I thoroughly enjoyed this book and finished it in about a day and a half. It is a spinoff of the Isle of Synne series that I enjoyed so much. ⁣
⁣
The hero and heroine are meant for each other and completely pull off their marriage of convenience. The hero, Is the strong protectory type, as all heroes should be. They have the best meet-cute where they bump into each other on the street and her beetle collection gets loose.

I can’t wait to hear more about this fun and loyal group of friends in the next book in the Synneful Spinsters series.

I thought that this was a wonderful read. A smart blend of emotion and heart fuels this story and I quickly found myself absorbed and invested. I absolutely adored Bronwyn and my heart truly ached for Ash, even though I often thought he needed a good shaking and a stern talking to. This book is a heartwarming, heartstring tugger that definitely has you laughing, crying and enjoying The Feels and The Swoon.

Honestly, what is there to say about Christina Britton and except that all of her books are amazing reads? The Isle of Synne is my favorite fantasy geographical location. The way she describes the town makes it so real to you. I always like her heroines, and you can’t help but love her heroes. You will always root for them. But what I really love the most about her books is the fact that her heroines are smart and sassy and three-dimensional, which gets you invested in everything they do and say.

So, in this book, we have Bronwyn and Ash. She is an entomologist, which makes her parents crazy because, of course, it’s 1820 and they just want her to marry somebody rich. Ash is the Duke of Buckley (shhhh, that’s a secret) and he owns a gaming club. He is also the guardian of three precocious, tenacious, and hardheaded young girls. Anyway, two of them have run away to Synne. It’s his job to get them back. And also to figure out how to keep them safe in London, because clearly that there’s something wrong/something they are looking for that caused them to flee.

Bronson is a Synneful Spinster (that just rolls off the tongue). She’s got short hair. She is not interested in getting married but that is what her parents want. This puts them on a collision course.

This is definitely a five star book, it’s almost perfect. I will always flock to books with smart heroines. I cannot wait for the rest of the series. (And there’s a foul mouthed parrot that makes me with there were more than 5 stars to give!)

I loved being back on the Isle of Synne and was excited to see Bronwyn get her very own HEA. I really enjoyed the relationship that she and Ash build. When Bronwyn proposed engaging in a scientific study, I laughed out loud and thought to myself here's where they seal their fate.

Ash Hawkins, the Duke of Buckley, has never really wanted to marry. He owns a gaming hell and was given a front-row seat to the ugly side of marriage. He's raising three wards alone and they need someone more stable in their life. What he needs is a marriage of convenience with someone who the girls won't drive away.

Bronwyn was prepared to devote her life to her scientific studies. But her parents are now forcing her to find a husband otherwise they'll find one for her. They've taken her research and no longer want her to spend time with her friends the Oddments.

Ash and Bronwyn literally bump into each other as he arrives in town. Both are struck by this encounter. When Ash sees her again and getting along with his two youngest wards, he proposes a marriage of convenience. Bronwyn knows this will give her the freedoms she is looking for and she won't have to leave her home or friends.

Thank you so much to the author, and Forever for this ARC to review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Ash and Bronwyn are both easy to cheer for and I loved seeing them fall in love. This is a marriage of convenience story about two people who think they aren't lovable. Terrible parents led to these feelings, plus an absolute ass of a suitor. But there are also friends who see their worth and are determined to support them. And the sweetest children who offer moments of levity,and exhibit the same need to be loved. And isn't that the heart of all romances? Learn how to love and open oneself up to it.
This is a quick read, the pace is excellent, and I couldn't put it down. Sexy times are on the page but not explicit. The community of Synne is delightful and I'm looking forward to seeing more from the cast of characters.

There are many, many content warnings for this book. Please see the author's website for a full list. Much of this list is involved in backstory and is not current on the page, but it may still be difficult reading for some. CW include domestic violence, sexual assault, shaming, misogyny, condescending and controlling parents, among much more.

Bronwyn has always been treated like an outcast in her family because she’s more interested in science and bugs than finding a husband. Ash has always held himself at a distance from his three young wards in an effort to protect them from his family’s reputation. They meet briefly and he sees how a marriage of convenience can help them both: she’s out from under her parents’ thumb, and he has someone to help him raise three young girls he can barely understand.

Christina Britton taps into all the things I love best about historical romance. There’s a marriage of convenience we know won’t stay a business arrangement for long. There’s an opposites attract romance between scientific Bronwyn and brash Ash. But this story also has what I love best about all stories: two people who find the person they didn’t know they were looking for, someone who makes them better and supports them in their dreams and when things get tough.

