*** 3.5 Stars Rounded Up ***

Lenora Hartley’s journey to her HEA has been a tough one. She’s been left at the altar three times in as many years. None of them was her fault – one died in an accident, one eloped with someone else, and one left for the continent after a duel. Then, there is her father to contend with. He’s dead-set on marrying her off to his advantage – believe me, the man makes Simon Legree look like a saint. The poor woman deserves a summer break on the Isle of Synne to recover from the latest wedding debacle and her friend Margery is just the one to see that she gets there. The Isle is also where she hopes to confront and make peace with her guilt over her first fiancé.

I like a grumpy, curmudgeonly hero on occasion, but Peter Ashford really put that to the test. He wasn’t just grumpy, he was rude, hurtful, and bent on revenge no matter who it hurt – and I think he hung on to that way, way too long. When Peter was thirteen, he went to the Duke of Dane for help in saving his mother. When the duke turned him away and his mother subsequently died, Peter blamed the duke and vowed revenge. It has taken him thirteen years in America to make his fortune and return to England to exact vengeance upon the duke. The duke’s only son and heir died three years ago in an accident, the duke is gravely ill, and now Peter is the heir to the dukedom. Oh! Yes! He’ll get his pound of flesh now.

I liked the story well enough, but revenge is never my favorite trope – mostly because the person seeking revenge usually plans to hurt some innocent person in order to get back at the person they really want to hurt. I’ve never gotten how that is supposed to make sense. I thought it was well-written (though a bit draggy in spots), and I really liked the secondary characters – especially Quinton (Peter’s best friend), and Lady Tesh. I thought it had a lot of emotions and it was interesting to watch Peter try to figure out how to deal with those and come up with a HEA for himself and Lenora. I liked Quincy much better than Peter, so I’m really looking forward to the next book which will feature him.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Lenora has been ill fated as a fiancée. She wants to do her duty by her father but is causing her nothing but pain. Peter is on a mission to settle old scores when he meets Lenora. He is an angry young man. The drama builds slowly as the characters get to know each other and skirt around their feelings. There are underlying pieces at play that eventually come out and lead Peter to making the decisions that allow him to lose his anger and let love into his life.

This was a good book from start to finish. I enjoyed the plot, characters . I finished in less than two days. Def a must read

A Good Duke is Hard to Find is the first book in the Isle of Synne Series by Christina Britton. An intriguing historical romance that will take you back in time to another time. A simpler time where time seems to standstill. The characters are well-written and develop at a steady pace helping the story to unfold at the right time. A Good Duke is Hard to Find is the perfect summer read. I look forward to reading more in the Isle of Synne series.

This one was just okay. There were a few shining moments here and there but I just found myself not interested in the story at all and DNF’d at about 35%.

Christina has written a book that builds a new world with strong funny characters. I love the angst of the hero to continue down a path he has decided to go on for years to allow his heart to open and grow, love. The heroine has her own issues with not forgiving herself for something she felt was her fault. Together these two characters grow and find what they never thought they deserved. With the help of strong secondary characters I want more from this series. I can’t wait to read the next book of the Isle of Synne series.

***WANTED***

*Large Viking like man returns to the Ilse of Synne to enact revenge on the family that denied him years ago. Could you be the one to help me bring down my vengeance?

*Three time fiancee is looking for a new groom who will choose her for her… not what her after can give them. Fourth times the charm!

***

What interesting characters! An Americanized Brit with viking ancestry is our delicious hero, Peter Ashford. He has arrived not heIsle to pay a debt to his aunt and inform his uncle of his plans for vengeance. Our Heroine, Lenora Hartley has lost three fiancees and has come to the Isle to lick her wounds, while her father attempts to find her another groom. She bumps into Peter upon her arrival and he takes up much of her time and thoughts onward.

This first book in Christina Brittion’s new series starts off great; captivating characters, intriguing landscapes, plenty of sparks! Revenge and redemption play a heavy role in the plot of this book and motivates our heroine and hero’s choices. Their honest banter where superficial relationships are the norm and obvious chemistry was fun to read.

I really enjoyed this book and the pages just disappeared as I read late into the night, not willing to put it down! This was a perfect start to a new series and I am already looking forward to seeing some of these characters again in the next instalment.

