Hot Duke Summer: Regency Historical Romance Anthology

by Scarlett Scott, Alexa Aston, Annabelle Anders

Welcome to a rollicking summer in Regency England, where the weather is warm, the ladies warmer, and the dukes sizzling-hot!

It’s the scorching tales of a Hot Duke Summer Regency Anthology!

For lovers of historical romance, lose yourself in this collection of never before published Regency stories. From gambling halls to ballrooms, you’ll enjoy a cast of unforgettable characters from tales inspired from some of your favorite summer movies. A Regency Gidget? Yes, please! Or the hottest duke in London with a penchant for a fancy conveyance? Absolutely!

It’s glamour, passion, and adventure in one magical summer in Regency England, so join the hottest dukes for the hottest summer around!

Authors in this collection

Scarlett Scott
Alexa Aston
Annabelle Anders
Meara Platt
Kathleen Ayers
Chasity Bowlin
Sara Adrien
Jude Knight

Genres: Historical Romance, Anthologies, Romance, Regency, Historical, Novella, Historical Fiction

404 pages, Paperback

Published August 23, 2024

About the author

USA TODAY bestselling author Scarlett Scott writes steamy Victorian and Regency historical romances with strong, intelligent heroines and sexy alpha heroes. She lives in Pennsylvania and Maryland with her Canadian husband, their adorable identical twins, a demanding diva dog, and one zany cat.

For Scarlett's latest releases, exclusive excerpts, contests and more, visit her website, http://www.scarlettscottauthor.com

Reviews

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Duchess Bride - Scarlett Scott
It’s Lady Celandine’s wedding day & she takes a ride to think of what might have been if her true love The Duke of Wesley hadn’t died. Then she’s kidnapped.
An absolute delight of a short novella, strong characters, sizzling chemistry, intrigue & kidnapping. An action packed story which I loved

Dilemma over a Duke - Alexa Aston
Lady Evangeline Eastfield & Lieutenant Edgar Davenport aka Hatch live on neighbouring estates in Devon. When she is fifteen he goes off to fight in the Napoleonic Wars, returning six years later on the death of his father. But Evie has just become betrothed to his younger brother.
Another delightful quick read, a very touching romance & the epilogue is beautiful

The Duke’s Day off - Annabelle Anders
Evalina is the companion to a demanding grumpy Duchess but tries to be positive & find joy in all she does. She persuades Victor, the Duke to play hooky for an afternoon especially as his mother has invited a potential bride for Victor to visit.
Tree climbing, a picnic, a thunderstorm & an empty chapel all lead Victor to realise what he wants. I also loved him, finally standing up to his mother

The Moonstone Mermaid - Meara Platt

Say Anything, Duke - Kathleen Ayers

I know this much is true - Chasity Bowlin

Love is the Duke’s best remedy - Sara Adrien

The Worth of an Earl - Jude Knight
When Worth’s grandmother is kidnapped he never expected the young woman who helped her escape to join his household & to find discrepancies in his ledgers.
I loved Worth & Jen, they circled each other but gradually they gave in to their desires but who is Jen & what are the stones – that would be telling. Another wonderful novella from the author
I just love anthologies & this one is no exception it features some of my must read authors. The stories are short, almost lunchtime reads but that doesn’t detract from how good they are
I'll be reviewing the other novellas as I read them
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

[Pam Bereznak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't normally like these anthologies because they are so short and they don’t usually get much depth but most of the authors that wrote in this anthology are some of my favorites so I went ahead and got it. I started to write individual reviews for each book but they were all sounding the same so just decided to make one general review. These were all super cute stories. Some had a little drama and some not. Most were sweet couples and HEA. There were short reads but overall, all the ones I read were good.

Scarlett Scott - The Duchess Bride - This is my 72nd book by Scarlett Scott. She is definitely one of my favorite authors. She is actually one of my top favorites. I have been reading her since 2016.

Alexa Aston - Dilemma over A Duke - This is my 48th book by Alexa Aston. I only started reading her in early 2021 and LOVE her books. She is such a great writer and great storyteller. She isn't super steamy but just enough and her writing is so good, I don't care. :) Definitely one of my favorite authors.

Annabelle Anders - The Duke's Day Off - Annabelle Anders is one of the authors on my "favorite authors" list. I find her to be a really good author with really good writing. She has great stories and good sex. I’ve read 50 of her books, including this one, and have been reading her since 2018.

Meara Platt - The Moonstone Mermaid - I have only read 8 other books by her. She writes well but truthfully I don't remember her books so thought I'd try her out again with this anthology since I'm reading other authors anyway.

Kathleen Ayers - Say Anything, Duke - I love Kathleen Ayers' writing. This is my 27th book by her. I read one of her books in 2016 but didn't picked her up again faithfully in 2019 and now she is one of my top favorite authors.

Chasity Bowlin - I Know this much is True – This is my 47th book by Chasity Bowlin. I have been reading her books since mid-2017. I know she isn't very steamy (hardly at all) but I've been reading her for so long and she is a really good writer.

