Title: The Duchess Deal (Girl meets Duke #1)

Author: Tessa Dare

Publisher: Avon 2017

Genre: Romance

Pages: 385

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

When girl meets Duke, their marriage breaks all the rules…

Since his return from war, the Duke of Ashbury’s to-do list has been short and anything but sweet: brooding, glowering, menacing London ne’er-do-wells by night. Now there’s a new item on the list. He needs an heir—which means he needs a wife. When Emma Gladstone, a vicar’s daughter turned seamstress, appears in his library wearing a wedding gown, he decides on the spot that she’ll do.

His terms are simple:

- They will be husband and wife by night only.

- No lights, no kissing. 

- No questions about his battle scars. 

- Last, and most importantly… Once she’s pregnant with his heir, they need never share a bed again.

But Emma is no pushover. She has a few rules of her own:

- They will have dinner together every evening. 

- With conversation.

- And unlimited teasing.

- Last, and most importantly… Once she’s seen the man beneath the scars, he can’t stop her from falling in love…

After getting about half way through a not great book, I decided to take a break and grab a historical romance. Tessa Dare has been on my list for awhile and I’m so glad I burned through this one. Right away we get a ridiculous premise (but I’m always up for a slightly ridiculous premise), but also some great characters. The banter is really what made this book amazing. I loved every taunt and term of endearment that was volleyed between Emma and Ash. I always love a fallen hero redeemed. This was delightful and was just the break I needed. I will definitely be reading the next one in the series.

Girl Meets Duke

• #1 The Duchess Deal

• #2 The Governess Game

• #3 The Wallflower Wager

• #4 The Bride Bet

Next up on the TBR pile: