A review by iluvdaddydarkling
How to Deceive a Duke by Samara Parish

funny relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

 

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me this ebook in exchange for a review!

Fiona McTavish has gone undercover as Finley McTavish in an attempt to get her newest invention sold since the men of London simply can’t fathom doing business with a woman.

After a tomato throwing incident lands her in jail, she has to be bailed out by her ex-flame the Duke of Wildeforde. As a requirement of her parole, she has to stay under his roof until her trial date which both parties seem to have an aversion to. 

This story was very entertaining and I found Fiona’s charm growing on me as the chapters went on. Her dialogue is in a Scottish accent and though my inner voice felt like an imposter reading it, I was in love with her speech patterns. It just made her more likeable in my opinion. 

Edward’s reasoning for breaking up with her the first time was slightly understandable but knowing Fiona’s backstory I wish he would have found his balls earlier and stood up for the woman he loved so she wouldn’t have been hurt. The measures Edward takes to win her back in the end showed great character development and I really believe they will go on to live a long and happy marriage. 

The love story was sweet and Fiona doing things women are discouraged and barred from doing and how she discussed it with Edward and made him change his views was well done.

On the not so great side:

I wish we had gotten an epilogue or a few more chapters to see how she acclimated to their marriage. The ending felt a bit abrupt but otherwise I really enjoyed this story. 

I (like Charlie) will never forgive Edward for how things ended with William- 7 years is just too dang long! 

Additionally, some questions were not answered in terms of the antagonist and how he succeeded in sabotaging Fi. I’m curious to know how it was done even though it’s not directly relevant to the story.

The title is also a bit… deceptive (gasp). I got caught up with exams and forgot what I’d be reading so I thought Fiona was poor and was going to deceive the duke into marrying her somehow. I suppose that is kind of sort of maybe what happens if you squint your eyes and look to the left? I’m not mad at it, I just think it’s funny XD.