Review by Ronny
Series Name: Girl Meets Duke, # 1
The Duchess Deal is a fun and swoony Regency read and is perfect for fans of Julie Garwood and Lisa Kleypas’s books.
Favourite Quote:
“Here is your choice, Miss Gladstone. I can pay you the two pounds, three shillings.”
He placed the stack of coins on the desk. She stared at them hungrily.
“Or,” he said, “I can make you a duchess.”
Book Synopsis:
Since his return from war, the Duke of Ashbury’s to-do list has been short and anything but sweet: brooding, glowering, menacing London ne’er-do-wells by night. Now there’s a new item on the list. He needs an heir—which means he needs a wife. When Emma Gladstone, a vicar’s daughter turned seamstress, appears in his library wearing a wedding gown, he decides on the spot that she’ll do.
His terms are simple:
– They will be husband and wife by night only.
– No lights, no kissing.
– No questions about his battle scars.
– Last, and most importantly… Once she’s pregnant with his heir, they need never share a bed again.
But Emma is no pushover. She has a few rules of her own:
– They will have dinner together every evening.
– With conversation.
– And unlimited teasing.
– Last, and most importantly… Once she’s seen the man beneath the scars, he can’t stop her from falling in love…
Review:
The Duchess Deal is the first book in the Girl Meets Duke series and is an absolute delight. For those new to Tessa’s writing, you are in for a real treat. Tessa is a master at creating stories bursting with romance, humour, and characters you won’t forget. This book hooks you in right from the first chapter. Emma storms into Ash, aka the Duke of Ashbury, demanding to be paid for the wedding dress she made for his ex-fiance. She needs the money to pay for rent and food. Ash is surprised by this strange woman who has found her way into his study in an unforgettable wedding dress. For him, it’s like the universe has given him an answer to the problem he is facing, which is that he needs to produce an heir. Ash gives Emma a choice: take the money that he owes her or become his duchess and provide him with an heir, and she will never want for anything ever again. And that proposition is how the first chapter ends. How could you not be hooked in, right? Of course, Emma says yes to being his duchess, and we get to spend the rest of this book watching as these two characters fight their growing feelings for each other. It’s great, I tell you.
Tessa knows what makes a great marriage of convenience love story. Right from the start, Ash makes it clear that he will never feel anything for Emma and that she is just a means to an end. But like any good heroine, Emma is constantly pushing against those boundaries Ash has set, and no matter how gruff Ash is, Emma doesn’t seem to mind. Ash is dealing with some personal demons and doesn’t believe that anyone would ever want to be with him, now that he has scars all over his body from the war. This fear and anger is what motivates Ash to push Emma and everyone else away. It was absolutely wonderful watching Emma knock down those walls that Ash had put up. Ash is that typical broody male hero that you find in a Regency romance. He has this dark past that makes him not trust anyone around him. He was a great hero and the perfect match for Emma. Emma is a typical Tessa heroine. She is smart, kind, and capable. A lot of the light, chaotic, and humorous moments tend to be connected to Emma. But that humour is never done at Emma’s expense. It’s always because she gives off that light and fun chaotic energy that turns the hero’s world upside down in the most glorious ways.
Emma and Ash’s interactions are this beautiful blend of lusty moments, sweet, quiet moments, and light-hearted, fun moments. There is just something about a broody man who thinks he is undeserving of the heroine’s love, which is just pure catnip for my soul. I’ve been trying to pinpoint what I loved about their relationship, and I’ve realized that there isn’t a thing I don’t like. Their chemistry leaps from the pages, and that tension between them is just so delicious. I think their strong reluctance to admit that they have feelings, especially on Ash’s part, made those moments of realization that they are falling in love that much more enjoyable because it hits them harder. I adored how Ash’s staff became this meddling group, and they were set on getting Emma and Ash to fall in love with each other. Their matchmaking schemes made for some humorous moments. Also, if you love it when a hero has to suffer, grovel, and make a big gesture at the end of the book, then you are going to love the last bit of this book.
The Duchess Deal is bursting with corsets and smouldering kisses.
