Dare to Be a Duchess
Series: The Elusive Lords #1
Author: Sapna Bhog
Published February 8th 2021 by Entangled Publishing, LLC (Scandalous)

Goodreads Synopsis
He’s a powerful duke. She’s his uncle’s ward. They have forever been at war, until one night, one masquerade, and one kiss…

Lara Ramsay is no stranger to scandal. As the orphaned daughter of a British colonel and his beloved Indian wife, whispers follow her everywhere. Not even the protection of the formidable Duke of Wolverton, a man she can’t stand, keeps the gossips at bay.

The audacious Lara has driven Tristan Wentworth, The Duke of Wolverton, to distraction since the day his uncle took her in—and he’s quite certain doing so is her favorite pastime. After catching her and his younger sister at a salacious masquerade, he’s had enough scandal and issues a marriage ultimatum: find a husband within six months or one will be chosen for her.

Unfortunately, no one in the ton appeals to her. Except, perhaps, the duke himself. The battle of wills has only just begun, and when Lara kisses him, their fate is sealed.

Sometimes even the most proper duke needs to break the rules to win the heart of the woman he loves…
Goodreads

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

Since her parents died, and she was brought to England in the care of a family friend, Miss Lara Ramsay has always known that her heritage, and her skin colour, sets her apart from the rest of the ton. Only her friends Anne and Camille, as well as Anne's brother, Tristan, Duke of Wolverton, and his friends, are there to support her from the hatred of the rest of the ton. When Lara and Anne head to a scandalous masquerade for Anne to meet her beau, Lara ends up kissing Wolf in order to distract him, and sets off a whole series of events which leads them both to not be able to stop thinking about one another. But, Lara isn't suited to being a duchess, and even if she was, would the ton allow it? Tristan has had to be polished and perfect his entire life, but even more so one his father died and he inherited the title. His father's reputation for being a rake and adulterer was well known to society, and Wolf wants to be nothing like him, but it's hard to stay away from Lara. Will they both be able to take on the ton together, and be happy, or will the opinions of society pull them apart?

I was hooked on this book from the first few pages, and couldn't put it down until I had finished it. Lara is the daughter of an English Colonel, the second son of the Duke of Calder, and the friend of an Indian Princess. She spent 14 happy years in India, after her father was disowned by his own, but when both her parents died of fever, she was brought to England in the care of a family friend, Uncle Robert. Robert also happened to be the uncle of Anne and Wolf, so she was in the care of the Wolverton family too, and became fast friends with them. However, the very proper Duchess doesn't like having the daughter of an Indian woman around her own, but allowed the connection while Lara was in Wolf's good graces. When it became clear that there was an attraction between Wolf and Lara following the masquerade, and their continued interactions, the duchess sets out to separate the two, in any way possible. I felt so sorry for Lara for all of the racist remarks and ridicule she faced in society, and especially when Wolf hurt her, trying to push her away. She was a strong and vibrant young woman, but could be hurt, especially by those she loves. However, Wolf more than makes up for it, even if it calls his own reputation into line. He's realised he's in love, and can't be apart from Lara, and will stop at nothing to be with her - even exiling his own mother if he has too. Because of their friendship and history, the relationship between Lara and Tristan, though fast, seemed to be natural and progress normally. It was such a joy to see them happy. I think this book is supposed to be a standalone, but there's so much of a story between Camille and Leo, that I do hope there's a companion sequel focusing on them two. I'm dying to know more!

Dates Read:
February 21, 2020

Rating
4 Stars