A Duke for Miss Townsbridge

The Townsbridges, Book 4

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Pub Date 20 Oct 2020 | Archive Date 10 Oct 2020

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Description

She threatens to conquer his heart…

When Matthew Donovan, Duke of Brunswick, proposes to Sarah Townsbridge, she’s shocked. After all, she’s never met him before. One thing is clear though – he obviously needs help. So after turning him down, she decides to get to know him better, and finds out she’s right. But fixing a broken man is not the same as adopting a puppy. Least of all when the man in question has no desire to be saved.

Matthew has his mind set on Sarah. Kind and energetic, she’ll make an excellent mother. Best of all, her reclusiveness is sure to make her accept the sort of marriage he has in mind – one where they live apart. The only problem is, to convince her, they must spend time together. And the more they do, the more he risks falling prey to the one emotion he knows he must avoid at all cost: love.

She threatens to conquer his heart…

When Matthew Donovan, Duke of Brunswick, proposes to Sarah Townsbridge, she’s shocked. After all, she’s never met him before. One thing is clear though – he...


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Featured Reviews

This is book 4 in Sophie's series. Although I did not read the previous installments I had no trouble at all understanding the premise of the story. It was a very good read with great characters, lovely romance and humor. I fully intend to read the first three books. This was a wonderful and entertaining read!

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What is a girl to do but say no when a Duke proposes marriage out of the blue? For Sarah, she wants what her parents have. For Matthew, Sarah will make him the perfect wife, forget about all of that love stuff. But what happens when they fall in love with each other is magical.

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Another great romance by Sophie Barnes! Ms. Barnes has become one of my favorite romance writers and her newest book did not disappoint. I was completely drawn in as soon as Matthew proposed to Sarah in the middle of the party. I love that we get POVs from both Sarah and Matthew rather than seeing everything from only Sarah's perspective. I really liked both of these characters and enjoyed following their stories as their relationship grew. I wanted to smack him for leaving her for 5 weeks (!) but loved that she refused to sit at home crying and set out to search for him when it was clear he was not going to be either coming home or sending her any kind of message as to where he was. I will admit that I found some satisfaction when Charles punched Matthew when he ran into him at the hotel. Sarah might be a little too forgiving of some of Matthew's behavior, but that also just shows that she prefers to leave the past behind and focus on the future.

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It was great to read Sarah's story in the continuing series of the Townsbridges. Sarah is now on the search for a husband and the reclusive Duke next door, whos been admiring her from afar proposes on the spot-even though they've never formally met. She makes it clear that he's going to have to work for her hand, Then she finds out about his tragic past. Sarah has a history of resuing and healing every sad stray animal that crosses her path, and now she turns her sights on Duke Matthew and decides to turn him into her latest rescue project. Matthew wants to get married but in his experience, love only leads to pain and he isn't ready for that. She will accept nothing less. When his worst fear is realized and he believes he has lost her, he finally realizes she had his heart all along. I loved this story but I was disappointed in the abrupt ending. Still, it was definitely worth the read! I look forward to the next book.

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I was captivated from the beginning to the end. Sarah is so kind, gently frank, fanciful yet content, strong-willed and compassionate. I truly felt sorry for the Duke but Sarah is perfect for him. Humorously entertaining take on the escapades of the regency with characters that I absolutely loved reading about and enjoyed getting to know. Excellent, couldn't put it down!! Never a dull moment!

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Marrying a stranger is not so unusual, but what if he was your neighbor? Matthew proposes and Sarah declines, but she is intrigued by her reclusive man next door! She decides that in order for her to be able to discover more about him then he has to be willing to get to know her. After a few dates she is thinking that she might be able to fix him, but he is having something else in mind!

Will these two come together? The author takes us on a amusing journey of dialogue that will keep you turning the pages.

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.

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I received an ARC of "A Duke for Miss Townsbridge" by Sophie Barnes from Netgalley.  Duke Matthew Brunswick has decided that Sarah Townsbridge will be the ideal wife for him. What he doesn't realize is that she is also the only woman who can help him fight his demons. This is a beautiful simple love story... a marriage of convenience that turns into a love marriage. A sweet quick read.

