So happy I was finally able to ready this one! I read the second one first & just adored it! This book and series is so wonderful and well written! The Isle of Synne. Is just magical and I can’t wait to go back! Plus the covers are all just beautiful! Lenora is our heroine who has been left at the alter 3 times though none of them her fault. After her most recent, she goes on a summer break to Isle of Synne with her best friend. Lenora isn’t looking for love but her father is looking for an advantage through marriage….uh! Peter is our grumpy, rude, hero out for revenge! He returns from America after 13 years to take his revenge on the Duke….Peter is now the next heir. Peter and Lenora are opposites but have great chemistry between them! I loved that Peter felt protective over Lenora! It was wonderful to watch these two overcome their pasts and hang ups. Though it did take them awhile to admit their feelings. But doesn’t it always feel like forever to get to an HEA! All in all a sweet romance!

Love, love, LOVE. Such a well-deserved happy ending for two somewhat broken people who definitely need something good.

I enjoyed this grumpy/sunshine romance. While the story lagged in the middle, overall it was a very enjoyable book to read.

I can't wait to read more books in this series.

After her third broken engagement, Lenora Hartley leaves London for the Isle of Synne for a one-month reprieve in the hopes of avoiding the scandal and rumors. Knowing that upon her return Lenora will be wed to someone of her father’s choosing, Lenora is glad to get away. So, she flees to the Isle of Synne, a place she spent her summers when she was a child. Here Lenora must face the secrets of her past and figure out what she wants for her future.

Peter Ashford has returned to the Isle of Synne after thirteen years in America to exact revenge on the man who didn’t help his mother when she was dying. Peter is next in line to a dukedom that he doesn’t want, and he is fueled by his hatred and need for revenge. However, when he meets Lenora, Peter’s singular focus begins to change. Lenore touches him in a way no one has before. Will Peter put his plan for revenge aside and convince Lenora that they have a future together?

Lenora is a wonderful character. She is so kind and appreciative, and she has an easy way about her that endears her to others. She is so helpful and appreciative, and I enjoyed the complexities of her character. Burdened by guilt, shame, disappointing her father, and more, Lenora has closed herself off emotionally. She no longer paints, though it was her passion because it brings up too many feelings. She and Peter are similar in that they both struggle with their feelings, especially feelings of loss, guilt, and grief. However, they deal with their feelings and experiences in different ways.

Peter is a bit more difficult to like. He is angry and jaded, a cynical man seeking vengeance for something that happened to him and his mother over a decade ago. So intent is he on revenge that he is often cutting and rude to the people who stand in his way. Like Lenora, he has closed himself off from others. However, his single-mindedness pushes people away. He’s so unlikeable in so many ways, especially when he speaks in anger, but there’s also a vulnerable side to him that makes him unbelievably appealing. He also shows a lot of growth throughout the story, and he learned to let go of a lot of his hatred. Now, I might be a sucker for a brooding hero, but when Peter realizes and expresses his feelings for Lenora, I totally swooned!

The romance between Lenora and Peter is slow-building and explosive. They both want to be loved so badly, yet they have closed their hearts to love. However, they can’t deny their feelings for each other. One of my favorite scenes in the story is when Lenora teaches Peter how to dance. It is such a magical and swoon-worthy moment in their love story, and it showed how frightened, exhilarated, consumed, and confused each felt about their ever-growing feelings. Their chemistry is filled with sexual tension and angst, and it’s fantastic.

The side characters really shine in this story as well. Lady Tesh is an intelligent, kind, and astute woman, and her dog Freya is adorable. Lenora’s best friend Margery and Peter’s best friend Quincy are both interesting, dynamic characters, and they have larger roles in future books in the series, which is fabulous. Quincy is the focus of book two and Margery book three, and their love stories are both beautiful and poignant. What I love is that these characters are all supportive, loyal, friends who are there for each other no matter what.

This is a great start to a wonderful series, and it will definitely appeal to readers of swoon-worthy historical and regency romance. The beautiful and immersive setting, the messages of redemption, opening yourself up to love, and forgiveness, are compelling, and the love story is fantastic. Thanks so much to Christina Britton, NetGalley, and Forever for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

This is the tale of Lenora and Peter. This is the third betrothal that did not work out. She had averaged one a year. This time Lord Landon had fought a duel just This morning and he had run for the continent.
Lenora was waiting in the back of the church and her sweet cousin came from the front of the church. Telling her to get back into the carriage, quickly. She and her father got back in and headed for home. While Margery told them. Her father blamed her for it all and she hadn't even chosen him, her father had. Lenora and Margery decided to travel to Margery's grandmother's house. The Isle of Synne was where she had become betrothed the first time, Hillram. But he died. It would be nice to see gran again. So they went. Her father was a very cruel man. If it didn't help him it was not going to happen and it would be Lenora's fault. Here Lenora met Peter, he was angry and didn't want to be here.

