160 reviews for:

Second Duke's the Charm

Kate Bateman

3.8 AVERAGE

andiez's review against another edition

4.5

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This is the first in a new historical romance series about three women who run an investigative agency and I absolutely loved it.

I'm always so excited to start a new Kate Bateman novel because she writes such great female characters and I know I'm going to be hooked instantly. I LOVED the badassery and friendship between the three women and I wish the rest of the series was out already!

Tess and Justin had amazing chemistry and banter and even though marriage of convenience isn't one of my favorite tropes, I thought it was done so well here and I really enjoyed it. The fact that they made an agreement for both a marriage and an affair really kicked things up a notch and it was steaaaaamy.

I highly recommend this one! (Also how gorgeous is this cover?? The colors are so dreamy 😍)

Thank you so much to the publisher for the ARC!

megatza's review against another edition

3.5

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

sm_almon's review against another edition

3.5

emotional medium-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

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I liked this first instalment in a new series, but the thin plotting of the central mystery and the rushed ending stopped me from really loving it.  Second Duke's the Charm has the same engaging characters and entertaining storylines of every Kate Bateman book, but I really expected a more compelling mystery to be anchoring a book purporting to start a new series about an investigative agency.  In the end, the investigatory aspects of the book didn't quite live up to my expectations.

allingoodtime's review against another edition

3.0

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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This is a new-to-me author, but it seems she has more than a few books under her belt at this point. While I enjoyed this story for the most part, I wanted more. I adore the characters. The main characters of Tess and Justin are both unassuming, even if they may not come off that way to those who don’t know them. They are both very much in need of security and go to great lengths to protect themselves, both emotionally and financially. When they first meet, they are fire together. Yet I felt the author let that fall away as the story progressed.

The way these two agree to a marriage of convenience is unique and held a lot of promise. Shortly after their marriage, it seems there is a threat to their lives. Every time one of these dangers appeared, I was disappointed by Justin’s reaction. I could have let that fall away if, when given his POV, it was obvious he wanted to comfort Tess. That wasn’t the case, though. It seemed as though he wanted to find the culprit, but not that he was upset that Tess was traumatized. It was strange and caused the early flame of this relationship to start to peter out for me.

While I liked Justin in many ways, his regard for who and what Tess was was often disparaging. Regardless of her proclivities, even if she had been flitting from bed to bed, the way he spoke of that possibility was crude and degrading at times. He does get called out for it later in the book, but it gave me an icky feeling when it would happen.

As for Tess and her two best friends and their detective agency, that also fell flat. The friends I loved! The relationship these three women have is one of the best things about this story. But the way they went about their investigations left much to be desired and it seemed very hodgepodged together. They didn’t really seem to do much.

This story wasn’t bad, but it didn’t sell me on this author either. Because I do like the other characters I may give the next book a try. I always like giving an author more than one try. We’ll see.

 **I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely** 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Gun violence

sashareadssss's review against another edition

4.5

lighthearted mysterious fast-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: No

bucolicbookshelf's review against another edition

4.0

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I ultimately found this to be a solid and nicely steamy series starter about a group of three females who  own and operate a detective agency. Second Duke's the Charm focuses on Tess, a widowed duchess and Justin, the new duke who was formerly an accountant. I don't enjoy recapping a book or sharing spoilers, so I'll just say if you like…

*strong MFCs

*marriage of convenience 

*fantastic chemistry

*historical romance series  

*open door romance 

…give this one a try. 

I'm absolutely looking forward to reading more of this series. Kate Bateman is still a newish-to-me author and reading this reminded me to take the time and read the books of hers that I haven't yet. 

Recommended series starter and author. 

Thank you to St. Martin’s Paperbacks and NetGalley for the DRC 

readbyme89's review against another edition

4.0

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When her first husband, a duke dies on her wedding night, it’s perfect. Tess never wanted to marry him and now she’s free. Her and friends create a detective agency for crimes the Bowstreet runners don’t have time for, mostly helping women. What Tess doesn’t expect is the new duke to be handsome and making her offering to become a duchess, again.

It’s to be a marriage of mutual pleasure and convenience. No feelings. So sets the tale of this fun story by Kate Bateman.

I was all in on this story from the beginning. The fast friendship of the three women. I felt for Tess. I wanted her to get her kiss and more. Justin was handsome and seductive. This book was a quick fun sexy read.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

suzeliz's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

unsuccessfulbookclub's review against another edition

4.5

emotional funny lighthearted fast-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: Yes

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I went on a spate of reads involving a semi-anonymous / masked hook-up or one night stand that resulted in the characters being important to each other in some way and I am in no way mad about it!!

This book features Tess, our FMC, who is widowed on her wedding night to the (very old) Duke of Wansford. She goes on to form a secret detective agency with her friends Ellie and Daisy. Then we meet Justin, our MMC, who by a series of unfortunate events (for everyone else) has become the new Duke of Wansford. Justin and Tess meet before they actually know each other for a hookup at a house party where Tess is masked.

Justin is a starchy business man who has vowed never to fall in love (DOES HE NOT KNOW HE IS IN A ROMANCE NOVEL??), and Tess has a lot to hide in her side hustle.

👍🏻Recommended!The chemistry between these two MCs was off the charts and the spice in this was SPICING. I loved the (semi-bananas) side plot involving the actual QUEEN OF ENGLAND (lolllll). This is a very solid start to a new series and I’m excited to read more!

ARC review - this comes out Dec. 26, 2023! Thanks to the author and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Romance Details

• M/F, age gap (he’s 30, she’s 21)
• He’s a businessman-cum-duke, she’s a widow
• Marriage of convenience
• One night stand turns more
• Open door, explicit, 5+ intimate scenes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug use, Sexual content, Alcohol

Moderate: Violence

Minor: Death of parent

caldreads's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-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

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Kate Bateman has become one of my favorite historical romance authors and I was so thrilled to receive an advanced reader copy of her latest book, Second Duke’s the Charm!

This book was a lighthearted, spicy, funny read and I couldn’t put it down. I loved reading about these strong, sometimes bull-headed main characters and their descent into love. 

Highlights 
❤️ The amazing 🥵 spice
❤️ A strong FM (Tess) and her equally strong friends; I loved their ladies’ investigative agency and can’t wait for Ellie’s and Daisy’s stories.
❤️ Justin’s intelligent, dry-humored, confident character with a “lucky” streak, that included inheriting a dukedom.
❤️ The insight into historical upper-crust English society (why read a historical romance if you’re not in it for this!?)
❤️ This humor! I laughed so much throughout this book.

I loved Justin and Tess’ instant connection, the “I can’t keep my eyes off of you” vibes, and their meant-to-be relationship.

I devoured the book in a day and absolutely adored the world Kate created.

Thanks to Kate Bateman and St Martin’s Press for the ARC of this book!