Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC of the book in exchange of an honest review.

I've been on a historical romance kick lately and this did not disappoint. It was funny and spicy and exactly what I needed at the moment. As Bridgerton season three is about to be released I think book will appeal to many readers.

A fun regency romance with some steamy moments, balancing the humour and romance perfectly.
Set in 1816, Lady Georgiana Pendlebury is navigating scandal and intrigue in Yorkshire
Will she find her happily ever after with Duke Gabriel, even though he has a terrible reputation as a rake
Even though it’s part of The Runaway Heiress series, it can be read as a stand alone novel
Pure escapism, perfect fans for Bridgerton
Thanks @emmaorchardbooks @boldwoodbooks & @netgalley for the fun regency romp

This review is being posted as part of the A Duke Of One’s Own blog tour hosted by Rachel’s Random Resources.

A Duke Of One’s Own is the latest compelling regency romance from author Emma Orchard. Set in 1816, in the middle of the regency era, our story is perfect for both seasoned regency readers and readers who are newer to the genre and it is packed full of all of your favourite regency romance tropes. This includes an age gap romance between a virgin heroine and a brooding older Duke and a forced marriage as a result of these characters being found in a compromising situation.

Emma Orchard is an incredible storyteller who had me hooked from the very first chapter. Her vivid descriptions made the Yorkshire coastal castle setting of Northriding Castle come alive on the page. The chapters set here felt very Gothic in style which I loved.

This is a lighter regency romance read which is perfect if you’re looking for something quick and steamy (no pun intended!). I easily read the whole book in a single sitting of a couple of hours thanks to how fast-paced and engaging the narrative was.

Lady Georgiana Pendlebury, or Georgie as she’s known by her loved ones, is our feisty and headstrong debutante FMC. Our brooding, swoon-worthy silver fox MMC is Gabriel Mauleverer, the Duke of Northriding. The way Gabriel talked about Georgie was gorgeous and he fell first, and harder, which was really well portrayed within the story.

Georgie and Gabriel had great chemistry and seeing such open and honest communication between the two of them was wonderful. We have lots of really hot spicy scenes throughout the book and they navigated the contrast of experience between Georgie as a virgin FMC and Gabriel as a more experienced and older MMC very well. Their great communication continued within their steamier encounters, particularly around consent and exploration of potential kinks, which was great to see within a regency romance.

A Duke Of One’s Own has great LGBTQIA+ representation within the story which was fantastic to see, especially as the representation came without any real comment outside of just total familial acceptance.

This is the second instalment of the The Runaway Heiress series but the story also works well as a standalone story and this was my introduction to the series.

Overall, A Duke Of One’s Own is a fantastic spicy regency romp, perfect when you want a lighter historical read which is still packed full of steam and romance. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the series has in store.

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice Level: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ / 5 (Explicit Open Door)

I have posted an extended review on my blog www.yourschloe.co.uk

*I received a copy of this book in eBook format via NetGalley in return for this review. All reviews published are completely honest and my own, and are in no way influenced by the gifting opportunity. Thank you to Emma Orchard, Rachel’s Random Resources, Boldwood Books and NetGalley.

3.2 stars
One Liner: Lighthearted and steamy (but clunky too)

My Thoughts:
The story comes in the third-person POV of Georgiana (more) and Gabriel.
Firstly, why is this not marked as a series? Turns out, The Runaway Heiress is the first book of the series. This is the second. What the Lady Wants will be the third. While it works as a standalone, I couldn’t see the need for some details until I realized it was a part of a series. Then, it made sense.
The premise is interesting. The book starts great. However, the narrative is weighed down by some fluff and continues to be slow throughout. Lighthearted reads aren’t supposed to be this slow!
Georgiana is a contradiction. Some elements make her appealing. But she can also get on your nerves. Gabriel is relatively better, though I wouldn’t have minded a bit more depth.
Note that the book is very much a light read. I liked this aspect. The bits and pieces of humor elevate the story, especially when Georgiana rambles on.
I also like that the characters communicate even if they talk in circles. There is still some presumption, but no unwanted drama. They can sit and talk, which is a plus. It’s okay if what they say doesn’t always make sense to the other person. The important aspect is that they are willing to share it.
There’s no third-act breakup, another plus. Of course, there is some drama and attempts to cause a rift between the couple, but it is handled the way it should be. I like that it serves as a basis for another plot development.
There’s an unwanted chapter towards the end, which could have been shortened to a couple of paragraphs. Once the reader the end, they don’t want more fluff. They just need a nice rounded ending with an epilogue. We have an epilogue, but I could have done without the gossip and rumor chapter.
The book is promoted as a steamy romance, and it is. I’d put it around 3.5ish steam. Think of Lisa Kleypas or Stephanie Laurens (though Laurens would be min 4). Never mind that the author calls Georgette Heyer her inspiration.

