What do you think?
Rate this book
The Duke's Reluctant Lady
Can a false engagement lead to true love?
Lady Bexelina Starke has one wish: to stay unmarried forever, tending to her unwell younger sister. Practical, capable, and riddled with secret guilt, Bex has reached twenty without ever being courted and is well on her way to spinsterhood when her father shows an interest in marrying her to an awful man, forcing her to turn to the Duke of Chalstone, a man she is determined to dislike...
Christian Risenborough, the Duke of Chalstone, has just barely pulled his estate from the ruin that his villainous stepfather left it in before Christian came of age. Now finally out from under his tormentor's thumb, Christian is learning that a consequence of his bleak upbringing is a total lack of connections amongst London's bon ton. But a chance visit to his only school friend—who happens to be Bex's brother—leads to Christian and Bex making an arrangement meant to benefit both of them.
By pretending to be engaged for the Season, Bex can avoid marriage to stay with her sister, and Christian can be introduced to all of London society. Bex and Christian cannot help but notice how much they complement one another...or how much they are growing to like each other. But can they find the courage and the trust to overcome the darkness of the past and step into a bright future together?
This is a sweet and clean historical romance of approximately 70,000 words, free from cheating of cliffhangers and always with a happy ending.
Lady Bexelina Starke has one wish: to stay unmarried forever, tending to her unwell younger sister. Practical, capable, and riddled with secret guilt, Bex has reached twenty without ever being courted and is well on her way to spinsterhood when her father shows an interest in marrying her to an awful man, forcing her to turn to the Duke of Chalstone, a man she is determined to dislike...
Christian Risenborough, the Duke of Chalstone, has just barely pulled his estate from the ruin that his villainous stepfather left it in before Christian came of age. Now finally out from under his tormentor's thumb, Christian is learning that a consequence of his bleak upbringing is a total lack of connections amongst London's bon ton. But a chance visit to his only school friend—who happens to be Bex's brother—leads to Christian and Bex making an arrangement meant to benefit both of them.
By pretending to be engaged for the Season, Bex can avoid marriage to stay with her sister, and Christian can be introduced to all of London society. Bex and Christian cannot help but notice how much they complement one another...or how much they are growing to like each other. But can they find the courage and the trust to overcome the darkness of the past and step into a bright future together?
This is a sweet and clean historical romance of approximately 70,000 words, free from cheating of cliffhangers and always with a happy ending.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 21, 2019
2 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 7, 2020
An engaging and interesting look at nobles who have been brought up by unkind people and how they navigate the world as young adults. Despite some typos, it was an all-round pleasant and easy read with likeable characters.
September 4, 2019
We are first introduced to Bexelina “Bex” Starke and her ill younger sister, Rosanna. Right away we’re told the short version of the reason Bex has no intentions of ever getting married, and they have everything to do with her sister. I’m a big fan of sibling dynamics in stories, regardless of medium, so I liked the idea of Bex’s meaning so much to her up until I found out why. Guilt should never be the driving force behind sacrifice of any kind. As the story progressed, having her remind herself that she didn’t deserve happiness became a little repetitious, especially when it took so long to get to the full reveal. Though that part was understandable, I still found myself annoyed with it. That said, I liked how capable Bex was, despite growing up with an absentee father and a rather air-headed older brother (I liked him, but he was a goofball), she could handle herself.
As for Christian, the Duke of Chalstone, he had a slight Mr. Darcy feel. He was quiet, reserved, and not very skilled in social situations. His backstory is sadder than Bex’s and might’ve done well with a flashback or some deeper delving into it. He was easily the most interesting character, having built his entire life from the ground up. He cared deeply about people without realizing he did so, and I feel Blackburn did an excellent job portraying his obliviousness to his own emotions.
I liked that this is a light read with a quick pace. The rating would be 4 stars, but a good editor is needed to clean up a bit. Sometimes words are misused. That said, it’s an enjoyable story.
As for Christian, the Duke of Chalstone, he had a slight Mr. Darcy feel. He was quiet, reserved, and not very skilled in social situations. His backstory is sadder than Bex’s and might’ve done well with a flashback or some deeper delving into it. He was easily the most interesting character, having built his entire life from the ground up. He cared deeply about people without realizing he did so, and I feel Blackburn did an excellent job portraying his obliviousness to his own emotions.
I liked that this is a light read with a quick pace. The rating would be 4 stars, but a good editor is needed to clean up a bit. Sometimes words are misused. That said, it’s an enjoyable story.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews