Mini Review: This was a fun Historical Romance, with Arabella and Sylas being wonderful lead characters! I liked how big a role their families played in the story. Overall, I would definitely recommend trying this book!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

A beautiful love story that started with rules but ended up being true love. Great dialogue and characters.

Lady Arabella is a true bluestocking at heart: she doesn’t like Society events and she’s happy to hide in a quiet corner to read a book during a ball. And she certainly doesn’t want to marry. But when her family reputation is destroyed by her elder sister’s behavior, she decides to take matters in her own hands. Marrying an influential duke is definitely the right way to save her family and to help her younger sister to secure a good match. But every marriage of convenience has to have its rules… And falling in love with one’s husband is definitely not provided for by them!
The Duke of Whittsley is living a carefree life and he’s quite happy this way. Yes, he knows that sooner or later he’ll have to marry and produce an heir, but he doesn’t have to do it right now, does he? But when an intriguing lady proposes a marriage of convenience with a set of established rules that suit him perfectly, he can’t see any reason for refusing. Pity that among those ten rules there wasn’t one concerning falling in love with one’s wife…
In my opinion, this book is perfection: it has witty dialogues, some very funny moments, two lovable characters and the right dose of angst. When I started reading, I couldn’t put it down: I finished it in one day! I’ve said time and again that I’m a sucker for a good marriage of convenience, so I simply ADORED this one. I loved the interaction between Arabella and Silas, even if at the end I wanted to reach into the pages, grab them and bang their heads together because they were in love with each other, but they didn’t talk! So it was THIS good: I felt emotionally involved. And of course that’s all thanks to the author’s amazing writing skills, because she made her characters much too real! So, standing ovation for Michelle!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a really enjoyable read about Arabella and Silas. Arabella needs to restore her family name because her older sister ran off with someone below their station. Arabella never wanted to marry but she had a younger sister to consider. She decides to make a deal with a duke – Silas. With some rules for the marriage. She’ll provide him with an heir and he’ll help her younger sister find a good match. After she conceives, he leaves her alone after to stay at his out of the way estate to read and live with their child, with an occasional visit from him until said child is old enough to bother with. This book was quite different from my usual romance and I so enjoyed it. It was funny and there was a bit of drama as Silas had a secret that he would not share. I received an ARC from NetGalley. Thank you

***ARC Provided by the Publisher via NetGalley***

I like Historical romance. I like the romance of the time period (even though the harsher parts of it are glossed over as it's fiction) and the old way of doing things.

That said, I have certain expectations on my way into a historical romance and, sort of like when vampires sparkle in books (they don't sparkle, FYI) when you break with these conventions, it really needs to work or I am not going to be sold.

Well, Silas comes across to me as...silly. I wanted him to be a Duke and instead he seemed, in a lot of places, like an immature child. I think the idea was to make him lighter, more fun, nicer, willing to agree to Arabella's plan, and all that...but the result was a character who, much like those sparkly vampires, sort of stood out in a bad way from the things I need to make a story work. I want to fall in love a little with the hero in any story, and in this one, I just wanted Silas to grow up a little.

He never did. And, I never really believed in the appeal of him as anything other than the solution to the problem of having a Duke in the family working to erase a whole number of other sins of others.

I am not able to recommend this title.

The book is about Arabella, a lovely girl willing to commit the rest of her life to a marriage of convenience out of love for her younger sister. She hopes the union will restore her family’s reputation after the hit it has taken following her older sister’s love match. Her bargaining chip? Providing the most eligible rake with a heir.

From the get-go, I was a big fan of the premise and, after a short while, I realised I was very much going to like the author’s delivery. I was extremely satisfied with the characters’ developed: the heroine was strong, determined, charming and the opposite of naive. Our heroine also happens to be a bit of a wallflower and I was quite pleased when, despite a couple of misplaced “criticisms”, the hero redeemed himself and was absolutely appalled at her being the object of unflattering gossip.

