I received this from NEtgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book 9 in the playful brides but can really be read as a stand alone. Mark is a man with ambition and he wants to be Home Secretary but he needs to be a family man and conventually he has one. He was just a huge jerk and drove me crazy. The mystery was pretty well done but the guy just was such a huge jerk.

General Mark Grimaldi is devoted to his service for the Crown, risking his life and giving up everything for his career. The political promotion he's always wanted is now within his reach, but he needs to convince his estranged wife to return to England and play the role of happy bride in order for him to get the position.

Nicole Huntington Grimaldi has spent the past ten years in France, not having seen her husband since she left England. But now he's on her doorstep, asking her to return with him, and Nicole sees the opportunity to get something out of this deal. So she agrees, on one condition: she wants a baby.

A Duke Like No Other is a Regency spy caper with Valerie Bowman at her best as husband and wife match wits and may just fall in love in the process

My thoughts
rating:4 
this is the first time I've ever read anything by this author and i do have to say that while i liked the story i just couldn't stand Nicole at times , love how slow the romance seemed to be , with that said i would like to say thanks to Netgalley for letting me read and review it in a change for my honest opinion

AMAZING!
An intriguing read that has an edgy bite to it that keeps you needing to turn the pages of strong wills and passionate chemistry that heats up the pages! An emotionally charged intense nail-biter with engrossing twists that at times make you feel like your there watching with a front row seat as the drama unfolds around you! An amazing must read!

I have chosen not to read and review this tile.  While the blurb drew me to the story, I was not engaged with the characters or the way the story was written.

I appreciate the opportunity to review this early title and am looking forward to the next title through your company.

Thanks,
Laura

Overall it was a decent story. But it always irritates me when these authors write these stories about people who wasted decades because of a refusal to have one honest conversation.

I just love Valerie Bowman, and A Duke Like No Other is a prime example! Mark and Nicole's reconciliation was passionate and sometimes heartbreaking and just full of hope. The reader just can't help but fall in love with the characters and continue with baited breath to see what happens next. The suspense doesn't hurt either. It's the perfect touch to add a little mystery to the plot but not detract from the romance. I just want wait for her next book!

Loved this book! The characters are likeable. The story is well paced, The romance was sweet. It's a keeper.
I'm drawn to books with a strong independent female character, and Nicole is definitely one of those. Her emotions are conflicted but her mind is practical. I loved the interplay between her and Mark, I liked that Mark isn't just a stony arrogant duke, but also a conflicted human being with emotions.
The mystery subplot of the book was also engaging which was a plus. Twist to the mystery was good.
I'm looking forward to reading about Regina and Daffin.

I loved the idea of this synopsis and couldn’t wait to get started on this one. 

Nicole and Mark are great MCs. She’s sassy and strong and he’s stubborn and charming. Together they know how to push each other’s buttons and do it frequently. Their beginning banter and strategizing was fantastic. There is a fairly large cast of characters and I wonder if some of them were from other books. I especially loved Regina. 

Plot wise, it was okay. I enjoyed the murder mystery plot line, but I was mostly irritated at the ongoing lack of communication. If Nicole and Mark had literally one conversation, the story could have taken an entirely different turn. Instead it was flashbacks of the beginning of their relationship {which I liked} and the rest of their time together was spent in bed {which made sense for the story} or each wondering how the other felt {which was horribly repetitive.}

Overall, it was a quick and enjoyable read with characters I really liked. Unfortunately, I wanted more talking and understanding and something more at the end.

This was the first book I've read by Valerie Bowman, but it will not be the last.  At first, I was a bit apprehensive about starting a series with book #9, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this book stands very well on its own.  I did not feel lost at all because I hadn't read the previous books in the series first.  I liked what I learned of the previous heroes and heroines in this story, however, and will probably go back and read at least some of the other books now.

Both Mark, the hero, and Nicole, the heroine, were likeable leads, and I enjoyed getting to know them over the course of the story.  As a general rule, I am not a fan of "big misunderstanding" plots, and while this one did have its frustrating moments, the conflict between the two main characters was handled well.  I still found myself wishing that they would just have one honest conversation to clear the air long before they finally did, but the author did a good job of explaining each character's feelings/motivations and why they found it difficult to communicate with each other.  

I also enjoyed getting to know several of the secondary characters, particularly Lady Regina and Daffin Oakleaf.  I am pleased to learn that they will be getting a story of their own in Ms. Bowman's next book.  

*ARC provided by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

A Duke Like No Other by Valerie Bowman was a different take on a Regency Romance. General Mark Grimaldi had advanced in his career...to a point. Unfortunately, for his next promotion, he needed to be married. What his superior did not know, is that he already is married. 

