Sweet Regency romance... While at first it seems like the two main characters are only compatible as sparring partners, once the plot really got going, I appreciated that they functioned well as a team and weren't subject to the usual misunderstandings and miscommunications that plague many plots. The stakes were interesting in this plot, involving the interference of the Prince Regent himself. I did think that the conclusion of the book was a bit too lengthy. Once the major problems had been cleared up, there wasn't quite enough energy left to sustain the story through to its actual ending. But it was easy reading, and the pages fly by in this one!

I fell head over heels in love with this book! I'm not a big fan of romance novels and I rarely read them, usually only when the romance is combined with historical fiction. I'm so happy I requested this one though, it had me swooning from the first chapter until the last.

We meet George, a handsome duke who should've gotten married a decade ago but after being scorned by a lover he swore of marriage and women for a long time. A run-in with a health scare and with no heir to present, George realizes he has to turn the tables and find himself a bride. When he meets Susan Jennings sparks fly but not in a good way. Where some fall instantly in love, these two loathe each other from first sight. Susan is a young, clever and beautiful woman who has a hard time finding a man that can be her equal on all parts. When a twist of fate and a surprising turn of events puts these two together, they will have to find a way to turn the loathing into loving.

I picked this book up yesterday evening and I read it in one go, I just couldn't put it down. I loved both characters who are both flawed yet have pure hearts. I loved the contrast between them and what I enjoyed most was that these two sought common ground instead of focusing on differences. The author paints a very adult picture of their relationship and she lets it grow naturally. So many authors nowadays use love at first sight, which has always irked me but not Karen Tuft. She has created two very emotionally mature people who are trying to find their way in life together. The only thing I would've appreciated, is a bit more of an elaboration on both Susan and George's past loves. Other than that I truly adored this story and I might just pick up some of Karen's other books.

This is a delightful Regency romance and was different than anything I've ever read. To use Prince George as such a key player in the story was really interesting.

Susan is my kind of woman. Outspoken and blunt. I liked her a lot and appreciated her strength and ability to stand up for herself.

Aylesham (I hate it when authors name their characters with names I'm not sure how to pronounce) is a bit of a Mr. Darcy in that he's arrogant and rude at first but has a heart underneath his rough exterior.

The plot moved along a little slowly at first before the H&h have any interactions of substance but once they did it moved along nicely.

I've read two other books by Karen Tuft and both of the main characters from those books are mentioned in this book as well. She has two other Regency books that I know of that I haven't read that I believe are about characters mentioned in this book as well. Unfortunately both Goodreads and Amazon do not list these books as being part of a series. I think that's on the publisher not the author but I still think it's important. Even though they are stand alone novels I prefer to read them in order, especially if the characters are being mentioned in later books.

My last little complaint, and I'm sorry for how picky this is but to be fair I didn't dock stars for it, is that there are way too many italics used throughout the book. Way too many. I can pick up on the sarcasm and the inflections in a sentence without the italics!

Overall I would say I enjoyed the book very much.

I really thought this was going to be a great read, but the pacing and lack of communication/connection between the two leads let me down.

Up until about 70% in, I was thinking this was going to be a 4 star read. It had a solid romance building, I loved the side character of 'Aunt Margaret', and the whole makeover/Fairy Godmother-esque aspect was enjoyable to read. However, especially unfortunate due to this book being predominantly a romance, the love story just did not flow or feel right. I liked reading the interactions between Susan and Aylesham, especially in the initial stages when they go from enemies to friends. However, it was like I'd missed 50 pages at the 70% mark, the feelings they have for each other go from cordial and friendly to lovestruck in an instant? And this would be slightly understandable had they truly gotten to know each other, except somehow we as the reader know the backstory of Aylesham and his history of illness and pneumonia, as well as Susan's own past as the jilted lover, and yet they never get to know this about each other? By the end of the book, they don't know each other and that really took away both from my enjoyment of the novel, and my belief that these two were really going to last after the events of this book. That being said, I liked the writing and the build up, it's just a real shame that the last quarter or so of the book botched it for me.

2.5 stars.

** This e-ARC was provided to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, thank you!

I really enjoyed reading The Duke Meets His Match by Karen Tuft. Very sweet and clean love story.
I really loved that it wasn’t a love at first sight kind of book. It was very realistic. I would definitely recommend this book to read to anyone looking to read a clean regency romance but with depth.

