What a powerful book! The prologue was packed with such intensity that I knew the book was going to be riveting, and it was. For those who can’t handle a woman being raped, this book might not be for you. However, it is warranted as the heroine must endure challenges to overcome her vulnerabilities. It was chocked full of action and mystery. A fitting ending that left me anxious for the next installment in the series. Book provided by NetGalley.

I really wanted to love this retelling of the Beauty and the Beast in the days of “me too” but the book just fell short to me. It started brilliantly with the rape of a seventeen year old by her school master, and there are riveting moments, including the post traumatic responses to certain stimuli. But confusing sex with love and defining love in possessive and obsessive terms, even violent terms is inexcusably unhealthy. Too, there are characters given importance, then abandoned by the storyteller which left this reader wondering where they had gotten to. There are many sex scenes demonstrating the heroine’s post traumatic growth toward sexual health, but an inadequate addressing the healthy growth of a relationship outside of sexual pleasure. I received an unedited copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

#howtoloveadukeintendays #netgalley

How to Love a Duke in Ten Days is the first book in Kerrigan Byrne’s Devil You Know series. I have been a big fan of her Victorian Rebels series for a few years, so needless to say, I was very excited about the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.

Even if you’ve only read one Byrne book before, you already know that the prologue is intense, and this book is no exception. Content warning: Alexandra, the heroine, is raped by the headmaster of her school, and she ends up killing him in self-defense. Her best friends help her bury the body, and they go on to live their best lives.

Flashforward ten years, and Alexandra is traveling to Castle Redmayne to meet up with her friends for a wedding. She doesn’t realize that it’s going to be *her* wedding, but she finds herself married to Piers- the Terror of Torcliff, an enigmatic duke who has inherited a title he was never supposed to possess.

Alexandra has neglected to tell her friends that she has been receiving “I know what you did last summer” style notes, and that she has been paying for the blackmailer’s silence. But when there’s an escalation to actual physical danger, it seems as though long-buried secrets are coming back to plague Alexandra.

This was a wonderful book. I love feisty heroines, and Alexandra is both spirited and intelligent- she’s an archaeologist with a doctorate, and she has spent most of the last decade out of the country working on ancient sites.

There was one plot element that was slightly problematic, but I understand both characters’ positions and motivations. However, I have never been disappointed by Byrne, so I proceeded with an open mind, and I thought the resolution was perfect.

Alexandra and Piers have excellent chemistry together, and it’s important to note this marks the first time that she has been interested in pursuing a relationship after her previous trauma. For what it’s worth, Piers has a prolific sexual history, but Alexandra is the first person he feels like he can be genuine and vulnerable with.

The mystery was satisfying, and kept me guessing until the big reveal. Granted, the list of suspects wasn’t huge, but I was still surprised by the big reveal- especially since it was more complicated than I expected the climactic moment to be.

I would absolutely recommend How to Love a Duke in Ten Days. This is an excellent beginning to a new series, and I love the way the next book was hinted at in the epilogue. Nobody writes Victorian historical fiction better than Byrne, and for that matter, nobody writes angsty historicals better than her either. I’m already looking forward to the next book, but since that is not arriving until next spring, I am going to have to content myself by re-reading the Victorian Rebels series while I wait.



I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Bravo! I could not put this book down and will be re-reading it over and over again. This is my first book by Kerrigan Byrne and it did not disappoint. Full of intrigue, a brooding hero, a brave heroine, a great cast of characters, and an overall outstanding, sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat storyline. The author has a very distinct writing style, one that creates pictures and uses words beautifully. You really get a sense that the character speaking has come alive and that you are going on the adventure in real time with them. While I don’t want to give any spoilers, I felt that the past history that happened to make Alexandra the way that she is was handled with sensitivity and really allowed the reader to gain perspective about how others may feel having gone through similar situations. I thank Ms. Byrne for not tippy-toeing around the issue but making it an integral part of the story. Yes, there is a lot of thinking or internal monologue done by the characters however I found it was needed and fit into their characters nicely.
My cons- The reveal of the villain fell a bit flat for me and then the subsequent pages left me thinking (as did Piers), who else wants to come down the tunnel and join us in this farce? It read to me like an Indiana Jones movie and was a bit over the top and unbelievable. And the other was that I didn’t care for the title of this book. While I get it, I don’t think it maybe was the best title to use for this adventure. In fact it actually set me off with the wrong mind set when I started this book and I would not have been attracted to this book if I saw it on the shelf based on the title.
It is a quick read, I managed it in three days, a few hours each night and I would recommend it highly. I cannot wait to explore Ms. Byrne’s other’s books. My thanks to the author and to St. Martin’s Press for an ARC e-book in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 Stars!!