Nicole Grimaldi is his not so loving wife, who he hasn't seen in years. However, she has an agenda as well. She would like to have a child. So, can they work together and present a front as a happily married couple so they can each get what they want...she a child and he a promotion?

An enjoyable romance, I recommend it strongly if you enjoy Regency Romances!

A Duke Like No Other was a really great story. I love a good reunion story and seeing Mark and Nicole find each other again was so much fun.

I liked both Mark and Nicole from the moment we met them both. It was obvious they both were still in love with the other and I loved how they negotiated to pretty much get exactly what each of them wanted. I have to say both characters were so strong, it could have ended up being an ugly battle of wills between them, but it felt right to me. I don't think either Mark or Nicole could have been happy with someone who didn't share a common interest in investigations and an unconventional life. 

I have to say I thought Mark was a little too hung up on his family on his mother's side. Yes mistakes were made when he was young, but he never tried to see if anyone had changed their mind along the way about what was said and done. I also hated that Nicole knowing who his family was ended up being part of the reason they were apart for so many years. It was almost as if Mark continued to look upon the connection through a child's eyes for way too long. I love when it as pointed out to him how beneficial the connection could be in his chosen profession, something I felt like Nicole kept trying to tell him forever. I loved seeing Nicole help Mark out as they investigated the death of his cousin. I had figured out who was behind it ahead of time and was glad to see it was Nicole who pointed Mark into the same direction.

Mark and Nicole's battle of wills was really fun for me. Especially when I could tell how much each wanted the other. They had super chemistry between them, which only grew stronger the more time they were together. Seriously there were some smoking hot love scenes between the two of them that steamed up my kindle screen.

A Duke Like None Other is the perfect read for anyone who enjoys a sexy historical romance with a bit of mystery to the story. The mystery in no way overshadowed the romance aspects of the book, but added a little something extra. I really enjoy Valerie Bowman's voice and look forward to reading many more books from her in the future.


Rating: 4 Stars (B)

Mark Grimaldi has dedicated his entire life to his career. When he is finally close to receiving his promotion, he gets some unexpected news...He needs to marry. Not too happy about the turn of events, Mark drags his wife out from the country.
Once upon a time Nicole was madly in love with her husband. But now things have changed and they live separate lives. When he turns up on her doorstep, Nicole seizes the opportunity to have the one thing she has always wanted- a child.
This was a beautiful book that I enjoyed immensely. Mark and Nicole have very clear chemistry and I mourned the end of their marriage with them. If you're a fan of romance, this book does not disappoint at all!

I loved this book!! I used to love Valerie Bowman, but was a little disappointed in her few of novels in the Playful Brides series (they were starting to feel very similar to each other). But, this story was really refreshing. 

The hero is General Mark Grimaldi - who is seeking a promotion to an important position in the Home Office. His superior tells him that, to secure the position, he must demonstrate that he is stable and responsible, by being married. The challenge is... he's already married! Mark was married and separated from his wife, Nicole, ten years ago and must show the Home Office that they have reconciled in order to get the job he wants. Meanwhile, Nicole has been living in France for the past decade but desperately wants to have a child. They make a deal - she will go back to England and play the role of his devoted wife if he will give her a child. The plot is further complicated by a mystery at a house party (it's not dark/heavy though at all). A few of the characters from the previous books in the series pop up and they introduce a couple more that I'm looking forward to reading more about.

The reason for their initial separation is explained and it's understandable from both perspectives (it kind of reminded me of how the parents split up in he Parent Trap, honestly). Their relationship rekindles in a well drawn out way and it's very believable in how it builds over the course of the story. It was a really satisfying read and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes Valerie Bowman and/or just fun historical reads! 

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A Duke Like No Other is the ninth book in the "Playful Brides" series and I have had such a fun time reading this series. I haven't read all the books yet, but the ones I have read have been so much. This series takes on some twists dealing with mystery, intrigue and solving crimes while finding love along the journey. The voice in Valerie Bowman's books is simply wonderful and unforgettable. I always get a kick out of her characters and A Duke Like No Other was no different. What I was really impressed with is how the author handled a certain scenario that most of the time bugs the hell out of me, but for some reason it didn't both me. Probably because you find yourself falling in love with the characters before you realize what drove them apart in the first place.

The story does begin in the present with our hero General Mark Grimaldi, is up for promotion he has been working hard to have his dream realized in a position that very few obtain, where he could really make a difference and have the ear of the King. But his boss needs something from him, wants to see Mark settled happily with his wife. Mark and his wife have been estranged for ten years, with Nicole living in France all of this time. And now he must convince her to come back with him to England to playful the loving wife. When Mark goes in search forNicole, she has a stipulation of her own. At first he assumes she wants a divorce, but no, Nicole is lonely and wants a child. And the only way she could have one legitmately without scandal, would be to have a child with her estranged husband. So they agree, and Nicole goes back to England with Mark.

