A review by cinnamonfox
Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful relaxing 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

4.0

Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare is the first book in the Castles Ever After series, but it can be read as a standalone since each volume follows different characters. Here, we meet Izzy Goodnight, the daughter of England’s most beloved storyteller. Izzy’s father wrote a series about damsels and knights but never finished the story, leaving thousands of readers wondering what happens to the characters and how their journey ends.

Despite being a cherished and renowned author, Izzy's father turns out to have been a deplorable parent. After his death, Izzy is literally left penniless and homeless—until she is stunned to discover that a distant relative has left her a castle as an inheritance. Upon arriving at her new home, Izzy meets Ransom, the Duke of Rothbury, who resides in the castle and informs her that she cannot possibly be its new owner because he never sold the property.

The Duke is a stern, gruff, and cruel man who, due to an accident, has been left blind. While Izzy initially faces a dangerous and almost feral man who refuses to accept her presence in his home, the story gradually reveals the duke's backstory, helping us understand what is truly going on.

I absolutely loved how the author shaped her characters. This novel isn’t just a love story between a man and a woman but an intricate weave of fates. The protagonists grow throughout the book, and we get to uncover their weaknesses and fears, empathizing with and feeling compassion for them.

I admired Izzy—despite being a woman without a family to support her, she doesn’t let anyone walk over her and fights for a better future for herself. Ransom, although he seems wild at first, hides many open wounds that he struggles to conceal.

Romancing the Duke is a perfect historical romance for fans of the genre. It’s a story with well-developed characters, and the chemistry between them is tangible.