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The Unexpected Duchess Playful Brides Valerie Bowman 9781250042071 Books

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The Unexpected Duchess Playful Brides Valerie Bowman 9781250042071 Books

A couple of months ago, I received the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Valerie Bowman’s The Untamed Earl. I have been reading historical romance novels for many years, but that was my first experience with Bowman’s books. I enjoyed The Untamed Earl, and was excited when I remembered that I had a couple of her other books on my Kindle. I tend to collect books when they are on sale, and come back to read them later.

I decided to start with The Unexpected Duchess, the first entry in the “Playful Brides” series. I had mentioned in my review of The Untamed Earl that there were some scenes with the hero’s sister and her friends, and that I would have had a better appreciation for their friendship if I had read the previous books in the series. So what better place to start than the beginning?

Lady Lucy Upton is a very loyal friend. Her friend Cass declares that she does not want to marry war-hero-turned-duke Derek Hunt, but she is too shy to tell him herself. Lucy takes it upon herself to speak for her dear friend Cass, and tell the new aristocrat that Cass is just not interested. She tries an indirect approach: speaking for Cass in a scene reminiscent of Cyrano de Bergerac, and she tries a more direct approach too.

Derek is not quite sure what to make of this situation. His reasons for wanting to marry Cass are personal; a dying friend recommended Cass, and made Derek promise that he would marry her. At first, Derek is irritated by Lucy’s interference, but he quickly realizes that he enjoys sparring with her. The attraction is mutual, as our Lady Lucy is horrified to discover that she is becoming attracted to the pesky man who won’t leave her friend alone.

This was a charming book. It’s very funny, and I was continuously smiling as I read through the book. Every woman needs a friend like Lucy. She’s an interesting heroine because she is so unconventional. I daresay that she might be a tad too unconventional; I was shocked when she describes to Derek what she did at her debut. I can guarantee that such an incident would not have been forgotten as easily as it seems to have been.

I would recommend The Unlikely Duchess. This book will appeal to fans of Julia Quinn and Eloisa James. I am pleased to have discovered Valerie Bowman, and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the Playful Brides books, as well as her other series.


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The Unexpected Duchess Playful Brides Valerie Bowman 9781250042071 Books Reviews

"A twig in her eye and a mouthful of foliage were the unfortunate by-products of having her head lodged in a hedgerow."

FINAL DECISION A light romance with numerous misunderstandings and confusions, THE UNEXPECTED DUCHESS does it genre well. Readers looking for realism and serious story should look elsewhere, but those enjoying a sweet, fun romance with comedy and humor will enjoy this book.

THE STORY Lady Lucy Upton is known to have a "rapier for a tongue". She is determined to help her shy best friend Cassandra rebuff the courtship of Derek Hunt, Duke of Claringdon. Soon Lucy and Derek are deeply engaged in battling one another which ends up overshadowing the Duke's courtship even as he is determined to marry Cassandra since he made a promise to do so. But what is Lucy to do when she realizes that she is falling for the Duke even as her best friend is now considering allowing the Duke to court her after all?

OPINION A mapcap romance with humor and light drama, this book gives the readers a smile. There are many misunderstandings, mix-ups and mismatched couples along the way to the happy ending. The book itself refers to Much Ado About Nothing and like many of Shakespeare's comedies there are farcical elements. There are also allusions to Cyrano in reverse where Lucy tells Cass what to say to discourage the Duke while she hides in a bush.

These light historicals are not my favorites, but I really enjoyed the characters who -- despite their sometimes illogical behavior -- are likeable and funny. By the end of the book, I really wanted to see how the romances between the other two couples in the book will turn out in future books in the series.

WORTH MENTIONING This book sets up the couples for the next couple of books in the series.

CONNECTED BOOKS THE UNEXPECTED DUCHESS is the first book in the Playful Brides series.

STAR RATING I give this book 4 stars.
I read historicals because I like the history - the rules, the events, etc. Sadly, the characters are thoroughly modern. Society's rules are totally disregarded - unmarried single woman going to an unmarried man's home - not supposed to happen, no chaperones, etc. The "banter" between the H and h while engaging, was just not indicative of the era. The modernity just took me out of the story to the point, where I couldn't enjoy it.
A couple of months ago, I received the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Valerie Bowman’s The Untamed Earl. I have been reading historical romance novels for many years, but that was my first experience with Bowman’s books. I enjoyed The Untamed Earl, and was excited when I remembered that I had a couple of her other books on my . I tend to collect books when they are on sale, and come back to read them later.

I decided to start with The Unexpected Duchess, the first entry in the “Playful Brides” series. I had mentioned in my review of The Untamed Earl that there were some scenes with the hero’s sister and her friends, and that I would have had a better appreciation for their friendship if I had read the previous books in the series. So what better place to start than the beginning?

Lady Lucy Upton is a very loyal friend. Her friend Cass declares that she does not want to marry war-hero-turned-duke Derek Hunt, but she is too shy to tell him herself. Lucy takes it upon herself to speak for her dear friend Cass, and tell the new aristocrat that Cass is just not interested. She tries an indirect approach speaking for Cass in a scene reminiscent of Cyrano de Bergerac, and she tries a more direct approach too.

Derek is not quite sure what to make of this situation. His reasons for wanting to marry Cass are personal; a dying friend recommended Cass, and made Derek promise that he would marry her. At first, Derek is irritated by Lucy’s interference, but he quickly realizes that he enjoys sparring with her. The attraction is mutual, as our Lady Lucy is horrified to discover that she is becoming attracted to the pesky man who won’t leave her friend alone.

This was a charming book. It’s very funny, and I was continuously smiling as I read through the book. Every woman needs a friend like Lucy. She’s an interesting heroine because she is so unconventional. I daresay that she might be a tad too unconventional; I was shocked when she describes to Derek what she did at her debut. I can guarantee that such an incident would not have been forgotten as easily as it seems to have been.

I would recommend The Unlikely Duchess. This book will appeal to fans of Julia Quinn and Eloisa James. I am pleased to have discovered Valerie Bowman, and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the Playful Brides books, as well as her other series.