[Petula · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous historical romance anthology from some of my favourite authors. Some of the stories have a slight link to one of that author's series. The others re-imagined fairytales. Each one is filled with great characters and a lot of fun. You would think dukes would know better than to get caught in summer rain. L.o.l. Obviously, as an anthology, there are a lot of pages, but as each story is totally different, you can pick it up and put it down as you like. If any of the authors are unknown to you, this is a good way to discover them. It will tempt you to buy more. I know all of them, as a reader  and I think they are all well worth discovering.  

Great fun.

[AprilGirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read.

An excellent novella by Kathleen Ayers. Solid reads by other favourite Authors of mine. And some stories that didn’t quite do it for me…. Some needed more detail but I do appreciate that there is a length restraint in these anthologies. Some stories I felt didn’t ring true with historical behaviour or fashion for the era depicted.
Overall worth the read, something for everyone I feel.

[Haney Hayes Promotions · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a perfect fit for readers who adore historical romance, are looking for a lighthearted and fun summer read, and enjoy stories with a touch of glamour, passion, and adventure set in the Regency era.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Duchess Bride by Scarlett Scott- based on the description I think this is the princess bride. This is the first thing I've read by this author and I really enjoyed it. It very short only about 45 pages but was very sweet and spicy.
Dilemma over a Duke by Alexa Aston I am not sure what story this was based on but it was so very sweet. About 40 pages and truly a lovely story. just kisses but its all that was needed.
The Duke’s Day Off by Annabelle Anders. A riff on Ferris buyers day off. Steamer than I was expecting but a very sweet story again. The MFC is the one in this story that lives life to the fullest and teaches our Duke to as well.
The Moonstone Mermaid by Meara Platt. This is the first book by this author that I have read and it was quite pleasant. It wasn't closed door but it was only in their heads. I thought both characters were very sweet and lovely.
Say Anything, Duke by Kathleen Ayers. Why I purchased he book. It was good steam y. I've never seen the movie but my limited knowledge of it , I see the inspiration. Role reversal here as themed is the musician.
I Know This Much Is True by Chasity Bowlin.Pretty sure this was pretty in pink but I didn't like this movie and haven't seen it in a very long time. But once again quite a sweet and enjoyable story. Open door but not descriptive.
Love is the Duke’s Best Remedy by Sara Adrien. I definitely saw the my fair lady and could see the pretty woman. I like it more than the other story I read by this urge recently. It makes me want to try her again. Open door but not descriptive. I love my fair lady so I enjoyed this one again.
The Worth of an Earl by Jude Knight and we are told its Aladdin roles reversed. I liked this one too.

Overall, each story was enjoyable and I got to read several new writers.

[BookishMya · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fabulous collection of fun short stories by some of my favorite authors. I am slowly making my way through and greatly enjoying the fun little romps. If you enjoy lighthearted, romantic escapades this is right up your alley. Here are my bite-sized reviews for each tale, I will update as I continue along.

The Duchess Bride -Scarlett Scott (Princess Bride)
Scarlett Scott reimagines the Princess Bride in this short yet satisfying tale of unstoppable love. Celandine lost her true love Westley and now must marry another to save her family, but true love never dies. The fire in her belly refuses to allow her to go gently when taken, and there is something niggling recognition of her highwayman. The quick story that follows is one of true love, passion and excitement. I love an inspired story that brings forth all the love of one of my favourite movies.
Dilemma over the Duke- Alexa Aston (Moonstruck)
I loved the romance of Evie & Hatch. From the beginning you could tell there was more than simple affection between them. It made sense the way Hatch chose to handle things and in doing so they both had time to grow and learn themselves. His experience in the war gave him a greater appreciation for what he left behind, and she had time to learn how to listen to her own heart. Their story is sweet and utterly romantic.
Annabelle Anders (Ferris Buellers Day Off)

Meara Platt (Little Mermaid/Splash)

Kathleen Ayers (Say Anything)

Chasity Bowlin (16 candles)

Sara Adrien (Pretty Woman)

Jude Knight (The Price of Love/Aladdin)

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Delightful Anthology
The Duchess Bride 5* by Scarlett Scott - a lost love, a kidnapping and a villain. When Lady Celandine is kidnapped on the morning of her wedding, is the ruination of her and her family, or her salvation?
Dilemma over a Duke 5* by Alexa Aston - Evie doesn’t believe in love and after three seasons, takes matters into her own hands to find herself a malleable husband, to give herself the life she wants. Only to find that her best friend has returned from war and she has feelings she never expected to have, unfortunately she is engaged to his brother!
The Duke’s Day Off 5* by Annabelle Anders - Evalina Sparrow takes to heart the Latin phrase ‘memento mori’ - remember you must die, finding joy in the small things, even though she works as a companion to a demanding dowager duchess. Little does she know when she persuades the Duke to skip his responsibilities for the day, that her life will be forever changed.
The Moonstone Mermaid 5* by Meara Platt - a Duke comes to Moonstone Landing to recuperate after a serious carriage accident and finds love with the constable’s daughter.
Say Anything, Duke 5* by Kathleen Ayers - a hilariously accident prone heroine who captures the eye and then the heart of a Duke.
I Know This Much Is True 4* by Chastity Bowlin - a sweet story of love at first sight.
Love is the Duke’s Best Remedy 4* by Sara Adrien - a Pretty Woman variation with an insomniac Duke and a flower seller.
The Worth of an Earl 5* by Jude Knight - a reverse Aladdin story, featuring a kidnapping, a rescue, surprise wealth and other secrets.