This book was very detailed oriented. In the first 3%, the reader was introduced to 3 different women whose names started with 'L'. So, one would assumed one of these was the heroine? No. The opening scene was at a wedding celebration, where the hero is to make an espionage connection. The heroine, a sister to the groom, was in the library when someone walked in. She continued to read quietly and not announce her presence. Then another person walked in and there commenced a conversation applying to Napoleon. Obviously, the heroine was overhearing two spies meeting. When they were finished she waited for them to leave, then she left. But one of the person's was still there. The hero. They started a little verbal fight and both stalked off. Okay, at this point, the author must has discussed at least 13 different people. So, it is confusing as to who the main people are. As the book moves one, the first half is the beginning of them meeting. Then the second half of the book is the week before the marriage. Nothing in this book is easy to read or very cohesive. I mean how many times can the heroine say I refuse to marry, but the hero is able to convince her to marry him, to save his ass, even though they hate each other!! What? They have nothing in common except they hate each other. Oh, and the attraction to the physical attributes each other has. They eventually acknowledge their love for each other, in the week before their wedding. Again, ther is no build up of any lasting relationship. The duke, the hero, is still a cold, unfeeling block of ice that doesn't ever thaw and the heroine is a smart woman who is making a stupid decision.
I give it 2 stars because there were no grammatical errors and some people might be entertained. I was not.

Karen study has done it again! I absolutely adored this captivating and lovely story. The characters are charming and witty and the plot was engaging to the very end! I highly recommend this stunning and enthralling book! Mandy thanks to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

Susan is the typical wallflower. At the wrong place at the wrong time. Meets George and they instantly dislike each other. A year later they meet again. And a plan starts to hatch. You are taken on a rollercoaster of a ride and I enjoyed the whole time. Great book.

Grateful for a nice clean romance, but not my the best I've ever read. Was interested in the characters, and the plot had potential, but the switch from enemies to best friends and love just wasn't developed enough for me. The majority of the story takes place over a week, most of which is glazed over as "a busy time". Also took a decent amount of suspension of disbelief for the more silly plot points. That said, the writing was well done and I thought the story had a lot of potential. Would probably read another by this author, and was grateful for the ARC from NetGalley!

This is a true enemies to lovers story. It features Susan Jennings, sister of Lucas Jennings, the hero from "A Gentleman's Deception". Lord Kerrick, the spurned suitor from " Wager for a Wife" is the hero in this story; he is now the Duke of Aylesham; his given name is George Kendall.

An unfortunate and unpleasant accidental encounter leaves each of them referring to the other as "the harpy" and "His Loftiness". Without giving away spoilers, ironically those personas serve them well later in the book. Their banter is clever and witty.

Miss Jennings is unapologetically intelligent in an age when that was not considered an asset in a woman, and that's why she is unmarried at thirty *gasp!*. George, the Duke of Aylesham, is uninterested in the institution but his potential heir is unsuitable. Characters from previous novels make brief appearances, and the Prince Regent is his usual ridiculous self. It makes for good comic effect at times, especially when his "reward" is shown to be anything but. Lady Walmsley is an amusing fairy godmother. I hope more Jennings siblings get their own tales.

Well-written and clean, "The Duke Meets His Match" was originally a 4-star read for me. However, a lengthy part near the end of this novel propelled my rating to 5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and Covenant Communications for an ARC of this charming novel.

As with all other books by Karen Tuft, I loved this one! I also didn't expect it to be linked to her other books (we find the same characters in all of Karen's regency romances) so it was especially enjoyable.
Well-written, well-paced, with interesting characters, I read this book until late at night and would have even asked for more!
I enjoyed both protagonists and found them interesting: it is not often than books are centred around "on-the-shelf spinsters' that their future husband finds to be a harpy! And one doesn't often 'meet' royalty through regency romances, so it added an interesting element to the story.
I only wished there had been a little more conversation and banter, especially with Susan's quick wit, to truly see both characters fall in love, but I still liked their relationship.
Would definitely recommend and I'll read it again :)

Loved this story; the characters were fun to get to know, plot was great, enjoyed the real historic facts/people scattered throughout. I wish it had been longer though! It almost read as a long novella and I would have loved more scenes with the 2 main characters to make the enemy to lover trope even more believable.

4.5 stars

An unusual read. Took me a bit of time to get into but then it was a real gem. The hero and heroine meet and don't get on. Susan thinks George is arrogant and George thinks Susan is a harpy. Susan is 30 and a friend has offered to sponsor her and her younger sister for a London Season. The sister breaks her leg and Susan still goes as she doesn't want to let the older lady down. She meets the Duke and still thinks his suspect but then George is set up by the Prince regent. To get out of a potential marriage, George tells the Prince he's already betrothed and when asked for a name offers up Susan. The novel then takes off as Susan is most reluctant to go ahead with the plan and her arguements are reasonable. In this way George realises that he's underestimated Susan. I enjoyed their banter and it wasn't surprising that there was a HEA. I think you'll enjoy it so I heartily recommend it. The author is new to me so I'll look out for her other works.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I didn't enjoy this historical romantic as much as I would have liked. The story was slow to take off and the characters lacked chemistry. From their first encounter they seemed to be disinterested in each other and soon after meeting again all they did was picker. Expected more from this author.

