The Duke's Holiday: The Regency Romp Trilogy, Book 1 (Unabridged)
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4.7 • 6 Ratings
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- $26.99
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- $26.99
Publisher Description
The cold, precise Duke of Montford demands things his way: neatly ordered, in place, and adhering closely to the rules. So he is furious when he learns that the tenant of his ducal estate has been dead for a year, and a stranger has been running the Honeywell business - which, by contract, is now Montford's. When he arrives in Yorkshire to investigate, he discovers that the estate is being run by an unruly, tomboyish woman - and a bluestocking at that!
Fiery redhead Astrid Honeywell is independent and educated. She's been handling the Honeywell family business for years. And she's not about to relinquish it to anyone - not even Montford - because of some archaic contract.
Montford and Astrid have an instant hatred for one another...and an undeniable, unspeakable attraction. They must resist this improper desire - after all, Montford has a fiancée in London. But when Astrid's life is placed in terrible danger, Montford finds he may be willing to risk everything to save her.
Customer Reviews
It was amusing overall, and not a bad beach side read, uncomplicated and easy to follow.
The first in a new Regency Series from Maggie Fenton, The Duke’s Holiday had promise and some memorable moments, but the wit and humor I was expecting was a little more petulant child than sophisticated bluestocking and titled man than I expected.
Cyril is a touch OCD, over-the top staid and stuck in his routine with a penchant for having things just the way he wants it. When word comes that his Yorkshire estate has some sort of kerfuffle in the long-term family in residence, he heads north, against his wishes and better judgment.
Astrid and her family have been living on the estate and running their family business, Honeywell Ale. Since the death of her father she’s been managing the estate and the business, and trying to keep the family in line. Known for her intelligence, her confidence and her business savvy, she is not interested in her landlord’s appearance at all.
So, the plot is fairly straightforward without great questions: a bit of dramatic overload with a kidnapping is added to increase sympathy for the heroine and push Cyril into action.
Where I had more problems with the story was in the lack of development of Astrid – she was overdone in her childish behavior and antics, petulance and repeated immature actions. I missed her proof of intelligence, although we are repeatedly told she is smart. Sadly, she was one of the more unlikable characters I’ve encountered in a while, a bit of editing and removing her repeated attention grabbing antics, showing more and telling less would have benefitted her tremendously.
Cyril, on the other hand is the guy you love to see discomfited, he’s so rigid that removing the 2 X 4 from his backside would have been a daily delight. I liked him: a bit too rigid, and utterly unprepared for Astrid’s antics, I expected a firm over the knee moment for her that never came.
It wasn’t a bad book, but it was in need of some firm editing and less antics, more character development and a bit less emphasis on making moments funny rather than allowing the moment to BE funny would have helped this story dramatically. It was amusing overall, and not a bad beach side read, uncomplicated and easy to follow.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not complicated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
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