Chasing the Duke

12 Days of Christmas #7

by Tracy Sumner

Alternate cover edition can be found here

An unwilling Duke and his defiant Lady must embrace a desire beyond reason to heal the wounds of the past.

She vows to never let herself fall in love again…

With her final season in the ton a surprising success, Lady Camille Bellington retires to her family’s Yorkshire estate for Christmas with a marriage proposal in hand. Beautiful and charming, but too independent for society, Camille has given up on the hope to marry for love. So she will marry for duty. The man of her childhood dreams hasn’t been home in three years, even to secure his dukedom, and her heart went with him. She’s not chasing a duke ever again.

The woman he desires is lost to him…

War hero Tristan Tierney, Duke of Mercer, returns to his ancestral home for the holidays to find himself burdened with a title and the woman he left behind betrothed to another. As he’s only seen death and destruction for years, he’s come to believe true love is a myth. His aloof demeanor veils his deepest unspoken desire, to possess Camille Bellington.

Childhood friendship gives way to something altogether more dangerous as two people give love a second chance.

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical, Romance, Novella, Christmas, Regency, Historical Fiction

138 pages, Paperback

First published December 7, 2020

About the author

"Witty dialogue and steamy sensuality.”

—Publisher’s Weekly

The USA Today bestselling author's storytelling career began when she picked up a historical romance on a college beach trip, and she fondly blames LaVyrle Spencer for her obsession with the genre. She’s a recipient of the National Reader’s Choice, HOLT Medallion, Golden Leaf and MAGGIE among others. She lived in New York, Paris and Taipei before returning to NYC.

When not writing sizzling love stories about feisty heroines and their temperamental-but-entirely-lovable heroes, Tracy enjoys reading, snowboarding, college football (Go Tigers!), yoga, and travel. She loves to hear from romance readers!

Find me everywhere on social here!
https://linktr.ee/tracysumner

Reviews

[Melanie THEE Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Camille has been in love with her brother's best friend, Tristan, for as long as she can remember. Unfortunately, she is currently engaged to a man who bores the hell out of her, so she has to lock those feelings away. But when Tristan returns home from war, she discovers that her unrequited feelings are very much requited.

I loved this novella. Camille and Tristan are hilarious and chaotic (you tussle with a swan ONE time and some people can't let it go). They're both incredibly direct. Once Tristan realizes that he's catching feels, he tells her immediately. Camille also has her own goals (she's a botanist) and she's very open about what (and who) she wants. I didn't even hate the 3rd act conflict and I usually detest any sort of conflict in novellas (we literally don't have time for that) but in this case, it made sense. It wasn't just a random conflict thrown in for no reason.

Additionally, Aunt Bel was an icon, the legend, the moment. She not only told Camille that she didn't have to sacrifice her happiness to save the family's estate, but she also encouraged her to seduce Tristan! What an absolute queen. Who do I have to bribe to get a prequel series about Bel? More Aunts/Uncles like Bel in Historical Romances challenge!

THAT EPILOGUE WAS EVERYTHING

Camille/Tristan’s song: Wonder-Lauren Aquilina

[Becky (romantic_pursuing_feels) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: A bit

(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )

Should I read in order?
I think the novellas in this series are all stand alones by different authors. This is the only one I picked up, but I loved how the 12 days of Christmas themes are wrapped into the books and now I have the whole series on my TBR at some point!

Basic plot:
Camille has loved her childhood friend Tristan for as long as she can remember. But, he left, and has yet to return and she’s decided to accept a marriage proposal for duty, if not for love. Tristan returns for the holidays though, and soon all the plans go awry.

Give this a try if you want:
- Regency time period (1815)
- Soldier turned Duke hero
- Botanist heroine
- Best friend’s sister trope/childhood friends to lovers
- Christmas/holiday setting
- Novella length
- Unrequited love trope from heroine
- Medium steam, especially for a novella – 2 scenes (goodreads has list listed at 118 pages)

Ages:
- Heroine is about 22, hero about 30


My thoughts:
I adored this little novella!

Tristan left a soldier and has returned a duke. Camille is hurt he left with a backwards glance, but he sure sees her now. I think it can be hard in a novella to build that tension and relationship pull sometimes, but I felt it here. I loved Tristan, he’s a bit naughty. I loved that Camille was a botanist and cared about her craft and wasn’t about to give that up for society’s approval.

