Duke of Madness

After watching his parents’ marriage collapse,Matthew Colburn, 5th duke of Elmhurst, has outright dismissed the notion of love. After all, if he is destined to become as mad as his father had been why make any prospective bride suffer? Delving into work to avoid the reality of his future, Matthew focuses on an ever-growing empire, all due to the luck he gleans from a family heirloom – a simple gold pocket watch.
Miss Julia Wallace does not believe in luck, nor any other such absurdities. Fate and personal strength drive what happens in life. Unless one considers her father, who is determined to choose her husband whether love is included or not.

When a reclusive man known as the Duke of Madness comes to her school, Julia is immediately taken by his handsomeness. And when she foolishly collides into his broad chest, he does more than take her breath away —until he accuses her of theft.

Matthew is horrified to learn the very trinket that gives him such wonderful good fortune is missing. He has no doubt that the beautiful young woman used her alluring smile to distract him while picking his pocket. With an important upcoming party and his lucky watch missing, Matthew is at a loss as to what to do. The headmistress of the school insists her pupil is no thief, but rather a woman with a great deal of luck in her own right. Julia will accompany him to the party as a replacement for his missing watch — as his new lucky charm.

As the two become better acquainted Julia sees not a duke who is on the verge of madness but rather a man who is lost. And Matthew begins to believe love may have a place in his life after all – though he cannot help but think that it may take more than just luck to bring them together.

This is a sweet romantic adventure of treachery and love.
It takes lying and luck to bring them together.
This book by Jennifer Monroe is fantastic.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I. read and reviewed voluntarily.

Thank you NetGalley for offering this book. The Duke of Elmhurst lives next to a school for young women. Julia has met him and they become friends. His uncle has controlled him since his father died. Now Matthew has reached an age where he wants control himself and Julia has told him what a good, intelligent man he is. He has his uncle trying to pull him one way and Julia trying to help him see he can stand on his own.

Matthew Colburn, Duke of Elmhurst, is a man who believes in luck.
Miss Julia Wallace does not believe in luck or lucky charms. When his lucky pocketwatch igoes missing, he accuses Julia of stealing it. A student at Mrs. Rutley's School for Young Woman, Julia is learning to be a lady to run her own home and take her place in society when she marries. With Mrs. Rutley's suggestion, Julia becomes Matthew's lucky charm.
Afraid of going mad like his father, he allows his uncle to manipulate his decisions, until he and Julia become friends. All Matthew needs to do is get rid of his fear and his uncle. With confidence from Julia, Matthew learns to stand up on his own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Duke of Madness is book 1 in the Sisterhood of Secrets, a new series by Jennifer Monroe. This book has such a sweetness and an air of supportive hope. I loved both characters who presented as being older than their tender years. Matthew Colburn, 5th duke of Elmhurst has a dilemma. He has entered adulthood with the example of his father’s madness as his fate. His uncle deviously whispers in his ear and undermines his authority and confidence at every turn! Matthew is hopeful that he will be able to be as great a businessman as his late father. With this goal in mind, he meets with Mrs. Rutley at her School for Young Women for the purpose of buying her land as his father tried previously. When he leaves her establishment, he has not gained any land, but he has lost his watch. The watch is a family heirloom and his good luck charm. When the irate duke returns, Mrs. Rutley proposes that the duke spend some time with Julia Wallace, the alleged thief, as she is sure to bring him LUCK! As the pair spends time together, the reader gets to be a spectator to their friendship and eventual love story. Julia is a strong young woman, and she is able to inspire Matthew to shake off the shadows of his past, but will he be able to take the chance for a happy future? I am excited about the other books to come and can’t wait to see the machinations Mrs. Rutley employs to help each girl!