When convenience turns to passion, can they change the terms of their contract …

I confess when I saw this upcoming release, I was not sure I would be able to read it, I had already so many scheduled to release on the same week, I doubted I would find time for it.
But finally having a bit reduced my list, I decided I could not pass on this new historical romance voice.
So here I am.

I enjoyed reading this Cinderella retelling, the writing is engaging and quickly sucked me into the story.
Julia after years under her stepmother’s thumb feels she has reached her limits, if she wants to free herself, it is now or never.
Only she is no young debutante, with no dowry and connection to recommend herself.
So any offer she will accept, if she can garner one which is similar to climbing an impossible peak when no man gazes in her direction.
Gregory is a bit more complexe, he is not the profligate everyone believe him to be, he hides his real self, gentleness, kindness and his lot of uncertainties.
To balance what he believes he lacks, he made himself a considerate lover, so much he is pursued and knows no peace from determined ladies who long for a piece of him and jealous husbands seeking retribution.

When Gregory’s past is finally explained, the roots behind his self flagellation, alighting what he sees as his shortcomings, it was a bit deflating, I expected worse to justify his actions and choices.
4.5 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen foreplays and lovemaking scenes

I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

I love the story of Cinderella. I also like reading different versions of age old tale.
Julia is a prisoner. To her hateful stepmother and a spinster. However, for one night she captures the interest of the most rogue and rascally of dukes, Gregory. She ends up proposing to him and their marriage of fakery and convenience turns into anything but that.
I was not disappointed in the layout and trajectory of the story-replete with simpering society ladies and a villain.
No two characters deserved a forever ending together than the Duke and his lady, once she stops running.

Cinderella and the Duke might just be my favourite fairy tale retelling novel to date!

Lydia Drake's debut novel is captivating, filled with perfect fairy tale connections and witty dialogue that had me laughing and falling in love with Julia and Gregory. I found once I started reading, it was extremely hard to put the book down. I often shy away from fairy tale retellings/inspired novels, but I found that Lydia's touches of the Cinderella story we know were perfection. I loved how the loss of the slipper happened on more than one occasion and both times it brought Julia and Gregory together in a moment that was heartfelt and wonderful.

Upon finishing Cinderella and the Duke I immediately pre-ordered the novel. I so look forward to Lydia Drake's next novel as I know she will forever be an auto buy author for me!

I loved it! What a great modern-ish take on the Cinderella story. Julia Beaumont needs to be away from her stepmother and wants a husband, Gregory Carter, the Duke of Ashworth, doesn't want a wife at all but can't get away from all the debutantes and their mothers. So why not strike a deal? I laughed out loud while reading there were so many silly and funny things I noticed while reading. What can possibly be better than a steamy romance, wit, humor, family drama and a Cinderella tie-in? Almost wish this was a series so I could visit with Julia and Gregory again.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was well written and the storyline was sweet. I also really loved their banter and their chemistry

In this witty, bantering, and lively marriage of convenience is a true Cinderella story. You have the disgruntled step mother, lively and likeable step sister and the brooding, handsome Duke.
Cinderella is Julia Beaumont, only daughter and child of her parents who showed her what love, acceptance, and independence can bring to a person but her means spirited step mother wants to keep her down and at her beck and call. Julie just wants her freedom away from that. Her step sister is more friend and confidant than most could ever hope for.

When a chance encounter brings her into the Duke of Ashworth's notice by trying to help him puts her in a predicament of a possible ruined reputation. Gregory Carter finds he has one option and is not sure it will work. With how his parents were he does not believe family is for him. So what Julia proposes astounds him. Can it be the right thing?

Join in on this Cinderella story which will have you laughing, crying, and at times wanting to box Gregory is ears. Find out what proposal Julia gives him and if he takes it. Plus will he listen and learn from the past and present. Will he be happy? Will Julia get to finally be away from her step mother Constance? Does she get her fairytale story?

This will keep you so enthusiastically enthralled you won't be able to put it down.

“Most men are idiots. A troublesome woman makes for a happy home.” - The Duke of Ashworth

Lydia Drake has truly outdone herself with her debut novel. I loved Cinderella and the Duke so much that I pre-ordered it before I finished it, I miss these characters now that the story is over and I have a book hangover that may last the rest of the year.

This Cinderella retelling was so good. From the characters to the banter to the flow of the story, I couldn’t get enough.

Julia is has come to London with her stepmother and stepsister so her stepsister (whom she loves dearly) can have the season that Julia never did. Now that Julia is considered a spinster she can escort her stepsister to her first ball which mean she has one night to find someone for herself and get away from her awful stepmother. And boy does she find someone.