"Your heart will learn to beat again. Until that happens, I'll protect you. I promise."

"Alexandra Lane. A confounding dichotomy of iniquity and innocence."

"I'm more of a monster than any scars or scandals I claim."

I've finally found a historical romance that I LOVE!!! If you've been following my reviews for a while, then you know that historical romance is a genre that I really struggle with. That being said, I've just been trucking along, hoping that eventually I would find one that would make me forget that I was reading a historical romance and just get swept away in the story. I am over the moon to have finally found an author who has made me do just that.

From the moment I picked up How To Love A Duke in Ten Days, I was hooked. The story started off with a bang and kept me glued to the pages. This story was well written and captivating. The characters were intriguing and left me begging for more. I loved the encounters between Piers and Alexandra. To some, Piers may seem like a beast of a man. I mean, he totally comes off as harsh and demanding, but when it comes to Alexandra, there is just something that makes him want to be gentle. Is he perfect? No. He makes some pretty awful assumptions about things. However, once he learns the truth, he is so sweet and so devoted to Alexandra. He will protect her at all costs and will worship her beyond her wildest dreams.

How To Love A Duke in Ten Days took my by surprise in the best possible way. I loved getting lost in Alexandra and Piers story. Their story is filled with romance, danger, secrets & lies, surprising twists & turns and of course some good angst. I loved that this story was sexy, yet not overly so. I will warn you that this story does touch on some sensitive subject matter, but the author did a brilliant job handling it.

All in all, this book was a fabulous read from beginning to end. This is my first book by author Kerrigan Byrne and it most certainly won't be my last. She has made me a fan of historical romance and I can not wait to check out more from this author in the future.

Peirs, the Duke of Redmayne is planning revenge against his cousin who wants his dukedom and is trying to kill him. He needs to marry and have an heir. Enter Alexandria who asks him to marry her.
There is a back story to Alexandria and her two friends from school which is disturbing but handled in a sensitive way.
The book was good. A lot of mental talking and not much action in the story. The writing was very good, and I will probably read the next in the series. Thank you Net Galley I voluntarily revised this early copy for an honest review.

How to Love a Duke in Ten Days is the first book of the Devil You Know series and a wonderful start of the series. This author is one of my favorites so I was so excited to read it. I loved all the characters, but this book was Piers and Alexandra’s story. Piers, the Duke of Redmayne, needed to get married and have an heir, so he decided to honor a childhood betrothal. Lady Alexandra arrived at his estate after receiving an invitation from one of her best friends, Francesca. The Red Rogues (Francesca, Cecelia and Alexandra) were close friends from school and had bonded over childhood secrets. Francesca was trying to avoid marriage to Piers. Alexandra is being blackmailed and decides to marry Piers in order to have his protection. There are several mysteries happening in the book with lots of unexpected twists. It kept the reader’s attention throughout the book. I can’t wait to read Francesca and Cecelia’s stories. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

WOW! Suspense,secrets and amazing friendships. A dazzling romance story very well written. I was on the edge of my sit the whole time. Strong wonderful characters make this book a must read.

This book started off really strongly. I really thought this was going to be a 5 star read, I loved smart and strong Alexandra and the scene where she meets Redmayne at the train station was fantastic. I love the way Byrne writes and I was so enthralled by the obvious connection between the two and Alexandra's putting the safety of her friends over her own fear. Everything went downhill for me after the first part of the book when it felt as if the conflict and lack of communication between the two was dragged out unnecessarily and the ending with the unmasking of the villains just seemed over the top. There was enough to love here for me to still recommend it and I am still looking forward to reading the next book in this new series.

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

A sad and yet powerful story about overcoming your past and realizing what a beautiful future lies ahead.

I received this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This book was not what I expected from the title, but wow did it hold my attention. Two messed up people (no spoilers allowed) find each other and slowly repair what damage was done to each of them. Great story line and I feel that the heroine was written in a way that showed how women become stronger and not the helpless female we read about. I strongly recommend this book.

