Andrew Keane, the Duke of Hawking, travels to an English seaside resort town to escape scandal. However, trouble follows him there. Keane wakes with an aching head and a fiery-haired woman hovering nearby. He plans to discover the identity of his attacker, but first, he needs his rescuer’s assistance. Keane cannot ignore his growing curiosity of the beautiful angler, especially her distrust of the nobility. Will Keane and Poppy figure out his assailant? Can he convince her to take a chance with him? Or will their differing social status stand in their way?
Miss Poppy Summers is a fisherman’s daughter. She takes over the family’s angler business, while caring for her ailing father. Poppy discovers an unconscious man washed up on the beach and tangled into her nets. She suspects the man will be nothing but trouble, especially when he claims to be a duke. Poppy reluctantly agrees to help Andrew Kean find his assailant. She soon becomes swept up in the adventure and the man. Can Poppy trust Keane with her heart? Will she dare fight the social barrier dividing them? Or will Keane prove to be like the other members of the ton?
Keane is a delightful surprise! I could not help but fall in love with the charming rascal! Keane is a man who has survived his father’s belittling contempt, but he never allowed it to harden him. I adore Keane’s generous heart. He would willingly step in and help someone from the working class against his peers. What I love the most about Keane is that he is not conceited or pompous. He does not care about class distinction. Keane never once put on airs around Poppy or disparaged her way of life.
I am thrilled that Poppy received her happily-ever-after. She deserves it. Poppy has this scrappy personality that I cannot help but adore! She is not afraid to speak frankly or stand up for herself when necessary. I understand Poppy’s negative outlook on the nobility. She has weathered their disdain and superiority all her life; however, she knows there are a few exceptions. What I love the most about Poppy is her dedication to family. For all her brother’s flaws and faults, she has never given up on him or abandoned him. Plus, Poppy sacrificed her dreams for the future to care for her father.
ONE DUKE DOWN is the second book in Anna Bennett’s historical romance series, ROGUES TO LOVERS. The story can easily stand alone. However, I would highly recommend reading the prior book, GIRLS BEFORE EARLS. It introduces the prominent setting, a charming little seaside town called Bellehaven Bay. It also shows the sweet friendship between Poppy, Hazel, and Kitty, plus their secret sisterhood. I love how Kitty and Hazel play important roles in the story’s development.
ONE DUKE DOWN is a whimsical tale of two people managing to overcome their social standing to be together. I finished this book in two sittings because I really did not want to put it down. I wonder if Kitty is the next Belles to find her special someone. I cannot wait to find out!

This checked off everything I look for in a book. Was not disappointed. Really enjoyed this book. I will read more from this author. Must read. Historical fiction oh yeah.

I found a lady character to be very intriguing. I think that she is the main character who leads the story the most. Keane is very intrigued by her. Their story is romantic in some ways. The story focuses mostly on the mystery that surrounds Keane and how he has landed at Poppy’s feet, rather beach. While Keane, Poppy and Keane’s, valet become, detective sleuths, I felt that the story supplied entertainment for me as the reader. The book has a wonderful happy ending that was written so beautiful. I enjoyed the interesting characters that Poppy came into contact with. In some ways these characters brought some humor to the story. I absolutely loved the cover of the book. The writer did a splendid job of combining the colors and the choosing of the couple.

Parts of the story felt very familiar (as if I have read a similar story before) but it was an enjoyable read!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This second-in-a-series novel is as sweet as the first, with a hero and heroine you'll be happy to root for. We met the heroine, Poppy--an intrepid fisherwoman with the vocabulary of the gentry--in the previous novel, but Keane, the hero and titular duke, is new. He shows up out of the blue, tangled in Poppy's fishing net, the apparent victim of an attempted murder. Somewhat reluctantly at first, Poppy agrees to hide him while he figures out who wants him dead.

That's perhaps where the story is missing a little for me. Keane's past is a mystery, though not intentionally. We do learn about him, but it just feels like there's a lot missing. He seems to have zero friends outside of his valet (he mentions an uncle and cousin largely in passing). What exactly has he been doing all his life, besides being at odds with his father? With Poppy though, he's all but perfect, never once acting like or believing that he's her better. Poppy is the one with more walls, but I'm glad to see that she doesn't resist too much.

The bulk of the storyline is instead based on the mystery of who wants Keane dead. Although the author throws in a few red herrings, I suspected the right person early on. I won't say much so I don't spoil anything, but I felt that although the baddie wasn't hard to figure out, the development of the character didn't feel right. I didn't buy into the reasons, if that makes sense.

Otherwise, it's a charming story mostly free of angst and doubt. There's a very brief teaser that suggests that Kitty's story is next. I'm looking forward to it.

I received an ARC of this book for free from the publisher and Netgalley. I'm writing this review voluntarily, and it reflects my honest opinion. Thanks!

Ms. Bennett weaves a remarkable tale. Within she creates family drama, determination, dysfunction, romance and intrigue. She gives us delightful descriptions of the people and the area in which Poppy lives, as well as delving into the reasons why the characters act as they do.
A Duke washed up on shore, tangled in Poppy’s net and becomes her focal point. He brings mystery and intrigue to her life, along with a bit of romance, that turns their investigation into a loving and erotic relationship that eventually leads to marriage, but it’s not an easy path.
I requested and received a Net Galley ARC to peruse gratis and give my opinion in the same.