One rich, handsome, stubborn, determined, knucklehead, troubled from traumatic past, reluctant & very afraid to love hero - CHECK

One sweet, sassy, very giving, caring, always wants to do the right thing heroine - CHECK

This 1 + 1 = 2 perfect for each other soulmates headed for an inevitable love showdown - CHECK MATE!

Not to worry, my fellow romance book loving friends, despite the slow build up of escalating relationship angst, this Duchess does eventually get the job done when she knocks this Duke’s knuckleheaded walls down once and for all. He’ll test your patience by then. Some may not like Matthew justifying his manipulations and reasonings like he somehow had the right to do so. At least Sarah has spunk and sass and doesn’t always make things easy for him.

Just as book 3, I enjoyed this short novella and look forward to Book 4, which will feature Athena (the heroine’s sister) falling for an unexpected love interest.

Title: A Duke for Miss Townsbridge, Series: The Townsbridges (Book 4), Author: Sophie Barnes, Pages: 118, pub date: 10/20/20, short novella, stand-alone but part of a series, HEA, reluctant & very afraid to love stubborn rich hero, sweet & sassy caring heroine, only one graphic smexy scene.

Book 1 - When Love Leads to Scandal
Book 2 - Lady Abigail’s Perfect Match
Book 3 - Falling for Mr. Townsbridge
Book 4 - A Duke for Miss Townsbridge
Book 5 - An Unexpected Temptation

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review. There is no affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author, publisher, NetGalley, or PR firm.)

The author wrote such a wonderful story. The storyline was so enticing that I could not put the story down.

It does not go as expected. Matthew, Duke of Brunswick, suddenly decides to propose to Sarah out of nowhere. What do you think that got him? A big NO! Instead Sarah decides that she must fix Matthew of whatever is making him feel so down. The way that Sarah goes about this is by befriending Matthew. I liked how these characters interacted during their friend times. The love was slow in coming and even Matthew seemed to mess that up. Even after marriage you had to wonder if Matthew can ever love. Theirs is not an easy journey but it is fulfilling. Great story.

Will he close his heart to love to protect himself from further pain ...

One more lovely read to add to the author’s list.
I love those Townsbridges, they are kind, thoughtful and unconventional.
And Sarah does blend in, considerate and attentive, she immediately recognizes a wounded creature when there is one and the Duke of Brunswick definitely enters this category.
She makes him her mission to try to help him heal. But he is a very unwilling participant.
Sarah knows it will be no easy feat to reach Mathew’s heart, he is so closed to others, he lets no one enter his inner circle. Scared by a loss that left him unable to love again, he refuses to let his heart subject to new pains. He tries to contain and control this organ, determined to never care again.
Except this miss Townsbridge sees him, and won’t let him retreat behind the walls of his soul.
But is a life without love, living or just existing.
4.5 stars

I was granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. A Duke for Miss Townsbridge is the 4th book in Sophie Barnes’s The Townsbridge Series. This novella could be read as a standalone. Sarah Townsbridge is in her sixth season and has not received a proposal of marriage, so when her mother throws a party and gentlemen are paying attention to her, she’s delighted until it all goes horribly wrong when Matthew Donovan, Duke of Brunswick, barges in, drops to one knee and proposes even though they’ve never met before. The Duke is looking for a marriage of convenience, and Sarah is not willing to settle for less than love, so Matthew will have his work cut out for him to convince her and perhaps change his mind about marriage. A feisty heroine and a damaged hero are definitely catnip to me. I just wish the story was a bit longer to allow more time to explore the characters. Steam Level: Light-Medium, Publishing Date October 20, 2020 #ADukeForMissTownsbridge #SophieBarns #HistoricalRomance #MarriageOfConvenience #bookstagram #bookstagrammer

I truly enjoyed this book. It is the 4th in a series, The Townsbridges; however, I had not previously read any of the others and I didn't feel lost which is really nice, because it means you don't have to buy all of them if you don't like the plots. That being said, now that I've read this one, I will definitely check out the others!

