I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is the start of a new series called Her Majesty's Rebels by Kate Bateman. Book one is the story of Tess and Justin. I really enjoyed this one. Truly. I thought it was an incredibly strong beginning that drew me right in and the grnad gesture Justin makes at the end will be hard for any author to beat. However, I though the story dragged in the middle without any clear progression of either the relationship between the main characters or the side story of King & Co. It regained momentum toward the end and indeed ended very strong, but it wasn't, in my opinion, as well done as Kate's Ruthless Rivals series. I will still be moving on to book two as her books are must-reads for me. I gave this book four stars overall.

Second Duke's the Charm by Kate Bateman is the First book in the Her Majesty's Rebels Series. This is the story of Justin Thornton and Tess Townsend. Tess was placed in a marriage by her father to an elderly man who shortly passed. Now she is a widower with a secret. Enjoyed this author's writing and loving this start to this series.

On the night of her wedding to the honorary Duke of Wansford, Tess Townshend is determined to escape untouched. Thankfully, upon seeing his new wife, the old Duke’s heart gave out, leaving Tess wealthy, independent, and untouched.

Two years later, Tess is determined to experience the pleasure of physical intimacy, and has decided that a masked ball in the countryside is the perfect place to look. There she meets a mysterious stranger. After their tryst, Tess never expects to see him again, but is shocked to learn that he is Justin Thornton, the newly discovered Duke of Wansford.

Can the two keep their secrets and separate lives while acting at husband and wife? Or will reality, and feelings, get in their way?

Second Duke’s the Charm is definitely, to me, a very different story then Bateman usually does and I loved it! I couldn’t sleep last night and I read almost the entire book in one night. I loved how the characters met and how they got to know each throughout the book. Also, marriage of convenience trope is one my favorites so that made me enjoy it even more.

So many people dismissed everything about the FMC because of her looks and didn’t look deeper, but I love how the MMC respected her opinions and decisions for the dukedom and never tried to change them because he thought he knew more then her just because he was a man.

Also, the grand gesture scene was so amazing and funny and not a grand gesture scene I’ve seen before so it made me love the ending even more!!

really enjoyed this first book in a new series and can’t wait for the next! Tess was forced to marry a duke, but he died on her wedding night before the consummation. Fast forward two years and they have finally found the new duke, Justin. He’s more interested in his business than the dukedom, but is stunned to see the last duke’s widow is someone he longed for years ago.

They inadvertently meet at a party and when he realizes who she is later on, they agree to a marriage of convenience. Tess, meanwhile, has an investigation agency with her two best friends and an interesting blackmail case to solve.

The chemistry is great and so is the hint of suspense as well!

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I liked this book, the lead characters and the friends, and look forward to the rest of the series and the detective work underground for women

It’s not easy to find a good historical romance these days, so when I discovered Kate Bateman, I was really looking forward to her new books. I enjoyed Ruthless Rivals (even read them twice), so when I got the chance to read this one, I couldn’t wait to get home and read it. Now, I won’t write much about the plot, since there is a book description and other reviews cover it pretty well. For me, this book was good, but there was just something missing. 🤷‍♀️
Ellie, Daisy and Tess are adorable. I loved King & Co., and would love to read more about their missions.
Tess and Justin’s story was okay, but I would prefer if there was a bit less passion and sexy time and a little more them getting to know each other.
Also, I loved Oliver. 😍
The book is not too long, it doesn’t have too many characters (whose names I can’t remember) or irrelevant side stories.


So ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.

P. S. Thanks to NetGalley & St. Martin's Press 📚

Kate Bateman introduces three young intrepid investigators who run King & Co—London’s most exclusive private investigative agency in Second Duke’s the Charm, the first book in her new series Her Majesty’s Rebels. The novel focuses on a marriage of convenience between the reluctant and still virginal Dowager Duchess of Wansford Tess Townsend and shipping magnate Justin Thornton, who inherits her late husband’s dukedom.

I’m drawn to novels and stories where women work in professions that are unusual or considered beyond their reach because of societal limitations. I love the idea of King & Co. not only because it reminds me of a favorite TV show from my youth—Remington Steele—but also because it’s an intriguing idea that gives Tess and her two best friends the chance to use their innate skills to solve mysteries and conduct investigations on behalf of the Queen. I love her friendship and partnership with Ellie and Daisy and am excited to read their novels.