[Jackie Carbonel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reaction

I really enjoyed this collection of stories. If you haven't read these different authors, here's your chance to see if you like their style. Not a huge commitment but enough to give you an idea.

[Sonia N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved These Books

This is a wonderful set of short and fast paced stories. Each book has a great hero and a lovely heroine. I also enjoyed discovering new authors! And I look forward to reading their books.

[EVANGELIA MARAGKOPOULOU · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection of regency novellas of eight great authors . It had it all protective Dukes and smart and fearless young women .
I received this book from netgalley , the author and the publicer as an ARC . Thank you . All thoughts and opinions are my own .

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm sorry but overall, this was a disappointing collection - especially disappointing as I've enjoyed other works by several of these authors. Apparently the theme was tales inspired by favorite summer movies, but for many of them I couldn't tell what movie they were trying to emulate and frankly, those I could figure out weren't improved by that knowledge.

There are a couple of decent stories in the mix - why I gave it 3 vs 2 stars - but the collection as a whole was not that good mostly because a lot of the stories felt rushed or lacking something.

The Duchess Bride by Scarlett Scott - This one is based on the Princess Bride but nowhere near as good (to be fair, kind of difficult to do in just 5 chapters). The horse's name was Buttercup instead of the heroine so at least there's that. It just irritated me because I kept seeing all the connections to Princess Bride but they just felt trite. If you could forget the connection, the story still has some huge problems. The biggest one is that he's so careful for months and then decides to go to a lodge on his own property. So of course, someone is going to find out he's there. Just was silly so I'd rate this 2 stars, which is sad because I have enjoyed a lot of other things by this author.

Dilemma over a Duke by Alexa Aston- This one also was disappointing and frankly I almost quit the anthology because it wasn't that enjoyable. It was very slow, especially in the beginning (and you can't have a slow pace with only 5 chapters) and the tone and dialogue just felt stiff. And then the pace went the polar opposite direction with the hero sticking his hand up her skirt before ever mentioning his feelings. It just felt backwards to me. I have no clue what movie this is supposed to be based on, but doubt it would make me like the story any better. 2 1/2 stars

The Duke's Day Off by Annabelle Anders- Finally a good story, maybe because it was a little longer? I liked the chemistry and the author did a good job of showing a quick romance progression without it feeling too rushed. The only thing that struck me as odd was the Duke and a companion blatantly going off on their own together. No clue what movie it's inspired by. 4 stars

The Moonstone Mermaid by Meara Platt - I've read several in this series and often felt the dialogue was a bit awkward. There were still some rough patches dialogue-wise, but better than the first books in this series. It was a quick story but mostly well done. No clue what movie it's inspired by. 3 1/2 stars

Say Anything, Duke by Kathleen Ayers - This one would be based on the movie Say Anything although the "radio scene" with John Cusack is replaced by the heroine playing violin, but it worked. I liked the banter in the beginning between them and just wish there had been a bit more of that. I was irritated that her sister wasn’t in her corner and that she was blamed for things she couldn’t control (like her trunk falling) and some of the mishaps seemed a bit ridiculous but thankfully didn't overwhelm the plot. 3 1/2 stars.

I Know This Much is True by Chasity Bowlin-This is another author I usually enjoy but this story was just ok. The prologue was kind of a waste and that space should have been used to show more of a courtship between them. The picture was an interesting premise but they hero and heroine never really have any time together (she's always running from him) and then they're finally together at the end and he says he loves her. Why? Because she can draw him well? He literally knows nothing about her (the reader barely knows much) and they had maybe one conversation together. No idea what movie. 2 1/2 stars

Love is the Duke's Best Remedy by Sara Adrien- This story, based heavily on Pretty Woman, may have been the most irritating of the collection, which is sad because it had so much potential to be good. It starts out okay and then you start to see the glaring similarities to the movie - borrowing a necklace for the opera, the balding and creepy solicitor, the polo scene where she's humiliated (although in this version it's a horse race and it's more public) but in this story they just were not done well. At least Lola (Vivian) isn't a prostitute (she's a flower seller), but she's still paid to be his companion. The biggest issue is not one character has any kind of depth; they're just cardboard copies of characters from the movie. We see a hint of personality between the two characters in the beginning but then it just falls apart. 2 stars

