Title:  The Reluctant Duchess
Series:
Author:  Sharon Cullen
Genre:  Regency Romance
Published:  November 10, 2015
Publisher:  Loveswept
My Rating:  4 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

Lady Sara Emerson was jolted out of her dull provincial life by her cousin’s murder. Now that the killer seems to be targeting her, Sara seeks help from the man who was once her cousin’s fiancé, Gabriel Ferguson, Duke of Rossmoyne. With his towering frame and fiery personality, Ross cuts an intimidating figure. Living under his protection, however, has its own hazards—like the sudden urge Sara feels to take their relationship in new, exquisitely inappropriate directions.

Dazzled by the social graces of his betrothed, Ross never noticed her shy, blushing cousin. Looking at Sara now, though, he’s drawn to her lovely eyes and calm disposition. Funny how a year away from the hustle and bustle of the ton changes a man. But Ross has no intention of allowing a woman to interfere with his plan to return overseas. He will simply capture the murderer and set sail once again. The problem is, with her beguiling lips and heavenly touch, Sara makes him never want to leave home—or his bed—again.

Read on for my thoughts on The Reluctant Duchess.  No true spoilers, promise.

If you are looking for an engaging, enjoyable Regency Romance that does not follow the usual pattern, then you would be interested in The Reluctant Duchess.  Sara is as different from her cousin, Meredith as night is from day.  Meredith was the shining light that everyone noticed and wanted to be around.  Sara is quieter, more inclined to stay in the background and observe life from a safe distance.  When Meredith was murdered two years ago, life changed for everyone in her family – and for her fiance who left the country for a while.  No, Ross had nothing to do with Meredith’s death but the constant glances and looks finally drove him from the shores of his own country.

Sara has been receiving disturbing letters – letters that allude to Meredith’s death and seem to threaten her own life.  Since Ross is back in town, Sara has taken it upon herself to seek him out.  After all, he’d loved Meredith and she felt certain that he would want to know about these letters – and she trusted him, more importantly she felt safe with him, and right now that was an important part of badgering his staff concerning his whereabouts.

Ross has taken Sara into his home, under his protection and his mother’s watchful eyes.  She’d be safe there… but would he be.  Finding Meredith’s murderer and the person who is threatening Sara is of utmost importance to Ross.  But he’s finding himself drawn to the calming Sara in ways that he’d never felt about her cousin.  A second chance at love?  Perhaps.

I enjoyed The Reluctant Duchess very much.  It was a joy to watch Sara grow and become a confident woman.  Ross was at heart a rake, even his mother knew that – but even rakes can experience true love.  He might not have expected Sara to tie up his heart as she did, but leaving her now was impossible.  In the search for the person behind the letters and possibly Meredith’s death, Sara and Ross come to discover that they share far more than the desire for the truth.  These two have a chemistry that leaps off of the page.  While The Reluctant Duchess does not follow the norm for Regency Romance in its avoidance of the usual locations – it does offer up a love story that is tender and fiery, subtle and dangerous and so very satisfying.  If you love Historical or Regency Romance, give this story a chance.  I believe you will find a lovely romance and a charming couple to root for.

*I received an e-ARC of The Reluctant Duchess from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

Available for the Kindle