Throughout the story the writing is well done, quick and quirky. I particularly appreciated the subtle dig at the French. The epilogue was funny and heartfelt.

Despite being able to predict where some of the story was going, I throughly enjoyed it and the depiction of the highs and lows of the characters’ love. 4 stars.

Is Silas my new favorite historical romance boy? Maybe.

I loved every second spent in this world, thoroughly enjoying the dynamics and relationship between the main couple. We skipped straight to the good stuff, with some negotiations that, despite being their first meeting, instantly showed their dynamic.

This will definitely be something I'll recommend!

Short and sweet! Most of the story could've been resolved by better communication but then we wouldn't have a story :)

Silas and Arabella were afraid of risking themselves and being totally honest. It made sense because of the way their relationship began. I liked their story!

Delightfully fun. My last few books have been more serious in nature so how fun to pick up a light and breezy historical romance. Arabella Bromley goes against her quiet nature and brazenly approaches Silas, The Duke of Whittsley. Her family needs to recover socially after her older sister elopes with a member of the lower class worker. She suggest to the Duke they marry. She will provide him with an heir that he needs and in return he will elevate her family status and help her find a match for her younger sister. Arabella adds that once she has the heir she will retire to his country estate (and its famous library) and he may continue to lives his life the way he desires. Surprisingly he agrees. The title alludes to their marriage agreement rules.

The light tone and amusement they find in each other kept me zipping through the pages. I love that their grand gestures to each other were simple and fit their personalities. I think the only drawback for me is that the intimacy, which they both enjoy, is rushed through and not as descriptive as I would expect. I am new to the author and maybe this is her style. I will definitely read more from McLean and will for future and previous works by her. Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing LLC, for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. (4.25 stars)

“She needs a husband with the money and connections to make her family scandal disappear, and I need a wife who is able to tolerate me long enough to provide an heir and willing to disappear afterward. I think the arrangement suits us both rather nicely.”

Silas and Arabella strike their deal, establish their ten rules, and set a one-year time frame to reach their goals all within the first few pages. This was fun and fast-paced, if a little predictable, and Silas and Arabella’s amusement with one another carried me through.

Marriage of convenience tropes can be boring, but this one was a fun romp. I enjoyed their back and forth banter and easy way with one another from the beginning, and it’s clear Silas and Arabella enjoy baiting one another.

The misunderstanding was expected and all their conflicted and pesky feelings that violated their agreement were what you’d think they’d be. Silas’s charm and Arabella’s wit kept me turning the pages, but the ending dragged and the plot itself was nothing unique. A fun read for a snowy morning.

I received an ARC from NetGalley

A really fun fast read that I couldn't put down.

The thought is a marriage of convenience to help Arabella's younger sister marry well and at the same time get Silas grandfather off his back about finding a wife. I loved the banter and growing relationship between Arabella and Silas, and Silas's friends need their own books they made the story for me also along with the main characters. The twist you see coming, but it's so sweet and how much Silas just falls again head over heels in love with Arabella and how sweet and wonderful he is.

This is a hoot! It's definitely the most fun I've had reading a historical romance in recent memory. Arabella and Silas both find themselves in the position of needing to marry, but neither one particularly wants a marriage or a spouse. When bold, unconventional Arabella proposes that they help each other out, Silas quickly sees the light, then begins to see a lot more in his unlikely wife.

Both Silas and Arabella are smart, kind, fundamentally decent people, so it's very easy to cheer for their happiness. There is so much chemistry and fun banter between the two of them. I loved laughing along as they needled and teased each other. They have their issues to work through, but the story never gets overly heavy or angsty. It's just a fun, slightly spicy (PG-13ish) read perfect for a little lift!

