This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was fun, held my interest and I didn't want to put it down. I enjoyed this book and will look for other books by this author.

Cinderella and the Duke by Lydia Drake is a marriage of convenience and take on the Cinderella story. Spinster Julia Beaumont needs a husband, and fast, to escape being trapped by her demanding and awful stepmother; becoming her companion and caretaker forever. When her stepmother falls ill and cannot attend a ball, Julia sees her chance and offers to chaperone her younger step-sister; determined to find a husband before the night ends. Julia believes the night is unsuccessful until she meets Gregory, a handsome and notorious rake known for his scandalous affairs. Gregory Carter, the Duke of Ashworth, is tired of being chased by the women of the ton, and when one of these women tries to entrap him, Julia comes to his rescue. Gregory is immediately taken with Julia; enchanted by her intellect and strong opinions. Though Julia flees the ball, leaving behind only her slipper, she sees Gregory again the next day and proposes to him. They can help each other with this marriage of convenience, and it seems like the perfect solution to both of their problems. The one problem is that neither intended for feelings to develop, sizzling chemistry spark between them, or that they would fall for one another.

There are many references to Cinderella throughout the story. Julia (Cinderella) meets Gregory (Prince Charming) at a ball. Julia loses her slipper as she flees the ball. There’s even a wicked stepmother trying to foil Julia’s plans. Except, this step-sister is nice, and she and Julia have a great sisterly bond They are all fun reminders of the fairy tale, but with a unique Regency twist, making it feel fresh and new.

Ms. Drake wrote an entertaining, enjoyable, steamy historical romance novel that is not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with humor, clever banter, sizzling chemistry, family and relationship drama, and endearing characters giving Julia and Gregory a chance to fall in love and have an unexpected future together. I highly recommend Cinderella and the Duke to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

“And wouldn’t it be convenient if you fell in love with your own husband?”

Julia Beaumont wanted freedom from her evil stepmother so she could finally start living her own life. Attending the Weatherford Ball in a last attempt to find the security of a husband, she met Gregory Carter, the Duke of Ashworth, an infamous rake who was as charming as he was infuriating. In a rather subversive take on Cinderella, Julia proposed to Gregory, offering a marriage of convenience. Agreeing to this arrangement also allowed the handsome duke to escape the grasp of the eager debutantes and the wayward wives of the ton.

I loved the idea of a Cinderella retelling set in the Regency era but I think this story would have been more enjoyable without the fairy tale theme. The Cinderella aspects like the lost slipper and the Queen's Ball fell completely flat for me. Much of the language throughout also seemed more appropriate for modern times than for the time period in which the story was set. While a marriage of convenience is one of my favorite romance tropes, combining it with a Cinderella retelling and the Regency period made it feel like it was trying to go in too many different directions and it took away from the emotional ride I was hoping for it to be.

I loved the way Julia and Gregory challenged each other, taunting and teasing banter filling their interactions, culminating in a passionate intensity when they surrendered to their feelings. With a heated connection between them from the moment they met, I loved the power they held over one another and how they affected each other like no one else could. Both Julia and Gregory experienced hurt in the past, the fear of rejection ever present. Excitement mixed with fear as they learned to trust and open themselves up to vulnerability.

“It’s as if we were two Spartan soldiers armed with only our shields. No spears or swords, nothing that can be used as an attack. We keep circling each other, putting our whole energy into defense when in truth we’re perfectly safe because the other would never dream of making a move.”

I loved how Gregory saw Julia as a goddess, admiring her cunning and wit as well as her beauty. He was enraptured by her, showing concern and respect, always willing to sacrifice himself for her and fight for her honor. I felt sad for Gregory as he truly didn't feel worth loving or capable of loving someone else. The promise of only the wedding night reflected both Gregory's fear of disappointment and Julia's fear of heartbreak but underneath it all they simply feared losing each other forever. Both Julia and Gregory acted overly stubborn at times and I wanted to see them stop standing in the way of their own happiness.

A few interesting twists played out later in the book but they seemed inconsistent with the Cinderella theme. However, the story did present a valuable look at the place of women in society, particularly in historical times, along with the powerlessness they were often subjected to based on the roles they were expected to play. The choice between love and title or status only perpetuated this imbalance but the story highlighted the importance of searching for passion and purpose in one's life and of following one's heart towards the hope of a true fairy tale ending.

“If I had to wed a stranger, I couldn’t have dreamed of one more perfect than you.”

