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A Duchess to Fight For

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Friends since they were young, Percy and Louisa vowed to never marry each other and ruin their deep friendship. Around them, couples enjoying their season pair up motivated by dowries, titles and alliances, but not by love.

Percy and Louisa reject marrying on those terms but fear they won't find a partner or worse, they will have to break their vow and risk losing out to being joined in an unhappy marriage.

What happens after Louisa rejects Percy's proposal? And how do their feelings for each other change?

A Duchess to Fight For is a historical romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

465 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 23, 2018

920 people are currently reading
176 people want to read

About the author

Abigail Agar

139 books93 followers

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5 stars
146 (38%)
4 stars
102 (27%)
3 stars
71 (18%)
2 stars
30 (8%)
1 star
26 (6%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
Profile Image for Edwina " I LoveBooks" "Deb".
1,440 reviews17 followers
June 11, 2018
Thank God I got this book free with Kindle Unlimited. The story is too chaotic. To much nonsense going on in the story. Its way to long for the storyline. Over and Over Louisa is being pursued by unsavory men who needs her dowry. Titled gentlemen who will resort to ruining her to compromise her into marriage or ruining her families good name. They acted like stalkers!! Percy and Louisa are childhood friends and make a deal never to court one another. They did not want to ruin there close friendship. But all along they were in love with each other and refuse to acknowledge it. They were very close and this did come through in the story.

Its wasn't until about 65% read on my kindle that I was sure of Percy's title. He is a Duke but you would never know it because no one calls him Your Grace or ever referes to him as a Duke until almost the end of the story. The beginning of the story says his father was a Duke. I had go back and re read the beginning because the rest of the story seemed like he was just Percy. It came across that maybe he was just a gentlemen with no title.

Dukes are rare creatures. There titles are held in high regard and they are very powerful. Very Very Snobbish. The author lost this point of view. If she ever knew it. Louisa's father is a Duke. But he is referred to by his first name Frederick and her mother's first name Amelia. This was not done. except between husband and wife. Close friends and close family would refer to them by there title. Like Rutland Not Frederick or Gordon Not Percy.

Abigail Agar the author did not respect the title or the power of a Duke. The other problem I had is I doubt very seriously if Dukes or any titled person of the peerage would go running at night. There form of exercise or to work off fustrations was going to Gentlemen Jacksons and boxing or Hunting Or Shooting events or just horseback riding. Not running around Hyde Park at night to work off frustrations.

The story had good bones, but at least half of it should have been edited out. It was way to long and repetitive. Oh and what the heck happen at the end. It was abrupt and then you were told to her website to read the rest of the story to find out what happen!! DUMB DUMB DUMB!!!

I did like all the characters except the villians Percy and Louisa were great and her parents. There friends were great too. There is Absolutely "NO ROMANCE NOT EVEN A KISS IN THE STORY"!! even with that Characters being written well and likeable "I Cannot Recommend" This story.

I hope the author does some research on the Regency Era and Titles of the Peerage.
Profile Image for *❆ Kαɾҽɳ ❆*.
414 reviews93 followers
April 29, 2018
Ahh I always love to pick up a regency romance novel, especially by this author!

Percy and Louisa have been best friends since their early teens. Together they learnt to dance together and their fellow friends. But becoming friends wasn't easy, they would pull pranks on each other, getting told off frequently (mostly Percy)

But because their friendship was so strong they feared a marriage would ruin it. So they vowed to never think of one another that way, even if both of them secretly wished they could get together

They also promised that whoever they ended up marrying would like the friendship they had, if not, no proposal.
And they have their share of suitors and begin courting them but there are circumstances that tend to get in the way of them before they progress any further

Worse yet, Lord Barton, a man in his forties or fifties has his sight on marrying Louisa, no matter the cost. Which makes things difficult for Louisa to court other men, and Percy tries so hard to shield her from his advances

It is clear to everyone around them that they are made for each other, a match made in heaven, but will their vow be a barrier between them?

This such a sweet and lovely novel, I loved reading about these two and the inner conflicts and thoughts they had. It was delightful

Cannot wait to read more!

