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noellelovesbooks's review
4.25
Content Warnings: Ableism, sexual scenes, classism, sexism, sexual harassment, and false imprisonment.
Tropes/themes: Forbidden romance, falling for your bodyguard, forced proximity, every kiss is always “the last one”, grumpy sunshine.
When I first stumbled on the summary of book 3 [A Duchess by Midnight] and realized this series was inspired by lesser-known characters in some of our favorite fairytales…I knew I needed to dive in.
In this first book, we meet Declan, the “Huntsman”, who’s been falsely imprisoned, for murder, when one of his clients disappears without a trace. Knowing that he needs to find a way out of jail to care for his aging father and three younger sisters he reluctantly takes a job as a handler. How hard could it be to follow around a lady whose failed attempts at evading her betrothal have created a need for her to be under constant watch?
Although he said he’d never work for titled nobility again…his choice is to potentially return to prison or follow a lady around and earn enough money to care for his family for a good amount of time. Even knowing what his job entails, he struggles to stay on task when Helena slowly starts to enter his mind and heart constantly.
Helena has spent the last five years attempting to wiggle her way out of her betrothal to the Duke of Lusk…to no avail. Down to the wire, she’s determined to stay optimistic about finding a way out. With a new plan, to find a suitable replacement Duchess, she’s determined to find as many ladies as she can to try to sway the Duke. From the start, she believes Declan was hired to spy on her and keep her in line but something about him speaks to her and she turns to him for help.
Watching Helena remain full of sunshine, hope, and determination as grumpy Declan reluctantly places his trust in her was such a delight. Declan is clearly jaded towards nobility and the possibility of a happy future…all he cares about is ensuring an easier life for his family. Seeing someone so jaded fall for someone who brings unquestioning happiness and light into his life has me cheering for this couple from the start. 🥰
This was my first Charis Michaels read and I can’t wait to read more. Luckily for me, I already have a copy of book two [When You Wish Upon a Duke] on hand to dive into.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexism, and Classism
Moderate: Ableism and Sexual harassment
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