Review of “A Duke Like No Other” by Valerie Bowman (Playful Brides #9)

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

3 and a half stars 🌟 🌟🌟

Most all female authors these days are trying to capture a market where readers are very much on the side of progressive feminism. That being said, when trying to write about a strong heroine, who gives as good as she gets, creating storylines that are a bit far-stretched for the time period are also becoming the norm. Sometimes, these artistic licenses taken by the author work for me, when they don’t seem TOO unreasonable. At other times, I do feel like rolling my eyes going.. Really??! There are genres where imagination can take far greater leaps and readers expect it even.. for example, historical paranormal romances...

But a historical romance based around plots and characters very much grounded in “real life”... well, there is a very grey area I suppose what one can get away with.

So a female Bow Street Runner was a tad too much for me. And though the romance is enjoyable, the premise for a decade long separation between the hero and heroine, who are married.. without anyone trying to resolve anything.. again a bit weak. 

The mystery that the two try to solve together was more believable. However, I wish a little more time had been spent on how the h and H emotionally reconnected after 10 years. The connection felt more physical and not a very strong reason to resolve such a long period of separation.

So, given all the issues that left me feeling a bit dissatisfied, I am giving this one a 3.5 rating for at least holding my interest with the mystery in the story.

This story captivated me from page one. I really enjoyed the tension between Mark and Nicole - married, but estranged for the past 10 years; both still madly in love with each other but feeling self- protective, leery, anxious, yet drawn to each other beyond all control. As a side note, they were involved in solving the murder of Mark's cousin and heir to a duchy. Fun story, great characters, can't wait for more!

I really enjoyed reading this romantic second chance at love story from Valerie Bowman. 

This was a fantastic book. Mark and Nicole were absolutely endearing as the estranged married couple who both let their pride tear them apart only to reunite over ten years later. They both wanted something out of the deal. Mark and Nicole were such rich, well developed characters, that it was easy to sink into their story. He needed a wife and she wanted a baby. So they struck a deal. In reality, they were both lonely, and needed someone to love. Their reunion grew more complicated with each twist and turn the plot took ..... as all the while Mark and Nicole continued to fight their feelings, their foolish pride, and lastly, a suspenseful murder mystery. 

This was a very lovely book from beginning to end.

I’ve just finished “A Duke Like No Other” and I liked it. 

“A Duke Like No Other” is about the relationship between Nicole, a headstrong girl and Mark, a man concerned with getting what he wants. The Playful Brides series is a collection of standalone novels. 

NetGalley gave me permission to read “A Duke Like No Other” so it’s thanks to them that I was able to read it! 

2 Stars!

I read this for: 

• Book Bingo on Facebook! It completes the challenge of reading a book about death. There’s a Murder mystery that takes place within “A Duke Like No Other” - https://m.facebook.com/events/1442935242483308. 

Spoilers Below...

“For the love of God, he’d nearly died for this promotion”

At the beginning of “A Duke Like No Other”, Mark’s biggest concern is getting the job of Home Secretary, “or die trying” to get it. He’s advised that he needs to be married and settled to get the job, though. 

“Lord Tottenham doesn’t want a secretary who’s a bachelor. He wants someone settled,”

shows that Mark will have to prove that he’s wed before getting the job of Home Secretary. To do this it’ll mean opening up old wounds with his wife, whom he no longer associates with. His wife Nicole, lives in France, while Mark lives in England. He needs Nicole to return to England. There’s something she wants in trade for playing the happy wife, however, a baby. 

“No, you dolt. I don’t want a divorce. I want you to have sex with me.” 

The couple go through a lot of will they/won’t moments. These were sometimes annoying. The book could have been shorter without so many of these and it’s relatively short to begin with. They actually have sex nearer the end, so there’s a LOT of build up to it, maybe too much build up. 

“He collapsed at dinner, that’s true, but it was no heart condition,” is what Oakleaf, a police investigator Mark knows, says. The Duke in waiting, collapsed at dinner. The current Duke is sick, and so won’t be around for much longer.

This is the murder mystery element, which was surprising, as it took quite a lot of the plot away from the main couple. I didn’t hate it but I thought this book was going to be solely a romance novel, which it isn’t. That’s what the cover and title suggested to me. If you’re looking for a cute romance, I wouldn’t suggest this, as the main plot, I feel is surrounding the murder mystery and just who the next Duke will be, rather than the romance. Why does someone want to kill the Duke in waiting, though? You’ll need to read to find out! 

What did I like about “A Duke Like No Other”?