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I loved this book! It is part of a series called The Townsbridges, I have not read any other book in this series and I was not lost at all, if anything, I think I would like to read the other books that came before this and the one which is coming after. Sarah Townsbridge’s mother throws a party so Sarah can meet some gentlemen and get married. Sarah really wants a love match. At this party, their neighbor the Duke of Brunswick (Matthew), who she really does not know, and they never talked comes in and says “Marry Me”. Sarah says no, and Matthew is shocked, he thinks, who would not want to marry a Duke? After this awkward meeting, they both decide to get to know each other, and their love story is so enjoyable I could not put the book down until I finished it. Sarah is the perfect partner for Matthew.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley for my honest review.

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I love this novella series! The Townsbridges are such a wonderful family, I could just read about them all day long! In this book, Sarah suddenly gets proposed to by her next door neighbor who has never spoken to her. Of course, she says no but Matthew is determined to win her over. Sarah has to breakthrough his barriers though before she even considers a future with him. These stories are delightful. If you’re looking for something light & fun to read, I highly recommend these books.

* Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

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loved this story of two people so meant for each other but were afraid to pursue that love fearing it would cause pain to others. And even though there were numerous editing issues, it didn’t take away from a great storyline, so I still gave it a 5-star rating!

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4.5 stars

A Lively romance. There's a darker, more tragic side to Matthew's searching for a one sided relationship which Sarah understands but is not willing to capitulate. Sarah's parents are a good model of how a marriage can be a meeting of two minds and she is determined that her own marriage will go the same way. I'd not read Sophie Barnes stories before and now I can add her to my" look out for list".

I think you will enjoy this book, it's a series but I didn't find jumping in at the end a problem.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

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This is a short novella. The heroine, Sarah, is a lady who knows her mind and what she wants. She wants a marriage based on love. So when Matthew, Duke of Brunswick, a man she has never met, walks into the middle of a party,goes down on one knee and proposes, Sarah is shocked. Of course she says No. No thank you.
Matthew is determined that she will be his bride, after all he's been observing her for 2 years. And so the love story begins.
A good kind of rushed, condensed story. I enjoyed it. But that's what novellas are, short and abbreviated.
4 stars
I want to thank Netgalley for the chance to review this book.

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This was such a cute romantic little read. It was a quick read. I was able to finish it in a couple of hours. The buildup was perfect, the characters were fun. I wish it had been a little longer.

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Love Sophie Barnes in general and this is one of the good ones. I like the characters. They are actually people that you would be friends with in real life. They are terrific together. The dialogue sparkles. I had a great time reading time. I finished reading this in one day.

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A great opening chapter in this novella in which a duke, Matthew, proposes in public to a woman, Sarah, he has never met before! Kindhearted Sarah has her work cut out for her when she tries to convince the duke that he needs to allow himself to love again and to marry only for love. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

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I enjoyed reading this book. While it was a little more "graphic" (and even then not really) than I am used to reading in a romance novel (I typically stick to clean romances), I enjoyed the storyline and getting to see both characters' perspectives on their situations. This was my first introduction to the Townbridge family and series, and after reading this one, I will read the others. Sarah Townsbridge is on the cusp of becoming a spinster. She loves a good project, especially when it comes to fixing something or, in this case, someone. However, other than knowing that the Duke is her neighbor, she knows absolutely nothing about him and he proposes to her! Matthew Donovan, the Duke of Brunswick, has a tortured soul, and knows he can never love anyone because he fears the loss due to his past. He knows he must marry and provide an heir and hastily decides his neighbor, Sarah, is the right woman. He believes she is independent, quiet, will keep to herself, and, most importantly, will not need his companionship or love. It is fun watching the grow closer to each other and find their happy ending, together.

I received a free ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

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4.5

Matthew, the Duke next door who's never even spoken to Sarah or her family in all the years he's lived there, decides Sarah would be the perfect wife for him. Sarah's just about too old to be considered marriageable. Just when eligible men are finally paying attention to her, Matthew proposes to her... In front of all her prospects! Sarah turns him down, and thus begins the merriment! Is he chasing her, or is she chasing him? He thinks he can hide all his pain from her, but he's underestimated just how perfect she is for him, and try as he might, she always succeeds in penetrating his walls. (I could've done without the love scene, but I just skipped those couple of pages.) It was a fast paced page turner and I really enjoyed it!

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This was a sweet story with an unconventional pairing of hero and heroine. I liked it especially because it was not the normal pairing. Give it a try.

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This is just the sort of read needed in between serious suspense thrillers or long winded stories.