** Special thanks to Entangled Publishing, LLC/Amara and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Quotes subject to change at time of publication. Available December 27, 2022. **

Lydia Drake writes with a delightful humour and delicious wit. The constant banter throughout this story was an absolute delight. I has been a long while since I have laughed quite this much. I completely fell for Julia and her eccentricity. She is everything I love in a heroine, strong-willed, unique and true to herself. It is easy to see how her wounded soul saw a kindred spirit in Gregory. The Duke of Ashworth has so long hidden his pain and true self behind his libertine ways, that he doesn’t even realize all he has to offer, He is a surprisingly considerate, tender man with an unmatched loyalty. The story flows so well that I could hardly put it down. The Cinderella elements were so clear, but with the added twist of Cinderella proposing to the prince instead, which was delightful. I absolutely adored this book!

his has got to be the best Cinderella story I've read. Julia has but one night to find a man to marry her.
She is not picky, as l long as he is breathing and wiling to marry quickly. She needs to escape her wicked stepmother before she is forced to wait on her for life. The Weatherford Ball is her last chance, before her stepmother locks her away for good. Then the biggest rouge in London ruins everything !!
Gregory Carter, Duke of Ashworth is the most sort after man in England. The married women of the ton
follow him wanting his knowledge in the bedroom. While the married Lady swoon over him their husband wants him dead, and after a number of duels he is shocked he is not.
When Julia saves him from another married Lady's husband who has found him alone with her.
Gregory is shocked when he sees the most beautiful, tall young lady recusing him. Gregory may be a Hugh rake and rouge but he does not mess with innocent young debutantes !! As he tries to find out her name, he can't believe her witty banter and can't help himself and kisses her more than once.
Aw let the games began, both have their reasons for not trusting the other sex. To save each other they enter into a marriage of convention. Unfortunately, neither informed the other of their deeply held secrets.
Such a great read as they learn about each other, discover they both have a past that caused heartache.
These two will have a lot to learn, and overcome if they will ever find a happy ever after.
With many working against them. There is much emotion and passion in this book, trust and understanding come almost too late for both. This is a book you don't want to miss. It will have you laughing, signing, and may be some tears too. Love the ending, it was perfect.
I received and ARC from the author and wish to thank her. This is my honest opinion and am freely giving it.

Let me start by saying that I don't read a lot of regency-type romance novels, but I love a good fairytale retelling and this one seemed interesting.

I'm so glad I took a chance on this one, Julia and Gregory are fantastic characters, I was so engrossed in the story I didn't even notice as I was getting close to the end.

If you're looking for something with a nice amount of spice that will take you quite literally into Cinderella's story this is the book for you.

A retelling within a retelling, that is easy to get pulled into, the story in itself is wonderful and paired with characters that make you believe in happily ever after you can't go wrong with this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled for providing an advance copy of this ebook, I have voluntarily read and reviewed it and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Weatherford Ball is the last chance Julia Beaumont has to escape the clutches of her horrid stepmother. Any potential husband will do but all of Julia’s matrimonial chances are completely obliterated…thanks to the actions of an infuriating and utterly rakish duke. Gregory Carter, Duke of Ashworth, would never risk his cherished bachelorhood by flirting with marriage-starved debutantes. But one look at the luscious and refreshingly clever Julia, and he simply can’t resist a stolen kiss. Then just as things start getting deliciously interesting, the lady flees…leaving only a slipper behind.
And it must have been one dandy of a kiss. Because now Julia has proposed to him.
A very accomplished debut novel & a charming take on the fairy story. Strong well portrayed characters & a well paced story had me engrossed from cover to cover. Julia's the put upon step daughter & Gregory's the unloved rake, together they are a delight, he sees her for an intelligent gorgeous woman, she sees him as witty, intelligent & of course gorgeous. I loved the chemistry between them but it was their verbal bantering which was the icing on the cake. Both of course soon fall in love with each other but it takes time for them to acknowledge their feelings. I look forward to more from the author
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

What a delightfully sweet retelling of Cinderella! I find it often difficult to find an enjoyable retelling of this particular fairytale, but Lydia Drake pulled it off splendidly. It was a beautiful love story between two people who were never appreciated by their loved ones until they found each other. A hero adored by all? Check. A heroine stuck in a loveless home with an evil stepmother? Check. Glass slipper and a magical ball? Check and check. The writing style kept me engaged throughout, guessing at how the characters would navigate through their trials, and I was pleasantly surprised by the hero in particular. Instead of writing an alpha hero who refuses to admit his feelings for someone, Lydia wrote a hero who is vulnerable, acknowledges his faults (too often at times), and he is more worried about hurting others than he is about himself. It's very refreshing.