Forced by her father to marry, Tess Townsend became the Dowager Duchess of Wansford upon her much older husband’s death on her wedding night, but she still is a virgin. Tess investigates London’s most scandalous crimes with her two best friends and partners in their detective agency, King & Co. She values the independence she’s finally gained and will not sacrifice or risk losing it despite her longing to experience physical pleasure and intimacy. Tess has a passionate encounter at a party while masked with a stranger—never expecting to see him again.


Despite never expecting to be the long-lost heir to a dukedom, shipping magnate Justin Thornton reluctantly accepts the title and its duties. When Justin discovers that the stunning woman he kisses at a party is the Dowager Duchess, he convinces her to enter a temporary marriage of convenience. However, the chemistry and passion sparking between Justin and Tess is intense, fiery, and inconvenient. Tess’s work on a new case on behalf of Queen Charlotte draws Justin’s attention to her increasingly suspicious behavior, causing him to question her past, reason for marrying him, and motives. This reinforces his fear that she can’t be trusted, which shouldn’t be a problem for Justin, who doesn’t believe in love. But could he be in danger of falling for his own wife?

I love Tess and Justin’s passionate, sexy, funny, steamy, intimate interactions and love scenes full of banter that develop their characters and further the story. Intelligent, kind, witty, and innocent, Tess is a young, beautiful, independent, and clever businesswoman. Unfortunately, people only see her beauty. While she wishes things were different and she could be valued and loved for who she is and not just her looks, Tess uses it to her advantage in her investigations. Her relationship with Justin allows Tess to explore her sexuality safely. A self-made, work-obsessed, ruthless, clever, decisive, and cynical businessman, Justin is devastatingly handsome, tenacious, and used to being in control. He believes love is foolish and illogical. Neither is prepared for how they begin to develop feelings for each other that feel much deeper than passion and sex, especially Justin.

Bateman balances the secondary suspense plots well with her romance. However, I wouldn’t have minded more exploration of these suspense elements/plots. Her vibrant description, deft character development, colorful language and storytelling, and well-constructed action and suspense scenes draw readers in and keep them glued to the novel.

Second Duke’s the Charm is a sexy, funny, steamy, suspenseful, and fast-paced romance recommended for historical romance, marriage of convenience, and light mystery fans.

An advanced review copy was provided by St. Martin’s Paperbacks via Netgalley for review.

Kate Bateman starts out her new series with a trio of female spies. This first installment Tess and Justin and their marriage of convenience. Bateman's writing is charming and fun, and exactly what I would expect from her. This novel is well plotted and paced. Her characters are interesting and I enjoyed watching their intrigue with the other grow into a relationship with feelings. Bateman does a lovely job of getting this new series on its feet and I found it to be a solid start to what hopes to be an interesting series.

Overall Bateman does a lovely job of balancing the plot and the character's relationship. Sometimes with historical romances with spies I feel like there is not enough development of the romantic relationship, but Bateman does a great job of keeping the relationship present. This novel then becomes a story of the learning to take on the unexpected, discovering of one's self, and opening your heart to another. I loved watching Tess come into her own, experience pleasure, and fall in love. This novel is enjoyable and one that any Bateman Fan is sure to enjoy. And while enjoyable while reading, this is not a new all time favorite of mine by Bateman, but it does leave me curious and interested in seeing where this series will grow.

After her father forced her to marry the aging Duke of Wansford, Tess Townsend could hardly believe her good fortune when the duke decided to drop dead on their wedding night. Suddenly, Tess became the Dowager Countess while only in her twenties, and the search was on for the next Duke. Until then, Tess was free to continue working as a private investigator with her two best friends Ellie and Daisy. Two years later, once an heir was located, Tess was stunned to discover he was the man she had had a minor dalliance with at a wild house party several months earlier.

Justin Thornton, now the ninth Duke of Wansford, was just as startled to learn that the woman he had believed was a “professional” at Careby’s was the Dowager Countess of Wansford. Deciding dispassionately to make the best of the situation, Justin proposes marriage, but tells Tess he can never fall in love because he has no heart. Even though the two make an agreement detailing where they will live, how long they will remain in each other’s company, and not to fall in love, the agreement is almost immediately broken when Tess and Justin fall in love.

I really appreciated the loyalty between the three women, and the deeply held trust they had in one another. Tess, Ellie, and Daisy are strong, determined women doing what they can to help women in difficult situations, in a discreet fashion, so important in Regency England. This was an entertaining read, with plenty of drama, intrigue, and romance.