But when they arrive, terrible news puts a hold on both of their plans. Mark's cousin has died from a heart attack with suspicions of poison. And when his uncle whose health is getting worse, tells him that he is next in line...Mark is shocked. He promised his father he would never get anywhere in life with his mother's side of the family's help and that includes him becoming the next duke, a title he never wanted or desired. He is more than happy to leave it to some other family member or relation, but when he is given a letter from both his grandfather and his mother, he can't deny his feelings toward his mother or the duty he feels in fulfilling a request she asks of him.

Both Mark and Nicole go to the country house, with all the parties invited who were there the night Mark's cousin "John" was murdered, to discover the culprit.  But there is more going on than meets the eye, and they will need to discover who would really want John dead and it won't be anyone that they would expect. Mark and Nicole have many unresolved issues to put to rest before they can be together for good, will honesty and trust be the key to bringing them back together or will the secrets of the past drive them even further apart....


I had such a fun time with this book despite the flashbacks that we see. I am not always a big fan of flashbacks, sometimes they are nice, but other time I just don't have that much preference for them. This book we see quite a few flashbacks and you understand it but at the same time you have a urge to skip ahead to the present day which I tend to have the urge whenever I read a book with flashbacks. (I know I am weird LOL ) But this story really appealed to me. I have found I really like Valerie Bowman's writing voice, I have such a fun time every time I enter into one of her books.


Both the characters are written so well in this novel, I adored both Mark and Nicole. Now our heroine, is very unique. She hunts down criminals and brings them to justice working with the Bow Street Runners...yep you heard me---she solves crimes and its pretty awesome. I love how bold and daring she is. But she also is spirited and has a generous heart. Both Mark and Nicole have that in common....justice and doing what is right. I adored seeing the small intimate moments we see admidst the crime solving venture that is going on with them. We learn what drove them apart in the first place and it all boils down to honesty....if they had been honest ten years previous...well they wouldn't have been estranged. However both Mark and Nicole learn some painful lessons about relationships and marriage and they did learn it thankfully even if it was hard won.

Overall I found this book to be a delightful addition to such a fun series....its a story that will take you on adventures, packed with endearing characters and a love story you can get on board with.....ENTICING!!

I loved this book. A man who has spent his entire career, solo because it needed to be without attachments, trying to work his way up to his "dream" job suddenly finds himself in need of wife. The fact that he already has a wife, an estranged wife, makes this task a little harder. Forced to go to her for help. She has stipulations of her own. The two find themselves in close quarters with lingering long buried feelings. Will they survive this time or will his career overshadow their relationship?

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book which I received
through Netgalley. I really enjoyed this read.

General Mark Grimaldi has sacrificed everything for his military career, working his way through the ranks without the benefit of a nobleman’s title nor a wife at his side. His years of dedication are about to pay off with an offer for a prestigious promotion to Home Secretary except there is only one condition. Mark must be married. He does not want to be wed, however, Mark faces the troubling problem of already having a wife.

Nicole Huntington Grimaldi has spent ten contented years in France without her husband with no regrets. Then Mark asks her to return to London and play the part of his beloved wife. She sees her chance, but neither of them is prepared for news that will throw Mark’s future into chaos nor the undeniable desire that as rekindled between them. Can happily-ever-after happen the second time around in this Regency romance?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved how Ms. Bowman interwove Nicole and Mark's story, making the reader eager to turn the page to see how they find themselves back to each other.   I'm looking forward to reading about Regina and Daffin's story.   A wallflower who follows her own rules and doesn't give in to convention.  Their story should be explosive.

A clever plot with two interesting characters in Mark and Nicole. They've been wed ten years, but Marc has been in the army and Nicole in France living separate lives. Problem: Mark hopes to be the next Home Secretary, but it comes with a catch--a wife. So he has to convince Nicole to return, which she will--for a price. She wants a baby. To make things more complicated Mark's cousin, heir to a dukedom is murdered and Mark becomes the heir. He doesn't want to be a duke; he doesn't want to be married, and he doesn't want a child.

However, he does want to find out who murdered his cousin, and with the help of Nicole--something of a sleuth herself, they set out to solve the crime and you can imagine what happens when they spend time with each other.

The story is well plotted and the characters well drawn. There are so many romances on the market, but if you are in the mood for a change of pace with laughter and intrigue, try A Duke Like No Other. You won't be disappointed.

Thoroughly enjoyed this romance between Grim and Nicole! It was a delightful combination of enemies to lovers, fake relationship, and a Regency whodunit. I found their relationship authentic and loved that Grim was a match for fiesty and independent Nicole.