The Duke's Forbidden Romance

by Wendy May Andrews

Genres: Regency, Enemies To Lovers, Regency Romance, Historical Romance, Historical

462 pages, Paperback

Published January 31, 2026

About the author

Wendy May Andrews has been reading whatever she could get her hands on since the age of five. She has been writing for almost as long, although Tempting the Earl was the first story she was willing to share with anyone other than her mother. Since then, Wendy has published more than forty Sweet Historical Romance novels.

Wendy lives in Toronto with her own real-life hero. When not writing or reading, she loves traveling with her husband, wherever the mood takes them.

Reviews

[Allie | Looking for Likeminded Souls | Addicted to my Kindle 🫀]

Well this truly was the definition of an angsty slow burn

ARC Review

Insane how captivating a book might be with one kiss scene and no smut whatsoever. I guess this is what I appreciate the most about historical romance.
Both the hero and the heroine were behaving according to the social expectations of their time. Okaaaaay, maybe Cordelia a little less so 🙈

Thus being said, the book could have been shorter. At some point it really felt like it was dragging and I even had the impulse to read a few spoilers on GR to have an idea of what to expect (but didn’t because I wanted to provide an authentic review).

I found the second breakup letter unnecessary and a bit confusing as well as the whole drama around it. As angsty as it made the story, it felt a bit much and I would have rather had a few chapters about the downfall of the bad guys instead. On that note: where did Mercer disappear??

The book was between 3,5 to 4 ⭐️ for me and I will definitely read the next ones.

[Louisa]

As the title states, this book is an historical romance. But it's more than that, it has political intrigue, dramatic interludes and a mystery all included. I have never read anything from this author before.
Now to my review. This was a very long book, that's not a criticism, just giving fair warning. I overall enjoyed the book. It had a good mixture of issues that the couple have to navigate and the speech and interactions of the characters seemed consistent with the time period it was set in.
So why only 4 stars?
There were a number of continuity issues that meant I needed to reread sections to ensure I hadn't just miss read the passage. It disrupted the flow of reading and took me somewhat out of the story every time. A couple of examples..... I'll try not to spoil anything.....the MMC is described travelling in his carriage after leaving Whites and then in the next paragraph he's described as being in a corner of Whites but when you read on more, he's actually in his own home's study. The MFC is called to a meeting with the mother of MMC, the impression is that the mother has come to MFC's home as the MFC is described as folding letters when greeting the mother, then you discover that the MFC has actually come to the mother's home. Why would the MFC be folding letters entering the home/room of a house she doesn't live at? She wouldn't, she would have either not taken them to the meeting or would have stowed them in her reticle before leaving her carriage to enter the mother's house. Sorry, but one more (there were others), the MFC comes into her house, hears MMC talking to her cousin in another room, she hears them about to come out of the room and runs off to her bedroom. Her maid comes in and comments on seeing MMC depart and asks a question, the MFC in her internal thoughts talks about MMC still being downstairs with her cousin..... though the maid had said in the paragraph before that he'd left.
It just seemed like the author had written something, then came back later to add more and didn't re read the paragraphs to ensure it made sense. Or maybe they did but couldn't see the wood for the trees.
My next issue is the overly frequent use of the word Strategic/strategy, it was so prevalent that I honestly started expecting it mentioned at least once per page of the book and got to the point, before the end of the book where I had to grit my teeth whenever that word came up.
There were a couple of other minor things but not worth going into as they themselves did not detract from the book.
Overall, as I said at the start of my review, this was an interesting story and I would try this author again but I hope they get a more thorough proof reading of future books to prevent the continuity issues again.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rochelle]

After a bold and scandalous first meeting, Cordelia and Alexander are compelled to work together. Their relationship develops into a sweet companionship as they assist each other in fighting for what matters most to them. This story is well written and has some depth, even if it’s a bit predictable. The romance is chaste with good chemistry between the characters. I was given a complementary copy of this book. My review is voluntary. I give it 3.5 stars.