Sarah and her siblings and her parents are certainly different from other families around them. They do want the girls to get married, but they are not going to push them into the arms of the first personable, rich man that comes their way. But when Matthew, himself a Duke proposes to Sarah in the strangest possible manner, everyone's interest is piqued especially Sarah. She knows this man is different but she wants to know the workings of his mind, before she decides whether he is the one for her.

What follows is both light hearted and heart breaking on Matthew's side. Trying to overcome depression and guilt over a sad history in his own life, he knows that winning Sarah will involve love and giving her his heart. Whether he will be able to be clinical over Sarah is the million dollar question.

Enjoyed the read very much.

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Easy to read as a standalone even though part of a series. I wish, as with others I've read, that it was a full novel because the story deserved a little more attention. I enjoyed the outrageous premise and enjoy the damaged suitor approach. It was enjoyable and as fun as the rest of the series - easy to read and a good little escape. No comment as to the historical accuracies as I'm not an expert nor do I care.

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Sarah's mother is determined that she will marry this season. With that in mind, she throws a party and only invites eligible men. Everything is going well for Sarah. She has several invites for outings after the party. But then an uninvited guest shows up and proposes to her...but she turns down the duke. Who in their right mind turns down a duke?

Matthew has spent 3 years determining who his bride will be and that plans seems to be in jeopardy when he sees Sarah with all the men at the party. What else is he to do but to propose to her before anyone else does. But it doesn't go as planned...

Once the duke made it known that he wanted Sarah as a wife, all her other suiters disappeared. So she decides to give Matthew a chance to woo her. Will he be able to?

I really enjoyed Matthew and Sarah's story. I like that Sarah made Matthew take the time to get to know her instead of just jumping at the chance to win a duke. She wanted to marry for love and wan't going to let anything get in the way of that. This was a great addition to the Townsbridges series!

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Trying to fix a broken man is a tale as old as time. Sarah doesn't want to say yes to Mr. Donovon, after all she just met him. But then she sees a project. Something to fill her heart and mind. Matthew needs a short marriage, just long enough to patch up some affairs. But to convince her he must play along on her "I can make you a better man" game. And boy does it work. There is tension, steamy, and stubborn female independence abound, in this read-in-one-sitting novel

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Sarah’s mother would really love for her to get married, but everyone is shocked when her neighbor Matthew, the Duke of Brunswick, waltzes into their party and proposes to Sarah. The family has barely had any interaction with him. Sarah turns him down. But maybe this is the challenge and unlikely start they both need to find partners.
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This novella was entirely too short, especially since I was really enjoying the characters. Sarah and Matthew have an unlikely chemistry that leaps out of the pages. Sarah’s determination is admirable and Matthew... he’s so moody and intriguing. The balance of push and pull throughout the entire novella really immerses you. I’m thoroughly looking forward to reading more of this novella series!
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If you’re looking for some historical romance with great character chemistry, go grab yourself a copy!
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Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. The review expresses my own personal opinions.

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Sarah Townsbridge, 22, is having to endure a garden party where her mother has invited all the eligible young and titled men in town. Some of the comments from them appear to be promising until a strange thing happens. Matthew Donovan, the Duke of Brunswick, who lives next door, enters the party uninvited and dropping to one knee, tells Sarah to marry him. Shocked, she says no and turns away. All of the eligible men follow suit and leave the party.

Even though Matthew has lived next door to the Townsbridge family for 10 years, he has always been standoffish. Sarah has never even met the man. Sarah’s mother brings Matthew in to talk with her and her husband. He explains that over the years he has watched Sarah and she appears that they would suit. But he says nothing about love. As it happens, Matthew lost all of his family in a terrible accident when he was a young child leaving him to live with his aunt. This has left him unable to face the past. He is simply looking for a wife to give him an heir. In return, she will have a generous allowance and live at any of his four estates - but not with him.

They meet up again and Matthew soon realizes what a down-to-earth person Sarah is. She enjoys the simples pleasures in life and introduces Matthew to some fun things. They soon realize they get along and agree to marry. But will it be a marriage of love and togetherness or will Matthew leave her alone?

I really loved this book. Sarah is a wonderful heroine and Matthew is like clay in her hands. While I wondered if this marriage could be successful, I soon realized that it could. There is so much signature humor inserted by the author that I really enjoyed. Yet another wonderful book by a favorite author of mine.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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For a short historical romance, this one was quite good. I liked how humorous the opening scenes were particularly the proposal at the beginning of the book.
Matthew was a bit of a coward when it came to love and he did annoy me a bit with how overdramatic he was when faced with a painful memory.
I loved Faith's brothers and I would like to go back to the earlier books and read their stories.