What a great book! So fun. You won’t want to put it down.
At her age, Susan has been on the shelf so long she was sure she was covered in dust. She was a bluestocking who loved to read and learn, sitting in on her brothers’ lessons. She spoke her mind and was not afraid to say what she thought plainly. George was a duke who new he needed to marry but at his older age the young giggling debutantes held no appeal. With a chance meeting George quickly decides that this woman is a harpy, Susan nicknames George ‘His Loftiness’ and both hope to never see the other again. When George, the Duke of Aylesham, is summoned to meet with the Prince Regent, he is shocked to find Prinny has arranged a marriage for him. The only way to save himself is to marry and marry quickly. When pressed as to who his bride will be George is shocked to hear Susan’s name coming out of his mouth. A fun, surprising book you will not want to put it down with fun twists and turns. I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Duke Meets His Match by Karen Tuft is a great historical romance that is set in London early 1800s. The premise is the classic foes turn friends, a relationship and appreciation for one another then occurs turning into an excellent romance.

Susan Jennings, a “on the shelf spinster” and George Kendall, Duke of Aylesham do not initially think a lot of one another, however due to extenuating circumstances, are roped together into a “forced and fake” engagement. What follows is an enjoyable journey into a blossoming romance.

I enjoyed Susan. She is independent, smart, sassy, and feisty. George may find her “harpy” initially, but I find her quite wonderful. Susan may find Goerge “lofty” in his overall attitude, but the changes and growth that both exhibit during this book is a nice surprise. Both have chemistry and play off of one another well.

I enjoyed the plot, the main duo, and the full cast of secondary characters. This book is for anyone that enjoys a nice, relaxing, charming, and fun historical romance.

5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Covenant Communications for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon and B&N accounts upon publication.

Susan Jennings, an on the shelf spinster, is set to accompany her younger sister Rebecca for a season in London, but right before they are to leave, Rebecca breaks her leg. Susan desires to stay home, but Rebecca implores her to still go and write back every detail.so she can live vicariously through her. George Kendall, Duke of Aylesham is in an untenable position, Prinny, Prince of Wales, has told him that to honor him for his service to the crown, he has arranged for him to marry a foreign princess. George is stunned and says he cannot marry the princess because he is already engaged. Susan's name is the first name he can think of, and he replies that he is betrothed to Susan Jennings, the woman he calls the Harpy! The previous year Susan overheard a private conversation between George and another man, and when George confronts Susan, neither one of them were impressed with each other. George thinks of her as a harpy and Susan thinks of him as His Loftiness. Soon after Susan' comes to London George and Susan are formally introduced and their opinions of each other still stand.

I enjoy Karen Tuft's writing, and "The Duke Meets His Match," is no exception. Susan's character, is well-defined. She is intelligent, well-educated, and sparky, and she is not about to be pushed around by the Duke of Aylesham. The Duke of Aylesham is used to having his way, and he is not about to acquiece to Prinny's demands.. I thoroughly enjoyed his "I dislike you immensely, and therefore, wish to marry you proposal..

I also loved Lady Walmsley's character, who Susan soon calls her as Lady Margaret, and also her Fairy Godmother. The secondary characters of Madame Veronique as the dressmaker and her fake accent and her loving brother James were sweet additions

I received an ARC copy; the opinions expressed in this review are my own..

Get ready for a fun ride on this one as George and Susan navigate their courtship and try to evade Prinny and his ambitions. This was a fun page turner, and I enjoyed every minute.

THE DUKE MEETS HIS MATCH by KAREN TUFT is a delightful regency romance which takes place in London in 1814 - a Cinderella story with a difference. The hero, George Kendall, Duke of Aylesham, is no prince charming and the heroine, Miss Susan Jennings, is no star struck maiden - but Lady Walmsley is definitely the fairy godmother!
George's first impression of Susan is that she is a "harpy", and her impression of "his loftiness" is no better! Things get really intense when the Prince Regent comes up with a plan to enrich himself and George asks Susan to marry him in order to get out of Prinny's crosshairs!
I am not going to tell you too much about the story, except to say that I really enjoyed all the intrigue of a London season, at the time that the British were being rules by the ineffective and greedy Prince Regent, made more exciting by the expectation of Napoleon's abdication.
I recommend the book to anyone who enjoys historical romance novels.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Covenant Communications. The opinions in this review are completely my own..

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. This was a recency era romance that was clean and delightful to read. I loved how main character Susan was smart and comfortable in her own skin despite being out on the shelf. This was a story where first impressions were very wrong and two characyers, Susan and George, find love. Clean love story that was propelled by the plot. I enjoyed the living Jennings family and hope to see future novels about Rebecca, Simon or James!!!! I do wish the cover was different and more inticing. Well done overall with 5 stars!!!!!

This was such a fun book. I love the whole arranged marriage troupe. This was very well done, the enemy to lovers felt natural and not forced. It took a bit to get going but then took off. Lots of fun moments in this. I love how strong and confident yet vulnerable she was. I Love that Lady Wamsley is back! She is so much fun:} You don't need to read these in order but it's fun that way and she is a great author.