[Marsha Rafalski]

Lady Cordelia Grace Alice Dorval is the eldest child of the deceased Lord Dorval who has left his family in poverty, dependent on relatives and friends for their livelihood. This means that Lady Cordelia must marry well in order to care for her family. She has dutifully been attending society events to see and be seen by the eligible bachelors of the city. When in a fit of anger at the role she is required play, she flirts with a masked man at a masquerade ball resulting in a passionate kiss. Alexander Harrington, the sixth Duke of Westbridge, finds not only a beautiful woman but also a worthy opponent for debate. The gossip that follows the kiss is threatening his political future and a school run by Cordelia in memory of her late mother leaving both of them the subject of rumors and a source of delight for the scandalmongers. The solution seems to be a fake betrothal through the end of the season with a break up coming when things quiet down. There’s only one problem—neither really wants the betrothal to end.

The main characters are intriguing and well developed. The members of London society, the House of Lords, and unscrupulous bankers and politicians resist any kind of attempts to settle their differences. The romance is a fun one right up until the resolution of the differences in a public display. This plot point is so outrageous that the rest of the story takes on the mantle of unreality. So I enjoyed the story beginning and middle but nearly DNFed before the ending. For those readers who enjoy swoony romances, I would recommend this book. If you like your romances with a bit more reality, you might want to miss this one or go into it knowing that the first two thirds of the book are well done—not so much the last.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rita]

This is a delightful Regency romance that blends charm, tension, and heartfelt emotion into a thoroughly satisfying read.

From the very first scandalous moment, the story pulls you into Lady Cordelia’s world - she is driven not by selfish desires, but by fierce loyalty to her sisters. Her determination to secure their future makes her instantly sympathetic, and her predicament feels both urgent and deeply personal. She’s strong in a quiet, resilient way, and it’s easy to root for her as she navigates the rigid expectations of society.

Alexander, the Duke of Westbridge, is equally compelling. His sense of duty - to both his position and his political ambition - creates a believable internal conflict when his carefully controlled life is disrupted by one impulsive, unforgettable kiss. He’s not just a brooding aristocrat; he’s thoughtful, principled, and clearly unprepared for the emotional chaos Cordelia brings into his life.

The fake betrothal trope is executed beautifully here. What begins as a necessity to avoid scandal quickly evolves into something more layered, filled with tension, longing, and moments of genuine tenderness. The push and pull between duty and desire keeps the story engaging, and the slow shift from obligation to affection feels natural and earned.

The Regency setting adds an extra layer of richness, with all the elegance, expectations, and social pressures that fans of the genre love. There’s a wonderful balance between the polished exterior of high society and the emotional vulnerability beneath it.

Perfect for readers who enjoy swoony, character-driven romances with a touch of scandal and a lot of heart, this story delivers a charming and memorable escape into love, reputation, and the courage it takes to choose both.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Constance M.]

This was a very well written book.
I got caught up in the story, trying to follow the scandals, the conspiracies and the underhanded attacks that were going on throughout.

A few generations back, the FMC's grandmother was gifted a cottage in which to form a school for anyone who wished to attend. This was revolutionary at the time, and went against all the norms, as women were not usually given property to control themselves. She passed the inheritance through the female line, with it being gifted to the present generation, and the school still continuing.

Enter all the characters who would rather have the property taken away amid all sorts of schemes, especially in light of it still being controlled by a woman. Add in the fact that a railway line is proposed to be built near there, and the desire to have it repossessed becomes heightened.

She is now without parents, and she and her sisters have been condemned to the plight of being their cousin's wards, as he was the only male relative to inherit her father's estate. The cousin, as is the norm, tries to make all the decisions on her behalf, without her input, and she tries to assert her autonomy, with great difficulty.

A beautiful romance develops, but is threatened by many factors, as his reputation and standing in the House of Parliament is questioned by his decisions, being accused of making them because of her influence.

