Sabrina Jeffries writes solid, enjoyable historical romances with engaging characters and smooth pacing. This one is no different. Olivia Norley is a lady chemist wit minimal social skills. When she is caught in an awkward situation with Marlowe Drake, Duke of Thornstock, she rejects his forced offer of marriage. Years later they reunite when Olivia is hired to test Thorn's half-brother's father's body for evidence of arsenic (it's complicated). Thorn is really quite confused about his attraction for Olivia, but gradually comes to see her value. There are some explosive events and some clues to the mystery are revealed as Thorn and Olivia make their way to their HEA.

I am enjoying this series and its running mystery. Thank you to Ms. Jeffries for including a family tree; you definitely need it to keep track of this complicated family. I'm eagerly looking forward to the final installment when all will be revealed. Nice book!

ARC provided through Netgalley.

Miss Olivia Norley loves chemistry and would be perfectly content to spend her life in a lab instead of attending all of these balls to please her stepmother. When Olivia runs into Marlowe "Thorn" Drake, the Duke of Thornstock the chemistry really heats up and these two get caught in a compromising position. Thorn does the proper thing and makes an offer of marriage for Olivia. To his surprise she turns him down!

Nine years later Thorn's half-brother, Grey hires Olivia to conduct some experiments to determine if Grey's father was poisoned with arsenic. Thorn doesn't trust Olivia so he decides to tag along. Of course the more time Thorn and Olivia spend together, the more their feelings continue to grow. When it becomes obvious that someone does not want Olivia to conduct her experiments, Thorn is determined to protect the woman he has grown to love. Now he just needs to let her in on a little secret he has been keeping which may just change they way she feels about him. Just when it looks like a happy ending for Thorn and Olivia.....everything blows up in their faces. It will take a lot of soul searching for these two to find their hearts but in the end it was all worth it.

I just adored Olivia. Anytime there is a sassy, intelligent female in a Regency historical romance she usually ends up running the show! Olivia knows that she doesn't need a man in her life, but she certainly didn't mind having Thorn around! ;) I really enjoyed Thorn too. He was a typical alpha male but was still fun and witty. I really enjoyed their story and can't wait to find out the conclusion of the mystery as to who killed all of the dukes.

I am enjoying this series so much! Two dukes and the daughter and second son of a duke (all sharing the same mother) who choose their spouses, not because of rank, but because they genuinely love each other (not something ordinarily done during the Regency era). Marlowe Drake, the Duke of Thornstock, and Olivia Norley first met 9 years ago at a party where they ended up in the library kissing (quite innocently, of course) but Miss Norley's stepmother walks in on them and blackmails Thorn into proposing marriage to Olivia, unbeknownst to Olivia. Olivia unwittingly foils her stepmother's plan by refusing to accept his proposal. Now, 9 years later, they meet again when his stepbrother, the Duke of Greycourt, hires her for her chemistry skills. She has decided she will be a spinster because no man would allow her to continue practicing her chemistry and she enjoys it far and above anything else. Once they renew their acquaintance, they come to realize that they are well suited and he, again, proposes to her. This time she accepts; but Thorn has a secret that Olivia will discover on her own and, feeling betrayed by the one person she thought knew and loved her for herself, she runs home to lick her wounds. I believe this book could be read as a stand alone, but there is a second story line that runs through the series, so it would be much more enjoyable if you have read Project Duchess and The Bachelor before you read this book. I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

t’s time to return once again to the ‘Duke Dynasty‘ series for another visit with an intriguing family, a murder mystery that has played a part (and continues to) throughout the series, and discover that people aren’t always as we first thought – something that Olivia and Thorn will discover in ‘Who Wants to Marry A Duke‘.

Once upon a time, Olivia’s mother interrupted a kiss between Thorn and Olivia – and as any loving mother would do (yeah, right) set out to force Thorn into an engagement or she would release sensitive information about his family to the gossipmongers of the ton. To say that kiss changed a lot of things for both Thorn and Olivia would be an understatement – it practically ruined them both and caused a rift within one family, and the constant suspicions of another.

Now, nine years after that kiss, Thorn’s family (Grey in particular) is asking Olivia’s expert opinion about the possibility of arsenic poisoning as the cause of Grey’s father’s death. Chemistry is a fascination for Olivia and a profession as well, perhaps not many women are in her field (yet) but that’s not going to stop her from following her own path to a career that she loves and could help others. Unfortunately, Thorn has not lost one bit of his anger nor suspicions about Olivia and has vowed to follow her every move closely to prove she’s out to harm his family.

