Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for an ARC to read and review.

Someday My Duke Will Come by Christina Britton

Ms Britton is a new to me author and this was my first novel of her's to read. We have a story of two very nice people who had tragic events in their lives that they keep hidden and without the tragedies there would not be any drama in this story. They enter into a fake engagement and the heroine is determined not to marry because of her past. Hero discovers he's a duke with an evil mother for a duchess.

Just didn't quite hit the mark for me in terms of a memorable story. All the characters were a bit dull to be honest. I will give the author another try and read the first story in the series.

I loved this book with a witty hero who has a sad history but is more than that. The story had me smile laugh and wonder how this series/world will grow. Christina has written a book that kept me engaged and fall in love with this couple. After finishing I wanted to go back and read it again and also wanting to read the next story in the series. I recommend this book to anyone wanting a hero with a bit of a smirk and sass. I received an advanced reader copy from the author. All opinions are my own.

*3 stars*
This was pretty decent, with some gripes I had at the start and end of the story.

The middle part was the best ✨: lots of chemistry between the two leads, lots of sweet moments between them and you could clearly see their fondness for each other grow every time. Was great.

The fake engagement trope was well done, had it started sooner. The first 70-80 pages were setting up the story and was slow to get through; only then did the romance started and the plot actually moved forward. Then I felt the ending had some plot conveniences to tie up the story a bit too quickly.

Overall, a sweet story and with very little to no angst between the couple, which I really enjoyed. Though, to keep in mind trigger warnings (SPOILERS) for loss of a child.

And she was, so much more than he'd first assumed. There was heartache in her, and passion, the part of her that she kept hidden from the world as vast and unfathomable as the sea itself."

*3.5 Stars - ARC provided for review from publishers*

REVIEW
I am a huge fan of the fake-engagement trope in historical romance and really loved the way Britton went about mixing it with the friends-to-lovers trope. This is a slowburn romance and I do wish that we saw a little more of their pining for one another earlier on.

NOTE: While this can technically be read as a standalone, I think you should read the novels in order. I personally wish that I had read book one prior because a lot of the events from book one and the relationships spill over. Additionally, the characters first meet in book one and that is where their attraction blooms.

This is a romance between Lady Clara Ashford and Quincy Nesbitt, the new Duke of Reigate. Both our characters have an emotionally difficult past and they struggle with letting people into their lives. Because of this, they complimented each other wonderfully and helped one another let down their walls. They respected each other's boundaries and I really loved how deeply they cared for one another. I found the banter between Clara and Quincy hilarious and was constantly smiling at their interactions.

Clara was an emotionally complex character and I felt myself tearing up over the past she keeps hidden from everyone. I do not want to spoil what her past is, but it does involve her being ruined and keeping not only that but the results of it from everyone around her. The pain she experienced in her past has led her to shove all her dreams and wants into a box that she keeps locked deep within herself. Present day, Clara acts as the mediator and mother-hen figure for everyone around her. She prides herself on being dependable and quaint, but slowly realises through her time with Quincy that she isn't happen with the person she has molded herself into. She misses the spitfire personality she had before she was ruined and longs to let herself free.

I didn't fall in love with Quincy, but he was an amazing hero. Quincy has a scarred heart-after his father's death, he never received any love from the remaining members of his family. He resents his mother and returning to England has placed him back in her gaze. Every time Quincy interacted with his mother I wanted to jump in front and save him from her conniving wrath-thankfully, Clara did that for me. Quincy is charming, sweet, and a little mischievous. I loved how he respected Clara and saw her for the amazing woman she is.

Overall, this was a fun and quick read. While it was probably a three-star, the emotional journey of Clara led me to bump it up half a star. I will be reading more from Britton in the future and can't wait to go back and read book 1.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Still-birth

I am a big fan of Romance books and I found this one to be a very enjoyable read. I will be looking for more books from this author.

This story had a few great tropes: fake engagement, friends to lovers and neighbors. What more could you ask for? This was my first book by this author, and it won’t be my last. I enjoyed her style of writing and the story. Another Duke gets leg shackled by love. LOL

Another hit from Christina Britton. I know when I pick up one of her books, I'm in for a great read. Someday my Duke Will Come was no different. Lady Clara Ashford is completely on the shelf at 31 years old and enjoys it that way. It ensures no one finds out that she was taken advantage of and is no longer pure.

