While I love historical romances, I had a hard time staying engaged with this one. The over all plot is fine, but the story moves so slowly, and the book is so long.

Drake spins a refreshing tale of romance in Forever My Duke. I started this one on a late night flight and did not sleep until after I finished it at 2 a.m. The two leads bring out the best in each other, add in a small orphaned child, nasty stereotypical relatives, and that equals a great story.

This is Natalie and Hadrian, the Duke of Clayton’s story, Book 2 in the Unlikely Duchesses series; a standalone, no cheating, happily ever after, historical romance with sizzle.
Well written but I was bored with both characters, Hadrian continuing to call the child Brat was not endearing at all. I did not feel any romantic connection between the hero and heroine, especially Natalie, who puts on her American persona a little too often.
Slow moving plot, lacking flow, uninspired, too much disdain is off-putting and did not add to the story.
Not enough romantic build, the sex scene was too convenient without the foreplay written in the storyline.
I have enjoyed reading Olivia’s work in the past, this one not so much, I will still read her books when they come out.
I received a copy of this story through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

I always enjoy this author but must say while I liked this story , I was not able to really get into it as I would normally wish. It starts slow, but picks up the pace. However, the story while well written lacks a little life. I would term this a good read but not a great read. You will enjoy the story line and the characters are nice if not impressive. All in all a nice read. So for a stormy day, sit back and enjoy. Regards, Anna

3.5 stars
So many mixed feelings about this book.
It’s my first book by the author so I didn’t knew what to expect and it took me a bit to finish it.
The story was fast paced and interesting overall, especially for the multicultural characters and the mixture of British society and American citizens that fall in love and show the nothing can stand up to love.
Unfortunately, I had to stop many times while reading it as I kinda lost interest but there were parts/ chapters that I couldn’t stop as well.
I’ll be reading other books by the author as I’m still intrigued by the writing.

Olivia Drake has written a good solid historical romance. It was a pleasant read and had a marvelous couple.

A thoroughly enjoyable Historical Romance .
This story is full of well developed characters , giving the reader a glimpse into the differences between British
Society and its classes and the newly formed independent American social equality system .
Our heroine a strong willed American named Natalie Fanshawe and the hero, Hadrian Ames, the Duke of Clayton, British aristocracy provide us with a romance that is enthralling . This is a meeting of strong characters showing how oil and water can finally mix and achieve a happy ending .
This was a fun , entertaining book fast paced book that was a great read and I would highly recommend it - I will certainly be looking to read the 1st book by this Author .

I was given an ARC of this book by Netgalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I was completely entranced by the story of Natalie, a brave American woman accompanying her ward to England, and Hadrian, an English duke. There was much warmth and humor in this book, as well as the conflict that Natalie faces as she embraces a country much different than the one she’d left. There was a bit of action and adventure as well. Hadrian and Natalie are different in so many ways, except for their love for a little boy, and their growing attraction for each other.

Natalie is American born, although she has British ties. She is against the idea that anyone is better then any one else. When she makes a death bed promise it brings her right back to old ties and into a stuffy Duke named Hadrian. That’s when all the fun and things get interesting. Leo is a sweetheart that gets into all sorts of mischief. Wonderful read and well written romance.

In this Regency romance, Hadrian Ames, Duke of Clayton has decided to marry having picked out a bride from a distant family relations who meets all the requirements of women belonging to his high status. Hadrian has not seen his intended for some time, but it appears she is less than desirable especially after he meets the beautiful and fiery Natalie Fanshawe. Newly arrived from America with an orphaned boy whom she promised to take to family, Natalie is less than impressed with all the rules and restrictions of the ton as it is known. Hadrian is every bit as strict and stuffy as Natalie expected. Her late father was from English nobility but from the wrong side of the blanket so she has quite a few preconceived notions about Hadrian and his ilk.

Hadrian comes to realize that he feels something for Natalie that is new and exciting making him want more. No matter how scandalous it might be for a Duke of high stature to marry such a feisty, stubborn American, Hadrian is determined to win Natalie over. Dukes seem to be able to make their own rules when it comes to high society. Natalie is quite resistant to the idea of giving up all freedoms to live in a country she has disdained all her life.

Quite of bit of the story is focused on Natalie and Hadrian’s stark differences in lifestyles and her demeanor. She would have never set foot in the country were it not for the young charge. There is quite a bit to overcome for this couple with scheming relatives and Natalie’s own reluctance to see beyond her prejudices, caused in part by a recent war with England and an atrocity she experienced at the hands of Redcoats.

The romance is quite slow burn and takes most of the story to be realized. The fun part is the pitting of Natalie’s American pride, brashness, and courage against Hadrian’s very proper, British Lord upbringing to which he clings most assiduously. When both their barriers breakdown, this couple finds they can overcome seemingly impossible obstacles despite the challenges.

A very entertaining read.
The heroine, Natalie, is trying to honor her promise to her dying best friend of reuning her son Leo with her stranged family in England and is there where she will meet out hero, Hadrian. So yes, their backgrounds are completely different and yet despite that, an attraction will bloom between them. I liked both of the main characters and also Leo, he was really sweet.

I think some could find the story a bit slow at times but I was entertained so it wasn't a problem for me, the writing had a good, fluid pace and if anything, I think what did bummed me out a bit was that there was no epilogue but other than that I'd surely recommend this story.

This book was just okay for me. It started out good but the middle was a little weak. It did end well. I liked the heroine and how she was american and independent. The Hero was swoon worth as well! Thank you to netgalley for the arc.

Hadrian and Natalie are opposites that fall in love. She is a strong woman, he is a duke. She is an American, he lives in London. He is an rich, she is not. Following their journey is a delightful read.

I really enjoyed this book and I'm really pumped to read more books from this author in the future. I love Duke romance novels.

Wasn't my favorite. The story just didn't come together for me. I disliked many of the characters. I always wonder in this internet age, how relations are proven in these "grand families."

Historical romance is not my usual read but I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Natalie carries out her dying friends wishes and travels to England. The Duke of Clayton proves her opinion of the aristocracy wrong.

I love a historical romance with a properly haughty duke who learns to live a little and love a lot. That’s exactly what you’ll find in Forever My Duke, courtesy of a confident, determined and passionate American upstart, of course.

I liked this one and would recommend it to a friend.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I quite enjoyed Forever My Duke. I found myself making comparisons of Natalie's thoughts of the British aristocracy and today's politicians in America, and how the noble class in Britain thumbed their noses at the daughter of an American politician. Natalie's belief that anyone in America could be whatever they worked for regardless of the station into which they were born had me smiling while she put the duke in his proper place. I must find the first book in the series and read that!

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book, although it is the second book in a series, because I didn’t feel like I was missing anything by reading it as a stand-alone novel. It has a strong female lead who really doesn’t care about proprietary and the rules that the male lead was born into. Natalie is an American who is trying to return a friend’s son to his English family. Hadrian is a Duke who is looking for a wife. Their paths cross, but will it be for better or worse?

I really enjoyed this couple! Natalie is a no-nonsense American who contrasts nicely with Hadrian, her entirely stereotypical (on the surface!) English Duke. Watching each of them crack thru their protective shells and be able to reach out to each other was great. There were definitely some Romance Tropes in play, but I enjoy those and thought that they were done creatively and well.