This is a fun twist on the Regency romance, where shifters move among the aristocracy, unbeknownst to most. Beatrice is not a shifter, nor is she Most, for her first husband was a slightly insane werewolf. Now, she is being forced into an arranged marriage with a Duke, shifter heritage present but unknown, to try to help him recover from a family tragedy. It's a perfect blend of Regency and paranormal romance, and reminiscent (in a way) of Jo Walton's "Tooth and Claw."

A Most Unusual Duke by Susanna Allen is the second book in the Shapeshifters of the Beau Monde series. This one is a paranormal regency romance novel featuring bear shifter Arthur Humphries, the Duke of Osborn and Beatrice, the human widow of the wolf shifter, the Marquess of Castleton. Prince Regent George IV, Arthur’s cousin and a bear shifter, forces Arthur and Beatrice to marry with threats to both of their families. He also sends Mr. Todd to supply any aid required to help them get Arthur’s home in shape. Arthur hasn’t been there since childhood and no so intention of reestablishing the “sleuth” and taking his place as Alpha.

Beatrice, nicknamed Lady Frost, used this mask to protect herself. Her first husband was cruel and she used it as a shield. However, she also has a warm heart, misconceptions about all shifters, and is extremely capable after managing her parents’ household from childhood. Arthur is full of guilt for not being able to prevent his father’s death when he was six years old and unable to shift. He’s also sardonic and stubborn. However, he actually loves his family and would willingly sacrifice himself for them and is respectful of boundaries and wishes of the female lead. Both main characters were well developed and showed growth over the course of the story. Their connection is handled deftly and it isn’t an instant love scenario. The secondary characters have a mix of depth that is appropriate for their roles and interactions. While there are a large number of characters, I didn’t have any trouble keeping them straight.

The prose is well-written, touching at times, and humorous at other times. However, it was a little slow for me. However, the author managed to take everyday events and bring the characters to life through their thoughts, actions, and words. There is a lot of focus on family, friendship, hard work, and communication. There are three steamy scenes, but they don’t start until about halfway through the novel so this isn’t a case of instant love.

Overall, this was a fun and entertaining novel with some humor. I enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and Susanna Allen provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way

This was an exciting read, and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read the second book in the Shapeshifters of the Beau Monde Series.
I have not read book one, but now I'm going to buy the ebook version.
Book two is a historical/paranormal romance and honestly going into this story I didn't know what to expect. But I enjoyed the hell out of it.

Susanna Allen's writing is amazing and I was hanging onto her every word.
Held me captive from beginning to end!

I love the relationships and how we can see how much they’ve grown and changed. 
The connection between the characters was interesting and and so much fun.
Their love, lust and bonds are perfectly paired for together they can do anything.

Well written, great cast and wonderful descriptions. I adored this one.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

Sourcebooks Casablanca,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
I will post my review closer to pub date.

Shakespeare isn't my favorite, but if you're a fan you can appreciate this book. Set in the Regency period with the Prince Regent controlling the situation, he forces Arthur, the Duke of Osborn, to marry Beatrice, the widowed Marchioness of Castleton. No ordinary Regency Romance, the story focuses on shifters, their interactions within a household and reestablishing a link that was torn apart and must come back together. The marriage of Arthur and Beatrice is not an easy one. Arthur must seduce his Duchess and give her his heart.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

A Most Unusual Duke continues the Shapeshifters of the Beau Monde series with a delightful tale of one confirmed bachelor bear shifter, who happens to be a man of power and one widowed completely human woman who knows far too well (and too much) about the shifters among the ton, having been married to an odious, nasty wolf shifter. Arthur and Beatrice are being, well, somewhat blackmailed into marriage by the Prince Regent – and everyone knows very well, you never even try to say no to the Prince.

I’ve loved the combination of two of my favorite genres, Shifter Romance and Historical Romance, in this series. It’s such fun to imagine shifters running around Regency London, unknown to most prissy gossipmongers among the ton, what a tale that would have been to spread about! Beatrice has suffered at the hands of her former husband, and she isn’t about to give up her freedom easily into the hands of another man, another shifter. Yet, this lady of ice has little choice in the matter and it was fascinating to watch Beatrice lose the shield she’s hidden behind for so long as Arthur works his way into her life and her heart. Arthur has a heartbreaking history, and it’s completely understandable why he would hesitate to take on the role of Alpha. But again, his Prince has given him little choice. I think I enjoyed Arthur’s transformation the most for he had a lot of baggage to drop in order to open himself up to what a true marriage of love could be with Beatrice.

