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Forced to Marry the Highland Duke: A Historical Regency Romance Novel
Beatrice Ashcombe has spent seven years beneath the control of an aunt determined to dictate every choice she makes. Now twenty-one, she knows that even marriage will offer no freedom, for her future husband has already been chosen for her. When one disastrous moment at a ball places her reputation in the hands of a Scottish stranger, could scandal finally become her chance to claim a life of her own?
Alexander MacRae, the new Duke of Strathbran, never wanted a title, or the obligations that drew him away from his beloved Highlands. While in London to secure his position and protect his family’s honor, he is determined to avoid the scandals of the English ton. Yet, when he catches Beatrice in his arms before a room of unforgiving witnesses, honor demands that he offer marriage to the captivating woman he hardly knows...
Bound by an engagement neither expected, Beatrice and Alexander slowly discover that what began as duty may become something far more precious. However, as vicious rumours spread, Beatrice’s controlling family schemes to divide them, and a deadly plot threatens their future, they must decide how fiercely they are willing to fight for one another. Can a marriage born from scandal give two reluctant hearts the freedom and love they never knew they needed?
Tropes: Forced Engagement, Marriage of Convenience, Scottish Hero, Opposites Attract
"Forced to Marry the Highland Duke" is a historical romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
Alexander MacRae, the new Duke of Strathbran, never wanted a title, or the obligations that drew him away from his beloved Highlands. While in London to secure his position and protect his family’s honor, he is determined to avoid the scandals of the English ton. Yet, when he catches Beatrice in his arms before a room of unforgiving witnesses, honor demands that he offer marriage to the captivating woman he hardly knows...
Bound by an engagement neither expected, Beatrice and Alexander slowly discover that what began as duty may become something far more precious. However, as vicious rumours spread, Beatrice’s controlling family schemes to divide them, and a deadly plot threatens their future, they must decide how fiercely they are willing to fight for one another. Can a marriage born from scandal give two reluctant hearts the freedom and love they never knew they needed?
Tropes: Forced Engagement, Marriage of Convenience, Scottish Hero, Opposites Attract
"Forced to Marry the Highland Duke" is a historical romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
- GenresHistorical Romance
488 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 14, 2026
Honestly I was just so bored reading this. The entire middle 3/4 of the book can be skipped and you will miss nothing.
August 22, 2026
This is a delightfully engaging tale filled with all the ingredients of a proper Regency romp, though the 'ton' would surely fan themselves standard-issue at the scandal of it all.
I found myself cheering wholeheartedly for Beatrice from the outset. After all, every woman deserves the autonomy to choose her own husband—a notion that predictably sent her aunt and cousin-by-marriage into a absolute tailspin. When Beatrice settles on the very gentleman caught with her at a ball, ruining her reputation in one fell swoop, he naturally steps up. Honor demands he make things right, but rather than rushing for a special license, Alexander takes the delightfully patient route: courting his betrothed over the three weeks while the banns are read, falling head over heels for her in the process.
Then comes the drama. The spiteful duo against the union plot to kidnap Beatrice on her wedding day, though Julian harbors a far more sinister scheme. What follows is a thrilling race against time, a brilliant adventure that keeps you hooked on the what, where, and why.
Where the story stumbles slightly, however, is Beatrice’s frustrating streak of indecision. She wanders back and forth emotionally, requiring Alexander to endlessly offer reassurance. It becomes downright taxing to watch her constantly question his character based on whatever fresh lie Julian has whispered in her ear. After the first deception, one would think she’d learn to tune Julian out entirely. More to the point: why on earth would you trust the word of a man you refused to marry because you didn't trust him? It's a glaring flaw in her logic, and I only wish Alexander had called her out on it instead of playing the saintly redeemer every single time.
