Book Review: How to Marry a Duke

How to Marry a Duke
Author: Vicky Dreiling
Pages: 396 paperback
Reading Level: Adult
Published: December 9th 2010
Review Source: Purchased
Available: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Borders

Summary: (from goodreads) Tristan, the Duke of Shelbourne is a man with a mission: find a wife he can tolerate as long as they both shall live. Love is not necessary--nor desired. But how to choose among a dizzying array of wealthy-yet-witless candidates? Hire London's infamously prim and proper matchmaker. Then pretend she's not the most captivating woman he's ever met...

Helping a devilish Duke create a contest to pick his perfect mate is the kind of challenge Tessa Mansfield relishes. Her methods may be scandalous, but she's determined to find the notorious bachelor more than a wife--she'll bring him true love. Yet when Tessa watches the women vie for the Duke's affections, she longs to win his heart herself. And after a stolen kiss confirms Tristan's desire, Tessa knows she has broken a matchmaker's number one rule: never fall in love with the groom.

This a historical romance where the author uses a contemporary concept and very successfully transports it back to the regency period without making the specific era details suffer.

Tessa is a 27 years old lady, that by the period standards is considered a spinster, her fortune allows her the independence to have a career, a matchmaker for those girls that otherwise would not have a chance to find a husband. Tristan is a duke known as a rake, but is obligated to look for a wife that will give him a heir to his title. By accident they meet at a ball, where he steps on the fan that she dropped and as soon as she finds out who he is, she runs away. Having his curiosity aroused, he finds out who she is and hires her on a dare to find him a wife within a week’s time. The unconventional methods she uses and the fact that their attraction for each other grows, makes for a lot of fun and entertaining moments. The past that was supposed to have been buried resurfaces bringing out her secrets to give some suspense and take you to an interesting, sweet and emotional outcome, where you get that “ahh” moment for us the romantics at heart.

Glad to say that this first installment is fun, sweet and emotional all at once and should be in the list of anyone that loves historical romances.