To summarize, A Duke of One’s Own is an enjoyable read with a stronger second half. It would have been a 4-star with some of the clunks toned down. Still, I cannot deny that I was entertained by the book and am willing to more from the author.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
*****

"A Duke of One's Own is a fast-paced, intriguing love story." ~nerdywordyreviews

Lady Georgina has gained a well-known reputation for breaking the rules and behaving in ways that defy society's expectations for a woman, especially for a lady of grace. She promised her brother, who is now head of the household, that acting out of character will happen no more. However, when a friend invites her to a prim and proper masquerade party, Georgie is shocked to walk into a scandalous show. Shocked and attempting to leave, a man with piercing eyes and an attractive voice befriends her. Georgie does not leave the party right away. Weeks later, Georgina attends the Grand Duke's party that is being held for him to find a wife. She attends as a guest with her aunt, not as a participant vying for his attention. However, upon meeting the Duke for the first time.... piercing eyes make contact and the shock and realization for them both sets in. What will become of their shared secret?

A Duke of One's Own was a fast-paced read for me. I found the storyline was interesting right from the very beginning and continuing throughout the book.
There is some deception, forced proximity and unexpected turns of events that happen throughout the story.
The story has some different layers within it, highlighting some past events that bring up some present actions.
The author has written the romance in the book well and included spicy scenes throughout. The author carefully integrated all spicy scenes into the storyline and did not include them randomly.
This book exceeded my expectations and left me pleasantly surprised. From the book cover, I thought it to be a PG love story set in history, but it is not.
I recommend this read.

1816 England. Debutantes, Almack vouchers, balls, endless picnics and outings, shopping and tiresome journeys. This was the world of the rich and very similar to a Georgette Heyer novel. It is lovely reading of times past with wily, matchmaking mamas and very few thinking of the masses whose lives were far, far different. The similarity in this story ends there.

Racy, sexual encounters explicitly detailed in the midst of a story of a rebellious young lady who despite the rules and restrictions of her day, managed to break free to create a story of her own.

Could have done with a little less detail but this is a one off and a break from my usual genres!

I enjoyed this book it was a fun time and I liked Georgiana’s character as she developed. I thought that it was equally funny and cute how Lady Georgiana Pendlebury and Duke Gabriel Mauleverer came to meet. Even better was how they instantly recognized each other when they met again. I had a great time with this book as it had its funny moments but also its heartfelt and moving moments. Although I wasn't the biggest fan of the age gap between Georgiana and Gabriel I found the romance between them to be so cute and so obvious that it was funny when they would worry that the other person didn't feel the same way. I loved Miss Spry her character was so funny and I enjoyed her relationship with Georgiana and when she would essentially call her out for how she had been acting. I think the storyline did a good job of progressing and even though some parts of the ending did feel a tab bit slow and dragging I found myself having a great time with this book. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lady Georgiana Pendlebury seems to find herself causing trouble for her brother even when she's trying to be good. One particular night, she finds herself in a scandalous house, in another scandalous situation and meets a handsome masked stranger who does more than offer her help.

Later that summer, she goes with her aunt to visit with an old friend and finds herself face to face with her handsom stranger, the Silver Duke. She never expected to see him again, had convinced herself she wouldn't... but that chance meeting months ago seems to be changing her life.

I'm a big fan of historical romance and this one delivered for me. The story was well written, flowed well and kept me interested. I loved Georgiana as the spicy female main character. I will say that the troubles the main characters find themselves in is predictable, but I still enjoyed reading how they found resolution.

'A Duke Of One's Own is an entertaining Regency romance. It evokes society and scandal and takes the reader on a wonderfully escapist historical journey. Georgiana is a believable character, constrained by societal expectations and her naivety, yet courageous and impulsive to live her best life. Gabriel is a complex character, cynical and irreverent, but also kind and loyal to those who depend on him or he likes. The story is full of heat and humour and is an engaging read. I like the historical detail, the atmospheric settings and the passionate yet emotional connection between Georgiana and Gabriel.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Lady Georgiana “Georgie” Pendlebury seems to have knack for making bad decisions and finding trouble and her current dilemma is a prime example of that! Weeks ago, she found herself abandoned at a very risqué masquerade party and one bad decision led to another which ended in a very intimate encounter with a stranger and a night she will never forget. And now that decision has come back to bite her, when she finds herself at a house party to find a bride for the infamous Silver Duke – who just happens to be her mystery lover! Awkward! Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your POV) the duke remembers her and soon decides that Georgie is the perfect bride! Passion won’t be a problem, but Georgie wants more and is sure that a match between them will only end in heartache.

