ARC Review: A Duke Worth Fighting For (Isle of Synne #3) by Christina Britton
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Series: Isle of Synne #3
Author: Christina Britton
Published August 24th 2021 by Forever
Goodreads Synopsis
A fake relationship becomes the real thing in this Regency romance from the bestselling author Publishers Weekly calls "irresistible."
To protect the dukedom from an incompetent and greedy cousin, Daniel Hayle, Duke of Carlisle, has promised to find a bride in London this season. But the idea of facing ballrooms and card parties is as intimidating as any battlefield in France, including the fight at Waterloo that left him terribly scarred. Perhaps a month on the Isle of Synne can provide him with the practice necessary to find a wife who can tolerate him enough to give him an heir.
Margery Kitteridge has been mourning her husband for four years, and while she's not ready to consider marriage again, she does miss intimacy with a partner. When Daniel asks for help navigating Synne's social scene, and they accidentally kiss, she realizes he's the perfect person with whom to have an affair. As they begin to confide in one another, Daniel discovers that he's unexpectedly connected to Margery's late husband, and she will have to decide if she can let her old love go for the promise of a new one.
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
Mrs Margery Kitteridge has mourned the loss of her husband, Aaron, at Waterloo, for the past four years. She's seen her friends and family find love and happiness, and she loves spending time with them, and her grandmother, on Synne, but can never imagine remarrying. When she receives a letter from a would be blackmailer, claiming that Aaron was a coward, shot down while fleeing on the battlefield, and that the truth would be spread far and wide unless she pays £100, Margery is in a panic. How will she raise the money, without telling her family, and besmirching Aaron's good name? Well, when her grandmother invites her friend, the Dowager Duchess of Carlisle, and her son, Daniel, the current Duke to stay, Margery has an idea. Daniel needs to marry, but his injuries following Waterloo have left him scarred and injured, and the jibes from his vindictive cousin have left deeper scars inside. He can't imagine going to London and facing the ton and matchmaking mamas, so when Margery offers to help him navigate the local society, with a view to find a bride on the island, for only £100, he jumps at the chance. But the longer that Daniel and Margery spend in each other's company, it's clear that the only person Daniel has met who he's interested in marrying is Margery, who only wants one night with him - or does she?
This book was glorious. Ever since we met Margery in book 1, I've always had a little bit of a soft spot for her, so when I learnt that she would be having her own story in A Duke Worth Fighting For, I immediately sent off an email requesting a copy, and was overjoyed when I arrived in by inbox. Both of the main characters here were hurt by war, and by Waterloo. Margery has mourned her lost husband for years now, and still is in half mourning dress. She's told everyone she will never marry and forget Aaron, and being a godmother to her friend's children is the best thing for her. But she is lonely, and she wants what Lenora and Clara have, but how can she do that? Even meeting Daniel, she's immediately drawn to him, and can't stop thinking about him, but the guilt at forgetting Aaron is always on her mind. Having an affair with Daniel should be enough to itch the scratch, and get over him, but soon one night, turns into multiple, and they are vulnerable with each other in a way they've never been with anyone else. Daniel, for his part, hates being Duke, and hates the way his injuries, and the taunts from his cousin, make him feel. He is socially awkward, and thinks that he won't be able to find someone to tolerate him enough to beget an heir, let alone find love and happiness. Margery's plan is perfect, until it's clear he wants her and no one else. I loved the slow burn of the romance, and the sheer chemistry between the characters. They might just be my favourite in the series, and the growth we see in all characters from the beginning of A Good Duke Is Hard to Find, is perfect! I love Christina's books and characters, and can't wait for her next story!
Dates Read:
August 20-21, 2021
Rating
4 Stars
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