It can be an intense and at times, a sad story. There are some twists to it, also. The characters are exciting and intriguing. The book is well written and fast-paced. Peter has a hard time keeping his anger in control. His friend Quincy is a relaxed man and light-hearted. The complete opposite of Quincy. They do feel an attraction to each other.
I also had a hard time putting the novel down, it was worth the time and I loved it.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.

Lenora Hartley has had a rough three years. She’s lost her fiancé - all three of them - to either death or bad luck, and her father is now sending her away to avoid scandal. Lenora will either wed his next suitor or face being disowned. Out of sight on the Isle of Synne, Lenora never expected to run into the tall Viking of a man named Peter Ashford, but it seems they’re to be stuck in the same residence for the next month. Lenora finds Peter rough and closed off, but sees something enticing below the surface. Peter wants to fulfill his final promise to his mother and then return to Boston, but something about the prim society lady Lenora calls to him. Just as Lenora and Peter start to get closer, they realize they both have decisions to make. Should Lenora choose what society would want and appease her father, or choose to follow her heart and passion? And does Peter choose to run away from his heart and his history, or will he go after what he wants this time?

I found the first book in the Isle of Synne series to be off to a great start. Christina Britton created some great characters while also providing a fantastic setting, rich in history, that will surely be a wonderful backdrop for all the books to come in this series. Lenora was a classic regency romance heroine, full of untapped passion and an independent streak that ensures she would never be content with just any gentleman from the ton. I loved that Britton gave Lenora an emotional backstory, one that affected both her heart and soul and needed both internal and external love to help heal. I also loved that Peter had many layers and his own troubled past, one that Lenora could help get him through. Both characters were such great complements to each other, and any strife they went through on the way to their happily-ever-after was well worth it. Britton also introduced a slew of background characters, all with unique personalities and backstories, that I’m sure (and can’t wait) to see star in their own stories later in the Isle of Synne series. A Good Duke Is Hard to Find is a great addition to the regency romance genre, and readers will love Lenora and Peter’s winding path to love.

A Good Duke Is Hard to Find was my first Christina Britton. (Thanks to Forever Pub for my free copy!) It introduces a whole cast of characters on the Isle of Synne, a picturesque island off the northern coast of Britain.

This one centers on Lenora, who has been thrice engaged but never married. After her most recent disgrace, she returns to the isle of Synne, the place of her happiest childhood memories but also the place of one of her greatest regrets. While staying with her godmother, she meets Peter Ashford, the reluctant heir to the Duke of Dane. He has returned only to seek vengeance on the duke who refused to aid his dying mother, but his quest for vengeance might end up costing him any future with Lenora.

This book sets up a great cast of characters--I loved the group dynamics between Peter and his friend Quincy and Lenora and her cousins Clara and Phoebe. I adored Lady Tesh, the elderly woman pulling the strings behind the scenes and her little fluffball Freya. I enjoyed specifically how the (invented) history of the (fictional) island was woven into the story, linking the current characters to events and people of long ago.

It has humor, it has drama, and it has steamy bits, too. This series featuring what the author calls a band of romantic misfits would be perfect for fans of Bridgerton, Lisa Kleypas, or Sarah MacLean.

Lenora's third fiancee leaves her standing at the altar, so she is exiled to the Isle of Synne. And Peter Ashford returns to the Isle to repay a debt.

This is such a great story. In their own way, both of them have to come to terms with forgiveness, guilt, and feeling like an outsider. I loved seeing the two of them draw close to each other. Their connection seems deeper than the physical. It's a slow burn romance that builds. And I loved learning the history of the Isle of Synne and the aspects of Norse mythology. It sets up a great series in which I could easily anticipate who would be the main characters of the next romance.

Thank you to Forever for this book. These opinions are my own.

Published in June of 2020, Happily the publisher gave me the first two books in the series in addition to the third that will published soon. This way I can read them in order. The story begins as Lenora Hartley is left literally standing at the alter. For the third time her engagement has not ended in marriage through no fault of her own. To avoid the inevitable scandal she flees London with her best friend Margery to stay with Lady Tesh on the Isle of Synne.

Peter Ashford in the presumptive heir of a Dukedom and comes to stay with his aunt, Lady Tesh, to keep a promise made to his mother. He has made his fortune in America and wants revenge on the current and sickly Duke. He is large and grumpy and can't take his eyes off Lenora. This allows for a fun forced proximity trope.

The characters are good and Lenora is a heroine you want to be happy. This is my first Christina Britton novel and I enjoyed her writing style. There are lots of conversations which helps move the story forward. And Lady Tesh is delightful as a maneuvering matron. I am looking forward to reading the next in the Isle of Synne series. Also kudos for the enticing cover. The book lives up to it. Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

A Good Duke Is Hard to find. (most definitely) 

I enjoyed reading this book. It kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't stop listening until I finished. Lenora was left at the altar. She was basically ruined because this was her third fiancé that left her. Her father was so angry that he has decided to arrange a marriage for her and send her to the country. She and her friend ends up going to her friend's grandmother's home on the Isle of Synne. That's where all of it began with the death of her first fiancé. Now it's where she starts the new path of her life that fate has in store. 