I read this book quickly, because I couldn't tolerate not knowing how it would turn out - good or bad. Take the time to enjoy this story and all the nuances it provides.

[Margery]

In times when women literally had no rights, Lady Cordelia, the eldest sister o 6 girls fights for the right to keep a small parcel of land that a school sits on. The trains aiming to come thru meaning her school is in the way. The school was inherited by her grandmother in a time where women could not own property.There needs to be reform. Mills closing because of the elite parlament is stead fast on rules. Women cannot own anything. They cannot have bank accounts. Lady Cordelia has been educated in estate laws and running the estate. Her grandmother had help from a duke, unknown name, called fox.Turns out the fox is an ancestor of Alexander Harrington. A duke who believes things should not change until a masked ball when a blonde with bright eyes reveals that perhaps his stand is wrong. He is drawn to her and steals a kiss. With businesses closing, bank problems, something has to change. This puts Alaxander in a battle, especially after that kiss that seems to change he whole world. There is a Lord Blackwood who seems to know the secrets of the fox and the land left to Lady Cordelia. It stands in the way of the railroad and he intends to rip the ownership from her. Alexander, in an attempt to protect her from Blackwood, they get fake engaged..Will her faux betrothal to Duke Harrington stand the test of time? Will they be able to thwart Lord Blackwood's attempt to undermine them? This was an absolutely exhilarating read into the past!

[Fanosse23]

The Duke's Forbidden Romance by Wendy May Andrews kicks off the High Society Secrets series with a whirlwind of forbidden passion, political intrigue, and a heroine determined to break free from society's chains.

Lady Cordelia, inspired by her late grandmother’s spirited letters, decides to indulge in one reckless night at a lavish masked ball—a brief escape from the suffocating expectations of high society. What starts as harmless fun quickly escalates when she overhears two gentlemen debating the preservation of the social order. Unable to keep quiet, Cordelia boldly declares, “Daughters should inherit equally.” Her outburst sparks a heated debate with one of the men—and ignites a moment of reckless passion that culminates in a fiery, unexpected kiss.

The man behind the mask? Alexander Harrington, the formidable sixth Duke of Westbridge. A man devoted to his political ambitions and self-control, Alexander never imagined a single kiss could upend his carefully ordered life. But that stolen moment threatens his political future and Cordelia’s plans to honor her mother’s memory with her school for girls. When gossip spreads like wildfire, the two agree to a fake betrothal to quell scandal—one that becomes increasingly complicated as their feelings deepen.

Watching Cordelia and Alexander navigate their sham engagement, political obstacles, and the ever-looming threat of social ruin is a delight. Their journey is full of sharp banter, romantic tension, and the thrill of high-stakes society maneuvering. While the story occasionally lingers a bit on repetitive rumors, the dynamic between the leads and the exploration of power, politics, and privilege keep the plot engaging.

Andrews weaves in fascinating historical elements as well, from discussions of bank failures to the machinations of the House of Lords, highlighting the timeless nature of greed and political ambition. The novel’s mix of romantic awakening, political drama, and high society scandal makes it a captivating start to the series.

Despite a few moments of redundancy, The Duke's Forbidden Romance is a charming, passionate, and engaging read. Cordelia and Alexander’s chemistry, coupled with the rich historical backdrop, left me eager for the next installment in the High Society Secrets series.

I received a free advanced copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melissa’s Bookshelf]

A forbidden kiss at a masquerade ball sparks a riveting tale of political intrigue, forced betrothal, mystery, & a sizzling undercurrent of attraction in this delightful new Regency from Wendy May Andrews. I’ve enjoyed this author’s Regencies before & was excited for this one. I was not disappointed. I was hooked from the start & couldn’t wait to see what happened next.