Quincy Nesbitt has had a very heartbreaking childhood and in a pickle when he becomes the Duke of Reigate, one that will easily be solved with choosing a bride quickly. I loved that you get to see their backstories and then see them fall in love. There is some banter back and forth but overall you feel them fall in love. Those are the best stories as you don't have to be told, it just feels natural.

This one is a keeper!

Reading about Quincy and Clara in 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐧’𝐬 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐌𝐲 𝐃𝐮𝐤𝐞 𝗪𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞 is equal parts heartbreaking and heart warming. ⁣
⁣
Neither of them are without flaws but together they make such a loveable couple. It was also quite a change to see an “older” heroine of 31.⁣
⁣
An engagement of convenience. What could possibly go wrong? They both realise (separately) that they are in love of course.⁣
⁣
Whilst they both had their own demons to conquer, it was a real pleasure to watch them fall in love, accept each others feelings and live out their happily ever after. ⁣
⁣
Family politics, inheritance and a mysterious past will have you on a slight emotional roller coaster ride but I promise that it’s worth every minute! This book had me turning page after page to uncover past secrets and hidden emotions.⁣
⁣
Thank you to the publisher for the arc!⁣
⁣
This book available now!⁣
⁣

Not sure what it says about this book that when I sat down to do some reviews I'd already forgotten I read it. Quincy had an interesting (and sad!) backstory, but overall I was underwhelmed by their love story. A lot of their problems could have been solved by simply standing up to the evil mother. The characters were still enjoyable even if I don't agree with their choices!

I enjoyed the book and really cared about what happened to these characters.
The plot moved quickly until about halfway through where it began to drag in spots. There were some funny exchanges between the characters in the beginning. To me, the book seemed to be mostly internal monologues and not enough interactions between the characters,

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

What a heartwarming and lovely novel!. When I read A GOOD DUKE IS HARD TO FIND last year I enjoyed it immensely and I felt in love with Christina's writing style and this second installment doesn't disappoint.

SOMEDAY MY DUKE WILL COME it's like it's predecessor a character driven novel and Quincy and Clara are such amazing protagonist you won't be able to resist them.

I read this book in small doses because at times it was too cute and perfect to handle, Quincy was such a gentleman thorugh the entire novel, he's definitely one of the best supportive, caring and kind heroes I've ever read. I adored him.

And don't let me start with Clara, she's a caretaker, always putting other above herself so it's time for her to learn that she also deserves a happy ending of her own.

Both main characters change thorugh the novel and it's like seeing a friend of yours overcome their fears and embracing a happy  future together.

I loved it. There were a few minor things that distracted me like the word mayhaps I think it was used too many times but aside from that it was a 5 stars read. I can't wait to read the next book.

First time reading this author and i did enjoy it. The characters were great and had good chemistry. I can't wait to read more books by Christina Britton.

I enjoyed this book much more than the first book in the series, though I just realized I missed Phoebe's story in between. (I did wonder, as she is engaged when this book begins). After reading this one, I am happy to go back and fill in the gaps. The secondary characters are important, so I would not recommend reading this as a standalone book.

This book focuses on Lady Clara and Quincy, who are both struggling to overcome their past. They enter into a fake engagement that they both realize they wish was real, if only they could get past their issues. I enjoyed their interactions overall. I also liked that Clara was an older (31) heroine and struggling to find her place after she had spent so much of her life caring for others.

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

Overall: ⭐⭐⭐ (3 stars)
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖 (4 books)
Romance: 💞💞💞 (3 hearts)
Feels: 🦋🦋 (2 butterflies)
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡ (2 lightnings)
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔 (4 cracked hearts)
Sensuality: 🔥🔥 (2 fires)
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑 (3 peaches)
Number of Sex Scenes: 🍆🍆🍆 (3 eggplants)

I adore this cover. That seafoam green is one of my favorite colors!

This is book 2 in the series. You will be okay reading as a stand alone, but I do think you will get much more enjoyment out of it if you read book one. The hero and heroine from book 1 are in this book quite a bit and we also get to meet both Clara and Quincy in book 1.

