Cherish and the Duke

The Silver Dukes #1

by Meara Platt

Sometimes, the best-laid plans go awry in the best way.

Gawain Burton, the Duke of Bromleigh, is a Silver Duke, and everyone in the ton knows these exceptionally handsome forty-something men with some gray salted in their hair have no intention of ever marrying. However, carrying on the Bromleigh title is important, and Gawain is determined to find a proper wife for his nephew and heir. To that end, he attends a house party at the country estate of his cousin, Lady Shoreham, who claims to have found his nephew the perfect wife. Gawain heartily agrees with her choice, for Lady Cherish Northam is intelligent, soft-spoken, has a lovely sense of humor, and is beautiful. Her hair is the color of molten honey and her eyes are a dark brandy brown. The only problem is that she is shy, and Gawain must help her overcome that shyness and put herself forward so that his nephew notices her. Gawain certainly has noticed her…and, dear heaven, she seems to be noticing him. Will his heart allow him to give up Cherish?

Lady Cherish Northam’s life has taken a turn for the worse after the death of her parents. She finds herself reduced to little more than a servant in what was once her own household. Her uncle, the new Earl of Northam, is a toad who means to keep her on as unpaid help. So when her friend and neighbor, Lady Shoreham, invites her to her house party, Cherish leaps at the chance. She needs to marry to claim the trust fund inheritance her father left in the control of her uncle, but what seems a simple decision becomes quite complicated when she falls in love with Gawain. He is a Silver Duke and everyone knows these gorgeous-as-sin dukes do not marry. Can she harden her heart and marry his nephew? She doesn’t think so. But what choice does she have? Unless… Can she possibly win Gawain’s heart?

Cherish and the Duke is a lighthearted Regency historical romance, the first in the Silver Duke series. Enjoy the read as these heroes who seem to have it all find the one thing that has eluded them throughout their lives…love.

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The Silver Dukes
Book 1 - Cherish and the Duke
Book 2 - Moonlight and the Duke
Book 3 - Two Nights with the Duke

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Regency, Adult

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 8, 2024

About the author

Meara Platt is happily married to her Russell Crowe look-alike husband, and they have two terrific children. She lives in one of the many great towns on Long Island, New York, and loves it, except for the traffic. She has traveled extensively, occasionally lectures and finds time to write. Her favorite place in all the world is England’s Lake District, which may not come as a surprise since many of her stories are set in that idyllic landscape, including her Romance Writers of America Golden Heart award winning story.

Reviews

[🐝 Shaz 🐝 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fiona invited her cousin the Duke of Bromleigh to her House Party. He has come with a plan to get his younger nephew a bride.
Unbeknown to him his cousin has brought him to the party to be matchmaker between him and her best friend Cherish.
This is a humorous story, with nice characters and also villains in the mix.
This is the first book in the Silver Duke’s series, and a good start to the series 4.5 stars 🌟

[🦉Maggie Whitworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋

I loved this, The Silver Dukes are going to be a must series for me as was The Book of Love.

Gawain had my heart from the beginning, a mature man , slightly Greying, just wants the best for his family.
I’m Sold!
Cherish in sweet but feisty, I love her character and once she gets the opportunity she goes for it, no holds barred.
Her uncle and Lady Katie, well let’s just say they’re the sort of people who would deserve each other.

The whole storyline, set at a house party, was excellent, lots of different characters and personalities but blended so well.
Excellent writing by Meara.

I loved this book, can’t wait to see what the other Silver Dukes do in their books.

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gawain Burton, the Duke of Bromleigh, is one of the Silver Dukes, and everyone in the ton knows these exceptionally handsome forty-something men with some silvering in their hair have no intention of ever marrying. However, carrying on the Bromleigh title is important, and Gawain is determined to find a proper wife for Reggie, his nephew and heir. To that end, he attends a house party at the country estate of his cousin Fiona, Lady Shoreham, who claims to have found his nephew the perfect wife. Gawain heartily agrees with her choice, for Lady Cherish Northam is intelligent, soft-spoken, has a lovely sense of humour, and is beautiful. Lady Cherish Northam’s life has taken a turn for the worse after the death of her parents. She finds herself reduced to little more than a servant in what was once her own household. So when Fiona, her friend and neighbour invites her to her house party, Cherish leaps at the chance.
The first in a new series & I loved it that older, mature characters are the focus. I loved both Gawain & Cherish who were perfect for each other & the chemistry between them sizzled, I also loved that they actually talked & on the whole were honest with each other. I also liked the secondary romance. There were a couple of villains who tried to put a spanner in the works but each was dealt with & their motives were revealed. I just about loved everything about the book & read it straight through
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

[Lori Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first time reading this author, and I've already started the 2nd book in the Silver Duke series. Meara Platt is now on my list of "to read!" historical romance authors.

