Series: Suddenly a Duke #2
Author: Alexa Aston
Published March 17th 2023 by Dragonblade Publishing
Goodreads Synopsis
A rule-following viscount who becomes a sudden duke . . .
A young woman who loses her parents and turns to music for solace . . .
Two people who want very different things from life . . .
Lord Henry Vaughn witnesses the deaths of his father and grandfather and becomes the new Duke of Linberry. A decent, kind, and responsible man, Henry knows after this double tragedy that it is important he take a wife and provide a ducal heir since death can come calling unexpectedly.
Lady Sophia Sawyer loses both her parents closely together and mourns them the requisite year. When her cousin, the new Lord Parkhurst, calls her to London, she believes it is so she might make her delayed come-out. Instead, Fia is banished to live in the attic like a servant, while Parkhurst schedules her to give music lessons to children of the ton, keeping the fees for himself.
The couple meets through mutual friends and the duke is drawn to the quiet, golden-haired beauty. When Fia shares she wants to play and compose her own music, however, Henry is torn, worried what Polite Society would think of a duchess who is anything but conventional.
Will the duke learn to bend—and even let go of the ton’s rigid, unwritten rules—and instead choose to follow his heart?
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
Lady Sophia Sawyer, or Fia to her friends, has spent the last 6 years as little more than an indentured servant to her wicked cousin. After losing her parents, she believed that she was being called to London to take part in her season. Instead she was locked in a tidy room in the attic, and sent out to give music lessons to the children of the ton, all for her cousin's gain. In a chance encounter with the Dowager Duchess of Westfield, she finds a friend in both gran and Margaret, as well as an ally in both the Duke of Westfield, and the handsome Duke of Linberry. Henry always knew he would one day become Duke of Linberry, but he never expected to lose his father and grandfather in one day. Now coping with both his own grief, and that of his mother, he knows he needs to find a bride soon. However Fia is not the type of woman he expected, and he fights his attraction, but is he strong enough?
Another addition to the Suddenly a Duke series, and I really enjoyed the romance between Fia and Henry. Their story wasn't the easiest, and they had many obstacles to overcome, but it was worth it. Fia's childhood had been great, until her cousin Theo came to the family to take his place as heir. He was a cruel bully, hurting her physically and mentally, and has turned into even more of a cruel adult, especially when he inherits the title. Now Fia is fighting to get free, but she's scared of the repercussions. I loved that Margaret and Daniel took Fia in, and supported her in the season. She really flourished under their care, and the proximity to Henry allowed her to consider that she might be able to marry, and have a family like she's always wanted. A really enjoyable romance, and a part of what is set to be a great series!
Dates Read:
May 17-18, 2023
Rating
3 Stars