This one felt pretty steamy for a novella having 2 full scenes, so of course I loved that. ;)

Here’s a few random parts that I wanted to note from the book

Naughty! And when I knew I loved him!

“Do you know what I was thinking while I had my finger deep inside you? I was imagining the ways I could take you. Bent over the desk, filling you from behind. With my cock, not my finger, if I may be so bold. Dragging you to the floor and taking your hard nipples between my teeth as I discover what makes you forget yourself even more than you just did. Dropping to my knees and pleasuring you that way. My favorite way.” He tapped his glass against his knee with a lost look. “You think my hand is wondrous? My lips are destructive.”



Content Warnings:

PTSD triggered from breaking glass


Locations of kisses/intimate scenes: (I was listening to audio so my percentages are probably off a bit)

22% - kiss
33% - small fantasy in the hero’s mind
59% - kisses, fingering orgasm for her
72% - kisses, fingering for her, sex (virginity loss for her)
100% - fade to black in epilogue

[🐝 Shaz 🐝 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice short story.
Childhood crush on her brother best friend. Turns to a real romance.

[Christina (stinarinareads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

RATING: 4.75✨
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️
Trope/Setting Highlights:
#️⃣ ~120 page historical romance novella
📖 Second-chance romance
📖 Botanist FMC x soldier MMC
📖 Brother’s best friend / best friend’s little sister
📖 Banter + push/pull
📖 Right person, wrong time (but NOW is finally the right time)
📖 Slight age-gap (actually my definition of age-gap is probably skewed LOL, I believe this is like ~8 years?)
📖 HEA
🌶️Call Tristan Santa, because he’s truly a giver this holiday season
🌶️Dirty talk

Review:

Thank you to Melanie THEE Reader for finding this INCREDIBLE historical romance gem❤️

Chasing the Duke is a histrom novella by Tracy Sumner and Book #7 in the 12 Days of Christmas series, which appears to be a set of standalone historical romance novellas with Christmas/holiday themes or settings.

I will admit, if you’re going into Chasing the Duke looking for your complete Christmas histrom fix, I wouldn’t. The Christmas vibes are in name only I’m afraid; the story just happens to take place around the holidays, and I believe there’s a quick Christmas tree cutting scene on-page. That’s why I had to dock .25 stars, because I would’ve loved to have seen more holiday vibes for a novella that’s part of a Christmas series! But I digress, onto all the good!

Camille and Tristan, our FMC and MMC, have been childhood friends since, well, forever, and Camille has been in love with Tristan since, well… forever. They just have an inconvenient 8-year age gap between them, which unfortunately meant that the timing for a romance was never quite right. Either Camille was way too young and only really treated like an affectionate nuisance, or then, by the time Camille was aging out of her teens and maybe perhaps possibly something could happen, Tristan becomes a soldier and leaves.

And then Camille is faced with something more pressing than her unrequited childhood love for Tristan – she and her aunt are about to lose their home. In desperation, Camille concocts a marriage of convenience with herself and a well-enough man, she supposes. Even though he doesn’t support her botany business. Even though she doesn’t love him nor feel any physical attraction towards him. Even though he’s not Tristan.

But when the man himself returns home for the holidays with a new title and therefore now seemingly in want for a wife, all bets are off. Can these two finally prove right person, right time?

Aside from the lack of holiday vibes, Tracy Sumner knocked it out of the park. From the whimsical writing, to the charged banter between the MCs, to the humor that was actually funny and made you feel like you were sharing inside jokes with the characters, to the sexual tension, both unresolved and resolved, and much, much more, this was an all around fantastic experience. And for Tracy Sumner to have developed this all, what feels like a beginning, middle, and end, in 120 pages? What can I say, READ THIS!

[Rainz ❤️rainnbooks❤️(on a break) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many Thanks to the author for a copy of this ARC. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.

Tracy Sumner is fast becoming my favorite author simply coz of the smile she brings on my face.
How can one not smile when the first chapter has a heading that goes like this,

Where childhood adversaries argue over a swan

I read the chapter title and knew I was in for a treat and suffice to say, am impressed. Lady Camille Bellington has been in love with Tristan Tierney, the Duke of Mercer, her brother’s best friend ever since they were small. But Tristan has never shown any interest but just when she has safely accepted Viscount Ridley’s proposal to save her aunt’s manor house Tristan is back from war, torn and tortured suffering from nightmares and PTSD.

