The Duke

by Selena Laurence

Winston Cauldwell is stuffy, proper, and the new owner of the Chicago Norsemen hockey team. He's also the heir to an actual Dukedom. When Winston receives a phone call telling him his grandfather has died and he's the new Duke of Surrey, there's one minor stipulation: he has to marry to get the cash. Strapped for capital to invest in the team, Winston strikes a deal for a wife in name only. But Kat is not at all what he bargained for, and she might make Winston rethink everything he's ever wanted.

Kat Monroe is spunky, opinionated, and the new DJ for the Chicago Norsemen. When her boss, the "Duke of Douches" fires her for her colorful behavior, she's left with a small business loan and not even a small income to pay it. But then the same Duke offers her the chance to have her job back and her loan paid off--if she'll agree to be his bride of convenience in exchange. But Winston is not at all what she bargained for, and he might make Kat rethink everything she's ever wanted.

The Duke is a standalone royal billionaire marriage of convenience romance with a grumpy hero, a spunky heroine, and an HEA worthy of Cinderella.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Marriage Of Convenience, Sports, Contemporary

274 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 11, 2019

About the author

Romance Author | Coffee Drinker | Breaker of Tropes | Mother of Doodles

Selena Laurence is a USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author of One of a Kind Romance. She has published books in Contemporary Romance, New Adult Romance, Romantic Suspense, and Paranormal Romance. She’s also a curated contributor in non-fiction on Medium as SE Reed.

Selena lives in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado with her family, her Goldendoodle, and Demon Cat. Her favorite city is Edinburgh, her favorite color is purple, and her favorite shoes are Converse.

Reviews

[Grecia Robles · Rating 3 out of 5]

No fue wow, pero sí estuvo lindo.

Una historia muy fairy tale, una plebeya y un aristócrata británico o sea un DUQUE y un matrimonio por conveniencia

Estuvo entretenido lo disfruté y me ayudó a no perder mi racha lectora, además que es muy rápido de leer.

[Julia]

Can’t rate because I only read to chapter 2.

The start of the H’s character has him waking up besides a one night stand after he fired the h.

I thought we were over this type of bullshit? Thank you, next.

[Dora Koutsoukou · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 💖💖💖💖 🇬🇧 ⚡️🔥 🇺🇸 🌟🌟🌟🌟s❣️❣️❣️❣️

I can’t express how excited I am after I finished this wonderful story!
Despite the well known theme of fake marriage of convenience, it was so beautifully written and developed that I didn’t want to stop reading it. The storyline had a great sense of humour, lighthearted, sweet and with some sexy scenes.
Winston, his royal assness who is hotter than sin, never expected to meet his match in the redhead sassy Kat that her mouth never stopped!!! They might were total opposites but their chemistry was fantastic!
Great pace, dual pov, it was an amazing romance read❣️

[Jessica Alcazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

bloody brilliant!! ... oh how I’ve missed you Selena!

[Viri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me recordó mucho a Duke of Manhattan pero amistades, ese libro es mejor jajaja este no estuvo mal y fue entretenido pero me faltó charm en el protagonista ✨

[Karla ML · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hermosa historia, ya saben típico cliché,matrimonio por conveniencia. Me encantan los clichés!!, Jajajaja. Y esta historia del Duque no fue la excepción.😏🔥
La protagonista (Katherine) ha sido genial y el duque (Winston o Win) lo mejor.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

AHHHH 😍 LO AMÉ 🧡

Amé a Winston y Kat 😍 su relación me pareció de lo más bonito ✨ Amé la personalidad de ambos, ya que son un complemento perfecto, su química es top 🙌

PD: Odio a Jessa y a la madre de Winston 🙊🤣

Deirdra y Darnell son lo más 💛

Y David 🥴🙊

[Carolina Recinos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me encanto 😍❤

[Karla✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Siento que le falto algo, no estuvo mal pero me esperaba algo mas de trama y todo eso. Algunos personajes no me convencieron y siento que todo paso muy rápido y algunas partes me parecieron un poco aburridas.

