Review: A Scot to the Heart (Desperately Seeking Duke #2) by Caroline Linden
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Series: Desperately Seeking Duke #2
Author: Caroline Linden
Published June 29th 2021 by Avon
Goodreads Synopsis
An Officer and a Scotsman
Captain Andrew St. James always knew he came from a noble family, but his branch grew far from the wealth and status. Nothing shocks him more than learning that he now stands as heir presumptive to his distant cousin the Duke of Carlyle. There is much for Drew to learn and adjust to—but first he goes home to Edinburgh, to tell his mother and three sisters of their startling good fortune.
A Lady and a Temptress
Ilsa Ramsay yearns for some adventure and fun, not another husband. When she discovers the handsome soldier who sweeps her off her feet for a rollicking dance is her friend’s brother, soon to be an English duke, she tells herself he’s not for her, no matter how tempting he is. But one impulsive kiss, then another, and another… says otherwise.
An Irresistible Attraction
Drew means to marry a respectable, dignified Englishwoman—a very proper future duchess. The spirited Ilsa is none of that. Still, when she’s caught in a dangerous scandal, he leaps to her aid without hesitation. And neither family duty nor future obligation can make them ignore what’s in both their hearts.
Goodreads
Review
In A Scot to the Heart Captain Andrew St James is shocked to find that he may be the next Duke of Carlyle. He's always known that his family is an offshoot of the ducal line, but quite removed from the wealth and glamour, which led him to enlisting to support his mother and sisters. Now as heir presumptive, he can help his family in ways he never expected, but meeting the friend of one of his sisters, and falling for her, was never in the cards. Ilsa Ramsay may have been married before, but she can't imagine another marriage in her future. She wants fun and freedom, which she never got in her marriage, and with her aunt standing in as chaperone - why does she need a chaperone as a widow? - she is struggling to find it. But dancing with a handsome strange in an oyster cellar was more than she wished, and when she realises that that stranger is her friend, Agnes's, brother, they're thrown together more than once. As Andrew realises that Isla may be the only woman for him, can he convince her than he doesn't need a perfect wife for his potential duchess, all he needs is her?
This book was one I was highly anticipating after reading and adoring About a Rogue last year. I did enjoy it, but it was missing something that the first book had. Even so, I loved reading the story and seeing Drew and Ilsa come together, and find love after so long. And the way that family and friendship played such a big part in the book was fantastic. Drew's family have always been close, and the party that went to the country estate was one of the best parts of the book. I wish we had seen more of Agnes and Felix's story in this book, but I've seen on GR that there's a novella for them, so I'll be looking for that book when I can. The mystery aspect was enjoyable, and I really liked how it was tied up at the end, though there were some moments that were a little too farfetched for me.
Dates Read:
August 26-28, 2021
Rating
4 Stars
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