"The Duke's Rules of Engagement" by Jennifer Haymore is a tantalizing historical romance that sweeps readers into the lavish world of the British aristocracy. Set against the backdrop of Regency England, Haymore crafts a tale of passion, scandal, and societal expectations. The Duke's suave demeanor and the heroine's fiery spirit create a captivating dynamic, fueling a romance that defies conventions. With intricate plot twists and rich character development, Haymore keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. "The Duke's Rules of Engagement" is a charming escapade into love and intrigue, sure to enrapture fans of the genre.

Joanna Porter is a matchmaker Duke of Crestmont comes to her to try to find a bride. Joanna is killing two birds with one stone she has a friend who is in love with a guy but cause he has five sisters he needs someone with money to marry jo has this ideal match one of his sisters with the duke and everyone will be happy but she doesn't count on herself falling in love with the duke I love this blood

How juvenile can the plot get? Jo is a matchmaker who tries to help Matthew find a lady to marry for the sake of an heir. She thinks she can steer him to a friend she cherished, Lilly, but then falls for him (wow, who saw that coming? Not me. 😮‍💨) On the other hand, Matthew was "do I wife Jo up like a proper man and let Lilly down or do I seduce Jo while courting Lilly?" Well, you know what he picked.

Let's jump to the setting. This is regency England, if I'm not mistaken, but somehow Jo (impoverished, might I add) attends ball and after ball without worrying a wit about the expenses in order to socialize with high society? There's no shame, either. You can just walk up to an Early or a duke, talk to them like they're you're best bud, without a care in the world. And unfortunate as it is, women struggle to find jobs during that time and with Jo so poor they couldn't even afford necessities in their house, how could she wear up-to-date dresses? How did she afford that? Because if she didn't and wore those dating months of years back she'd be shunned before she could say CREST.

I dnf'ed this twice. Once last year, and right now, around 60% mark. As an avid lover of both Julia Quinn's work and Jane Austen's, this is a big shame to the genre.

This wasn't for me. I thought it was slow in the beginning but I stuck with it. Unfortunately, I didn't feel that it got better. In fact I started truly disliking Jo the matchmaker.

This was my first book by Jennifer Haymore, the first in her Lion and Lilies Series.

I really appreciated the fresh take of the female main character being a matchmaker, usually if there's one involved it's often a side character or someone in place to move the two mains closer together. That said, I felt that Jo's overall character when it came to her role as a matchmaker made her fairly unlikable in my opinion. She's presented as smart, kind and charming, but pretty quickly she uses the situation with the Duke to support her best friend, setting him up with someone that isn't well suited to him, while also secretly seeing him as well. And, no guilt is spared for the girl caught up in this scheme, only in the sense that she's tricking the Duke.

The Duke on the other, but same, hand, is not overly likable either. He goes to a matchmaker usually known for setting up love matches with the intention of checking a box to get an heir and get his uncle off his back and his title. Also, while talking about proposing to this other girl, he's carrying on with Jo.

Usually, this juxtaposition in a historical romance can be softened by the likability of the characters, but they just never really got there for me, personally. The last half of the book felt like it was going to be hard to finish, but I did enjoy the tension and seeing how the situation would be resolved.

While I'd be hesitant to check out another book by this author, I'd still try. Her writing moves along at a good pace with solid descriptions and focuses on how the characters are feeling. If you don't mind working a little harder to find your love of this couple, this might be the book for you.


All opinions are my own and freely given.

Sometimes historical romance is the only thing that can bring me joy, and other times it stomps on all kinds of people on its way to its blissful, oblivious happily ever after, infuriating me in the process. Welcome to my rageful review of The Duke's Rules of Engagement.

The introduction to the story is an infodump, an unappealing first impression that forecasts the at times wooden storytelling to come. It's a matchmaking gone wrong romance, where Jo is our matchmaker. Matthew is a duke who only wants to get married so he can have an heir and prevent his conniving uncle from one day taking up the reins of the family title. It's a pretty basic conflict because Jo insists on making love matches, which Matthew doesn't want at all. Things get more sticky when Jo figures out that if she can steer Matthew toward a specific match, she can also save her best friend, Lilly's, love from collapsing by infusing some much-needed cash into her would-be husband's household. It leads to a lingering and intentional scheme of dishonesty, not only personally but professionally. Matthew doesn't know her ulterior motives in matching him a certain way (a great basis to start a relationship), and honestly, I think given his aversion to love, he might have been open to an upfront business proposition if Jo didn't find that side of matchmaking abhorrent. Instead, she smooths her hypocrisy away with silence. Worse, the girl she hopes to match knows it could save her family and allow her brother to marry Lilly. Jo doesn't bother to inform the girl that the duke will actively prevent himself from a loving marriage... and likes to make out with his matchmaker on the side. Conflict of interest much? I was extra mad because the intended match has less power and even less knowledge of the situation than the Duke, and she would be more trapped by this future Jo is crafting as a function of gender. But all of Jo's guilt is geared towards how she's manipulating the duke while falling in love with him with no thought spared for the girl caught up in her schemes. Jo literally wants her chosen bride to be "besotted" because she feels the duke deserves to be loved instead of letting her go in, eyes wide open. But it's all OK because Jo just wanted her friend to be happy? And then said friend ALSO starts putting pressure on her would-be sister-in-law like "Hey can you please get a move on marrying a wealthy duke so I can be happy k thnx bye" like wtf with the emotional warfare on this barely grown woman. In the end, both Jo and Lilly get what they want with no particular flavor of regret.