‘Who Wants to Marry A Duke‘ had me hooked in the opening chapter and never, ever let go of my attention – or my laughter, my heart-felt sighs, or my annoyance at one stubborn man. I adored Olivia, her passion for her work, her good heart, and her love for a most annoying man all made sure that I was definitely on Team Olivia throughout. Thorn. *sigh* What a pompous, arrogant, stubborn jerk of a man-child he was for a great deal of their romance. Oh, he’s sex on a stick for certain – but arrogance doesn’t work well with sexy, for me at least. It took a long time for Thorn to redeem himself in my eyes. He won me over, eventually, for you could feel the emotional and physical attraction between this couple – even if Thorn was determined to be a jerk.

I’m enjoying the arch of murder that continues through every story in this series. There are clues galore, red herrings I’m certain, are tossed about with abandon – and I’m loving it as I try to figure the puzzle out. I doubt that I will before the series ending, but it’s fun to add new information with each book and ask myself, “I wonder if it’s__”. In all, I had a blast back in this world once again. I am a reader who tries to follow a series in order, I know not everyone (including me) can actually do that… but, ‘Duke Dynasty‘ is one of those series that builds somewhat on the previous titles so if you can I’d recommend reading in order – besides, they’re all intense, intriguing romances that you’ll enjoy.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Kensington Books via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Mysteries continue!

So the gaining of a spouse by a ducally family member despite all odds falls once more within the orbit revolving about Lydia Fletcher, the Dower Duchess. Not that Lydia is a party to this latest event
Indeed her son Marlowe Drake, the Duke of Thornstock managed and mismanaged the finding of a wife all by himself.
The first time around with the chemistry research fixated, Miss Olivia Norley he managed to misread her, kiss her in a library during a ball, be discovered, and do the right thing--propose. Two problems arose. Thorn believed that Olivia had deliberately trapped him. Not so! Secondly, Olivia was not looking for a husband despite the pressure being brought to bear on her. She was looking for acceptance as a serious scientist. The second time around with Olivia was equally as eventful.
Running apace of these happenings, the step siblings including Grey, Thorn, Gwyn and Sheridan are trying to find out if Grey's father, and possibly their own, had indeed been murdered without letting on to their mother Lydia.
And this is where the later meeting between Thorn and Olivia comes to pass, as Olivia starts those investigations . Grey has hired Olivia to test parts of his father's exhumed body for poisoning.
There's a fair amount of excitement on all fronts as this particular piece of the saga continues. Olivia becomes a target. There's drama and rekindled romance.
This is a reasonably satisfying addition to the overall arc, despite my losing patience with Thorn. I will say that I preferred Joshua and Gwyn's tale somewhat more.

A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Nine years ago Miss Olivia Norley & Marlowe Drake, the Duke of Thornstock shared a kiss but they were caught by her step mother who then blackmailed Thorn into proposing but Olivia refused. But Thorn has not forgotten - or forgiven - the shocking blackmail scheme sparked by that single kiss. Now Thorn's half-brother, Grey, has hired the brilliant Miss Norley for her scientific expertise in solving a family mystery. And the once-burned Thorn, suspicious of her motives, vows to follow her every move. For Olivia, determining whether arsenic poisoning killed Grey's father is the pioneering experiment that could make her career - and Thorn's constant presence is merely a distraction. But someone has explosive plans to derail her search.
This is the third book in this enthralling series whilst it could just be read on its own I’d definitely recommend reading the series from the beginning as the mystery surrounding the deaths of the husbands of Thorn’s mother is ongoing throughout the series. The mystery isn’t solved but this book does provide more clues as to the murderer. I found this book very hard to put down & read it in two sittings. A fast paced story & wonderful characters added to my enjoyment. I loved both Thorn & Olivia, both remembered their kiss from nearly a decade before & their attraction sizzled, I loved how their relationship developed & it was explosive. I eagerly await the next book
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

This book was so good! I love Sabrina Jeffries and now I really can’t wait for what comes next in this series, because we just seem to learn a little bit more about the overarching mystery in each book.

Thorn and Olivia get caught in a compromising position when they are young. She refuses his half hearted proposal. Now 10 years later she’s an accomplished chemist set to discover if Thorn’s half brothers father was murdered.

The two are older, but the attraction is still there. They struggle to trust each other based on assumptions, but they respect each other too. The relationship was fun and the mystery adds a sense of suspense to the book.