Lenora meets Peter after his great-aunt makes him fulfill his mothers last deathbed request. Peter is to inherit a Dukedom one that he plans to destroy to get revenge on his uncle that wouldn't help him with his mother. Will love conquer revenge? 

I liked the match between Lenora and Peter. The narrator did an amazing job capturing each character. The book is very well written, the author paid attention to detail and delivers. look forward to listening to the entire series. This is book 1 in the Isle of Synne Series. Do yourselves a favor and get started on this series.

Somehow this was my first book from Christina Britton. I’ve seen her books around, so I was surprised when I checked Goodreads that I haven’t read her books before. This is the first in the Isle of Synne series, which made me happy because I didn’t have to worry about starting a series in the middle. The second book was published in January and the third comes out in August, so I’ll have to track down copies of those.

I liked both Lenora and Peter. Lenora was instantly sympathetic as the book begins with her third finance leaving her at the alter. She then runs away to the Isle of Synne with her best friend to stay with the friend’s family, who includes the newly returned Peter. Peter returns for revenge but finds that the situation that required vengeance was not all that it seemed. Instead of being a flat revenge filled character, Peter was truly multifaceted. I especially liked Peter’s banter with his friend Quincy, which added humor to the story. I can’t wait to see where the series goes.

Thank you Forever and NetGalley for the eBook in exchange for an honest review.

Why. WHY has it taken me so long to read Historical Romance again? Seriously. This was fantastic.
.
I loved this story. The characters were fantastic. The story, well told. The steam.....perfect. Simply perfect. I was tickled to find out this is book one. Can't wait to continue this series.
.
All the love for this title. Highly recommend it.

This was my first book by this author but definitely won’t be my last!! I loved the characters and their love story. I’m so glad that I read this because it just made me happy. Very low angst and not as steamy as other romances but that didn’t bother me at all.

Wonderful story and a real page turner. I always enjoy reading her books and this has just enough sexy parts and a fun read.. Can't wait to see what she does next. Don't miss this one.

i’m so late to the game on this one, but christina continues to blow me away. engaging storylines, characters who are so tangible & relatable, & a way with words that keeps you turning the pages. one of my auto buy authors for a reason!

I enjoyed this historical romance that takes place on the Isle of Synne an island located off the North coast of Britain in 1817 Lenora Harley has now had her third betrothal broken so she leave London and travels to the Isle. Peter Ashford is our hero, a little questionable on that when I first met him as he was a brooding, crude & arrogant man who has come to Synne from Boston & he is there for revenge.

It was not love at first sight for Lenora & Peter - they are so opposite, she is everything good & he has nothing of merit to offer. I loved plotting & schemes made by Lenora's Honorary Grandmother.were great & she and her pup moved things along for Lenora & Peter. I highly recommend this first book in the new series - it proves that kindness & love conquer all.

This book was so entertaining. I was drawn into the story from the beginning and was involved until the end. The characters were complex and interesting. I found the story to be well paced and engrossing throughout the whole book. I was invested in the couple throughout the book and felt all the emotions through both the highs and lows of the story.The side characters were such an integral part of this story as well. This is the love story i needed to read at this time. If you want an entertaining and well written book this is it for you

A Good Duke is Hard to Find is the first book that I’ve read from Christina Britton, but it won’t be my last. This book follows Lenora Hartley, who has been left at the altar three times and has officially given up on the prospect of finding a husband—but that’s not stopping her father from trying to marry her off. She and her best friend decide to take a trip to the Isle of Synne to lift her spirits. There she meets Peter Ashford, heir to the isle’s dukedom. Peter is a rogue who doesn’t want to marry. Instead, he plans to be the last of the line to spurn the last duke, who failed to help Peter’s mother when she needed it. Lenora and Peter have great chemistry and there’s a lot of fun miscommunication with Lenora’s father arriving with her next fiancé. I found Britton’s use of Norse mythology, art, and storytelling to be very interesting and the book as a whole was a fun read that I just couldn’t put down.

ARC review

Writing: It was good. There wasn't any issue with it.

Characters: I liked the herione, Lenora. She has an awful father, and on top of that, she has had three fiances. Imagine a female Ross, and we get our heroine. The hero, Peter, is one stubborn, asshole. He, like Simon in The Duke and I, is determined to get revenge from a Duke who had refused to help him when he was a kid to save his mother. And now, he is determined to not continue the line and produce an heir. So, they are stuck at an impass.

Romance: There were moments where I felt that the hero and heroine connected. But their connection seemed non-existant. How and why they fell in love with each other is just a mystery to me. Frankly speaking, for the life of me, I couldn't get invested in the story. The conflict, the stakes just weren't high enough. Moreover, the hero wasn't likable to me. Also, as good as the writing is, the characters didn't stand out much.

I read this book because I'm getting through my netgalley. Without that, I would've DNFed this book.

This one had many common themes of historical romance - the arranged marriage, the revenge, escaping to America - but managed to use each to advantage in a fun story. Peter and Lenora weren't exactly a match made in heaven, especially at first, but managed to work through things personally to become what the other needed.