Gregory, the Duke of Ashworth, isn’t simply a rake, he’s a rake that only sleeps with married women and tends to get challenged to duels frequently. Honestly, even Gregory is tired of it. So when a gorgeous woman saves him from having to fight another duel the least he can do is return her lost slipper. A slipper she lost after he kissed her.

I don’t want to give anymore away but I highly, highly recommend this book. It was entertaining, and spicy, and heart racing and spicy! 😏

This Cinderella retelling is the saucy little number we all need this holiday season. The debauchery they engage, if only for a brief second at a Ball, left me wanting this "Prince Charming" to run to her door with her shoe to declare his love.

Julia, our Cinderella, is the quick witted, smart mouthed women we love to read in Regency Romances. Gregory, a known rake, has the women of ton literally throwing themselves at him. So much so, every morning he seems to find himself at a duel with said ladies husbands. Together, these two are too delicious as they scheme to outwit a horrible step-mother and the horny women wanting him.

Cinderella and the Duke is an excellent debut, and I look forward to future works under this author's pen.

Thank you Entangled Publishing for the complimentary copy.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy of Cinderella and the Duke by Lydia Drake. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for this ARC

Cinderella and the Duke is the third book this year in which the novel started strong. I was enjoying the characters and their banter, then they get married, and all the oomph leaves the plot. I have discovered I am not a big fan of the leading man thinking he is flawed because he has crappy parents. And since that is the main conflict in the novel, I was left wanting. There was nothing wrong with the writing style, but the pacing didn't work for me. I give this book 3/5 stars because it was well written and others might enjoy it more than I did.

I absolutely loved this book! It was well-written, entertaining, steamy, and had likable, engaging characters. The romance was sizzling and the chemistry was perfect. The Cinderella moment was really sweet and the ending was happily ever after. I would definitely recommend this book to others!

Entrapment, Duels, Romance:
3.5 star rounded up the 4 stars.
Julia is on the hunt for a husband at the ball but has takes the opportunity to rescue Gregory the Duke of Ashworth from another scandal headed for another duel.
He's smitten right away with the captivating Julia.
A charming story that dragged a bit in spots. I grew anxious for the plot and romance to move at a faster pace. 
The real wedding night seemed to take quite some time, but it did finally get there, and the story did move at a better pace.
Lots of flirtatious banter, lots of angst, extra heat in the love scenes.
A happy reunion set the stage for a wonderful fulfilling epilogue.
Adult Advisory:
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy for my honest opinion.

This was a very fun take on Cinderella. I liked how she took charge of her own fate and was decidedly determined to get what she wanted. It was charming to see both of the characters slowly fall for each other.

For a debut novel I feel that this is one of the best that I have read. Yes, it has some quirks I did not like but heck I find that in seasoned authors. A lot of the fairytale is in the book, this is not a retelling, that made is such fun. It was fun, very flirty, sexy, frustrating, emotional and funny. Wow, did I really just say that. I laughed with these characters, I teared up when things got emotional and I smiled at the end. Julia is such a delight to read. She is so intelligent and speaks her mind, except when she doesn’t. Gregory gives her tit for tat, except when he doesn’t. I ran through the gamut of emotions in this story and loved every minute of it. I can’t wait to read the next story (did we get a hint).

I enjoyed reading this historical romance novel! Overall, I would recommend it!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

A Cinderella story with a few twists and a steadier romance!

The Duke definitely had a reputation, but it was nice to see a different side of of him peek through occasionally. Definitely a reformed character. Julia was way more than just Cinderella since she used her intelligence and whit a lot. I loved the back and forth banter between Julia and Gregory.

The conflict was more of a romance conflict than one with the evil stepmother(step sister was actually very nice). Marriage can be hard work especially when you fall in love with your spouse.

I enjoyed the writing style in this book and hope to read more from this author in the future.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this ARC for my honest review.

A remix of the Cinderella Fairy tale
Between a duke and a spinster and a marriage of convenience that started as a deal but turned into something else entirely.❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️


Gregory Carter The Duke Of Ashworth is the epitome of masculinity and London's most devastating rake.

Julie is a ravishing woman, an intelligent lady, and a statuesque goddess.

"One last ball to go through, and then the fairy tale ends."
" As the stroke of midnight, their spell would be broken."

What an amazing book! It hooks you under its spell from the very first chapter
and doesn't leave you until you finished it and are fully satisfied.