Sarah Townsbridge’s mother wants her daughter to get married, so she hosts a party full of eligible gentlemen in hopes her daughter will make a match, as she is on her sixth season (a virtual disaster by ton standards). Sarah really wants to marry for love, something that wasn't typical at the time. At this party, their neighbor who she's never met, but happens to be a duke asks Sarah to marry him, but she refuses him. He's completely baffled by her refusal, because he's not used to hearing no being a duke. The couple decide to get acquainted and a courtship ensues. I love a grump and a sunshine pairing and this one did not disappoint! I love a wounded hero story and this one excels in it. You will find yourself rooting for Sarah and Matthew!

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

What is a young lady to do when a man proposes abruptly and out of the blue? Miss Sarah Townsbridge says no, even though the man in question is a duke. Matthew Donovan, Duke of Brunswick, wants a quiet life with a non-interfering wife. A staggering family loss has left him vulnerable and unwilling to let anyone in. Sarah senses that Matthew needs her, but she's going to make him work for it.

This is the fourth book in the Townsbridge series. It can be read alone, although there are mentions of an event involving her sister which is a clear set up for the next story. I felt like this book was a bit of a rollercoaster. The Duke's proposal was sudden but intriguing. I liked the development of their relationship, but felt like the end was rushed and I wasn't satisfied with the romantic payoff.

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

The Duke of Brunswick proposed to Sarah Townsend having never met her.
She says no, but decides he needs attention and saving.
Book four in series of novellas. It can be read alone, but more fun if you have read others.
Reconnect with previous characters.
Characters are likeable
Quick read

Sophie Barnes is a master at the novella! Every time I read one of her novellas, it is just perfect! Characters that are developed and graphics you, quick flowing plots to move the story and an ending to delight!

As a duke, Matthew believes he should be able to marry anyone he decides on… and he decides that the perfect bride to fit into his unconventional life is his neighbour, Sarah. Since Sarah has never even met Mathew before his proposal, she decides that a courtship is needed before she make up her mind!

I was was immediately invested in the non-traditional courtship between nearly on the shelf Sarah, and her reclusive duke for a neighbour Matthew. The determination and genuine personalities of both characters carries this book off effortlessly and would leave me wanting for more if the story had not been finished up so neatly!

I adore a good romance novella and liken it to the perfect bite of chocolate; sweet, delicious and just enough to leave you satisfied!

A Duke for Miss Townsbridge by Sophie Barnes is scheduled to release October 20th, 2020.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from author Sophie Barnes through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#ADukeforMissTownsbridge #SophieBarnes #Netgalley #pinkcowlandreads

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

A Duke for Miss Townsbridge sees the eldest Townsbridge daughter, Sarah, find herself on the receiving end of a proposal from the reclusive Duke next door. Now that her three brothers are married, her mother turns her attention to Sarah, and is throwing event after event to try and find a suitor. For Matthew, Duke of Brunswick, he's been alone since he was young, and his family were killed in a carriage accident. He knows he needs to marry, and produce the requisite heir and spare, and his pretty neighbour seems to be his best chance. He doesn't want to have to appear in society much, but when it seems like he might've missed his chance, he rushes into the Townsbridge garden party, and proposes marriage. Sarah is shocked, and refuses, but soon her want to help others sees her spending more and more time with Matthew, and reconsider her answer to his proposal. Will Matthew be able to convince Sarah he's right for her, and can she show him that he deserves love?

I read the previous book in this novella series a while ago, and it was such a quick and enjoyable read that I was overjoyed when I was auto-approved for this one. Sarah and Matthew were such a cute couple, and Matthew's painful past and the way he felt like he was undeserving of love was heartbreaking. They had such a chemistry between them, and it was clear they were suited from the very first. Obviously there is some angst in the book, but all in all, such a good read, and one I enjoyed even more than Falling for Mr Townsbridge. I can't wait to read Athena's story for the fifth and final book!

