Cheers to the Duke

Written by Sally MacKenzie

Narrated by Justine Eyre

The "fallen" ladies of Puddledon Manor's Benevolent Home are restoring their reputations-and their future prospects-by operating their very own brewery and alehouse . . .

As the founder of the Home, Josephine Smyth-Waters is determined to be there for the women who need her. But when those same women conspire to accept an invitation on her behalf, she finds herself suddenly on the way to the christening party of the Earl of Darrow's baby. Guests at the party include her friends and former partners Pen and Caro-and Edward Russell, Duke of Grainger, the Home's generous benefactor and the man she's been writing to for months. While Jo decidedly does not have marriage on the mind, the duke's handsome looks and charming words are enough to make the lovely widow a little reckless . . .

Even after a year, the title of "duke" still sits strangely on Edward Russell's shoulders. When Edward encounters Jo-capable, fun, and utterly irresistible-he's delighted to find someone he truly connects with. A trick of fate has placed them on two different paths . . . but Edward is beginning to realize that perhaps he's not the kind of man who does the expected thing after all . . .

Contains mature themes.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Sep 28, 2021
• ISBN: 9781541437081

Reviews for Cheers to the Duke

[Andrea Author · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Edward was a solicitor before he inherited the dukedom. He's got a son from his first marriage, but the boy is lonely and needs a mother. None of the debutantes Edward meets interest him, and most of the ton look down on him due to his low origins.

Jo is a widow who runs a home for abandoned women. She enjoys her independent life and has no desire to marry again. At a house party, her friends pressure her into a courtship with Edward. Despite the chemistry between them, she doesn't trust in love. Can Edward and his adorable son win her over?

This is a character-driven novel where most of the drama comes from Jo's reluctance to marry, and her friends' interference. It's absurd (in a funny way) how paranoid she is about the people in her life trying to make her into a duchess, as if that's a bad thing. This book is as much her journey to self-awareness as it is a love story. And poor Edward! He's a big cuddle bear, and such a good dad. It's lovely to see him get his HEA with the woman he needs for himself and his son.

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