After reading her grandmother’s romantic letters to The Fox, Lady Cordelia is determined to find adventure at a masquerade ball. Behind her mask, her confidence grows, leading her to boldly join a debate on property rights, declaring women should be allowed to inherit. A heated exchange ends in a searing, unexpected kiss…one witnessed by the ton, resulting in a forced betrothal. But more than a betrothal of convenience is at stake.

Alexander Harrington, the sixth Duke of Westbridge, prides himself on practicality & self-control. His shocking breach of propriety unsettles him, yet he’s intrigued by the masked woman’s ideas. As a rising star in Parliament amid failing banks & property loss, pressure mounts. His engagement to Lady Cordelia offers political cover & helps her protect her inheritance—a school for the poor—and her sisters’ futures. But others are determined to force legislation that would strip her of her beloved school. Will he protect the woman he’s come to care for, or save his political standing?

This story completely captured my attention. I loved the witty banter & intelligent leads. Loved their sizzling chemistry, battle of wits, & budding romance. The tightrope of political maneuvering & societal pressures adds a steady thread of suspense, with conniving opponents always seeming one step ahead, determined to divide them. I was also intrigued by the mystery of The Fox & can’t wait to learn more.

While I was fully enthralled, it did feel a bit long. Some dialogue was repetitive, a few character threads dropped, & certain plot points felt unnecessary (like two devastating letters from the FMC instead of one). A bit of tightening would easily elevate this to a five-star read.

That said, I enjoyed it immensely & look forward to more in the series. Recommend this swoon-worthy yet clean, unique Regency. I received a complimentary copy from Booksprout with no expectation of a review. All opinions are my own & provided voluntarily.

[Nancy]

Great first story in this series High Society Secrets. I loved meeting the main characters as well as characters that may get their stories in upcoming books.

Lady Cordelia has the concern of her six sisters on her. mind when she attends the events after her come out. She knows that she must choose a husband wisely if she is to help each of them in their future. When she attends a masquerade ball, she overhears a political conversation. and she just cannot help herself when she begins to debate one of the men. He has the traditional views of many of the Lords and she wants to see reforms made especially the rights of women to have inheritances and land. The passionate discussion leads to a kiss that neither one of them can forget. Lady Cordelia has no idea that she had been debating Alexander Harrington, the sixth Duke of Westbridge. He is an important man in the House of Lords and is deeply involved in the serious banking situation that is causing many people to lose all that they have.

When the Duke cannot seem to get the unknown woman out of his mind he has his servant do some investigation to determine who she might be. He realizes that there are people who want to harm her reputation and destroy his ability to help make the right decisions in the House of Lords. His only choice is to offer her a fake engagement until the talk dies down about their secret kiss.

There are lots of intrigues in play in this book as there are some determined to bring a wedge between the Duke and Lady Cordelia. They are after a piece of land that she owns that is being used for a school for the common people.
The land's value has increased due to the railroad coming through and there are men who are trying to trick her into losing her property. Their lies will try to make it seem that the Duke is after her property.

Will Cordelia and the Duke be able to withstand the outside schemes and discover they want a true engagement?

There's also a mystery about The Fox that was found in a stack of letters that belonged to their grandmother. It is believed that he may have given the land to he many years ago. This mystery will continue in the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alejandra Guerrero]

It was okay, but the first third was very repetitive. I wasn’t expecting so much political intrigue. It was good, and very well done, though sometimes the talking about reform and statutes got a bit dry and repetitive, and the constant interrupting of the interactions between Cordelia and Alexander with “an urgent situation” from the school that never got addressed became a bore.
One thing I found annoying was that Cordelia kept trusting people she knew were her enemies, while doubting Alexander, who had proven by then he had her best interests in mind. It was a bit out of character, since Cordelia was an intelligent woman in every other situation. It was hard to believe she would just take these people’s word at face value when she knew they were deceitful from the get go. Sure, they played into her fears, but she was supposed to be more intelligent than that. She got better, though, but both she and Alexander felt like very passive participants in the school matters and the reform, merely reacting to their enemy’s maneuvering, if they did anything at all.
It was a very slow burn, and they showed little chemistry until the final third, but the book is more focused on the political intrigue than in the romance, so it was not surprising.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jen Peters]

In a Regency era, Lady Cordelia breaks the mold, being passionate about women's rights and inheritance, partly because of her own situation and partly because of her sense of fairness. Alexander, on the other hand, is a duke who seems entrenched in the status quo, wanting to keep it not only for tradition, but for society's stability. And then an unintended debate followed by a kiss at a masquerade ball throws them both for a loop.