Received a copy from the author herself, for an honest review, thank you!
Profile Image for Jill.
835 reviews39 followers
April 28, 2018
Not recommended unless you have absolutely nothing else to read

2-1/2 Stars
I liked the description of this book but it fell seriously short of my expectations. Having purchased the book I made myself finish the whole story. The story to me felt like it was drawn out way too long. There were lots of tangents and completely unrelated details that distracted from the main story line. Lots of parts of the book I ended up scanning because honestly, why do I need to know specifics about repairs made to a home far away from the action and that no one is living in.
There were several things that didn’t match the time period. Percy was young enough to be the Duke Fredrick and Amelia’s son, yet he called them both by their first name. This just would not of been appropriate for the childhood friend of their daughter. Several times servants or workers called Percy by his first name. Also the running miles at night for exercise and to burn off his energy was not a common practice at that time. Discussions of Chinese meditation benefits for contemplating out his life decisions? A little too modern for me and a little too unrealistic with poor Louisa’s only potential love interests having serious disqualifying flaws.
Profile Image for Lori Quick.
301 reviews4 followers
April 29, 2018
I really enjoyed reading A Duchess to Fight For by Abigail Agar. Ms Agar did a wonderful job of bringing young adults that become fast friends to their HEA. I always love the journey. Louisas and Percy went to dance lessons together and have become best friends. As adults they have feelings for each other but don’t want to mess up their relationship with courtship. This story has jokes, lasting friendships, loyalty, blackmail, attempted kidnapping and much more. You need to read the book to see how it all ends.
1,427 reviews3 followers
June 5, 2018
Young love!

They met as young teens learning to dance and that was that for them. They were going to be best friends forever. The story is just lovely, a real adventure on life and love.
Profile Image for Lindsey.
171 reviews2 followers
August 23, 2018
This book is really not good. If you like historical romance you will hate this due to inaccuracy of speech and titles. Seriously, everyone went by their first name the whole book, including Dukes. The story was all over the place. I will never try this author again.

Content: clean
Source: kindle unlimited
Profile Image for Kathryn Bullivant.
Author 3 books3 followers
April 30, 2018
Another sweet story. Childhood friends to lovers is one of my favourite tropes, and this book didn’t disappoint on that front.

Occasional flashbacks which weren’t signposted and got a little confusing, otherwise would have had a higher rating.

3.5*

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
Profile Image for Rikelle.
158 reviews1 follower
June 4, 2018
I like clean regency romance novels. They tend to be a bit on the cheesy side but this one seemed particularly so. I couldn’t get in to the author’s style of writing. It was too much telling and not enough allowing the details to tell the story. It was okay but more of a meh for me.
91 reviews1 follower
April 23, 2020
A Historical Romance With A Twist

I was a little confused at the beginning but as I read, I couldn't put the book down. Not one of my favorite from this great author Abigail I love reading. She did not disappoint me in the details but lack the romance more about the friend, Lousia father's relationship with his brother came about, once again confusion as it seemed it really could have been left out of this story. This historical romance was written around two young teens who made a promise to never marry each other to not ruin their friendship if they both fell in love with each other. I found it delightful as to read Perys loyal to his best friend Lousia who seemed very spoiled at times growing out of both of their childish behavior into a handsome man & beautiful woman. The mysteries & heartache throughout this wonderful story both not seeing their love grow as they dated other people. Those who surrounded them with stories of deception, threats around the corner, Percy over protected her, realizing he loved Louisa. The more I read, I found this historical romance novel filled with twist and turns, to love winning in the end. I did not care for the extended ending, it wasn't one of my favorites jumping ahead 10 years later, seeming how hard Percy was in his son's behavior of learning to dance, was very harsh and mean to Bart, a name change of hating to be named after Louisa' s brother which angered Percy, forgetting he was like this at his age. Still a 3 star story I recommend to read, if you love lots of action!. A clean romance which I found to be a huge plus, just wished there was more romance of missing and the feeling of Perry's obligation as to me reading the proposal which found very dry, no real missing or deep feelings , it sounded, not the deep love as I expected, but more a marriage that lack any passion, kissing, between these two friends which was not talked or displayed affection of real true love in this novel... Disappointed😢😞😞
732 reviews3 followers
April 27, 2018
Friends to lovers

I did enjoy this book and loved the plot twists. It is refreshing to see new ideas on childhood friendship turn into more and the chat at involved he deal and believable.
Having said that, the only thing I had a problem with is the repeating of how they are best friends so much in the book.

Louisa is and only child who loves life, her friend, and parents. She is smart and not afraid to show it. I would not classify her as a restocking but close. While getting ready for her first season, her mother, gets a few of the girls and guys together for dance lessons. Her we are her sweet nature come thru and she now has more friends other than the neighbor not she grew up with.

Percy, Lord Pembroke, also is a only child. However, he does not have the living parents and is closer to the servants. He befriends Louisa and her parents, whom he now looks up to. He jokes with and pranks Louisa who in turn does the same to him. To protect his heart, he proposed to always be friends and never marry the other but to make sure the spouse the choose can accept their friendship.

Now in the first season on the marriage mart, all but the two can see how much they are a perfect match. The two go thru trying to find a spouse, they do find a comfortable match but it does not last for one reason or another.

