A Good Duke Is Hard to Find (Isle of Synne, #1)
Christina Britton
After her third fiancé leaves her at the altar, Lenora Hartley is beginning to think she's cursed. One thing's for certain: she needs to escape London and her father's tyrannical attempts to find her yet another suitor. The Isle of Synne, an isolated and idyllic retreat off Britain's northern coast, is blessedly far from society's gossip, but it also carries haunting reminders of her first fiancé. Letting go of the past to find happiness seems impossible—until Lenora is thrown in the path of a gruff, mysterious blue-eyed man who makes her pulse race. Next in line for a dukedom he doesn't want to inherit, Peter Ashford is only on the isle to exact revenge on the man who is responsible for his mother's death. Once he's completed the task, he'll return to America where his life can finally be his own. Yet when he meets the beautiful and kind Miss Hartley, he can't help but be drawn to her. Can Peter put aside his plans for vengeance for the woman who has come to mean everything to him?
Publication Year: 2020
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0Lenora Hartley has failed to get married three times due to 1) death of fiancee, 2) fiancee eloping with someone else, and 3) fiancee fighting a duel on the morning of the wedding over another woman and mortally wounding his opponent so now he's fled the country. In the face of scandal, she leaves with her best friend to the Isle of Synne where her first fiance met his fate. Also on the Isle of Synne is Peter Ashford, heir to the Duke of Dane, who is gravely ill and upon whom Peter plans to take his revenge. For various reasons, they both end up staying in the same house.
At its heart, this is a forced proximity romance. Lenora and Peter come to care about each other while also dealing with issues stemming from grief. There's a scene near the end where Lenora's grief overwhelms her that resonated strongly with my own experience.
This story was thoroughly enjoyable. Peter's commitment to revenge became a little tedious, but not overmuch. I like this new setting that Christina has created.
3.5 stars rounded up.
I received an ARC from the publisher for review via NetGalley.
0**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
This historical sounded so good. I must admit that I loved all the side characters much more than the mains. Lenora has had a real run of bad luck when it comes to men, Her father is terrible and having three broken engagements would put a dent in anyone's pride.
Peter was an issue for me. I love a good grumpy hero but Peter fell over grumpy into irritating and petulant. I was not a fan.
The story was okay and I can see that many people will love this book but it was not quite what I was hoping for.
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