Review

Duran is one of those authors who’s always been hit or miss for me. It’s one extreme or the other for me. In this case, she’s made me fall in love with the idea that ‘anyone can get a Happily Ever After‘ all over again.

In Fool Me Twice we have a duped Duke and a young lady posing as a maid. They are both suffering from their past and, surprisingly enough, those pasts intertwine. I didn’t really think this Duke, Alastair—of course his name is pure sin in and of itself, could be redeemed. He believes women are the scourge of the universe and bound to betray men, his deceased wife was no prize. There’s growling, guns, threats made more by rogues then gentlemen, and plenty of unruly hair looming behind his chamber doors.

Enter the lovely Lady Olivia. She’s got a pair of brass ones and refuses to give up her one chance of freedom, which is being held captive by this beast of Duke. Though she’s not truth-teller, she does her best to improve the Duke’s situation, as it improves her own. My reward for entering this veritable den of risk is an emotional, sensual, and captivating ride through redemption, forgiveness, and love without judgment.

There’s witty dialogue:

“Are you aware,” he said, “that you are speaking to your master?”

“My employer. Yes, your grace.”

A line appeared between his brows. “Precisely what I said.”

If there was one thing she could not abide, it was the sloppy use of language. She would have expected better from him, but clearly he had lost his faculties.

“Not so, your grace. You employ me, but you hardly master me.”

This is right before she’s cursed at, and several other choice words or threats are leveled at her. Indeed this piratical-esque duke appeared as far from a hero as he could possibly be. Though I like the idea of a woman redeeming a man who’s fallen so far, and once he’s found a purpose it’s his nature to be heroic. So, without giving away too many details let’s just say Alastair proves himself virile, brave, and damn patient. Their banter is by far some of my favorite so far in a 2014 historical.

Overall this piece covers betrayal so very well and proves how no two similar situations can ever be judged the same. Thankfully in Olivia’s case she’s got a Duke wrapped around her little finger, even if it took a little subterfuge to get him. If you want dialogue that makes you laugh, sensuality in surprising places, inspiration in a few paragraphs, and surprises you won’t see coming I recommend you let Meredith Duran fool you twice.

Reviewed by Landra