A Duke by Default - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

A Duke by Default (Reluctant Royals #2)
by Alyssa Cole

What is it about:
Award-winning author Alyssa Cole’s Reluctant Royals series continues with a woman on a quest to be the heroine of her own story and the duke in shining armor she rescues along the way

New York City socialite and perpetual hot mess Portia Hobbs is tired of disappointing her family, friends, and—most importantly—herself. An apprenticeship with a struggling swordmaker in Scotland is a chance to use her expertise and discover what she’s capable of. Turns out she excels at aggravating her gruff silver fox boss…when she’s not having inappropriate fantasies about his sexy Scottish burr.

Tavish McKenzie doesn’t need a rich, spoiled American telling him how to run his armory…even if she is infuriatingly good at it. Tav tries to rebuff his apprentice, and his attraction to her, but when Portia accidentally discovers that he’s the secret son of a duke, rough-around-the-edges Tav becomes her newest makeover project.

Forging metal into weapons and armor is one thing, but when desire burns out of control and the media spotlight gets too hot to bear, can a commoner turned duke and his posh apprentice find lasting love?

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
I had such a great time with A Princess in Theory, I just had to have this book as well. And then Jeffe even got me a signed copy!!!

And this book is just as fun as the first book in the series.

I really liked Portia. She feels like a failure, and it was easy to see how wrong she was, but why she didn't see it herself. Tav was a very interesting hero as well, even though Portia and he himself think he is old while he is totally not.

The romance is slow burn, there's immediate attraction, but both have their reasons not to give into temptation. I loved reading about their growth as individual persons, friends, and as a couple. This book is fun, emotional, and delicious.

Characters from the previous book have small roles and it was nice to get a glimpse of what they're up to. During the book I was starting to get an idea about the possible couple of the next book, and there was a teaser in the back of the book that confirmed my hopes.

All in all a very enjoyable read. I'm going to get my hands on the third book for sure!

Why should you read it:
It's a fun, enjoyable, and adorable Contemporary Romance



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