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The Duke Brothers #1

The Moment That Changed Everything

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He needed a date for his cousin’s wedding before his family forced one on him.
No strings. One night.


Sawyer Duke hadn’t planned on it being her.

Birdie McAllister was Lyntacky’s Little Miss Sunshine. Unnaturally happy and living her best life, or so he’d always believed.

All that changed when he overheard a single conversation.

Now he knows her secret, and he’s making her pay for his silence by being his plus-one.

The only issue Sawyer could see with the arrangement was that she no longer just annoyed him. Now he wanted her too.

Of all the people she knew to find out her secret, it had to be him. Sawyer Duke, Lyntacky’s grumpiest man. Yes, they have a monthly poll for that!

Birdie was just barely keeping her head above water, working three jobs and trying to keep her family home. She didn’t need a Duke poking his nose into her business.
She’d go to the wedding to ensure he kept her secret, but then she was avoiding him.

But a night surrounded by loved up people loosened Sawyer’s tongue, and she realized her secrets were nothing compared to his.

Clearly, there was more under that rough exterior than he wanted people to see.

Lyntacky was like most small towns. It had its interfering locals and families who could trace their roots back hundreds of years. Where Lyntacky stood out from the rest was their love of Square Dancing and the Duke brothers. Both were trouble. Neither had plans for leaving.

332 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 7, 2023

707 people are currently reading
704 people want to read

About the author

Lani Blake

28 books117 followers

Lani Blake is a small town romance author, coffee addict and chocolate connoisseur (in that order). She's also known as Wendy Vella, a USA Today bestselling author of historical romances, a fact which still makes her head spin!
Lani's a sucker for an alpha hero with a heart of gold, who works HARD to deserve the women he falls in love with.
When she's not writing, reading or spending time with her family you'll find her walking the beach with her pup Tilly.

Connect with Lani in her Facebook reader group facebook.com/groups/lanisreaders or sign up for her reader newsletter at LaniBlake.com to get goodies, exclusive excerpts and behind-the-scenes peeks.










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5 stars
417 (49%)
4 stars
246 (29%)
3 stars
138 (16%)
2 stars
32 (3%)
1 star
11 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
Profile Image for Han.
128 reviews18 followers
August 21, 2023
Grumpy x Sunshine ✔️
Small Town ✔️
Opposites Attract ✔️
Brothers Friend ✔️
Family Oriented ✔️

Above are just a few tropes you’ll find within this wonderful story that HAS JUST BEEN PUBLISHED! Firstly, I just want to thank Lani Blake for contacting me in regards to an ARC for an honest review.

Rating: 4.5 ⭐️

I absolutely loved this story, I’m a sucker for a grumpy man and would happily take one in my heart any day, but sometimes there’s a limit to how grumpy one person can be. While I loved Sawyer, there were times where his bossiness was too much for me and border-lining disrespectful. An alpha male is good and all until he’s OTT. This is why it didn’t get five stars from me.

I love how once Birdie and Sawyer stopped denying their feelings, things fell into place nicely, and before then, I love how everyone was so protective of Birdie and yet honest with Sawyer! The way the Duke family acts towards one another warms my heart, it’s such a beautiful dynamic and honestly made the story for me.

THE PLOT TWIST WAS NOT SOMETHING I WAS EXPECTING, BUT DAMN GIRL, LOCK THE BITCH UP, SHE CRAY CRAY.

ANYWAY, please to read the book, you’ll love it and probably want to drop your pants for Sawyer Duke just as much as I do x
Profile Image for Sissy's Romance Book Review .
8,992 reviews16 followers
August 19, 2023
The Moment That Changed Everything Lani Blake is the First book in The Duke Brothers Series. This is the story of Sawyer Duke and Birdie McAllister. Sawyer is the known grump of the family. When he has to attend another family event he thinks to get a fake date via Birdie. Sawyer overheard something that gets him the chance to 'blackmail' Birdie into attending the event with him. But this ends up drawing them to get to known each other better. Loved it.

Profile Image for Emily.
526 reviews1 follower
February 4, 2025
This story went in repetitive circle. The pace moved slower than molasses on a cold winter day.
Profile Image for CealR.
51 reviews
August 20, 2023
Grumpy meets Sunshine is my absolute favourite trope! Probably because I live it hahaha! But the pseudo "meet cute" on this one just surpasses them all hahahaha! Also, I very much want a Maine coon now.