Gabriel Mauleverer, the Duke of Northriding AKA the Silver Duke (thanks to his unusual eyes and the silver streaks in his ebony hair), is a well-known rake and content bachelor, but since the death of his younger brother and his cousin, he is without an heir and needs to find a bride. He lets his sister plan a house party with prospective brides and never imagines that his mysterious lady would be a guest – too bad she isn’t there as bride. He knows she doesn’t believe that they could be happy, but when they are caught in a compromising position, they are left with no choice but to wed. Now he just needs to convince her that they are perfect for each other.

This new to me author came through with a cute story with very likable characters. The story has secrets, witty banter, a very diverse cast of secondary characters, steamy love scenes, blackmail, realizations, life or death moments, and finally a soulmate type of love leading to HEA, complete with an epilogue. I enjoyed this story, but it wasn’t perfect, there were some dangling plot points, and some very anticlimactic moments. Overall, I liked the book and would happily recommend the title to readers who like steamy historical romances with feisty heroines and heroes who fall fast and hard.

3.5 stars rounded up.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

Another winner from this exceptional Regency romance novelist. What a wonderful escapist read- so enjoyable I raced through it barely pausing to take a breath.
Emma Orchard has written a follow up novel to her previous book “The Runaway Heiress”but focusing on Georgiana one of the more minor characters.
In the previous book Georgie had a knack of getting into trouble but being quite feisty, quite unexpected in a lady raised in these times. In this book her behaviour continues and after a few ill judged decisions she finds herself face to face with the Duke of Northriding , someone she has met before, but in a situation she would rather not think about.
The Duke is looking for a bride to produce an heir but although he is considered a good catch, he is thought of as rather rakish and not to be trusted. Georgie is warned against him but cannot help herself when their eyes meet in his castle in Yorkshire.
I really liked Georgie- she is quite modern in her outlook and behaviour despite the constraints women are put under in the period the book is written. Her Aunt Louisa and her “companion” Jane are excellent role models and certainly not the sort of women to follow the rules of high society.
Of course Gabriel, the Duke is mouth-wateringly attractive- I’d so love to meet him in a wonderful castle setting and be swept off my feet!
This book really transported me from our boring modern life into the splendour of Regency England.
Emma Orchard has a wonderful writing style- her use of language is perfect for the period setting and her words just jump off the page. Be prepared though, it is not all propriety-her historical characters certainly know how to enjoy themselves in private!!
I have become a Regency Romance convert and now need little encouragement to branch out from my normal diet of crime thrillers.
I highly recommend this book as a fabulous escapist read! Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.

This is a first read by this author and I was very pleasantly surprised to find a great story full with not only the ton and their exploits but the danger of spite and the spice of the bedroom as well.

The novel flowed really well and I wasn't really willing to put it down for long. I admired the modern self awareness in her female protagonist and the modern unselfishness of pleasure in her male.

I have read quite a few Regency romances but this one stood out for me as being exceptionally well researched in the times, especially in the language used. So many times when I stumbled on an unfamiliar word or thought there was a typo, I reached for the Google dictionary and found new words to add to my knowledge of the era. No typos to be found. These words were peppered throughout and used in the correct context, not thrust upon the readers all at once.

All in all, I enjoyed the book and wouldn't hesitate to reach for another Emma Orchard creation!
My thanks to Netgalley and the author and publisher for a temporary copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was enjoyable. It was my first book by this author and I would read another book from her. In general, I love the tropes Orchard used and cannot wait for more like this!

Okay, so I was excited to read this one because the blurb sounded so good and the plot was really interesting too. But my main problem was that I couldn't really connect with either of the main characters. Also, I was expecting some slow burn and tension but I did not feel the chemistry between Georgie & Gabriel tbh. The plot twists were good and engaging but the insta-love ruined this book for me.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review

I’d missed Emma Orchard’s first book in this series, but I’ll definitely be buying it. Sassy, spicy and exciting, I sped though A Duke of One’s own, loving the spirited Georgie and Gabriel, who though not equal in societal convention, (him being male and her not,) were more than equal one to one. I doubt Georgie knows how to simper, or is she did wouldn’t stomach it. I haven’t read much Regency romance, but for me this was a first where the leads took ownership of their sexuality and while Georgie may not feel in control of it, she doesn’t shy from it – which kicks off the chain of events which make such an entertaining story. Loved it. If you enjoy Evie Dunmore’s books, or Martha Water’s, or the modern Regency romcoms, you should absolutely look this one up.

