The Duke I Once Knew

Written by Olivia Drake

Narrated by Helen Lloyd

For years, Abigail Linton devoted herself to caring for her parents and her siblings’ children. Now, eager to create a life of her own, Abby seizes upon a position as a governess on a neighboring estate. Unfortunately, her absentee employer is Maxwell Bryce, the Duke of Rothwell, the notorious rake who once broke her youthful heart. But since he hasn’t set foot on his estate for fifteen years, Abby assumes she’ll never have to lay eyes on him ever again. Then, from out of nowhere, Max appears. He is stunned to come face-to-face with the girl he fell for years ago—before he went away and she stopped writing to him...even though Abby swears that he is the one who left her without a word. Could it be that this spirited, witty spinster has won Max’s heart all over again—and that they may have a second chance at love?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dreamscape Media Audio
• Release date: Nov 5, 2019
• ISBN: 9781974983827

Olivia Drake

Olivia Drake is the author of Seducing the Heiress, Never Trust a Rogue, and Scandal of the Year. She has been a member of Romance Writers of America since 1981, and her novels have won the Golden Heart Award, Best Historical Romantic Suspense and Best Regency Historical from Romantic Times, and the prestigious RITA award. She lives in Houston, Texas.

Reviews for The Duke I Once Knew

[nelispelusa · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) This title was the Duke I Once Knew and after reading I wondered why she would want to know him again. So we meet Abby who is a doormat and allows her family to do whatever, she in an act of rebellion (yeah shocked me) decides to work as a governess and ends up working for her long lost love's family. At a young age Abby fell in love with Max and promises were made but unfortunately they broke up after some miscommunications and shade from others. Max goes on to become a manwhore literally after professing his love, like really quickly (yeah that's love) anyhoo he comes home years later and discovers that the woman whom he had loved and did him wrong is now working for him and his family and he comes with a mistress in tow. More misunderstanding, judgements all over and honestly I didn't care for any of them, not Abby, not Max and not her family. I wont continue with the rest of the series.

[joana_v_v · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

3.25* I’ve received an eARC in exchange for an honest review. So… I’m not the biggest fan of the second chance trope, but this book handled it well. I really enjoyed how the author turned it around, maybe because the thing that had separated the couple the first was handled… well, not right away, but almost. Which meant they didn’t really had much stopping them from getting back together. Abigail reminded me of… me, in a way. And I liked how she finally took the reins of her life and started making her own decisions. Go Abby! You can’t let your family make all the decisions – especially if they’re bad for you. Max, on the other hand, is our typical moody, secret-y hero. Because talking never helped anyone, right? Abigail is good for him. She tries to keep her distance, but she really likes her new job as Max’s sister’s governess, so it’s hard to be away from him for a long time. The love they once shared is still there, even if different, since they are now changed people.I just didn’t like that Max didn’t really consider his sister – he always says he’s worried about her, and cares for her, but he rarely sees her, and then takes a group of strangers – with bad reputations – to his house, where his sister lives. The excuse he uses is okay in the beginning, but… it wasn’t credible enough for me. Apart from that, I enjoyed this book, it was romantic and sweet, I just wished it had a more developed plot.

[dpappas_25 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Life seemed to get in the way of me reading this fast but whenever I had the chance to read this I jumped right in enthusiastically. This book follows Abby and Max who are suddenly reunited after being apart for many years. They had been friends and somewhat more (even thinking about marrying each other when Max is taken to London after his mother's death. They are both not happy to see the other as they are both under the impression that the other didn't really want to be with them. I really liked both Abby and Max. I liked how Abby in the beginning broke away from her family to go off and work on her own. I really liked getting to learn more about Max's past. I did enjoy the chemistry between the two and enjoyed that they struggled a bit before they couldn't resist each other anymore. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the galley.