Julia and Gregory's characters were written perfectly representing how society viewed each one of them at the time. Women as only to be wed and host balls and events and men are to work and live their lives carelessly. However, Julia's character was strong and witty even though she was a spinster living with her stepmother and step-sister she always had a mind of her own. Her only goal was to marry to get away from her stepmother and not live the rest of her life as her maid so when she encounters Gregory an undeniable attraction rise between them but he is a rake and couldn't be trusted. However. When he calls upon her the next day Julia decides to take matters into her hand and change her fate by asking for the duke hand's for marriage.

From this moment, a series of thrilling and passionate events awaits you so be prepared😉.

This is a cute "cinderella" story.
Julie has a wicked stepmother. After her father died, her stepmother kept her father's money and turned Julia into her servant. She is 25 and never had a coming out. Her stepsister is having her coming out and Julia has to chaperone her that first night, Julia realizes this is her only opportunity to find a husband and escape her stepmother.

The Duke of Ashworth is a lover of women but has vowed he will never marry or have a family because his childhood was so awful. He is saved from an awkward situation at a ball by a beautiful woman who intrigues him. She quuckly disappears but loses a shoe. When he attempts to return it the next day, he winds uo up involved in an unusual deal to marry Julia.

This was a cute story. I enjoyed reading it and stayed up too late to finish it.

Julia is a spinster having missed the last 10 seasons to care for her beloved stepsister and her not-so-beloved stepmother. She has missed out on so much but one run-in with the Duke of Ashworth changes the trajectory of her life. The only problem is that he is notorious for being the most rakish of Dukes.

Gregory, the Duke of Ashworth, keeps finding himself in duels with the husbands of his previous lovers. It almost is enough to run him straight out of London for good, until he makes an unusual deal with a spinster that he cannot seem to get off of his mind. Is this going to be simply a marriage of convenience or true love?

Cinderella is my favorite love story of all time and so I had high expectations going into this book. Unfortunately, it was not the best of romances that I have read. I did enjoy the banter between Gregory and Julia as well as the bond between Julia and her stepsister. Additionally, I loved how the author showed how Gregory is a good person with his actions despite his reputation. However, I did not enjoy how excessively vile the two villains in the book were made to be. I also thought that this book could have easily been a great novella if they had taken out the pages and pages of how incredible Julia is and how Gregory does not deserve her because of his romantic history. Additionally, Julia's status as a spinster is so repetitive in the beginning of the book that I almost did not continue reading. The main conflict of the plot being their miscommunication as well as their insecurity with whether or not each of them are good enough for each other is overdone and boring, in my opinion.

Overall, I did finish the book and I did not hate it. I appreciated the nods to the original Cinderella story with missing a shoe at midnight and having to care for a horrible stepmother. It seems that there is a foundation laid for two more additional romances with side characters, but I do not believe I will pick those up after reading this one. If you are looking for spice in a romance book, this one has quite a bit of that one you get past the first half of the book. So much so that I would not recommend this book for readers under the age of 18. Additionally, if you are offended by foul language or by infidelity, this book also may not be for you.

Please note: the publication date at the time of this review is set for December 27, 2022. An electronic Advanced Reader Copy was generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

This starts off so cute. Julia Beaumont needs a husband to escape being a companion to her stepmother who has kept her in the country ten years since she had a first season at 17. While at a ball she rescues Gregory Carter, the Duke of Ashworth, from a jealous husband. They share a moment and the next day he comes calling to return her shoe which she left behind as the heel was broken. In a bold move she proposes to him a marriage of convenience. It will get her out of her step-mothers house and it will protect him from amorous women and angry husbands.

I don’t mind the more modern actions and occasional phrases that may not fit the times. But I think the Carter club, while unique and played for humor, is tacky. The Carter Club is a group of women who have had liaisons with Ashworth in the past and get together to celebrate his erotic skills. I didn’t care for Julia having to deal with them. I really like Julia, her character and forthrightness. And Gregory starts off as a great companion as they begin to know each other. But when he starts on the woe is me, no one can love me because of my upbringing it becomes tedious quickly. Julia has been open and honest with him and he doesn’t do that in return.

I still enjoyed the book but what was heading towards five starts dropped to four because of the last 25 percent of the book. Still a good debut novel and easy to recommend for reading. I will look for more from Lydia Drake in the future. Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing LLC for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was given to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I was needing a break from reading some paranormal books so I was glad this was next in my TBR pile. I did enjoy this take on Cinderella it was a good read and I enjoyed the story. I hope there is more.