A cute start to a new series. I didn't even mind the virgin trope in this one, because the FMC is not meek and simpering. Tess and her 2 friends run their own private investigative services. I'll stop here and say that this universe has women acting & speaking more modernly than a typical historical romance, which I personally didn't mind too much. Some aspects were far-fetched, but overall the characters and setting are enjoyable. Justin started as the usual gallivanting manw***e, but it was all over for him when he finally got to know Tess beyond her looks. They made a good team. I will say, the 2nd outside conflict pertaining more to Justin's business didn't really last long enough for me to be invested, but it could have been made more use of. Also enjoyed a kid-free epilogue!

I’m a big fan of the mistaken identity trope (not sure if that’s actually what it’s called, but that’s what I’m going with LOL) and Kate Bateman gave it such a fun twist by adding in the marriage of convenience trope. There’s nothing like a jaded and cynical hero falling head over heels for the heroine who happens to be his wife ;) Justin’s assumptions about Tess and her sexual exploits (and her creative ideas to conceal her level of experience) had me laughing so hard. I loved the reveal about their actual first “meeting” and the build up between them was so good. The steamy scenes definitely left me fanning myself.

As much as I loved the romance between Tess and Justin, it’s the female friendships that stole the show. Tess, Ellie, and Daisy were amazing and everyone needs ride or die friends like these. They also added some wonderful comic relief throughout.

Unfortunately, the story started to derail at the end and the final conflict and resolution just didn’t fully work for me. I actually think the groveling should have gone both ways on this one. Second Duke’s the Charm was still a very enjoyable read though and I’m looking forward to more books in the series. Ellie’s cryptic note has me very intrigued!

CW: forced marriage, financial problems (past), blackmail, theft, drugging, attempted murder, threats to safety

*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*

This is the first book in Kate Bateman's new Her Majesty's Rebels series. I loved Kate's previous series and couldn't wait to jump into this one. Tess is forced into an arranged marriage with a super old duke. On their wedding night, the old duke dies before consummating their wedding night. Tess decides it will be advantageous to continue the ruse that she was a full widow so she can escape her terrible father and live out her life with the opportunities widowhood allows. Justin Thornton is a shipping magnate who never expected to inherit a Dukedom. He returns to England expecting to meet with the Dowager Duchess; only she's nothing like he expected. He proposes a marriage of convenience so he can stop being hounded and she can keep all of the protections the duchy has given her. Tess must keep her detective agency and the secret mission from the queen secret from her new husband. It's hard to keep the marriage of convenience separate when passion and feelings become involved.

I liked this one. Kate Bateman is such a beautiful writer and makes unique plots in a genre rife with similarities. I don't love a spy/mystery plot because they tend to overshadow the romance. This has a nice balance of the two. At one point, I had completely forgotten their was a detective subplot (which is a positive for me.) Bateman keeps proving over and over to be an auto-buy author.

Tropes Included: widow, virgin heroine, masquerade, marriage of convenience, working heroine, secret crush, detective agency, grand gesture, gaining an unexpected dukedom

Thank you to NetGalley, Kate Bateman, and St Martin's Press for this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own. #netgalley #KateBateman #StMartinsPress #SecondDukesACharm #HerMajestysRebels

This was a one-sitting and very enjoyable read for me! I had forgotten how much I enjoyed historical romance, and I'm excited to learn that this book is the first in a series.

Tess and her friends are spunky, intelligent young women who refuse to be limited by society's rules. Their close friendship is heartwarming and provides so many hilarious moments. Combine this with Tess falling for a dashing duke, and it makes for a very entertaining and somewhat steamy read!

Highly recommend!

I really wanted more for this first installment in this new series. Tess is basically sold off to a 70ish year old duke by her father. Well the wedding night doesn’t happen and her two friends were willing to do anything for their friend. Now Tess wanting to keep her freedom has to worry about who the next person will take over the duchy. It’s Justin but he actually doesn’t want the title but ends up in a marriage of convenience with Tess. I liked the beginning a lot more than the rest of the book. It just didn’t hold my attention as much and I just find I wanted more excitement in the story. I’m hoping the next one will be better.

I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Top Pick!!

“As if sensing Tess’s presence at his side, the stranger raised his head. A shock of something elemental, almost like recognition, flashed through her as their eyes met. If someone had asked her to describe a “dangerous man,” it would be him. Flint-gray eyes, high cheekbones. Lips that looked like they could command- or kiss- with consummate ease. They’d never met in person she was sure, but she knew him: he was every wicked fantasy she’d ever dreamed, come to life. Handsome seemed too weak a word. Shrewd intelligence blazed in his eyes, and Tess had the strangest sensation that he was looking right through her, through dress and skin, to the very heart of her. She felt exposed, all her secrets laid bare.”

