NOT THAT DUKE

An affable, eligible duke thought he knew whom he wanted to marry until he finds himself unexpectedly falling for a bespectacled and bookish lady instead.

The dowager duchess may think Lady Stella Corsham would make a good match for her son, Silvester Parnell, Duke of Huntington, but he’s not interested in marrying an opinionated, eccentric woman like his mother. For her part, Stella can’t help her attraction to Silvester, but she knows he’d never consider her for a spouse—he’s more interested in slender, charming women like Lady Yasmin Régnier. Stella wants someone who would appreciate her intellect, like Giles Renwick, the Earl of Lilford. Still, Stella and Silvester become friends, and Silvester starts to appreciate Stella’s appeal. When Yasmin and Giles marry each other, Silvester realizes he wants to marry Stella, but she doesn’t want to feel like the second choice. A note at the beginning of the book explains that Part I overlaps with the time frame of The Reluctant Countess (2022), which focused on Yasmin and Giles. It stands on its own, although it might be more appreciated by those already familiar with the characters. Interpersonal relationships are the core of this low-stakes story; drama derives from miscommunications and incorrect assumptions as the characters socialize and attend balls and parties. The characters, particularly Stella and her kitten, are the highlight, but they’re let down by a narrative that feels disjointed. Pacing can be sluggish, as some scenes feel overly drawn out or superfluous.

A delightful heroine in a tedious story.