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Sophie Barnes has married off one more of the Townsbridges in this captivating novella. Sarah Townsbridge is a spinster at 22. Her mother, having married off all of her sons, has decided to throw a party to introduce Sarah to every eligible man in London, except their neighbor, Matthew, Duke of Brunswick. He’s the one who shows up to ask Sarah to marry him, even though they’ve never met. After losing his family in an accident, he’s decided to never risk his heart, but he wants a wife, and Sarah will do nicely. Sarah, being a rescuer of puppies, rabbits and other creatures recognizes the pain behind his arrogance and decides to rescue him. Then she’ll see if he’s worth marrying. A wonderful story with strong, likeable characters and an entertaining plot. I highly recommend this book. Now I’m going to go back and read the other books in the series.

I received a free e-copy of this book from NetGalley in return for a fair and honest review.

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4.5 stars

Sarah Townsbridge is enduring a humiliating party where her matchmaking mother has invited a slew of eligible gentlemen in the hope of enticing one or more of them to seriously court Sarah. At the age of twenty two, and with six seasons already behind her, Sarah is considered to be getting close to spinster status. Just as she begins conversing with some genuinely interesting gentlemen, her arrogant and aloof neighbor, Matthew, the Duke of Brunswick, crashes her party. Matthew and Sarah have never been introduced, yet he approaches her directly, and surprisingly, proposes, without even a hello first. Her instant refusal causes the gentlemen who had previously shown some interest to back off and take their leave. (This scene is truly smileworthy to read.)

Matthew has been thinking of finding a suitable wife for some time. Sarah, though he’s never met her, is at the top of his list. When Matthew learns of the party with its many potential suitors, he decides to barge in before anyone else claims “his” future bride. Surely an eligible duke will be immediately accepted. Wrong! Though Matthew appears arrogant, he has spent almost two decades cultivating his aloofness to protect his heart from ever being torn apart again. When he was only a young boy of ten, he lost his whole family to a tragic accident. This nearly broke Matthew, and to this day, he still suffers depression and nightmares. He desires a family of his own, with many children, but he wants a wife who is agreeable to live separately from him, except when they create those future children. He refuses to put himself in a position where he may fall in love, and he sees living apart as being the only way to avoid it.

When Sarah insists that they get to know each other before she will even consider marrying him, Matthew agrees to court her. Sarah is tender hearted and somewhat quirky, and has rescued many injured animals over her lifetime. While she recognizes that Matthew is a different kind of creature than she’s used to dealing with, she has no doubt that he is injured down to his soul. Matthew is charmed by Sarah, and finds himself often smiling, something he thought he forgot how to do. Sarah slowly falls in love, and agrees to marry Matthew. A beautiful and passionate wedding night should have been the start of a healing and loving relationship, but Matthew, unable to cope with his burgeoning feelings, simply disappears, leaving no word for Sarah as to when, or, even if, he ever plans to return.

A DUKE FOR MISS TOWNSBRIDGE is the fourth book in the Townsbridge series, and just like the others, works completely as a standalone. It’s by far my very favorite of the series. I love the duke, who hides his pain and fear behind an arrogant and confident persona. It’s truly lovely to see him fall under Sarah’s spell, laughing and enjoying himself when he forgets his past. He has to confront his own demons, and take giant leaps outside of his comfort zone in order to forge a new life, and take chances on life’s uncertainties. Sarah is just wonderful, full of tenderness, care, and understanding. I love the actions she took in order to make a success of her marriage. A DUKE FOR MISS TOWNSBRIDGE is charming, entertaining, full of emotion, and a pure delight to read.

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I love Sophie Barnes. Her writing is unique and can only be described as witty, entertaining, and just absolutely enjoyable. Her characters are developed with personalities that are unique to each character. This plot and storyline grabbed my attention right from the start and held it until the very end. I loved reading A Duke for Miss Townsbridge, infact I loved it so much that I finished it in one afternoon. If you love brilliant women, sexy men, amazing plots, and phenomenal writing, you definitely need to read this book!

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and am volunteering an honest review.

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A sweet romance that highlights the power of forgiveness. If you ruined someones life when you were fourteen years old could you expect forgiveness when you became an adult?

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Matthew Donovan, Duke of Brunswick still grieves the loss of his parents and siblings who died nineteen years ago in a carriage accident. He has never properly dealt with the loss and still grieves after all this time. He is looking for a wife that won't tempt to him to risk loving and losing again.