Ash and Bronwyn are both stronger together than they are apart, and the story is basically their journey to figuring that out. Ash’s wards, Eliza, Nelly, and Regina, are standout characters, funny and bold and a boost of energy the book sometimes needs. Bronwyn’s friends, a group that calls themselves the Oddments, are also great supporting characters, the perfect example of found family. So much of the book is really a testament to finding the people who support you rather than holding you back, and I loved it.

It felt to me like the Oddments and the interesting setting of the Isle of Synne far away from London are setting up a new series. I can safely say I’ll be back for book two.

This book contained some of my absolutely favorite tropes and I was here for it!
Instalove, found family, forced proximity and marriage of convenience.

If you are looking to try a historical romance, this is definitely one to pick up! This is heartwarming and just gave me all the feels.

This had a nice bit of steam and I was able to connect to the characters perfectly thanks to Christina’s excellent writing.

POV: Dual
Spice: 🌶 🌶 🌶

This was my first book by the author and I’m lucky that I already have my second read of hers ready to go! After reading this one, I know that I really enjoy her writing and characters!

Bronwyn and Ash are a little different than the normal historical characters, which I always love to see. Bronwyn is a good mix of shy yet strong and determined, while Ash seems cold but has a heart of gold. My heart hurt for both of them throughout the book, but they get such a beautiful HEA that is well deserved.

While this marriage of convenience romance has its funny moments and a lot of steam, this book is a little more on the angstier side and deals with some tough subjects, although not in detail. If you love a book with a found family and a fun and supportive girl gang, you will want to give this one a read!

4.5 stars

There is nothing more comforting to me as a lover of historical romance than to read standard tropes of the genre executed at such a high level. I'm legitimately at work right now almost in tears about this book.

Some Dukes Have All the Luck has so many staples of the genre: a hardened duke with childhood trauma, a bluestocking heroine with an unconventional choice of hobby, rambunctious children, marriage of convenience, and meddling parents. We've all read it before to varying degrees of success. What really sets this book apart is Britton's writing, which perfectly balances the light and dark of this novel with prose that never feels overly maudlin or purple.

The only thing that did drag for me was how the structure created this divide between the romance and the subplot with the duke's wards. It made certain aspects of both become a bit repetitive as the focus felt a bit too singular. However, the writing and development of the story more than made up for it! While this is my first Christina Britton book, it certainly will not be the last.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!

The premise of the book is quite interesting. It has one of my favorite tropes :marriage of convenience
ASH,the Duke of Buckley needs a wife but he doesn't wish to marry.He has 3 big problems who need to be taken care of.
Enter our female lead Bronwyn with peculiar interests.
She needs to marry to get out of her parents thumb
Marrying each other seems like a solution to all their problems. But risking their respective hearts was not a Part of this plan.
Love always happen unexpectedly.
The chemistry between the leads was sizzling and believable.
Both the characters were likeable.
The story moved at an adequate pace.overall I liked the story.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This brilliant, savvy, sexy marriage of convenience romance captured my heart and my attention on page one! Ash Hawkins, the Duke of Buckley, is part owner in a gambling hell doing everything he can to run from his evil sire’s legacy. Ash sees his father’s cruelty as a curse he can’t escape. Ash has three wild wards, young girls who need guidance, discipline, and love – three things Ash can’t give them.

Bronwyn has always been out of step. Her parents are social climbers who dangle Bronwyn and her dowry in front of any unwedded peer they can find. Bronwyn is awkward and shy. She is a scientist and wants to be left alone with her studies and circle of spinster friends.

Ash and Bronwyn enter into a marriage of convenience. Ash gets a mother for his wards, and Bronwyn receives the freedom to study and research. The two have no idea that this business arrangement will end in unconditional love. I love how Ash and Bronwyn’s story unfolded. Ash and Bronwyn are broken souls, misfits, and malcontents who shy away from emotion. It was enchanting to watch Ash and Bronwyn’s epic romance grow and flourish. Ash’s three wards were beautiful characters. They gave moments of levity at times and heart-wrenching moments at others.

