This is a great book to dive into, even if you haven't read the first book. The romance was very well crafted and draws you in instantly. I adored this couple and know others will too.

My heart was aflutter from page one of this new Lorraine Heath novel, the second in her Once Upon a Dukedom series. This book is so smart and so swoony all at once, with a starchy, broody duke and his buttoned up secretary he can’t help but fall for.

It’s VICTORIAN BOSS/SECRETARY. AND HE’S A DUKE.

What is it about heroines named Penelope that make them the most charming, competent, delightful historical romance heroines of all time? This heroine is a seasoned 28, a commoner, with a traumatic, mysterious past, who is the duke’s right hand. She has been tasked with finding him the perfect wife, even as she knows she has already lost her heart to him. And Hugh is a big ding-dong who is determined to marry a young, eligible debutante because he believes he is incapable of love. Alas.

I love the world that Lorraine Heath has created, it’s rich and vibrant. This book even more than any of her others is so sex positive and so deftly navigates consent, as is necessitated by the boss/secretary dynamic. Along with this dynamic, the two struggle with their different social roles of noble and commoner, as well as their scandalous pasts, and this allows these characters to really grapple with equity in their relationship in a way that is so satisfying. By the end, Hugh and Penelope love each other as equals and are equal partners in their relationship. These characters are complex and honest and all together human.

As always with Lorraine Heath books, I don’t think the title quite captures the wit or the grandeur of the romance but alas, what can you do?

My heart is still aflutter days later. This book is magnificent. I expect it from Lorraine Heath but still, I was blown away.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC.

CW: child abuse, forced psychiatric institutionalization, underage survival sex work

After reading Scoundrel of My Heart, I wasn't exactly yearning for the Duke of Kingsland's love story. He seemed so clinical and remote, not at all full of great passion or desire.

Was I ever wrong!

In The Duchess Hunt, we get a better sense of why Kingsland and Kathryn Lambert would never suit: she, of course, loves Griff, and he loves and is loved by his secretary, Penelope Pettypeace. Penelope is aware of her love for him from the beginning of this novel, and as readers, we get to enjoy watching him come to the realization that everyone else (except Penelope) has already had: he can't live without her.

The titular duchess hunt that Kingsland assigns to Pettypeace--find his future duchess from the responses he's received to an advert he'd placed to solicit applications--moves the plot along at times, but from the beginning, it's clear that the assignment is doomed to fail. Or rather, it's unnecessary, as Pettypeace (soon to be Penelope to his Hugh) is clearly his match. Both have serious secrets to protect, which have made them guarded and reluctant to trust. This makes it more of a treat to watch this relationship deepen as they open up to one another.

It's a relationship that from the first page seems rich in respect, admiration, and trust, even if primarily professional at that point. It feels so honest and nuanced, the transformation from colleagues to lovers seems natural. What's even better is that they are so evenly matched: both complex, both characters you hope will find their happy ending. And for readers of Scoundrel of My Heart, there is the added reward of discovering that Kingsland is so much more than the cold, remote man he first seemed.

This is such an unexpected delight. I can't wait for the next book (perhaps Marcus's?) in the series.

The Duchess Hunt is the second book in the Once Upon a Dukedom series. Introduced in book one, Scoundrel of My Heart, the Duke of Kingsland placed an advert in the paper for his duchess.

After his failure with Lady Kathryn, Hugh Brinsley-Norton, the Duke of Kingsland, is back on the marriage mart and still needs a duchess. He doesn’t have patience or time for love or courtship, so he places the second advert in the paper asking ladies of the ton to write to him why they should be his duchess. He then gives the task of reading letters to his efficient secretary Penelope Pettypeace.

Penelope has worked for the Duke for eight years. While they have had a purely professional relationship, she is secretly in love with Kingsland and acceptance that it will remain unrequited. This book is unwinding Pettypeace and Kings’ roles in their relationship as they fall into each other and love.

This book felt like a labor of love for Heath. She’s an excellent storyteller, but this book was unique. After Scoundrel of My Heart, I was looking forward to Wolf’s story. It’s almost like she meant to write another book but took a detour and had to write this minor character’s story. I loved that you feel Kingsland and Pettypeace’s relationship unfold and fall in love throughout the book.