The Worth of An Earl by Jude Knight - After reading the prior story and seeing this story was based on Aladdin but with the roles reversed, I almost didn't read this one. But I did and while it did start awkwardly (a lot of tell vs show) it ended up being a decent story. I just wish there had been more chemistry between them - we see a glimpse of it when they're alone at night in the library but it's too fleeting and again the next few times they're together it's a lot of tell (we're told how they danced and then she dances with others and then they have a 3 second conversation) and wasted potential. 3 stars

[Fanosse23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This anthology brings together some of the best historical romance authors, and quite a few of my favorites, offering a perfect introduction to those unfamiliar with their work. Each story is a delightful mix of love, second chances, and finding happiness in the most unexpected places. As with any collection, you’ll have your favorites—some you’ll adore, others you’ll simply enjoy—but overall, this anthology won’t disappoint. These enchanting tales are bound to leave you smiling, with love stories that feel both fresh and timeless.

**The Duchess Bride by Scarlett Scott**  
Celandine is resigned to marrying the cold Earl of Humberton after losing the love of her life, Westley. But a kidnapping on the day of her wedding leads to both adventure and an unexpected reunion that leads to a second chance at love. Scarlett Scott beautifully captures the deep emotions between Celandine and Westley, making their love feel raw and real. It’s a heartwarming story that had me cheering for their HEA.

**Dilemma Over a Duke by Alexa Aston**  
Lady Evangeline is determined to arrange a marriage of convenience with her neighbor, Elias Davenport, believing love is nothing more than a fairy tale. But when her future husband’s brother, Hatch, returns from war as the new Duke of Wentworth, everything changes. The connection between Evangeline and Hatch is undeniable, and their slow-burning romance is wonderfully written. Alexa Aston kept me turning the pages, eager to see how Eva would find love with the right brother.

**The Duke’s Day Off by Annabelle Anders**  
This lighthearted, charming story features a duke, Victor, who always follows the rules—until he can’t resist the pull of his mother’s companion, Eva. One spontaneous day together leads to an unforgettable romance. Annabelle Anders delivers a story filled with fun and adventure, reminding us that life’s responsibilities need to be balanced with moments of joy. Victor and Eva’s connection is utterly delightful.

**The Moonstone Mermaid by Meara Platt**  
In the quaint seaside town of Moonstone Landing, Duke James Pennington finds love while recovering from an accident, and it’s impossible not to be swept away by the romance. Verity Angel, the constable’s daughter, is a refreshingly strong and warm heroine, making their pairing irresistible. Meara Platt has written a tale that is as lighthearted as it is heartwarming, with plenty of laughs and sighs along the way. This story was my personal favorite—like a sweet, comforting treat that I didn’t want to end.

**Say Anything, Duke by Kathleen Ayers**  
Parthena is accident-prone, and Atticus, the Duke of Wexham, is promised to another woman. Yet their witty banter and humorous misadventures make their unlikely connection sparkle. This story is full of charm, and the humor between the characters had me grinning throughout. A delightful read!

**I Know This Much is True by Chasity Bowlin**  
Caroline is a poor relation attending a noble wedding, and when her secret sketch of Antony goes missing, she knows she’s in trouble. Antony’s discovery of the sketch leads to a tender love story between them, echoing a Cinderella-like magic. Their romance is sweet, and the connection between them is deeply touching.

**Love is the Duke’s Best Remedy by Sara Adrien**  
An unexpected alliance between a flower girl and a duke begins with a fake engagement but soon blossoms into something much deeper. Their journey from a practical arrangement to true love was charming and satisfying.

**The Worth of an Earl by Jude Knight**  
A fun twist on the classic Aladdin story, featuring a kidnapping, a rescue, and surprising discoveries about wealth and family. Worth and Jen’s love story is filled with adventure, secrets, and a heartwarming connection. Their journey to uncover Jen’s true family history and find their happy ending was a joy to read.

[Darlene Foster]

Thank you to NetGalley, Dragonblade Publishing, Inc, and all the authors involved for this advance reader copy of the book. Below is my honest review.

By Scarlett Scott, Alexa Aston, Annabelle Anders, Meara Platt, Kathleen Ayers, Chasity Bowlin, Sara Adrien, Jude Knight
Publisher: ‎ Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Publication date: ‎ August 24, 2024
Print length: ‎ 406 pages
Rated a 3 out of 5 stars

An anthology of never-before published novellas. What a cute Summer read; it didn't take long to finish each story which is perfect for Summer when I seem to always be on the go. Taking a bit of time for myself was easier to do with each being a short story. I'm always up for a historical romance involving a hot duke. While each story is a standalone some fit into a series if you're interested in reading more of a particular author.

A few of the stories weren't up to par for me. Vering off the historically correct path a bit is ok, but I prefer not to go so far that it's unbelievable. A couple weren't interesting. I don't want to spoil anyone's enjoyment or bias you unkindly to a story you might think is grand. I'm going to pick my favorite to give you a taste of the material.