And then there's the colonialist, straight-people bullshit. The author tries a little too hard to convince me our protagonists are good people by randomly bringing up that one thinks slavery should be abolished and the other shares food with beggars. Like, save your breath-- basic human rights bona fides are far from impressive, especially given other details of their world views.

For example, Lilly's side hustle (as compared to her 9-5 of crying and trying to maneuver everyone else so she can marry as she wishes) is architecture. Her designs are inspired by the "Far East and India," and we are assured by Jo that no one else has created anything like it... despite the clearly stated origins of her ideas. Appropriative much?? As Jo gets to know a young woman with an enthusiasm for expanding the British Museum's colonial ventures, it only added to my ick. In a surprising turn, someone actually criticizes an archaeologist as a thief, but his devotee shuts it down on the basis that he "has preserved so many ancient artifacts and shared so much knowledge with the entire of the civilized world." Don't even get me STARTED on the civilized world. The former archaeologist in me is having a whole-ass fit about the romanticized, racist past in these pages. Also, the brief joy I experienced seeing someone call it out was doused by her general characterization as a wet blanket. Only people who hate fun call out colonialism when we see it. Please put that on my headstone.

Finally, I received a personal slap to the face when Jo states she doesn't need (romantic) love to be happy early on in the book and is pitied for her supposed naivete. Like you poor girl... I guess you'll just be lonely forever. There's yet more queer erasure when Jo muses that she'd "never met a man who was completely immune to the physical charms of the opposite sex." Then expand your social circle like damn, Jo. I'm pretty sure gay and ace men enjoy their immunity just fine.

This was a super yucky experience for me, and I don't recommend it.

Loved this historical romance with a touch of feminism, a badass heroine and a swoony love interest.

I think this may be my first book by this author but, if so, it certainly won't be my last. Well-written story, quirky characters and laugh out loud fun.
Thank you Jennifer Haymore, Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

This book was such a cute read. While it was a little cliche, it wasn't so cliche that I felt there was no point in reading it. The characters are so much fun but they will make you want to shake them at times. I think I yelled "What are you doing?" multiple times while reading it.

My first by Haymore but a fun read! I always love when the matchmaker finally falls and of course it is for someone she is trying to match. A fun and enjoyable hist rom!

I read this book almost a month ago and I didn't review it right away so now I don't remember anything from the book besides liking it so much I rated it 5 stars. So let's leave it at that.
My first book by this author and probably not the last.

This romance was well-written and fun if not a little predictable. I really enjoyed both Matthew and Joanna as individuals and their banter together was excellent. The forced proximity combined with Matthew's determination to not fall in love created so wicked tension. Definitely interested in more from Jennifer Haymore!

This was a new-to-me author and I was so happy I discovered it! The writing is excellent, the dialogues brilliant and witty, the characters gorgeously fleshed out, there is humor, a touch of angst, everything I look for in a book. The Duke was exactly what I love in a hero, the stern, apparently cold type that has “rules”, but of course the heroine, a refreshing and engaging matchmaker, will break them one by one! I so loved the book that I hurried to catch all other available ARCs of this author!!!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I don't know if it's just a classic for me but the matchmaker unintentionally matching themselves is such a good one. This being a slow burn fits the story really well. You can't help but root for the characters.

4.5 stars - Very entertaining, The Duke’s Rules of Engagement had all the things I need in a romance -- great character building, a good cast of friends, steam, and a HEA. Jo was always the right woman for Matthew and I’m so happy they ended up together. There was obviously never any doubt.

I hope each of the Duke’s friends gets a story.

I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

What a spectacular book. It had all the qualities that I would like to read in a book. The slow build up to a realization of love. Matthew and Jo learned that they had to fight through their misconceptions and fear to arrive at love. This is a wonderful book that shows love from friends also.

I know a lot of people could call this book "predictable," but sometimes I want to make myself some tea, cuddle up on the couch, and read a beautiful story I KNOW will end well. "The Duke's Rules of Engagement" offers just that. I loved Joanna and the fast-paced plot. The romance is not as cookie cutter as other regency romances--which might turn some romance fans off from Jo and Matthew--but I loved it, and it was refreshing for me. Be ready to devour the book in one evening!

Thank you NetGalley and Entangled: Amara for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This was a pretty well done story. I enjoyed the romance that grew but the Duke was a Jerk at times. I did like that he learned a lesson overall a pretty good read.

A great escape and steamy read. I loved the plot.
Many thanks to Entangled Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was just okay. Very average in terms of the historical romances that are being published right now.

The conflict is that Jo is matchmaking for the Duke and having to push him toward other ladies that are more suitable for marriage. They end up falling in love in the process. But it didn't really feel genuine to me. The pieces were there, but none of it felt actually emotional to me. I felt like Jo didn't really love him, she was just inexperienced and had sex once. I think the dialogue kept me from really connecting with either character.

I was interested to see how the situation was going to unfold and liked the tension that occurred towards the end of the book a bit more. But I also just hated how the Duke was discussing proposing to another girl while he's actively thinking about and having sex with Jo.

Other reviewers have really loved this, so if you're into the matchmaking trope it may work for you.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.