Spunky matchmaker Jo meets her match in Matthew, Duke of Crestmont. Love prevails against all odds and despite the actions of our hero and heroine. The Duke’s Rules of Engagement offers a satisfying Regency read.

This book was provided by Netgalley and Entangled Publishing LLC for an honest review. All of the thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book is exactly what you expect for the genre.
A stoic, grumpy and deep down loveable simp of a Duke and a spitfire, no nonsense matchmaker spinster firmly on a shelf battle it out in the game of wits and love.
While on a mission to find a match for her new client the estimated Duke she sees an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone and with one match ensure happiness of two couples. What neither of them counted on was falling in love. Hijinks and heartbreak ensued. But naturally it all comes back to happiness in the end.
4 starts for true enjoyment

This book was mostly about one’s emotions, passions and ways to keep them inside or... not being able to do so. Because of that, you could quickly find yourself reading on. When you read about an emotion for 100 pages or so, you’re bound to do just that, but trust me when I say - stick around for the ending. It was perfect..

Who doesn't like a nice smutty read? I know I do! This was a quick steamy read, perfect for in between a fantasy read. I enjoyed it quite a lot.

4/5 ⭐

thank you to Entangled Publishing, netgalley, and Jennifer Haymore for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for my honest review. <3
Rating: 3/5 Stars
Pages: 384

The story starts with Ms. Joanna Porter, a spinster with a matchmaking business, bringing in her cash from the ton. She is acquainted with Matthew, the Duke of Crestmont as another client, who is in want of a wife. Joanna however is determined to find the duke a love match all while keeping her own feelings under wrap.

I found the story quite entertaining and easy to read, however, this gets a tad bit boring in the middle. What unfolds is a beautiful relationship that is founded on mutual interests and ease in spending time with one another. Jo is a strong woman who owns her own business as a matchmaker (we love an independent woman <3 )

Overall I really liked this book and would definitely recommend others to read it.

Joanna Porter has had much success as a matchmaker, especially finding love matches for her clients, but when the Matthew, the Duke of Crestmont, hires her, she's determined to find the reserved duke a love match. That is, if she can keep her own feelings for the duke under wraps. Matthew was burned once before when he opened his heart to love and he vowed he'd never let it happen again. He hired Miss Porter to find him a perfect duchess, one that would be an asset to him in her position. He needn't love his wife, just make sure she gave him an heir and a spare. That's all he needed or so he thought. Can the fiesty matchmaker show him that he's deserving of love?

I really enjoyed this story. Joanna worked so hard for her clients and her family. It was only through her hard work that they were able to survive in London. I loved her fiesty spirit never backing down against the duke. Even when her feelings overwhelmed her, her first priority was for finding the duke the perfect match. Ms. Haymore does a great job of teasing out Matthew's background to his aversion to opening his heart to love once again. I don't think the evil uncle showing up near the end of the story added much to the story though. The uncle had done his damage early in Matthew's taking of the title. Just when everything seemed to be going smoothly, misunderstandings happen threatening to tear Joanna and Matthew apart forever before they finally get their HEA.

Matthew hires Joanna to find himself a wife. What they both hadn’t counted on was falling in love with each other. Joanna was about to sacrifice her happiness because she was aware she’s not in the same social circle as Matthew her duke. I found the story quite entertaining and easy to read! Would recommend to others.

He is determined to marry for duty. She is determined that he will love and be loved. She is also willing to sacrifice her own happiness so her loved ones will be happy. He found THE ONE when he realizes just how much she means to him. Lovely story with poignant moments, featuring friends who provide love, support and wise advice. It is also funny when friends get confused with changing news they should have known but are last to know!

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and leaving my review voluntarily.

Jo is a matchermaker and good at it! She meets a new client and tries her best to pair him with his perfect duchess. Things don't go according to the plan and a scheme is hatched to make all parties plus some happy in the end. Everything falls apart again. Will Jo be able to find the Duke his duchess? Read this great story and find out!

Joana Porter is a matchmaker. A spinster who believes in love, not for herself, but for others.

