I liked the heroine Jane who is a poor girl who finds herself a long lost relative of a rich and powerful family. I did not like the hero, Anthony, who is a duke who takes way too long to appreciate Jane. He seemed too stupid and, I thought, was indeed not good enough for her! I received an ARC from NetGalley and Avon for my honest review.

I recieved an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I had never read Lisa Berne before, but I saw this cover and it looked sweet. The heroine was smiling, and I just felt compelled to read it. Unfortunately, this book did not work for me.

Jane Kent comes to find out that she is an illegitimate relation to a good family, and since she has been struggling decides to pay a call on them. They completely welcome her with open arms, literally not one question asked or raise any concerns even though she is illegitimate, and they move her right in. She then starts studying with the Duke's son, Wakefield, at the vicarage. She develops a friendship with Wakefield, and eventually a friendship with his father, Anthony. Anthony has said that he refuses to marry again, and even though he loves Jane he pushes her away. He then decides he loves her and goes to marry her.

There was zero passion in this book, and I mean zero. I didn't feel like they couldn't live without each other, and how they were so miserable being apart. It just felt like it wasn't real. On top of that, the diqlogue was so repetitive at times that I just had a hard time staying invested in their conversations. I mean, how many times can someone say "that's nice" in more than one sentence, but each person says it multiple times. I want the witty banter. I want a heroine who gives the hero a tongue lashing when he pushes her away. Jane didn't throw a fit or get angry. Jane make me feel your pain and your anger at this man telling you that you never meant anything to him. It just was not believable that they were in love let alone liked each other and were going to spend their lives together. On top of that, when he finally decides he loves her she lets him back in her life with zero groveling or begging. It's I'm sorry, marry me? She says maybe for a paragraph, and then she is in love again and all in. Frustrating to read that.

Wakefield was cute, but at the same time the trick of him saying something wrong and being corrected was adorable, but overdone. Too many times, and it stops being cute and starts grating on your nerves.

I really was so excited for this book, but it just wasn't for me. It was pretty cookie cutter.

Although the authors writing is intriguing, I found myself lost in some of dialogue/ communication between the characters. In some areas there should be a pause to give the reader time to reflect on what the characters have discussed. Fill the pause with background knowledge of the characters perhaps. The writer has chosen a great plot. I did find humor in the conversations between the characters. I also like the characters. This book will do well among the writers followers. voluntary reviewed this ARC after receiving a free gifted copy. <img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/21abbc6d2f62a80d56d9e8ae6c15dff82ebee8dc" width="80" height="80" alt="25 Book Reviews" title="25 Book Reviews"/>

Very surprisingly, this syrupy sweet romance full of awkward and quirky banter between the Duke, his son Wakefield, and Jane Kent was both original and refreshing. The Duke's insecurities were endearing for the most part until it led to him hurting Jane's feelings. It was disappointing that it took him so long to see the light but at the same time, it did fit his personality. Again, not what I am used to reading but very enjoyable nonetheless.

Lisa Berne's The Worst Duke in the World is the latest in her Penhallow Dynasty series, following the illustrious Penhallow family, and it's fantastic! Jane Kent is a long-lost Penhallow relative, and arrives at Surmont Hall where she finds the family she never knew she had. She also meets Anthony Farr, Duke of Radcliffe, who might be the worst duke in the world. His primary interests are his son, his prize-winning pig, and NOT getting remarried, regardless of what his sister has to say.

The way this book is written is terribly clever and endearing; it is almost stream-of-consciousness for whichever character's point of view we are in. Through this, we are able to see just how perfect for each other Jane and Anthony are, long before they realize it themselves. Both are incredibly positive and unique individuals, and often they have the same thoughts about things, which is cute.

I really enjoyed this book. It was very low-conflict, which is so relaxing to read at times. If you are looking for a feel-good, everybody-wins romance, this is the book for you! I would definitely recommend it, and look forward to the next book in the series.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

NOTE: This review will be posted on social media the week before publication, and to retail sites the day of publication.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Was a standalone part of a series that I haven' read previously, but I so enjoyed the characters I will look for the others. A very entertaining read.

Lisa Berne is a new to me author. I loved this story. Jane was a wonderful main character. I thought that there was good pacing and plot development. I would read more books by this author.

This is the best book I have read this year. Having never read Lisa Berne previously, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it was completely unexpected. Jane and Anthony are perfect characters and I love how the author writes them. I don't think I've smiled this much while reading a book in a very long time. Readers will not be disappointed. I will definitely be picking up more of her books

This book was good, it wasn't the most amazing I've read this year but I did enjoy it. It was a touch long winded and I wished there had been some dramatic danger stirred up but the romance was nice. I did get a trifle tired of hearing the dukes son sat "thats what I said" over and over as well as the stifled way Anthony spoke. There were quite repetitive terms of "I say" and "good show" linguistics which made the book feel antiquated. While I realize the novel is a historical novel the characters need to feel somewhat modern. There were no modern ideals in the book and over all the story was lackluster and dragged on with over writing. Personally I think it needs some rewrites and a heavy dose of action to make it shine. Overall it was a sweet story, but with the content it could have just as easily been a novella instead of an over indulged novel.

After surviving a miserable arranged marriage, Anthony Farr, Duke of Radcliffe, has no interest in entering into another marriage...no matter how many debutantes his sister parades in front of him. When Miss Jane Kent arrives at the Duke's neighboring estate and befriends the Duke’s son, Anthony struggles between his bachelorhood and his growing attraction to Jane.

This is the fifth book in the Penhallow Dynasty series. It can be read alone, but it helps to have read book one. I found these characters really refreshing! Jane was a great heroine, and I really enjoyed her relationship with Anthony's son. There was humor, warmth, and I loved how the couple's friendship and relationship developed. Why four stars and not five...? The build up didn't pay off. It was almost a clean romance, which was unexpected and disappointing; and after such a lovely story, I didn't find the ending satisfying.

* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #TheWorstDukeInTheWorld #NetGalley