She’d taken a risk and dared a duke to marry her, and it was all turning up roses.
Charlie Lane
Daring the Duke
Format:
ebook
Publisher’s Synopsis:
A redheaded bluestocking in desperate need of a wealthy husband.
A handsome duke looking for his perfect duchess.
And a dare that shows that opposites may not only attract but can be so much more.
Lady Tabitha Hampton has the memory of an elephant. Her sharp brain locks everything away tight as a trunk in an attic. But this talent fails to help the twenty-seven-year-old bluestocking attract the attention of a single wealthy suitor. And she needs one. With three sisters of marriageable age, a sickly father, and a series of bad investments that left them impoverished, Tabitha’s marriage could save or ruin her entire family.
Arthur, the Duke of Collingford needs a wife but not just any lady will do. Arthur’s future duchess must be perfect in every way—fair of face, impeccable manners, with enough social influence to impact his parliamentary projects. When he joins the whirl of the London season, the duke finds an insufferable, redheaded wallflower instead.
Tabitha insists she can be the perfect duchess, if he’ll only give her the chance. Arthur agrees to test her abilities, but she tests his control. And one taste of her lips is enough to make him question everything.
Opposites may attract, but can they cooperate? Or will they lose everything, including their hearts?
Point of view:
3rd person. Alternating between Tabitha and Arthur’s perspectives.
Rellim’s Thoughts:
This is my first time reading Charlie Lane and it won’t be my last. Daring the Duke was so much fun!
Tabitha and her friends are bored with the ton and decide on little dares to preoccupy themselves. When one is at the expense of the Duke of Collingford (Arthur), Tabitha finds herself on the path to becoming a Duchess. Arthur and Tabitha both have a list of what would make the perfect spouse, and neither list includes love. These two were a great contrast to each other – both trying to fulfill family obligations in different ways, denying who they are for the sake of appearances, and reclaim losses.
It’s obvious this marriage of convenience is going to turn into so much more. The situations these two find themselves in, sometimes of their own doing, are such fun. A little angst as they face some of Arthur’s judgmental family, but overall just a delightful and swoony read.
I like that the secondary characters are more than just dropped in to tease future books. They are integral to the story and a lot of fun as well. This is a series I’ll definitely be continuing.
About the author:
I’m Charlie Lane, author of lighthearted and hot Regency romance. If you’re looking for an unpredictable historical romance with contemporary sensibilities and lots of laughs and steam, you’re in the right place!
You can connect with Charlie Lane here:
My Favorite Quotes
“She should have learned her lesson by now. But she hadn’t, and now she’d upset a Very Important Duke-ish Person.”
“What if the perfect woman did not exist? What if, instead, she must be created?”
“He lifted a corner of his mouth. Thank goodness. Had it been both corners, she’d have swooned on the spot.”
“Who knew her perfect duke of a husband had a soft spot for fields of flowers and champagne picnics?”
“I find the closer my association with you grows, the more scandalous I become.”
“She’d taken a risk and dared a duke to marry her, and it was all turning up roses.”
“He set his lips to hers and then lowered his body over hers, every inch of them touching and fitting perfectly together.”
Rellim Reads 