The meeting however rekindles all hidden emotions in Camille and the disinterested Duke suddenly sees what he has been missing in his life. The story that develops during the time of Christmas is sweet and adorable, the chemistry burning hot causing flamed cheeks.

Tracy Sumner has a way of writing that leaves me feeling happy and contented. Like a box of Swiss chocolates to be savored alone, Chasing The Duke is pure delight perfect for the holiday cheer. There are quite a few instances in the book that while reading I had to pause and appreciate the adroitness with which a simple scene has been made compelling with the play of words. Of course, I loved Camille’s aunt, Lady Isobel Fontaine who provided hilarity with her scheming and innuendo dialogues.

Highly recommended❤️❤️❤️

This review is published in my blog rainnbooks.com, medium.com, Amazon India, Goodreads and Twitter.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐
3 stars.




➕ What I liked :


Rather good romantic build up and chemistry.


Botanist heroine.


Christmas/holiday vibes.


Ex-soldier/duke hero.


Rather good steam.


Tallish heroine.








➖ What I disliked:


Even-though the romantic build up and chemistry is rather good for a novella…. The insta-lust and insta-love is a little bit over the top and rushed.

Formulaic in the character description/visual appearance.
(The hero in this book and the hero in the The Ice Duchess seem very similar in looks/appearance…. for one thing they both have green/greenish eyes and both are tall and muscular/big and are described in very similar ways.)


A serious issue was more or less glossed over.
(PTSD is more complex/tough
than is told in the book.)


Some parts of the story were a little bit too anachronistic/too modern.

A little too many tropes in one story/plot.

A little too formulaic.

Some parts were a little jumbled/underdeveloped.

[HR-ML · Rating 3 out of 5]

England 1815 going into the Christmas season.
The MCs had sex. 3 stars.

Lady Camille lived with her Aunt Isabelle and
bill collectors hounded them. Cam was an amateur
botanist with a conservatory for plants & flowers,
which she sold to florists. Cam and Viscount Ridely
became engaged before the start of the story and
she resigned herself to a loveless marriage.

War hero Tristan had the equivalent of PTSD. He
considered Edward, Cam's bro, as his bestie.
Cam, 8 years his junior, acted the pest when
Tris and Ed hung out as youth. But Cam loved
him at the time. Believable?

Tris, back from Waterloo, was soon to be awarded
the medal of valor. The heroine's Aunt Isa asked
Tris to visit. He now found Camille stunning and
whip-smart.

The story was OK but didn't knock my socks off.
Forgot to say, the H called the h "Princess:" over
& over & just annoying.

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another tortured Duke to throw in the pile.

The writing in this was good but the story was underwhelming. An extremely unoriginal tale of a Duke with PTSD and a lonely childhood, who pushes the heroine away for her own good. She pines for him, she chases him, her relatives connive and manipulate to get them together, and he finally succumbs. Add to that there was very little Christmas in this book and the historical elements were window dressing to a mainly contemporary story.

Big pet peeve : if you are writing historical romance with nobility, learn how the titles work. This heroine was called Lady Bellingham (her last name) and also Lady Camille, she’s an unmarried woman, her last name would not be her title. The same for her spinster aunt. These are the basic things you have to know to write regency, the VERY BASICS. I’m not going to nitpick the rest of it but suffice to say, if you care about some historical accuracy in your HR, this isn’t for you.


This gets three stars because I skimmed a lot of it and it might have had good parts, but I missed them because of boredom.

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

**This ARC was provided by the author & publisher in exchange for an honest review**

This just relied too heavily on tropes for me. Nothing original or interesting. It’s like the author decided to write a regency romance and just copied everything she read from other books.

The anachronisms really got to me, too. At times, the characters talk and act like it’s modern day. Of course, there’s always some suspended disbelief with all HRs, but this one is a bit over the top.

[Dora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, I knew I was gonna love Tris' story! 💘

"Maybe we take a step back to reflect?”
“Are you offering another option?”
Yanking his fingers through his hair and leaving it in charming spikes, he snapped, “I don’t know what the bloody hell I’m offering. When you so neatly bit my jaw with your lovely little teeth, thought raced from my mind like a runaway stallion. I’m stunned, dumbfounded, brainless, Lady Bellington, because this was supposed to be a tranquil Yorkshire Christmas!”

Cami and Tris were so good together, especially in the first half when they were still circling each other and throwing the most ridiculous childhood references (i'm looking at you, swan!). I especially loved Cami's spinster aunt, that woman is epitome of life goals ✌️

The conflict in the end felt a bit overated and there just for the sake of being there but oh well... It was still fun 😁

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a slightly tropey yet lovely story.

