The Duke Not Taken
A Historical Romance
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4.4 • 54 Ratings
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
“London’s second Royal Match Victorian romance sparkles by pairing a rebellious princess with a reclusive duke…The witty repartee between Amelia and Joshua propels the novel forward while revealing the complex depths of the characters. Readers won’t want to put this down.”—Publishers Weekly on The Duke Not Taken
Impossible. Infuriating. Intoxicating.
Ever since her sister became queen two years ago, Amelia Ivanosen, Princess of Wesloria, has been flirting and skirting scandal—just barely. Before she does anything too outlandish, she is sent to England and Lila Alexander, illustrious matchmaker to the ton, is recruited. Respectably ensconced at the country estate of a family friend, Amelia is introduced to many eligible bachelors, but…there is no spark. There never seems to be unless the man is completely wrong for her.
Next door lives Joshua Parker, Duke of Marley, who is grumpy and reclusive—for good reason. His first wife died in childbirth. When Marley is dragged by a friend to his neighbor’s soiree, he and Amelia instantly dislike each other. Their banter is snarky and heated. He’s a stuck-up smarty-pants; she’s a self-involved, annoying princess.
Sparks fly when they’re together—fireworks actually—but they loathe each other. Really. So why can’t they stop thinking about each other?
A Royal Match
Book 1: Last Duke Standing
Book 2: The Duke Not Taken
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
London's second Royal Match Victorian romance (after Last Duke Standing) sparkles by pairing a rebellious princess with a reclusive duke. Princess Amelia of the fictional Wesloria responds to her incurable boredom by acting out and kissing footmen. Her scandalous behavior leaves her parents determined to marry her off. They ship Amelia away to spend the summer husband-hunting at the English country home of Beckett Hawke, Earl of Iddesleigh, and his wife. Amelia's first encounter with the Becketts' neighbor Joshua Parker, Duke of Marley, is when he almost collides with her coach on horseback, leading her to dub him the Grim Reaper. When they meet again—and Amelia learns his true identity—it's no less disastrous. Too bad professional matchmaker Lila Aleksander believes they'd be a perfect match. Joshua is uninterested in marriage following the death of his first wife and infant, but as he and Amelia are forced together, he comes to appreciate her candor, which others label as rudeness, just as she learns to enjoy their talks—and their scorching stolen kisses. The witty repartee between Amelia and Joshua propels the novel forward while revealing the complex depths of the characters. Readers won't want to put this down.
Customer Reviews
The duke not taken
A lovely story about a princess that doesn’t fit in, and a very stubborn hurt duke. Although they agitate each other they end up in the same places at the same time. Soon enough feelings start to develop. In the end they find out they really want the same things in life!
Sadly not the best
I liked this authors past books, but sadly this one just did not work for me.
I found none of the characters likable, but more off-putting to be honest.
Neither hero or heroine’s character was engaging or endearing. Both came across selfish and childish in behavior and dialogue.
Will try again with this author.
Love grumpy men? This is for you!
Another winner! Love the characters, the grumpy Duke of Marley and the tell it as I see it Princess Amelia from Wesloria, but the children almost steal the show. This is book 2 in the series, since Queen Justine found her happily ever after in England she sends her sister Amelia with the Royal matchmaker to friends in the English countryside. On the way to their final destination a man dress all in black races by their carriage on a black horse scaring the passengers. The Grim Reaper! Shouts Amelia, but then she runs into him again only to later find out he is the Duke.
Joshua doesn’t need anyone or anything, just wants to be left alone to wallow in his misery. His friend has other plans for him and drags him to a picnic, a ball, a dinner party, he just doesn’t give up on Joshua. And of course there seems to be loud annoying children everywhere and the Princess who doesn’t know that her opinion is not needed or wanted.
The author captures the true essence of the children, seen and not heard doesn’t cut it in this story. A story of overcoming guilt for what one cannot control. Being yourself no matter what gossips whisper and loving that person as they are. I just couldn’t put it down!
Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #TheDukenotTaken #JuliaLondon