Series Name: Synneful Spinsters, # 2
That was all it took, apparently, one quick look at his face, and she was lost. Her breath, which had grown shallow upon that first touch, was sucked right out of her chest at the sight of his gray eyes peering into hers, at those full lips parted ever so slightly, at the small divot between his brows as he gazed down at her. She ached to smooth that line, to press her finger to the indentation in his chin, to trail the pads of her fingers over his hard jaw and dive into the thick waves of hair at the nape of his neck..
What’s a Duke Got to Do With It is a swoontastic historical romance romp.
The last thing Katrina Denby expected to find in her garden is the body of the man who ruined her three seasons ago. No matter that his death is a tragic accident, the rumors are enough to kill any woman’s prospects. With two scandals now hounding her, the best she can hope for is a hasty marriage of convenience—until her first love shows up in her drawing room, reminding her of all the reasons why she wanted a love match. If only he weren’t already engaged. . .
Sebastian Thorne, Duke of Ramsleigh, knows what he has to do to save the dukedom from the crushing debts and scandal his father left: marry and marry well. He’s picked the lady, too—a baron’s daughter who is pleasant, if a little boring. But seeing Katrina again makes him want to throw all those perfectly laid plans out the window. The first chance he had with her, he chose his duty over his heart. Doing so again might prove utterly impossible.
I devoured this book in one sitting. It’s just that fabulous. I love historical romances because, for me, they are the perfect escapist read. There is this beautiful elegance and magic to their stories and settings; of course, there are gorgeous gowns. What’s a Duke Got to Do With It is my first Christina Britton book, and I can tell you it won’t be my last. In this book, Christina has written a fun, witty, and unique romance that swept this reader right off her feet. I loved the story and its characters.
Poor Katrina has found herself in the middle of a scandal not once but twice. Typically with historical romances, when the heroine is caught in a compromising position, it’s with the story’s hero. That’s not the case with this book. Katrina’s overzealous admirer takes it upon himself to sneak in her window at night, not once by twice, with the latter attempt ending fatally for him. It doesn’t matter that Katrina had no idea that he would do this or that nothing happened between them; her reputation was ruined. Because of the scandal, Katrina finds herself working as a companion for Lady Tesh (who I adore) and is now living on the lovely island of Synne (just off the coast of England). Our hero, Sebastian, has his own set of troubles in this book. When his father passes away at the beginning of this story, he leaves the Dukedom in shambles, and Sebastian finds himself trying to pay back all the debts his father owes. And, of course, because this is a romance book, he can only get himself out of financial ruin by marrying a lady with a large dowry.
I love this story. I found the pacing to be perfect and loved the unexpected twists and turns that Christina included. This story has this fabulous blend of humour, wit, drama, and romance. All these elements are just so well balanced and create an entertaining story.
I adored every single one of the characters in this book. They are all so likable, interesting, and engaging. Katrina is a wonderful heroine. You really can’t help but root for her. In this book, she goes through a lot of hardship, and I just had to keep reading because I wanted to see her get her HEA. The friendship between the ladies who make up the Oddments is fantastic; each lady has a quirky and unique personality. Katrina finds unwavering support from her group of friends, which warms her heart. They stand by Katrina through the scandal she is facing, even if standing by her creates hardships in their own lives. I also love that Christina has set up the series so each lady will get their own book.
The romance in this book is utter perfection. It’s a delightful second chance and forbidden romance. I just could not get enough of Katrina and Sebastian. There is just something that is so addictive about a forbidden romance. I think it’s because this unknown factor exists in this kind of relationship. I knew these two characters would end up together, but I had no idea how Christina would pull it off. I have to say that I love the direction that Christina went with Katrina and Sebastian’s relationship and how they came together in the end.
What’s a Duke Got to Do With It is a love story filled with delicious chemistry, fabulous characters, and a story that will have you swooning.
Thank you, Forever Publishing, for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
