I honestly cannot remember what this one was even about. I must not have been sold on the plot, because nothing is sticking with me.

Good book. Alex is at a society ball and is constantly accosted by matchmaking mamas trying to interest the widower in their daughters. He has no interest in remarrying, preferring not to risk repeating the devastating grief of losing his wife. But when he encounters a young woman fighting off the advances of a man determined to ruin her, he can't help getting involved. He doesn't expect to hear himself declare that the woman is his fiancée!

Emma is an heiress who has no interest in marrying any men who show an interest in her, or more accurately, her money. While she dreams of a true love match, she holds out no hope of it happening. After watching her parents' marriage collapse over the vast differences between them, Emma would rather be independent. While Alex saves her from one unwanted marriage, she's not happy to be forced into marriage with him.

I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Alex and Emma. Initially, Emma does her best to dissuade Alex from carrying through on his announcement. She doesn't want either of them to endure an unwanted union. But Alex quickly convinces her that avoidance is not an option. I liked their honest discussion about how neither wants to marry before Alex arrives at a compromise. They will marry, but it will be in name only. Emma will gain control of her inheritance and can live as she pleases, while Alex gains a mother figure/governess for his three sons.

Neither expects their attraction or friendship that develops as they spend time together. Alex fights his feelings, avoiding Emma whenever possible, but it does no good. When they are thrown together, whether building snowmen with his sons or visiting neighbors, it becomes harder to resist the sparks. When he gives in, he's overcome with regret and fear that he's already too deep. In an attempt to protect himself, he pulls further away.

Emma had hoped they could at least form a working friendship and is dismayed that Alex does everything possible to avoid her. Determined to make the best of her situation, she becomes involved with Alex's sons. I liked seeing her work past their antagonism (the spider scene was hilarious) and become an important part of their lives. I loved seeing her get involved in estate affairs and laughed out loud at Alex's surprise when he encountered her at one of his tenant's homes. Emma has a good heart, and it shows in her thoughtfulness. It doesn't take long for her to realize that she's falling in love with Alex even though she knows he won't return her feelings.

I ached for both as their feelings grew. Emma wants Alex's love but believes he's still in love with his dead wife. All she can do to protect herself from devastating hurt is remove herself from the source, so she plans to leave. Alex realizes the truth of his feelings, but his fears keep him from saying anything to Emma. Something he overhears Emma saying to his sons breaks through the walls around his heart, and a conversation with an elderly tenant opens his eyes further. But has he waited too long? The ending was great as Alex pursued Emma and hoped his feelings would be returned. I loved the scene at the inn and seeing Alex open his heart to Emma. The epilogue was terrific.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

When young heiress Emma is found to be at risk of a rogue ruining her reputation, all to be able to claim her wealth, Alexander, Duke of Harwell can't allow it to happen. Though he's adamant he won't remarry, to save Emma he proclaims they are engaged. Neither is too happy about the engagement, but are willing to go along with a marriage in name only, as long as they both retain their independence. However, once they arrive at their country estate, and Emma meets Alex's young sons, their feelings for each other become too much to contend with, and Alex soon realises that he might have met his match after all.

This was such an enjoyable book, and the way that Emma and Alex's romance blossomed and grew was perfect for their story. Their first meeting was when their engagement was announced, so they had to get to know each other first, with the pressure of the upcoming marriage on their shoulders. Their friendship and then romance was wonderful, and it all grew naturally. Nothing was forced, and though they tried to fight the attraction, being a true family was too strong to compete with, and the ending was the sweetest ever! A wonderful regency book.

How the Duke Met His Match is a delightful Regency romance.


Well, I pulled another all-nighter reading this book. I wasn't expecting to get so sucked into the story, but I did. Sophia doesn't waste any time hooking her readers in with a scandal that throws the two main characters together. Emma finds herself trying to flee a man who has become too handsy with her and is determined to ruin her reputation in order to get her to marry him. Alex steps in to save Emma and finds himself announcing that he is engaged to Emma to protect her reputation. Neither one wants to marry, but of course, we know that they will eventually fall in love as they spend more time together.

