ARC Review: Love Blooms with the Duke (Suddenly a Duke #6) by Alexa Aston
15:00
Series: Suddenly a Duke #6
Author: Alexa Aston
Published August 31st 2023 by Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Goodreads Synopsis
A fourth son instantly propelled into a dukedom . . .
A beautiful woman trying to support herself as a governess . . .
Two people who want to be accepted—and who long for love . . .
Xander Hughes, London’s biggest rake, suddenly finds himself in over his head, becoming the Duke of Brockbank and guardian to two nieces he has never met. He decides he must turn over a new leaf and become a sober, responsible duke and starts by hiring a governess for the girls. But Miss Fennimore is a most unique governess with her odd methods of education—and soon Xander wonders if she might make for an even better duchess.
Willa Fennimore’s parents were the toast of London’s theatre world until Theodosia Fennimore murdered her playwright husband and then leaped to her death. Not wishing to become an actress like her mother, Willa supports herself as a companion and governess for a decade, finding her latest post is to instruct a duke’s two unruly nieces.
As Willa falls in love with the orphaned girls, she finds herself also tumbling into love with the Duke of Brockbank. She’s been warned that the duke was a wild rogue before he inherited his title, but Willa only knows the caring man who meets his duties head on and spends an inordinate amount of time with his nieces, who aren’t so terrible after all.
After Brockbank offers marriage to Willa, she dreams of a new life filled with love and happiness. The only thing standing in her way is the secret of her past. If Willa shares her background, she fears she might lose Xander forever.
Will Xander reject Willa when he learns of the scandal involving her parents—or will this rule-breaking duke flout the rules of Polite Society yet again and make a most inappropriate woman his duchess?
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
Xander Hughes, fourth son of the Duke of Brockbank, has returned to the family estate in time for his late father's funeral. Meeting his young nieces for the first time, he realises what he has missed, but still looks forward to returning to his old life, and London, as soon as possible. But tragedy soon strikes, and when his three brothers all die, as well as his sister in law, Xander finds himself the new duke, and guardian for Cecily and Lucy. He needs help, and fast! Miss Willa Fennimore had an eclectic upbringing to say the least. Born to a playwright father and actress mother, she had to raise herself alone, and when her mother kills her father, and then herself, she is left alone to fend for herself. Spending some time as a companion and a governess, she is in London looking for a new position when Xander finds her, and proclaims he needs her. She should refuse the position because of her attraction to Xander, but Cecily and Lucy need her, and she can't pull away from the girls who've stolen her heart. But her secret past won't stay hidden for long, and will Xander still want her if he knows the truth?
I always love a book where there are found family elements, and this one had it all. Xander, Willa, Cecily, and Lucy became the perfect family, and though all had their struggles and faults, together they overcame them, and it was wonderful to see. I liked how Xander didn't gloss over his rakish past, but as soon as he became duke and guardian to the girls, he grew up, and took responsibility. Willa was so well rounded, more so than I would expect with how hectic her childhood had been. She spent most of her time in the theatre as a child, and was left to her own devices often. She took her education into her own hands, and became fluent in a number of languages, which helped her in her governess work. But her looks were her downfall, as the men who hired her decided that she was theirs for whatever they wanted, and she had to leave again and again. This time though, she was upfront with Xander about what he could expect, and he did respect it, while also trying to convince her to marry him. I did hate the misunderstanding which occurred, and was so happy that the girls convinced their uncle he was being an idiot! Another wonderful addition to the series, and it was lovely seeing Henry and Fia again.
Dates Read:
August 26-27, 2023
Rating
3 Stars
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