Second Duke's the Charm by Kate Bateman ~ a Review

by MK French

Tess Townsend is the Dowager Duchess of Wansford after her much older husband died on their wedding night. She and her two best friends investigate London’s most scandalous crimes, and Tess loves the independence her widowhood brings her. Justin Thornton never expected to inherit a dukedom, or to kiss the Dowager Duchess at a party. A marriage of convenience would suit them both, though there's unexpected passion between them. Tess has secrets she can't tell Justin, making him question everything about her.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

December 2023; St. Martin's; 978-1250907363
audio, ebook, print (320 pages); Regency romance

I adored Tess from the start, from the husband dropping dead upon entering her room on their wedding night to the friendships she has, to the desire for something more than rumor and being a dowager duchess at age nineteen. It's gross that her father essentially sold her to someone fifty years older than her, but thanks to fiction neither man that wanted to take advantage of her youth and beauty were able to do so. Justin is all business and doesn't want to believe in matters of the heart after his father died soon after his mother's death. The two are attracted to each other and plan to have a marriage of convenience, but we all know how that trope will go, especially with the pains that Tess and her friends take to keep their investigation company discreet. They use their position in society and society's assumptions about them to their benefit, and I applaud that.

It was a little annoying how Justin didn't trust her, but he's not used to relying on others or even acknowledging emotions. Once they were able to express themselves fully, Justin made his grand gesture (and called it that!) to prove that he's not above emotional entanglements after all. Overall, I really enjoyed this romance and watching them fall in love with each other.

Buy Second Duke's the Charm at Amazon

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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