Then comes her biggest challenge: Matthew Leighton, The Duke of Crestmont, who wants to find his perfect duchess for a marriage not out of love, but out of obligation.

After difficult initial contacts, they get to know each other better and fall in love but she needs him to marry someone else to help with her business and also to help a friend to be with the man she is in love with. He is clinging to his concepts of what would be a suitable bride for the Duchess post, as he carries a great deal of heartbreak in the past.

They succumb to passion but it is necessary to overcome feelings of undeserving, rejection, pride, secrets so that they can be together.

Main characters with flaws and qualities and therefore rich, charismatic.
I loved reading!

The Duke's Rules of Engagement is a lovely historical romance full of humor, romance, and spice. I was drawn into the story from the beginning and could not put this one down. The characters are well-written with intriguing backstories and a storyline that will leave you wanting more. I look forward to reading more from this author!

What a perfect combination of fun, steamy and sweet with an edge of angst, I haven't read many historical romances, but this one has everything to keep the reader hooked from start to finish.

Joanna is a Matchmaker and she has to find a Match for the Duke of Cresmont, but the more time they spend together the harder it is to deny the attraction they feel, gahhh swooned so hard! What a spicy and emotional romance. Highly recommended!

Spinster Joanna is in the business of matchmaking. Referred by a friend, Matthew decides he needs to marry and start having heirs to take on his dukedom. Spending time together, they act on their mutual attraction. However they both know that a marriage between an impoverished spinster and a duke is impossible. Or is it? I received an ARC from NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for my honest review.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley and publisher, Entangled Publishing, LLC. Entangled Amara. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: 3/5 Stars
Publishing: September 27, 2022
Pages: 384

“The Duke’s Rules of Engagement” by Jennifer Haymore likeable and good read. Either I’m slow in the mind or jumbled at the start, the title got lost in translation as I really didn’t put it together until halfway through the story.

Ms. Joanna Porter is a spinster who has a matchmaking business, earning her money from the ton. She is introduced to Matthew, the Duke of Crestmont as a new client and one who will bring notary to her business. Matthew wants a wife however does not have a clue in the criteria he is looking for in such a wife and it must not be based on love. He doesn’t believe in love but wants a perfect duchess that comes from a well-to-do family and one amiable to what he requires. Jo is bent on proving him wrong on the notion of love and not one bent on societal obligations. As the two work together to find him a match, an underlying attraction draws them closer not only in a working relationship but one of a romantic notion.

Matthew and Jo were likeable individuals, however you had to feel some sympathy for the heroine as she lives a lonely life…seeing those around her and hired by her finding love. I did not connect right off with Matthew, but as the story progress he became a sensitive and caring person somewhat. I did not like his pursuit of Jo…having no intention of marrying her but wants to take the risk of exploring her intimately knowing she could become ruined in the process. His summation…thinking she is jealous of the women he is pursuing.

Another bit far off for Regency is that Jo, a spinster woman owning an establishment could have an exclusivity into balls throughout the seasons. A lost in translation that had me thinking this was to be a bit more modern or reserved regency…couldn’t grasp.

If I were reading just on paper, this was a delightful read but a bit dry. I quite liked the main characters as well as the supporting ones. There was romance, conflict, angst and steamy sex that had you turning pages.

4 Stars

"I'd love to see you come. To make you scream my name. To watch your face while I give you pleasure."

Swoon!

Respectful and cool, Duke of Crestmont, Matthew Leighton is searching for the perfect Duchess with impeccable pedigree and excellent mannerism. He needs an extra push to find the perfect someone and meets... spinster and matchmaker, Joanna Porter. Joanna is a business woman, skillfully creating love matches time after time. Sparks slowly fly between them and their scenes get steamy!

I love them to pieces! Matthew is so tough yet enduring. He just makes me swoon and I think I'll claim him as my next book boyfriend. 😂 Joanna is so funny! One of my favorites lines:

"... Perhaps you should ask one of them to dance. Who knows, one of them might be The One."

"All this talk of The One," he muttered. "Isn't that what you're searching for? I assume you don't intend to engage in polygamy."