Lani Blake just has a beautiful hold on the small town dynamics that those of us who adore HEA most love. Quirky (on a whole other level!), full to the brim with characters, love and genuine care. A little adversity (cause you have to have something to overcome right?!) and a happy happy ending, which in this day and age, I appreciate knowing.

I'm not sure the "how" of getting a date to the wedding did our hero justice, but I enjoyed pretty well everything that followed. Our heroine is shouldering a significant burden in her family, and needed a self-esteem reframe. Our hero was (as all the best grumps are) a bit broken, a lot squishy inside, and terrible really at hiding it hahaha!

I enjoyed watching the growth of the heroine and hero, the tender strength of the matriarch of the Duke family and the dynamic of the siblings which will no doubt be central to the series, and the random conversational opportunities square dancing can provides - who knew!!

Lani Blake has hit it out of the park in envisioning the perfect compliment to her Ryker Falls and Lake Howling worlds, and I am absolutely here for the ride!!

PS. Soooooo looking forward to the bakery!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
79 reviews
August 29, 2023
What a great read it has all the classic ingredients of Lani Blake book in a great start to a new series. A quirky town with it’s own way of doing things filled with a variety of locals who embrace the unusual way of doing things there while having a strong sense of a community who look out for each other. At the heart of the book are Birdie and Sawyer two very different characters who shouldn’t work yet the grumpy Sawyer who has returned to town and work in family business with a secret and Birdie who was brought up by hippie parents are drawn together despite themselves, as in all her books there engaging characters, twists and turns, a strong sense of community, some drama and laughter along the way. A great start to a new series set in Lyntacky, a town with it’s own traditions including compulsory square dancing at random moments which everyone embraced. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Daisy Nijs.
1,014 reviews15 followers
August 20, 2023
This is the first book in the new series, and it started with a blast.
Sawyer needs a date to a wedding. But the conversation he heard Birdie having on the phone, is the perfect reason to make her his date. Oh the things he heard when she was having that conversation, I laughed so hard, I could really see it in front of me.
Where Sawyer is all grumpy, Birdie could not be more of the opposite, she is all sunshine, or at least that’s what she shows the world, no troubles, no worries.
From the moment Sawyer sees her with different eyes, he finally sees a woman he can share his life with. But nothing comes easy, both of them are carrying a lot of baggage…
This is the perfect series starter with links to the previous books. The attraction, connection, banter, emotions, it’s all there and made this a wonderful book.
89 reviews1 follower
August 26, 2023
A new series by Lani Blake and it also includes known characters from Ryker Falls. I love it how the different series are all connect with each other!

This start to the new series is a „town grump and town sunshine fall in love“. Birdie and Sawyer have known each other since they went to school, Sawyer went away, got his heart broken and came back as the town grump.
They meet again and start seeing each other with new eyes. Of course they have to face some difficulties before they realize/accept that they are in love and belong together.

I like the new characters and the quirky new town. Can’t wait for the next part of the series!
Profile Image for Marla Watson Michalak.
40 reviews2 followers
August 14, 2023
This is a great story about a grouchy guy and a happy lady. It takes you through their relationship and in the end finding each other. It is a good and interesting story that will make you laugh. I can’t wait to read the story of the other Duke brothers.

Thanks Lani Blake for giving me this ARC to read. I enjoyed it.
236 reviews2 followers
August 20, 2023
Reaction

I loved this story. The eternal grump pairing up with the sunshiny heroine. He has a crazy ex haunting him, and she has the weight of financial troubles. Everything seems to be secret until it isn't. One of my favorite authors is working her magic again .
Profile Image for April Neal.
473 reviews
August 24, 2023
Light and Darkness

Loved, loved, and loved this book. It's wonderful to get back to another small town, with all It's crazy inhabitants and wacky rules that come from the creative writings of Lani Blake. Birdie is so cute and sweet, so what does Sawyer want with her, and why can't he stop thinking about her. You will love reading about these two, as they struggle with who they are meant to be.
Profile Image for Karen.
235 reviews1 follower
October 6, 2023
A Moment in Time

Birdie and Sawyer, what a combination. A story full of angst, slow burning desire, and a dark secret.
Humour and seriousness combine with great interactions and dialogue.
Thoroughly enjoyed this story.
312 reviews4 followers
August 23, 2023
What a great story of opposites attraction. Sawyer is seen as a grouchy person and Birdie is a people pleaser. But outside appearances aren’t always as they seem. I was gifted this book as an arc. This is my honest review. I loved this story.
Profile Image for Kerrie Howard.
296 reviews5 followers
August 24, 2023
Good story

Humor, romance, a little suspense, great characters. All of that makes it a good book for me. Read it you'll like it!
336 reviews
April 9, 2025
Opposites attract.