Sarah Townsbridge is the daughter of a viscount and has had six seasons with no suitor in sight. Her greatest wish in life is to help those in need and when her neighbor proposes to her out of the blue, she discovers he's a wounded soul and she is determined to help him.

This may be a novella but it's filled with tender and light hearted moments as the Duke courts Sarah to convince her to marry him, as she works to help him heal.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching their romance bloom, a charming historical romance.

I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley and I'm voluntarily leaving a review. If you like my reviews I hope you will follow my blog. https://wyldheartreads.wordpress.com

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Sarah Townsbridge like to fix people and things so when she finds a man she knows, but never really talked to on his knee asking for her hand in marriage she doesn’t quite know what to think. Matthew Donovan, Duke of Brunswick, has been assessing who he wants to marry and decides Sarah would be his Duchess, after all who would refuse a Duke. He proposes to Sarah and she refuses him embarrassing the Duke in front of everyone and all other suitors turn their backs on her. Matthew doesn’t give up and she finds herself wanting to get to know him better and try to fix the broken man. I have voluntarily read and reviewed these excellent story.

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A delightful story. Sarah is a breath of fresh air! I love her determination. Matthew is a wounded man, and there is nothing Sarah goes better than care for the wounded!

I loved this story.

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This novella is a short, romantic read filled with great characters and emotion. What starts out with one of the clumsiest, most unromantic proposals in history, turns into an unexpected friendship, and, finally, a true love affair. The turmoil that Matthew must face to find his happily ever after takes the reader on a surprisingly intimate journey given the brevity of the story. Meanwhile, Sarah proves to be a stalwart and loving ally, his perfect complimentary match.

Although part of a series, this novella can easily be read on its own. The returning characters are fun to revisit if you have read the earlier books, however.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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First, I loved this story. It's the 2nd read from this author, but by now, I have already read 4 more series. So, I need to circle back and review this one. Sarah, our heroine, is attending a match-making-party given by her mom. Sarah wants to marry for love, so she's just minding her own business and having a look at the what's on offer. Her stranger-never-even-spoken-to-her neighbor, Matthew, the Duke of Brunswick, shows up... drops to one knee, and proposes in front of everyone. This is the best scene ever! She says no!!. He is stunned (I mean, who says no to a Duke?) Party is kind of done after that right? Where do we go from here? Into a great, short love story as we learn the history of each, and watch them figure out how to have a happy future together. A quick, light and happy read!

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A lovely Regency romance novella about dealing with grief. Although that sounds like a very heavy topic, it’s mostly a lighthearted, story that made me smile much of the time while reading it. Sarah is in her sixth season to find a husband, and is despairing of finding a match because she’s holding our for a love like her parents and brothers have found. Matthew, the Duke next door, surprises her with a marriage proposal even though they have never been introduced or interacted. Although being refused his proposal, Matthew sets our to woo Sarah. Although vowing not to, Matthew reveals pieces of himself and the depth of his grief to Sarah, who is determined to help him. I’m not usually a fan of stories that set out to “fix” someone, but this one works. Sarah has a long history of helping both people and animals who are hurting, and little by little works to help him heal. Even with the size limitation of a novella, the characters are well developed and richly created. The pieces fall into place nicely, without any feel of being forced or rushed. It’s an enjoyable read. I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. This is my freely given, honest review.

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What happens if you say no to the Duke next door, with whom you have never spoken, when he crashes your mother’s garden party, and if front of your prospective suitors drops to one knee, holds up a ring and says “marry me?” It seems you are stuck with him or life as a spinster. The is the scene at the beginning of the story of Matthew Donovan, Duke of Brunswick, and Miss Sarah Townsbridge. What happens now?

These two people are complete opposites. Sarah is a happy, caring, kind, and loving. She rescues animals and wants a marriage based on love, just like her parents and siblings. Matthew is a recluse, emotional paralyzed by the tragic loss of his family when he was very young. He wants a marriage devoid of love and with as little contact with his wife as possible. He just wants someone to manage his home and care for his children. Matthew is determined to win her, and she is willing to allow him to court her. I loved how their story developed one slow step at a time. Lots of hurtles along the way, but our feisty heroine is up to challenge. A time or two I felt like Matthew need a good punch in the nose. Charles did, too, so he gave him one. This one starts with you shaking your head and ends warming your heart. I recommend it.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntarily.