This was a lovely read--all the restrictions and charm of Regency society, but with a young lady determined to be honest about how she feels while she strives to protect her family, and a man who is shaken into new thoughts. The sparring was delightful as they fell in love (no spoiler--you know they're going to), and the changes within each were realistic for their characters rather than be the author's machinations.

Personally, I like romances to have other things going on besides the miscommunications that happen while they fall in love, and this book did not disappoint. There are bank failures happening that Alexander is trying to get under control, and a railway going through which threatens Cordelia's school and provides a great villain. I appreciate the author's research into more than costume and manners. All in all, great way to escape for the weekend!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cynde mitchell]

I really love to read, ever since I was little, I read all sorts of genres my favorites range from Fantasy (think Twilight) to mystery ( The in Death series), historical romance-Amanda Quick, Jane Austen and everyone in between.
Now I've found a new favorite-Wendy May Andrews. I just finished her e-book, The Duke's Forbidden Romance, it had me at the beginning chapter, went through it in a few hours (I said I love to read).
She's a very good writer and what I really liked about the book was unlike many novels, today, there was no soft porn in it, which I do not care care for at all.
In the first chapter you meet, Cordelia, the heroine and a few pages later the Duke, and needless to say sparks fly between them. Cordelia has strong opinions on why women should be just as able to inherit lands just as sons do but Alexander, the Duke, just doesn't quite see eye to eye so that's the opening salvo at a masquerade ball and they steal a kiss which starts off the romance.
The beauty is that all sorts of things go wrong that can go wrong, never a dull moment from start to finish.
The good thing is this is just the book in the series.
I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to the others.

[Rose Seals]

Very well written, full of drama, society, family, mystery, villains, forgeries, secrets, action, intrigue and suspense. Lady Cordelia Dorval is a is a young woman who is to have her come out in society after taking care of her sisters and her father's estate. Her cousin is now the new guardian of them and holds her father's title. Alexander Harrington, the Duke of Westbridge Manor is heading for a masquerade ball hoping to improve some things. He is not looking for a wife but more votes of other members in the Parliament to pass some of his bills. It's there that Cordelia and Alexander get into a debate and then were seen kissing. A scandal occurs for him but no one knows who she is, yet. Once Alexander figures out who she is, he makes her an offer that she accepts. He also learns that she is looking into his family and a man named Fox. How will it affect her school, cottage and charity. Add in Lord Blackwood and Mercer and the issues that they bring to both Cordelia and Alexander. Has lots of action and mystery to keep the readers turning the pages needing answers on who the Fox really is. Would strongly recommend to all.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amanda]

This book started out strong, hooked me in the first chapter. Good chemistry, and then an undeniable affection growing even when they were both trying to keep it fake and light. Then the book started getting really repetitive. Because I wasn’t reading it all in one sitting, I kept checking to see if I had already read these scenes before, felt like alternate scenarios in the middle of the book! Also, the heroine, Cordelia, is portrayed early on to be very intelligent and witty, but then she believes and takes to heart every single piece of gossip or doubts put in her mind as reality instead of ever questioning them. Her character in these scenarios don’t fit with who she is built up to be in the first half of the book. Also, the two main characters spend very little time together, for instance after an engagement it would have made much more sense for him to call on her so they could continue to get to know each other but that build up is really missing in this book. Unfortunately, it was a miss for me. The book is clean, no sex scenes or language, only a few kisses.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[M. K. Jacobs]

