ARC Review: Fashioning the Duke (Suddenly a Duke #5) by Alexa Aston
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Series: Suddenly a Duke #5
Author: Alexa Aston
Published July 20th 2023 by Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Goodreads Synopsis
Eight titled peers who never expected to become dukes do just that—and are attracted to females whom Polite Society does not believe worthy of the title duchess, due to their desires to be more than typical ladies of the ton.
But these sudden dukes choose to forge their own paths with the remarkable women who are already doing just that—and the resulting love proves that trusting one’s heart is always the right choice.
A career army officer who never has known love . . .
The bastard daughter of an earl who owns a millinery shop . . .
A growing passion that could turn Polite Society on its ear . . .
Major-General Nigel Foxwell has spent his entire adult life at war. When he receives word that his much older half-brother has died, Fox inherits not only the title Duke of Abington—but he becomes the guardian to his two nieces who are on the verge of making their come-outs.
Miss Delaney Colebourne lost her beloved father and suffers the wrath of his heir. The new Lord Kinnison tells members of the ton if they frequent Delaney’s Designs , he and Lady Kinnison will give them the cut direct. His edict causes Delaney’s business to evaporate overnight.
A chance meeting at a solicitor’s office has Fox pleading with Delaney to help him manage his nieces’ come-outs. She agrees to design the young ladies’ wardrobes and has her former employees help her in making up gowns for the pair. An attraction grows—and Fox and Delaney act upon—but she refuses to marry him.
Will this newly-minted duke convince Delaney that she can maintain her independence and still love him—or will her mistrust of Polite Society prevent her from a lifetime of love?
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
Miss Delaney Colebourne was lucky to have had her father for so long. She may be illegitimate, but her father, the late Earl of Kinnison, always loved her, and helped her set up Delaney's Designs, a millinery store frequented by many of the ton. That is until her half brother destroys her name, and denounces that anyone who shops there will be given the cut direct. Delaney knows she needs a miracle, and soon. Quite literally running into the new Duke of Abington outside her solicitor, Nigel Foxwell begs Delaney to help him with his nieces, and with navigating the ton himself. Fox knows he needs a bride, but he's found his match in Delaney, and now he just has to convince her.
As this series progresses I never know how Alexa will manage to create something new for each of the couples, but she always does. Fox and Delaney were a lovely couple, and I felt really sorry for how Delaney had been punished by her half-brother. She was the daughter of the late Earl of Kinnison, and his mistress, who he had always loved and wished to marry, but he had been forced to marry his proper countess, and his son never let him forget it. As soon as he inherited the title, he set about ruining his half-sister's chances, and was managing quite well until Fox came along. Fox had been at war until he learnt his elder brother had died, and left him the dukedom and guardianship of his teenage nieces. Now back in London, he needs help, and when Delaney literally runs into him, it's perfect. I loved how they worked together and didn't try and railroad each other with their ideas. Fox clearly wanted Delaney, but he knew how important her work was for her, and tried everything to help her, even if they wouldn't be together. A lovely addition to the series - I can't wait for more!
Dates Read:
July 11, 2023
Rating
3 Stars
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