Highly entertaining book. It is a sort of second chance romance. The young hero misinterprets the kind act of the young innocent heroine and quickly judges her. Several years later they meet again and the connection was still there but the hero has a lot of misgivings and mistrust. The heroine stood her ground. Their exchange was entertaining. It was also nice to read about a chemist heroine. She was very direct and genuine. The hero in all his mistrust almost ruined things with the heroine. It was also nice to read about the other characters and they murder mystery. I am glad I was granted A copy from Net Galley. It made me want to read the other books in the series.

This is the third book in Sabrina Jeffries Duke Dynasty series, it's Thorn's (The Duke of Thornstock) and Olivia's story and is fun and sexy with a touch of intrigue. Olivia is an anomaly for a woman of her time...a bluestocking and a chemist. Thorn is suspicious of Olivia after her stepmother tried to blackmail him into marrying her when they were caught kissing 9 years ago. Thorn proposed but Olivia declined....she wanted to be a chemist. After Thorn's stepbrother Grey enlists Olivia's help in determining if his father was poisoned they are thrown together again. Although still distrustful Thorn is drawn to her. Olivia remembers how much she liked kissing Thorn, in fact she still does. Her reactions to the feelings and reactions she has to their kissing...and where it eventually leads...are sweet and sexy. After a rocky start Thorn proves to be a good match for Olivia. While part of the mystery solved in this book the final truth is still waiting to be solved...probably in the next book.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review..

This was an entertaining, well-written historical romance. Olivia has the chance to conduct an experiment and show that she is a qualified scientist. She has the opportunity, but it means facing Thorn, the Duke of Thornstock, again. Neither of them have forgotten the scandal that occurred in the past when they were caught kissing. The story has romance, passion, intrigue and a mystery. The book moved quickly and was hard to put down. I enjoyed this book and will definitely read more books by this author.

This time around...... Absolutely enjoyed reading this very entertaining story as the characters mettle through the misgivings, mysteries, misunderstandings and secrets with an undercurrent of emotional feelings for one
that must be denied or else, lol. Jaw dropping experience for me both with laughter and shock, fully engaged from beginning to end and read this nonstop. I love Olivia and how her character stands for what she desires in life instead of and in spite of the expectations of society. I just love it when the society ladies go against the grain and choose to free themselves to be themselves regardless of the consequences. She's so smart, independent, straight-forward, bold and brave in her choices, the Duke has met his match. The Duke is as arrogant as the title requires, they have like minds, very determinedly, about never being a couple yet their chemistry still remains and draws them to one another even as so many of their differences of opinions (basically on everything else) pull them apart. Never a dull moment.....

I really enjoyed this book overall. For some reason, I don't remember Thorn being this grumpy but that's okay I like grumpy heroes. Anyway, I liked that he was drawn to Olivia because she wasn't anything like other debutantes. Olivia is a little socially awkward but he feels the same and being with her puts him at ease.

Marlowe Drake, the Duke of Thornstock first met Miss Olivia Norley nine years earlier. They shared a kiss, one he hasn't forgotten. But he also hasn't forgotten or forgiven that it lead to blackmail sparked by that kiss.

Now Thorn's half-brother Grey has hired Miss Norley for her knowledge as a chemist to help solve a troubling family mystery. Thorn convinced that Olivia is up to no good invites himself to his brother's estate to keep an eye on her.

Figuring out if Grey's father was killed by arsenic poisoning might just be the experiment that helps launch her career. Thorn's presence is proving to be distracting.

When someone destroys her laboratory, the brothers realize their suspicions might be right. Thorn whisks her to his estate so she can continue her work and he can keep her close and safe.

Thanks so much to the publishers and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC.

STILL LOVE THE SERIES, BUT THIS BOOK FELL SHORT OF THE OTHERS

This was still a good read, no doubt about it! It just didn't live up to the standart of the rest of the series. The chemistry of the two MC's didn't jump off the pages and the male lead Thorn let me down. However, I loved how the plot thickened and I am still very excited for the last in this series about Sheridan!

👍 WHAT I LIKED 👍

Plot: The siblings are delving deeper in the mysterious deaths of their fathers. I really liked how the plot slowly unraveled and still didn't offer any real leads. I was really drawn into the mystery and much as I tried, I couldn't figure it out (not yet anyway) so I am very much looking forward to the big reveal in the next book.