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woooow! Me encantó, es una historia corta y muy linda. Me gustó que es un capitulo de Kat y uno de Winston así leo las dos partes. Al principio no creí eso del matrimonio se me hice super fácil que acepta y no pide mucho a cambio, aunque yo también quisiera ser Duquesa por un año 😂

[Anna Valsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5🌟 It was good but it was missing something.

[Mariloli · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK, sin mas. Entretenido, simple, facil, de leer y olvidar

[Ale · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8

[Roma · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 -Ducales -estrellas

*SPOILER ALERT*

Winston Cauldwell ha tenido que trabajar duro por todo lo que tiene. Su abuelo nunca le dejó otra opción, tratando de hacerlo mejor, le hizo casi imposible tener éxito en cualquier proyecto, pero Winston no es un hombre que se rinda fácilmente, y ahora, es el dueño de los Chicago Norsemen, y está determinado a cumplir su sueño y verlos crecer como un gran equipo de hockey. Sin embargo, surge un problema, su abuelo ha muerto y ahora también es el responsable de un ducado, excepto que, nunca se lo habría dejado tan sencillo y para tener acceso a su título y fortuna necesita una esposa.

Kat Monroe ha luchado para convertir su sueño en realidad, puede que para todos el ser una DJ, sea algo estúpido pero a ella le encanta. Y ahora que es DJ de los Chicago Norsemen, por fin está un paso más cerca de lo que está segura es un futuro brillante. El único problema es que su jefe es un idiota de proporciones mayores y cuando la escucha maldecir en uno de los partidos, la despide en el acto.

Nada podría sorprender más a Kat más que el mismo hombre que la despidió, sea también quien le ofrece un trato, ser su duquesa, volar con él a Inglaterra, convencer a todos de que es una esposa digna y luego de un año de actos sociales y demás, ella es libre de recuperar su empleo, junto con u divorcio expres.

Por más alocada que parezca la idea, es el único modo en que Kat puedde recuperar su amado empleo, pero de pronto, la mentira se siente demasiado real y Winston deja de ser un extraño con el ceño fruncido.

Estaba en la búsqueda de algo ligero y tranquilo y me encontré con The Duke y fue justo lo que necesitaba.

Me agradó la química entre Kat y Winston. Amo las relaciones de opuestos y me divertí en varias escenas.

El trabajo de Kat me pareció original y descabellado, algo perfecto para ella. Por otra parte, me gusto la determinación de Winston y aunque a veces era un poco demasiado gruñón, desde un principio, se vio que Kat traía un lado más suave de él y eso es algo que siempre amo ver.

En cuanto al desarrollo, es sencillo, pero fue bien escrito.

Disfruté bastante de la separación y adoré la forma en la que la gana de vuelta.

Estoy segura que leeré más de esta autora porque me garantiza un lindo pero sólido libro, algo que a veces necesito.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

They say opposites attract and that is exactly what happens with Winston and Katherine but who knows what attraction they have for each other ?? Katherine thinks Win is the Douchey Duke and Winston thinks Kat is a loud mouth hooker ??

But .. boy do they have chemistry even with the slightest touch of holding hands they both know the arrangement they agreed upon won’t last. Kat loves to DJ and Win is a Duke .. they are from two different worlds .. but after the same goals .. Money .. eventually LOVE !!

When Winston needs Katherine’s help to make sure he is the ONLY Ahre to his grandfathers fortune by marrying him she only asks for her DJ job back. Can they both get what they want and not get hurt in the process ??

The ups and downs of emotions and be trail from page to page will have you riveted in your seat !! From Win’s Mom and Ex-Fiancé to Kat,s best friend Darnell .. They will ALL keep you on your toes !!

Loved it !!

Merged review:

They say opposites attract and that is exactly what happens with Winston and Katherine but who knows what attraction they have for each other ?? Katherine thinks Win is the Douchey Duke and Winston thinks Kat is a loud mouth hooker ??

