My Secret Duke

Romancing the Dukes #2

by Sara Bennett

A lady who must follow all the rules tangles with a duke who loves to break them.

Most ladies would be thrilled to receive a proposal from a handsome duke only weeks into their first season, but Olivia is not most ladies, and the circumstances are less than ideal. After a family scandal left their coffers empty and their reputation on the rocks, Olivia must marry someone rich with an impeccable pedigree. A man with shaky finances and a taste for risky adventures is exactly wrong for her, no matter how charming his smile.

Ivo Fitzsimmons, Duke of Northam, did not expect to find a wife. He planned to spend the season shoring up his smuggling enterprise and looking for new ways to keep his estate afloat. If meeting a lady like Olivia surprised him, that was nothing compared to refusing his proposal. She has feelings for him, he’s sure of it. Now he’ll spend the season proving he’s the only man for her—if only he doesn’t get arrested first.

Genres: Historical Romance

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 1, 2025

About the author

Sara Bennett writes with passion. She has been published by Avon HarperCollins in the USA, and also publishes independently. She recently wrote a series of Regency novellas about Second Chances called Mockingbird Square. The four novellas are Unforgettable, Enraptured, Surrender and Reckless. They're available at all eBook stores.

Currently she is writing a second series of Mockingbird Square. The first three novellas, Fascination, Seduction and Temptation are available, and Obsession is under way.

Sara also writes paranormal romance as Sara Mackenzie, steamy historical romance as Evie North, and Australian Women's Fiction as Kaye Dobbie.

Reviews

[Mama Needs to Read Romance]

DNF at 50%

There's a lot to love about this book. The characters are likable. Ivo and Olivia both have good hearts, and I was rooting for them to find one another from the very beginning. Speaking of the beginning, what a hook! We're treated to a very gripping opening scene: two MCs who should NOT feel anything for one another, facing off over a game of billiards that ramps up in intensity as their chemistry sizzles. We were off to the races and I was here for it!

Both of these characters have compelling backstories. The problem for me, however, is that each of these MCs comes with a LOT of side characters: family members, estranged family members, potential family members, all of whom are introduced to us, leaving me feeling like I needed to stop and take notes. At one point a prince is introduced to the plot. There are MANY people, all with things going on in their lives, and everything is simply touched on before going to the next person. I feel like Sara Bennett could make novels upon novels about these charming characters, and I would enjoy it! I like her writing! I just find that the love story is getting drowned out.

I'm really curious to see where this author goes. I would be first in line to see a novella, for example, for every one of these characters. I wish her all the best!

I'd like to thank Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Cordelia Dotson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Grateful to it for carrying me through the end of my backpacking trip but lorddddd. Thank you Krogers book aisle.

[Visionary Druid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olivia Ashton’s family is no stranger to scandal. Even she has weathered her own. Olivia wants to improve her family’s future by marrying a wealthy gentleman. She knows that Ivo Fitzsimmons is the wrong man for her. However, Olivia cannot seem to stay away from him or resist his reckless wagers. When their paths continue to cross, she finds her resolve wavering. Can Olivia make the ultimate sacrifice for her family’s sake? Or will she find herself enmeshed in another scandal?

Ivo Fitzsimmons, Duke of Northam, pretends to be an insouciant nobleman to hide his smuggling activities. He needs to marry an heiress to keep his dukedom afloat. Ivo accidentally involves Olivia in a scandal. When he tries to make things right between them, she rejects his proposal and distances herself. Ivo realizes that Olivia is the only woman for him. Can Ivo convince Olivia to take a chance with him? Or will his smuggling business destroy any possibility between them?

I like how Ivo and Olivia have much in common. They both have the heavy weight of their families’ livelihood on their shoulders. There were moments when Olivia really annoyed me. I understand her desire to better her sisters’ lives and offer them a brighter future. However, even when her sisters absolved her from that, Olivia still believed she had to sacrifice herself for them.
Ivo pleasantly surprised me. At first, he is carefree and devil-may-care, accepting any wager or dare. However, Ivo starts to change after his and Olivia’s scandal. Her harsh words cause him to self-reflect and become aware of his flaws.

SERIES: Yes, the second book in Sara Bennett’s historical romance series ROMANCING THE DUKES. I recommend starting with DREAMING OF A DUKE LIKE YOU before starting this one. MY SECRET DUKE can stand alone. DDLY introduces the Ashton family along with touching on their dire circumstances. Gabriel and Vivienne, the couple from the first book, do play a supporting role in the story. It is good to see how their relationship progresses.

