Dubious about the Duke
Series: Second Sons of London #5
Author: Alexa Aston
Published August 18th 2022 by Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.

Goodreads Synopsis
An affable army colonel who abruptly becomes a duke. A shy beauty who missed her come-out. And two mischievous boys who bring this pair together . . .

A confident Colonel Winston Cutler finds himself a sudden duke when the brother he loathed perishes in a fire. Win returns to London, only to find he has two by-blow nephews to care for—and their specialty is running off their latest governess.

Reserved Seraphina Nicholls returns to England after being stuck in Canada due to war with the Americans. Sera is slated to attend a house party, where she hopes to make a match with a man who is quiet and loyal. Instead, she finds herself volunteering to act as a governess to a neighboring duke’s rowdy nephews.

Sera wins over the boys and is dismayed when she loses her heart to the roguish duke. Win finds Sera appealing but due to her retiring nature, he believes she would make for a terrible duchess. But Sera isn’t shy with him—especially when they are kissing. Win decides no one but this erstwhile governess will make him happy.

Can the outgoing Win persuade a bashful Sera that opposites can attract—and thrive—in a passion-filled marriage?

Find the answer in USA Today Bestselling author Alexa Aston’s Dubious about the Duke, the fifth book in Second Sons of London.

Each book in Second Sons of London is a standalone story that can be enjoyed out of order.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Learning that he is the new Duke of Woodmont came as a shock to Win Cutler, but he had no affection for his late brother, and was not too gutted by the loss. However, discovering that his brother likely left by blows behind, Win will do his duty to his family and find them, and care for them in whatever way necessary. He has no intentions of marrying yet, and when he does, it'll be a traditional ton marriage, not filled with love or affection. But meeting Seraphina Nicholls changes all that. Sera is shy, and has suffered heartbreak in the past. She's overjoyed to be home, and with her twin, Minta, but she has no intention of joining in the activities of the Season. Win is too outgoing for her, and she worries that her feelings for him will be too much to overcome, but she will not let his two nephews, Charlie and Freddie, be let down, and decides to act as their governess. Showing love and affection to two boys who only want someone to care for them, Sera quickly finds a way into their hearts, and Win's too. Can he convince her that she will be his perfect duchess?

This is my favourite book of the series so far. I had just been thinking that they were getting a little too repetitive, and I was starting to get a little bored, but I honestly could not put this one down. The family that is formed of Win, Sera, Charlie, and Freddie, was perfect, and I adored seeing them grow from strangers, to friends, to a true family, who would do anything for each other. Sera was definitely shy and retiring, but she was comfortable with Win, and turned full on Mama Bear when the boys were threatened. I loved how Win dealt with the boys, and allowed them to learn a little about their father, without revealing the horrors that he had committed, or let them feel as if they were ever unwanted. Yes, he never expected to be caring for them - rather he thought he would give them money and an education - but he embraced the dad life, and it was the making of them all. Now, I'm not too sure who the other books in the series will be about, but I'm definitely more interested in continuing the series!

Dates Read:
August 13, 2022

Rating
3 Stars