NOBODY does historical like Kerrigan Byrne! I was sucked into the story from the very beginning and stayed there the whole time. I am not a fan of the mystery/intrigue but Byrne does it so well I don't even notice. Alexandra was so amazingly strong and admirable. Actually, all 3 of the ladies are amazing. Piers was equally fantastic. I was so invested in this couple, I was mentally castigating Piers for not seeing the signs of what happened to Alexandra sooner. Once he go out of his head, his reaction was fierce and satisfying. SOOOO looking forward to Cecilia and Francesca's books.

First, let me say that these views are solely my own and Kerrigan Byrne was kind enough to allow me to read her book in advance on NetGalley.

I loved this book. Kerrigan has a unique style of writing that is the perfect blend of romance and mystery. I love the story and especially, love the hero.. However, this book isn't just about the hero and heroine. It's about friendship.

Kerrigan also tackles difficult subjects without flinching and for that, she had my five star review!

I loved this book! Kerrigan Byrne writes some of my favorite historical fictions and this one was just added to that list. I cried with Alexandra and I raged with Piers. I was and still am so emotionally attached to these characters. I will not go into what happens because I think it's something you need to read. But it's deep and Byrne does it in a way that makes it feel real and she just wrote this book beautifully. I read it in one sitting. My eyes are killing me but it was all worth it.

I can't wait to read about the other two ladies!!

This is a hauntingly evocative romance that I did not want to end.
Lady Alexandra and, her two best friends, grew up in a school for girls that was run by a vicious headmaster who abused and, molests many of the girls. Lady Alexandra and, her friends find a tunnel and cave that goes from the dormitory to the headmaster's office. They spend as much time as they can, reading, drinking and, dreaming about what their lives will be when they finally get out of this horrid school. Unfortunately, the headmaster finds out what Francesca and her friends have been doing and, decides to punish her in the worst way. Things end in the worst way and, Alexandra and her friends end up killing the headmaster and, burying him on the grounds of the school.
Now, Alexandra has been paying a blackmailer for 10 years and, her family is now destitute. She travels to the upcoming betrothal of one of her friends to Piers, the Lord of Redmayne. Alexandra has never told her friends that she has been blackmailed for 10 years and also, doesn't understand what these strange feelings are that only occur when she is in close proximity of the Earl..
Piers has no interest in his soon to be fiance. He does, however, have extreme interest in her friend, Alexandra and, ends up marrying her.
The road begins with a lot of bumps along the way but, will these two bitter, fearful people ever realize that the feelings they have are not just lust?
Do Not Miss This Book!!!!!

This story had a promising start and I was super intrigued but unfortunately, it's just not holding my interest. It just seems so drawn out. I like the overall storyline so I pushed myself to read a few more hours in hopes it would pick up some but I'm sorry to say it just isn't flowing well for me and I'm DNF'ing.

I greatly appreciate the advanced copy and the opportunity to review early but I think I'm just going to leave it be.

I found myself unable to put this book down. Alex and Piers made the perfect combination. Kerrigan Byrne is fast becoming one of my go to authors. This is a story of overcoming a giant obstacle and what love can heal.

The prologue was jarring and unexpected. The ending was predictable. But I did like the give and take between Alexandra and Piers. Watching their relationship evolve from one of convenience to one of love was interesting and it made for a not so typical romance novel.

Piers Gedrick Atherton, the Duke of Redmayne, is planning revenge against his cousin who wants the dukedom at any cost including killing him. Piers needs to marry and produce heirs so his cousin has no chance to inherit. Enter Lady Alexandra Lane, a brilliant archeologist. Alexandra agrees to marry Piers to save her friend from this unwanted marriage. Alexandra and her 2 friends suffered trauma in their early lives and have stuck together ever since boarding school. Can Piers, a beast of a man, gain the trust of the timid Alexandra and make their marriage work?

While I enjoy Ms. Byrne's books, I almost stopped reading after the prologue where Alexandra's trauma is explained in vivid detail. I understand this incident was shared with Alexandra's friend and the gardener at school, but I didn't care for it at all. The way the back story was revealed throughout the book, I believe was sufficient to understand what had happened. I did like Alexandra, but she became a shell of herself whenever she was around Piers. Some of the descriptions and paragraphs were so long winded I just skipped over them. I hope Ms. Bryne doesn't use this type of trauma too often in this series.

Closer to 3 1/2. I loved the premises for the story. The ending was perfect besides a few sticking points. My problem with the book was I felt it was almost 30% dialogue and 70% musing. There was entirely too much thinking being done and less talking/action taking place for me. The actual story was touching, romantic, and emotional..but I found myself skimming over 1-2 pages to get to the dialogue. Thank you for the advanced copy.