First of all, what a delightful cover of the dashing and brooding Duke with the demure and gentle Abby Linton! The Duke I Once Knew was a very sweet story, full of redemption, lost love, and misunderstandings. This is the first book I've read by Olivia Drake and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for her other titles! I found Ms. Drake's writing delightfully engaging and full of heart and humor.

In The Duke I Once Knew, Max, the Duke of Rothwell and Abby Linton became fast childhood friends at the tender ages of fifteen and sixteen. At the brink of young love, Max declared he would forever love Abby and promised to marry her as soon as he came of age. Well, with all good intentions that any new and young love might bring, Max unfortunately got whisked away to London with his sister after a tragedy befell the Rothwell family. Saddened but with the prospect of meeting again, the two young loves exchanged letters until they can once be together again.

Fifteen years later, bitter and hardened by the reality of life, Max, the new Duke of Rothwell must return for a temporary visit to his Duchal estate, which also neighbors the Linton household. After being rejected by Abby, he decided to live his life full of uncompromising situations and dalliances with willing and available ladies. His heart was hardened and he vowed never to fall in love again, after Abby had cruelly broken his heart. Abby on the other hand, never got over the fact that her Max had broken his promise to return to her and marry her when he was of age. With letters unanswered and never seeing Max again, she too had decided to go on with her life as a spinster. With caring for her aging parents and then later her siblings and their children, Abby was resolved to just live a plain yet content life.

But...the author could not leave these two lovebirds to forever live a life of unrequited love! No, Ms. Drake wrote each heartbreak, each misunderstanding, and each redeeming quality so brilliantly, that you can't help but root for Max and Abby to come together as they truly should. While their young hearts had made solemn promises, so had a fast and true friendship developed between them. It's due to this deep-rooted friendship and connection between Max and Abby, that their inevitable reunion could only spell drama.

Oh, and drama there was in this lovely story! The author wrote Max and Abby's thoughts so well and clear that I could do nothing but finish the entire book in one sitting. I was immediately drawn to their personal feelings and how they both felt like they didn't deserve to find happiness again. Max, while he stayed in London and vowed never to return to his Duchal estate, resolved to live his life without needing love either. His father had drilled into him that true love wasn't real so he never sought it out with anyone. Abby, continued on with her life after Max left and resolved herself to take care of her parents. After the death of her parents, she bounced back and forth between her siblings and their own families.

In a sudden realization on her own behalf, Abby decided she needed to go her own path, rather than what her siblings forced her to do. While she was gentle and kind, she also wanted to find out what life was like outside of her immediate family. So, in a twist of events, Abby took on the role of governess to Lady Gwendolyn, the younger sister of Max. Abby never fathomed that Max would return to the country estate as he had never bothered to do so after his abrupt exit fifteen years ago. But, because this story is so bent on bringing these two lost loves together again, Max does once again return to the estate if not for only a few days.

I don't want to give too much away, but my heart broke for these two because as a reader (and an outsider), I was able to read Abby's own heartbreaks and her own need to be accepted and loved. The meeting between these two lost loves was inevitable yet so brilliantly written that all I wanted to do was shout at both Max and Abby to just realize their feelings for each other and admit they still loved each other! But ofcourse, throw in a rival beauty and other circumstances, Max and Abby must struggle to get to the truth of what really happened to their lost letters and why their relationship never continued.

At times I was so frustrated because I really hate reading stories of characters who won't admit their feelings for each other. But that is the dichotomy of these type of love stories though. There has to be some barriers and obstacles in the way of true love in order for true love to really realize it. Argh! But it's both disheartening and appealing to read the push and pull between Abby and Max. I didn't truly understand to the full extent of Max's reticence to wed or even fall in love until towards the end when he reveals why he could not love anyone. Was it because he thought Abby forgot all about him when he left with the result of unanswered letters or was there something else so deeply rooted in his psyche that he refused to fall in love. Therein itself, lies the hypocrisy, because deep inside him, Max WAS still in love with Abby even though he thought she had fully rejected him.