[Steph · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not a good book. The plot had potential but the writing needed a good editor. It was mostly dialogue, which generally I prefer, but this was to the point where this go over a page without any descriptions or actions, just dialogue. It felt like the characters were blathering on and rushing to speak, never pausing in their thoughts. The end was a rush of drama that has to be nearly tied up and it was done so too predictably and forced. The pacing was terrible. I forced myself to finish the book just so I could be accurate in my review. The last couple chapters I skimmed just to get through and honestly I didn't need to read deeply. I've read Meara Platt before and enjoyed it but this one makes me reconsider if I have her other books too much credit.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An age gap historical romance! She’s 25 and he’s 40.

Cherish and the Duke is the first installment in the Silver Dukes trilogy. Gawain Burton, the Duke of Bromleigh, is a Silver Duke, and the ton knows Silver Dukes are noncommittal and unattainable. But his immature, fun nephew needs to. And who is the perfect woman to set him up with? Smart, kind, dependable, and shy Lady Cherish. But as Gawain helps Cherish become more extroverted so his nephew notices her, Gawain can’t help but notice her too. And she has noticed him back… even if he is older. No, there’s no way. Will his heart let Cherish go?

What to expect:
🩶 15 year age gap
🩶 third person pov
🩶 forced proximity
🩶 matchmaking
🩶 on kindle unlimited
🩶 252 pages

3.5⭐️ I had an okay time while reading, but I wouldn’t shelve this under my favorite historical romances. This was light and adorable. I really liked Gawain and Cherish. Gawain was honest, sweet, protective, possessive, progressive, and gentle with Cherish. A MAN. And Cherish was intelligent, sweet, and genuine. This was my first age gap historical romance, and it did not disappoint. I giggled at some parts. The writing and dialogue was incredibly well written, but it was a bit repetitive at times that I got bored. The spice was underwhelming, imo.

Spice level: 1

[Cassandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book just was not for me. I tried very hard to keep pay attention but I could not. When I started the book back up after starting it Saturday night i was SHOCKED i was at only 30 % it felt like I had been reading the book for hours. It had too much of stuff I didn't care for i think it kind of felt like she isn't like other girls, and when he was talking about how he would never wrong a woman of good standing essentially it was just such an ick, the other woman drama just all lead to my dislike.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

This house party isn't just a house party, it's the opportunity for Lady Shoreham to play matchmaker. Her target is one of the Silver Dukes, Gawain, Duke of Bromleigh, to match with her friend, Lady Cherish Northam. He is resistant, but attracted to Cherish. She is already in love with Gawain, but feels any connection is hopeless. Her honesty, trust and sweetness is hard for him to resist. One duke down two more to go. A steady pace with humor. Very mild descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

[herdys · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for friends to lovers. So even if Mears Platt uses a recycled formula for most of these series, I will read it. It's fluflly and I need that now. So while a little insta, it was angst free and the characters are likable. I laugh a little at the silver Duke thing but I will accept it as an excuse for our heroes to fall in love with lovely ladies.

[AmazingJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wonderful start to the Series.

I enjoyed reading this delightful story.

Cherish & Gawain were wonderful characters.

I am looking forward to reading Eden & Connor's story in the next book in this series.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

A little bit twee but enjoyable.

[airwick · Rating 1 out of 5]

1. A "Silver Duke" Who’s Done with Love… Until Her

Gawain Burton is forty, fiercely handsome, and famously unmarried—a Silver Duke who’s vowed never to wed. But when he’s tasked with matchmaking his nephew, he’s utterly unprepared for Cherish, the woman who makes him question everything.

🍯 2. A Shy Heroine with a Secret Fire

Cherish isn’t just soft-spoken and honey-haired—she’s a diamond in the rough, crushed by her uncle’s cruelty but far from broken.

💔 3. Forbidden Love with a Side of Matchmaking

Gawain should be pushing Cherish toward his nephew… but every glance, every accidental touch, burns with want.

🏰 4. A House Party Full of Scheming & Scandal

From meddling cousins to whispered library confessions, the setting drips with Regency charm and simmering tension.

🔥 5. "We Can’t… But What If We Did?" Angst

Their chemistry isn’t just improper—it’s downright treasonous for a Silver Duke.