Clara has spent her life taking care of her family. She assists with everything she can and when her sister is set to marry, she finds herself a bit lost and losing her purpose. Quincy returns to the Isle of Synne and she realizes her attraction for him from meeting him last year hasn’t diminished. And when she finds he needs help she jumps at the chance…

Give this book a try if you are in the mood for:
- Regency time period – this takes place in 1818
- Fake engagement – Clara poses as his fiancé to help Quincy get out of an unwanted betrothal
- Experienced/ruined heroine
- Prodigal hero returns – Quincy left home at 14 and returns a number of years later (14/15 years later)
- A huge emotional pull – these characters both have a story that will grab your heart. A history, pain, but come out stronger in the end and are perfect for each other.

I really think so many will adore this book. I gave 3 stars for a number of reasons that are purely personal pickiness and I highly encourage you all to try it for yourselves as you will likely love it.

I will admit I was frustrated with how little the characters were together in the beginning of the book. It felt like ages before they even talked (and this was due to telling their individual stories. Nothing wrong with that, it’s just not what I personally prefer in romance). It was about 20% in and they had only had what felt like 2 very short conversations.

There isn’t really a villain, but the hero’s mother is extremely cruel. I think probably because I am just coming off a book with an extremely cruel mother (The Earl Next Door by Charis Michaels), I wasn’t too into this plot device. It’s also because I had a horrible MIL that was so toxic we don’t talk to her at all any more. I lived it so I don’t prefer to read it except once in a great while.

I just didn’t have a lot of feels or tension from this book. It was a pleasant read, though it won’t stick with me emotionally. Which really makes me feel like a heartless wretch because this book does have emotional pull. I just wasn’t attached to the characters enough to really feel it.

I was super excited about this book - beautiful cover! fake relationship! - and enjoyed the beginning, especially learning about Quincy's past. His relationship with Clara feels like hurt/comfort to start because Quincy learns a lot of bad news at once and Clara realizes how difficult it must be for him. This connection grows after they fall into a fake engagement and are forced to play the besotted couple.

The pages flew by until the engagement, when a bunch of things started worrying at my brain. Our couple finds themselves alone in a room a lot, but the other characters only notice once they become engaged. Clara is a caregiver sort, with empathy as her super power, and her entire characterization rests on that one fact. She takes care of her siblings, can't remember a single thing she's done for fun since she was nine, and even her occasional impulsiveness is calculated to help other people. Quincy is a great guy, but likewise his backstory overshadows any other attempts at characterization.

I hoped that powering through a couple more scenes would bring back the fun, but I'm afraid I'm letting this one go at 66%.

Once again, a solid installment in this series from Britton for me. One of the things I think this author is doing really well is incorporating tried-and-true tropes (fake engagement, surprise dukedom) in with characters we don't see a lot of in historical romance, which really breathes new life into more common romance devices. The heroine is older than the hero and not a virgin, which was refreshing, and the hero is a long-lost fourth son and later comes to learn he is a bastard as well after he inherits a title in the wake of his brothers' passing. Quincy is a different hero than Peter from the first book, a lighter character even with the tension in his existing family which prompts him to lean more towards his non-blood related connections, and Clara is the type of character who has worried about everyone else's happiness for so long that she needs someone to show her how to stop neglecting her own. The interpersonal and familial relationships are really strong in this series for me too, and like the first book, I'm always appreciative of histroms that don't always take place in London or some city setting.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It rocked my world! Are you wondering if you should read it? Check some of highlights below to see if it's the book for you...

Do you love a fake engagement? ✅
.
Do you love a sweet and sensitive hero that truly cares for the heroine’s happiness? ✅
.
Do you love a kind, loving, older (confirmed spinster) heroine? ✅
.
Do you love a sassy, witty aunt with a dog? ✅
.
Do you require a happily ever after? ✅
.
If you answer yes, proceed directly to your favorite online bookstore and click purchase. 😉
.

3.5 Stars

Someday My Duke Will Come features a delightful romance that utilizes one of my favorite romance tropes, a fake engagement.

After returning to London for the first time in nearly fifteen years, Quincy Nesbitt discovers he has unexpectedly inherited a dukedom. Despite not wanting the title, Quincy is determined to do right by the dukedom but that does not include marrying the woman who was engaged to his older brother. When Lady Clara Ashford offers him a reprieve in the form of a fake engagement, Quincy is grateful and happy for more time with the woman who has captured his attention for over a year. But when Quincy's feelings become all too real, he finds himself needing to convince Clara to give their romance a real chance.

