ARC Review: Daring the Duke (The Debutante Dares #1) by Charlie Lane
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Series: The Debutante Dares #1
Author: Charlie Lane
Published October 7th 2021 by WOLF Publishing
Goodreads Synopsis
In this Regency romance by Charlie Lane, a London season of scandalous dares forces a lady and her duke to see that perfect isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
A redheaded bluestocking in desperate need of a wealthy husband.
A handsome duke looking for the perfect duchess.
And a dare that shows that opposites may not only attract but can be so much more.
Lady Tabitha Hampton has the memory of an elephant. Her sharp brain locks everything away tight as a trunk in an attic. But this talent fails to help the twenty-seven-year-old bluestocking attract the attention of a single wealthy suitor. And she needs one. With three sisters of marriageable age, a sickly father, and a series of bad investments draining their dowries, Tabitha’s marriage could save or ruin her entire family.
The Duke of Collingford needs a wife, but not just any one will do. Arthur’s future duchess must be perfect in every way—fair of face, impeccable manners, with enough social influence to impact his parliamentary projects. When he joins the whirl of the London season, the duke finds an insufferable, redheaded wallflower instead.
Tabitha insists she can be the perfect duchess, if he’ll only give her the chance. Arthur agrees to test her abilities, but she tests his control. And one taste of her lips is enough to make him embrace chaos.
Opposites may attract, but can they cooperate? Or will they lose everything, including their hearts?
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
After losing her mother, and the family's money in a ill-advised investment, Lady Tabitha Hampton knows that the whole family rely on her marrying, and marrying well. At the age of 27 though, and more intelligent than most of the ton, she's already known as a bluestocking, and avoided by most of the gentlemen on the marriage mart. To amuse herself and her friends during the season, a series of dares are given, one of which is that Tabitha is to be introduced to Arthur, Duke of Collingford multiple times, given different names each time. So when Arthur realises what is happening, and wants revenge, Tabitha is forced to tell him the truth, as well as the fact she has a photographic memory, which allows her to keep on top of the dares. Soon, a bargain is made between the pair - Arthur needs the perfect duchess, and Tabitha needs a wealthy husband. She is willing to learn how to be the perfect duchess, and with her mind, she'll pick it up in no time. Neither of them expect any feelings to become involved, but soon it's hard to keep a straight focus on the target.
I went into this with no expectations, and I hadn't read the synopsis since I requested the book, so was completely blind. I really liked Tabitha, and felt sorry for the situation she found herself in. She wanted to do what was best for her family, who really didn't appreciate her, or understand how much she had given up to try and support them. Okay, the whole dare situation was a little childish, but Tabitha, and her friends, Jane and Lillian, needed something to keep them entered during the balls and other society events. Once Arthur and Tabitha properly met, and started to get to know each other, the book definitely picked up, and I couldn't wait to be able to read it all, and see how their story panned out. Arthur's uncle Brutus was awful, and I despised him as much as the couple did, so I was extremely happy that Arthur and Tabitha eventually decided they didn't care what he thought, and were only going to think of each other from now on. I'm definitely intrigued to continue the series, and find out if Jane and Lillian get their happy endings!
Dates Read:
March 23-24, 2022
Rating
3 Stars
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