Title: Cinderella and the Duke (Renegade Dukes #1)
Author: Lydia Drake
Published: December 27, 2022 by Entangled: Amara
Source: Everand
Type: audiobook
Blurb:
Miss Julia Beaumont has exactly one night to find herself a husband…
The Weatherford Ball is the last chance Julia Beaumont has to escape the clutches of her horrid stepmother. Any potential husband will do—rich, poor, even a reasonably well-groomed walrus. But all of Julia’s matrimonial chances are completely obliterated…thanks to the actions of an infuriating and utterly rakish duke.
Gregory Carter, Duke of Ashworth, would never risk his cherished bachelorhood by flirting with marriage-starved debutantes. But one look at the luscious and refreshingly clever Julia, and he simply can’t resist a stolen kiss—scandal be damned. Then just as things start getting deliciously interesting, the lady flees…leaving only a slipper behind.
And it must have been one dandy of a kiss. Because now Julia has proposed to him. After all, the lady needs a husband, and this roguish duke will certainly do. It’s simply a matter of making him the perfect scandalous offer…
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I am a sucker for stories! Cinderella is one of the most heartwarming ones and would send any girl into Dreamland looking for Prince Charming. Lydia Drake managed to mix it beautifully in this regency romance. And she got the lost shoe right as well 🙂 “Cinderella and the Duke” was released last year, so Happy 1 Year Anniversary!
All Julia wants is to escape a life at the beck and call of her stepmother and she has but one chance of success. If only she would find a suitable match at the ball. She boldly decides to help the Duke of Ashworth in avoiding yet another duel for ruining another man’s wife. At least apparently, this time he was innocent. One thing leads to a gentle kiss which leads to a marriage of convenience which I really enjoyed.
The first part of the book is entertaining, with some scenes that will make you smile. The second part was slower, but enjoyable nonetheless. Both our main characters get to know each other in every possible way. Intimately, there are some rather interesting scenes. But the story is not only about that. Intellectually, they are also a match made in heaven and the book explores this side as well, especially how Julia settles into her role as the Duchess.
The salt and pepper of the story however was mostly represented by the side characters: the heroine’s stepmother, with her meddling and comments, as well as the group of ladies “mourning” (yes, they were wearing mourning clothes) the loss of an excellent lover.
For me, this was a lovely story. Even if the second part was less entertaining, I did enjoy my time with all the characters. Now excuse me, while I go looking for book 2 🙂
Cover Review: Honestly, I would have preferred the gown from the Queen’s ball or the shoe, but I like this one just fine.
Favorite Quote: “I used to think I was a gambling man”, the duke said. “But you’re the one thing I won’t risk.”
Let me know in the comments below if you have read this book and what were your favorite scenes, who was your favorite side character and if you have read any of the author’s books. Until next time, happy reading!
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