The setup of this Regency romance was exciting: a passionate debate at a masquerade that leads to a kiss between a Duke and a debutante who have to figure out each other's identities (although the identities were really obvious, to be honest; I expected more from that mystery). I love a book with good political intrigue, and Andrews definitely piled it on here! It was fascinating to consider the implications for the landowners when the railroad was going to cut through land. However, the structure of the plot got very repetitive: they would have a discussion, an urgent interruption would come, they would deal with that, and then they would think about the conversation afterwards and often rehash the same points again in another conversation with someone else. I wanted to see more interaction for Lady Cordelia with her sisters; they were more of motivation than actual characters, and in the scenes at the end I think the author even mixed some of them up. Still, I was rooting for the main couple to be together and I especially liked the dramatic re-proposal.

I received an e-ARC through Booksprout; all opinions are my own.

[Veniece]

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. It was a bit too long, with repeated political delays, late night political maneuverings and interference by the Villians that I just couldn’t believe. But it all started wrong for me when the great grandmother’s “love” letters didn’t read as a love letter at all. How is it that Cordelia had a letter her great grandmother had written (and given) to the Fox? Wouldn’t she only have the letters she received from the Fox? Nothing of affection, only protection of property or some such. Little did I realize this would be the focus of the entire book. But I plugged along, trying to remember if this was a book I agreed to write a review.
About two thirds through the book I started highlighting the parts that were not properly proofed. Wrong names, wrong places, wrong timing. The main characters didn’t spend much time together yet towards the end the MMC thinks of the hours they spent together (which we never read about). Only their conflicts over banking, education, and property rights. I had to force myself to finish. Sorry, but I will be reluctant to read another book by this author.

[Helen]

The Duke’s Forbidden Romance is the first in a series to uncover the identity of The Fox and the Dorval sisters’ grandmother. Lady Cordelia begins the search with her appearance at a masked ball, as her grandmother had done, and her unplanned debate—and kiss—with a masked gentleman. Unfortunately, there was a witness to the kiss and whispers circulated, whispers that could threaten Cordelia’s own reputation and her six sisters’ futures as well as the political influence of Alexander Harrington, Duke of Westbridge.
A temporary engagement should end the speculation, but Westbridge has powerful political enemies and Cordelia owns a piece of extremely valuable property that tempts unscrupulous greedy men. Political machinations and deliberate misinformation as well as the misfired well-intentioned remarks and actions by friends and relatives force Alexander and Cordelia to make hard choices in the post-Regency climate of England. Can each of them stay true to his/her principles and have a true marriage as loving partners?.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lynda]

I really enjoy the fake engagement trope, so was excited to read one set during the Regency. I got more than I expected, however, as this novel contains a hefty dose of mystery accompanying the romance.

I really enjoyed the banter between Cordelia and Alexander, especially once their engagement became public. Their connection was believable despite their differing opinions at the book’s opening, something somewhat challenging in an opposites attract setup, but well done here.

While this book had more mystery and suspense than I expected from the back cover, I found that I really enjoyed it. Although outside my usual reading preferences, the romance was a strong enough draw that the larger conflict enhanced their relationship rather than seeming a forced obstacle thrown in.

I recommend this book for readers of Regency romance who enjoy a little added complication to the norm.

I received a review copy of this book but was not required to write a positive review. The views expressed are both honest and my own.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joy]

Setting:
Lady Cordelia Grace Alice Dorval, eldest daughter left to care for her sisters after the death of her parents, is also the headmistress of a school for impoverished children who would otherwise have no education.  She carries on the work of her grandmother whose property she inherited.  This property has suddenly gained importance as railway construction is being determined for the country: her property is in the path of one of the proposed lines.  Contentions arise when manipulative politicians try to wrest the property from her hands.  Her “knight in shining armor” comes from a surprising direction, Alexander Harrington, the Duke of Westbridge.  