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I have really enjoyed each book from this series & author! But this one has by far been my favorite!!! I loved Sarah & Brunswick!! These two start off on the wrong foot. Sarah is hosting gentlemen who are possible husbands, when Brunswick, a Duke, struts right in to as her to marry him! She turns him down in front of everyone! Thus starts their love story! Brunswick decides he won’t take no for an answer and starts to pursue Sarah. Sarah learns of Brunswick’s tragic past and hope to heal him. These two are so perfect for each other! They are actually neighbors also, so Brunswick has been watching Sarah for some time. Sarah & Brunswick go on outing and such together while they get to know one another. Brunswick is a sweet man just doesn’t know how to deal with his emotions he’s been left with since being a child. Sarah is determined to help & love Brunswick! The characters in this are so wonderful! I loved watching these two come together and get their much deserved HEA!! I highly recommend this or any in the series!! I can’t wait to read Athena’s scandalous past & story!

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I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an advance readers copy of this story.

A Duke For Miss Townsbridge is book 4 in Ms Barnes The Townsbridges series. I enjoyed the story, Sarah trying to "fix" Matthew. Granted he needs fixing but she treads carefully, treating him like a frightened doe. I actually had a man propose on the first date so I understand Sarah's complex feelings. It's a big shock. I liked the characters and the plot was amusing.

#Netgalley #ADukeForMissTownsbridge #TheTownsbridges #SophieBarnes #historicalromance #romance

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Matthew isn't he suave sweep a girl off her feet kind of guy but Sarah sees through his gruff exterior and blasts it into oblivion. Matthew wants her for a wife but she has conditions.

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He's a broken hot mess.

Matthew is a duke who is more than broken. He's a shattered mess who avoids dealing with any emotions. Running and avoidance is his motto, hence his plan to marry Sarah because he can ignore her and will never love her. Wed her, bed her and then ignore her.

Sarah turns him down and lost her identical twin when she was a child. She helps heal all things broken, hence her project. Helping Matthew after she finds out he lost his family when he was ten.

There's a lot going on in this rather short read but I found it worked for me. Except for the part where Matthew is an enormous idiot.

Recommend.

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Thank you t0 Sophie Barnes for the ARC to read and review.

This is my first Townsbridge story and I enjoyed it. Matthew, Duke of Brunswick has faced tragedy and is determined to marry only for convienance. His choice is Miss Sarah Townsbridge. She turns his proposal down flat and when she learns of his past, she is determined to help.

They fall in love through a series of encounters and all ends well.

Short and sweet romance.

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When Matthew Donovan, Duke of Brunswick, proposes to Sarah Townsbridge, she’s shocked. After all, she’s never met him before even though he's a neighbour. One thing is clear though – he obviously needs help. So after turning him down, she decides to get to know him better, and finds out she’s right. But fixing a broken man is not the same as adopting a puppy. Matthew has his mind set on Sarah. Kind and energetic, she’ll make an excellent mother. Best of all, her reclusiveness is sure to make her accept the sort of marriage he has in mind – one where they live apart.
Sarah is the fourth Townsbridge sibling to find love, this lovely book could be read on its own but the Townsbridges are delightful. I loved the caring Sarah who loved to rescue strays & injured animals. Matthew was harder to love as he hid his emotions behind a huge wall he’d built over nearly two decades. I loved how their relationship developed & how they found their HEA. I read it a sitting as I was just captivated
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

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Oh what an emotional rollercoaster. He needed her love and fought it all the way. She was convinced she could fix him. Great read

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One rich, handsome, stubborn, determined, knucklehead, troubled from traumatic past, reluctant & very afraid to love hero - CHECK

One sweet, sassy, very giving, caring, always wants to do the right thing heroine - CHECK

This 1 + 1 = 2 perfect for each other soulmates headed for an inevitable love showdown - CHECK MATE!

Not to worry, my fellow romance book loving friends, despite the slow build up of escalating relationship angst, this Duchess does eventually get the job done when she knocks this Duke’s knuckleheaded walls down once and for all. He’ll test your patience by then. Some may not like Matthew justifying his manipulations and reasonings like he somehow had the right to do so. At least Sarah has spunk and sass and doesn’t always make things easy for him.

Just as book 3, I enjoyed this short novella and look forward to Book 4, which will feature Athena (the heroine’s sister) falling for an unexpected love interest.