[Mya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delicious and realistic story that I hope all could relate too.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

With her final season in the ton a surprising success, Lady Camille Bellington retires to her family’s Yorkshire estate for Christmas with a marriage proposal in hand. Beautiful and charming, but too independent for society, Camille has given up on the hope to marry for love. So she will marry for duty. War hero Tristan Tierney, Duke of Mercer, returns to his ancestral home for the holidays to find himself burdened with a title and the woman he left behind betrothed to another. As he’s only seen death and destruction for years, he’s come to believe true love is a myth. His aloof demeanour veils his deepest unspoken desire, to possess Camille Bellington.
A well written page turning novella & the longest in the series so far. I loved Camille the bluestocking who’d loved Tristan, her brother Edward’s, best friend for years. I also loved Tristan who on returning from Waterloo realised that Camille had grown up & oh how he now wanted her. I loved how their relationship changed. I was also intrigued by Camille’s aunt & hoped her lost love would reappear
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[CoffeeTimeRomance andMore · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the surface, this is a fairly generic Regency Romance. A beautiful young and impoverished bluestocking meets her childhood ideal; a handsome wealthy duke, and they fall in love and live happily ever after. However, this author has taken the same old genre and breathed new life into it. The characters are realistic and not cardboard cutouts. They have real problems and face them realistically. In addition, except for calling Lady Camille, an unmarried woman, Lady Bellington, Ms. Sumner has a very good grasp of the period and does an excellent job of describing it for us in the context of a completely absorbing storyline.
Maura
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Full Review @ Coffee Time Romance & More

[Edwina " I LoveBooks" "Deb" · Rating 4 out of 5]

Camille Bellington, aspiring Botanist and sister to a Marquess has decided to marry Viscount Ridley. There's will be a marriage of convenance and not love or passion. Just a business arrangement. Along comes her brother's best childhood friend Triston Tierney Duke of Mercer. Camille has been in love with Tristan since she was a young girl and he only noticed her as is best friends sister. Now after returning from the war. Camille has grown up and is a beauty with a beautiful but fiery personality. She is grown up now and Tristan is determined that she will be his wife and Duchess and not one else!

I really enjoyed Triston and Camille. Fast paced with great secondary characters.

[Sandra R · Rating 3 out of 5]

This historical Regency novella is well written and the writing style is very descriptive, so the book needs to be read slowly as each sentence paints a picture. It's a challenge to get in to if you like to read fast, which I do. A friends to lovers trope and set in Yorkshire at Christmas time. As usual, with a lot of new historical romances being written these days, the heroine Camille is 'independent and modern in her thinking. The hero, Mercer, is a returned soldier and a Duke and has his own demons from the war. Unusual for the heir to a Dukedom to go to war - they usually didn't. There are many steamy sex scenes in the latter part of the story, after a slow burn start. I liked the H/h and they had lovely chemistry together.

The author needs to check one of the peerage websites so she can correct some of the titles her characters have. An unmarried woman is never referred to as Lady 'surname' - only Lady 'firstname'. (Camille, Isabel - who I assume was never married). The Countess of Milburn would have been referred to as Lady Milburn, not Countess Milburn. Then there was the Christmas tree. The author mentioned at the end that it wasn't introduced until the 1840's, and I wonder why she didn't just have them find a Yule log instead, which was the tradition at the time.

It's a nice pleasant read for Christmas and I thank NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me an e-arc in return for my opinion. 3.5 stars.

[S. Daisy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a historical romance taking place in England in the year 1815. A young lady must put aside her personal feelings and marry a man she doesn't love in order to save her aunt's estate. When her childhood crush and nemesis attends their party the day after her engagement, old feelings resurface and she must decide what to do about this rakish duke who she loves but can't stand.

I had expected a sweet historical romance, with a good plot and interesting historical information woven in. This book disappointed me. I hate giving books bad reviews, because I realize that one person's poison is another's cup of tea, but I like informing potential readers of what to expect. This is a steamy, sometimes vile romance that is like every other romance, with not much history to it and nothing original in the plot. It is a trope, or several tropes put together actually, with not a single outstanding characteristic to tell it apart from hundreds of other similar romances. If, however, this is something you like (I know some people enjoy these types of books) then I'm sure you will find it exactly what you're looking for. It's too cookie-cutter for me. Two stars.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Camille Bellington is marrying Viscount Ridley to save her home, even though she's been in love with Tristan for a long time. Tristan, Duke of Mercer, is best friends with Camille's brother. After the war he's kept to himself and rarely socializes. Attending a dinner party hosted by Camille's aunt, Tristan realizes Camille's grown up. Then there's that kiss. He's fighting the attraction, but it's not working. Camille's made up her mind she's not going to chase him anymore. Now Tristan's chasing her.
A delightful romance with a nice flow to the story and a very charming Duke.
Gifted a copy of this book by the author.