Combine their growing attraction with intriguing secondary characters (who I hope we see more of in the future), a bit of danger, the unique world of the ton, and pasts that all too often get in the way of their developing love for each other and you have a fascinating Paranormal Historical Romance to devour and enjoy. I had fun with A Most Unusual Duke, and am looking forward to what comes next in A Duke at the Door.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

This was completely delightful - tropey and cosy and angsty and funny and just an enormously good time. I loved that it felt like a very traditional historical romance that just happened to have shapeshifters in it.

My full review will appear on Smart Bitches, Trashy Books.

A Most Unusual Duke (Shapeshifters of the Beau Monde #2). By Susanna Allen. 2021. Sourcebooks Casablanca (ARC eBook).

Two books in and I am still thinking that the Shapeshifters of the Beau Monde series is delightfully different and engaging. Beatrice and Arthur are just what each other need to soothe their loneliness. In this second installment we learn the rules and family structure of bear shifters. The head-scratcher was the Prince Regent’s role. A very different take on ol’ Georgie. I look forward to the next book.

First, I would like to thank Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the arc of this novel.

A most unusual Duke is a paranormal historical romance and with me being such a huge fan of paranormal romance I thought I would love this book. Sadly, it did not deliver. Not to say it's a bad book, my expectations were just too high.

I loved the story in itself, the characters were very charming and lovable, the relation between the main couple was great, however I thought the way their behaviour evolved at the end was too abrupt. Another thing that disturbed me was that there were a lot of different characters and everyone had a different nickname for them. I also thought that there were too many people in that book, I was struggling to keep up. But that might be my fault as I did not read the previous book.
I also would have liked a better explanation of what happened with Beatrice ex-husband. We only get snippets here and there in the book, so we are left to conjecture on what really happened.
The writing style is not for me, I was confused most of the time about what was being said. English is not my main language and despite having read mostly in English for the past 5 years, the use of what I would call "old English" was hard to grasp.

Overall, I would give that book a 3/3,5 out of 5 stars. The story was great, but I was a bit disappointed. I might read the first book and the next one as some characters that were introduced caught my interest but it's not in my immediate project.

This book had many tropes I enjoy, a marriage of convenience and an alpha shifter. But unlike the couple from the first book, these two are being forced into a marriage neither really wants. So their initial interactions are very stiff and formal and it really left me wondering when these two would fall in love. Thankfully when they do, the characters begin to feel lighter.
I also really like Arthur's brother and his family. When Arthur or Beatrice spent time with the children it showed the other a softer side.
I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

The prince regent has ordered Arthur, the Duke of Osborn to marry. There are several reasons, the first is to take a mate and take his rightful place as Alpha of his father's former sleuth.

Beatrice is the widowed Marchioness of Castleton. and because she knows all about shifters, the Prince finds her to be the best option for Arthur.

Even though this is not what either wanted, they try to make the best of it and be a marriage in name only. But the more time they spend together, the more they find themselves drawn to one another.

Thanks so much to the author, Sourcebooks, and NetGalley for this ARC to review.

After reading the first book in Susanna Allen's Shapeshifters of the Beau Monde series, I was definitely looking forward to more wonderful writing amid her paranormal Regency world. This irresistible addition to the series is full of great characterization, wit and palpable chemistry between Alpha bear shifter Arthur Humphries, Duke of Osbourne, and Beatrice, the widowed Marchioness of Castleton.

Neither wants to marry, but what the Prince Regent wants, the Prince Regent gets. They agree on a marriage of convenience and travel to Arcadia, Arthur's family seat. In poetry, Arcadia is associated with bountiful natural splendor and harmony; however, this Arcadia is in desperate need of rehabilitation, and Beatrice is up to the challenge.

Allen weaves great references to Shakespeare in her writing and populates Arcadia with characters whose mannerisms suggest their shifting nature. Arthur's brother, Ben, and his mate, Charlotte, add to the family along with their children - most notably Ursella, who is wise beyond her years. Her name evokes the bear constellations, ursa major and minor.

Kudos to Allen for an amazing read. I am definitely looking forward to more of this series!