Some Dukes Have All The Luck is the first book in the Synneful Spinsters series. I loved every aspect of this book! The location, characters, and storyline were perfect. Ash and Bronwyn’s journey is fraught with an emotional rollercoaster of ups and downs. Christina Britton can create characters you instantly connect with and stories that stay with you long after you close the book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Some Dukes Have All the Luck by Christina Britton is the first book in the Synneful Spinsters series and the first book I have read from this author. This was a marriage of convenience story that was emotional and heartwarming. Ash has wards he is responsible for and owns a gambling hall and he needs help. But marriage is not for him. Bronwyn loves her work and wants her parents to just let her be. She never expected to get married, but when Ash presented his proposal, it may just give her the out she needs from her parents.

What neither expected is how much the other would come to mean to them. Ash carries guilt over what happened to his mother and can seem reserved, but there is more to him than others see. All Bronwyn wants to do is what she loves, but her parents have other ideas and are selfish. Their story was slow-burning and I loved how supportive they were and watching them fall.

Happy reading!

🌟 3.5 🌟

Bronwyn has always been thought of as odd, a fact not helped by her social climbing parents who will do anything to land her (them) a title. If not for them she would be content studying beetles. With the help of the heroes runaway wards she finds herself married to their guardian Ash, a Duke, who only wants a marriage of convenience to help take care of his wards. But a marriage in name only won't work with the heroine has research on the mind.

This is a sweet, semi-hot, romance that showcases found family at its core. Though it also has other delicious tropes like marriage of convenience and a science-minded heroine.

Ash will do anything for his wards - even propose marriage to a woman he's known for twenty minutes. But he also sucks with emotions and his wards think he hates them. Though itd really just him thinking he needs to protect them from his past and a secret. Bronwyn is a good match for him and I liked just how open she was despite her heart being broken before. Her parents though... I hated every scene they were in.

I found for the content of the book it was almost too long and I think its mainly because how quick they get married and start having sex. It just really cut the tension too early. There is also a sliver of a plot thread that's dropped in and just never leads anywhere.

I voluntarily received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

4.5 stars, rounded up.

Ash Hawkins, the Duke of Buckley and the co-owner of the gambling hell Brimstone, has worked hard to keep his distance from everyone, his father was an evil man and Ash believes that he didn’t do enough to stop him and by failing to do so, especially his mother, he thinks he is not worthy of love and pushes away anyone that he might come to care for. But when learns that two of his wards have run away, he is frantic to find them but it will mean traveling to the last place he ever wanted to return to; the place his beloved mother died, her mother’s childhood home on the Isle of Synne. With his eldest ward in tow, he makes his way to Synne, all the while wondering what he is going to do about the girls, and then the answer slams into him – literally.

Miss Bronwyn Pickering is a gifted entomologist and believes she has discovered a new subspecies of the Tansy beetle, too bad her parents have destroyed her research, taken her equipment, and forbidden her to continue her work. They want her to marry and after being basically banished to Synne after a humiliating (and for Bronwyn, heartbreaking) incident in London, they are even more upset that she lost her chance to snag a duke last year when the Duke of Carlisle fell in love with another. After having her heart crushed, Bronwyn is sure that love is not for her and would rather just continue her studies and be independent like her friends in the Oddments. So when a stranger offers her a marriage of convenience, her first instinct is to refuse, but when her parents decide to send her away, she decides to accept, with a couple of conditions of her own. But what they both agree on is that they will not, under any circumstances, fall in love!

This was a well-written, nicely-paced romance featuring a marriage of convenience trope, which is one of my favorites. Both Bronwyn and Ash have been hurt in the past and that hurt molded them into the people they are today and both have a hard time seeing their true worth, especially Ash. I loved watching them fall in love and my heart broke a little bit when they both wished for a HEA, but didn’t believe that it could happen for them, but that bit of heartache made the ending so much sweeter. This book has it all, great characters, wonderful secondary characters, secrets, steamy love scenes, ghosts from the past, interfering parents, second chances, and finally HEA with a soul-mate type love and an epilogue. This is the first book in the series with ties to the previous series. I am happy to recommend this title and am looking forward to the next installment!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

Yeah, I'm ready for the rest of this series right now. Some Dukes Have All the Luck had dang near everything that I want in a romance, from fantastic character development to steam to precocious teens to marriages of convenience to nature and insects to historical feminism! There is so much to like about this book.

Bronwyn is a woman who has been jilted and heartbroken in the past, and now lives for being a naturalist and learning about insects! Her parents are way too overbearing and want to send her off to live with her brother as punishment for not grabbing a husband. Thankfully, she tumbles into Ash, a duke who is in desperate need of someone to help corral his wards, and the two come up with a mutually beneficial agreement to marry.

I don't know if I can communicate how great the growth, the conversations, the pining, and the excitement over entomology was! This is 100% a hug of a book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Forever Publishing for the e-ARC!