I didn’t expect to love this book as much as I did. Or to come to love Kingsland as much as I did. I also loved that Pettypeace is a powerful heroine and stands on her own. It would be easy for her to defer to the duke because he’s her boss, but instead, she’s his equal and makes him work for her love.

Overall, I highly recommend and look forward to Wolf’s story next! This whole series is excellent, and Heath does not disappoint. Also, I love how interconnected her characters are. It’s always lovely when former H/h(s) drop in.

I loved this story! Penelope was an amazing heroine and I loved her strength. She was so competent and independent. She took her success as her due because she worked so hard for it. LOVED HER! Hugh was a little clueless in the beginning but his drive matched hers for success. Also he was very open-minded for that time with regards to having her a female secretary. I liked how he didn't dismiss her ideas, also the way he subtly changed in his feelings for her. It was a beautifully written story and I wish I could read it again like it was the first time.

Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for the ARC to read and review.

Miss Pettypeace and the Duke. The Duke of Kingsland (King) was everything I like in a brooding hero. Tormented childhood. Repressed emotions. Oblivious to what's right in front of him. So it was very satisfying to witness his completely succumbing to his Girl Friday, Miss Pettypeace.

I am now anxiously awaiting the stories of the Chessman. Ms Chase knows how to keep readers around for more. She is a master of the historical romance.

The Duchess Hunt
Pettypeace (Penelope) and Hugh
Lorraine Heath
Lorraine Heath delivers another outstanding tale of romance in the late 1800s. Hugh, Duke of Kingsland, has done the highly unusual: hired a female secretary, Pettypeace. She is amazingly efficient and has earned her way into almost every aspect of his life. She is even given the task of a duchess hunt for him. Neither of them recognize that Pettypeace has earned her way into the last corner of his life - as his love. Don’t worry that there is any inappropriate boss/employee coercion. Ms. Heath goes to great pains to assure us it is consensual. And sexy as well. The characters are truly multidimensional and well written. We learn heart-wrenching secrets about both of them as well as seeing their romance story. The plot is interesting with a few twists to keep it up.
I would recommend this book to my patrons.

Oh, Lorraine Heath. I don't think it's possible for her to write a book I don't love immediately. The Duchess Hunt, the second in the Once Upon a Dukedom series, is no exception to that.

Hugh, the Duke of Kingsland, is in need of an heir, but has no wish to waste time trying to find a bride. He's placed an advertisement for a duchess, and set his faithful secretary, Penelope, to work to sort through the candidates and choose him a wife. The most important talent she must possess: to be quiet. Kingsland is devoted to investing and making money, and as a genius has little time for conversation. Penelope Pettypeace, his secretary, sets out to do the job the very best she can - the only problem is that she is in love with the duke!

This book is wonderful. The mutual pining between Hugh and Penelope, the attraction they both try in vain to fight, all of it is perfect. The plot moves pretty slowly until the second half, but the characters are developed so wonderfully that it hardly matters.

As always, Heath tackles subjects with aplomb that in the hands of other authors might have fallen flat. The way she deals with female agency and female sexuality in this book is spot-on. Penelope is strong and fearless, while still being feminine and vulnerable.

Overall this is a wonderful book and I'm only sorry I have to wait to read the next one!



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

The Duchess Hunt. Penelope is the very efficient secretary to the Duke of Kingsdale, his indispensable right hand. She's been charged with finding him a silent, biddable wife. The only problem is that she's in love with him.

I found the pacing on this book kind of strange. The first half is entirely set-up of the love affair. The Duke suddenly... really quite out of the blue...decides he's attracted to Penelope after 8 years. At about the halfway point, we are suddenly introduced to the two main characters' secrets, with some foreshadowing on her part, but very little about his. I could have used a better integration of the romance and the mystery/scandal. It felt like the author had a bit of trouble weaving them together.

The writing is somewhat florid and overwrought, in an older style, so the book didn't feel very fresh to me.

ARC courtesy of #NetGalley, opinions my own.

This is Penelope and Hugh’s story. Penelope has a has a past. She is his ever efficient secretary. Hugh is searching for the perfect duchess. He has tasked Penelope with choosing his duchess. They desire each other. A secret from Penelope’s past comes to light. In the end will they find true love. I thought the story was incredibly well written. I loved how other characters from Heath’s books are intertwined in the story. I can’t wait for the next book.