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

Ten Rules for Marrying a Duke is a fun and sexy historical romance that follows Arabella Bromley and Silas, the Duke of Whittsley as they enter into a marriage contract and find more than they ever bargained for. Arabella is desperate to restore her family’s reputation after her sister’s scandalous marriage tarnished it. With a younger sister’s future to ensure, Arabella proposes a marriage of convenience with the Duke of Whittsley, a rake who needs an heir. Though Silas has no interest in marrying, he is intrigued and bemused by Arabella’s proposal and agrees that a marriage could be the answer to both of their problems. The pair strikes a deal complete with rules they must abide by, and once Arabella gives Silas an heir and Silas helps Arabella’s sister make an appropriate match, they can go their separate ways and live life apart. Will this pair stick to the rules when their hearts are on the line?

I really enjoyed this romance. The characters are great, and the romance is quite sexy and filled with fun banter. Arabella is a bluestocking introvert who prefers hiding and reading at social events or avoiding them altogether. Silas is extroverted and has a delightfully mischievous side, and his wit and charm, as well as his extroversion, often make him the center of attention. Theirs is an opposites-attract romance, and it totally works for them. There’s so much chemistry between Silas and Arabella, and I love how they bring out the best in each other.

Arabella and Silas make a list of rules to follow during their courtship and marriage, and it’s fun to see them trying to adhere to them. Luckily, Silas is great at bending the rules, as he proves many times, much to Arabella’s delight. They have so much chemistry, and there is an instant spark when they meet, which only grows as the story progresses. I love how Silas and Arabella tease and taunt and flirt, and they have the best conversations – witty, fun, occasionally acerbic, and smart. You can tell they enjoy their time together, and their connection is amazing! I love romances where a marriage of convenience becomes a love match instead, and Arabella and Silas’s love story does just that.

Silas and Arabella have a steamy romance, and they both enjoy the perks of marriage. Get yourself a fan for this one, because once they take that step, they can’t keep their hands off each other! It’s sweet and charming and very sexy. Also, throughout their relationship, there’s a strong emphasis on consent, which I really liked especially since Arabella and Silas have entered into a contract. Silas never wants Arabella to feel pressured or forced to do something she’s not comfortable with regardless of their contract or their promises to each other, and he repeatedly tells her she is in control of what they do. It made me love him even more because he never treats Arabella as anything less than an equal and someone to be respected, admired, and listened to.

I read my first Michelle McLean romance last year when I picked up Hitched to the Gunslinger. I adored the story and the author’s unique and humorous voice. Ten Rules for Marrying a Duke reaffirms why I enjoy this author so much. It’s fun and funny and romantic, and the storytelling and characters are great. I would definitely recommend this book to readers of historical romance or historical rom-coms and am especially thankful to NetGalley, Entangled Publishing, and the author for providing a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

WOW WOW WOW this was a fast, lighthearted read that sucked me in from the very beginning. Arabella and Silas are both so lovable. I was laughing out loud (literally) throughout the entire book. Reading this book is like if you had an unlimited supply of your favorite reading time beverage, the most comfortable chair in the world, and your coziest blanket. Excuse me while I go read every other book Michelle McLean has written.

Perfect for valentine’s day, this story is about a woman, Arabella, who is desperate to restore her family’s place in society by marrying well. Silas, while not wanting to marry, is intrigued by the offer to marry and have a much needed heir and then be left to his own devices. Both agree to ten rules in this marriage of convenience. After strong feelings develop, it seems rules were made to be broken. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for my honest review.

Arabella Bromley is desperate to rescue her family's reputation and save her younger sister's season, after her older sister ran off with a servant. She approaches Silas, Duke of Whittsley, with an outlandish proposal: if he revives her family's social standing, she’ll give him an heir and then retire to the country for good. The deal is struck, but the two have a hard time following their own guidelines.

This is my first read from Michelle McLean and it appears to be a stand alone story. This was a deliciously lighthearted and entertaining story! While Arabella's has a bit of a cockamamie scheme, I love when characters think they can dictate their relationship and then can't follow their own plans. Both characters were likable and the storytelling was fun. It did fall into the miscommunication trap at the end, but thankfully it didn't get dragged out. I would definitely check out more stories from this author.

