Forever and a Duke

The Bridewell Sisters #1

by Christy Carlyle

A roguish duke seeks to escape the demons of his past via a marriage of convenience with his friend’s bluestocking sister and gets far more than he bargained for.

Miss Lily Bridewell—stubborn, intelligent, and fiercely protective of those she loves—is determined to keep the misfortunes that have befallen her family from affecting her sisters’ futures. When the heir to their father’s title and estate ousts them from their family home, Lily's desperation drives her into the arms of the one man she fears she cannot trust—especially with her heart.

Griffin Knightley, Duke of Edgerton, vowed to mend his rakehell ways when he inherited a dukedom. But he falls back into old habits one fateful night that leads to tragedy—the death of his best friend. Guilt haunts him even as he tries to become a respectable nobleman, and when his late friend’s sisters lose their home, he sees it as his duty to assist them. A marriage of convenience with the eldest would solve two dilemmas—his need for a duchess and the Bridewell sisters’ need for a home.

A simple agreement. A practical transaction. But attraction to his strong-willed bluestocking bride makes it impossible for Griffin to be the cool, levelheaded duke he’s determined to be, and Lily won't settle for anything less than his heart.

182 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 30, 2025

About the author

Fueled by Pacific Northwest coffee and inspired by multiple viewings of every British costume drama she can get her hands on, USA Today bestselling author Christy Carlyle writes sensual historical romance set in the Victorian era. She loves heroes who struggle against all odds and heroines who are ahead of their time. A former teacher with a degree in history, she finds there's nothing better than being able to combine her love of the past with a die-hard belief in happy endings.

Reviews

[Pam Bereznak · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I read 3 books by Christy Carlyle in 2016 and 3 more in 2019. I haven't picked her up since. I decided to try her again and since this series is KU, all the better. This is my 9th book by her.

I'm so glad I picked her up again. I loved this book. I loved Lily and Griffin and their story. I loved how they were with each other. I loved their dynamic. Many of these books I read usually always have an instigator of some kind whether it be an ex suitor or mistress or just a bad uncle. This book didn't really have that. But it was still a really good read. Sex was well written and fit with this couple. I mean it wasn't 50 shades steam but it fit the personalities of this couple. Overall I really liked it a lot and looking forward to the rest of the series.

[Rozzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the start of a new series that I was really looking forward to and an author that I haven’t read in a while, nor do I regret reading her stories either. Even though the story started off with a death, there was a warning about it too. There were quite a few spelling errors that did take me out of the tale at times, but I still continued on. I don’t think the book was badly done because there was enough angst, tragedy, family and love that really tied it well together. The characters were beautifully drawn out with distinct personalities that, of course, I do want to read more about the other sisters. The past history of Griffen and Lilly obviously had a lot more which I would have loved to read about that it would have been nice to see that. I am eager to read more from Ms. Christy Carlyle and look forward to the next Bridewell sister book!

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, gentle comfort read material. Griffin blames himself for not doing enough to prevent his best friend Leo from getting killed in a duel. When he learns that Leo’s five sisters are going to lose their home to a cousin who is trying to force oldest sister Lily into marriage, Griffin steps in and offers marriage himself. Lily is overwhelmed by the idea of becoming a duchess, and coping with marriage to Griffin, who she has pined for silently for years. Turns out, Griffin had noticed Lily more than she had ever realized. Griffin is definitely a “cinnamon roll” MMC. Will check out more from the series.