I really liked Max' character even though at times I just wanted to shake him to realize that he never stopped loving Abby. And I adored Abby's character because even with the disillusionment of true love, she was still a sweet and caring person, even if she herself regretted to not have had a chance to marry and start a family.

The Duke I Once Knew is a sweet and strong story. There are several minor character in the story that moves the story along quite well. And even with obstacles and tons of misunderstanding along the way, the two friends manage to somehow make things right in the end. There is one steamy scene in the story but it wasn't raunchy or demeaning. You could just feel the love and passion emanate between Abby and Max and you just want them to be happy together. While there were some very frustrating scenes between them as well, I knew I had to push those feelings aside, hoping that the author will do right for Abby and Max.

Thank you, Olivia for a sweet and heartwarming story!

I am always enchanted with a Regency Romance and Olivia Drake made The Duke I Once Knew a totally enjoyable read. The main characters were written with clarity and were very interesting. The story line was riviting and kept me extremely interested in what would happen between Abigail and the Duke of Rothwell.

Abby considered herself a spinster and felt greatly underappreciated by her family. She sacrificed her youth taking care of her parents and now they feel as though they could count on her to be there for their every need. They never considered that she just may want to do something for herself. They got a rude awakening when she announced that she was taking a position as a governess. She knew it was risky but also assumed that she would never have to run into her employer … the infamous Duke of Rothwell.

Maxwell is an interesting person. Swearing that he is a self-proclaimed bachelor, he lives his life with carefree abandonment. Mistress to mistress, he'll never give his heart to anyone again after Abby just up and ignored him. But, because of circumstances beyond his control, he's back at his childhood home with nothing but bad memories surrounding him. But, with him is the woman who keeps trying to make herself a Duchess. When he finds himself face to face, in a compromising position, with the one woman he never thought he would see in his home, the memories besiege him and he's not really sure how he feels about the situation except for aggravated.

As this story progressed, I wasn't sure if I even liked Max. He was arrogant and blind at times. He ended up being a very reasonable, loving and romantic man but it took a lot to get him there and my heart kind of got a little full when he did. And, as for Abby … she was one feisty female who said what she meant, knew how to shut someone down and knew, in her heart-of-hearts, that she never fell out of love with Max and knew that she could never have him. Ms. Drake also wrote some interesting minor characters that were both funny and infuriating. I loved Finchley … I hated the so-called mistress. I loved Gwen and cringed with Valerie. All in all, the characters were all very well written and extremely interesting.

The Duke I Once Knew is the first in Olivia Drake's new series, Unlikely Duchesses and I am looking forward to reading her again.

Engaging and enchanting. To find a love that you thought lost. Abby and Max were neighbors growing up and shared a secret romance. Tragedy separated them until fate brought them back together. Can a love surrounded by secrets, misunderstandings, deception, and a scheming woman find a way to flourish or will it eventually wither away? The characters are heartfelt, entertaining and full of life. The story line is sad and joyous as well as exciting. I couldnt put it down. Cant wait for the next one.

The Duke I Once Knew was a light read . Its the first book I have read from Olivia Drake and although this one was little predictable I would still read her other novels . I received this ARC from NetGalley for and honest review. Opinions are my own.

The Duke I Once Knew is a well written historical romance. It's a beautiful story with a happy ending. I really enjoy reading this book.

The Duke I Once Knew was a fun historical romance. I will read more from Olivia Drake. Thanks St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this title.

The book fell flat for me. I had a hard time getting into the characters and then finishing. As a result, I won’t be sharing a review on social media.

Abigail Linton’s future is taken out of her own hands as her older siblings are deciding her fate, given that her main role as caregiver to her elderly parents ended after they succumbed to influenza.

Against everyone’s wishes, she decides to become a governess to Lady Gwendolyn who is still 3 years away from making her debut in London. Then the notorious rake Duke of Rothwell turns up unexpectedly…

I enjoyed it so much I read it twice for the review. But I felt that the banter between the leads did not really move the story along or made it more suspenseful and exciting for the reader. Unable to comment much on the finer details since it was an uncorrected copy.

Abby Linton, spend the majority of her life caring for her parents, brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews, or wherever she was most needed. Now, her parents are dead, she's approaching 30, she feels firmly on the shelf, a spinster. On the day of her nephew's christening, the whole family is arguing who needs Abby's help the most, and therefore where she should go.
Abby surprises everyone by accepting a post as a Governess to the young sister of a Duke. The Duke who so many years ago broke her heart when he left, and never returned. Can they forgive each other and reignite their young love?

As the start of the series this is good, but the ending was to abrupt. I felt that it was rushed. Nevertheless, i wanna read who the next book will be.

3.5-3.75 Stars
A historical second-chance romance with an extremely likeable male lead and a pretty likeable female lead (although she constantly jumps to the wrong conclusion, but at least she corrects herself when she knows she's been mistaken). Some pretty interesting supporting characters too. This novel was the first work I've read by the author and I'll look for the next book in this new series. A quick and easy read for historical romance readers.

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Unlikely Duchesses #1, First in a new series and a new author for me as well and I was impressed. I loved Abby she is a loveable character what she does and how she finally takes her future into her own hands is admirable. After years of being in service to her family, not maliciously, she finally breaks free. She was a late in life baby her older siblings are all much older, when she got close to the age of coming out her mother suffered an accident and the family decided Abby would help take care of her and then as her parents got older she acted as nursemaid to them both. Now after a year of morning and both parents dead her siblings arguing over where Abby will be most beneficial. Abby feed up with not having a say so in her own future finally stand up and tells them she loves them all but no, and proceeds to take up the governess role at a neighbor's estate; even if that estate belongs to the one man she gave her heart to and then crushed after all he's never home.

Maxwell Bryce, the Duke of Rothwell had a horrible childhood the only light in his life was Abby whom he loved beyond measure but after his mother died they argued and then he was gone and none of his letters answered. Max closed off his heart and because a notorious rake. Max never wanted to return to his childhood home if he ever wanted to see his Aunt and sister they would come to him but due to circumstances beyond his control he's there now and then he finds out his Aunt hired a new governess without his approval and it's Abby.

Abby and Max have a lot of time to make up for and some misunderstandings to clear up. Once Max understands what happened he is determined not to let Abby slip through his fingers again so easily. Abby isn't so sure she's never had a season never been presented at court she doesn't think she would be good for him and throw in the fact that he brought a would be mistress who was angling for more and Abby has a whole lot of obstacles to overcome.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I didn't like Max at first but I warmed up to him the more he fell back in love with Abby he had some really sweet moments. The story was heartwarming and romantic and I definitely want to read the next books in the series.

Captivating, a richly engaging romance with a heroine we would should all wish we could be. I voluntarily reviewed it and the comments are my own.

For years, Abigail Linton devoted herself to caring for her parents and her siblings’ children. Now, eager to create a life of her own, Abby seizes upon a position as a governess on a neighboring estate. Unfortunately, her absentee employer is Maxwell Bryce, the Duke of Rothwell, the notorious rake who once broke her youthful heart. But since he hasn’t set foot on his estate for fifteen years, Abby assumes she’ll never have to lay eyes on him ever again. Then, from out of nowhere, Max appears. He is stunned to come face to face with the girl next door he fell for years ago—before he went away, and she stopped writing to him. . .even though Abby swears that he is the one who left her without a word. Could it be that this spirited, witty spinster has won Max’s heart all over again—and that they may have a second chance at love?
I didn’t like this book. Right from the beginning, I was really annoyed with all of the characters and how the story itself was. It just wasn’t for me.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

Abby is so tired of her family making all her decisions for her that she decides to take on a job as governess. Her family is up in arms but she is done with them. She knows Maxwell Bryce is her boos but since he is never around she thinks it's safe for her.
When Maxwell decides to come back to his estate he never imagines to see the girl who broke his heart.

This was a great book with many opportunities for things to go wrong, however things tend to go they way they should.


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

OMG! This is what historical romance is all about! If you are not into historical romances, then I strongly suggest that you read “The Duke I Once Knew” by Olivia Drake. It might be set during the Regency period, but it still resonates to contemporary settings.