[travelbug74 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pros: Engaging, fleshed-out characters, no miscommunication between MC's, some humor

Cons: An historical romance author who does not know primogeniture. No, a titled gentleman's sisters son can't be your heir!!!!, the 2nd half of the book felt disjointed and rushed

The lack of historical knowledge dropped this from a solid 3 to a 2.

I received an eARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

[yueting ♡ · Rating 1 out of 5]

﹙ one-point-five stars ﹚

something about the writing was off to me - too simplistic and straightforward and just a tad bit farcical. it's a shame bc the premise and the characters weren't half bad, but the way they were executed just wasn't for me.

rating update: once again i was blinded by such a good premise but upon further annoyance this deserves a lower rating

[Yajaira Diaz · Rating 2 out of 5]

boring

This was was so boring it only caught my attention one time and that was when the uncle showed up…that was actually quite caotic but entertaining! I felt this book was repetitive and had no clear direction. The first kiss was at 70% really?? I needed something to hold me captive by 30% a least! Will not continue with the series nor the author.

[Nikki · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unnecessarily Repetitive

Silver Duke is mentioned 52 times in this book. That is absolutely absurd and I have no desire to finish the series. I love Meara Platt but she dropped the ball with this one.

[Rod · Rating 3 out of 5]

A steamy story. A lady, daughter of an Earl, whose parents have died is oppressed by her uncle who succeeds the title, and is surprised her father did not leave her a larger legacy. She meets a ‘silver duke’ aka an older person at a neighbours house party, where the hostess is match making to try and save the lady.
I am immediately put on guard when a leading character has an unusual or non period names such as here where our heroine is called Cherish. However, the story was readable and not too bad. I was a little bemused as to why Cherish had not had suitors and already married rather than a spinster. She is apparently attractive, good figure, has a good dowery, is the daughter of an Earl. So why no suitors? Although she has been a little sheltered , a little odd.
How to describe the story? I am not too sure. As I said readable, but maybe a little ‘monotone’. It seemed to lack some excitement or intrigue. A Duke who has sworn off marriage. We have the classic overbearing, nefarious and controlling uncle being immediately put to rout by the Duke who swears to investigate anomalies in the execution of the Will. I am not sure what said uncle thought he would achieve by absconding after wrecking the Hall. If he knew he would be caught why compound it?
Then again classically enter the former betrothed/lover of the Duke, who is very brazen. Given the hostess is very strong willed I am sure she would have made her leave almost immediately, especially when she ensconced herself naked in the Duke’s bed. That would be scandalous/ gossip worthy to the ton, and any self respecting hostess would demand she leave immediately. Not stay and then deliberately run down Cherish with a horse. A second act that would cause a strong hostess to demand she leave, and again more scandal/gossip for said former lover.
To summarise, the story is readable but did not grab me. Dilemma, is 3 or 4 star. After much deliberation I think sadly 3.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cherish and the Duke by Meara Platt is a new series and will feature the three Silver Dukes: dukes who are a little older (40ish) and remain unmarried. They are the target for every debutante and her mother looking for a title. They are not interested, for various reasons. Gawain, Duke of Bromleigh, has arrived two days into the house party being thrown by his cousin Fiona. His expressed purpose is to find a wife for his nephew, Reggie. The lad needs someone to help settle him and Fiona had been writing to him about her neighbor, Cherish, who is an example of perfect womanhood, apparently. She certainly is beautiful. That’s for certain. But Reggie is up to his old tricks spending much of his time with his reprobate friends and drinking too much. That all stops when Fiona shares her plan with him. She wants the duke for Cherish, not Reggie, but they will have to proceed carefully and quietly.

As usual, this book is fun. There are some serious times as well, and problems, but mostly it is watching Fiona’s plan come to fruition. There are pegs thrown into the wheels as Lady Albin, his love from Gawain’s youth appears, and seems determined that she will be the duchess. Then there is Cherish’s uncle and aunt who are doing their best to rob her blind. The fault lying with her father who trusted them, as well as his solicitor and is man of business. Lady Albin recognizes Cherish is competition before anyone else does and acts to eliminate her. It was a fun story all the way around. Excellent characters, and an interesting plot. Thanks, Meara Platt!