Critique:
I enjoyed this clean romance, built around solving the provenance of Lady Cordelia’s property.  This mystery evolved during her grandmother’s time, and now proves to be the tool that politicians try to use to pry the property out of her hands. The plot is interesting and believable, and the characters are well fleshed out. The Hero and heroine garner our sympathy as they move to their HEA, in this sweet, clean romance.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Pat Robinson]

I will admit, politics is not my forte and this story has a LOT of it. Some of it confusing and I am not sure if it is because I don’t understand it or if it was the author’s plotting. I adored Cordelia’s sense of independence and how she was able to show Alexander that his unforgiving, traditional stances needed to be reevaluated . There seems to be some confusion on timing issues, the characters saying or deciding one thing and then two chapters later acting like their decision hadn’t been made. Some inconsistencies came about with the children being moved or not moved, and where they were moved and why was very confusing to me. But overall, the story was filled with emotional depth that the characters had to slog through to get to their HEA. I did not expect one person of being involved in all the machinations -that was a real surprise. The ongoing search for “the Fox” will be entertaining , I think, as well.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amber Anthon]

I loved the beginning because it hooked me and I wanted to know more. However, from there the storyline got confusing. This story is a dual perspective book so know what he is thinking and she is thinking. Where the plot started to get confusing was when they "think" they know who they kissed at the Masquerade ball. I was constantly thinking that they already figured this out why are we going back to this? It kind of stalled the plot. Then the laws he is trying to Implements seemed rather convoluted , so I struggled to get through the book. Finally, there was problems with the climax of the story and I felt like it didn't tie everything together as nicely as I would have liked but it did leave it open for the next sister to figure things out. I would have liked more interaction with her younger sisters to get a feel for them before the epilogue.
After all this though I think it is a good story and I want to read the rest of the series.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa Benison]

Clean Regency Romance With Political Intrigue and Hints of Mystery

I generally liked this book and the characters but did agree with other reviewers regarding its flaws. I enjoyed the attraction, banter and even the political discussions between Cordelia and Alexander and the fact that even when she discovered his identity she did not become submissive just because of his title. However I did find some of the politics repetitive, with a lot of long speeches that could have been condensed or edited without losing any of the story. And I couldn't understand how Cordelia was so quick mistrust Alexander when he had never given her a reason to, when his supposed actions were called into question by those she already knew were proven enemies and she did not necessarily have all the facts - it seemed she was much smarter than that? But all in all, I did enjoy the book and will look forward to reading more from this author. Enjoy!

I was sent an ARC by the author and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[C]

The Duke’s Forbidden Romance is an engaging start to the High Society Secrets series, blending forbidden attraction, political tension, and a heroine determined to challenge the rules of her world. A bold debate at a masquerade ball leads Lady Cordelia and the Duke of Westbridge into a scandalous kiss—and a fake engagement that quickly grows complicated as real feelings emerge.

Cordelia and Alexander make a compelling pair: intelligent, principled, and full of sharp banter and quiet chemistry. The historical backdrop—inheritance laws, banking failures, and House of Lords maneuvering—adds depth without overshadowing the romance, and the mystery of “The Fox” promises intriguing developments in future books.

While a few scenes feel repetitive, there are some discontinuities, and the pacing could be tighter, the story remains charming, thoughtful, and thoroughly enjoyable. A clean, swoon‑worthy Regency with heart, intrigue, and a couple worth rooting for.