Julia Beaumont has one opportunity to marry well and get out of the house in which she's been a hostage for ten years. After a failed elopement, she was sequestered away and kept from society, ensuring that marriage would not be in her future. But when she attends a ball with her stepsister and comes to the rescue of a duke...and well-known rake...she finds herself with a unique opportunity. Gregory Carter, the Duke of Ashworth, wants to be left alone by the ladies of the ton whose husbands keep challenging him to duels, and Julia wants to have a peaceful life away from her stepmother. So they come to an arrangement - a marriage of convenience, no expectation of marital bliss and absolutely no chance of falling in love. Except that's now how fairytales typically go, and Cinderella soon has her sights on a happily ever after.

Julia and Gregory were the perfect match, not just in personality or enthusiasm in the bedroom, but also in how they made each other see the other's worth. While everyone had spent years telling them they were not worth much, and their families cared little for them growing up, they were able to see in each other what others had failed to. Julia was compassionate, strong-willed and funny. Gregory was generous, humble and loving. Neither were who they expected to be married to, but they were exactly who they needed. Now my one nitpick in this book, which brought it down to four stars, was the inclusion of the Carter Club. **Here will be some mild spoilers if you want to stop reading.** It was a club of ladies with whom Gregory had had sexual relations with in the past, and they eventually invite Julia to visit them. When she eventually accepts the invitation and meets all the women, they proceed to tell her all about how Gregory's magical peen has saved their lives and marriages. Not literally...but the implication is there. It all felt so out of place and odd that any woman would want to have her husband's past affairs thrown in her face like that. They were all lovely women, but it was weird and wasn't really needed for the story. Although it did lend some comedy to the story, and wow, Lydia Drake writes comedy well. I had quite a bit highlighted in my digital copy to refer back to later for some laughs.

I highly recommend this author for anyone who loves light-hearted romance with mild steam and quirky characters. I will be smiling for a while after now finishing this delightful book.

Miss Julia Beaumont has one last chance to find a husband. Her vicious stepmother is allowing her to escort her stepsister to one last ball and it’s the Weatherford ball. The ball to end all balls. At least to Julia it is in the night is getting older and she hasn’t even dance once. Right when she is resigning herself to have at least been able to spend time with her good friend Mrs. Weatherford. She hear’s a gasp go up around the ballroom. Then notices a gorgeous man walked in and immediately he has to do his best to dodge a heedless partygoer on his tail. She is so worked up to gain his attention she doesn’t even notice the scandal she’s causing and the fact that her husband is close behind her. The rumors about Lord drake has gotten around The married women of the ton think he is a le therio and this married woman wants to find out why. On impulse Julia decides to help the poor Lord Dexter out and pretends he was waiting for her and not this man’s wife in a dark room down the hall. After all lol Dexter looked frightened when she open the door. When he went to escort her back to lady Weatherford, Julia was her beautiful snarky confidence self a role she doesn’t play often but one she does well. To say it drove Lord Dexter crazy isn’t paining the full picture and then between one and the 10th exchanges he kisses her. It’s Julia‘s first kiss and boy is it a good one. She is so turned around by there and counter that she quickly lays the ball and her late mothers shoe with the broken heel. Dexter must find her and this is his only clue but when he does she will propose something not only beneficial to him socially but may even open his gigolo heart only to have a close surrounding Julia. After all how else is she going to get more of those firey kisses. I knew I was going to love this book but OMG I love la la love it!!! This has only the framework of Cinderella but all the sweet intensity with a little fire and smoke to go with it. I have never in my life read a book by Lydia Drake but I am totally signed up and following her on book Bub and or anywhere else I can find her. I received this great awesome funny historical romance from NetGalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

I cannot believe that this is Lydia Drake's debut novel! It was so good and so well written! Cinderella and the Duke is, obviously, a Cinderella retelling. I loved the tension and banter between Julia and Gregory. I loved how Julia was such a strong character. Then of course you have the notorious grumpy/unloveable rake, Gregory, or at least he is unloveable in his eyes.

This book was written in third person and switched between Julia and Gregory. I loved how the switch between the perspectives really showed who the characters were and how their actions/words didn't always show how they were actually feeling. This was such a beautifully written story, and I am already looking forward to reading the next book by Lydia Drake!

The only thing I "didn't" like was that Iron Maiden seemed out of context with the time period. I have that in quotes though because I actually thought it was pretty funny and liked it.

I do recommend this book to all historical romance fairytale retelling lovers out there! It's so good and you won't be disappointed, especially with the marriage of convenience.

This was a great story! Lots of drama, chemistry and heat. And an infuriating Duke who refuses to admit that he’s more than just his past. I want to read more from this author and these characters!!
5 stars!

Thank you Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy which I voluntarily reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I have not enjoyed a book like this in a log time. It had the premise of Cinderella with a twist. You knew the outcome but it was so much fun getting there. Read it.

If I had not just read the first Brigerton book I think I would have liked this book more. It was way to similar to the first Brigerton book. Yes, it did have that Cinderella feel with the wicked stepmother but ..... the rest of the story line was a little to close to the other book.

