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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
This new series is such a breath of fresh air! The idea of an annual festival held in a fictitious village – aptly named Marrywell – during which people can find their happily ever after is wonderful and so full of promise! Promise fulfilled in this enjoyable, funny and wonderfully written book by Darcy Burke. The characters, main and side as well, are lovable and well fleshed-out and the plot is simple, but intriguing. It’s the perfect book to read in one sitting to relax the mind and to escape to a typical quaint English Village, full of gossipy, but generous people. I look forward to reading the other books!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"I'd prefer to think of it as happiness hunting."
A sweet, faced pace novella that starts a new series I'm eager to continue.
If you're looking for a light little treat, this is the book for you!
The main couple is adorable. From the moment she fell into his arms, I knew I would love this couple! They have the cutest banter.
Without spoiling anything, I will say the antagonist really got annoying and I was glad when they got their comeuppance. Sadie's family is also a bit grating, especially in how they take advantage of her.
This is mostly a fun read though, and I'm looking forward to continuing the series!
A sweet, faced pace novella that starts a new series I'm eager to continue.
If you're looking for a light little treat, this is the book for you!
The main couple is adorable. From the moment she fell into his arms, I knew I would love this couple! They have the cutest banter.
Without spoiling anything, I will say the antagonist really got annoying and I was glad when they got their comeuppance. Sadie's family is also a bit grating, especially in how they take advantage of her.
This is mostly a fun read though, and I'm looking forward to continuing the series!
Star Rating: 2.75/5
Tropes: Class differences, fake courtship, forced proximity
CW: Death, toxic family, poison
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I am always eager for a new release by Darcy Burke, but I didn’t enjoy this one as much as I thought I might. I just never felt connected to the main characters, and it kept me from being truly invested in their love story. It was well written and sweet but slightly spicy, I just felt a disconnect. That said, I am still looking forward to the next books in this series. I received an ARC of this book from the author, and this is my honest review.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I thought this story was engaging and easy to read. It kept me entertained the entire time. I only found some of the writing repetitive. For example, they would say something in one chapter and then in the next repeat the exact same sentence and for me, that was a little distracting. But other than that, I enjoyed following Sadie and Law until the very end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
I received an ARC from the author/publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Beguiling the Duke is a fun start to a delightful new collaborative series between author friends Darcy Burke and Erica Ridley, this one written by Burke. The series revolves around the village of Marrywell and their annual May Day matchmaking Festival, and I love the subtle way Burke builds the “world” of the series, while also ensuring the story also works as a stand-alone romance.
I was immediately drawn to both leads, and amused by how they were thrown together. Sadie is somewhat of a Cinderella figure, kept at home by her father and brothers, who try to manage her life. Lawford is promised to someone else when a carriage accident sees him stuck in Marrywell and accepting Sadie’s family hospitality, as her father is the local squire. While class-difference romances can be hit-or-miss for me, I liked how Law didn’t look down on Sadie. Both saw each other initially as a temporary solution to their problem at first, and there was a realistic growth between them towards falling in love, and navigating any obstacles that stood in the way of them being together.
This is a sweet read, and I’m excited for what the rest of the series brings! brings. If you enjoy historical romance, I recommend picking this up!
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Beguiling the Duke is a light, charming, sweet novella with a Cinderella-type feel. Sadie fears she is doomed for the shelf and Law is a duke whose carriage loses a wheel and leaves him stranded at Sadie’s home in the midst of a huge matchmaking festival. The story is rather instalove-ish feel but the fast progression is not outlandish within the confines of the festival. I liked the secondary characters. I recommend Beguiling the Duke when you want an easy read that makes you smile.
Thank you to NetGalley and Zealous Quill Press for the ARC. All opinions are totally my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and Zealous Quill Press for the ARC. All opinions are totally my own.
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Beguiling the Duke was a short and sweet historical romance with plenty of substance and a whole cast of great characters.
As the only lady in her household, Sadie was such a relatable character. People were taking advantage of her willingness to help, and I fell for Law the moment he started making sure everyone could see that. Sadie was torn between wanting to help her family and wanting her own home. Law truly came into her life at just the right time, spurring her to take chances and put herself out there again.
Setting a good portion of the story at the May Day Matchmaking Festival certainly kept things exciting. Not only did this provide new events each day to keep the plot moving, but it was an excellent way to keep the cast of characters rotating (as well as giving Law reason after reason to be jealous).
This was my first Darcy Burke book, and I can't wait to read more of her books now. I enjoyed Burke's writing style, and found the details well done. It was easy to imagine the festival and all its denizens - and Burke managed to include quite the large number of characters for such a short book. But everyone was unique, and it was easy to instantly either love or hate each new character.
Overall, Beguiling the Duke was a great first book in the Lords in Love series. Burke created a fun and interesting atmosphere, and I loved Sadie and Law as a couple.
[Thank you to Erica Ridley, Darcy Burke's co-author on this series, for sending a review copy of this title to all her Review Crew members!]