What a wonderful book!

I totally enjoyed this story! Julia Beaumont is my kind of girl…strong, sassy and eager to show she’s nobody’s doormat! A marriage of convenience sounds good…she won’t even be picky. Anything to get away from her awful stepmother!

Gregory Carter – Duke of Ashworth…no way is he ready to give up his bachelorhood…but then he meets Julia! A clever plan ensues…Julia can escape the stepmother and at the same time protect Gregory from all of the bored women who just want to belong to the “Carter Club!” Of course, sometimes things don’t go as planned!

As Julia and Gregory start falling for each other, and neither one is going to admit to that first, doubts enter their minds. They attend the last ball of the Season and go their separate ways…only to realize they really don’t want to be separated!

This was a fast-paced, cleverly written story and I enjoyed it immensely! I had a hard time putting it down! I haven’t read a historical romance in what seems like forever, but Cinderella and the Duke was just so fun to read!

A happy ending…very enjoyable…I would give it more than 5 stars if I could!!!

And a big thanks to Entangled Publishing for allowing me the pleasure of reading an advance reader copy of this phenomenal book!

One of the best books I have read in a long time. So witty and fun all the feels in these pages. Recommend

Sweet, romantic story with some especially fun moments! The main characters in the story were enjoyable but very guarded. I wish we could have seen them open up to each other a bit more even though their banter was so much fun. The side characters were great and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I also hope to read more about the Charter Society which was so completely ridiculous but entertaining. Overall an enjoyable book from an author I will keep my eye out for for more.

I loved this novel! Julia and Gregory were such an entertaining couple. Lydia Drake did a wonderful job weaving the Cinderella story into their love story. I had a vivid picture of them at The Ball and they were fabulous. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I am looking forward to reading more by Lydia Drake.

I received a free copy through Net Galley (thank you!), Though the opinions are my own.

Hmm... I have mixed reviews on this book, and am trying to decide if it is due to mood reading or not. It's my first by Lydia Drake, and I do love a good fairytale retelling. It took me awhile to finish this book, which isn't normally the case for Regency romances.

What I liked:
- banter between Gregory and Julia. Very witty between the two
- Julia's relationship with her stepsister Susannah... Very supportive and protective which added a layer to Julia's character
- the Carter Club... Very novel!
- Cinderella theme being consistent and called out on the narrative

On the fence about:
- relationship between the stepmother and Julia... They were both so rude to each other and I appreciated that she wasn't so spineless to her stepmother
- Gregory's

What I didn't like:
- the waffling between the two characters in terms of their decisions
- pacing: due to the indecision of the main characters the middle part tended to drag on a bit. The last parts were more engaging but I was very close to DNF between 20-60% through the book
-miscommunication... Drives me nuts so this might be a preference thing, but it was heavy on it and was about the same thing the whole time which I didn't love.

Steam: 🔥🔥
Heart Flutters: 1/2 of ❤️

"I agree that two are better than one. Shoes, that is."

A fun Cinderella retailing pairs that doesn't exactly shine, but is a sweet read.

Mostly, this book was just meh. The characters were sweet and the take on Cinderella was fun, but a lot of the tension felt manufactured and wasn't my favorite. Also the content warnings provided by the publisher do not touch on any of the abuse and toxicity included, so be warned if you're triggered by any of that.

Star Rating:
Tropes: Fake engagement, fake courtship, Regency
CW: Toxic relationship, abuse, death of a parent

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

After having watched Brdigeton this book felt like to much if a copy of that story and I also felt the main character fell flat. So this sadly was not a book I would pick and I feel Bridgeton dose a better job of the same structure.

Cinderella and the Duke, the story is well written and I really like the stepsister and the duke however Cinderella's role is just not poor enough. All seems too happy to me. Sorry but I need a bigger contrast.

I LOVED this book! It gave me all the Bridgerton vibes! It's been a long time since a book has me hooked in Chapter 1. I will say the book is a little predicable, but that did not stop me from reading it well into the night. As in Bridgerton the Duke is a confirmed bachelor stating he will never marry or have children due to his parents being unable to show him love. Everything changed when he met Julia, the 27 year old spinster looking for a husband to get away from her cruel stepmother. I was very happy to see Julia had a good relationship with her step sister Susannah and it wasn't the typical Cinderella story. I even loved the play on the Cinderella story with Queen's ball. I can't wait to read more book from this author.

Thanks you Netgalley for the ARC on this book for my honest review.

Cinderella and the Duke by Lydia Drake is a regency romance that clicks all the buttons. An adorable spinster who has been passed over because she hasn't been out in the ton for ten years, a handsome Duke who refuses to marry, even if he meets the right woman, an instant infatuation...this book has everything needed to be a great read, and it is! You won't want to put this one down!

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. If you love regency romances, you'll love Cinderella and the Duke!