😂💥🤌

I do have to say I didn't care for the minor characters. I would have been happy if it solely focused on h/H the entire time, which is why it isn’t a 5.

Thanks to Netgalley and it's publisher for a free copy of this arc in exchange for my honest review.

“That is so 1799.”

This joyful read is peppered with sweet relationships and interesting historical tidbits.

Before this book even began I was sold. On page 3 there was a website where you can read trigger warnings for the publisher’s books. This is amazing! Hopefully more publishers take a page from this book (literally lol)
On to the main event! This book is like a chocolate covered strawberry- sweet, decadent, and delicious. The voice of the author was fresh and sweet. Our main couple, Jo and Matthew, are adorable. I spent 80% of the book wondering why Matthew didn’t think of marrying Jo- and then suddenly realized it was due to the abuse he had suffered as a young man. That reveal fixed a big plot hole for me. I did like that Jo understands him enough to know he wouldn’t see her as duchess material. She gets him, and that is a great character dynamic.
The supporting cast of characters was mostly great. Jo’s mom is a mama bear through and through but she also understands her daughter so well. Matthew’s group of bros were such a nice support to him. I hope to read more about them in books to come! I also hope Jo’s friend Bess gets her story told soon.
But now we come to the one major thing I did not like. Lilly. Jo’s best friend. She was selfish, not just in her relationship with Jo but with everyone. I hated her boyfriend Charles Cherrington so much that I was hoping he would break up with her or something. I’m on the fence- part of me wants her to have her own book that maybe explains why she’s out here ignoring everyone’s thoughts and feelings, and part of me wants to never ever read about her again.
Other than the glaring annoyance that is Lilly, the book was good! Jennifer Haymore obviously adores history and that shines through in tons of awesome tidbits. I can’t wait to read more of this series!

TW: Violence, verbal abuse, grief, death of parent, toxic relationship
Tropes: Misunderstandings, bromance

I really liked this book! It had all things HR: humor, romance, and spice. The characters had a lovely love story with a bit of angst and longing. This is a new author to me and I’ve enjoyed her writing style, It will definitely not be my last book from her.

Received an ARC in exchange of honest review.

Joanna Porter is a matchmaker, known for her happily wedded couples. But Matthew, Duke of Crestmont, isn't looking for an ever after ending...he just wants a "proper" duchess to wed and tolerate so he can have an heir and keep the title from passing to his uncle. They butt heads as she tries to help him find a bride, but he can’t stop thinking of the one woman who shouldn’t be on his list.

This is my first time reading a book from Jennifer Haymore and it was an enjoyable experience. The book started with some humor, as a seemingly insufferable duke tried matchmaker Jo's patience. It wasn't the grumpy/sunshine opposites attract type story I was expecting from the blurb, though. Jo and Matthew had some nice, private interactions and realized they actually had quite a bit in common. There was one moment later in the book that soured me a little bit, but I still think the story came together well.

Tropes: Class Difference, Working Heroine/Matchmaker

Steam: 3

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

What a great emotional journey this book took me on. Matchmaker Joanna has her work cut out for her when she has to find a match for the Duke of Crestmont. As they spend more time together, it becomes harder for her to hide her developing feelings.

Every character in this book had friends, which might sound weird, but many books leave out friend relationships. Here, they are almost just as important as the main characters. Additions like this make the emotions you see more real, as you watch other people react to what our main characters are feeling. I found myself actually worried about how these two would work it out, they were so clearly in love. Their story really sucked me in, and I was very emotionally invested in their ending.

*I was provided a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

One of my favorite types of historical romance is when the author breaks the “rules” of a stereotypical story. Our female main character has a job. As a member of the working class, she finds herself in a unique position when a duke catches her completely by surprise and becomes a client. Sparks fly and so do the pages!

There are so many wonderful qualities that Haymore has added to this story. Good friendships, for him and her. Hot romance, which is selectively found in this genre. Delightful atmosphere and details that fill the heart as you turn the pages.

The Duke’s Rules Of Engagement is authentic and factual with a balance of lightness, humor, romance, and spice that will capture your attention and leave your heart happy. I look forward to reading more from this author!