[Vikki Vaught · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks go to the author and Net-Galley for the complimentary copy of Chasing the Duke by Tracy Sumner. I voluntarily agreed to read and review this book prior to publication. My opinions are my own, and no one has influenced them.

Chasing the Duke is a delightful Regency romance with engaging characters and a light-hearted plot set during the twelve days of Christmas. The pacing kept me enmeshed throughout the novella, and this is definitely a short one, but since the heroine has been infatuated with the hero from childhood, it isn’t an insta-love romance.

Lady Camille is the heroine, and she is a strong-willed young woman determined to succeed as a botanist, an unusual career choice in the Regency period. I enjoyed her character for the most part, and her loyalty to her family is admirable.

Tristan, Duke of Mercer is an amazing hero, and I quickly became vested with his character. He’s a tortured soul, recently returned from war with nightmares of what he’d seen and experienced. He believes he is unfit to become any woman’s husband. This type of hero is my favorite!

The romance simmers in the first part of the tale, but once it ignites into full flames, it is combustible. The sexual scenes will appeal to anyone who enjoys steamy romance. I truly wanted them to find their happy ending, and I loved how the hero follows our lovely heroine, determined to earn her love.

If you enjoy Regency romances with plenty of spice, and an intriguing plot, then you will love Chasing the Duke as much as I did. This is the first novel I have read by Ms. Sumner, and I will be looking for more. Happy reading!

[Karmen O · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Chasing the Duke" by Tracy Sumner
.
Cover: 5/5
Story: 5/5
Steam: 🔥 🔥 (+kissing, mentioned scenes, a fade out)
Ending: HEA with epilogue
.
Stand Alone or Series: Stand alone.
.
England, Regency (1816)
Former Soldier Duke
Botanist Bluestocking Lady
Second Chance
Best Friend's Sister
Annoyance to Love
Promised to Another
Scarred Hero
It Was Always You
Unrequited Love
Christmas Novella
.
I have read several titles by Tracy Sumner, but after reading this novella, I've decided I need to go back and re-read. CLEARLY, I wasn't appreciating her enough. This was before I started writing real reviews on titles. Sumner sports great pacing in this novella that is neither too fast nor too slow. She has a beautiful, descriptive writing style, and I found myself highlighting SO. MANY. passages. I love how she has included brilliant banter and humor not only between the mains of this title but also with side characters. Sumner also gives us great looks into the minds of characters along with their actions and dialog with each other.

Speaking of side characters, I do love a good meddling family member. Camille had a hilarious spinster aunt/companion who not only lends to the humor of this title, which could be a bit darker but also her wisdom. Additionally, Camille is *technically* engaged at the beginning of this book, although it is clear it's more of a handshake agreement and not common, public knowledge. Ridley, her fiance, is immensely easy to dislike due to his boorish, dismissive nature, and problematical mommy's boy status. It's great to have a "villain," although he isn't a villain, who doesn't simply rely on being old, overweight, or any of the old go-to's for older HRs.

Without giving spoilers, there is a particular trauma that Tristen lives with that was the catalyst for tipping this title to a five-star read for me. It is not only his living through the nightmares he endures but also how Camille doesn't shy away or shun him for it. With her help, he can heal. She lends him her strength through understanding and kindness. One scene in particular was one of the more touching scenes I have read of late.

Steam- alluded to and explicit terms. Variety of scene lengths and actions.
.
Read as a self-purchased ebook. Honest review left voluntarily
.
CW (may contain spoilers):
.
.
.
.
.
De*th of parents
Infidelity while engaged - engagement isn't public knowledge
War
PTSD
Injuries incurred during the war
Parental neglect

[Carole Burant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I simply adored this story, such a delightful and fun read! Wonderful characters, humour, romance and very well written. From start to end, I was right into this story.