Another fantastic book in the series. There is just something magical about the way Lorraine Heath writes that holds you captivated. The Duchess Hunt is about a Duke and his very capable secretary. Hugh, the Duke, has employed Penelope for 8 years, but he has never really seen her. Things take a turn when Penelope is tasked with finding the perfect bride for Hugh. Their journey is heartwarming, steamy, and absolutely unforgettable!

For some reason the last paragraph was like a punch to the stomach. I was already teary eyed at the end, but once I read the very last paragraph... hello Niagara Falls.

I just can't describe how much I love this book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I love this book so much! This is the second entry in the Once Upon a Dukedom series, which is a spinoff of the author's previous Sins for All Seasons series, and all are highly recommended. The Duke of Kingsland and his long-time female secretary are perfectly suited and made for each other, but it takes a long time for him to accept the truth, while she is haunted by her past. Neither of them are perfectly honest with each other until circumstances and threats force each of them to confront the past, both separately and together. Hugh and Penelope are a couple I will re-visit for re-reads often in the future. I cannot wait for the next book!

After the last book I was really looking forward to see how Kingsland’s story would go. I’m a sucker for an aloof hero who was rebuffed by a former love interest and the introduction of his mysterious secretary in the previously book added a level of interest. All in all I really enjoyed this book, it avoided a lot of the annoying tropes I might have expected and both characters were likeable. There were a few parts where the plotting or story development felt loose or a little wonky, but I read this as an advance copy so it’s very possible those threads will have been tightened up through the editing process before release day. A satisfying historical romance though nothing especially new to the genre.

Cover makes this an intense bodice ripper which caught my eye. Throw hunt in the title and I’m in to read without even looking at the blurb. This was a fun read and I gave it five stars for the intense reading pleasure!

What did I like? Kingsland made an amazing Duke with his regal air and need of Pettypeace. Love the idea of the chessmen and the uniqueness of the idea. Pettypeace has a crush on the duke but her lower standing doesn’t allow for much. This was so much fun and an amazing HEA! Loved it!

Would I recommend or buy? Yes to both. I’ve seen this author around and would definitely recommend because this book was engrossing and just fun. The slow burn attraction was intriguing and the fireworks phenomenal when these two finally collide.

I received a complimentary copy to read and voluntarily left a review! Five stars!

I absolutely devoured Lorraine Heath's The Duchess Hunt!

Penelope Pettypeace is the 28 year old private secretary to Hugh Brinsley-Norton, Duke of Kingsland. Has been for a long time. She has kept his life in order for many many years while secretly carrying a massive crush on him.

King, on the other hand, has always depended on Penelope. From business meetings, to finding a proper Duchess to be his wife, to being that one constant that calms him down. He himself doesn't fully realize how much he depends on her. Or how aware he is of her presence in his everyday life.

It all comes to a head when something in their dynamic changes. The chemistry is amplified throughout. She consumes his thought's and he hers. Secrets and multiple twists begin to unravel. It is all so so good!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Lorraine Heath is always a favorite of mine! The romances are always great and she does a good job of mixing expectation with surprise. I absolutely loved Penelope. I enjoy historicals that have women in positions not common for the time. She's a compelling character in many ways. Her past is a bit checkered, but her present is made up of hard work and an unrequited love for her duke, Hugh. Hugh is a smart idiot. He's book smart and generally does well with people, but can't see right in front of his face as far as Penelope and their relationship. That made it all the more worth it when he finally realized he actually did have a heart.

I heartily recommend this book to all Lorraine Heath fans! It's fun and romantic, featuring great characters with a solid story.

A really wonderful story to read!

The Duke is looking for a wife, but he doesn't have time for love. To solve this problem he leaves the task to his secretary, Penelope Pettypeace.

I was not expecting the multiple twists from what seemed at first glance to be a run of the mill historical romance. Wow.

Well written with plenty of spice if that's what you're looking for.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC.

This book was delightful Penelope and Hugh were perfect for one another. I thought Penelope was a wonderful character. I just loved everything about this book. I can't wait for the next one in this series.