Juno, a widow, is employed as a companion to a very shy debutante to be. Hoping to attract the attention of a grumpy and unsocial duke, the debutante’s mother brings them to a house party. Instead of being attracted to the debutante, the duke is intrigued by the widow Juno. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Zealous Quill Press for my honest review.

This was short and sweet and lovely. About half the length of a novel, the book has to make its point quickly and wrap up, and it’s a good intro into an entire series. Enjoyable.

The Rigid Duke is a relatively low-angst story with our heroine serving as a matchmaking lady's companion. While Juno is trying to see her shy charge Lady Marina grow more confident, her target, the Rigid Duke is surly and uncooperative. Our Duke, Dare, is equally shy and awkward and hates house parties, but finds himself intrigued by Juno, even though he is supposed to be courting Lady Marina. Dare and Marina realize they're totally unsuited for each other, and he pursues Juno instead. I love seeing stern and serious heroes learn to let go a bit and find love with their cheerful opposites.

4.5 stars

A good story. The heroine is a widow who mentors debutantes so that they can make a good match. Between assignments Juno is unusual in that she takes on lovers. She goes to a house party to help Marina match with a Duke. Immediately she realises that Dare (the Rigid duke) is not the type of man to make Marina happy. Marina is shy and book loving and sadly maniplulated by her mother. Dare is probably on the autistic spectrum, loves routine dislikes social settings and rarely smiles.

It's the start of a new series and it has great possibilities.

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

I had intended to only read a few chapters and before I knew it I was almost done with the entire book! I love Darcy Burke's books. The characters are so well crafted and her writing style is so natural and easy that you just speed right through. I loved every scene between Juno and Dare. They complement one another so well and they definitely do bring out the best in one another. Seeing him come out of his shell was really great. I really liked that Juno didn't need Dare to save her when things didn't work out with Marina and she was looking for another employer - then you knew that she was with him for no other reason than their mutual love. I also liked that she was still going to help out Dorothy (I'm really hoping we get a book about that). I'd also love another book with Marina to see what happens to her after she leaves the house party.

Mrs Juno Langton, professional companion and matchmaker. She’s tasked with making a successful match for her current charge, the awkward and shy Lady Marina. The match her mother has picked out is the dour Duke of Warrington. During a house party things don’t go quite to plan.

This is a tale of opposites attract, the friendly and positive Juno and curmudgeonly Dare. It’s an enjoyable, short read. A slightly different take on the regency romance.

This is great fun! After being widowed, Juno has made a successful career of mentoring young ladies for the marriage mart. Her current charge is intended to woo a duke, nicknamed Dare, at a house party, only things don't go quite according to plan and the duke finds himself less interested in the eligible young lady and much more intrigued by her companion.

While this is a bit insta-lovey, that can be forgiven since it's so darn enjoyable! Dare and Juno have great chemistry and I really love how sex-positive Juno is written. She is unabashedly sensual and comfortable with herself, her needs, and her desires, which is really refreshing! There is a lot of humor and blessedly little angst in this tale and it would make a fun pick-me-up for anyone looking for a light, steamy romance.

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

This book was such a lighthearted read. I l really enjoyed how the romance between Juno and Dare played out because they complimented each others personalities. I loved when Dare finally figured out that he was in love with Juno and when he finally tells her is the sweetest thing! I highly recommend this book, I only wish it was longer because it left me wanting more.

4.5 stars ⭐️

I love discovering new to me authors and loving their books! The Rigid Duke was my first Darcy Burke romance and I adored every moment of it!

Dare and Juno are amazing characters, I enjoyed watching the evolution of their relationship. Dare is the perfect grump. He needed a little bit of sunshine and got that in spades when he met Juno. Juno was a delight. Although titled, she was disowned when she married below her station. She is an intelligent heroine living her life as she wishes. Together they brought out the best in each other.

I enjoyed every interaction they shared and their witty exchanges left me with a smile on my face. Once I started The Rigid Duke, I could not put it down, I’m giving it the judy.ann.loves.books stamp of approval, TBR and Enjoy!

Juno is employed as a companion to young ladies to prepare them for the season, and her current charge is Marina and she is one of the most challenging charges she's has had, but is slowly making progress.. Although maybe not in time for Lady Cecilias house party

Dare is a Duke and really doesnt really like socialising or the whole ton marriage mart so maybe the invitation to Lady Cecilias house party will help him find his duchess and save a London season..

When they meet at the house party Juno realises that she will have her work cut out getting an understanding between the rigid Duke and her shy charge so put all her efforts into giving them opportunities together. However the Duke seems more interested in Juno.

This was a lovely short book, the characters were well sculpted and the story goes along at a rapid click. I managed to read it in under 24 hours. It was refreshing not to have a book centred around a season.

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in return for an honest review

"Juno absolutely loved a challenge"
"I also hope you find the woman who breaks through that rigid outer shell you wield so relentlessly"
"I need to manoeuvre myself next to the rigid duke"
Funny, witty, entertaining, hot, spicy, romantic ... this book was everything!
If you're a fan of Bridgerton, than you should definitely check this book - hopefully a series soon enough - out now!
A singular woman, strong, witty and beautiful -a goddess as he likes to say- and a very rigid but very hot duke ?
I'm all in for it!!
I loved every minute of reading this story, starting from when Juno's trying to arrange a marriage for someone else, because that's what she does for living, and he very much tries to be as frigid and bored as possible, up to the point when something changes and he is the first one realising it!
I love when he is the first one realising what's happening... when he is the first one realising that some strange feeling is growing in him, that's a bit different from disgust or distaste!!
Juno is amazing, Dare even more so and their dynamic is great to read about.
Adding a bit of a forbidden relationship in the middle helped making it even more intriguing!!
It seems like the matchmaking season started and I can't wait to read more about this stories, about this world and from this author!!
"I do feel a connection to someone. In fact, she drives me mad with her giddy smiles and forthright demeanour ... More than anything, I want to kiss her and see if she'll taste as divine as I expect"
"Because there are at least a dozen things that have come to mind ... that I should like to do to you in a private setting such as this"
"Juno had opened something inside him, and he's be damned if he'd let it slam closed"

OMG, (imaginary fan fanning my face), this book did not disappoint me at all. It hit all the right spots, sexy, sassy, scintillating, and sweet. It had me glued to its pages until the end. Juno and Dare were entertaining, fun, and enticingly engaging. These words sum up this book eloquently HOTT!!!!!!!!!!.