A Good Duke Is Hard to Find by Christina Britton is scheduled to release June 30th, 2020.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Blog link: https://pinkcowlandreads.blogspot.com/2020/06/a-good-duke-is-hard-to-find.html

#AGoodDukeIsHardtoFind #ChristinaBritton #Netgalley #pinkcowlandreads

3 1/2 stars. A Good Duke is Hard to Find by Christina Britton was enjoyable. I liked the premise very much and I especially liked a book out and away from the London scene. Also, what's not to love about a moody hero with a death bed promise. It lagged a bit at first but kept picking up steam to a satisfying conclusion.

3.5 stars, rounded up.

To say that Miss Lenora Hartley has been unlucky in love would be an understatement, she has been engaged three times and is still unwed! After being jilted at the altar by groom number three, she decides to escape London and her father’s attempts to find her another suitor. She goes with her dearest friend Margery Kitteridge to the Isle of Synne to visit Margery’s grandmother, Viscountess Tesh. But Synne may not offer the respite she is seeking, as it stirs up memories of her first betrothed, who tragically died and with those memories comes guilt for her part in his death.

Finally back in England after making his fortune in America, Peter Ashford has waited thirteen years for this day, the day when he repays a debt and begins to enact his plan for vengeance against those he believes wronged him and caused the death of his mother. But Lady Tesh refuses his money and insists that he honor a promise he made to his dying mother – a promise to stay with Lady Tesh for a month. He refuses and while rushing out, almost plows over Lenora. He returns to the inn and relays what transpired to his good friend and business partner Quincy Nesbitt. Quincy convinces him to stay and honor the promise.

Peter and Quincy return to Lady Tesh’s and Peter bargains with her – he will stay and will attend dinners, balls and escort her – much to his annoyance. But on the bright side, he learns the lovely woman he ran into earlier – the one he hasn’t stopped thinking of, is also staying with Lady Tesh, along with his cousin, Margery. There is no denying the attraction between Peter and Lenora, but Peter won’t let anything in the way of his vengeance. Peter is the heir to the Duke of Dane, the man he holds responsible for his mother’s death. He has sworn that he will never marry and that title will die him and that he will destroy everything the Duke held dear. Lenora has her own issues to deal with including the new fiancé that her father has sent, with the clear message: accept her father’s choice or be disowned!

I thought the story was well written, but it did drag a bit and I found Peter’s single-mindedness to be a little annoying – but honestly, the vengeance trope is not my favorite as it never seems to make sense to me. I did like that this story took place outside of London and that there was a local legend woven in to the story. The book has a lot of emotion, vengeance, wonderful secondary characters, slightly warm love scenes, a bit of twist at the end and finally HEA. This was the first book in a new series and it looks like Quincy is next up, I really loved Quincy in this book so I am looking forward to his story!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by the publisher. *

Miss Lenora Hartley has lost all hope of ever marrying when her third fiancé left her at the altar. She and her best friend Marianne go to visit her friend's grandmother on the Isle of Synne to get away from the scandal. Lenora just wants some peace and quiet to recover, but that peace is shattered when she runs into Peter Ashford, the heir to the Duke of Dane. Peter has his own reasons for being there and none of them are good. Both of them need to heal from past grievances. Can they resist their growing attraction to each other and leave the past behind forever?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Ms. Britton. I loved that it took place somewhere besides the ballrooms of London. The history of Synne that was teased out throughout the book was captivating. The growing passion between Peter and Lenora was believable and I really liked that it wasn't insta-love like so many authors use. Lenora's father was a cold-hearted cruel man and his actions finally allowed Lenora to break free and decide her own fate. The secondary characters were also enjoyable.

(I sent my review to Booklist, where it may be edited.)

A Good Duke is Hard to Find (Isle of Synne, Book 1)
By Christina Britton
June 2020. 384 p. $7.99 Forever (978-1538717493).
After her third fiance leaves her at the altar, Lenora Hartley is happy to travel to her best friend’s Grandmother’s estate where she spent many happy times during childhood. The return is marred only by memories of her first fiance’s death from a horse riding accident, but she finds herself able to come to terms with that among the beautiful setting. Peter Ashford has returned from America to settle the dukedom he is about to inherit, and to enact revenge on the Duke who turned his dying mother away when Peter was thirteen. Instead, he is compelled to stay with his Aunt and falls hard for Lenora, who is staying with her. Revenge on the Duke seems less appealing. The slow flirty build up is fun and both hero and heroine grow considerably before realizing they want to spend their lives together. Fans of Grace Burrowes may also enjoy this new series.-Amy Alessio

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and although it wasn’t necessarily my cup of tea, I will give the next book in the series a shot.