A marriage of convenience that ended up being anything but. Ash has three wards he can't control and won't spend time with, he needs a wife to raise them. Bronwyn thinks a husband to get her social climbing, awful parents off her case before they literally destroy her life would be great. A meet-cute in the street leads to an unexpected proposal and a marriage of convenience seems the most logical solution to everyone's problems. Except on the Isle of Synne Ash and Bronwyn are still living in close proximity to her parents, who don't take hints. (Spoiler alert: possibly my favorite part of the book was when Bronwyn finally lost it with them- though even then she was still much nicer than I would have been). Bronwyn is an entomologist who dreams of having her paper published by the Royal Society. Ash supports her studies and her dream. He supports her against her parents. He seems in fact, pretty great at first for a husband whose initial plan was to marry her, dump his wards on her and take off back to London for a marriage in name only.

As much as I liked Bronwyn: her awkwardness with people, her refusal to bend to her parents' and Society's demands of what a woman should be, her general insistence on being herself in a world that didn't support women in general and women scientists in particular, I couldn't like Ash. His support of Bronwyn aside, there wasn't much I found to like. I felt sorry for him. He had major childhood trauma from a horrible, abusive father, that cannot be denied. But instead of deciding he would grow up to be as different from his father as he could, he just assumed he was like the old duke. He was tainted, he carried his father's sins, he couldn't be near other people, really couldn't be close to people he cared about, and forget trying to love anyone. He didn't deserve it, he was selfish for wanting it, his wards and wife were better off without him. Even when he got close to them, then left, he convinced himself he was only hurting himself and they were better without him. I really can't stand selfish, self-centered main characters like this, who refuse to look outside themselves at change or what might be better for others. While I was skeptical of the insta-attraction between Ash and Bronwyn, having two characters starved for affection their whole lives could have made it work and I'd have gone with it. Christina Britton is a good writer and made their chemistry believable, which is why I gave the book 3 stars. It was the self-martyred hero who has to wake up and discover he isn't his father and deserves to be happy when he hasn't done anything that made this book not work for me. I hope others like that kind of hero and will enjoy this book more. Ash just didn't do it for me.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

“I have realized over the course of my life that we cannot control what other people do; rather we can only control our own reactions to them…Easier said than done, I know. I am still learning this lesson”.

Wow…just damn wow!!! I’ve not been this emotional reading a book in months. In the span of let’s say 12 hours, I’ve laughed…cried…ugly cried in fact…and then joyously sighed…

Some Dukes Have All the Luck positively sparkles. The story at first is a bit…far-fetched in that you’d not believe a person could be so impulsively driven…but…once you easily move past that, your find yourself whisked away into an emotional roller coaster that’s one helluva heart-warming, teary-eyed, snot dripping ride. When I finished reading this book, after having stayed up all night (with the flu I might add) to finish it, I wanted to stand up in the middle of my bed and scream BRAVO…ENCORE…(and I don’t think it was the copious amounts of RX cough syrup I had drank either).

The narrative was simple yet written in such a way that the characters themselves took hold of you and pulled you into the story. They were so vivid and full of life and energy that at times it felt as if their joys were my joys, their triumphs were my triumphs…and there pain I felt utterly and completely. The book is romantic and charming and heartwarming and angsty. And for the lovers of steam…there’s a bit of that too (although not as spicy as I would have liked – evil smile).

Ash Hawkins, Duke of Buckley has a problem. Three young defiant problems in fact and he needs a woman’s touch to help him rear them in. With governess after governess quitting one after the other, Ash decides the only thing for him to do is find someone who can’t quit…and that means finding a wife…one with nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Bronwyn is odd…and that’s putting it mildly. She’s awkward and shy and a bit of a bluestocking. With parents who are fed up with this disgusting obsession with insects, Bronwyn must leave her “profession” behind and focus on finding a suitable match.

Although this was the first book of Christina Britton’s that I’ve read, it most certainly will not be my last. Some Dukes Have All the Luck has everything I seek in good book and I can’t wait to see what’s next in this series!

Starring Miss Bronwyn Pickering and Ash Hawkins, Duke of Buckley (and his wards: Regina, Eliza, and Nelly)

Tropes: Marriage of Convenience, In Disguise (but only for a moment), Gaming Hell Owner, Secrets, Wards

Oh my!! I loved EVERYTHING about this story!! It had the perfect amount of angst and laughter!! Aw man!! My heart is all kinds of happy as I ugly cry AF!!

