ARC Review: Nothing Compares to the Duke (The Duke's Den #3) by Christy Carlyle
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Series: The Duke's Den #3
Author: Christy Carlyle
Published May 26th 2020 by Avon
Goodreads Synopsis
Christy Carlyle concludes her Duke’s Den series with this sparkling romance about two reluctant allies intent on following the rules and breaking every single one.
His Only Regret…
Rhys Forester, the new Duke of Claremont, lives his life by four words: Enjoy All, Regret Nothing. He’s devoted to the pleasure of his wild soirees, reckless behavior, and shocking the ton with his interests in trade. The debts that come with his title don’t fit the carefree lifestyle he’s created, and when he’s forced to return to his family’s estate, he’s also forced to confront his one and only regret: the beautiful girl he left behind.
May Be Falling in Love…
Arabella Prescott has been the belle of more balls than she cares to remember. After three seasons and five rejected proposals, she’s done with the marriage mart. Bella’s hopes to live a comfortable life, alone, come crashing down when her parents demand she marry. But her salvation may come in the form of the man she hates the most.
Bella has never forgiven Rhys for what he did to her, but desperate times call for fake engagements. With a few dozen rules, their scheme begins, but it’s not long before the former enemies find themselves breaking every single rule, including the most important of them all: don’t fall in love…
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via Edelweiss. This in no way impacted on my view.
Nothing Compares to the Duke follows Rhys Forester, Duke of Claremont, as he is coming to grips with his new position, and dealing with the dire financial situation his father left him in. He's got a reputation for living a life on the wild side, but knows that he needs to start to settle to his title, especially as his younger sister, Meg, is about to debut. He returns to the family estate, hoping to speak with the wayward steward, when he is reunited with neighbour, and once friend, Arabella Prescott. Five years ago, they left things on shaky ground, as Rhys ruined Bella's 18th birthday, and since then, they've not spoken. They were inseparable as children, but being together now is like pulling teeth. Bella is not without her own reputation, especially as she's turned down five previous proposals. She mainly cares about publishing her book and doesn't want to marry, especially when her heart was lost to Rhys all those years ago. However, her parents are going abroad to Greece for a few years, for her father to teach, and they don't want to leave her alone, and unmarried. So, she asks Rhys to pretend to be engaged to her, and in return, she will help with Meg's coming out, and also help him find the thieving steward, and help him with the finances - as maths was never Rhys' forte. Can they get through the next few months pretending, or will their feelings complicate things?
Bella and Rhys were fantastic main characters for this book. Both were strong willed, and feisty, and knew what they wanted, and wouldn't take any crap from anyone. Both had been left heartbroken - though originally for different reasons - after Bella's birthday five years ago, and it was something that had really affected them and it was about time they dealt with it. I really thought Bella's goal to publish her book was admirable, especially when you consider that an unmarried women at this time had little chance of being successful. Rhys wanted to help her, and would move heaven and earth for her to be happy, even going along with the fake engagement because it was what she needed. Fake relationship tropes are a favourite of mine, and I adored how this time around we had the friends to lovers trope as well - and it was extremely well done.
The subplot of Claremont's finances and the conniving steward was enjoyable too, but all I was invested in, really, was Bella and Rhys relationship. Their chemistry was off the charts, and it was inevitable that they would begin to blur the lines between real and fake sooner or later, and I was waiting with bated breath for that to happen. This is my first of Carlyle's books, but definitely won't be my last. Her world building and relationships are fantastic, and I need more.
Dates Read:
April 21, 2020Rating
4 Stars
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