I was invited to read Cherish and the Duke by Dragonblade. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #MearaPlatt #CherishAndTheDuke

[Nazmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cherish and the Duke is the first in Meara Platt’s Silver Dukes series. It follows three ‘Silver Dukes’ – a group of friends in their early forties who are unmarried and have signalled that they are not interested in the institution. Of course, this makes them all the more sought after by the marriage minded debutantes and their mothers. Gawain, Duke of Bromleigh, has been called to a house party hosted by his cousin Fiona. He has been tasked with finding a bride for his nephew and heir Reggie. Lady Cherish Northam seems the perfect candidate. She is intelligent and beautiful but shy and among the wallflowers. Gawain is determined that she is perfect for Reggie but the more time he spends with her the more it seems that she is the perfect fit for him.
Add in the lady’s own reluctance to scheme for Reggie’s affections, a vindictive ex from Gawain’s past and Cherish’s scheming Uncle and it is a house party that is certainly not tedious. Can Gawain overcome his own reluctance to wed before Cherish is lost to him forever.
This is a lovely and light hearted read. Gawain is set in his ways and has allowed past hurts to colour his views on his future so really is not looking for a wife and family. Cherish completely blindsides him. She is sweet but mature and intelligent in her thinking and well matched for Gawain despite the difference in their ages. It was pretty obvious that there never would be anyone else for either of them and so there is very little angst in that respect. In fact Reggie actively encourages Cherish to pursue the Duke.
There is some trouble in the form of Lady Albin and Lord Northam but is fairly quickly dealt with. Reggie, Margaret and Fiona were very likeable secondary characters and I am looking forward to the next in series.

[Charmaine Fernando · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first of the silver dukes in need of a good woman. Meara Platt weaves another interesting story for her fans and, this time it is Gawain, the Duke of Bromleigh.

He is in his forties and being the third son of a duke was expected to join the army and make his career there. Unfortunately for Gawain, all his family have perished, and he is the new Duke. His plan is to have his nephew, Reggie, his deceased sister's son be his heir. After hearing all the wonderful things about Lady Fiona Shoreham’s neighbour, Lady Cherish Northam, his plan is for her to be Reggie's wife in the hope that she will calm Reggie down, make him more responsible and less of a drunk and party animal. Unknown to Gawain, his cousin, Fiona, has other plans and intends Gawain's attendance at her house party be where she matches him to Cherish. Both Reggie and Cherish are in on Fiona's plan and assist her.

What follows is an interesting read where we see Gawain trying desperately to fight his growing desire to have Cherish as his own. Added to the mix is Cherish's worthless uncle and his wife, her father’s half-brother, the new Earl of Northam, who have taken up residence at the property not entailed to the earldom and have tried as much as possible to keep Cherish far away from any interaction with potential suitors to ensure she is kept in the dark about their nefarious plans! An old flame of Gawain's, Lady Albin, also enters the fray to entice Gawain away but her intentions are suspect as well.

Lots of drama, drama, drama, and a sweet romance where there are several parings. All in a nice story. I received an ARC from the publishers and NetGalley and submit my review voluntarily.

[Marion Löw · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice start to the new series. It‘s a sweet and lighthearted romance with grumpy-sunshine, age gap and house party tropes, humor, some twists, very likable main and secondary characters and a few love scenes (low steam level). I liked the fact that not only the protagonists but also other characters developed positively in the course of the story, which ultimately leads to another romance. The main characters Gawain, who never really wanted to be a duke and was betrayed by his former lover, now feels too old for love but finds the woman who sees him as a man and not a duke, and Cherish, who is intelligent and warm-hearted but initially shy, yet has inner strength and determination, have a strong bond from the start. Of course, there are a few obstacles in the form of adversaries who want to hinder their growing relationship.

Gawain Burton, the Duke of Bromleigh Gawain and a former army officer, is one of the infamous "Silver Dukes" in their forties who have no intention of getting married. He travels to his cousin Fiona's summer house party to match his nephew and heir Reggie with Fiona's friend and neighbour Lady Cherish Northam, who must marry to get away from her detestable uncle and receive her inheritance. What Gawain doesn't realise, however, is that Fiona and Reggie are trying to set him up with Cherish themselves and that he is falling for the young woman himself…

Overall, an enjoyable read and I‘m looking forward to the next „Silver Duke“.

I received a free ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and left voluntarily.

[Jerry Jares · Rating 4 out of 5]

The life of Lady Cherish Northam took a decided turn for the worse when her parents died. Her uncle, who inherited the estate, has turned her into a servant, where she used to maintain the house and farms of the estate. Her best friend, Lady Shoreham, has invited Cherish to a house party at her home. While there, she meets the three Silver Dukes, notably Gawain Burton, the Duke of Bromleigh. Everyone knows the three silver dukes (established men who are forty-something) and have no intention of marrying. However, Galwain is there to meet Cherish on behalf of his nephew. He hopes she will be the right person to guide his wayward nephew into a more serious-minded adult.