Cinderella and the Duke was so not what I was expecting at all! The steamy, sensual buildup between Julia and Gregory was fantastic and well-written leading to the actual consummation, finally. I was beginning to wonder if the poor duke would ever get there. The reason for their disagreement was flimsy. Gregory was a fantastic hero with his strong masculinity; Julia the perfect spinster virgin. I just did not get ‘The Carter Club,’ either. As stated earlier, this is a well-written romance but in searching for a different ‘vibe’ for her take on an old theme, Ms. Drake stretched it a bit too far with the male villian. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed Cinderella with those caveats!

To save a rakish duke from being pursued by wanton wives and jealous husbands, a spinster living under the tyranny of her stepmother offers to marry him.

I absolutely adored this author's voice and writing style. The book is a bit of a romp, the tone witty without ever descending into snark. The banter is brilliant, the characters clever and good-hearted. Julia and Gregory are a perfect match, with plenty of heat and real respect between them.

IMO, there's not enough conflict here for a novel-length book. This would have worked better as a novella. It got tedious with both of them wanting each other but being unwilling to admit it. I stopped reading at the 50% mark. Nevertheless, I'm glad to have read the first half. I loved the author's voice and look forward to future works.

Well this had a plot that pretty much revolved around one of my least favorite storylines. I loved the Cinderella comparisons which in reality were not that many but enough to say the author followed the broad outline and I loved the setup that took place eventually and the romance BUT I am SO tired of the "I am not good enough/I must leave because I don't deserve this" crap. Outside of the self-flagellation and stupid conclusion to things that happen I did enjoy the story and it did have a very good ending so I gave it 4 Stars but it was a very near thing, more like 3.75 but it does have a setup for some interesting characters in future books and since I know I will look forward to them I can't really claim I did not enjoy it.

3.5 stars.

This seems to be Lydia Drake’s first romance novel, and I am quite impressed. The writing is solid, the main characters are both likeable, and moments of dialogue were delightful.

“Why? Are you afraid he’ll slip a bag over your head and make away with you as his helpless captive?”

“As if a bag would render me helpless.” She sounded so insulted by the idea that Gregory laughed.

I do think the story could have been tighter (it possibly felt drawn out because the conflicts were internal), and the ‘villains’ were a little one dimensional. However overall it was enjoyable and I look forward to reading other books by Lydia Drake in the future.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, but all opinions are my own.

One very used duke.

Gregory is a rake (yawn, borning, gross, can we please get some creativity?). He's bored with his many, many affairs and at 32, finally thinking about settling down. Julia has one single shot at a ball to find a match. She's willing to settle for anyone. Even Gregory. So she does. Settle for him. Its always weird to to socialze with all the women he's bedded afterward.

Julia is great. Funny, smart, tall, bold, desperate to get free from her evil stepmother. I wish she had found a better prince charming, or anyone more interesting and original than Gregory. But desperate time calls for settling times.

4⭐️ 3🌶️

This was a really solid and enjoyable debut novel that I would recommend to any lover of Regency romance or someone looking for a place to start.

Julia has just one night to find a husband who will take her away from living out her life as a spinster and lady’s companion to her step mother. She isn’t picky, almost anyone will do. But after Julia rescues the Duke of Ashworth, the ton’s most notorious rake, from the unwanted advances of a married woman whose husband calls him out, the two agree to a marriage of convenience. She gets away from her spiteful step-mother and he gets protection from the married ladies of the ton and their husbands who call him out. Of course they both start to develop feeling for each other which scares them and leads to some foolish mistakes on both their parts.

The chemistry between the Julia and Gregory was apparent from their first meeting and only grew as they got to know each other. The banter in this book was amazing. They both had such dry humor and wit.

I loved Julia’s intelligence, snark, and her obvious love for her stepsister. I really loved how easily she accepted that the things she wants for herself may not be the things her sister wants.

Poor Gregory made me want to give him a hug. He felt so unworthy of love. I understand why he thought he was doing what was best for Julia but still wanted to hug him and then slap some sense into him.

I could easily see this book being a comfort read. It was really enjoyable, with loveable characters, a decent amount of spice, and an uncomplicated plot.

I love a good historical romance.
Julia is a spinster in London’s eye but she is still determined to find a husband and leave her step mothers household. Gregory is a Rake looking to escape the women of London. When Julia comes up with a plan that will help them both… Marriage.

This is such a quick read but it was perfect. We get to watch Julia and Gregory relationship grow from a marriage of convenience to a love story.

I love this take on a historical romance and I would love to see more from these characters. Lydia makes some strong women that don’t need the men or society telling them what to do.