The Duke I Once Knew by Olivia Drake

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Award-winning author Olivia Drake begins her new Unlikely Duchesses series with THE DUKE I ONCE KNEW (St. Martin’s Paperbacks; December 31, 2018). With compelling characters and skillful plot twists, Drake’s latest novel will take your breath away.

First love is always the sweetest…

For years, Abigail Linton devoted herself to caring for her parents and her siblings’ children. Now, eager to create a life of her own, Abby seizes upon a position as a governess on a neighboring estate. Unfortunately, her absentee employer is Maxwell Bryce, the Duke of Rothwell, the notorious rake who once broke her youthful heart. But since he hasn’t set foot on his estate for fifteen years, Abby assumes she’ll never have to lay eyes on him ever again. 

Then, from out of nowhere, Max appears. He is stunned to come face to face with the girl next door he fell for years ago—before he went away, and she stopped writing to him … even though Abby swears that he is the one who left her without a word. Could it be that this spirited, witty spinster has won Max’s heart all over again—and that they may have a second chance at love?

REVIEW:

This is a classic second-chance historical romance, embellished with an overbearing family and a jealous rival. Max and Abby were childhood sweethearts, cruelly separated by time and circumstance. When they finally meet again (in one of the most awkward remeetings ever), it seems too much has passed for them to rekindle what once was.

The characters were varied and interesting, even if a few were a bit stock standard. In fact, this was my main quibble with this novel. I enjoyed the read overall, but I didn't find it particularly memorable. 

If you like historical romance, this is a decent read. I would recommend it, but wouldn't call it unmissable.

Three stars.

I received an ARC through St Martin's Press; all opinions are my own. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Olivia Drake is the author of the Cinderella Sisterhood series (Seducing the Heiress, Never Trust a Rogue, Scandal of the Year, If the Slipper Fits, Stroke of Midnight, Abducted by the Prince, Bella and the Beast, His Wicked Wish, and The Scandalous Flirt). She has been a member of Romance Writers of America since 1981, and her novels have won the Golden Heart Award, Best Historical Romantic Suspense and Best Regency Historical from Romantic Times. She has also won the prestigious RITA award. She currently resides in Houston, TX.

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Author website: http://oliviadrake.com/ 

Author Twitter: @OliviaDrake1

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