I liked the romantic parts we got, although I did expect a LOT more of them.

I liked our main couple. They are quite modern in that they weren’t living together at the beginning of the story. Only when Mark’s job is bought up so they consider living together again. I would have liked to have seen them in more scenes together, in the present. I feel like we saw too much of how they got together and not enough of them actually together. 

I liked the baby plot line. I always like books that include the want of a child, although I felt that this was more used as a plot device rather than just something that happened. 

What didn’t I like about “A Duke Like No Other”? 

I didn’t like that the editing wasn’t done very well. I think there were two or three occasions where either punctuation was missing or the novel just didn’t make sense. 

I feel that Mark and Nicole, could have been much stronger characters. They both felt rather weak to me. Like they couldn’t get anything done, without the other one there during the events of the novel. Before the start, they were living apart! I wish that there had been a little independence shown by them both.

I didn’t like that the plot was dominated by the murder mystery, as that isn’t what the book is sold as, I don’t feel. 

The book had past elements, as well as the present parts. The past elements, I felt were lacking depth. There could have been more story thrown into them, which would have given us more information and made the book longer. 

I honestly can’t remember any of the characters, but Nicole, Mark and Oakleaf. They didn’t stand out. The murderer, for example, isn’t that present in the book. 

Overall, “A Duke Like No Other”, unfortunately wasn’t what I expected. I didn’t hate it but I feel that I could have really loved it if the romance was more so drawn upon. The characters should have had more depth and been fleshed out more, too. Also other parts didn’t really make sense to me. That’s why I’m giving the novel, 2 Stars!

A good solid romance! Interestingly, it starts as one thing (couple reuniting) and then halfway through takes a hard-right into a murder mystery. I have to admit I didn't mind as the soul-searching was getting a little old, but just FYI. 

Also, this is the first of the series that I have read and, despite it being number 9, I didn't have any problems following the plot. Nicely done!

Expected the usual romance novel tropes, but this was surprisingly delightful.  Estranged spouses, a murder mystery, and a comedic dowager aunt.  More, please!

OK we are to get married as is required of us, but who is to say we have to love each other! Well thank goodness that Valerie Bowman is writing this story because anything is possible even if there are bumps in the road. Another great story by the great Valerie Bowman. Grab yourself a copy and sit back and enjoy yourself. Thanks Valerie!

I really loved this book and the world it was set in
the characters were 3 dimensional and enjoyable 
can't wait for more

I really enjoyed this story.  It kept me interested from beginning to end. A very independent,  strong minded heroine in Nicole.  And a very dominant, strong, fair minded hero in Mark. So needless to say, it was a very combustible relationship for both good and bad.  Throw in a murder mystery and you have the makings of a really good book.

General Mark Grimaldi is ready for a long sought-after promotion to the Home Secretary, but the minister of the Home Office informs him that he must be "settled" or married in order to receive the honor. What irony! Mark has been married for ten years but estranged most of that time from his lovely wife, Nicole, and he is now forced to talk to her face to face after all this time. Surprisingly, Nicole is receptive to remaining married to Mark and convincing him to helping her. The arrangement is suitable to both of them and the sparks begin to fly!

Thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher for an ARC; all opinions are my own.

I’ve been looking forward to Mark’s story for a while now. I enjoyed getting to go back into the back story of Mark and his wife Nicole.  I can’t wait for the next book!

General Mark Grimaldi has almost attained his goal of becoming Home Secretary. The one caveat to his appointment is that must show he is a stable family man. After a 10 year estrangement, Mark must convince his wife to play the role he never allowed her to develop, that of a loving spouse. 

Nicole Huntington Grimaldi has demands of her husband if she is expected to go along with a farce solely aimed at Mark meeting his long sought career goal.  It is a request that Mark is more than willing to accept but there is a risk of them both opening deep emotional wounds. Will the risk lead to reward?

This was a great plot and the author did a wonderful job weaving the past with the present. There were gaps in the story but the sentiment was well conveyed. My heart ached for Nicole and I do wish the separation wasn't so long, as it made it hard to warm up to Mark and his prideful misconceptions of his wife. Overall, a well paced story of the path from heartache to a  redeeming love.