Unfortunately, when he realizes Cherish is the perfect person he had in mind, he realizes he likes her very much for himself. The rest of the story is about how this triangle plays out. I have two points I did not like about this story. First, the constant reminder that Galwain was one of the Silver Dukes, who would not marry. Second, the author constantly mentioned that Galwain was "ape-like" or "apish," which doesn't fit with a duke, or any aristocrat. I was offended by the name being called, much less that she sprinkled it throughout the book. It seemed as if the author had to make the book long enough by constantly padding the story with these two refrains.

Silver Dukes
**1. Cherish and the Duke (2024)
2. Moonlight and the Duke (2024)
3. Two Nights with the Duke (2025)
4. Snowfall and the Duke (2025)

[Lana Birky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delightful romp had me chuckling non-stop! In the kickoff to the Silver Dukes series, we meet Gawain Burton, Duke of Bromleigh, a confirmed bachelor who unexpectedly falls for the demure yet enchanting Lady Cherish Northam. His quest to play matchmaker for his nephew turns into his own unexpected love story.

The novel is a perfect cocktail of romance and wit, spiced with a dash of mystery. Gawain's struggle to stay aloof while coaxing Cherish to break free is as endearing as it is amusing. Underneath his gruff exterior beats a golden heart, and Cherish, with her quiet fortitude and sharp mind, is a heroine to cheer for. Sparks fly between the two, making every encounter a blend of comedic tension and palpable desire. Their journey through the maze of emotions and social norms is both heart-stirring and thrilling, and their evolving bond is depicted with finesse. The tug-of-war between Gawain's resolve to stay single and Cherish's growing self-assurance deepens their tale, turning it into an irresistible love story.

The author's knack for crafting steamy, heartfelt, and humorous scenes is unparalleled. I'm all for the strong, defiant heroines who go toe-to-toe with dashing, principled heroes. The author's flair for weaving complex narratives and full-bodied character arcs makes each book impossible to put down. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Sportochick · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPORTOCHICK’S MUSINGS: A delightful fun read with a twist of drama.

Author Meara Platt has written an entertaining Book 1 of The Silver Dukes series quickly introducing three swoon worthy Silver Dukes for the readers to get excited about.

I thoroughly enjoyed the background shenanigans of the Silver Duke, Gawain Burton, the Duke of Bromleigh, his cousin, Lady Shoreham, his nephew, Reginald Burton, and Lady Cherish Northam. These four characters were well developed and added a lot of fun to the storyline.

Cherish’s character specially makes me smile being intelligent, not afraid to speak her mind, thoughtful and kind she was not a pushover as one would expect. I like her backbone which attracted Gawain.

Gawain has good intentions when he gets to the party but he more than any of the characters made me laugh. The author’s development of his character was most rewarding and fun to read.

The readers will enjoy their antics and see how the plot continues to expand as the story goes on. Of course, this story could have been an easy guess to how it would end but with the introductions of an evil Aunt and Uncle and a past love the author keeps the reader guessing on who will get who.

I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first installment of a new series, The Silver Dukes, and is a delightful start to the series. Gawain Burton is the charming Silver Duke of Bromleigh, and Lady Cherish Northam is a shy but intelligent woman caught in difficult circumstances. Gawain is a determined bachelor, with plans to find a bride for his nephew. But his efforts are thwarted when he finds himself increasingly drawn to the very woman he is trying to pair with someone else.
Gawain deeply values family and duty, willing to set aside his own desires for the good of the Bromleigh legacy. Cherish, on the other hand, is a woman of inner strength, shaped by loss and hardship, but still tender and kind. Her shyness feels authentic, adding depth to her character without making her seem overly passive.
The chemistry between Gawain and Cherish simmers slowly but steadily. Their relationship unfolds amidst the backdrop of a house party, offering just the right amount of lighthearted banter, misunderstandings, and slow-burn attraction.
Overall, this is an enjoyable and heartwarming read, with a good mix of wit, charm, and emotional depth. A lovely start to the series, and I look forward to reading more!
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Caro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely delightful! I liked it from the start. The plot was well-paced and captivating from start to finish. The characters charming, clever, smart, strong and really draw you in. I really liked the honest, open conversations Gawain and Cherish had, instead of all kinds of miscommunications and confusion you so often find in books. The romance is beautifully developed, very realistic and true to real life. They had great chemistry. I just wasn’t fond of the names of the main characters, but that’s just a matter of taste. And the fortune teller - didn’t like that. But that’s just me.
The writing was great, and the story flowed incredibly well, at just the right pace.
I loved that the book continued a bit well after the main charterers got married; this way you get to enjoy this lovely couple and their love story a bit more. It is truly a love story, very well developed and realistic. I just loved it!
I can highly recommend this book to anyone. I’m looking forward to the next books in the ‘Silver Dukes’ series!
Thank you Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing for providing an advanced copy of this book. I voluntarily read and reviewed it; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kathy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an entertaining historical romance set in the Regency Period in England. Lady Cherish Northam has lost her parents and is under the care of an uncle who seems determined to make Cherish into a servant in his household.