Bronwyn is climbing the charts as one of my all time fave heroines… I actually don’t have many on my list (coz I’m always about the hero). But Bronwyn is one that I won’t soon forget. My heart kinda broke for her. Every time Ash paid her a compliment or took interest in her work, she retreated within herself. She was suspicious and unbelieving of the praise. Imma like, girl you’re awesome!! But I’m glad that Ash started making her believe in herself. Oh and her interaction with with the girls are so heartwarming. She’s the best thing that happened to this family.

Now, Ash… oh my yum!! I can’t even with how much I love this hero!! His determination to stay away to protect his family, even though it tears at him to do so was like…. Yasssss with all the internalizing feelings!!! Omigosh, Bronwyn and the girls absolutely adored him and I totally understand why… he’s all tough and alpha, but he wears his heart in his sleeves!! He is truly a worthy book boyfriend!!!

Ash and Bronwyn will definitely give you the feels… add the girls to the equation and you’ll have all your heartstrings pulled into a wonderful tangled ball of emotions. Le sigh!!

Honestly, this book is amazing… Christina Britton should be patting herself on the back with how fantastic of a writer she is!! I’m forever hooked on her stories… 100% keeper shelf author. And she write another winner!

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I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily review it and the comments are 100% my own.

My Star Rating: 5 stars
Ugly cried AF. Major book hangover. Characters and storyline were freaken amazeballs. Made me wanna hug the author for writing a book that gave me all the feels!! Will definitely be reading this story over and over and over again!!

This book easily charmed me and was such a lovely and comforting read. Christina Britton is definitely one of my must read historical romance authors and I am so delighted to be back in the Isle of Synne. This historical romance is a perfect example of a simple, sweet straight forward marriage of convenience story. Britton does a lovely job bringing to life characters that are interesting, sympathetic and open to discovery. Britton’s writing is charming and sweet, her story is character driven, and the pacing is great. This edition to the Isle of Synne universe can definitely be read as a stand-alone and I think it will also compel you to read Britton’s backlist if you have yet to have the pleasure.

Bronwyn has never felt like she fit in with society or her parents. She is an only child who found comfort and joy in exploring the world around her and she considers herself a naturalist. She has found refuge with a group of young blue stocking women on the Isle of Synne but her parents are threatening to limit her interaction with them in favor of her marrying a titled gentleman. One day Bronwyn falling into a gentleman who has just arrived in Synne following his runaway wards. After making a quick decision Ash sees Bronwyn as the perfect candidate for a marriage of convenience to help him with his wayward wards.

If you love a romantic, sensual marriage of convenience story then this is the perfect novel for you. I absolutely adored both Ash and Bronwyn. They are both intelligent and kind people who tend to look out for others and put them first. I really adore the fact that both Ash and Bronwyn are immediately attracted to the other. I love that Ash sees Bronwyn’s beauty (even though her parents have made her think differently) and is compelled to tell her this at every chance he gets. I love that both Bronwyn and Ash enter into their arrangement with clear minds and open hearts. I am always a sucker for a you can’t fall in love with me, but let’s still explore a physical relationship in the name of science. And they sure do! Britton does a beautiful job creating a sensual tension and exploration of physical romance between Ash and Bronwyn. In these moments the reader can really see and feel the shifts and growth and trust that these two are building for the other. Ash is also an absolutely swoon worthy hero, of course he is keeping himself distant from Bronwyn and his wards because he believes this is best for them. But the reader can easily see through his mask and small and intimate moments of understanding from Ash show his deep inner feelings.

If you want a well written, sweetly sensual, low angst romance, then this is the novel for you. My heart was left full and I the romance between Bronwyn and Ash felt so full of depth and true understanding. Christina Britton continues to be a favorite for me and I can not wait for the next novel in this series!

Thank you so much to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for an eARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Look at this gorgeous cover! How can you resist a shirtless Ash!

A undesirable bespectacled bluestocking who studies bugs and a Duke who needs a marriage of a convenience and a wife to watch his wards. 😍 (Love quirky girls!)

Three girls that have scared off every nanny but seem to love her and her peculiar interests.

Love marriage of convenience when there’s already chemistry and you know they won’t be able to keep to their agreement. It’s the best kind of read to me!

Bronwyn’s parents are social climbers who blame her for her former failure in town. And Ash has secrets of his own.

BTW I love Bronwyn’s scientific mind. I need to do some scientific research of my own😂

Thank you readforeverpub and netgalley for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.