I do have a few nitpicks. Justina and Charles and Annette and Harold. I had hoped that both couples would eventually have their own books – there was potential there. Sadly, that does not seem to be the case. Their romances take place in the background. That realization is what dampened my enjoyment of the book.

[Tracy Emro · Rating 2 out of 5]

After weathering the scandal caused by learning that her father was not legally married to her mother, and that the new Duke of Grantham was a gambling hell owner, Olivia Ashton is determined to curb her wild ways and find a respectable man to man. But when she is caught with Ivo Fitzsimmons, the Duke of Northam, she once more finds herself the subject of gossip. She is attracted to Ivo, but he is not in a position to help her family restore their standing in society or replenish their coffers, so when he proposes, she refuses and returns to the country to ride out the scandal. She needs to forget out Ivo and find another man to marry – too bad her heart is set on the roguish Duke.

Ivo Fitzsimmons, the Duke of Northam is in no position to marry, his estate is in debt and his main source of income is derived from smuggling, so he should be overjoyed that Olivia turned him down. But her biting words and accusations have only made him want her more and to win her, things are going to have to change. But changing is easier said than done, especially when his past comes calling and new secrets and scandals will make winning his heart’s desire.

This is a well written story with likable characters, but sadly this book just didn’t work for me. Olivia is illegitimate thanks to her father’s bigamy – but for some reason the author acts like this is no big deal and even continues to address her as if she has an honorific and that she would be welcomed by the ton. Then she is found in a compromising situation – but isn’t ruined, in fact, she has several titled suitors – including a prince vying for her hand – a penniless, illegitimate daughter of a duke with several scandals in her past – I don’t think so. I just couldn’t get past this – it is absurd and unbelievable. I am sure there are readers who won’t care about these things, but for me they ruin the story for me. I didn’t really care for the first book but wanted to believe that it was just a fluke, as I have read and enjoyed other books by this author, but I think I am done with this series.

2, maybe 2.5 stars

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

[Winnifred D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tropes: friends to lovers; brother's friend; scandalous family
Steam level: 3
2nd book in the series, ok as a standalone, but probably best to read the 1st book to get more background on secondary characters.

This is a solid 4 starrer for me. The wrting style is strong, as usual for this author. The MC's are likable and MMC, Ivo has a notable character arc. MFC Olivia is more static (her sister Roberta was actually the one who held my attention) but she has some chances to show her mettle.

Secondary characters are fine, although at times the youngest sisters are a distraction and Olivia's brother, Gabriel, who was the MMC of the last book, tended to annoy me. He plays the high-handed older brother too often, while he already rebelled and got his HEA in the last book. I found the baddies intriguing and wished they'd had additional chances to cause trouble for Ivo and his friends and family.

There are basically two subplots, one involving Ivo's background as a smuggler and the other involving Olivia's social/family pressure to marry well and relegate herself to being a martyr. The smuggling storyline is more interesting and creates more tension; I wish the middle chapters had a touch of the action and suspense that are in the last few chapters.

My only other caveat is that the MC's relationship feels too rushed at the beginning. I wanted a build up to their scandal with more showing and less telling.

Bottom line: satisfying overall.

I read an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my honest, voluntary review. Thanks to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for this opportunity.

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second in the Romancing the Duke’s series and begins almost immediately where the previous book ends. There is enough recapping that this can be read as a stand alone novel. The first book covers Gabriel’s romance with Vivienne. The story now turns to his six half sister’s. Unlike many historical romances, this Duke is not well off financially and is still proving himself to the ton. Oldest sister Olivia has already made some missteps in her first season and has caught the attention of Ivo Fitzsimmons, Duke of Northam. But she resists his advances as she needs someone with money and standing to help her sister’s to be able to wed well. There is a lot of maneuvering from Olivia’s grandmother, the dowager Duchess.

This and the previous book are the only ones I have read from the author. She seems to enjoy having several characters and backstories for their connections. Olivia feels the pressure more than her younger sister’s to try and fit in with society. And although Olivia and Ivo are the stars there is more than one romance in this story. Bennett writes very traditional historical romances. There isn’t the feminist heroine or modernisms lurking in the pages. And part of the pleasure is following multiple people and relationships through the books. It reminded me of Bridgerton in that regard. And now I am more familiar with the author. I know what to expect. I liked the first novel, and I enjoyed this one even more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the digital copy and I am leaving an honest review. (3.5 Stars)

[Mindy B (reader_of_the_lost_arcs) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ivo has asked Olivia to marry him and been turned down because she believes she needs someone richer and more reputable. They have a history of daring each other to do sometimes wacky things.

