After hearing so many great things about Tessa Dare, I was happy to stumble on The Duchess Deal available as an audiobook through my library. This is the first book in her Girl Meets Duke series.
The Duchess Deal was my first Tessa Dare novel so I can add another new to me author to my reading goals. Historical romance is also a subgenre I don’t often read. I’m making progress including more in my reading life this year, with books like Beverly Jenkins’ Forbidden and Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas.
The Rundown
The Duke of Ashbury has been somewhat of a recluse since his return from war. At night he can be found stomping around London, glowering and growling at any who cross his path. A newspaper legend is even beginning to form around his dark jaunts.
Emma Gladstone is now a seamstress and once a vicar’s daughter. When she arrives at the Duke’s home demanding payment for the gown she created for his cancelled wedding, Ash decides she’s the answer to his latest problem – taking a wife to have an heir.
Ash has a list of terms and demands to make the arrangement work but his dark and stubborn demeanor is no match for Emma’s wit and determination. She has rules of her own to get to know the man beneath the scars and fight for a chance at happiness.
Rating and Review
Rating: 4 stars
Steam Level: 4
Feels like a “modern” historical
I loved this book! It had a different tone than any other historical I’ve read. It truly felt like a modern historical romance.
The female characters were educated, in some ways career oriented, and experienced. Even ladies, who were part of the gentry, wanted to find a higher calling and fulfillment. They weren’t satisfied simply being a wife.
Emma was an amazing heroine! She was so well rounded likely from her background as a seamstress. She had to work hard. Emma was smart and resourceful, kind and grounded, as well as open and unabashed.
I loved that she was determined to remain her own person after marrying and tried to continue working or at least be creative and find ways of helping other women.
The perfect balance of hilarity and steam
This book was seriously hot one moment and then had me laughing out loud the next. Tessa Dare is the queen of historical dirty talk and wonderful wit!
The connection between Ash and Emma was fantastic! While their chemistry was scorching, they both had a very distinct sense of humor. I adored Ash’s sarcasm and Emma’s teasing, particularly her list of pet name attempts for him.
They had an arsenal of inside jokes by the end of the book. With vulnerable and heartwarming scenes sprinkled throughout, The Duchess Deal checks all the boxes of what I love in a romance.
I can’t wait to read more of this series
I listened to this book on audio and I enjoyed the narrator, Mary Jane Wells, very much. Her accent is beautiful and her voice felt perfect for this story.
I’m especially excited to continue reading this series. Three of at least four books are already out.
I believe the other novels focus on characters from the “not like normal ladies” group of friends. I adored these women, their authenticity, and their support of one another.
Have you read Tessa Dare? What are some of your favorite historical romances?