Olivia: Many Historical Romances have nerdy heroines who prefer books to social encounters. Olivia was, in that sense, not any different. Still, I liked how her nerdiness deviated from many others because it was more scientific and professional. She studied chemistry, wanted to experiment and publish her findings and even dreamed of making it a way of life. I particularly liked that she wanted to be a self-made woman.

👎 WHAT I DISLIKED 👎

Thorn: There was just something about Thorn that I couldn't like. I didn't get his motivations - I didn't understand why he was so guarded and cynical. Nine years before the events of this book, Olivia and Thorn are caught in a compromising embrace and he reluctantly proposes to her. When she refuses, in stead of being relieved, Thorn turns around and becomes angry, acting in a much childish and petulant way. I really didn't understand this side of his personality and it was very unattractive.

Chemistry: Olivia and Thorn have a second-chance love, which is something I usually enjoy. However, I just couldn't feel the chemistry between these two. I didn't feel their romance, I couldn't get into it. Probably because I didn't really like Thorn...

Thank you Kensington Books and Net Galley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A big fan of Sabrina Jeffries, this was an instant request for me.

A heroin who is determined to become a chemist, especially in a time when women did not work in these sort of fields. Absolutely LOVED Olivia. I did have some mixed feelings about Thorn though. He was cynical bitter man , but enjoyed watching him realize that Olivia is THE ONE for him.

Nothing but praise for this this book, now I need to go read the first 2 books in the series :)

He's frivolous and shallow, she's a chemist.

I have to say, I really did not like Thorn . He;'s a duke and I just found him shallow, frivolous and extremely wearing. He's miffed for no reason when Olivia wouldn't accept his very reluctant proposal (they were caught by his own doing in a compromising position). Fast forward ten years and he's done nothing with his life but be idle and a rakehell. As a chemist, Olivia may want to test him for, well. You know.

What I did like is Olivia. She's a chemist and trying to find out if a duke was poisoned by arsenic. She's made herself useful and interesting.

In a role reversal Olivia is the guy, literal, a bit socially inept. All good things.
Thorn is highly emotional, over dramatic and irrational. He jumps to wild suppositions and to say he has an overactive imagination is a mild under statement.

I still recommend, but honestly, Olivia deserved a better man. Not one who wrote satirical plays based on her and her stepmother. That's just petty and mean.
3.5

-- Read this review, and others, on my blog at www.hookedbythatbook.com --

I was really looking forward to reading Thorn’s story, and I wasn’t disappointed.

Thorn is hiding a big secret from his family, something that could be scandalous should it come to light. All Olivia wants to do is chemistry, and be properly recognized for her efforts. They met as young people by chance, and Olivia turned down Thorn’s forced marriage proposal. Now, years later, both are older and wiser, but still as wildly attracted to each other as before.

I love both Thorn and Olivia, and they work well together as a couple. With witty banter and an intriguing plot, the story pulled me in and kept my attention all the way to the end. Thorn’s half-brother and twin sister, and their spouses, also make an appearance.

I can’t wait to continue this saga and find out what really happened to this interesting family.

Thank you to Kensington Books and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This third entry to Jeffries’ “Duke Dynasty” series finally put the mystery of the thrice widowed Duchess - mother of the Dukes brothers - more winded into the plot. Those following this series would already have their own suspect among figures close to the family. WHO WANTS TO MARRY A DUKE not only added a name (on the suspect list) it also reunite Thorn with a girl from his past; the one who got away, so to say.

I was curious about this particular sibling considering the story between him and his twin (heroine of the previous book). His history with Olivia (and her stepmother) was an added bonus. BUT as the story progressed I was left flabbergasted by the two leading characters for this book. For all his distrust and assumption (that he knew better than others) he was rather negligently dim himself (to the point of almost causing disaster). Olivia was no better with her distrust and assumption herself. These two were practically basing those on an incident and let it ruled their life (for want of making a dramatic impact).

The romance itself left me wanting as they felt too abrupt and unconvincing to me. The hostility born out of “misunderstanding” that was cooked-up to an orbital point (and the offender got the nerve to felt affronted over said hearsay of their own making!) made them wary of practically everything. It would’ve be interesting when they realized what had actually happened... except they STILL clung to that belief. It’s an exhausting romance to follow (the pair seemed to find any excuse to think bad of the other).

The silver lining of this entry was that the mystery the family trying to solve is now out in the open. For that reason I’ll be looking forward to the next installment, presumably the finale of this series. Here’s hope that the tale would grip me more than I found with this book.