[virginia51-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a fun romance. I enjoyed the main characters. It was interesting to read about how the fights were handled back then. I really liked Abby and grew to like Max. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

[libstaff2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3.5-3.75 StarsA historical second-chance romance with an extremely likeable male lead and a pretty likeable female lead (although she constantly jumps to the wrong conclusion, but at least she corrects herself when she knows she's been mistaken). Some pretty interesting supporting characters too. This novel was the first work I've read by the author and I'll look for the next book in this new series. A quick and easy read for historical romance readers.Net Galley Feedback

[addictofromance · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Duke I Once Knew is the first book in the newest series by Olivia Drake. I just love this author because I always know that I can easily get into her books. I was very curious to see how she would handle this book here though. And it was such a great book to read here. I was really fascinated with seeing how this book evolved. It does have some enemies to lovers qualities, but its more over a misunderstanding between Max and Abigail. They fell in love when they were teenagers, but then Max was sent off to school and his father deliberately seperated them because he knew that Max was falling in love and wanted to give him distance.And now its been many years, both Max and Abigail are older in their early thirties, and when Max comes home, Abigail has taken a position as a governess for Max's sister. We see though that both of them had tried to communicate with each other but somehow the letters never reached their intended destination. We see Max and Abigail reconnect with each other and seeing them get over their past assumptions and hurts and be honest with each other is truly refreshing. I loved seeing them find each other again and the love that has always been there between them. What I really admired about the complexities about their relationship especially since we have other factors involved. With all the distractions that could cause some contention between Max and Abigail we see that they have something vibrant and real that rises above all the negative moments that they have to face and seeing them come together in this book was simply an adventure and a fun filled journey to join them on!!! A true pleasure to read in every way!!

[jorgeousjotts · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I found this diverting. It's a nice second chance love story, and I think it was handled well. I enjoyed each of them thinking that *they* were the wronged party, =D but the misunderstanding didn't drag on and on either. This is my first by this author and I plan to read the next two in the series, and am feeling decently hopeful that they'll be good as well.

[pelusa41-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) This title was the Duke I Once Knew and after reading I wondered why she would want to know him again. So we meet Abby who is a doormat and allows her family to do whatever, she in an act of rebellion (yeah shocked me) decides to work as a governess and ends up working for her long lost love's family. At a young age Abby fell in love with Max and promises were made but unfortunately they broke up after some miscommunications and shade from others. Max goes on to become a manwhore literally after professing his love, like really quickly (yeah that's love) anyhoo he comes home years later and discovers that the woman whom he had loved and did him wrong is now working for him and his family and he comes with a mistress in tow. More misunderstanding, judgements all over and honestly I didn't care for any of them, not Abby, not Max and not her family. I wont continue with the rest of the series.

[whiskeyinthejar-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

2.5 stars

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Though she loved her family dearly , she yearned for something more. Something of her own choosing.

First in the Unlikely Duchesses series, we have a heroine wanting to make a change. Abby was the surprise baby, her older siblings were already out of the house as she grew up. She ends up taking care of her older parents, missing a debut in London, and eventually landing into a role as caregiver for her nieces and nephews. It is when her family is arguing over who gets to have her that Abby decides she would like some control and freedom in her life. She decides to become a governess for the younger sister of the Duke of Rothwell, who just so happens to be her childhood love.

Her rapt gaze followed the dusting of black hair that narrowed to a line, trailing downward across his flat belly to disappear inside his breeches . He looked every inch the wicked rake that young ladies were warned to avoid.
Thirty-year-old spinsters ought to know better, too.

This story was filled with cliches and tropes that help make up the backbone of romance and while they provided the, somewhat, requisite sweet and romantic moments, it also gave this a been there and done that feel. You won't get a fresh take or be particularly inspired by this story but you will like the heroine, she saves this from getting the mediocre tag and raised the rating from two to three stars. Her family is not malicious in their selfishness or obliviousness to Abby possibly having her own wants and needs but they are still selfish and oblivious. The author did a wonderful job infusing and relaying Abby's emotions to the reader, her quiet determination and fear from stepping out on her own. There wasn't villainous family members or a one eighty change from Abby, she still wanted to be in her family's lives but didn't want theirs to be hers. I thought towards the later half we lost a little bit of Abby as the focus shifted to the hero, Max, and the tired “Don't love because it can weaken you”.

It was an unsettling thing for a man to question the state of his life. Especially when only a few days ago, he’d found it to be perfectly satisfactory.

The cliches I mentioned before, really hit hard on Max. He is the child of a marriage where his father loved his mother more than she loved him and he now feels he has to shun all love connections. There is a Misunderstanding that has him hardening his childhood heart against Abby but other than a quick plot trick, it is discussed (Thank-you!) and while not completely solved, figured out enough to not be a problem between them anymore in the first half. Abby does outshine him but he also doesn't ever break out of the duke, rake, and scared of love mold; he just isn't interesting or memorable. Their sex scenes do come in the second half but as there wasn't much emotional build up to them, they still ended up feeling abrupt. As a consequence, I can't say I was ever too invested in their romance or caught any sparks from them.

Along with the sweet, fun, and romantic cliches and tropes, there were some very tired ones. There is a “villainous” woman who wants Max and plays into the one dimensional social climbing, jealous other woman. This used to be a favorite of romance but it has been tending to move away from it and at this time, I much rather see female friendships or at least villainous women with some depth (in a time period where it was tough for women, this can be written as intelligent and powerful stratagem).

All in all, this had a sweet inspiriting heroine, Basic Ben hero, tired other woman character, and some possible interest in reading their stories secondary characters.

Oh, hell, why deny it? He was in love with Abby. And nothing in his life had ever shaken him so much.

[kbranfield-837433 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

3.5 stars.

The first installment in the Unlikely Duchesses series, The Duke I Once Knew by Olivia Drake is an engaging historical romance.

Abigail "Abby" Linton is the youngest of five children and the only one who is unmarried. Having taken care of her now deceased parents for many years, her siblings use her as unpaid help with their families. Without any input from Abby, they are making the decision for where she will live next. Fed up with being taken for granted, she makes an impetuous decision to become the governess for Lady Gwen.  

Gwen is the teenage sister of Maxwell Bryce who just happens to be the man who broke Abby's heart fifteen years earlier.  Since the Duke of Rothwell does not visit the estate where Gwen resides, Abby is certain she will not cross paths with her former love. Needless to say, she is rather dismayed when Max unexpectedly shows up with his mistress and three other friends in tow. The sparks soon fly between Abby and Max as they discover their simmering attraction burns hotter than ever.  But with both of them hurt and angry over how their relationship ended, will this pair of star-crossed lovers find their way back to one another?

Abby is a kind-hearted and compassionate woman who has no regrets about the years she dedicated to caring for her parents. She is devoted to her nieces and nephews but with her thirtieth birthday fast approaching, she realizes it is time to forge her own path in life. She is even hopeful a romantic prospect will appear on her horizon. But not even in her wildest imaginings does Abby believe she will ever see Max again. The way he ended their romance broke her fragile heart and she is somewhat stunned by his reputation as an infamous rake.

Although he deeply cares for Gwen, Max lives a fairly carefree life. After circumstances beyond his control leave him and his group of friends without a place to say, he does not think twice about taking them to his country estate. Without giving much thought to his actions, Max carries out his plan to make the widowed Elise his mistress.

Needless to say, Abby is outraged at Max's behavior and the two are soon swapping pointed barbs.  With her family, Abby is a doormat, but she does not hesitate to stand up to Max.  Their unresolved past is huge source of conflict that could easily be solved if they would just talk to one another. Abby's irritating habit of jumping to conclusions leads to some very heated discussions as she confronts Max with her unwarranted accusations. Elise creates some very predictable drama as she stoops to underhanded behavior to rid herself of her rival for Max's affections.

The Duke I Once Knew is a sweet second chance at love historical romance.  The novel is well-written, the dialogue is snappy and the setting is the perfect backdrop for the unfolding story. The characters are a little frustrating but they do learn from their mistakes and they are quick to admit when they are wrong. The pacing is a little slow and the plot is somewhat predictable. Rife with historical details,  Olivia Drake brings the time period vibrantly to life.  Despite some flaws, this first installment in the Unlikely Duchesses series is an enjoyable read that I recommend to fans of historical romances.