I LOVE a grumpy hero and I liked Peter well enough but the revenge plot got old when it was obvious the Duke wasn’t as bad of a guy as he thought. Lenora’s hang up on her previous fiancé got a tad old, too.

The absolute best thing about this book was the side characters. I found them all to be very delightful and actually kind of wanted to read about them instead.

I am torn on this book. It was well written, but I just found myself continually frustrated with the hero and heroine. Peter has to overcome some serious issues, though he grew on me as the book continued. Britton does a good job setting up characters and the island (Isle of Synne), and she fills out the plot with a lot of angst.

I found myself more interested in the secondary characters for too much of the novel to rate it highly. I never like it when things could be resolved with one honest conversation, and I felt like that was the case here in spades.

I would be willing to read the next book in the series, if the plot sounds interesting, but this book was just okay for me.

I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher and Net Galley in return for a fair review.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
I found it got better as the story progressed, as did Peter's personality. He was a bit stubborn there in the beginning which made him less attractive. Lenora is a lovely character, who despite an odious father, has her head on straight.
It was fun seeing these two characters interact and get to know each other. The side characters were entertaining as well. Lovely setting and an all round easy read.

Give me more of the grumpy/sunshine books please! I love reading these and this book was no exception!

The setting for this book, the Isle of Synne sounded lovely and I was transported. Poor Lenora thinks she's cursed in love and so she needs to get out of London. Peter is currently on the Isle of Synne seeking vengeance. However, when these two meet, they both need to decide if they can put the past behind them for love.

I will be reading more from this author and I hope this series continues!

The author created an original and interesting plot line, but failed to back it up with three dimensional characters. Instead they seem mono-dimensional cardboard, resistant to change, adhering until the final moments to intransigently unserviceable attitudes and protectiveness. The author relied too much on trite descriptors of romantic interest cheapening what could have been much more amazing had she pictured them as people with all the messiness of true emotions. That is, once again lust substitutes in for a love based on a solid relationship. It is a good book with an interesting plot. My frustration lies in that it had such a solid foundation that it could have been a great story and instead is a more plebeian read.

This is the first book I have read by Christina Britton and it won't be the last. I like starting a story in the middle of a problem. The story starts with Lenora entering the church on her father's arm. Immediately there are whispers. She has been left at the altar again.

Lenora has been engaged three times and married not once. Her father is not a loving father and has no sympathy for his daughter. She seeks solace in her friend, Margery who decides that they must visit her grandmother, Lady Tesh on the Isle of Synne. There, Lenora must reconcile herself to the death of her first fiance. Lenora meets Peter Ashford, Lady Tesh's great-nephew. He has a grudge and lets everyone know it through his difficult attitude.

There are some surprises and explanations that I did not see coming and enjoyed. There is also some angst from Lenora but, overall, I did enjoy this book and am looking forward to the next in the series.

I want to thank Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book for free for an honest review.

There's so much to recommend this book. I really liked the island setting, it seems inspired by the Isle of Skye, I reckon, and I instantly was intrigued by the female main character, who'd been engaged three times without success. I really liked that the book used the lore and setting of this island in the story. I liked the cast of characters in the book, especially that Lenora had a good friend. In the end, though, I never hooked into the male main character. The book was billed as "grumpy and sunshine," but I guess his kind of grumpy wasn't doing it for me.

I absolutely loved this historical romance! the main characters had great chemistry, and the secondary characters added some great texture to the plot.

A Good Duke is Hard to Find
Series: 1st Book in the Isle of Synne Series
Rating: 4 stars

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.

This is the first book I read by this author and I will say that I really enjoyed this story. I loved the pace of how Lenora and Peter each day they spent together in this beautiful island fell a little more in love with each other. They were attracted to each other from the first day they met, but I liked how the author took her time to show us how their emotions played more of an important role in this story, rather than them getting physical very fast. They both find themselves healing from past events. They needed to work on those emotions before they could move on to a happier future.
I liked that the mythology of the island was a reflection of their love story. Luckily they had a better HEA. Secondary characters where very like able too.

I look forwards to reading more of this series!