Love is the Duke's Best Remedy by Sara Adrien.
A play on Pretty Woman and a bit of Cinderella. I've never read any of this authors work and was pleasantly surprised by how well the plot moved along, the dialog was enjoyable, the characters likeable. Edmund and Lola are our couple with Brewster as the bad guy lawyer. For me using the plot of the movie as the basis for the story worked, with a few changes it fit into Regency England without too much fuss. Edmund can't sleep, Lola grows flowers and herbs to sell at an apothecary, Brewster is a mover-and-shaker lawyer using Edmund as his pawn in deals to make himself rich. One of the tweaks is Lola's job. The Cinderella aspect has a bit of a twist but it also works. There're mean shopkeepers, rubies, opera, and a brown polka-dot dress. I loved it.

#HotDukeSummer #NetGalley #DragonbladePublishing #Scarlett Scott #Alexa Aston #Annabelle Anders #Meara Platt #Kathleen Ayers #Chasity Bowlin #Sara Adrien #Jude Knight #historicalromance #romance #anthology

[Aj · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Duchess Bride by Scarlett Scott...
A kidnapping and a love reunited makes for an enchanting story. True love meant to be for Westley and Cleandine.

Dilemma over a Duke by Alexa Aston...
A lovely romance about finding your right love match. It flowed beautifully and the slow burn love that was always there for Hatch and Evie.

The Duke's Day Off by Annabelle Anders...
An underlying attraction and a day off for the Duke and his mother's companion leads to true love. Victor and Eva are perfect in the most lovely way.

The Moonstone Mermaid by Meara Platt...
This romance is like a warm hug, delightful and beautifully written with characters that are genuine and caring. James and Verity are perfection, getting to know each other, falling in love and what better place than Moonstone Landing to fall in love.

Say Anything, Duke by Kathleen Ayers...
A fun and engaging romance where a Duke and a not so appropriate lady find an unexpected love match. Atticus and Parthena have an instant attraction and no accidents will stand in the way of true love.

I Know This Much is True by Chasity Bowlin...
A sweet Cinderella themed romance between a Duke and lowly relation. Antony and Caroline have an instant connection and a forever love.

Love is the Duke's Best Remedy by Sara Adrien...
A lovely written romance between a Duke and his flower girl. A spattering of my fair lady. Edmund and Lola make a perfect couple and what starts out with a convenient bargain soon ends in a wonderful happily ever after.

The Worth of an Earl by Jude Knight...
An entertaining story and romance with a wonderful connection between Worth and Jen. I enjoyed their journey and Jen finding her true family history and happy ending.

[SH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eight great novellas that show love between a duke and his future duchess. It was wonderful to see so many great authors together into book.
The Duchess Bride by Scarlett Scott - Lady Celandine Raynell believes that her duke has perished at sea, only to find love after being kidnapped. A romance that is quickly rekindled between Westley and Celandine.
Dilemma over a Duke by Alexa Aston – Lady Evangeline is determined to have the life of her choosing. Yet she doesn’t realise that her friend Hatch who had gone to war, is her true love.
The Duke's Day Off by Annabelle Anders -Evalina, a companion to a dowager duchess, enchants Victor, the duke, to abandon his daily life, for a day filled with fun and joy. Soon, Victor realises what he is missing in life.
The Moonstone Mermaid by Meara Platt – James, the Duke of Ashford finds love when he falls in love with the beautiful heroine, Verity. The people of Moonstone Landing also become part of this sweet romance.
Say Anything, Duke by Kathleen Ayers – Accident prone Parthena draws the attention of Atticus with her honesty and ability to make him smile. She manages to win him over, by being true to herself.
I Know This Much is True by Chasity Bowlin – This is love at first sight between Antony and Caroline, a companion to a lady. This is one story that I would have like to have understood the reason for the attraction.
Love is the Duke's Best Remedy by Sara Adrien – Reminiscent of My Fair lady, the romance between Edmund and Lola begins as a bargain and then blossoms into love.
The Worth of an Earl by Jude Knight – The kidnapping of a duke’s grandmother, leads to romance between Worth and Jen.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Ann Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Duchess Bride by Scarlett Scott ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Very short story, but completely satisfying. Very detailed and great characters. Even some passionate love making. Works fine as a short, quick read, but the trope would also make an interesting full length book.

Dilemma Over a Duke by Alexa Aston ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Short, sweet, with a bit of passion. I liked the characters. Even was willing to marry one brother for convenience, but married the other for love. This made a great novella.

The Duke's Day Off by Anabella Anders ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This novella was fun and sweet. The Duke defied his mother to marry her companion. The love they carried for another from afar came together in a few hours of an afternoon.

The Moonstone Mermaid by Meara Platt
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another delightful Moonstone Landing story. I love the lore of the Moonstones. Wonderful characters and a sweet story.

Say Anything, Duke by Kathleen Ayers
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Parthena brought forth quite a bit of laughter from me. I live an accident prone MFC. I am so happy when the poor relation gets her HEA. Lovely story.

