ARC Review: Portrait of the Duke (Suddenly a Duke #1) by Alexa Aston
10:00
Series: Suddenly a Duke #1
Author: Alexa Aston
Published February 3rd 2023 by Dragonblade Publishing
Goodreads Synopsis
A fun-loving man who has become a staid duke . . .
An independent lady who wishes to pursue her artistic bent . . .
A long-ago meeting which left a lasting impression on them both . . .
Daniel Judson, the Duke of Westfield, changed from a carefree young rogue into a sober duke once faced with a mountain of responsibilities after he assumed his grandfather’s title. After seeing both his sisters wed, Daniel knows it is finally time for him to take a wife in order to provide the necessary ducal heir.
Lady Margaret Townsend’s come-out was delayed by the ill health and subsequent deaths of her parents. Now an ancient four and twenty, she makes her debut into Polite Society—not to find a husband—but to secure important social connections within the ton in order to acquire commissions to paint their portraits, a dream she has long held.
Sparks surfaced during their initial encounter ten years ago. Their second introduction at the inaugural ball of the Season leaves Daniel certain he has found his duchess, while Margaret is confused by the never-known feelings stirring within her.
Will the duke convince this lady she can have both marriage and her art—or will her stubbornness to follow a chosen path have her miss out on love?
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
Daniel Judson, the Duke of Westfield, became Duke too young, following the deaths of his parents, and his grandfather. He took responsibility for his sister's marriages, and has resigned himself to a life of commitment, with a future loveless marriage on the cards. A decade ago, as a young buck around town, he met Lady Margaret Townsend, and she left an impression he can't shake. When he doesn't see her on the marriage mart, he is surprised by her absence, so when she returns to society, at the ripe old age of 24, he is drawn to her like never before. Margaret has always known she was the unwanted daughter, and was forced to care for her uncaring mother through her illness, and later death. Relying on her older, and unkind, sister and her husband, Margaret only wants to join society to gain clients for her portraiture business. Coming face to face with Daniel again, and noting the sparks flying, Margaret needs to find a way to love, and be a business woman.
A new series from one of my favourite Regency authors, I enjoyed the way this book set the stage for the series. Daniel and Margaret's every interaction was filled with wit and humour, and chemistry too. I loved Margaret as a person who knew their own mind, and what they wanted. She had been beloved by her father, but hated by her sister and mother. Forced to care for her mother, and then be at her sister's side with the children, she was ready to escape. Approaching her 25th birthday, when she would reach her majority and come into her inheritance, Margaret was ready to forge her own path. Finding a wealthy patron to be her first client, she hopes that the value of her work will be appreciated, and sets her apart from others. Daniel was not someone she was expecting, and he made her feel things she never had before. Daniel's character was sweet, and I loved the way their romance progressed. A great Regency romance, and I look forward to the rest of the series.
Dates Read:
March 12-13 2023
Rating
3 Stars
0 comments