I have thoroughly enjoyed this take on shifters from Susaanna Allen. This book was a fun fast read. The Duke of Osborn did not want the responsibility of his clan. Since the death of his father he has stayed far away from his ancestral home. With his marriage to the widowed Marchioness of Castleton he is returning home. The interaction between these to is a great read.

Arthur Humphries, Duke of Osbourne, is an Alpha Bear Shifter, but he has neglected his responsibilities as both. He is being forced to marry Beatrice, the widowed Marchioness of Castleton, by his cousin and fellow Alpha Bear Shifter. George is the Prince Regent and the Alpha of all Alphas. In short, what he says, goes, so they marry. Can the marriage of convenience they agree to become more?

This is an interesting and entertaining story. The world Susanna Allen has built is a fantastic blend of paranormal and the Regency period. I like Arthur and Beatrice. Both are strong, in large part due to pain in their pasts. I like the way they interact with the other characters, especially Arthur’s staff and family. There is a lot of humor in the story, some soul searching, and a bit of danger. It is a heartwarming journey to rediscover family, to find purpose, and just maybe to fall in love. Great story, wonderful characters, and a spectacular ending. I recommend it.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. Though it took me a bit to get into it, once I became familiar with the characters and the world they lived in, I was drawn in more and more and I didn't want to put it down. It was steamy, clever, funny and charming. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others.

Shape shifting in Regency times!

Two of my fav genres combine—Regency romance and shapeshifters. Bliss! Arthur Humphries, Duke of Osborn, the hereditary leader of a ‘sleuth’ (a group of shape shifters or versipellis) is doing all he can to have the clan he’s the Alpha of, cease to be. The consequence of a childhood trauma that’s haunted his every action down through the years.
The very human Beatrice, Marchioness of Castleton, aka Lady Frost, had been married to a cruel Marquess and shapeshifter leader who’d died. She is feisty, passionate and supremely capable behind her mask. One that descended every day of the marriage, a shield of ice, her armour against the world, and against her despicable husband. Beatrice knows the secrets of the versipellis and as an unaligned female is a danger to the them as pointed out to her by His Royal Highness, the Prince Regent George IV, the supreme leader of the versipellis who imbues an awesome power of dominatum. Lady Frost and the Regent clash frequently in ways only the haughty of the ton can express.
George is determined that Arthur “will throw off [his] naive rancor and take [his] place. [His] clan awaits and must have its Alpha.” By decree George solves the problem of a recalcitrant leader and a too knowledgeable human female in one fell swoop. He commands them to marry.
The tale of their marriage, the problems they face and the resolutions make for a captivating read.
Original, vastly entertaining with a few twists, this had me hiving off to read the first in the series and looking forward to the next.

A Sourcebooks Casablanca ARC via NetGalley
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

I was so happy to re-enter this historical romance world where there was also a supernatural involvement. I enjoy shifters and historical romance so this is a match made in heaven for me. This time we have Arthur who is a bear shifter being forced to get married by his cousin the prince regent in order to ensure the continuation of the species. He is forced to marry Beatrice who is the widowed Martinus of Castleton because she knows about the shifters.

Neither Arthur or Beatrice is happy to be forced into this marriage. Beatrice has a bad opinion about the shifters because of her previous husband. The actual romance that takes place between Arthur and Beatrice is very heartwarming because you can see how loving each other helps take care of their hearts from the past. Arthur is still working through his past and Beatrice has helped him move forward into the future. All of the secondary characters make this an extremely entertaining book. I am anxiously awaiting another book in this captivating series.

Once again, I like the ideas but the execution falls a little flat.
I love the blend of HR and PNR which I think is done well here. I like that there a different shifters and we see their roles in the nobility. I do feel this time around was less info dumpy which I appreciate.
The romance between the two characters was interesting. Instead of the grumpy/sunshine trope we have both characters being the grump. This is also a marriage of convenience story. It certainly made for a different dynamic between the two and kept me wondering how they would achieve the HEA.
This is also a short, quick read (less than 300 pages). I would say this is perfect if you are on a trip and need something to read for a few hours.
I was satisfied by the ending and would probably continue the series just to see what happens next.

Arthur Humphries, The Duke of Osborn, and Alpha bear shifter, swore at the age of 6 yrs. old swore to never love, or become Alpha to his Sleuth/Clan after losing his mother and then seeing his Alpha father killed in a challenge for leadership.