I enjoyed this book. It has this great balance of drama, spice, wit, and heart. The story moves along steadily, and even though there isn't a lot of action, I still found myself engaged with what is happening. The world that Sophia has created is lush in detail and characters you want to get to know. I love it when an author forces the two main characters together because you know that they are going to clash at times, which means you will get plenty of make-up scenes.

Emma is this beautiful blend of quiet spunk, which you'd think wouldn't work, but it does in this case. Emma has this quiet strength to her, and she never gets overly angry or acts rashly. But she isn't a pushover; she has no problem matching Alex's son's spunky shenanigans and knows her worth. Alex is that typical broody "I will never love again" hero. This man fights hard against the feelings he is developing for Emma. His reluctance to acknowledge his feelings creates the main conflict between the two. I could have used more grovelling from Alex at the end of the book, but other than that, I enjoyed their love story.

How the Duke Met His Match is an easy Regency romance to fall in love with this summer.

Reluctantly wed....

But it makes sense to wed. Alexander foiled a ruining in progress, saving Emma from having to marry a horrid man, intent on ruining her to get his hands on her fortune. Emma is an heiress who really doesn;t want to get married, what with her enormous inheritance being an unwanted incentive. Alexander, a widower who wants to remain faithful to his deceased wife, reluctantly steps in and proclaims Emma and he are to wed. He's a duke and meets the wills requirements of being titled. He neither needs nor wants a wife, as he has sons but does need a governess. They strike a deal. They will wed, she will be his sons governess and if he's married, he doens't need to deal with people trying to match up again. Emma would rather work than be forced to wed.

I really liked both Emma and Alexander and you want them to be more than just a business arrangement.
Recommend.

Alex has no plans to remarry. Then, he witnesses a beautiful young heiress being assaulted by a rogue in an attempt to ruin her. To save her, Alex announces that they're betrothed. She agrees to his plans for a celibate marriage. Yet a powerful attraction develops between them, testing their resolve.

I enjoyed this character-driven story. Alex and Emma are both strong, determined, and likeable. Their romance is based as much on the friendship that develops between them as on physical attraction. It was sweet to see how Emma interacted with his sons.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

"How the Duke Met His Match" is Sophia Williams' debut, and while I didn't love this book, she does show some promise. In this story. a widowed Duke (Alexander) sacrifices himself in matrimony to save the reputation of a debutante (Emma). I like the marriage of convenience trope but this one largely missed the mark for me. Emma gives and gives and gives, and Alexander simply takes. His suddenly being in love with Emma seems to come somewhat out of nowhere as his late wife is a secondary character all her own and it is not clear how his lust turns into love.

I did like Emma's character arc as she comes to understand that she is worth more than what it seems like Alexander has to offer. I also liked that Williams did not create huge drama around Alexander's children. They come to accept her fairly quickly. I do think Williams shows promise as a writer and I would be willing to give her another try as she develops her skills.

3 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary ARC of this book. The opinions herein are my own.

I was provided an arc e-copy by the publisher Harlequin Historical by
Sophia Williams
for a
honest review


I love to read of a marriage of convenience How The Duke Met His Match was a cute read. Alexander Duke Of Harwell he wanted to save Heiress Emma before her Reputation was ruined in order to save her he finds himself announcing their engagement. Emma is not to pleased. A 4 star read 🌟🌟🌟🌟


Happy Reading
Lisa 📚

This is a delightful marriage of convenience romance, and a very quick read. The struggle of Emma and Alex merging their lives together was very real, and handled accordingly. A truly excellent debut from Sophia Williams!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

Sophia Williams' debut romance, How The Duke Met His Match, is a stunning first novel that cleverly and romantically portrays a marriage of convenience. When Emma is compromised by a fortune seeker, Duke Alex comes to her rescue, and they're soon married in name only, as Alex is a grieving widower, and Emma doesn't want entanglements with a husband still in love with another. As the two get to know each other, love is difficult to avoid, and Alex and Emma must find their way to each other against the flow of doubt.

An excellent first novel, with just enough spice and the two characters' attraction is so well done.