This was such a fun one! Kate Bateman is a master of her craft. She never misses, and always delivers a sensational historical romance full of heart, wit, and mind-blowing chemistry.

I was fully immersed in Justin and Tess’s relationship from the beginning, and I loved how everything came full circle with them. Almost as if it was destiny that they ended up together.

Tess was not just beautiful, but brave and bold. She has a secret that she has been carrying that could ruin her, she never consummated her first marriage. She knows she can never take a lover for fear they might spread rumors of her virginal state, but she decides to take matters into her own hands and attend a pleasure party to seduce a man and gain her pleasure. Once Justin fell under her spell, he had it bad for Tess. He had to do anything to have her and would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.

I do love a hero who knows what he wants. This was full of swoony heart-stopping moments with just enough mystery and intrigue without overwhelming the romance or the relationship development. The next book in this series can’t come soon enough!

If you’re a fan of historical romance authors such as Joanna Shupe and Eva Leigh then you won’t be disappointed.

~ Michelle

Kate Bateman has become a go-to must read author for me. I love her stories!

When the elderly lecher her father forced her to marry dies, Tess Townsend becomes the Dowager Duchess of Wansford, without the horror of having to share a bed with someone old enough to be her grandfather. Since her husband's death left her a wealthy widow, she and her two best friends open an investigation agency that caters especially to women. But, while she treasures her independence, she longs to experience the pleasures she has thus far missed out on. Her wealth and status make her the most desirable catch of the ton, and a target for gold-diggers looking to line their own pockets. Will a masquerade, a red dress, and the most compelling man she's ever met, give her a glimpse of what she's missing out on?

Shipping magnate Justin Thornton never thought he'd inherit a duke's title. He was something like 9th in line, but when all the others die, the title falls to him. Discovering that the woman he kissed at the masquerade is the Dowager Duchess of his own estates, he sees an obvious way to check "find a wife" off of his list of duties. They can marry "for convenience", stay together for 3 months, then go their separate ways to live the lives they really want. But, he didn't count on the passion they share leading to a love he never wanted.

As Tess works on a highly sensitive case for the queen, will her suspicious behavior turn Justin against her?

The characters in this story steamed up the pages from their first interaction with one another to the closing page. Neither had a reason to trust the other, but it was trust or the lack of it that finally put a wedge into their relationship. I enjoyed the intrigue threaded through the story. I also loved Tess' two best friends and business partners, Daisy and Ellie. They were a hoot.

Readers who love historical romance with a substantial amount of heat, will enjoy Second Duke's the Charm. I can hardly wait to read the other two girls' stories!

4 When their Marriage Becomes More than a Convenience Stars!!

I love starting a new series with new characters and romances that keep me captivated from beginning to end. With Second Duke’s the Charm Ms. Bateman has delivered on everything I love about her books.

Tess’ life changes dramatically on her wedding night but not the way she was expecting and dreading if she were being honest. When she becomes a Dowager Duchess before she can take that “final step” into womanhood. As she’s working on an investigation for Queen Charlotte with her two besties, her new husband to be Justin Thornton doesn’t trust her thanks to her being quite evasive when he questions her about what she’s doing.

Even though their marriage is supposed to be convenient, it’s clear that there’s an undeniable chemistry between them, but Ms. Bateman has written the ultimate slow burn as they get to know each other and figure out that not only are they attracted to each other, but they’re falling in love with each other too! This makes the build-up to their coming together that much more delicious!

I loved how this story progressed. As Tess is on her mission to solve a problem for the Queen, Justin begins to wonder if he can trust Tess in every way possible including his heart. Each time they’re in the same room together, it’s a little bit of foreplay! But it’s not smooth sailing for our H/h thanks to her secrets. Can Tess convince Justin that she truly loves him and he can trust her? Will their marriage become more than a convenince? You’ll need to read this one to get all these answers!

I wish I could provide feedback on this novel but I am supporting the St Martins Press boycott, so I'll provide a review once the boycotts demands have been met.

This is one delightful marriage of convenience. These two can’t keep their hands off one another! But it’s only suppose to be for three months and they will part ways. The Duke has promised never to fall in love. But this feisty little investigator has other ideas. And he seems to be falling , hook, line , and sinker! Wonderful characters, delightful banter, a would be assassin , and a sizzling romance. This book has it all! Loved it!