The Duchess Deal
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3.9 • 60 Ratings
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- $13.99
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
‘Prepare to Fall in Love’ Julia Quinn, author of Bridgerton
‘Love her writing.’ Jodi Picoult on The Governess Game
‘I absolutely loved it; her style is so warm and funny.’ Nicola Cornick
‘I am a Duke. I’m not asking you to marry me. I am offering to marry you. It’s a different thing entirely.’
When the Duke of Ashbury returns from war scarred, he realises he needs an heir – which means he needs a wife! When Emma Gladstone, a vicar's daughter turned seamstress visits wearing a wedding dress, 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 secrets and some rules of her own:
- They will have dinner together every evening.
- With conversation.
- And teasing.
- Last, and most importantly… Once she's seen the man beneath the scars, he can't stop her from falling in love…
Praise for The Duchess Deal
‘The irresistibly provocative, classy love scenes set the bar high for other historical romance novels.’
Publishers Weekly
‘This book is funny, it’s charming, and the romance works so beautifully.’
Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
‘A rollicking and passionate romp that is just what… fans will relish.’
Library Journal
‘Wickedly funny and soul-satisfyingly romantic novel…’ Booklist
‘Prepare to Fall in Love’
Julia Quinn
About the author
Tessa Dare is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of fourteen historical romance novels and five novellas. Her books have won numerous accolades, including twice winning the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA® award and also receiving the RT Book Reviews Seal of Excellence. Booklist magazine named her one of the “new stars of historical romance,” and her books have been contracted for translation in more than a dozen languages.
A librarian by training and a book lover at heart, Tessa makes her home in Southern California, where she lives with her husband, their two children, and a trio of cosmic kitties.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Tessa Dare melds Cinderella with Beauty and the Beast in this breathtaking historical fairy tale. Seamstress Emma Gladstone is rescued from poverty by the badly scarred, misanthropic Duke of Ashbury. Their arrangement? She can be his duchess as long as she expects no affection from him—and gives him an heir. The Duchess Deal isn’t a gothic romance, though. Frothy and lighthearted, this novel is brimming with madcap humour and intense passion. We loved how Emma's impetuous nature and gentle teasing slowly draw the "beastly" Ash out from his sullen funk.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Dare's delightful Girl Meets Duke series commencement unites two wounded souls in Regency England, as a duke meets his match in a seamstress. The Duke of Ashbury desperately needs an heir, and he decides to ask seamstress Emma Gladstone to be his wife after she demands payment for his former fianc 's wedding gown. Ashbury admires Emma's pluck and beauty, and hopes that his very businesslike offer of marriage and property will help Emma overlook his scars (which he feels are hideous) long enough to provide him with an heir. But Ashbury doesn't anticipate Emma's ability to stand up to him and insist that they have dinner together and converse. Emma refuses to be intimidated by Ashbury, displaying the confidence and intellectual ability to engage him in lighthearted banter. Their love scenes are both sensuous and alluring. Emma isn't fearful of her own desires and often leaves the duke flummoxed by her willingness to show her love for him. Dare (Do You Want to Start a Scandal) perfectly crafts an ever-present romantic tension that propels the novel swiftly forward to its breathless conclusion.
