ARC Review: The Unworthy Duke by Charlotte Anne
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Series: None
Author: Charlotte Anne
Published February 4th 2021 by Escape Publishing
Goodreads Synopsis
Witty, passionate and fast-paced, this sparkling debut Regency romance is a must-read for any fan of Georgette Heyer.
She's running from her past; he's hiding from his.
Miss Ellen Burney doesn't have a penny to her name. Determined to escape scandal, she flees to London and becomes Miss Smith: spinster and lady's companion. London offers security in anonymity. So long as Ellen can rein in her overactive imagination and become the perfect picture of propriety.
Calum Callaghan spent ten years in the Royal Navy fighting Napoleon and has the scars to prove it. Now he's a duke, but all of London thinks he murdered his brother. Heartbroken and battle weary, he's locked himself away for four long years, a prisoner in his own townhouse.
That is, until Cal's grandmother comes to stay with him for the London Season, her new lady's companion in tow. A lady's companion with a passion for life and love that can hardly be contained by even the most spinsterish of lace caps. She's fooling nobody, especially not this grumpy duke.
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
When Ellen Burney realises she needs to flee her brother with young Gwen, before it's too late, she hatches a plan to become Miss Ellen Smith, a spinster turned lady's companion with the wonderful Dowager Lady Faye. Arriving at the home she's been directed to in London, she's shocked to find that the only inhabitant is the grumpy Calum Callaghan, once injured in the Navy fighting Napoleon's forces, and new Duke of Woodall. He's never quite got over his brother's death, which many in society blame him for. Cal has hidden away from London, so finding the beautiful Miss Smith at his door, climbing through a downstairs window, he knows his solitude has been broken, but even he could never expect what was to come.
This was a really enjoyable read. Ellie was such a light character, counteracting Cal's grumpiness perfectly. They bounced off each other so well, and though both fought the attraction between them, they still fell in love, and Cal fell hard! Ellie had been abused by her wicked brother, and needed to hide both herself and Gwen, and where else is the perfect place to hide, but as a spinster and lady's companion? Cal immediately realised that Ellie had suffered, and went straight into protective mode, but she was not a shy and retiring type, and gave as good as she got. She wouldn't let Cal get away with hiding himself from the world any more, and in return he wanted to show her off to the world, and treat her how she deserved. I guess why Ellie's brother was so hateful towards her and Gwen quite early on, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. A lovely Regency tale!
Dates Read:
June 6-7, 2023
Rating
3 Stars
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