Emily E.K. Murdoch

The Montague Lancaster, Duke of Caelfall, has returned from the war in France with a damaged thigh that causes him great pain, both psychically and physically. So he is in no mood when Sarah Lockwood shows up at his door, thinking she's found a poetry professor whose opinion she seeks. Nonetheless, the two soon find themselves spending a good bit of time together, as Montague teaches Sarah to fence (though she insists on calling a foil a sword, which drives poor Montague straight up a wall) show more in order that she might compose adventure poetry that portrays a duel accurately.

Sarah chafes at the strictures society places on her as a woman; she hasn't been educated as highly as she'd like (she never heard the story of Homer's Iliad, for instance). At the ripe old age of 21, she is dangerously close to being proclaimed a spinster -- but she has no particular interest in finding a husband, and is so shy that she finds balls, teas and other social gatherings much more trouble than they're worth. She especially resents that, though she lives in Oxford, she is not allowed on the campus of any of the great university's colleges -- at least, not until she signs up to take fencing lessons. Montague seems to have many of the same ideas about women, but then he starts feeling impressed with the woman, and not just her striking beauty.

These two strong-minded individuals were always bound to find things to admire in one another, and, of course, on the way to their HEA, they do. Sarah is far freer to move about than she would likely have been during England's Regency, when this book is set, and it's highly unlikely that she would have been as free to express sexual desire, much less to slake that desire, without sacrificing her standing in society or losing the regard of a duke. But what does it matter? It's much more fun to watch these two flirt -- and more.

I read this book in a single sitting, more or less -- I tried to retire for the night, but it was so stuck in my head that I rose from my bed and finished it. It was just too much fun to set aside. And now I want to read all of Emily Murdoch's other books in the "Dukes in Danger" series. show less

Try this one if you like historicals with a slight romantic comedy flair, a slow burn, and a sprinkling of Valentine’s Day. There’s a little sense of community, too, with Henry, who is a doctor as well as a duke, financially struggling to keep an elder care facility afloat.

It’s always enjoyable to encounter something new to me in a story, in this instance, Ditty’s career as a proposal planner. I also liked that Ditty isn’t the starry-eyed romantic you might envision for such a show more job, she’s purposely cerebral and pragmatic (to some of her clients’ dismay), the hurt from her father’s death has made her reticent to invite any more love (and therefore eventual heartbreak) into her life.

Henry is a romantic, however, his last relationship ended badly, so he’s reluctant to let his attraction to Ditty bloom. Henry has some awkward and nervous moments in Ditty’s company, he isn’t always the most alpha confident of guys, which I found refreshing and endearing.

The chemistry between Henry and Ditty is evident without going overboard, the glances, the touches, the times where they can’t help beaming at each other, and even when things escalate physically, there’s a wonderfully light hand to the writing style, so their interactions and the development of their relationship feels natural rather than forced.

Henry and Ditty engage in debates with one another as well as cordial conversations fairly often, so there’s plenty of getting to know each other, you feel like it’s more than a surface connection which always helps when it comes to buying into the happily ever after.

A couple minor things felt a bit convenient, but other than that this was the best time I’ve had with a romance novel in a while. show less

UUUGGGHHHHHHHH! Such an amazing beginning - painfully shy, insecure, ostensibly plain wallflower is wooed by rake. I wasn’t sure about him from the start because he comes off as a villain, literally actually seducing debutants and abandoning them after he gets what he wants. Not just widows or unhappy wives, but virgins whose lives are theoretically ruined by him. Not appealing to me at all, but I was willing to give him a shot. Which is a huge mistake because he seduced Leticia and never show more planned to marry her! Like full-on snuck into her bedroom without an invitation with the goal of bedding her, and never once considering matrimony. And then he goes on to be a disgusting cad, pursuing other women right in front of the heroine! It would have made for some delicious angst if it had been a Misunderstanding, but no, he is 100% actually trying to “win” Miss Lymington, the bastard. And then he even says to Leticia “I never said I loved you and we were never engaged.” And not because he is, like, pushing her away in some sort of misguided noble sacrifice because he is not good enough for her, no, nothing like that. He is genuinely surprised she thought he might marry her after taking her virginity. At this point, I’m wondering if this is some weird book where the hero is introduced 80% of the way into the story, cuz he is obviously not The Guy. But, the real thing that made me almost DNF this was when the supposedly insecure heroine, AFTER being told by multiple friends and family members that he is a rake who lies and seduces, AFTER being told by HIM that he does not love her and never intended to marry her when he took her virginity, AFTER seeing him openly pursue another woman, this fucking idiot heroine spends like 30 seconds talking to the sister of the “hero,” WHO DOES NOT SAY A SINGLE THING THAT IS ACTUALLY REASSURING, and asks, “do you think he is in love with me?” and “should I go to him?” BITCH PLEASE. No one falls in love just because someone is a bit of a challenge!!!!!!!! They might feel interested in pursuing someone because the person is a bit different from the rest who fell at their feet, but on what planet does that mean love?!?! Of course they end up together with basically no groveling or anything making that annoying trek through idiocy and villainy worthwhile. I am so mad at both the main characters in this book, ugh. (1.5 stars) show less

Good book. Sylvia has been at the Wallflower Academy for several years. She was sent there, not because she was a wallflower but because she didn't fit into her father's expectations. She was born in Antigua and forced to leave her mother to go to England. Determined to avoid the London marriage mart, she plots her escape from the Academy and return to Antigua, never expecting to find herself engaged to a duke.

Teddy Featherstonehaugh was doing a favor for a friend when a beautiful woman show more jumped into his carriage and attempted to convince him to aid in her escape. No matter what he says or does, she talks over him, refusing to give up her plan. Her plans are foiled when the headmistress, Miss Pike, finds her in the carriage in an awkward position. Miss Pike declares her compromised and insists that Sylvia and Teddy marry.

Neither wants to marry, but they recognize they are in a tough spot. After a short private discussion, Teddy and Sylvia agree to an engagement for their own reasons. Being engaged to Teddy frees Sylvia up for visits to London, enabling her to make arrangements for her voyage to Antigua without interference. Teddy, who isn't really a duke, can use Sylvia's help in his search for the identity of his father.

I enjoyed the development of Teddy and Sylvia's relationship. Both are illegitimate and know what it feels like to be an outsider. I loved how they found it easy to talk to each other and share their hopes and fears. Their conversations are fun, with neither one afraid to be honest with the other. I laughed at Teddy's frequent state of befuddlement around Sylvia, often losing his train of thought. Neither expected the sparks of attraction or the feelings that grew between them.

But until Teddy knows who he is, he cannot ask Sylvia to marry him. Unfortunately, once his identity is confirmed, Sylvia's fears keep her from accepting her heart's desire. It takes a great deal of effort for Teddy to overcome those fears, but the results are fantastic when he does. The story doesn't end there. I loved seeing Teddy and Sylvia continue their unorthodox relationship with a wedding that is not the usual Society event. I loved the surprise wedding gift Teddy had for Sylvia.

The epilogue was terrific. I loved seeing that their new status hasn't changed Teddy and Sylvia significantly. show less