I'm a big fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope, so I was excited to read this book, and it didn't disappoint. The trick to making this trope work is to ensure the animosity between the two characters feels justified and genuine from the start and then craftily creating the slow burn that thaws them in a way that doesn't feel contrived. That's precisely where this book shines: the hostility between the two feels real, not forced, and it makes sense within the context of their lives. I started out finding Duke Ashford just as insufferable as Jemma does, but the gradual revelation of his more endearing qualities warmed me up to him without it feeling as though I was betraying my first impression or he was made out to be someone he wasn't. Gemma, for her part, was utterly delightful as the coarse, don't-give-a-crap, makin-my-own-way heroine who offers no apologies for who she is, and it's her grit and then her growth that I loved most in the book. That said, the ending felt... something not quite right to me that I can't quite place. Maybe it was *too* realistic in terms of how things might play out? Or maybe I didn't believe that Gemma would be that proud for that long? Maybe I wanted more of a grand gesture from Ashford? I don't want to give any spoilers, but it just felt a little anticlimactic in the way it was written even though I didn't dislike the twist it took. (That twist was actually refreshing in a meet-cute-esque romance.) It's hard to explain -- I just felt something wanting in the way the ending played out, and it dragged a little during that period they were apart. But the ending wasn't enough to put me off, especially when the other characters in the book -- Gemma's parents, Harrington, Gemma's "odd" society friend -- are well drawn and bring plenty of comic relief to boot. I definitely recommend this book for those who enjoy this genre. I listened to the audio version of it, and I really enjoyed the narration as well.

I really enjoyed the overall premise of the story, a marriage of convince story where the main characters eventually fall in love. However, the ending was a bit rushed and I didn’t really connect with Gemma or Ashford as much as I would have liked to have. I also thought this audiobook was extremely long and hard to follow at some points, I found myself getting the people confused and not understanding the setting and context during some chapters. I am grateful for the opportunity to read this book, however I’m not sure it was the right book for me.

Sadly this book was simply not for me and I found the reading experience to be painful due to how dislikeable I found both protagonists and how difficult I found it to believe any sort of connection between them due to their initial dislike and a lack of real growth from them as individuals and romantic partners

I loved this book and i want to thanks so much Saga Egmont Audio and Netgalley to let me listen to this audiobook.

It was a marriage of convenience but it was also so much more. I really laughso laud and also cried towards the end. But that was part of thr package. So many differences but so many similarities that we can have in a relationship. It was perfect except the ending was a little to much twisted but I forgive couse was such a pleasant read.

Every now and then, I stumble across a romance novel on NetGalley that I’ve never heard of but sounds a lot of fun. How (Not) To Marry A Duke was one such book. This was an audiobook that I was happy to get through super quickly, but I will admit…I didn’t enjoy it as much as I’d hoped in the end.

Jemma is a struggling makeup artist who, after losing her Grandma, discovers that she could inherit a family fortune. The only problem is she has to marry someone with a title to do so. She’s certain this will never happen as she wants romance. But then she meets Ashford, a duke with no money who Jemma’s lawyer suggests she marry. Eventually, she agrees, but when it gets out to the public that they’re married, they have to pretend to be in love for a year to keep their money.

This book sounded like a lot of fun, and in the beginning, I was enjoying it. I had fun with their bickering, and it seemed like this book could be a new favourite.

And then we get over halfway, and things start to go wrong.

Jemma talks about being a romantic but seriously struggles with trust. This leads to some issues that get even worse with another trope that I don’t always mind. But in this case? It just felt so stupid. This started off as a book that I thought loads of people would enjoy. Then it transforms into one that I know a lot of people will get pissed off with.

I don’t want to go into too many details as spoilers. But I know it’s not very popular.

Maybe if I’d liked the characters a bit more, I wouldn’t have minded this book so much. But even they couldn’t win this book over for me.

Fortunately, I read this as an audiobook, so it meant that I did finish this, and it didn’t take long to get through. The narrator was pretty decent for this type of book. Though I’ll admit, when we’ve got multiple protagonists, I do prefer multiple narrators. I had a good enough time listening to this, it just would’ve been better if there had been more than one narrator.

So, yeah…I didn’t really like this book as much as I’d hoped. It sounded like a lot of fun, but in the end…it wasn’t what I’d hoped for. Shame really.

*Netgalley provided me with a free copy of the audiobook in return for a honest review*
Let me begin my review by stating I heavily dislike the pregnancy trope. So it is highly my own fault for walking into this book unknowingly. I also was under the impression initially that this book would be set more in the past than it actually was, once again... my fault for presuming (it said Duke and I fell lol). That being said, I think the main savior of this novel was the narrator. The soothing voice that actually manages to make you laugh at certain parts of the novel, and cringe successfully at others. Additionally, the writing (from audible standpoints) was spectacular! I honestly think this book was just not meant for me, but that's not to say it isn't good.

When makeup artist Jemma Pears finds out she has to marry a titled man to inherit her billion dollar fortune, she's ready to give it up. Then her solicitor proposes that she marry Ashbury, Duke of Burlingham, who has just discovered significant financial problems. It's instant dislike, but they both need the money.

What starts as a marriage in name only becomes the two of them living on Ashbury's estate when their marriage is leaked to the press. Jemma stays true to herself in spite of Ashbury's mother's meddling, but will she and the duke fall for each other or divorce as planned?

Tropes: marriage of convenience; enemies to lovers, commoner to dukedom, closed door romance
Setting: London, 2020s

I've read similar books set in the regency time period. This one is set in modern-day London, which gives it a fun edge. I think that the author meant to bring in a modern edge, but Jemma loses parts of herself to fit in with the aristocracy, while it doesn't seem that Ashbury changes fundamentally. I had higher hopes.

I enjoyed reading it! Three stars. Would recommend if you're interested in genre bending between regency and modern romance.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced listening copy. All opinions I've expressed are my own.

This was a fun RomCom and a quick read. I enjoyed the characters quite a bit, though, as with most RomComs or Romances, you can't take them too seriously. Of course they make stupid decisions, of course they seem to be caricatures of whatever group they represent, but that is part of reading a RomCom. If RomComs are your thing, this is a great enemies to lovers story, and it was a quick, fun read.

I loved the comedic relief that was provided by the two best friends and their venomous relationship. They cracked me up. I also loved the idea of Jemma's parents getting her mother in law high with a laced cake. There were lots of fun bits in the story, and it was an enjoyable read.

Another older book that has been redone on audio. I love how this is happening more and more as I'm discovering more backlist titles this way. Though an unoriginal storyline, I have to say I do enjoy the marriage of convenience trope and this one was all the more enjoyable thanks to the hilarious characters of Jemma and her parents. I found myself laughing out loud so often due to their antics. Ashton, though stuck up at the start, also showed his true colours by the end and was a likable main character. I finished this book with a huge smile on my face - definitely recommend!