This was a fun read. the Julia asked the greatest seduced of women to marry her so she can escape the clutches of her step.other. Gregory never intended to marry after being neglected by his own parents. But he is tired of the married lady's of the ton chasing after for bed sport. So he agrees to the marriage with the agreement this.will me a marriage of convenience and after they consummate their marriage Gregory will leave to the continent and Julia will be safe and independent.

Fate will have a different idea for the two. I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

Cinderella and the Duke was a pretty enjoyable read. I like the idea of a Cinderella retelling, so I really wanted to read this.

I will say it took a bit for me to get into the story. While I enjoyed Julia's snark and sass, sometimes it was a little much, especially in the beginning before I warmed up to her. I also didn't care for the initial meeting(s) between Julia and Gregory. It wasn't until 20-25% that I really started getting into the story and believing that a relationship could work between the two.

I loved the banter and back and forth between Gregory and Julia. They had such great rapport and could just play off each other's words actions. It was a lot of fun. I also enjoyed watching the two develop a deeper relationship beyond lust.

Unfortunately, these two had a lot of insecurity and lack of communication, and it took much too long for them to get themselves figured out. Obviously some internal and external conflicts need to be resolved. However, the pacing seemed off; I felt like it took a long time to get anywhere with anything.

I appreciated the relationship Julia shared with her step-sister, and I was glad that her poor relationship with her step-mother never soured that.

***I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley.***

This was such a good and steamy read. Perfect for anyone who loves regency romances! Highly recommend.

A great historical romance with a fairy tale theme.
Julia's beloved father passed away years ago, and she is determined to get out from under her step-mother's controlling and demeaning ways. Gregory, a Duke, had a horrible upbringing and seems happier being the rake of the town then settling down. When the two decide to marry to help them both get what they need, the town is enraptured with their fairy tale story. But can they make their marriage of convenience seem real to the ton and the queen? And what happens when feelings do become real?
Loved the characters, the easy and fun banter that went on, and the smooth flow of the plot. Truly a fun read.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Light, witty and at times emotional. It’s the journey to that ending that makes this an enjoyable book. Overall, I enjoyed this story and, it was a good read.Love it

This story is about Julia Beaumont, an almost spinsterish woman who is attending a ball on a last ditch effort of finding a husband so that she won't spent the rest of her life as a companion to her stepmother. She meets Gregory, the Duke of Ashworth as he is being challenged to a duel by a man who believes he is taking liberties with his wife. Lydia comes to the rescue of the duke and they later share a kiss. As she is running away from him she breaks the heel of her shoe. The duke is looking for her after their encounter and he comes across her shoe with the broken heel. The next day he comes to visit her and because he doesn't propose marriage, she proposes to him. She needs a husband and he needs a wife to prevent him from being chased by the married women of the Ton and having to fight duels with their husbands in defense of their virtue. They agree to have a marriage of convenience but as they spend more time with each other they develop feelings for each other while uncovering secrets they both have. The story has romance, moderate steam and a HEA.

I received an ARC from Netgalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Ebook received for free through NetGalley

A fun book that makes you smile over the characters, story, and and simple plot line.

Boy do I love a good marriage of convenience trope and Cinderella and the Duke by Lydia Drake did not disappoint. Julia was a great character, she was intelligent, sarcastic, and knew her mind. The relationship between Julia and Gregory relationship was really nicely written. I could feel the tension, pining, lust, and love that these two experienced throughout the book. Watching the relationship building and changing kept me interested and kept me turning the pages. When I read the description I was expecting a toxic relationship with not only the stepmother but also the sister. I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed the relationship between Julia and Susannah, the love, respect, warm feelings they had for each other. Cinderella and the Duke by Lydia Drake was a delightful, easy to read, and well written book.

ARC review from Netgalley 4/5 🌟

After reading a grimdark fantasy this was the prefect book to read next.

I absolutely love Regency Romance books and this one was wonderful!

I did enjoy the take on Cinderella, and the marriage of convenience (which I am quickly realizing is one of my favorite tropes)

I would recommend Cinderella and the Duke for anyone that is in the mood for Regency Romance with a strong willed FMC, and a MMC who doesn't think he can love or be loved.

A fantastic debut romance novel! Lydia Drake puts a little spin on the tale of Cinderella. Instead of a happy-in-the-face-of-cruelty young girl, she presents Julia (Cinderella) as a witty young woman with a backbone. Though she did suffer a youthful heartbreak, she did not allow it to completely destroy her. Rather than two wicked stepsisters and stepmother, we have one loving stepsister; only the stepmother is wicked (extreme selfishness combined with the customary social climbing). Finally there is Prince Charming - Gregory - who is anything but fairytale perfect. Rather, he's all too human - a difficult childhood leaves him thinking he's unworthy of love, but he certainly knows how to give pleasure. He's a certified rake! Throw these characters, as well as some others (the club of women who are all former lovers of Gregory's is particularly hilarious), and you have the makings of a fun, poignant story that was an absolute joy to read! Definitely recommended reading.