Clara has been caring for her family since she was nine years old and her mother passed away. As a result of taking on such a role at a young age, Clara has never had time for herself. She's always thinking of her family first which leaves no time for her to have a life. The way everyone treated Clara was frustrating and I really disliked how pushy some of the people in her life were. I disliked her aunt in particular as I hated how she felt entitled to run Clara's life. Quincy's father died when he was fourteen and his life was irrevocably changed. With a mother who despised him and intended to force him into the Navy, Quincy left home, never looking back. In the fourteen years since, Quincy has built a great life for himself and is finally at a place where he can fulfill a lifelong dream to travel. That is until he inherits a bankrupt dukedom he never wanted. Quincy's family situation was tragic and it was hard watching him have to deal with his abusive mother.

Clara and Quincy's relationship starts out as a tentative friendship that slowly develops into more. I loved the fake engagement aspect of their romance and thought it was very well done. The two each have their own reasons for entering into the engagement, her wanting her family off her back about marrying and him to avoid his abusive mother from forcing an engagement with a woman of her choosing. I liked that the pair were open with each other about what they needed out of the relationship and how they developed a true friendship as a result. Clara in particular has some heartbreaking moments in her past and I liked that while Quincy was there for her, he never pushed her to share more than she was ready for. As to the steamy scenes, they are well done although there aren't many of them. Personally I would have preferred a few more as that's just how I like my romances.

Overall Someday My Duke Will Come was a very enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to the release of the third book in the series, A Duke Worth Fighting For, later this year.

2.5 Stars

Quincy Nesbit runs away from his childhood home to put as many miles as possible between him and his vile and black-hearted mother after the sudden death of his beloved father when he was fourteen years old. He overhears his mother telling his older brother that she wished to have him gone from her sight immediately and has procured him a spot in the Navy. Quincy flees refusing to let a mother who has never loved or shown him affection of any kind make decisions about his life.

Fourteen years later, Quincy returns home to find that all three of this brothers have met an unfortunate demise and he has inherited the title of Duke of Reigate along with crippling debts from the mismanagement of the estate since his father passed away. Quincy feels his dreams of traveling the world slipping away each moment that he is home. His mother wants him to marry an heiress that she has hand selected and groomed to become the next Duchess of Reigate and plans to force his hand into marrying this woman, but Lady Clara Ashford has other plans when she announces that they are engaged to be married foiling the Duchess’s plans.

The next few weeks are spent finding a way for Quincy to save the dukedom, planning the wedding of Lady Clara’s sister, uncovering the secrets of the past, and pretending to be madly in love. Things take a turn when a fake betrothal between two imperfect people with quite a few secrets and flaws between them find that maybe there is not something so fake about their feelings for each other.

“Those eyes saw too much, beckoning him into her confidence like the sirens of old. And heaven help him, just moments ago he had been prepared to gladly drown in their depths.”

This book has characters that you can root for, and that you whole-heartedly want them to get their happy ending with each other. Clara has a secret from her past that consumes every fiber of her being, and you can feel the internal struggle and grief that she feels daily. This sadness consumes her whole character, and she is completely devoid of joy or happiness. She punishes herself daily for the sins of her past.

Quincy is light-hearted despite the issues with his family, and he often tries to infuse some much-needed fun into Clara’s life to give her some true pleasure. Overall, it did not happen enough for this to bring any sort of cheerfulness to this book. It felt sad all the way through, and the reader does not find out why until well after halfway through the book. This caused the dialogue to become so stilted and boring even bordering on repetitive at times. There was none of that witty banter that you come to love when reading a historical romance. Humor was completely left out of the interactions between Quincy and Clara leaving the reader to wonder how they were going to be truly happy together in the end.

The end did wrap everything up neatly, but it felt like it took a little too long to get there. The tough conversations between these characters should have taken place a little earlier so that the reader could see their growth throughout the story. The story was well written, and the characters have real depth to them. The plot just moved a little too slow at times.

Christina Britton is a good writer, and fans of Sophie Jordan or Eloisa James should give this book a try.

~ Michelle

I really wanted to love this book, but it ended up being a bit underwhelming. I liked the premise with the fake engagement and quickly you got a good sense of the chemistry between Clara and Quincy. Despite this, I felt their interactions were really minimal through the first 40% or so of the story, and overall I felt the pacing was off. Some parts really dragged out longer than they needed and others felt rushed. While this wasn't a huge hit for me it was enjoyable and I think lots of HR fans will love.

3.5/5 stars

Thanks to the publisher for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.