Copy of this book is kindly given by the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the third book in the Duke Dynasty series by Sabrina Jeffries.
The setting is great and I enjoyed Olivia being a chemist in a time when women weren’t seen in this role.
I loved Thorn’s transformation into a man worthy of Olivia.
I can’t wait for the next book!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars
Trope is Enemies to lover/second chance at love

This book was given to me as a arc from netgalley for an honest review. These are my thoughts and my honest opinion of this book. Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity.

1800 Thorn and Olivia meets. When they meet, There is instant attraction between the two to the point where they share a kiss in private, then they caught by Olivia's step mother. He has it in his head she and her stepmother planned this out to trap him into marriage.

The step mother then blackmails Thorn into doing the right thing. So he proposes the very next morning just to be turned down.

This is where I got a bit confused. He doesn't want to get married but he is upset she turns him down. Why? I think He should've been happy and felt relieved he got off the hook. Instead he feels anger, betrayal, and holds a grudge.

1809 they meet again. Thorn's older brother the Duke of Greycourt is recommended Olivia by several peers and she is to investigate the murder of his father. She's an established chemist and will use her expertise to see if his father was poisoned. Thorn is completely against Olivia but he has no choice. Therefore he tags along and see if shes competent in her work or if she's a fraud.

Meeting again after 9 years the sparks are still there. While he investigates her and tags along there is a murderer on the loose who doesn't want her to find out the truth. A incident takes place where olivia could've died. He becomes really protective of her and they begin to fall for another until they're in love.

I really liked Olivia and her goal oriented personality. She's strong and has a backbone. She's also not your normal heroine, she's a scientist and doesn't let anyone get in her way in her choice of career. Thorn is a jerk but changes his ways and learns to trust. He a little thick headed until he realizes he wants and needs her.

I wouldn't recommend this book as a standalone as it has other characters from prior books in and out. You get to see a glimpse of everyone's personality and bits and pieces of their stories. This is the 3rd installment in the Duke Dynasty series.

Between 1-5
Character build up: 4
Steam/Heat: 3
Emotional build up: 2.5

<strong>Chemistry is Everything! </strong>
******
Overall Rating: 5 Stars
Kindle Unlimited: No
Standalone: Yes
Steam: 2 flames!
******
This is Thorn's book. The Duke of Thornstock, he is one of Lydia Fletcher's five children from her three husbands. In previous books we have been leading up to one heck of a whodunit.... but this book kicked it up a notch! In this book Grey, Duke of Greycourt has asked a chemist to look into his father's death. He no longer feels his father died of ague but instead...was murdered by poison! Arsenic to be specific!
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But first we must go back 9 years...to a ball when Thorn was just 21 and newly titled. He runs into an unusual young lady, literally and spills a drink all over his clothing. Ms. Olivia Norley, the unusual young lady, has just the answer for that stain, because she studies chemistry...a little dab of champagne and bicarbonate of soda (which she just happens to have in her purse) will do the trick. The two of them wander off to a room alone, and Olivia gets to work on that stain, while a young Thorn, gets to work on figuring out how who this young woman is, and maybe a little kissing...Scandalous! You know this cannot go well right? Olivia and Thorn get caught in the room alone and Olivia’s mother instantly demands he be at her townhome in the morning or else! Or else she will share a secret that will ruin his mother and family...
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Thorn feels like Olivia and her mother have set him up and he angry, and poor Olivia is just embarrassed. Thorn shows up the next day to request Olivia's hand in marriage, but our unusual young woman is more perceptive than most and not looking to trap an unhappy man in marriage...and she declines.
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Nine years pass before these two see each other again, and Thorn has become well-known for his wild and wicked ways. Olivia, now 26 considers herself a spinster and focuses solely on science. Now, back to the plot. Grey suspects his father was murdered and has asked Olivia to come to his estate and run chemical tests on his father's remains to see if she can prove it. Thorn, still carrying all the distrust from nine years ago, decides he will come to the estate too, to keep an eye on the devious Olivia. Hmmm, somehow, I think more kissing might be involved...because you know, chemistry (see what I did there). But, can Thorn let his distrust go and will he fall in love?
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This book was great! It had secrets, suspense, chemistry, sabotage, steam, great characters and fabulous plot! truly couldn't ask for more... Folks, we are getting close to big reveal and I think we will soon find out that maybe, Lydia Fletcher's many husbands deaths and other sabotage events may all be connected and something sinister has been going on for years! I cannot wait for the next book because it is really getting good! This series gets all my recommendations and I loved Thorn and Olivia's story!
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