A Duke in Time by Janna MacGregor ~ a Review

by MK French

Upon her husband Meri's death, Katherine Verick discovers that he married two other women. Her chances at a successful business would be endangered if that truth was revealed, so Katherine tries to keep it secret. Meri's upstanding brother Christian, Duke of Randford, is drawn back into the family drama he had been trying to avoid for years and winds up working with Katherine. He can't be falling for his brother's widow, can he?

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June 2021; St. Martin's; 978-1250761590
audio, ebook, print (384 pages); Regency romance

Katherine has her own secrets and reasons to have married Meri, namely that she is illegitimate and had once been known as a thief. It's for this reason she takes pity on the other two wives, deciding to help them figure out a future without drawing attention from the ton and creating a scandal. Christian has always separated himself from Meri and everything he stood for and carries memories of the war close. PTSD isn't mentioned outright for him, but it certainly marked others he fought with. He'd like to give back to the soldiers abandoned by polite society and realizes that Katherine has the business acumen and contacts he would need to do so. Working in proximity like this only fans the flames of their mutual attraction and respect.

The "bad guy" of the novel is introduced rather late, and he's every inch the skeevy, oily opportunist that he seems like. Both Katherine and Christian are honorable people, selfless and caring about others. Katherine wants to save Christian from stains on his reputation, and he is willing to ignore her ignoble roots and take her as she is. Their happily ever after is as sweet as it is expected, creating a loving home for their future together.

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Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever. 

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