But .. boy do they have chemistry even with the slightest touch of holding hands they both know the arrangement they agreed upon won’t last. Kat loves to DJ and Win is a Duke .. they are from two different worlds .. but after the same goals .. Money .. eventually LOVE !!

When Winston needs Katherine’s help to make sure he is the ONLY Ahre to his grandfathers fortune by marrying him she only asks for her DJ job back. Can they both get what they want and not get hurt in the process ??

The ups and downs of emotions and be trail from page to page will have you riveted in your seat !! From Win’s Mom and Ex-Fiancé to Kat,s best friend Darnell .. They will ALL keep you on your toes !!

Loved it !!

[Reading Addict · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Duke was so much fun to read and I am going to tell you why! It has everything that I enjoy in a good contemporary romance. Uptight male lead...check! Spunky female lead...check! Overbearing mother of the male lead...check! Sexual tension...check! Add in the cast of supporting characters and a London setting of life among the royals The Duke was everything that I was hoping for and more. Kat Monroe has finally gotten her dream career moving in the right direction. She's the DJ for the fictional Chicago Norsemen NHL team. She loves the sport and loves playing the right music to get the fans going. Her biggest drawback to the job is the easy on the eyes uptight owner Winston Cauldwell. She knows that he some type of English royal but to her he is a good looking pain in the rear! Winston has the same feelings for the good looking yet mouthy DJ for his team and when she crosses his path in a manner he finds unacceptable, he fires her from the team. Circumstances bring these two back together, Winston needs a bride in order to receive his full inheritance after his grandfather's passing and Kat wants her job back and is willing to enter a marriage on paper only. She will be the face of the Duchess to the Duke of Surrey and in one year she will be free to return to her old life and job that she loves. Well these two may seem like fire and ice but where there's smoke...there's an inferno! I cannot recommend The Duke enough. It is told from dual POV and there's laughs, tears and you are going to want to smack the Duke upside his royal head at times. Enjoy!

[Mary Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing opposites attract romance. Winston and Kat’s first meeting is funny until he fires her from her dream job, DJ’ing for the Norsemen hockey team. She makes a bold move to ger her job back but she never expects the counter-offer that Winston proposes. Winston knows his future is to be Duke of Surrey but for years, he has worked to show that he can be a success on his own even as his grandfather makes is very challenging. When his grandfather dies, he finds out that to inherit the position of Duke and manage businesses that are part of their family heritage, well, he needs a wife and fast. A lawsuit provides a perfect opportunity, if he can get Kat to agree to be his temporary wife and drop the lawsuit, all his problems will be solved. Now, getting his family to accept his wife, the “American” is another issue. Kat is a breath of fresh air; she knows what she wants but she is also very adaptable and becomes a great advocate for the ‘douchey’ Duke. Winston appreciates the traditions but getting to know Kat helps him expand his viewpoint while he teaches her about those traditions. This unlikely duo finds a middle ground as they traverse the challenges his family present. What happens if one of them wants temporary to be permanent? This was a joy to read. Both of these characters gave me so much to love and appreciate as they took this crazy journey. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Win and Kat's story. Win, is Winston Cauldwell and he's a Duke. Well, he isn't when the book starts but pretty soon his Grandfather dies and he inherits... on one condition, that he marry.

He picks Kat, the women he's just fired. He offers her a deal, she revises it from a financial settlement to an arrangement in which she gets her job back. The rest? That's Selena Laurence's magic.

It's a thoughtful romance. We get all the heat as they find that they are attracted to each other. Along the way, we get them learning about each other, and themselves. All of this is set in a context that's properly thought out and well-researched. If you are going to write a British character, it's always good when they don't offend the British reader. And sometimes they are epically awful. Laurence has done her research, well done on Debretts (it's serious).

So its a perfect addition to her collection of books. A lovely story about interesting characters, and one that ends with the HEA we all want.

[Bookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new romance from a favorite author Selena Laurence, YES, thank you. This book ticks off so many boxes for me that I love. Hockey -yes (Winston Cauldwell owns a hockey team) royalty - yes (Winston Cauldwell just inherited the title of Duke from his grandfather); fake marriage/marriage of convenience - yes (Winston must marry to claim his inheritance). Fired from her job Kat needs a job to pay her bills but the last thing she expects is her "former" boss to offer her a new job but as his fake wife. Sounds easy, what can go wrong, right? Kat accepts the offer to marry Winston for money, not feelings but these two have an unexpected attraction that complicates the name only agreement. Lots of chemistry, fun to read and with an great HEA. A great book that is must read for all. I loved the humor and the rich characters. Thank you Ms. Laurence.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I learned The Duke was going to be a fake relationship book about a contemporary duke, I was grabby hands "I must have this now!". The Duke in this story is dead set on getting his inheritance, even if it means having to marry in haste. He's a bit stuffy and his bride is a firecracker, which made for some delicious tension and resulted in plenty of sparks. What I loved most about this story was that both of the MC's recognized in the other a need for unwavering support, which resulted in a love story that was realistic, sometimes heartbreaking, and ultimately completely romantic.
Swoons galore! I cried happy tears during the epilogue and so wish we could have more stories about Winston and Kat.

[Christine Jalili · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic book, I couldn’t stop reading until I finished it. Katherine ( Kat) and Winston (Win) seem like such opposites, but they end up so good for each other. Can she pull off being his Duchess? Loved how he admits she’s a good person. Loved their chemistry and that I felt their emotions. There’s some suspense as to who’s been stealing too. I was heartbroken at one point and had tears for them. Will Winston realize how much she means to him? It’s such a great, happy feeling I had for them towards the end. Really loved their happy ever after. I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy and I highly recommend this book.

[Chanda Norman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow, what a fun read. Winston a Duke in waiting is the owner of the Norsemen hockey team in Chicago. When the team's female DJ, Kat gets carry away yelling profanities at the opposing team he fires her. Little does he know she is about to become his future wife. Their in name only marriage may become be a match made in heaven but they will need to make a detour to discover each other and themselves to get there.

Selena Laurence is the queen of rock romance and this great romance is equally entertaining with the characters' quirky personalities and smoking hot sexual chemistry.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance readers copy generously provided by the author.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful read from Selena Laurence. Everything about this book was fun, sweet, laugh out loud, a few tears, and a little mystery all woven together for Kat and Winston's story. Winston is a broody Duke from England and Kat is this fiery woman from Chicago and they seem to have this chemistry that draws them together. All of which makes this story all the better to watch their relationship evolve from one of convenience to one of real feelings! I loved every minute of reading this book and this author's writing.

[Sarah Lehman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun read! I loved their different personalities since they are complete opposites. Winston is the owner of a hockey team & Katherine worked for him. When she got carried away by yelling some colorful things to the opposing team he fired her. However he also learned that because of a death in the family he is now a Duke but to inherit he needed to marry. This was a great story with some fun & quirky characters!

[Loralie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winston pleasantly surprised me. The initial meeting between he and Kat was like oil and water. Reading how he treated those that worked for him, and even some of his unsavory relations made him a man of respect and good character. I loved Kat. She knew who she was with no apologies. She lived outloud, which you'd think probably wouldn't make her a great candidate for Winston's plan. However, she stood her ground and was able to be Winston's support when he needed her.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

YAY - Selena's back! The Duke was worth the wait! What a story! I loved Winston and Kat and how they came to be. Can they pull off a fake marriage? Will their feelings get the best of them? This story has it all - a duke, a feisty dj, hockey, it's funny, sweet, with sexual tension, a little suspense and lots of chemistry. Let's say I can't wait for more!!!

[Arlet Barraza · Rating 2 out of 5]

Extremadamente corto y quizá un poco entretenido.

