A Duke for Miss Townsbridge

What happens if you say no to the Duke next door, with whom you have never spoken, when he crashes your mother’s garden party, and if front of your prospective suitors drops to one knee, holds up a ring and says “marry me?” It seems you are stuck with him or life as a spinster. The is the scene at the beginning of the story of Matthew Donovan, Duke of Brunswick, and Miss Sarah Townsbridge. What happens now? These two people are complete opposites. Sarah is a happy, caring, kind, and loving. She rescues animals and wants a marriage based on love, just like her parents and siblings. Matthew is a recluse, emotional paralyzed by the tragic loss of his family when he was very young. He wants a marriage devoid of love and with as little contact with his wife as possible. He just wants someone to manage his home and care for his children. Matthew is determined to win her, and she is willing to allow him to court her. I loved how their story developed one slow step at a time. Lots of hurtles along the way, but our feisty heroine is up to challenge. A time or two I felt like Matthew need a good punch in the nose. Charles did, too, so he gave him one. This one starts with you shaking your head and ends warming your heart. I recommend it. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntarily.

I would have been just as angry as Sarah if some man had come up to me and demanded I marry him and scared off potential other suitors. But she discovers that Matthew carries emotional scars by losing his family at a young age and decides to help him like one of her injured rescue animals. They become friends and have several funny and emotional encounters, but he still holds himself back, afraid to expose his pain and open up his heart. This was a sweet, funny, emotional, and steamy Regency romance.