Series: The MacGalloways #1
Author: Amy Jarecki
Published October 19 2021 by Oliver Heber Books
Goodreads Synopsis
It is one thing to defy convention…but quite another to completely thwart it in the pursuit of insatiable desire.
His Grace, Martin MacGalloway, has well-earned the reputation as the most celebrated rake on the entire isle of Britain. But upon his father’s sudden death, he heads for Scotland where he finds his inheritance in a shambles, his sisters without prospects, and his brothers relying on his patronship—and he’s not about to conquer his problems alone.
Penniless, Lady Julia St. Vincent has no choice but to dress as a man and accept a position as steward to the Duke of Dunscaby. But when she meets His Grace, she’s not expecting him to be dashing, charming, or utterly enchanting. And the more time she spends with the duke, the more difficult it is to ignore the flickers of passion smoldering in her heart.
Martin instantly develops a fondness for the wee man. While they work together to rebuild the Dunscaby dynasty, they travel to London where Martin takes it upon himself to introduce his sheltered steward to the world of manly pursuits. Julia falls from one mortifyingly compromising situation to another as she pines for a duke she can never have…until an old friend invites her to a masque. And there, it takes but one kiss for Martin to stop at nothing in his pursuit of the mysterious woman who has captured his very soul.
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
When her father turns to drink and loses just about everything the estate has, Lady Julia St.Vincent, daughter of the Earl of Brixham, has to become a steward for the desperate Duke of Dunscaby, hiding out on his remote Scottish estate, masquerading as a man. She's been her father's steward in all but name for years now, and nowhere else to turn to pay off the vicious moneylender, Silas Skinner, especially when her father turns ill. But Julia never expected that the new duke, Martin, would be hands on, or that they would soon become close friends. Martin needs all the help he can get to transform the Dunscaby legacy back into greatness, especially as his sisters are on the cusp of their debuts, and his brother's rely on him. The new steward, Jules Smallwood, is perfect for this, and someone he can turn to for advice and friendship. However, when Martin encounters Lady Julia in London, after dragging Jules there for the season, he is enthralled, and it seems as if Julia is falling just for the man she can't have.
This is another Scottish themed book I've read recently, and I loved it. The characters that Amy has created are so funny and witty, and their relationships with each other perfect for the book. I really felt for Julia and the situation she found herself in. She needed someone to care for her, especially when her father clearly couldn't, and had to step up time and time again to help. The friendship between herself and Martin, when she was 'Jules', was really warming to see, and they opened up to each other in a way they never had done before. The book was lighthearted for the most part, but there were some dark moments, especially those involving Silas, but I think everything was just right for the romance playing out here. I can't wait for book 2, Her Unconventional Earl, which I think is Charity, Martin's sister's, story.
Dates Read:
September 19, 2021
Rating
4 Stars
