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Unexpectedly Engaged to the Duke: A Historical Regency Romance Novel
Lady Penelope Cromwell, a bluestocking with dreams of schools for orphans and a spine of steel, never intended to marry for convenience. However, when a faulty door traps her with the brooding Duke of Ravenshollow, duty demands a swift, sensible wedding, turning a whisper into a tempest of gossip and attention.
Sebastian Montclair, Duke of Ravenshollow, has long walled his heart behind grief and guilt. Yet, when honor compels him to shield Penelope’s name and restore his failing estate, her incisive mind and kindness shatter his solitude and make his wounded heart beat again.
Sparks fly as Penelope and Sebastian clash, but they will soon have to face a jealous duchess and a charming “heir” who contests the dukedom. Can truth, trust, and an unexpected intellectual partnership save their legacy and their hearts before scandal tears apart all they have built?
Forced Marriage/Forced Proximity, Brooding Hero
"Unexpectedly Engaged to the Duke" is a historical romance novel of approximately 60,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
Sebastian Montclair, Duke of Ravenshollow, has long walled his heart behind grief and guilt. Yet, when honor compels him to shield Penelope’s name and restore his failing estate, her incisive mind and kindness shatter his solitude and make his wounded heart beat again.
Sparks fly as Penelope and Sebastian clash, but they will soon have to face a jealous duchess and a charming “heir” who contests the dukedom. Can truth, trust, and an unexpected intellectual partnership save their legacy and their hearts before scandal tears apart all they have built?
Forced Marriage/Forced Proximity, Brooding Hero
"Unexpectedly Engaged to the Duke" is a historical romance novel of approximately 60,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 28, 2025
118 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Emily Honeyfield
111 books43 followersEmily Honeyfield was born in Chicago, but once she left for studies in London, she fell in love with the city and decided to stay. The vibrant city where she currently lives with her husband continues to inspire her to this day.
As a travel writer and journalist, she has written for many newspapers around the world but writing Romance stories was always her true passion. While she was freelancing, she finally found the time to put her inspiration to a test and write her debut novel. The rest of her writing journey is still left… unwritten!
When she’s not writing, Emily enjoys travelling with her husband, doing yoga and reading food blogs.
Emily loves connecting with her readers!
As a travel writer and journalist, she has written for many newspapers around the world but writing Romance stories was always her true passion. While she was freelancing, she finally found the time to put her inspiration to a test and write her debut novel. The rest of her writing journey is still left… unwritten!
When she’s not writing, Emily enjoys travelling with her husband, doing yoga and reading food blogs.
Emily loves connecting with her readers!
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 24, 2026
Two cowards and a very flawed plan
I enjoyed the story well enough, but the character logic was exhausting. Penelope is allegedly "highly intelligent," yet she can’t see the bigger picture and cowers before the Duchess despite standing up to the Duke. She and Sebastian deserve each other—they are both cowards in their own way.
The plot also falls apart under historical scrutiny. The Duchess’s plan was nonsensical given that Regency marriage laws favored men, and the Ton kept a tight watch on inheritance. Has the author never heard of Debrett’s? Everyone would have known James’s identity. A decent read, but the inconsistencies are hard to overlook.
I enjoyed the story well enough, but the character logic was exhausting. Penelope is allegedly "highly intelligent," yet she can’t see the bigger picture and cowers before the Duchess despite standing up to the Duke. She and Sebastian deserve each other—they are both cowards in their own way.
The plot also falls apart under historical scrutiny. The Duchess’s plan was nonsensical given that Regency marriage laws favored men, and the Ton kept a tight watch on inheritance. Has the author never heard of Debrett’s? Everyone would have known James’s identity. A decent read, but the inconsistencies are hard to overlook.
October 10, 2025
A Very Devious Maddening Woman!
Lady Daphne has had her sights set on the Duke, Sebastian, for a few years. But with one shenanigan too
Many Sebastian retaliates with a marriage proposal to someone else.
And madness sets in. But Lady Penelope sees the goodness in Her Duke & they grow closer together..
Which in turn unleashes secrets no one knew. So who is right? And what can they do about it? There is a plan… !
Lady Daphne has had her sights set on the Duke, Sebastian, for a few years. But with one shenanigan too
Many Sebastian retaliates with a marriage proposal to someone else.
And madness sets in. But Lady Penelope sees the goodness in Her Duke & they grow closer together..
Which in turn unleashes secrets no one knew. So who is right? And what can they do about it? There is a plan… !
October 5, 2025
A soft 3 . Started out good but fizzled. Penelope trusted everyone but her husband. The duke was a bore. If they talked to each other as much as they talked to themselves they might have been able to leave the mountain of misunderstandin.
October 2, 2025
Delightful!
Sadly, engagements did not need love and romance in order for the couples to agree to spend their lives together.
Sadly, engagements did not need love and romance in order for the couples to agree to spend their lives together.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews