I really liked this story. It had great characters, a friends to lovers plot trope that is one of my favs, and some funny ridiculous moments that had me laughing. Thomas the H is not really alpha, so if that's a must this book may not work for you, as he's very caring, sweet and supportive to the h. The only part that I really didn't care for was the epilogue (which is unusual for me). Overall, a good story. * I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and this is my voluntary and honest review.

No Other Duke But You was a fun, sweet book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Lady Delilah has spent most of her life trying to get her mother's approval. Delilah is an exuberant, popular lady who has is a bit of a wild child. Her mother appears to not like her very much and has demanded she marry and has decided who Delilah should marry and it is someone she has absolutely zero interest in marrying. Delilah decides if she has to marry it will be the number one sought after bachelor of the ton who does not even know Delilah exists. Little does Delilah know one of her best friends has his sights on her.

Lord Thomas is a Duke and he has put off marrying because he doesn't want to be matched to anyone other than Delilah. As long as she has shown no interest in marriage he has kept the friend slot. Now that she has announced she has to marry he is ready to take that step until she notifies her friends that she intends to try and match with another Duke. What transpires is a fun, crazy set of hijinks where Delilah puts her plan in motion, Thomas puts his plan in motion to block her and their friends appear to be working on the sidelines to help each get what they want. It is a fun book. Review can also be seen at Lady Techie's Book Musings http://LadyTechiesbookmusings.blogspot.com

3.5 stars. This was such a fun, quirky read - I loved that, for once, it was the male best friend who was in love with the female.

This is absolutely a story that requires you to suspend you disbelief - over some of the antics, the historical (in)accuracies and sometimes the dialogue. But, ultimately, No Other Duke But You delivers a romance that is tender, funny, unique and enjoyable. Delilah is, at times, a little too self-deprecating, and we're subject to her inner monologue about her self-worth quite a lot, but given her upbringing and mother (shudder) it's forgivable.

Thomas was a great hero to read and I loved the times when he and Delilah were interacting and chatting. It's very A Midsummer Night's Dream (the play they're all acting in, by the way) with lots of improbable scheming and partner-swapping, but nothing malicious or mean (which is always a relief).

I'm definitely keen on reading some of the other books in this series - seems like there are quite a few!

3-3.5 Stars!! This is the 11th book in the ‘Playful Brides’ series & can be read as a standalone but it has a lot of couples from the series past books! This book was about Delilah-the matchmaker & Thomas-the Duke of Huntley/Delilah’s “BFF”! I wasn’t in love with this book because everything could’ve been much easier if Thomas would’ve just told Delilah he’d been in love with her for a long time! Or at least ask Lucy for help!! This was still an entertaining book. It just didn’t click with me, it was too unbelievable.
*I received this book at no charge from NetGalley.*

'No Other Duke But You' would have been perfect for me except for the gratuitous sex in the end. The characters were delightful, the villains were well drawn and courtship on the road to true love was humorous and like being in the Shakespeare play featured in the book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Thomas was handsome, rich and totally in love with Delilah since they were kids. In fact there had never been anyone for Thomas, he never had sex, just as Delilah. There's a potion and a headstrong Delilah who never saw Thomas as the man for her but when her friends confront her and tell her what really happened that crazy night, she couldn't wait any longer to get her man. Her mother and her stepfather were awful to her and she showed them, I loved that. I really enjoyed this story and recommend it highly.

"Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review."

Loved this book very much. It had just enough sweet, sexy romance and the storyline was great! I highly recommend!

3 1/2 stars. Delilah and Thomas's story was fun, if a bit confusing, to me. I really enjoy historical romances and I especially loved that Delilah was ahead of her time. It was cute seeing her struggle with the romance aspect after meddling in so many of her friends marriage prospects. Poor Thomas had to maintain his friendship with her, while trying to show her that they should be more. The aspect I struggled with was trying to keep all the characters straight in my mind. There just seemed too many couples to remember who was who and who was related to each other. Otherwise, a good, solid read.

The eleventh book in the Playful Brides series is a "friends to lovers" entry that didn't wow me. If you're a fan of the series and a completist, check it out. If you're unfamiliar with the series, I would recommend starting off with one of the stronger, earlier works. Authors of family/friends series don't have to give everyone their shot at an HEA via a full book - these lovers might've been better served by a novella or short story.

I really enjoy the friends to lovers trope and this book is a great example of how well it works!. In this book you meet Delilah and Thomas who have been friends for some time, both of them have been actively avoiding marriage when suddenly things change and let's just say that this is where the fun begins. There is lots of matchmaking and fun antics throughout this story to keep the momentum going. Along with misunderstandings, romance and friendships all coming together to create a lively and entertaining story!

I have liked this whole series so far. I am a big fan of Valerie's. This book was a tear jerker in some parts but also felt like other part just drug on. That said I will read the next in this series if there is one!

Fun romantic romp. I really enjoy Valerie Bowman's style. It was fun getting more of a male perspective in this story, Enjoy!!!

I loved this book this book so much I couldn’t put it down! The characters are really relatable, how many friends secretly have feelings for each other but are scared to put themselves out there. Thomas is the type of hero I like, he’s a genuinely good guy and cares for the people he’s close to. Delilah I had mixed feelings on, at times I adored her, but I also felt she was quite childish. The matchmaking did get a little repetitive, but overall I really enjoyed the book.

This is the first book in this series that I have read. What an absorbing tale...seductive...a page turner. Thomas And Delilah make the perfect couple., and I enjoyed their antics. Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Historical romance ,handsome hero, heroine full of character, good surrounding cast.A good fit with the series.

Delilah Montebank was a sweet and generous soul, despite living with a disapproving and cruel mother. She drew her happiness from being with her friends. Especially her best friend, Thomas Hobbs, the Duke of Huntley. She never realized the depths of his feelings for her, He was just waiting for his chance.
Her mother announced that she was going to marry her off to Clarence Hilton, who was portly,silent and smelly, if she was not engaged by the end of the season, much to her despair.
The story follows her attempts to catch the eye of the 'catch of the season'.....who wants Delilah and her friends to fix him up....with someone else.
This tale has romance, humor, angst, a vile character and a happy ending. It is an enjoyable way to spend a long winter afternoon.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC to peruse, gratis for my honest opinion.

Delilah and Thomas are the classic friends turned lovers story. Valerie did a wonderful job with keeping the storyline moving and interesting.

This story was wicked cute. Seriously, lethal levels of adorable sweetness. A fun twist on the friends to lovers trope, No Other Duke But You tells the story of a girl desperate for her mother's approval, and the man who has always known she deserved better.

Thomas and Delilah are best friends. They are each other's perfect other half. The only one who doesn't know it yet is Delilah! Watching Delilah realize that she loves Thomas was absolutely wonderful. Here is this lovely girl who strives so hard to gain her bitter mother's approval. (Seriously, that woman is awful!)

Thomas is a fantastic hero. He does his best to be everything Delilah needs. He is a perfect best friend. I adore him.

If you're in the mood for a tender romance, grab this book right now!

Delilah and Thomas grew up together and, are now best friends. It is now Lady Delilah's 5th season and, her mother is insisting she be engaged by the end of the month.
Thomas is a Duke who is well aware of the fact that Delilah's mother wants to find her a husband. Problem is that Thomas is in love with Delilah and, he is determined to marry her. Delilah, on the other hand, is determined to get engaged to another Duke, rather than marry the slug her mother has chosen for her.
there is a comedy of errors when Delilah and her friends try to match friends and relatives. Everything that can go wrong, will go wrong.
The circuitous road Delilah and Thomas take to get to each other is, at times, funny, sad and, always entertaining!
I LOVED this Book!

No Other Duke But You (Playful Brides, #11)
by Valerie Bowman

buy buy buy book

A very witty and engaging read. However, the author has taken creative license through out the book that could cause readers to not enjoy it as much if being critical of historical norms. With this said. I really enjoyed this book. I found it witty and engaging. Totally different then my expectations and just enjoyed it without looking at it for historical norm. I liked the characters, the ways of different actions happening as well as the truly enjoyable romance between the two main characters. The author is creative and very talented with the way she sets out the reader on the road to enjoyable reading. Again, this to me is a very different type of historical but one I found to be a good read. So if you want a light witty engaging read, then buy this and sit and enjoy! I was given this ARC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed here are my own and totally voluntary. Regards, Anna