could be more. Pauline refused to settle, and I absolutely loved her for it. I adored the emotional quality of this book, and the epilogue was also quite charming.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2532243119
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/1049350409




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