Title: A Duke for Miss Townsbridge, Series: The Townsbridges (Book 4), Author: Sophie Barnes, Pages: 118, pub date: 10/20/20, short novella, stand-alone but part of a series, HEA, reluctant & very afraid to love stubborn rich hero, sweet & sassy caring heroine, only one graphic smexy scene.

Book 1 - When Love Leads to Scandal
Book 2 - Lady Abigail’s Perfect Match
Book 3 - Falling for Mr. Townsbridge
Book 4 - A Duke for Miss Townsbridge
Book 5 - An Unexpected Temptation

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review. There is no affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author, publisher, NetGalley, or PR firm.)

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It does not go as expected. Matthew, Duke of Brunswick, suddenly decides to propose to Sarah out of nowhere. What do you think that got him? A big NO! Instead Sarah decides that she must fix Matthew of whatever is making him feel so down. The way that Sarah goes about this is by befriending Matthew. I liked how these characters interacted during their friend times. The love was slow in coming and even Matthew seemed to mess that up. Even after marriage you had to wonder if Matthew can ever love. Theirs is not an easy journey but it is fulfilling. Great story.

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The author wrote such a wonderful story. The storyline was so enticing that I could not put the story down.

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Will he close his heart to love to protect himself from further pain ...

One more lovely read to add to the author’s list.
I love those Townsbridges, they are kind, thoughtful and unconventional.
And Sarah does blend in, considerate and attentive, she immediately recognizes a wounded creature when there is one and the Duke of Brunswick definitely enters this category.
She makes him her mission to try to help him heal. But he is a very unwilling participant.
Sarah knows it will be no easy feat to reach Mathew’s heart, he is so closed to others, he lets no one enter his inner circle. Scared by a loss that left him unable to love again, he refuses to let his heart subject to new pains. He tries to contain and control this organ, determined to never care again.
Except this miss Townsbridge sees him, and won’t let him retreat behind the walls of his soul.
But is a life without love, living or just existing.
4.5 stars

I was granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

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I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. A Duke for Miss Townsbridge is the 4th book in Sophie Barnes’s The Townsbridge Series. This novella could be read as a standalone. Sarah Townsbridge is in her sixth season and has not received a proposal of marriage, so when her mother throws a party and gentlemen are paying attention to her, she’s delighted until it all goes horribly wrong when Matthew Donovan, Duke of Brunswick, barges in, drops to one knee and proposes even though they’ve never met before. The Duke is looking for a marriage of convenience, and Sarah is not willing to settle for less than love, so Matthew will have his work cut out for him to convince her and perhaps change his mind about marriage. A feisty heroine and a damaged hero are definitely catnip to me. I just wish the story was a bit longer to allow more time to explore the characters. Steam Level: Light-Medium, Publishing Date October 20, 2020 #ADukeForMissTownsbridge #SophieBarns #HistoricalRomance #MarriageOfConvenience #bookstagram #bookstagrammer

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I truly enjoyed this book. It is the 4th in a series, The Townsbridges; however, I had not previously read any of the others and I didn't feel lost which is really nice, because it means you don't have to buy all of them if you don't like the plots. That being said, now that I've read this one, I will definitely check out the others!

Sarah Townsbridge’s mother wants her daughter to get married, so she hosts a party full of eligible gentlemen in hopes her daughter will make a match, as she is on her sixth season (a virtual disaster by ton standards). Sarah really wants to marry for love, something that wasn't typical at the time. At this party, their neighbor who she's never met, but happens to be a duke asks Sarah to marry him, but she refuses him. He's completely baffled by her refusal, because he's not used to hearing no being a duke. The couple decide to get acquainted and a courtship ensues. I love a grump and a sunshine pairing and this one did not disappoint! I love a wounded hero story and this one excels in it. You will find yourself rooting for Sarah and Matthew!

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

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The Duke of Brunswick proposed to Sarah Townsend having never met her.
She says no, but decides he needs attention and saving.
Book four in series of novellas. It can be read alone, but more fun if you have read others.
Reconnect with previous characters.
Characters are likeable
Quick read

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Sophie Barnes is a master at the novella! Every time I read one of her novellas, it is just perfect! Characters that are developed and graphics you, quick flowing plots to move the story and an ending to delight!

As a duke, Matthew believes he should be able to marry anyone he decides on… and he decides that the perfect bride to fit into his unconventional life is his neighbour, Sarah. Since Sarah has never even met Mathew before his proposal, she decides that a courtship is needed before she make up her mind!

I was was immediately invested in the non-traditional courtship between nearly on the shelf Sarah, and her reclusive duke for a neighbour Matthew. The determination and genuine personalities of both characters carries this book off effortlessly and would leave me wanting for more if the story had not been finished up so neatly!

I adore a good romance novella and liken it to the perfect bite of chocolate; sweet, delicious and just enough to leave you satisfied!

A Duke for Miss Townsbridge by Sophie Barnes is scheduled to release October 20th, 2020.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from author Sophie Barnes through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#ADukeforMissTownsbridge #SophieBarnes #Netgalley #pinkcowlandreads

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Viscountess Roxley is very determined to find her daughter a husband. When the next door neighbor, the Duke of Brunswick, shows up at an afternoon gathering of potential suitors, everyone is surprised. He wasn't invited, but that doesn't stop him from immediately dropping to one knee and propose. Naturally Sarah said. "No!." Matthew's stunned. He's a Duke and no one says "No!" to a Duke! Even though Sarah Townsbridge said "NO!" she's intrigued when she sees pain in his eyes. A lovely young lady teaches her Duke not to be afraid to love.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

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This book seems to ask the question, "What would happen if Sheldon Cooper were a 19th century duke?" The answer is funny and delightful. This is my first Sophie Barnes book, but I'll definitely read more.

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the cover of this book is pretty and I was intrigued by the instant proposal, while enemies to lovers aren't really my thing, the premise took me by surprise.

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This is a first-time author for me but I love checking out new authors because there are so many amazing ones out there.

This one was a bit different than a typical historical romance. It’s a perfect balance between a gruff and tough broken soul and someone who has compassion, a great spirit, and fun in her heart.

If ever there were two more opposite people which an author tried to bring together, it would be these two characters. But Barnes did a wonderful job of balancing them. He was a hermit with a broken soul and she is almost a spinster but a wonderful spirit.

The delicate balancing act is interesting to follow and you can feel the ice breaking and the fear returning immediately after. The author puts in the perfect amount of tension, caring, and hope for the future.

While short in pages, this novella is packed with detail and a roller coaster of emotion. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring this new to me author’s work and will look for more in the future.

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Talk about a first meeting -- Matthew Donovan (a duke, no less) proposes to Sarah Townsbridge -- even though they've never met. She is a loving sweet young woman, but hasn't taken in the brutal world of the ton. In her sixth season, her family is afraid she won't find a husband.
Matthew has been looking for a wife, sifting through possibilities before he settles, and Sarah is his choice. He is a damaged man, but still wants to be married, have children and live apart. But he doesn't reckon with a Townsbridge, one of a family raised to expect love and partnership in marriage. So Sarah says no — which doesn't happen to a duke — but decides to get to know Matthew better. She almost has no choice, since turning down a duke makes all her other possible suitors leave the field. And he won't change his mind, but she won't settle for a marriage of convenience. How they settle their differences is a lovely story. Read and enjoy! (I received an ARC from NetGalley. Opinions mine.)

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Sarah is the typical wallflower. Sits on the sidelines waiting for something to happen. Her mom has a different idea and tries to attract men for Sarah. Sarah is finally starting to make an impression on a group of men. Enter Matthew. Disrupts Sarah's life. They try to make a go of it. Very rocky courtship! Great book...read it!

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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

A Duke for Miss Townsbridge definitely did not disappoint!! If you’re looking for something light and fun to read this novella is it! The whole series are really delightful!

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Perfectly charming and heartwarming characters. Witty and romantic! Interesting plot that kept me thoroughly engaged throughout. Enjoyed every minute of it!

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.

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A Duke for Miss Townbridge by Sophie Barnes is a lighthearted story of how Miss Sarah Townbridge teaches Matthew, the Duke of Brunswick, how to love and how to live. When the Duke suddenly and unexpectedly proposes to Sarah, without having met or engaged with, Sarah turns down his proposal. As the Duke chases after Sarah, he learns to court, love, and find joy along the way.

This was a sweet and easy romance to read, and Sophie Barnes is definitely one of the better writers of historical romance. Recommended!

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Nice read in a one sitting book. William just returned home after a year in Portugal. His family is so excited to see him again! William is happy to be home but a little leery about his matchmaking mama. He is thrilled with the new French cook Eloise cooking....simply delicious! He goes in search for a late night snack and couldn’t believe the beauty in the kitchen. Sparks fly and society rules get in the way. There is no way a Noble can be with a hired help. Or is there?

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