An Unexpected Match
Joan and James had no interest in love or marriage—they were simply trying to match two of their friends. But what happens when they fall victim to their own matchmaking efforts? They weren’t meant to fall in love, but fall they did. Will they accept that they’re meant to be together, or continue resisting fate? Can Joan reform a rake who insists he’ll never marry?
I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful historical romance, full of wit and charm. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys the genre.

The last chapter/EPILOGUE kinda killed the vibe of this book for me. The last spicy scene and the dialogue was so cliche and a little cringe. I did love the banter and buildup of the relationship between the 2 main characters and it's what kept me hooked while reading. The story up to the proposal was engaging and flowed well, but then it felt a little rushed. You finally get to the sex scene that this story has been leading up to and it and was a little boring. I mean the MMC is a notorious rake after all! And I felt that the epilogue was more of a last chapter then an epilogue. I expected there to be more of a time difference between the last chapter and the epilogue. But with that said, I do understand that this is only book 2 out of 4 (?) and maybe the next book will pick up right where this one left off, or maybe have some overlapping in terms of time.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and will look forward to reading the next in the series. I do hope it's Chris and Nobi's story, because it's about damn time! (P. S. feel free to add in the appropriately timed claps that we have all been trained to do!)

Captivating relationship!
I enjoyed this novel. I found the two protagonists, Joan and James, very likeable. Their relationship is captivating, and they have a special bond that quickly drew me into their attempts at matchmaking their closed friends together. To my great delight, they get caught up in their own game. This book is a quick and enjoyable read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Book two of this entertaining series takes us on an adventure with Lady Joan. She's the quiet one of four sisters and can easily be overlooked. She starts to help out her friend and ends up plotting with James, a duke, who was ignored growing up. Their plotting is humorous and funny. From an author, who always delivers a quality story, this one is a winner! Four sisters who have unique skills, four Duke's who are best friends, and an imagination that has no filters... You can only guess what will take place in this story and the next two are going to be even more fun. Don't miss out!

This is a fantastic book! It is the second in this series, but could also be read as a stand-alone. Joan is practical, logical, fiercely loyal to her family (including her 3 sisters), and I see a lot of myself in her personality and thoughts. She doesn’t see James as a potential love interest at all, and only starts to spend time with him in order to help her friend connect with his friend. I love how they both seem to acknowledge that they could never be a couple, which in turn allows them to be more open either each other and show more of their true selves.

This book has some great banter, romance, loyal friendships, and some spice. Overall, I highly recommend it! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this free advanced copy - this is my honest and voluntary review.

I enjoyed this lighthearted allies to lovers romance. As always, the author's writing style is playful and the story is humorous, steamy and full of likable main and supporting characters. James is a rake with a poignant childhood and Joan is the cautious, observant sister of the unconventional quartet. I liked how the two were on the same wavelength from the start despite their different personalities and how the relationship between them developed. I also liked Joan's close bond with her sisters and the witty banter between James and his friends.

Now that her older sister Boudicca has successfully fallen in love with a duke and married him, it is Joan's turn to do her part in the Duke Dare. But instead she and James, the Duke of Cornwell, try to set her friend Sarah up with James’ friend.
After his unhappy, loveless childhood, James has lost faith in love and is determined never to marry or have children of his own. He is a reckless rake, but wants to see his friend happy.
The matchmaking scheme shared with the cautious, levelheaded Joan goes unexpectedly well and the two grow closer than expected…

Overall, an entertaining fun read with some spice that I am happy to recommend!

I received a free ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and left voluntarily.

This second book in the Duke Dare series is a very beautiful and serendipitously written historical romance. I really enjoyed this delightful and charming love story that is full of drama, humor, wit, and emotional issues that are very engaging. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the ending was lovely. I highly recommend reading!

This book is such a fun read. Joan and James are an unlikely pair but give two opposites a mutual task and sparks might fly. I loved the humor and teasing they showed each other throughout their journey. I also appreciate a heroine that knows her mind and a hero that will actually talk about his feelings no matter how difficult. Loved the sisters and the Duke challenge. There’s just so much to love about this book!

Thank you NetGalley. Joan was watching her friend Sally and she was watching the two men across the room so Joan went to be some help to her. The one was James a duke but it couldn't be him so it must be his friend standing next to him. No! She was interested in the wrong man. Joan and James get together and try to interest her friend in the correct man she should be interested in. While doing this Joan finds herself with the rake. Her brother is continuously showing up and separating them. James finds he is interested in Joan.

I don’t mind reading a interconnected series out of order, sometimes is actually good for me to read them like this, because if I like the characters I will read the other books in the series, and that’s exactly what happened with The Duke's Goddess. I was so interested that I read this in one sitting.
I fell in love withe the characters and soon after i finished, i looked for the first book on Amazon, and read it also in one sitting.

The characters in this book totally made me fall in love in the first few pages and I was so interested in the story, that I just wanted a happy ending for both of them. The relationship between the sisters was also something I loved very much. Each and every one of them was unique and important to the story, that I want them to have their happy ending too, so now i cannot wait to read the other two books in the series. I'm officialy hooked!

Four sisters – daughters of an earl, a little eccentric but well-liked by the ton – agreed on a dare to each snag a duke before the Season is out...