Tropes: Marriage of Convenience

Steam: 2

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

There is a certain comfort that comes with reading a romance novel with all the right feels that is just the right amount of sappy and also functional. This book will have you teary eyes and laughing out loud and is an absolute delight to read!

If I were to convince you to read this in 3 points this would be it.
1) marriage of convenience
2) HE IS WILLING TO BUILD HER A LIBRARY
3) Perfect blend of spice and plot

Arabella is determined to save her family's reputation and have her sister wed to a respectable gentleman, so she approaches the rakish duke with a deal. An heir for him finding her sister a groom and saving her family's reputation.

Did I see the plot twist coming from several miles away and know exactly what was going to happen...yes. But did I enjoy this book regardless? ABSOLUTELY!

The convenience marriage trope is one of the best tropes out there and the author has done an absolutely fantastic job at it and the vibes were absolutely immaculate, Silas is everything I would ever want in a boyfriend and I would sell my soul for this man.

I loved how the whole consent was asked for several times and how Silas made sure she was always comfortable.

Overall 10/10 recommend would read again!

Bookish Arabella Bromley never gave a fig for society’s rules—until her sister ran off with a man below her station. Now Arabella is desperate to restore her family’s ruined reputation to favor amongst the ton. She’ll have to marry quickly and well. But in order to carry off her plan, Arabella needs a duke… and she has just the rakish fellow in mind.
The Duke of Whittsley has an ungentlemanly tendency to disregard the rules. Unfortunately, a sense of mischief doesn’t excuse a high-ranking noble from family duty—especially where it concerns producing a son. And that’s where he can’t quite resist Arabella’s distinctly outrageous plan: if he saves her family, she’ll give him an heir.
The Duke never thinks that he will fall in love but he is in for a surprise.
Arabella is a bluestocking who will do anything to save her family up to and including marry just to save them.
Ten Rules for Marrying a Duke is a comical, poignant story by Michelle McLean.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

This was a really fun and flirty banter-filled book. With a quick set up, Arabella literally throws herself at a duke to secure her family's reputation. He's intrigued by her wit and brashness and is attracted to her at first sight. Arabella and Silas come together to create ten rules for their marriage contract, aiming to live separate lives once Arabella gets pregnant. The negotiation process is fun to read and also the way they're both at ease in each other's company. Light and fun read!

I was provided with an e-ARC by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Since I've started reading historical romance novels, I've realized that there's not much you can do with the plot, that would both surprise the readers immensely while staying true to its time period. So I don't judge these books too harshly unless their plot and writing don't make sense at all.

With that said, the writing in this book was good; the plot was also okay, I've read a few similar plots but the addition of establishing actual rules to the relationship is an element that made it a bit different.

I enjoyed the teasing, flirting, and the overall easy relationship between Silas and Arabella. I found them entertaining and some of their banter, witty.

The side characters were one-dimensional, it seemed that they were there simply to add to the cast of characters, but they didn't have enough personality to warrant an actual identity.

The nature of the arrangement between Silas and Arabella already means that this book would have a lot of intimate scenes, however, it came to a point that the book solely revolved around it especially after their marriage. I was looking for actual scenes and moments to see how they would fall in love with each other enough to put their "rules" to rest. But with the lack of other relevant scenes and activities that were supposed to add to the story, the pacing had nothing to do but dragged on.

I'm used to the miscommunication and unsaid feelings conflicts, but it was too convenient for this book. It shouldn't have been the bigger aspect of the conflict, in my opinion. And the mystery/secret was quite predictable and somehow out of place and completely random, almost as if to draw out and cause more conflict for the couple. It's not at all bad, because it wasn't like I was expecting a thoroughly weaved conflict, I just wanted it to be bigger than unsaid emotions and scandalous secrets.

I'm not a historical romance expert, and I will never claim to be but I'd like to think that my taste in this sub-genre is for something more complex and fleshed out characters. So, I would still recommend this for people who are beginning to dip their toes in the sub-genre -- nothing too complex, but has enough elements to introduce you to historical romance.