Camille has known Tristan, her brother's best friend, since she was a young girl and has been in love with him all those years. After being gone for many years, he's now back and although she's now betrothed to another man, it doesn't take long to realize that she's still attracted to Tristan. Some of her conversations with her aunt and the countess had me in stitches:)

Tristan has come back home but he's not the man he use to be. Nightmares from the war pursue him and he doesn't think he's good for anyone. When he meets up with Camille, he's surprised to find her all grown up and is very attracted to her. It was fun to watch him try everything to resist her and she trying everything to seduce him:)

I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Space Cowgirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Undeniable Attraction💘

ADULT Regency Romance💕 and Adventure
Duke, soldier, rake, scoundrel...he's everything she ever wanted!

Lady Camille's💃💋 family is in dire financial straights, so she has agreed to marry Viscount Ridley for money 💰in a marriage of convenience👰.

She should have waited a few more days because the 💘love of her life and childhood friend, Tristan, Duke of Mercer🐺🍆⛲🔪🔫, has returned from the war! The animal magnetism he gives off towards her is palpable and she feels the same way! Now, What is she going to do about getting out of her betrothal?

ARC Provided by Book📚 Sirens💃 and Booksprout 🌱 .
I also got this ebook with KU.

This is a short but intensely fast paced book with great characters and wonderful world building. There are great touches of everyday detail that are usually lacking in most books of this genre. Author Sumner📚 makes writing quality ADULT Regency Romance look easy, even though it isn't!
Recommend.

[Lori D · Rating 5 out of 5]

"While he'd been away, Camille Bellington had become a woman. A gorgeous, intelligent, defiant woman." He had known her when they were young, she his best friend's sister and now with his return from war, Tristan was to take his place as duke.

Camille had adored Tristan when she was young, but as life so turned she now had taken a man as her betrothed just to save their estate. But seeing Tristan now as a grown man, well... "The Duke of Mercer, more than any man alive, was her weakness. It didn't matter why or how, but she'd been irretrievably in love with him since, well she couldn't remember when she hadn't been in love with him. So, it had been forever."

Tris was a man haunted by his time at war and he needed healing. Might Camille be just the one to do that?

A marvelous story that tugged at my heart and made me smile and sigh. Yes, I really loved it!

PS There was a swan involved for the 7th day of Christmas!!

[BookishMya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore Tracy Sumner’s writing style and this story is no different. She has a way with descriptions that bring a scene alive, lifting it off the page. When she describes the changing of Tristan’s eyes with each emotion, it becomes a crystal image in my mind bringing a powerful element to the story. Seeing Camille’s lifelong adoration come full circle with Tristan, whom she’s loved most of her life, was wonderful. What I liked most of all though, is despite that adoration, she still makes him work for it. There is banter, there is conflict and there is passion! A lovely and light story that gives you all the butterfly feels! And I could not get enough of Aunt Bel, and her scheming Countess, plotting to bring a Duke to his knees. It added all the light hilarity that make a fantastic story.

[SuperWendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Duke hero is her brother's BFF. The heroine, 8 years younger, has had an unrequited crush for years but now must marry to infuse the depleted family coffers. The hero is back from Waterloo with PTSD and captivated by the heroine now all grown up. This was fine, but it's definitely one of those stories where the main couple doth protest too much. She's done "chasing the Duke" even though she's still hot for him. He's hot for her. They share several steamy kisses but they can't be together for some reason? Even after she jilts the poor mama's boy sap she's engaged to. Frankly once that guy is dispatched there's no reason for the couple to NOT be together. Even at novella length I grew bored with them after a while.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great drama and romance with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Lisa C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story of Lady Camille Bellington and Tristan Tierney, Duke of Mercer. Camille is an intelligent, independent woman who has decided to marry to help save her family estate. Tristan was a soldier, but has returned home to his duties as the Duke. Loved the interactions between these two and fell in love with Tristan immediately. Highly recommend.

[Amanda Mountjoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so cute and loveable. Camille is a strong independent woman of the 1840s, which causes her quite the problem. Tristan is her brother's best friend, but what if these two finally get together, what will her brother think? A great read! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sophie (slovenianbookworm)]

This book was easy to read but for some reason, I couldn’t connect to it. I felt like they were talking about one thing and he was asking her something and she did not actually answer it directly. The paragraphs didn’t connect to each other so I DNF-ed at the third chapter. 0/5

[Tabetha Waite · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute story of a childhood crush coming to fruition at long last. Be prepared to have a fan handy for the steamy love scene! 🔥