Beatrice, the Widow Marchiones of Castleton, is a human who had the misfortune of being married to a crazed wolf shifter. Nicknamed Lady Frost by suitors she's be able to keep at a distance makes the mistake of trying to blackmail His Royal Highness, The Prince Regent George IV, who's also a bear shifter. George being a sneaky bear threatens Arthur with taking his nephews, and nieces away from his brother, and threatens Beatrice with death if they don't wed. Having no choice Arthur, and Beatrice enter into a 'White Marriage', or marriage of convenience.

What follows is seeing two enemies become friends as they get to know each other with the assistance of a motley crew of shifters to help them along the way. Arthur has to decide if he can become Alpha to his Sleuth as a threat against Beatrice becomes known. What can an Alpha do but protect the one he's come to love, claim her as his mate, and protect his clan from any threat.

Susanna Allen is brilliant, I absolutely adored this read! Regency romance AND an paranormal element? yes please!

Beatrice and Osborn gets basically blackmailed into getting married by a prince. So plotwise it's a little.. out there. But it kept the drama away from misunderstandings and poor communications, and rather had an undercurrent of "oh lord am I really developing feelings for this guy? he cant possible be thinking the same".

I had several laugh-out-loud moments and I definitely want to read more in this universe.

English being my second language, there were plenty of words in this book that does not come natural to me. But they added flair to the historical aspect of the book because it sounded old and fancy, how accurate that is in reality I don't know.

My only real complaint of the book is that I wish the transition from "I can't possible be developing feelings for this person I'm in an forced marriage with" to "this is my happily ever after"

This was a happy and wholesome read!

The Prince Regent insists his cousin and fellow bear shifter Arthur Humphries, the Duke of Osborn, take a mate to ensure the continuation of their species. After all, Arthur is an Alpha, so he must set a good example. The duke would very much prefer to continue his comfortable bachelor lifestyle, but the Prince Regent is not a bear to be poked.
Beatrice, the widowed Marchioness of Castleton, is in possession of a powerful secret. She knows all about Shifters, her horrible late husband being one of them. At any moment, Beatrice could reveal the secrets of the Prince and those like him—unless the Prince can make sure she marries another Shifter.
A marriage between the Duke of Osborn and Beatrice is far from ideal for either one, but at least they won't fall in love...right?
This is a shifter romance filled with wit and laughter.
Susanna Allen writes a witty, funny romance filled with love.

Shifter romance AND regency romance? Sign me the f up.

This is a second installment in a series, and I will say that it very much felt like it. It's been a hot minute since I read A Wolf in Duke's Clothing (the first book of the Shapeshifters of the Beau Monde series), so it took me a bit of time to get oriented at the start of this sequel, which opens not long after the first book concludes. As I struggled to figure out who was who and if I should remember any of them, I had a little trouble getting fully immersed in the start of the story. Unlike many romances, this book isn't entirely friendly to newcomers and doesn't serve as well as a standalone.

That said, both the book and I eventually found our footing, and after that, A Most Unusual Duke as a great time. A reluctant marriage by royal decree, two people dealing with their independent traumas while doing their utmost not to fall in love, snarky servants, and boisterous children - this book had so many of the right ingredients, and I found myself laughing out loud more than once as well as being deeply touched by the range of emotions.

Allen does a great job of making the shifter lore feel like more than just window dressing, having Arthur fully embrace both his bear and human sides to the detriment of neither. Beatrice, meanwhile, is given the chance to grow into herself, turning from Lady Frost into a warm, loving woman fully aware of her own powers and capabilities. The secondary characters - particularly Charlotte, Ben, and their children - provide delightful comic relief, and Charlotte's dirty sense of humor brightened up more than one scene.

Where this book stumbled for me a bit was under the weight of its own language, with the writing sometimes feeling as though it was attempting to emulate regency speak a bit too faithfully, resulting in dense sentences and paragraphs of narrative that could be hard to get through. These sections seemed most prominent in the beginning and ending of the book, as all the action of the middle seemed to help alleviate some of that heaviness. When that was not the case, though, it could be a bit difficult to fully lose myself in the world because I had to focus so much on the words I was reading.

For all that, I enjoyed this book, but didn't quite fall head over heels in love with it. Still, I await the next installment!

3.5/5