I Know This Much is True by Chasity Bowlin
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I enjoyed the characters and the story. It was a short story so i will forgive that the Duke fell in love with Caroline in a matter of days without even much conversation.
Love Is The Duke's Best Remedy
by Sara Adrian
⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a quick story inspired by Pretty Woman and as it is a favorite movie of mine I was able to tell right away. I liked the characters and trope, but felt the book was rushed for what was going on.
Sweet story with one quick lovemaking scene.
The Worth of an Earl by Jude Knight
The story flew by. A little too quick and felt a bit modern to me. It was a good trope.

[Lana Birky · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝙏𝒉𝙚 𝘿𝒖𝙘𝒉𝙚𝒔𝙨 𝘽𝒓𝙞𝒅𝙚 𝙗𝒚 𝑺𝙘𝒂𝙧𝒍𝙚𝒕𝙩 𝙎𝒄𝙤𝒕𝙩 - Following the demise of her beloved Duke of Westley, Lady Celandine Raynell faces the dire necessity to wed the detestable Earl of Humberton to save her family from destitution. On the day of her nuptials, she is whisked away by a gallant, masked stranger with eyes eerily reminiscent of her Westley. Drawn to her abductor, Celandine grows increasingly certain that he is her Westley. And indeed, it must be him, for a happy ending is essential. Despite the brevity of their story, the passion, romance, and love between them is vividly apparent. Great couple and story!

𝘿𝒊𝙡𝒆𝙢𝒎𝙖 O𝒗𝙚𝒓 𝒂 𝑫𝙪𝒌𝙚 𝙗𝒚 𝑨𝙡𝒆𝙭𝒂 𝑨𝙨𝒕𝙤𝒏 - Lady Evangeline "Evie" Eastfield is nearing the end of her third season, each one diminishing her regard for the Ton and high society—she longs for the countryside. Edgar "Hatch" Davenport, once the Earl of Hatchley and now the Duke of Wentworth, has come back from years at war to fulfill his responsibilities following his father's demise. The way this couple ultimately declared and recognized their love was delightful; it's a truly enjoyable tale that navigates them through a tumultuous path to their HEA.

𝙏𝒉𝙚 𝘿𝒖𝙠𝒆’𝒔 𝑫𝙖𝒚 𝑶𝙛𝒇 𝒃𝙮 𝘼𝒏𝙣𝒂𝙗𝒆𝙡𝒍𝙚 𝘼𝒏𝙙𝒆𝙧𝒔- Evalina Sparrow, a companion to a demanding dowager duchess, lives by the Latin phrase 'memento mori'—remember you must die—finding joy in life's simplicity. When she convinces Victor, the Duke, to abandon his duties for one day, they do not foresee the significant impact it will have on their lives. Evalina's passion for life inspires Victor to embrace living, and their impromptu day off leads to a journey filled with joy and self-discovery. This uplifting tale conveys that everyone is entitled to relish life, even if it requires taking a day to savor the present.

𝙏𝒉𝙚 𝙈𝒐𝙤𝒏𝙨𝒕𝙤𝒏𝙚 𝙈𝒆𝙧𝒎𝙖𝒊𝙙 𝙗𝒚 𝑴𝙚𝒂𝙧𝒂 𝑷𝙡𝒂𝙩𝒕 - A tale where love makes a splash in the quaintest of seaside towns. Our hero, James Pennington, the Duke of Ashford, isn't just a title and a pretty face; he's a duke with a heart shinier than his family silver, finding love while on the mend from a carriage mishap. Then there's Verity Angel, not your average constable's daughter, but a heroine with a heart so warm it could defrost a snowman. Meara Platt spins a yarn that's a perfect blend of giggles and heartfelt sighs. Get ready to chuckle, get those heart-eyes, and fall head over heels with the folks of Moonstone Landing. It's all about love, the kind of healing that only comes from a good chuckle, and Moonstone's own brand of enchantment.

𝙎𝒂𝙮 𝘼𝒏𝙮𝒕𝙝𝒊𝙣𝒈, 𝘿𝒖𝙠𝒆 𝒃𝙮 𝙆𝒂𝙩𝒉𝙡𝒆𝙚𝒏 𝑨𝙮𝒆𝙧𝒔 - Atticus Gosling, the Duke of Wexham, and Miss Parthena Holm are struck by love at first sight, and not even the most comically unfortunate events can derail their destined romance. They're an utterly charming pair; Parthena's endearing clumsiness is something I find personally relatable. The author has crafted a novella that draws you in, making you feel like you're mingling with the characters. It's a delightful tale of romance where a duke and a lady of questionable suitability discover love in the most unexpected ways.