A Duke of One's Own is a spicy Regency romp featuring the wilful Georgiana and Gabriel, who has earned a scandalous reputation as a seducer of all women.

With a slightly unconventional beginning to the tale, we are quickly whisked away to the wilds of Yorkshire for a house party where Gabriel must find himself a wife to ensure his family line continues and doesn't end up in the hands of Leaky Sue on his death.

What ensues is a Regency romance where, as we would expect, neither character speaks their mind and allows events to whirl around them as they slowly begin to understand their feelings for one another while society lays down its expectations for them. But that is not the end of our tale. No, Georgiana has a past, and it will come back to haunt her and Gabriel.

This is an enjoyable story, very much in the Bridgerton/Julia Quinn mould, and sure to delight fans of the genre and period.

The first few chapters are interesting, but the rest was excruciatingly boring. I don't know what happened.

A delightful read, "A Duke of One's Own" by Emma Orchard earns a solid 4 stars from me. The storyline was engrossing, offering a captivating glimpse into the societal norms and challenges faced by women during that era. I particularly appreciated the supportive dynamics among the characters, highlighting the diversity of personalities and their refusal to conform to societal expectations.

how I adored the banter between Gabriel and Georgie in the beginning! It had me grinning from ear to ear. Emma's writing truly shines in those moments. While I wished for more of that playful energy as the story progressed, Emma's writing still kept me thoroughly entertained.

And let’s not forget the spice! It was a perfect combination of fun, sexy, and positive energy that added that extra sparkle to the story.

Overall, “A Duke of One’s Own” is a compelling historical romance that offers a refreshing perspective on love and society. Thank you to @theboldbookclub for providing the ARC of this book.

Sweet, hot and fun

What a wonderful new discovery! I love historical romances and this one hits all the right notes for me. As you can see from the synopsis, we have a slightly rebellious but naïve young miss of good breeding who isn't too sure she wants to be married just to be married and she is tricked into going to a party that wasn't quite the thing... with interesting results. She then unexpectedly finds the man she met at said party and... This may be a book within a series (or maybe we have a prequel coming), but no issues reading this as a stand-alone. I will be looking for the rest of Emma Orchard's books!

Thank you to the publisher who lent me an e-arc via Netgalley. This review is optional and my own opinion.

A Duke of One’s Own by Emma Orchard is a very sensuous book as well as a steamy one. Lady Georgiana was always in trouble. She was curious and she didn’t think things through. That was how she got involved with Captain Hart and nearly lost her virtue and her reputation. All he wanted was her money. Then she met Mrs. Aubrey, who led her into situation after situation until she found herself at an orgy, from which she didn’t know how to escape. Again, not thinking things through. She was rescued by a strong, handsome man with whom she spent a very sensual evening until he dropped her in her neighborhood so she could get home. He looked for her at balls and such but never found her. Mrs. Aubrey had tried to ruin her. She was livid. Gabriel, the Duke of Northriding had a sister, Blanche, who was now a widow. She was Aunt Louisa’s old friend and had invited her to a house party. She, her companion, Miss Spry, and Georgiana attended. It was full of young women of the ton as the Duke was looking for a wife. Lady Georgiana was not to be part of the parade, being there are the behest of Lady Blanche. It was HIM. The man from the orgy. He recognized her as well. Well, there you have it.

He snuck though a secret passage way to her room that night. His presence was powerful. She was frightened, not because he he would hurt her, but more of her own emotions and how they could hurt her. He was a powerful rake, although not as much of a rake as reputation had him. He needed a wife. He wanted her. If not her, someone. He was a powerful character, well written, and attractive. She was drawn to him, but she could not stumble. So he started courting another. She would have to watch. This was a well written novel, loaded with potent emotions on all sides. The story was thorough and moving. Characters beyond Georgie and Gabriel had stories to tell. It was a wonderful book. Thanks Emma Orchard! Thanks Boldwood Books!

I was invited to read A Duke of One’s Own by Boldwood Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BoldwoodBooks #EmmaOrchard #ADukeOfOnesOwn