This is a quirky funny story. Loved the characters and the dialogue is so funny and you will fall in love with them and the whole community.
Profile Image for Susan Mahon.
431 reviews
April 8, 2025
Wow

Wow! Great story of very opposite people who fall in love with each other with a crazy ex trying to burn and kill the competition.
Profile Image for Theresa.
144 reviews1 follower
April 2, 2025
So u have fun

Great story. I like the way it developed from the beginning. Birdie and Sawyer developed and got together. Some good drama mixed in with the sweetness. The story is just wonderful. Well written and well edited, two things very important to me. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Sabrina.
1,446 reviews120 followers
January 4, 2024
Lani Blake is the best when it comes to small town romances. You just want to live in one of these towns. Lake Howling and Ryker Falls, and now we have Lyntacky! And believe it or not, it is the quirkest of the towns. A place where if music plays in town tha means you have to stop what you are doing and line dance. Or else get thrown in the town jail for the day. Just ask Sawyer Duke. We’ve met the Dukes in the last Ryker Falls book and now we have a whole new cast of characters to discover. This story starts with Sawyer Duke and Birdie McAllister. The grumpy guy and the woman full of sunshine. You can’t describe them any better than that. Just ask every person in town. These two cross paths when Duke stumbles upon a very un-Birdie like job and he starts to see that he (and probably a lot of others) don’t know Birdie as well as they think. One thing leads to another and he is heling her (or blackmailing her) into coming with him to his cousin’s wedding to get his family off his back. That’s just the beginning of the story of these two when they realize their attraction to one another. But both carry some pretty heavy baggage and it will take a bit of time before either are ready to admit their feelings. As always, these stories are filled with hilarious moments and characters, romance, and a bit of action and plot twists to keep you on your toes! I’m looking forward to many more great stories from this town!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
262 reviews
March 28, 2025
Laughed out loud

I really enjoyed this book. Great characters And storyline That leaves you laughing out loud. It's a good Make you feel good book Looking forward to more of this series And from this author
4,819 reviews9 followers
September 1, 2025
brilliantly entertaining

Been in a bit of a book slump trying to find a book that was entertaining, characters swoon worthy and some humour. This book surpassed my expectations and it’s one I’ll keep on my kindle to reread it was that good. Miss sunshine and mr grump a relationship you’d think wouldn’t work but oh my goodness did they go about things the hard way. Absolutely loved it, well written and good storyline too,
111 reviews
March 23, 2025
Lani Blake writs a very good love story

I loved the characters, the closeness of the families and the bonds they shared. Sawyer and Birdie were a great couple. I look forward to reading more about this family
Profile Image for Felicia Seay.
517 reviews4 followers
March 14, 2025
A Great Story

This book is an amazing "Opposites Attract" love story. With fun and quirky characters, beautiful scenery descriptions and a bucket full of drama, two broken hearts mend together as one. This well written book is a highly recommended read for fans of Romance, Small Town Romance, Grumpy Sunshine Romance, Opposites Attract and Second Chance Romance stories. And don't forget to click the link at the end of the story to read the bonus epilogue, it's a wonderful addition that you won't want to miss.
Profile Image for Will Decker.
Author 23 books17 followers
March 16, 2025
I really enjoyed this story. The alpha male with a heart of gold and the little miss Muffit that brings out the real man inside. Great character development and lots of spice. This is a winner for romantics everywhere.
450 reviews2 followers
March 13, 2025
The Moment that changed Everything

I enjoyed reading this story about struggling yo find your self and your love. It was fast moving and easy to read. I think anyone that likes a good romance will like this book too.
Profile Image for Ruth.
682 reviews
October 10, 2024
2.5 Stars.

Birdie was a bit too pathetic for my taste. I like a strong FMC and she had never left her parents house. She was scared of everything and naive as they came. The girl had no money, no ambition, and no back bone to stand up to her parents.

