Series Name: Her Majesty’s Rebels, # 1
As if sensing Tess’s presence at his side, the stranger raised his head.
A shock of something elemental, almost like recognition, flashed through her as their eyes met. If someone had asked her to describe a “dangerous man,” it would be him. Flint-gray eyes, high cheekbones. Lips that looked like they could command—or kiss—with consummate ease.
Second Duke’s the Charm is a spicy and fun Regency love story that is hard to put down.
The wedding-night death of her much older husband left Tess Townsend the Dowager Duchess of Wansford—and still a virgin. Now she and her two best friends investigate London’s most scandalous crimes, and while Tess longs to experience physical pleasure for herself, she can’t risk losing her treasured independence…
Cynical shipping magnate Justin Thornton never expected to inherit a dukedom, but he’ll do his duty. When the ravishing woman he kissed at a party turns out to be the Dowager Duchess, Justin sees an obvious solution: a marriage of convenience that will suit them both.
But the passion that sparks between them is anything but convenient. As Tess works on a new case at the request of Queen Charlotte, her increasingly suspicious behavior makes Justin question her motives—and her past. The infuriating woman clearly can’t be trusted, but Justin doesn’t believe in love, so there’s absolutely no danger of him falling for his own wife…is there?
Second Duke’s the Charm is a perfect book for Sarah MacLean’s Bombshell series fans. I loved how addictive this book was. The story was so engaging and spicy that I just couldn’t put it down. I enjoyed all the twists and turns and the dialogue, which went from incredibly witty to very, very steamy. I adored the friendship between Tess, Daisy, and Ellie. These women were all fabulous, and I loved how their different personalities interacted with one another. Daisy is outrageous and fierce, Ellie is that classic bookworm, and Tess is the glue that holds them all together. Their dialogue was sharp and witty and had me laughing at times. You can’t help but want to spend more time with them. This group of women has started their own investigation business to help women get out of difficult situations. It was entertaining watching them work and outsmart awful men. Kate also does a great job setting up the rest of the series for us, and I cannot wait to read the next book.
Tess and Justin are really great historical romance characters. Both are sharp and clever, but when it comes to matters of the heart, they are definitely naïve. I loved the way their relationship progressed. Their first real meeting is very steamy, and neither party thinks they will see each other again, so they decide to have some fun before going their separate ways. But after that initial exchange, they both have a hard time forgetting what happened between them and when they meet again, that attraction only grows. Their relationship has this insta-lust feel to it. There is this physical attraction between them that is hard to ignore. And, of course, as they spend more time together, those surface-level feelings develop into something more meaningful. I like these two as a couple because they come to this relationship as equals (or as equal as you can get in the Regency era). Tess has quite a bit of freedom because she is a widower and is financially secure. She doesn’t need a man in her life to survive. Justin is also quite wealthy and only wants a wife because he thinks it might make his life in high society a bit easier; he won’t be bombarded by mothers trying to marry their daughters off to him. Theirs is a marriage of convenience with a lot of spice thrown in. Tess and Justin are constantly keeping each other on their toes. This inner struggle is also happening in their heads because they know that they have growing feelings for each other, but neither one wants to admit it.
Second Duke’s The Charm is an addictive Regency romp that will have you staying up until the wee hours of the morning.
Thank you, St. Martin’s Press, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
