Verity Hartley always tells the truth. Well, mostly. However, when her snooty neighbor returns to their small hamlet to brag about having a grand Season, a plethora of ballgowns, and so many suitors that she cannot possibly decide which one to marry, Verity tells a lie. She claims to be betrothed. To a duke. Who happens to be her family’s sworn enemy. But what are the odds that he would ever learn of this one, little, harmless falsehood?
Magnus Warring, the Duke of Longhurst, is on the precipice of marrying an heiress to save his estate from financial ruin. At least, he was. Until he hears an unbelievable rumor that he is already betrothed. To the daughter of a liar, cheat, and swindler! Needing to protect his reputation, he hunts down the culprit. And when he finds the untamed beguiler, she has the audacity to ask him to lie for her. To pretend to be her fiancé!
One week, that’s all Verity needs. Then Magnus can return to his life. But nothing is ever that simple. Sometimes it doesn’t take that long to fall in love, even with the enemy.
Release Date: Nov 28, 2023
Series: The Liar’s Club
Book: 1
Heat Level: Hot
Publisher: HarperCollins
Imprint: Avon
Price: $6.99
I didn’t know how much I needed this book until I started reading.
If anything, Lorret’s historical romances get better as the next one releases. The author has a distinctive brilliance weaving both love and humor together. Her characters are constantly facing the hilarity of reality and awkward circumstances while sometimes ridiculous, bring a certain element of inanity to her tales. A reminder that the small things do make the person and sometimes unique circumstances can truly bring folks together. It Had To Be Duke is no exception.
The first book in The Liar’s Club is everything perfection. A true enemies-to-lovers romp with so much fun. Verity is not a liar, typically. She’s the only normal, non-dramatic person in her family. When she’s confronted by a female neighbor/rival she despises she makes the mistake of pretending to be engaged to a duke… who also happens to be a sworn enemy of her family. Oops. Magnus Warring is the epitome of a duke in desperate need to marry an heiress, not be saddled with a fake fiancé. He’s got no choice but to engage in Verity’s farce for the sake of his future plans, even if being with her begins to unravel what he thought was true.
This book has everything. Comedy, check. Suspense, check. Family secrets, check. Two people falling for each other against their best interests, double check. I couldn’t put this book down. When I was forced to, I impatiently couldn’t wait to pick it back up again. This is probably the best book of 2023 for me. It doesn’t get better than a heroine ogling a hot vicar from a tree and being caught in the act and that’s the tip of the iceberg.
If you’re looking for a book that will literally sweep you away, It Had To Be Duke is the right choice. For readers who adore Tessa Dare.
~ Landra
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