𝙄 𝙆𝒏𝙤𝒘 𝑻𝙝𝒊𝙨 𝙈𝒖𝙘𝒉 𝑰𝙨 𝙏𝒓𝙪𝒆 𝒃𝙮 𝘾𝒉𝙖𝒔𝙞𝒕𝙮 𝘽𝒐𝙬𝒍i𝒏 - The author spins a delightful yarn where Antony Bancroft, the dashing Duke of Avingden, crosses paths with the plucky Caroline Davies. Poor Caroline, merely a distant cousin twice removed (or something like that), finds herself in quite the quagmire when her clandestine doodle of Antony vanishes. Lo and behold, Antony stumbles upon this portrait, igniting a romance so sugary and tender, it could give you a toothache. It's like Cinderella, but with less glass slipper and more stolen glances. Their bond is the stuff of fairy tales, making this novella a treat to devour. The author truly nails the Regency romance vibe, with characters that leap off the page and a story that'll leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a free ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*

As with just about every anthology ever published, some stories were better than others (and I'm sure what is considered good vs. just okay varies across every reader). I liked the challenge set forth for the authors here - take a favorite summer rom-com/movie and give it a regency twist. For some of the stories it was pretty clear what the movie was (or the author made note of it) and others I'm still trying to figure out. There were also stories where this twist really worked and some where it was a bit of stretch and/or I couldn't see the connection. There were also a few that felt rushed because of them being short stories and actually would have loved as a full-length novel or at least a few more chapters. My favorites here were The Duchess Bride (which I would have loved to have been longer), Say Anything, Duke (which I would have loved as a full-length novel), I Know this Much is True (which needed just a little more development between the main characters), and The Worth of an Earl (which I didn't see the connection to the summer movie and would have loved as a full-length novel or a little longer). All of the stories are entertaining, but these were my favorites. I also loved this collection because it introduced me to a couple new authors!

[Michelle Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Duchess Bride - Scarlett Scott
*character called Buttercup ✔️
*character named Westley ✔️
*masked, yet familiar, man kidnaps MFC to save her from a miserable marriage not to a Prince Humperdinck but to a Humberton ✔️

Dilemma over a Duke - Alexa Aston
*MFC decides on a marriage of convenience to a friend ✔️
*childhood friend / crush (her betrothed’s brother, oops) returns from war ✔️

The Duke’s Day Off - Annabelle Anders
*titled man falls for his mother’s long suffering amanuensis / companion ✔️
*Memento Mori leads to love? ✔️

The Moonstone Mermaid - Meara Platt
*injured soldier and duke falls for the woman he ‘accidentally’ spies on while she’s swimming ✔️

Say Anything, Duke - Kathleen Ayers
*accident prone MFC ✔️
*MFC’s mother = 🤬🤬🤬✔️

I Know this Much is True - Chastity Bowlin
*insta insta love ✔️

Love is the Duke’s Best Remedy - Sara Adrien
*My Fair Lady / Pretty Woman vibes ✔️

The Worth of an Earl - Jude Knight
*reverse Aladdin


Anthologies are an excellent way to discover new-to-me authors or read shorter offerings from favorites and I found this one to be a very enjoyable read 🙂



Thank you to Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Duchess Bride – Scarlett Scott
Super cute and love the movie reference to a certain P Bride. Lost love, second chance is such a sweet trope. I do wish this was a longer story and would love to see something longer in the future.

Dilemma Over a Duke – Alexa Aston
Loved it. Hatch and Evie are such a cute couple and their no-shame admissions of love are stuff romances are made of. Alexa knows how to pull you into her stories with so much emotion.

The Duke’s Day Off - Annabelle Anders
This story resonated with me in that I also like to live in the moment. Victor, bless his heart, did not know how to live until Evalina showed him. Everyone deserves to enjoy life and if that means taking a day off, jump at it.

Say Anything, Duke – Kathleen Ayers
Boombox Regency-Style! Parthena and Atticus are so cute. I love how Parthena was a total spaz but in a loveable way. Kathleen’s can write a story even if it is a short story and make me believe that I am part of the story.

I absolutely loved all of the movie homages.

[Texastwang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scarlett Scott- (Duchess) intriguing and an ohh so close call. Wonderful read.
Alexa Aston - (Dilemma) Waiting can be so hard, and it can be also worth it. As was this book another wonderful book by Aston
Annabelle Anders - (Day off)I really enjoyed the teasing words exchanged by these two.
Meara Platt - (Mermaid) A wonderful continuation of learning about Moonstone Landing. PS not a real mermaid.
Kathleen Ayers - (Say) Armed with a violin and clumsiness she just wants to survive. Enjoyable read.
Chastity Bowlin - (Know) - Drawing a conclusion on a drawing was very risky but he must know.
Sara Adrien- (Love) This is similar to ‘Pretty Woman’ only in 1800s. Very entertaining.
Jude Knight - (Worth) Aladdin all over again but with out the genie…. Sort of.
I enjoyed all of the stories and it was well worth the time to read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with guidelines

[Nanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Am not one who usually read Anthology or collections as I don't like really short stories. Its hard to really get to know the couples and what is going on in just a few pages. That being said, I love all the authors that were in this book. I have read tons of their books and had to see how they handled short stories. I was not disappointed at all. There is something for everyone, eight stories in all each with a wonderful couple. Some steamy some not. This book would be a perfect gift for someone on the go. You can stop and start it again and enjoy a break for a few minutes. Or if your like me I read it straight thru in one sitting as I had to know what the next story was going to be about. This is also a great way to try a new author with out buying a long story. This book is a great deal and while worth your time to read. I had my favorites, some I liked more then others. Am not giving names as you need to find which ones for yourself. Grab your favorite drink either hot or cold, this book and enjoy.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this anthology and this is my freely given opinion...