Why, you ask? First, the heroine is 30 years old. A spinster during that era, but today, 30 is when most women think of getting married.

Second, the hero is sort of a jerk. He is a Duke, which in contemporary romances can be a tech billionaire, a successful athlete or a Wall Street whiz kid.

It’s a romantic comedy. “The Duke I Once Knew” can easily be translated into one Hallmark Channel’s romances. It’s not Downton Abbey but the elements are all there. After all, it’s rom-com, Regency style.

I can go on with my praises, but it all boils down to one thing. Read the book! It’s hilarious… it’s fun… and most of all, something you will enjoy, though you might not be a historical romance fun.

“The Duke I Once Knew” is Rated T for Teens.

This wasn’t a new story, of young love lost by misunderstandings and an unforeseen second chance 15 years later, but something about it kept me thoroughly entertained. The redeemed rake trope is probably my least favorite in the historical romance genre, but the authors character choices make it work for me here. He brings his intended mistress to his home but he hasn’t slept with her yet so is she his mistress? And somehow this makes it okay with me for him to re-fall in love with our heroine. I don’t know... but I’ll take it. Not sure if Olivia Drake becomes an auto-buy author, but I’ll probably check out the next in this series. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

the thing about the duke i once knew is that if only the hero weren't such a gross horndog when we first met him, i might like him better. because honestly, he's not that bad, but first impressions are hard to beat and when we first see the main characters interacting abigail has just heard max finger some random widow in his library. this doesn't scream romance.

and on the one hand she writes it off as this is just max being max and not the guy i fell in love with who must have really only wanted in my pants and became a jerk when i said no. but like, isn't that terrible? it's also weird to me that abigail is fed all these stories of him being this gross libertine. like why would she want anything to do with this guy.

in the here and now we don't see much evidence of this. and the reasons they were kept apart also make no real sense. his dad didn't want him to find love, because his mom was probably manic depressive? i don't know. these things didn't work for me.

but, but, but, max and abby when they are alone and flirty and sweet together, are kind of amazing. the attraction is pretty clear from the get-go, and they have such great chemistry. so in the end, i have mixed feelings. if i ignore the way we're introduced to the hero, it's all good. but every time i remember that library scene and how it was played for laughs that just didn't come, i cringe. but if that kind of thing doesn't bother you, then this is all good.

sometimes i think i must be getting old and prudish, because i don't remember these things bothering me so much before. but i also think that in some ways #metoo and #timesup have changed my perception of this kind of behavior. there's an underlying misogyny that i find hard to tolerate, even if it's true to the time period.

**the duke i once knew will publish on december 31, 2018. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/st. martin's press in exchange for my honest review.

In The Duke I Once Knew, Olivia Drake has crafted a unique story for the genre that fully fits in with all of the loveliness romance fans expect, but with a few fresh situations and characters thrown in.

I grew to appreciate Abby. A girl who has spent her life as a patient, family oriented helper is not going to flip to a die-hard feminist before her time, no matter how much my brain wants her to tell her siblings to stick it where the sun don’t shine.

Elise is, hands down, one of the best written female villains I’ve read in my beloved escapist genre. I absolutely LOVED hating this woman. She may have been my favorite character, not because I liked her, but because I was seriously invested in wanting to read an epilogue about how awful the rest of her life was.

If I had one (oh so small) critique: it took me way too long to care about The Duke, Max. Maybe this was be design, otherwise the character of Elise would be completely ineffective. But I loved Abby, and I kept half looking in the wings for when another possibility might kick in.

Final note, for those of you who, like me, live in fear of a cringeworthy sexy scene: have no fears with this author. Emotive description seems to be Ms. Drake’s forte. Very well done,

The premise of this book really had me from the start. I love second chances and was really intrigued when two young people fall in love, get separated, then he becomes a Duke while she is a governess! While the plot originally drew me in, I stayed for the characters and the romance that forms between them. Lovely HEA and would recommend! Can't wait to read more from this author!