Take one grumpy exacting spymaster and one fiercely independent woman, put them together and what happens? Sparks fly, emotions surface, and everything changes. That is the premise of this gem of a novel called A Duke Like No Other by Valerie Bowman.  This is not my first Valerie Bowman book and, after reading, most definitely won't be my last! It all starts off with General Mark Grimaldi and the promotion to spymaster that he has been working towards for years. He is the grandson of a Duke, but few know that since his mother was ostracized and disowned when she married Mark's father, an Italian Catholic. One last thing that he needs before he's handed his promotion is to show himself to be a family man. Enter Nicole Huntington, his estranged wife. They've been living separate lives for years. Mark has been in England crafting his spy skills while Nicole has been in France living a contented life over there. So Mark journeys to France to convince Nicole to come back to England so they can pretend to be a happily married couple. Nicole agrees on one condition; she wants a legitimate child. Mark acquiesces to her request and so the two embark on the trip back to England to pull off this farce of a marriage.

Once back home and living together under the same roof, things don't go quite as planned. Now that Nicole and Mark are in such close proximity to each other for an extended period of time, those pesky raw emotions start to surface and wreak havoc in their lives. They finally are forced to confront the misunderstanding that separated them years ago. On top of that, they also take on the murder of Mark's cousin. This death makes Mark the next in line for the position of Duke, but he wants nothing to do with it. Nicole convinces him to take the case and they work together to solve the mystery. Along the way, they realize the love they once had for each other never died, and they finally were able to move past everything and gain their happily ever after!

As much as I enjoyed this book, I will say that Mark really got on my nerves after a while. I mean, he was just so pigheaded when Nicole tried to explain things to him in the past as well as when they were together again. His stubbornness was just a bit too much at times. I absolutely loved Nicole though! She was bored with high society so she began working on the sly for the Bow Street Runners, who were the precursors to the police force. It may have been a bit unbelievable that she would have actually been able to do this, but it made for a strong and gutsy heroine! Overall, this story is funny, heartwarming, and quite a fun read, so go pick up A Duke Like No Other by Valerie Bowman for your next historical romantic adventure!

Lost love!

Master spy General Mark Grimaldi must take a wife to ensure his promotion as the Home Secretary.
The only trouble is he already has a wife whom he hasn't seen for ten years, living in France.
Nicole Huntington Grimaldi has put her life with Mark behind her, although in her heart--never!
When Mark seeks her out to make a bargain and return to England for three months, she acquiesces. She has a bargain too!
A bargain that is more a contract with the Devil. And Nicole certainly isn't 'supping with a long spoon.' It only takes one kiss for Nicole to miss even more the husband she'd fled.
Add to this a murder, the ramifications of which shake Mark to his core, and we have an explosive romance that right to the end keeps at least Mark and Nicole guessing.
Super read!

A NetGalley ARC

3.5 stars
I have only read one other book by this author, and I ended up having to table it until later due to the fact that it felt like I had missed something from the previous books. The hero and heroine had known each other for so long that I truly felt like the book could not be read as a stand-alone. This is book 9 in the same series, so I was a little wary, however I’m pleased to announce it can be read on its own.

That being said, we still have characters who have known each other for years, and it feels as if they are two different sets of people from when they met to the point the book picks up. Well, it’s been 10 years, so the point is that they are different people, however they were the same at the core.

Mark is a spy, and he’s up for a promotion, but the man in charge of giving him the promotion wants a family man in this role. It’s suggested that Mark marry, and fast. However, Mark drops the bomb that he already has a wife.

Nicole has been in France for 10 years. The night she and Mark argued was the end of their marriage. She took a job with the Home Office and moved to France to help. Essentially she’s a spy. However, she’s never actually spying in this book. She spends her time in the lavender fields and working with orphans. Which is fine, but she kind of sometimes takes mini espionage missions on the side.

Mark goes to France and shows up on her doorstep, asking her for a favor. He needs her to play the doting wife for him for a while until he gets the promotion at the Home Office. She agrees but with a condition of her own. He is absolutely shocked at her terms, but he needs her, so he agrees.

The trip back to England is uneventful, but we see some well-placed flashbacks about how they met, Nicole’s desire to become a spy, and the biggie, about that night that they had the Big Misunderstanding. Mark steamrolls Nicole’s any attempt to explain what happened, and then he spends 10 years believing Nicole her to be a sneaky liar who he never really knew at all. Then he continues spying, being tortured by the French, and spying some more.

What bothered me the absolute most is that I feel like she never was able to explain her part. She never got to say, hey, you got mad at me for X, but Y is really what happened. That is honestly the only thing that I didn’t like. I enjoyed the author’s voice, I enjoyed the plot, I didn’t even mind the Big Misunderstanding which usually drives me nuts! This book was passionate, and enjoyable.  However for a book full of spies, there’s no danger, very little spying, and very little intrigue.