Joan is the next to youngest of the foursome; quiet, observant, and very talented at throwing daggers. She’s not to sure about love or ever finding it for herself, but she also doesn’t want to let her sisters down.
James is a duke from a cold nest, an incorrigible rake who learned long ago that calculated risks are far more rewarding than trying to earn his parents love. As far as he’s concerned, love doesn’t even exist, but the loyalty of his friends is priceless, and he’ll do just about anything to keep them happy and safe.
They enter each other’s orbit when her friend starts mooning over him while his friend is head-over-heels for the girl. Determined to steer Cupid in the right direction, Joan and James agree to join forces and do a little matchmaking. A hazardous occupation – especially to the heart – involving waltzes, rowboats, ballroom terraces and nighttime chaperoning missions.

This was a delectable, humorous, light and relaxing read – so very romantic – a charming and witty co-Cupids-to-lovers, house party, close proximity romance! They sizzle, and with each mishap the tension mounts leading to some delicious steam, a little scandal and the scariest feeling of them all: true love.
These MCs read each other like open books; they don’t see it, don’t realise it’s happening, but their entire entourage is on to them, and it was lovely seeing them open up and grow close.
I’m really enjoying this series so far, and I’m eagerly looking forward to what’s next!

I was really excited to read this book but unfortunately, It wasn’t for me.

The characters felt very one dimensional, the story felt rushed, and the love between Joan and James was not very believable. I struggled with the repetitive inner monologues of the main characters but did appreciate that this felt like a new take on “the rake” trope.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc, all opinions are my own.

Lady Joan the second youngest of four sisters agrees to join in The Duke Dare with her sisters, they dare each other to find & wed a Duke. James, Duke of Cornwell, uses women to get what he wants only for as long as he wants it. So when he ends up in a fake courtship with Joan, he does so with the end in sight, as it’s only so his friend & her friend can realise they are meant for each other, but all good plans!
The second book in the series & another well written entertaining romance. James has sworn off marriage & doesn’t believe in love, then he spends time with Joan. I loved the chemistry between the couple & the witty banter, they are the last to realise what their feelings are. It made for a delightful read
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

I chuckled all the way through this entertaining and witty romance, as Lady Joan teams up with the Duke of Cornwell, acting as matchmakers for their friends. The rapport between the couple and their sizzling attraction gives the plot impetus that keeps one turning the pages, desperate to know how these two are going to resolve their differences. Joan has secrets that intrigue James, and she keeps taking him by surprise. On the other hand, James is also keeping secrets, and when they are revealed, he expects her to turn away from him. However, Joan is a nurturer and cannot help but give him the empathy he so desperately needs. The novel comes to a lovely conclusion, although there is still one secret that Joan refuses to divulge, and James will just have to wait until they are married to get the answer he is looking for. I received a copy of this delightful romance as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

While trying to set up friends, Joan and James become attracted to each other. James is a rake who has sworn never to marry. While Joan falls in love with him, she does not want to force him to marry her. Can there be a happy ever after? I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.

Its not a good mix....

I really liked Joan, the quiet, wallflower of the four sisters with the marrying a duke pact. She's sensible. However, her pairing with James, the wild, useless rake wasn't the best match for her. He's a player and a feckless, shallow, not very bright, entitled guy. He's probably riddled with STD's and Joan deserved someone who doesn't use women and hasn't already banged most of the female ton. Joan deserved someone smart, kind and interesting, not just another boring, predictable rake.

Lady Joan is quite, shy and makes sure everyone is happy. Joan is going along with the Duke Dare that her sisters are involved in only to make them happy.

James, Duke of Cornwell is very happy with his bachelorhood status and nothing is going to change that. He does not believe in love or marriage.

Joan and James fake a courtship so that two of their friends will see that they are made for each other. As they continue to push the two friend together they start getting to know each other and become friends. Can James open his heart to love or will he continue to deny love exists?

I absolutely love Eliana Piers books!! They always put a smile on my face and make me laugh throughout the book!! This book was highly entertaining, very delightful and so very steamy!! I enjoyed reading how their relationship went from helping others to becoming friends to finding love themselves. The secondary character were absolutely wonderful and really added to the story. I highly recommend this book!!

James is one of the four Dukes comprising the “Betting Buddies”.
He has no intention of getting marries anytime soon and lists 3 outlandish criteria that must be met by a woman.
Joan and her sisters have pledged to marry Dukes and the first sister has already been successful in this endeavor.
James and Joan work together to help another couple in love and end up spending a lot of time together.
A fun romance, easy to read, book 2 of series.

The female main character is Lady Joan, who looks out for her friends and family- even to save her friend from “falling inlove” with an infamous rake, Duke James. Together, the two plot a plan that will work out for the both of them. Neither were planning on falling for each other but the friends to lovers trope is embodied in this book. Throughout the entirety a strong beautiful friendship forms with lots of tension.
The characters are relatable to everyday people. The banter is hilarious, and the sisterly devotion between Joan and her sisters show true sisterhood. I love the use of old phrases such as “woolgathering”. This book is hilarious, sweet and HEA guaranteed. I highly recommend this book as a feel good book, to any bookish reader who enjoys historical fantasy. If you liked Bridgerton, you will love this book.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, but not my kind of book!
The word ‘rake’ got mentioned so often that I started counting them and didn’t even pay attention to the story anymore.
Although, not much of a story here.
Not for me!