A Shakespearean comedy worthy romp with identity swamp, undercover operations, and 2 adorable couples. I had a great time

I received an advanced listening copy of the audiobook for review. This is my own opinion.

This is basically The Importance of Being Earnest. The castle is even called Earnherst, which is adorable. Our intrepid heroes weave a whole lot of tangled webs that leave readers with a whole lot of humor.

As far as the audio goes, the narrators did a fantastic job, delivering their often ridiculous lines seriously, which really drives home the comedic Oscar Wilde vibe.

I definitely recommend this for readers who want a lighter historical romance. It’s funny but the characters say things about recognizing their privilege, and it’s just very self aware.

4.25/5 stars

Thank you to Dreamscape Media for the ALC!

This was absolutely delightful. I really didn’t know what to expect nor did I even read the summary beyond a glance. I was truly TICKLED when I realized that not only was she hiding her identity but he also was!! And the side characters too!! Whenever I encounter this specific type of hidden identity, it’s my FAVORITE thing EVER because the biggest barrier to the couples being together is actually a nonissue. It’s like dramatic irony to the point of screwball-esque. Also I just eat up a side character romance.

I didn’t think there’d be any spice because it was absent I her last trade paperback I read, so I wasn’t disappointed to learn I was correct. I’ll always want it, but the story worked without it and I was okay. I do think the secondary romance seemed almost a bit more developed than the main one, and an extra layer of intimacy would’ve strengthened their connection to perfection.

As for the audiobook, the narrators were absolutely fabulous. I don’t think I’ve heard either of them before??? (which is saying something) but I’d love to hear them again. They delivered the comedic timing perfectly. It would’ve been fun reading with my eyes but with my ears it was truly an Experienceᵀᴹ.

4.5/5

I received an ARC and ALC from the publishers. All opinions are honest and my own.

I had high hopes for A Duke Never Tells, the first in Suzanne Enoch's *The Wildes of Lindow Castle* series. The premise, featuring a rakish duke and a spirited heroine, promises all the classic elements of a Regency romance that I enjoy: witty banter, slow-burn chemistry, and a dash of intrigue. While I found the story itself enjoyable, I couldn't help but feel somewhat underwhelmed by the audiobook experience.

The story centers on the relationship between the Duke of Lindow, a charming but emotionally closed-off nobleman, and Lady Rosalind, a headstrong woman who’s trying to carve out her own place in a world that doesn’t quite understand her. It’s a standard Regency romance plot with a few twists, but overall, the characters are engaging enough to hold my interest.

However, my enjoyment of the audiobook was hindered by the narration. The narrator did a good job overall, but the different accents for various characters, especially the duke and the heroine, made it a bit difficult to follow at times. The shifts between different voices sometimes felt jarring, and I found myself straining to keep track of who was speaking. The accents, though well-performed, were not always easy to follow, which pulled me out of the story a few times. It's a bit of a shame, because I think the writing would have been more enjoyable for me had I read it in print.

That said, the chemistry between the main characters was palpable, and the romance, though predictable, was satisfying. There's also a nice layer of mystery that kept the plot moving forward. If you're a fan of regency-era romance with a bit of intrigue and don't mind a more challenging listening experience, this might still be a good pick. For me, though, I’d probably recommend the print version over the audiobook if you're looking to fully immerse yourself in the story.

In conclusion, A Duke Never Tells was an enjoyable read, but the audiobook's narration style just wasn’t for me. I still plan on continuing with the series, but next time, I'll opt for the physical book to get the most out of the story.