***ARC courtesy of St. Martin’s Press

This is a good use of the married but apart for years trope. Mark Grimaldi has let his pride rule his marriage and as a result he has not seen his wife in 10 years. Now he needs a favor and Nicole Huntington Grimaldi will grant it in return for one of her own. This has all the needed elements for a good story. Attraction that has not died, secrets that need to be revealed, and a murder that changes everything.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.

3.5 Stars for an entertaining second chance historical romance. 
Nicole and Mark are both interesting and strong characters who have a bit more pride than common sense. 
These two married after a brief and passionate courtship then let a misunderstanding keep them apart for 10 years before fate brought them back together. 
I enjoyed watching these two trying to figure each other out as more mature people. Add in a compelling sub plot regarding Mark’s family and you have a story that just zips along. 
Various parts of the back story are told via flashback and how those transitions are handled is probably my one real complaint about the story, but it is more of a style issue. 
This is definitely a fun romp of a book.

Valerie Bowman is a talented writer notable for her worthwhile characters. Even if the story is not particularly powerful or original, Bowman characters typically steal the spotlight and make the story worthwhile. 

That being said, A Duke Like No Other fell short. Both have their faults that their merits do not excuse. There were also many issues with the story. The reader has to suspend disbelief for the majority of the plot which feels both unrealistic, particularly for the time, and dramatic. 

Despite that, Bowman delivers with her signature style and heat. If the reader and accept the historical inaccuracies as well as frustrations the characters invoke, the story is actually quite enjoyable.

I really enjoyed this Regency romance with unforgettable characters, family drama, mystery, and so much more that kept me entertained and intrigued from the first page to the last. Once I started reading, I couldn't put the book down because I didn't want to wait to see what was going to happen.

I loved General Mark Grimaldi and his wife, Nicole, who are stubborn, prideful and passionate in their second chance at love and happiness. I really liked how snippets of their past were seamlessly inserted so I could better understand this couple. This is the first book I have read by Valerie Bowman but it definitely won't be the last. This is a must-read for anyone who enjoys well-crafted Regency romance.

I received an advance reader copy of A Duke Like No Other from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my unbiased review. I liked the book so much, I purchased a copy for my keeper library to read again later.

Playful Brides #9, Don't let that ninth book in the series scare you off it can be read as a stand alone, I have only read one other book in the series and even with mentioning past characters it didn't have any precedence over the current story. This is a second chance romance between Mark Grimaldi and Nicole Huntington Grimaldi. It was love at first sight for Mark and Nicole that lead to a quick and small wedding, but even before the honeymoon was over they argued and Nicole ran off. It's been ten years of trying for get each other, ten years of Nicole telling herself she no longer loved Mark and half expecting to receive a letter telling her he died in the war. Mark doing everything in his power to forget Nicole focusing on his career and now finally Mark is in line for a promotion, the position he's been aiming for his whole military career, but he needs his wife at his side. Nicole is tired of being lonely so when Mark shows up out of the blue asking her to be his wife again so he can get his promotion the only thing she wants in return is a baby. 

Mark was just a soldier when he met Nicole and it surprised them both when her Mother and Grandmother approved the match. It wasn't until after the wedding that he found out that they knew the identity of his grandfather. Mark's mother was the daughter of a Duke but was disowned when she married an Italian man for love. Mark grew up hating that side of the family and wanted no connection to them at all. When found out that Nicole knew of this and that was the only reason she was allowed to marry him he assumed she just married him for the possibility of one day being a Duchess and not because she loved him. Mark never stopped loving her even when he just thought she was after his non-existent title and bringing her back into his life makes him question whether he'll be able to let her go again. Nicole never stopped loving Mark but ten years is a long time and the whole miscommunication thing going on between them that started all those years ago is still a big issue. When Mark's cousin dies suddenly he finds himself the first in line to inherit the Dukedom. Mark is put in charge of finding out who murdered his cousin but asks that everyone keep it quiet that he's the next in line mostly to draw out the murder and also because he doesn't want his new title to influence the higher ups about his promotion. 

Overall, the murder mystery bit was great that was my favorite part of the book; the romance on the other hand got aggravating, all the assuming and not communicating with each other makes me want to bang my head on the desk, all the sexy bits were good...hot, very nice indeed. I can understand the miscommunication when they were younger but after all his time as a spy and working for the Home Office during war time he should know how important communication is and not just speculating something but finding out the truth but he can't do that with his own wife? Nicole overreacted and then was too stubborn to go back home. But despite their inability to talk to each other and listen i really enjoyed the book.