A review by amberreadsalot
Beguiling the Duke by Darcy Burke

4.0

A fun, fairly light-hearted quick read from one of my favorite historical romance authors. FMC Sadie is fast approaching spinsterhood and who has been doing all the things for her father and several brothers for many years. They love, but do not appreciate, her. Law, Duke of Lawford is fast approaching a marriage he is pretty sure he doesn't want. His carriage wheel breaks, stranding him and his two servants in the merry town of Marrywell just before the town's annual matchmaking festival. With no room at (any) inn, Law ends up staying with Sadie and her father. He also somehow ends up promising to her that he will make sure that she is engaged by the end of the festival. And so the romance begins.

I really liked Sadie. She is resourceful, smart, and caring, even though she is a bit too passive as the story starts. I was more unsure of Law, at least at the beginning. He was not fully up front, and he accepted way too much from his (dead father's) valet. He did, however, grow on me. Both Law and Sadie find their own inner strengths as their love story develops and it is a lovely juxtaposition.

This story does have a hint of insta-love (but as a novella, that is not totally unexpected) and just the right amount of spice. 4 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.