I found myself cheering wholeheartedly for Beatrice from the outset. After all, every woman deserves the autonomy to choose her own husband—a notion that predictably sent her aunt and cousin-by-marriage into a absolute tailspin. When Beatrice settles on the very gentleman caught with her at a ball, ruining her reputation in one fell swoop, he naturally steps up. Honor demands he make things right, but rather than rushing for a special license, Alexander takes the delightfully patient route: courting his betrothed over the three weeks while the banns are read, falling head over heels for her in the process.
Then comes the drama. The spiteful duo against the union plot to kidnap Beatrice on her wedding day, though Julian harbors a far more sinister scheme. What follows is a thrilling race against time, a brilliant adventure that keeps you hooked on the what, where, and why.
Where the story stumbles slightly, however, is Beatrice’s frustrating streak of indecision. She wanders back and forth emotionally, requiring Alexander to endlessly offer reassurance. It becomes downright taxing to watch her constantly question his character based on whatever fresh lie Julian has whispered in her ear. After the first deception, one would think she’d learn to tune Julian out entirely. More to the point: why on earth would you trust the word of a man you refused to marry because you didn't trust him? It's a glaring flaw in her logic, and I only wish Alexander had called her out on it instead of playing the saintly redeemer every single time.
August 10, 2026
It was a slow moving story. The whole plot was obvious in the first 30 pages. It took 300 more to end it.
The characters are nicely developed, but a bit hesitant to actually DO SOMETHING! The "let's wait and see what he/they do next..." got old really fast.
I read it to the end, but skipped over long, boring sections of "Oh, dear, what shall we do?" Less talk, more action needed, and about 100 fewer pages.
The characters are nicely developed, but a bit hesitant to actually DO SOMETHING! The "let's wait and see what he/they do next..." got old really fast.
I read it to the end, but skipped over long, boring sections of "Oh, dear, what shall we do?" Less talk, more action needed, and about 100 fewer pages.
August 16, 2026
Patience will prevail!
Interesting preface of a story, how much patience can a young lady have, for six years Beatrice has been verbally abused by her aunt, who is now insisting she wed her cousin. While he seems courteous and friendly, there’s something off. While at a ball and hiding on the balcony meets Scottish Duke Alexander and scandal has him offering for her hand. She accepts and problems start!
Interesting preface of a story, how much patience can a young lady have, for six years Beatrice has been verbally abused by her aunt, who is now insisting she wed her cousin. While he seems courteous and friendly, there’s something off. While at a ball and hiding on the balcony meets Scottish Duke Alexander and scandal has him offering for her hand. She accepts and problems start!
August 7, 2026
can’t recommend this book
I think she trusts me. Or not..or yes. I want to marry her…or not…or yes. Back and forth. Not enough meat in the story line. Just angst. Reading pages of this I almost didn’t finish it and skipped a lot to get to end. I want a story with meat in the plot. Didn’t deliver. Sorry
I think she trusts me. Or not..or yes. I want to marry her…or not…or yes. Back and forth. Not enough meat in the story line. Just angst. Reading pages of this I almost didn’t finish it and skipped a lot to get to end. I want a story with meat in the plot. Didn’t deliver. Sorry
August 7, 2026
Could have been less than half the length
The book was mostly angst and internal dialog. I finished it only by skimming a great deal. The worst of it was I missed none of the plot by skimming.
The book was mostly angst and internal dialog. I finished it only by skimming a great deal. The worst of it was I missed none of the plot by skimming.
August 26, 2026
😑
Too long and boring.
You drag everything out so much I got really tired of reading. Almost deleted the book several times.
Too long and boring.
You drag everything out so much I got really tired of reading. Almost deleted the book several times.
August 29, 2026
good read
I enjoyed the book and couldn’t let go. Looking forward to read more of the next chapter in the life of these characters.
I enjoyed the book and couldn’t let go. Looking forward to read more of the next chapter in the life of these characters.
September 2, 2026
Forced to Marry
It had romance and mystery. It was off beat Cinderella story. Only uncle must have been blind. He didn't see it happening.
It had romance and mystery. It was off beat Cinderella story. Only uncle must have been blind. He didn't see it happening.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews