The Duke Who Loved Me

Written by Jane Ashford

Narrated by Rosalyn Landor

A proud duke meets his match

James Cantrell, the new Duke of Tereford, has inherited a dukedom in disarray, and he’s barely hanging on. James does not often find himself asking others for advice, but he’s overwhelmed and desperate. Luckily, he knows just the expert to
help him sort out his mess.

For years, Cecelia Vainsmede has served effortlessly as liaison on business matters between James and her father. She enjoys having her own responsibility, not to mention the added bonus of growing closer to James. If only he saw her as
something more.

To her surprise, James suggests that they marry. But Cecelia won’t accept a proposal from a man who can’t see how much she cares for him, and James will need to acknowledge his feelings for Cecelia quickly lest he lose her to another suitor.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 24, 2021
• ISBN: 9781705035054

Jane Ashford

Jane Ashford discovered Georgette Heyer in junior high school and was captivated by the glittering world and witty language of Regency England. That delight was part of what led her to study English literature and travel widely. She’s written historical and contemporary romances, and her books have been published all over Europe as well as in the United States. Jane has been nominated for a Career Achievement Award. Find her on the web at www.janeashford.com and facebook.com/janeashfordwriter. If you’d like to receive her monthly newsletter, you can sign up at either of those sites.

Reviews for The Duke Who Loved Me

[Adelina Esparza · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

She was basically marrying a child in an adult body. I thought it was ridiculous that he got upset because she was competent and managed everything so well! He also got mad because she was popular! What the heck?

[Andrea Author · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

When the duke of her dreams offers Cecelia a marriage of convenience, she turns him down. She's not interested in being treated as an efficient manager of James's properties, now in disarray thanks to the hoarding tendencies of his predecessor. She wants James to see her as a woman. When a foreign prince begins courting her, James realizes what he stands to lose. But is it too late to convince her that his heart is involved?

This book is so cute! James and Cecelia are adorable together. The banter between them is entertaining and endearing. The secondary characters round out the cast in a heartwarming way (I confess I'm a sucker for kids and pets). I look forward to reading more in this series!

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[eyes92c · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Childhood friendships don’t necessarily marriages make! We have the rather irresponsible tear away James Cantrell, inheriting his dukedom and discovering it’s not as orderly as he supposed. Mind you his father and then his trustees did rather push James away.The way forward is to marry his old chum and whizz at organising things, Cecelia Vainsmede. After all she’s helped him all his life. They’ve known each other since they were thirteen and fifteen respectively. Ideal! A marriage of convenience is not what Cecelia wants with a James. If she looks into the dark corners of her heart she wants more and is not prepared to settle for less.Cecelia needs a distraction, and the advances of a rather handsome German prince seems just the ticket to add a bit of energy to the mix. There are some problems with this. Wires do get crossed. The least not being James realising that maybe Cecelia means more to him than the very helpful childhood friend.Oh, and did I mention that Cecelia has taken under her wing not one but four young ladies looking to her for advice about all things to do with the season.An untaxing read, an ending without verve, with a hero who really needs to just grow up. James is a bit of an unthinking fribble, not unkind—just thoughtless. Still maybe leopards can change their spots?! A Sourcebooks Casablanca ARC via NetGalley