En este libro conocemos a Kat, una DJ con una deuda demasiado grande con el banco que se vuelve impagable cuando su jefe la despide después de haberla escuchado gritarle a un equipo de hockey desde la cabina.

Winston es el heredero al ducado de Surrey, y tras la repentina muerte de su abuelo, al fin ha llegado su momento, o eso piensa hasta que su abogado le advierte de la cláusula que ha agregado el hombre a su herencia: un matrimonio. Y, cuando Kat pone una demanda por acoso contra él, parece existir una forma de solucionar ambos problemas de una sola vez, y es que ella retire la demanda y obtenga lo que pide, a cambio de un año de matrimonio con él.

La trama es buena, la ejecución no tanto. Los personajes principales tienen poco o nulo desarrollo, los personajes secundarios son únicamente un apoyo cómico para la historia o sirven para cuando uno de los personajes quiere dar un monólogo, no había química entre los personajes y lo quisieron plantear como un enemies to lovers cuando pasaban claramente de desconocidos a amantes, y el ritmo de la historia y de su relación era demasiado rápido.

No me hubieran molestado más páginas por un mejor desarrollo, es una lástima, normalmente me encanta el asunto de realeza-plebeya.

No tengo pruebas pero tampoco dudas de que esta es una de esas parejas que se separarían después de terminado el libro.

[♡BooksLoversSpanish♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

¿Les gustan las historias con realeza?
Aquí les presento un duque que las puede enamorar 🥰

Hoy les traigo una reco flash ⚡️ cortesía de @genxsisreadings

👑 Winston es un duque que tiene su vida hecha en Estados Unidos, tiene un equipo de hockey y toda la libertad lejos de su abuelo… todo eso cambia cuando recibe una llamada diciéndole que su abuelo murió. Pero este lo controla desde la tumba ya que para poder cobrar su herencia y ser el nuevo duque debe estar casado 😳

🎧 Kat es una DJ que ameniza las fiestas de los Chicago Norseman, equipo de Winston. Por un arrebato él la despide pero ella que amaba su trabajo decide recuperarlo… lo que no espera es que Winston le proponga tener su trabajo de vuelta siempre y cuando se case con él por un año.

🫣 Ellos son tan opuestos: él es tan serio, ella tan alegre. Él tan estirado (por su crianza dentro de la realeza) y ella con una vida tan sencilla. Al inicio sus mundos chocarán pero cuando llegan a conocerse crean su propia burbuja 🫧

🍃 La verdad esta historia es súper ligera, no es nada novedosos pero tiene momentos muy divertidos por parte de Kat (spoiler alert: está un poco loca 😂)

🇬🇧 Les advierto que aunque al inicio Winston los tendrá con esta cara 🙄 se ganará su corazón 🥹💓

✨Una historia llena de tropes que nos encanta, perfecta para un momento de relajación.

👓: +18
⭐️: 3
🔥: 2

[RCJ94 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un libro fácil de leer, para pasar una tarde agradable, los personajes no se desarrollan mucho, ni siquiera el de Winston que es de quien más sabemos y mucho menos de Katherine de quien realmente se describe muy poco. La historia es lo que podría esperarse de un romance y es entretenido y ligero, le habría dado más puntuación pero creo que la autora podría haber sentado una mejor base para el matrimonio de conveniencia y para algunos giros que en realidad se quedaron medio al aire. Aún así los personajes son buenos y divertidos, no hay toxicidad machista que a veces se ve en estos libros, lo recomiendo para pasar una tarde ligera

[Mar Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una historia corta que disfruté cada segundo, es ideal para cuando quieres algo rápido que te haga pasar un muy buen rato.

Además tiene el cliché de matrimonio por conveniencia entre una plebeya y un duque, sin duda se está volviendo de mis favoritos.

Fue muy entretenido y me encantaron los personajes, me quedé con ganas de leer más a la autora así que pronto volveré con ella. ♡

Detalle importante: Las escenas spicy son magníficos, algo que ayuda mucho sin duda es la química y tensión entre los personajes.