Cherish is invited by her friend Lady Shoreham to a house party and is able to attend since her uncle and aunt are away from home and didn't take her. Unbeknownst to her, Lady Shoreham has a plan. She has invited one of the silver dukes to attend in the hopes of making a match for Cherish.

Gawain Burton, the Duke of Bromleigh, has agreed to attend because he is hoping to find a wife for his nephew and heir. He thinks Lady Cherish is just what his nephew needs but is surprised when he finds his own heart longing for her.

Lady Cherish knows that this is her opportunity to get out from under the rule of her uncle, but she has always had a secret dream of marrying for love as her parents did. Bromleigh's nephew is a nice young man, but it is Bromleigh who has won her heart.

But a Duke who thinks he's too old for marriage is not going to be an easy man to win. And when an old flame of the duke's comes to the party, things get even more complicated.

I enjoyed this historical romance and think other fans of the genre will enjoy it too.

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found it difficult to put this romance down. It is the first book in a new series and I am looking forward to reading about the Silver Dukes and the lengths they will go to remain unmarried. Gawain, the Duke of Bromleigh has fixed ideas about marriage and he does not include himself in the equation. Rather, he has plans for his nephew, whom he has decided needs to grow up and take a wife. He knows just the person to help him, and he also knows just the person who will suit the young man. Lady Cherish realizes that the only way in which she can escape her uncle and a life of servitude is to find a husband, and it is unfortunate the only man who attracts her and makes her heart beat harder, is a Silver Duke. When Gawain discovers Cherish's circumstances, he vows to put her world to rights, but when an old flame arrives on the scene intent on trapping him in marriage, Gawain comes to the conclusion that only one woman will do. This is a well-written, heartwarming, and tender romance that comes to a lovely and witty conclusion. I received a copy of this novel as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Bridget Love to read Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.3
Gawain Burton, the Duke of Bromleigh and Lady Cherish Northam an Earls daughter and neighbor of Lady Fiona who is holding a house party!
Gawain has decided that Reggie his heir and nephew needs to marry and Cherish is beautiful, intelligent woman who would be perfect for him!
Fiona and Reggie both decided otherwise early on! I love this author and I rarely have given any story less than 5 stars!
I feel that Gawain should have stepped up and got rid of his ex the first time she attempted to hurt Cherish! There should have NEVER been a second! When Cherish confided in him he should have been quick to show more emotion! He was not! I was even hesitant myself for his reasons and if it was true!
He did better after the showdown with Cherish weasel of an uncle but Gawain has a tendency to be bit of an Ape as Cherish foundry calls him and yes!
Do they get a HEA yes indeed! Cherish was too wonderful not to hold dearly and not let go! No Gawain will not be on my list of book boyfriends but he definitely was redeemed! Bravo

[Jacqueline's Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cherish and the Duke is the first novel in The Silver Dukes series. Think... middled-age, handsome dukes. This book is about Gawain and Cherish (silly name.. I know).

I liked the premise of the story. Cherish (25) is almost on the self and with no marriage prospects, her situation is in dire straights. Gawain is an older Duke (40) and he is looking for a wife, for his nephew, who is his heir.

I'm not too fond of age gaps, but I did think the dynamics between Gawain and Cherish good. I liked how they became fast friends and the book is overall angst-free, which is usually my jam. However, the lack of steam is not my jam, think only a kiss happens around the 70% mark. This historical romance was a bit too wholesome for my pallet. I'm curious to know if the author continues to write like this or if it's just a one-off.

Overall, I always like trying new authors and I've been in a historical binge lately. I'm not sure if I will continue with the series, only because I need more dirty scenes (sorry, pervert here). Time will tell.