Enter Lord St John, a bad chap with an ego issue. He starts causing issues as is now wants Louisa just for her dowery. With all the twists he creates, which are good, this gives the reader more reason why Percy and Louisa belong together.

Finally these two get engaged but he needs to go to his estate and handle things so he leaves Louisa and her mother to plan the wedding with only telling him when and where to show up.
Now that is great planning.

I do hope the final edit does include the extended epilogue as that was cute and funny.
Profile Image for Space Cowgirl.
4,133 reviews144 followers
April 29, 2018
The 💘Love of Their Lives

Sweet, Clean, Romance💕
Percy🐺 and Louisa💃 grow up together as children, neighbors, childhood dance lesson partners. They make a pact to always be friends💑, and never let anyone come between them.
As time goes by, they begin to go to the Ton dances, since Louisa💃💋 is the daughter of a Duke and Duchess, and Percy🐺 is also the son of a Duke.
Percy🐺 monopolizes most of Louisa's dances but there are many young men interested in her. She💃 is beautiful, fun, and smart.
One man, Barton👹, is obsessed with her, and for her dowry 💰, too. He attempts to abduct her! More than once he brings his footmen to the parties to try to take her away.
After that, Percy🐺 and his two friends make sure Barton👹 can never approach her again.
As Percy🐺 matures into a man, he finds himself wanting to marry👰 Louisa. No other woman will do. He is worried if he asks her, it will ruin their friendship. What a dilemma!

This dilemma is the platform for most of the book. Ok, so the book📑 has many angst filled pages!
The book📑 is a study of the stilted, stiff, properness of the Regency Period in England. People couldn't just come right out and say what they meant or wanted to say.

ARC Received from the Author for a Voluntary and Honest Review. Thank you, Ms. Agar!

I loved💕 the book📑 and although it is quite long, about twice the length of most romances, it is well worth reading if you love💕truly romantic 📚books.
502 reviews1 follower
April 27, 2018
A very sweet romance, I couldn't help but love Percy and Louisa. Best friends since childhood, they have promised never to marry one another as kids. Now adults of marrying age, the pair are perfect for one another... but their friendship is important. As their peers begin to pair off in more practical terms, we can see the true path for Percy and Louisa. (My heart was certainly engaged) But things can never be simple, and drama seeps into the love story. That said, the writing is flawless with a creative plot and enjoyable characters. It's wonderful how smart Louisa is, especially since not every regency romance lets that shine through. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for gentle and clean romance.
190 reviews
April 29, 2018
I enjoyed this story from Abigail Agar a great deal. As the story unfolded, it was evident that a childhood pact to only be best friends was preventing Louisa and Percy from moving forward, as neither wished to lose the friendship. Louisa is experiencing her first “season”, and all seems well until a not so honorable man is determined to have her and her dowry, and he will stop at NOTHING to have his way. He ultimately hires a fake suitor, and tries to blackmail her father, even trying to compromise and kidnap her. This makes for some very tense reading, and all the side events and friends also make it a lengthy read. All in all plan to set aside a little extra time to read this one and you won't be disappointed.
Profile Image for Laila Viking.
4,090 reviews30 followers
April 30, 2018
Well written book with great storyline and plot. A sweet book that has a great romance. The story is true to it's time period and the language is also. I like when an author has made research about the time period they want to write the story in. Sometimes it was a very heavy read because it lacks depth in some parts but absolutely worth the time.

The mix of secrets, love and passion makes this story worth the read.

There is drama, secrets, family issues, passion, emotions and some twists. I like the supporting characters.

Nice chemistry and passion. I like the main characters and how they develop. The story flows nicely and it is very captivating from first to last chapter. The author has delivered a story that is worth the read!
Profile Image for Sharon Thomas.
655 reviews3 followers
April 30, 2018
Louisa and Percy have know each other for years since they were taking dance lessons together He loves her and they have made a pledge that neither will marry someone the other can't stand to be around. Louisa has a suitor but he blackmailed and ran out of town and the second one is not who he says he is. Percy proposes to her but she refuses. This causes them both to be in bad moods. There is also a man trying to blackmail her father and wants to marry Louis but she refuses to have anything to do with him. Very good clean read
1,567 reviews7 followers
April 29, 2018
This book is a showcase of the authours talent. A truly great long book worth every word. It has sub plots that enhance and intrigue involving kidnap attempts threats of ruination and jail and of course romance and humour as well. But the romance is not what you would expect, you’ll have to read it and find out for yourself just how good this plot of romance is.
The story is also funny, heartbreaking and very entertaining, being one of the best books if not the best I have read in this genre this year so far. I can easily recommend it to be read and enjoyed.
273 reviews
April 30, 2018
A enjoyable story