This is the second book in the series and I think I would've understood the storyline and many characters better if I had read the first book. The good news was once I got halfway through, I was caught up with everything and started to enjoy the story more.

“Ivo?” He looked down. Her eyes were still closed, long, dark lashes resting against her pale cheek. “Yes, sweetheart?” She smiled, the corners of her lips turning up. “I like it when you call me that,” she whispered. “I’ve never been anybody’s sweetheart.” That gave him a sharp pain in his heart, to think she had not been valued as she ought. He remembered how she had spoken about her childhood, the awfulness of it, and he swore to himself that if he won her, he would do everything in his power to make her life with him better. “I will call you sweetheart forever now,” he said, his voice rough with emotion.

Thank you to Forever for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

[Pam Bereznak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sara Bennett is a pretty new author for me. This is my 6th book by her. It's weird that I hadn't read her until recently since she's been writing since 2002 and has 20 books or so out but I had never heard of her. The book cover for Dalliance with the Duchess series is what caught my eye. I researched her, as I do every new author to make sure they are my genre and they have sex in their books and she fit the bill. I really have been enjoying her writing.

I liked Olivia and Ivo. I had to go back to the book description for "Dreaming of Duke Like You" which is book 1 in this series. It was Gabriel stories but I didn't really remember it since it was almost 300 books ago. Based on how much all the minor characters are written in this story, I'm sure Ivo and Olivia were in that book as well, I just didn't remember them. I did think Sara wrote a bit steamier book though. I mean there was sex a few times but it was just a few paragraphs of details. It was still a good read. I liked the suspenseful storyline. I really liked all the family members and their interactions. Overall good read.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Secret Duke is the second book in the Romancing the Dukes series. This is a stand-alone read.

Olivia is drawn to Ivo Fitzsimmons, the Duke of Northam. But after all the family has been through her grandmother is pressing her to marry a prince to redeem and save the family. Olivia wants to do the do what is best for the family despite wanting to be with Ivo.

Ivo Fitzsimmons, Duke of Northam, never planned on finding a bride, but Olivia is e everything he could want. His past is less than stellar, being a smuggler he has little to offer a woman, let alone Olivia. But she will find herself in danger from an enemy of Ivo's. Will he be able to save her and improve his reputation at the same time.

This was a fun story. There are plenty of characters to set up for future books in the series. With the men and their less than upstanding reputations, it should lead to more fun and entertaining dramas.

I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.

[Lisa H · Rating 4 out of 5]

He needs to grow up...

Ivo is a broke duke, smuggling and quite careless with Olivia, an illegitimate daughter of a duke. She's trying to make a good impression on the ton due to her questionable birth status. So when she turns down Ivo, as she is the more mature of these two risk takers, he reacts very immaturely. Ivo needs to grow up and be both a man and a duke, neither of which he has any intention of doing so, even though Olivia suggests that he does so.

[Lyn D Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second book in the Romancing the Duke's series was a captivating and well written friends to lovers historical romance. This story has so much drama, wit, humor, intrigue, family scandal, smuggling, plots of revenge, and so many intense emotional issues and twists that were very entertaining. The characters were delightful. I enjoyed how romance found its way to so many and how strong family bonds meant. I highly recommend reading!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia turns down a proposal from her best friend Ivo because she needs to marry money. When scandal follows her and her family, she starts to rethink her decision. Ivo has scandal and money troubles as well but is determined to convince Olivia to marry him. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Forever for my honest review.

[Sven · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book did not work for me. The h is illegitimate, poor and is compromised, but yet rejects a proposal since the hero is not rich, so add shallow and stupid to her character. The whole book was off, it just ignored the reality of the historical time. The writing was also meh.

Not going to continue this series.

#netgalley #MySecretDuke

[SelinaW · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting original storyline. Both MMCs are vivid and well written personages. I enjoyed Olivia’s character as she was a likable FMC. I wish I would have read the 1st book in the series as I think some references and detours would be more clear. I would certainly read this author again.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ivo and Olivia were friends that fell in love. I enjoyed the their love story that allowed them to conquer many obstacles and still remain committed to the other person. He falls first and is not afraid to show his emotions.