The wedding-night death of her much older husband left Tess Townsend the Dowager Duchess of Wansford—and still a virgin. Now she and her two best friends investigate London’s most scandalous crimes, and while Tess longs to experience physical pleasure for herself, she can’t risk losing her treasured independence…
Cynical shipping magnate Justin Thornton never expected to inherit a dukedom, but he’ll do his duty. When the ravishing woman he kissed at a party turns out to be the Dowager Duchess, Justin sees an obvious solution: a marriage of convenience that will suit them both.
But the passion that sparks between them is anything but convenient. As Tess works on a new case at the request of Queen Charlotte, her increasingly suspicious behavior makes Justin question her motives—and her past. The infuriating woman clearly can’t be trusted, but Justin doesn’t believe in love, so there’s absolutely no danger of him falling for his own wife…is there?
Release Date: Dec 26, 2023
Series: Second Duke’s the Charm
Book: 1
Heat Level: Sensual
Publisher: Macmillan
Imprint: St. Martin’s Press
Price: $8.99
“As if sensing Tess’s presence at his side, the stranger raised his head. A shock of something elemental, almost like recognition, flashed through her as their eyes met. If someone had asked her to describe a “dangerous man,” it would be him. Flint-gray eyes, high cheekbones. Lips that looked like they could command- or kiss- with consummate ease. They’d never met in person she was sure, but she knew him: he was every wicked fantasy she’d ever dreamed, come to life. Handsome seemed too weak a word. Shrewd intelligence blazed in his eyes, and Tess had the strangest sensation that he was looking right through her, through dress and skin, to the very heart of her. She felt exposed, all her secrets laid bare.”
This was such a fun one! Kate Bateman is a master of her craft. She never misses, and always delivers a sensational historical romance full of heart, wit, and mind-blowing chemistry.
I was fully immersed in Justin and Tess’s relationship from the beginning, and I loved how everything came full circle with them. Almost as if it was destiny that they ended up together.
Tess was not just beautiful, but brave and bold. She has a secret that she has been carrying that could ruin her, she never consummated her first marriage. She knows she can never take a lover for fear they might spread rumors of her virginal state, but she decides to take matters into her own hands and attend a pleasure party to seduce a man and gain her pleasure. Once Justin fell under her spell, he had it bad for Tess. He had to do anything to have her and would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.
I do love a hero who knows what he wants. This was full of swoony heart-stopping moments with just enough mystery and intrigue without overwhelming the romance or the relationship development. The next book in this series can’t come soon enough!
If you’re a fan of historical romance authors such as Joanna Shupe and Eva Leigh then you won’t be disappointed.
~ Michelle
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