I received a complimentary copy and am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Leann Arave]

I thought the story started out quite strong. I was intrigued by the mystery and the first encounter between the two main characters. Cordelia is a strong, intelligent and stubborn woman of 23. When she is approached, at a masquerade ball, by an opinionated and bold gentleman, who matched her debate head on, she was surprised. When their conversation suddenly turned into a passionate kiss, it put them both in a compromising position. Alexander had no idea what came over him, but this mystery woman had taken over his senses with her wit and forward thinking ideas. Unfortunately, I thought the story slowed down with all the political talk. I also thought Cordelia became week and unsure. I think I would’ve liked the mystery and devious actions to be a little stronger just to hold my attention. I also would’ve liked a stronger conclusion. That being said I didn’t mind the book. It’s just one I probably wouldn’t read again.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Barbara Harrison]

Allow at least two days for this sweet, fast-paced, complicated, family-friendly, clean, wholesome, Christian, age-gap, political, forbidden, enemies-to-lovers Regency romance procedural, featuring adults, betrayal, children, England, families, grief, humor, mystery, pregnancy, prejudice, Scotland, spies, a transfer of property, repeating history, justice and reform, shaken foundations, lonelyness at a masked ball, passion, railway speculation, radical ideas, mill closures, comfort, perspective, the natural order of things, flight or fight, tradition, changing times, strategic marriages, intrigue, a LOUD crack of thunder at just the correct moment, a school, banking crises, charity and charities, tea party trials, bank failures afflicting the ton, emotional investment, anger, a means to multiple ends, provision, wanting, love, an absence of communication, parsing a heart, forgery, a cottage, a capacity for growth, and a future together.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[NelleRenn]

This book dealt a lot with the intrigue of passing laws and bank failures. I got a little confused on the time line, such as they were to vote on legislation at dawn but in the next chapter they had a whole day to prepare speeches for the legislation. I also had trouble trying to figure out how far away from London the school was as the school mistress seemed to show up fairly quickly. I had troubles with the servants relaying so much verbally as I would think it would be conveyed by messages. I did like the slow burn romance and how the two main characters overcame some of their prejudices. I would have liked for some of the conversations that were inferred would happen to at least be mentioned that they were such as when the duke overheard the villains and he told the heroine he needed to speak with her privately the next morning, but I never read that that happened.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Southern Belle]

I wasn’t expecting quite so much political intrigue and machinations, and I did get a bit tired of hearing the same rumors over and over, but I loved both Alexander and Cordelia and their respect for each other which deepens as time goes on. I found it a little hard to believe that such an intelligent lady trusted important information from their mutual enemies time and time again on here-say when it was proven they had their own agenda to promote. True, they aligned with her greatest fears and appeared authentic, but I would have thought she would have been a bit more skeptical and required proof before believing, since they had been proven to be unreliable before. The ballroom proposal seemed out of place for the time, but I loved it anyway. I enjoyed the story and thought it was a great beginning to a new series. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Annie Sandberg]

Where to begin. This book had it all. I took my time reading this book as I didn’t want to miss anything. It was quite detailed.

It was an intriguing story. The initial scene between Lady Cordelia and the Duke set the tone for this story. I enjoyed the banter between them. The mutual attraction they had was simmering beneath the surface.
This book was a definite page turner. I stayed up late as it was impossible to put this book down.

The attention to detail in this book was incredible. It held my attention in a way no history book ever had. I felt immersed in the story.

The characters were well-developed and even though the plot was intricate, it was easy to follow.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was romantic, complex, compelling, a definite page turner and I highly recommend it.
If you like historical romance with a story that has depth, this is the book for you.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lesley]

Political Machinations
I think I would have preferred this book to be shorter as I did find the political manoeuvring got rather boring. I also became confused about the school that Cordelia supported - was it a boarding school (the children slept there) or a day school as it was for the less wealthy and sometimes the children were needed by the parents? During the course of the story it was run from four different locations, including during the epilogue, the grounds of a ducal mansion which seems unlikely. Also for some reason Cordelia needs to write breaking off her betrothal twice - not sure why the first letter, which we see Alexander reading, was ignored. Whilst he did put Cordelia on the spot, when he proposes in front of the entire Ton, that was one of the most enjoyable passages in the book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from Booksprout. All thoughts and opinions are my own.