Viscountess Roxley is very determined to find her daughter a husband. When the next door neighbor, the Duke of Brunswick, shows up at an afternoon gathering of potential suitors, everyone is surprised. He wasn't invited, but that doesn't stop him from immediately dropping to one knee and propose. Naturally Sarah said. "No!." Matthew's stunned. He's a Duke and no one says "No!" to a Duke! Even though Sarah Townsbridge said "NO!" she's intrigued when she sees pain in his eyes. A lovely young lady teaches her Duke not to be afraid to love.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

This book seems to ask the question, "What would happen if Sheldon Cooper were a 19th century duke?" The answer is funny and delightful. This is my first Sophie Barnes book, but I'll definitely read more.

the cover of this book is pretty and I was intrigued by the instant proposal, while enemies to lovers aren't really my thing, the premise took me by surprise.

This was a seriously disappointing read. Even leaving aside the grammatical errors, the writing was flat and clunked along with no sense of subtlety; every action and feeling is stated to the reader with the exact same emphasis, making it very hard to connect with any emotions. The duke's past trauma is especially badly dealt with; he seems to be healed instantly by someone listening to him for the first time - perhaps this is down to the briefness of the novella or the flatness of the writing, but it seems almost insultingly simple if you're used to reading sensitive, well-rounded depictions of people and their issues in historical romance.
I just couldn't believe in either hero or heroine as real people - Sarah flip-flops in personality even within the same paragraph, and her desire to 'rescue' Matthew from his pain came across as condescending rather than heroic; he, on the other hand, was so rude and bizarre that I was genuinely startled when Sarah suddenly decided she loved him after being annoyed with him for so long.
Not one for me, I'm afraid. 'Heroine gets hero to work through his deep-seated PTSD' is a well-worn trope of historical romance, and there are significantly better examples out there.

This is a first-time author for me but I love checking out new authors because there are so many amazing ones out there.

This one was a bit different than a typical historical romance. It’s a perfect balance between a gruff and tough broken soul and someone who has compassion, a great spirit, and fun in her heart.

If ever there were two more opposite people which an author tried to bring together, it would be these two characters. But Barnes did a wonderful job of balancing them. He was a hermit with a broken soul and she is almost a spinster but a wonderful spirit.

The delicate balancing act is interesting to follow and you can feel the ice breaking and the fear returning immediately after. The author puts in the perfect amount of tension, caring, and hope for the future.

While short in pages, this novella is packed with detail and a roller coaster of emotion. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring this new to me author’s work and will look for more in the future.

Talk about a first meeting -- Matthew Donovan (a duke, no less) proposes to Sarah Townsbridge -- even though they've never met. She is a loving sweet young woman, but hasn't taken in the brutal world of the ton. In her sixth season, her family is afraid she won't find a husband.
Matthew has been looking for a wife, sifting through possibilities before he settles, and Sarah is his choice. He is a damaged man, but still wants to be married, have children and live apart. But he doesn't reckon with a Townsbridge, one of a family raised to expect love and partnership in marriage. So Sarah says no — which doesn't happen to a duke — but decides to get to know Matthew better. She almost has no choice, since turning down a duke makes all her other possible suitors leave the field. And he won't change his mind, but she won't settle for a marriage of convenience. How they settle their differences is a lovely story. Read and enjoy! (I received an ARC from NetGalley. Opinions mine.)

Sarah is the typical wallflower. Sits on the sidelines waiting for something to happen. Her mom has a different idea and tries to attract men for Sarah. Sarah is finally starting to make an impression on a group of men. Enter Matthew. Disrupts Sarah's life. They try to make a go of it. Very rocky courtship! Great book...read it!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

A Duke for Miss Townsbridge definitely did not disappoint!! If you’re looking for something light and fun to read this novella is it! The whole series are really delightful!

Perfectly charming and heartwarming characters. Witty and romantic! Interesting plot that kept me thoroughly engaged throughout. Enjoyed every minute of it!

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.

I enjoyed the story and the characters. The plot was a bit predictable, but I liked how the main characters got to know each other despite Matthew’s reluctance to really commit to the relationship.