I enjoyed this book, it has a good storyline and twists. Both the main and supporting characters were well developed and written. The story is about Louisa and Percy who meet when learning to dance.They become best friends and make a pact never marry each other. As they mature into adult they each realize that they are in love with the other but won't admit it and seek out others to marry. After a few ups and downs they finally get their HEA. The extended epilogue was good.
160 reviews4 followers
April 30, 2018
I really like the storyline of this one and the characters. Percy and Louisa have been best friends since they were stuck in dance lessons together. Each not wanting to ruin the friendship by becoming involved, chose to make sure each other's future spouse would accept them also. Louisa ultimately is rejected by two potential suitors thanks to a man who just has to have her. Through many attempts at getting her alone to ruin her , Barton finally gives up. Much scandal, deception and ultimately love, this book has it all.
Profile Image for Angie.
41 reviews
May 2, 2018
A wonderfully sweet story of best friends, who almost missed becoming more because they were blind to each others feelings. Into this is mixed unsavory suitors, who were fortune hunters above all else, a family with a secret or two, great friendships, underhanded business dealings, and a few ups and downs to keep things interesting. Ms. Agar is a great story teller, and has even added a wonderful epilogue on her website, so that we may see where these friends end up 16 years later. I received an ARC copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Also posted on Amazon.
1,065 reviews23 followers
April 25, 2018
A Duchess to Fight For is everything a clean Regency romance should be. I truly liked the main characters and their family members. The story moves along at a good pace and is well written. There are twists and turns that kept me reading far too late into the night. I would definitely read more of Abigail Agar’s work. There’s an opportunity to get a free extended epilogue at the end of the book. It’s quite humorous.
1,592 reviews15 followers
April 29, 2018
"A Duchess to Fight For: A Historical Regency Romance book" by Abigail Agar
Oh what a FUN read. A truly enjoyable sweet clean regency story with a lot going on. Never a dull moment. Can you tell I really liked this story? I was gifted an ARC copy by the author.. and I am so glad I had the chance to read this story. If you like sweet & clean busy regency stories.. I am sure you will enjoy this book. Happy Reading!!
Profile Image for Rosemary Hughes.
4,192 reviews23 followers
May 16, 2021
They met when learning to dance, as 15 year olds, finding inventive ways of embarrassing each other in various pranks.
They became committed friends, but didn't believe there was anything more to it.
However, the English meat market, otherwise known as the Season, soon showed that these friends only thoughts were wrong.
Off course these a few bumps in the highway to love, but it's worth reading about the various dramas that can and do occur.
Profile Image for Katie Thompson.
361 reviews1 follower
April 30, 2018
Romance and Rescue

This has got to be Abigail Agar's best book yet. The romance in this book is so sweet, and so charming. A Duke as a Knight in Shining Armor.... Le swoon. Le sigh. The story just hooks your interest, and you have to keep reading to find out what's gonna happen next.
193 reviews1 follower
May 7, 2018
This story includes so much more than a love story that had a few other people in the story. This story actually includes the life and business of a family. Of course, it's not just a romance that is cut and dry. There are characters who don't have anyone else on their minds except themselves.

It is a good story!
Profile Image for Macayla.
25 reviews11 followers
March 5, 2019
Unfulfilled

Although the plot is somewhat interesting and the writing good-humored, the author has an unfortunate tendency to tell instead of show. She tends to get caught up in the wrong details, such as describing a character’s breakfast instead of their expression or reaction to important news.
Profile Image for Courtney.
4,297 reviews
December 15, 2019
Okay

This novel was okay, not the best that I have read but definitely not the worst. I enjoyed this book for the majority of the storyline but towards the end I felt it was too drawn out. I wish they could have wrapped it up a little sooner, I feel like it would have worked out better. 
Profile Image for Suzette.
3,617 reviews23 followers
April 27, 2018
A gorgeous story of the depth of lifelong friends and family support. Being sure of the person you commit to spend the rest of your life with is very important. Being friends makes everything better. This is a wonderful story of self discovery and the strength of perseverance.
24 reviews
April 28, 2018
Captivating Read

I love this book, the story line kept me intrigued and the characters were beautifully detailed. I felt transported back in time. I could not put this story down! A must read.
Profile Image for Sharon Wagner.
473 reviews1 follower
April 30, 2018
Great book!

Excellent writing, great characters and storyline. Always love Abigail Agar's books. Wonderful romantic story. I always knew that Percy and Louisa were meant to be together even with everything that went through.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews

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