A review by unsuccessfulbookclub
The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare

adventurous emotional funny hopeful 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

3.5

I just really cannot get enough of Tessa Dare’s soft hearted curmudgeonly heroes, brave, stubborn, smart heroines and ultimate silliness in service of love. The banter in Dare’s books always delivers, and the spice is spicy! I laugh at least once while reading every Tessa Dare and the swoon factor is *high.*

In this book, we have another grumpy recluse of a hero in the Duke of Ashbury. Physically injured in the Napoleonic Wars and emotionally injured upon his return, he is in desperate need of a wife so that he can make and heir to pass his substantial fortune on to. He is sarcastic and mean, but ultimately more wounded than anything. Fun moment: similar to our favorite contemporary hero, Ren Bergman, all of his swears are Shakespearean. He’s a walking “who hurt you?” with a big gooey cinnamon roll middle.

Our heroine is Emma Gladstone, a talented seamstress who appears at the Duke’s residence in time of both of their greatest needs. She is strong and witty, and gives everyone the benefit of the doubt - maybe too much benefit.

The two embark upon a marriage of convenience that ends up being so much more. Tessa can write a grump like no other and the Duke of Ashbury is no exception.

👍🏻Recommended! This was exactly what I needed to bust up my reading slump. If you are considering historical romance but don’t know where to start, I cannot recommend Tessa Dare enough. There are many tongue-in-cheek references and a very modern point of view in these although they are set in the early 1800s. If you like Downton Abbey? You will like Tessa Dare. 
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