I liked Sawyer, but didn't love him. This was just okay for me.
18 reviews
August 4, 2025
Light read

This book was a light read and I loved the charters. I could see the main charters and exactly how they looked and dressed. Written very well to show just how they should be together.
354 reviews
May 13, 2025
This delightful opposites attract romance introduces the reader to the Duke and McAllister families. The Dukes consist of four brothers, Sawyer, Beau, Ryder, Dan, sister Zoe, mom Robyn, and uncle Asher the Sheriff of their small town Lyntacky, Colorado where square dancing rules. The McAllisters consist of siblings Blue Jay, Finch, Lynx, Birdie and mom Meadow and dad Hamish. The Dukes are staples of Lyntacky while the McAllisters are a little more flightier with only Birdie and her parents left in the small town. This book begins with a hilarious scene of oldest Duke brother Sawyer, also the grumpiest of the family, walking into Birdie’s, the town’s sweetheart and sunshine, house to find her doing something rather risqué. And even though they’ve known each other their whole lives, with Birdie being Ryder’s friend, this is the first time Sawyer really sees Birdie and that’s a problem. With a family wedding coming up, Sawyer is under pressure from not only his family but the whole town to get a date, and finally under desperation he decides to use blackmail to convince Birdie to be his plus one. This trip is not setting off to a good start with two opposites one being blackmailed into the situation, the other fighting his attraction, one having seen the world, the other hardly been out of Lyntacky and a family and town that just love to be in everyone’s business especially the town’s grump, yet many know what’s hidden under his grumpiness.
I have to say I found myself laughing several times in this book especially the opening and the discussion over the baby blankets yet it also has it’s more dramatic moments as when Sawyer’s ex makes an appearance. I loved the brother’s and uncle interactions as well as the Motherly love given. The Dukes are differently an interesting group of men. Birdie’s family made the book a little lighter because of their antics and I felt this to be on the side of being original for the author. The book took me about 8 hours to read and yes, I had to put it down occasionally but I really did not want to. Lol…did I just hear the town mayor start the music! You’ve got to read this book to find out what that’s all about and if you enjoy small town antics, brother bonding and sweet, steamy romances with a little humor and a little drama you will not be disappointed.
1,636 reviews15 followers
August 15, 2023
Opposites attract? Well, they certainly did in this story. You can't help but fall in love with our h. She's full of sunshine and and can't stay mad at anyone. As the story progresses, she slowly learns to let go and enjoy herself. Like the H she had a bad experience with love and closes that part of herself off.

The H had a worse experience in that department and is known as being very grumpy. They both bring out in each other what is needed.

I romance wasn't rushed and we get to know the MC without hopping into bed right away. Yes, that does happen and often. By then you knew their strengths and weaknesses. I felt a connection to them too. Lovemaking outside of marriage heat level 5 out of 5. Some crude words and Lord's name used in vain a few times.

Their secrets are finally shared with each other and some surprised me. They both have many facets, which kept the pacing perfect.

Story is filled with quirky town people, intrigue, suspenseful at times, romance, HEA, no cheating, no cliffhanger, steam and some typos. You have to download an extended epilogue which signs you up for the author's newsletter. The extended epilogue is 15 years in the future and did have the age of the daughter incorrect.

I can't improve on the blurb, just giving you some extra tidbits to decide whether to purchase. I enjoy the stories this author writes whether it's under Lani Blake or Wendy Vella.

I received ARC and all opinions are my own and freely given. (ljb)
Profile Image for Penny Leidecker.
2,678 reviews26 followers
August 20, 2023
I just started reading this author’s books this year and I’m hooked. This is my favorite book of hers. Sawyer is perfect in all of his grumpiness and Birdie is perfect for him in all of her goodness. Sawyer returned to Lyntacky, Colorado broken, after a bad breakup and what happened in LA. Birdie is working three jobs to take care of her family and when Sawyer learns her secret, he blackmails her to go to his cousin’s wedding. Can’t have the town thinking bad about Little Miss Sunshine. What happens when they get to spend time together and they open up to each other. No spoilers, so grab your copy and get ready to fall in love with all the characters in this small town, especially Sawyer and Birdie. Be ready for some surprises along the way. I can’t wait to read more from this talented author.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary and honest review.
151 reviews
August 15, 2023
Well, Ms. Blake has done it again! She has created Lyntacky, a small town that is quirky, weird and just plain odd (but in a lovable way) in which to place her story along with a cast of characters that have their own secrets and foibles. The Duke brothers are a prominent family in this square dance obsessed town but most residents don’t have a clue about the Duke family’s biggest secrets. The eldest, Sawyer Duke, accidentally overheard a secret held by the town’s apparently happy go lucky Birdie McAllister. He uses that knowledge to coerce Birdie into accompanying him to a family wedding. But proximity and attraction force secrets to the surface, on both sides, leading to a lovely HEA. This book was provided by the author without any requirement for a review, positive or otherwise. All opinions are 100% my own.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews

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