This is a recently released anthology by many popular historical romance authors, many of whom I quite enjoy myself. These appear to all be never before published short stories, and several of them are related to other series written by the authors, for example, the story written by Meara Platt is related to her Moonstone Landing series, Jude Knight's contribution is related to her A Twist Upon a Regency Tale series, etc.

All the stories are short, and vary between sweet and spicy, but I enjoyed all of them, especially the ones that have a little nod to some modern cultural references, such as Pretty Woman and Say Anything.

This was an anthology that was fun to read, short, and sweet. A nice light-hearted mental pick me up, especially considering I have had a very emotionally trying couple of weeks at work.

4 stars out of 5

[Gloria Pastorino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a gorgeous anthology! The novellas are written by a bunch of my favorite authors and I can’t wait to read them all. For now I read two, one from a new-to-me author and one from an author I adore.

Jude Knight
So cute! An Aladdin-inspired novella, but with a female Aladdin. Very intriguing. I loved the heroine, Jen, very much and the little mystery surrounding her was very interesting. Pity it wasn’t a full-length novel. Knight is a new-to-me author and I’ll certainly look her other books up!

Kathleen Ayers
One of the very rare stories that made me laugh out loud! Parthena is so sweet and so clumsy. The writing was very graphic and I was able to picture all her “incidents” so clearly in my mind that I couldn’t stop laughing. I loved the connection between the main characters and I especially loved Parthena’s boldness in claiming “her” duke. I’d love to read a novella about the sister and the ornithologist!

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan Regency-era romances with strong heroines, swoon-worthy heroes, and plenty of romance and passion, you will be thoroughly enchanted with this anthology. Featuring works by a variety of different authors, some I know along with some new ones, it delivers a captivating set of stories that kept me turning the pages. Each story gives both heart and thrills, making it a must read for fans the genre. The stories are filled with wit, charm, and the kind of emotional depth that keeps readers rooting for a happily-ever-after, and are sure to delight! Each author does a lovely job of setting each scene with vivid depictions of the social gatherings, and witty dialogue. Definitely a collection not to be missed!
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of my favorite authors have gotten together to produce a book of short stories to enthrall and entertain the reader. Each is amazing and creative, well written and exhibits these authors fabulous talents. One of the stories, is about a young Earl who is lost in himself seeking sleep to escape his emptiness. Edmund runs into Lola at 87 Harley St. A place where exciting things always seem to take place. A plot similar to a very famous movie with Julia Roberts, this story is quick, entertaining and fun. If you are a fan of these authors don't miss out on this one. On the other hand if you have never had the opportunity to read any of these authors run don't walk to grab this book and be prepared to find your own new favorite source of reading pleasure.

[Miruna Chirila · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,25 ⭐
Absolutely devoured this anthology of historical romances. I read these while on vacation and it was brilliant! Will definitely associate my vacation with this read forever!
The nice thing about it is that you do not need to read it from start to finish. You can pick it up, read a story, read another book, and come back to this as a palette cleanser.
I will not go into details on all the stories, but while some of them were not so engaging and fell flat in terms of plot or character development, others were 10/10.
As such, this is a very good way of finding authors you would like to read more of in the future.

Thank you NetGalley and the author for providing me with an ARC for this book!

[SelinaW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will be adding as I move through others.

Scarlett Scott: Lady Celandine, presuming her love Duke of Westley is dead, agrees to marry another to save her family. Duke comes back to reclaim the woman he loves. Short and sweet and steamy and yet little frustrating in the suspension of disbelief main characters are exhibing. The duke was away for a time and the reason seemed flimsy. Celandine does not recognize him right away. Small things, but otherwise a solid 4!

Alexa Aston - Hatch, an heir to a dukedom, goes off to war and returns years later to assume his title and get back to his childhood friend, whom he loves. But she just got engaged to his brother. Short and steamy - a 5!

[🦉Maggie Whitworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moonstone Mermaid
Meara Platt
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I adore this series, and this is a beautiful, cheeky and fun story to add to it.
It’s a short novella, that has all the aspects of others in the series, it has just as much character, depth and passion, and will leave you with that feeling of being satisfied, the way all of Meara’s books do.
An injured Duke, a constables daughter, a pond and two mischievous brothers all contribute to a great amount of fun and angst.
Moonstones at the ready.

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