Books › The Unexpected Duchess
The Unexpected Duchess
354 pages
A sparkling, banter-filled battle of wits where a clever deception blossoms into an unexpected, swoon-worthy romance.
What it feels like
A sparkling and effervescent Regency romance that thrives on the crackling chemistry of a good battle of wits. The narrative moves at a brisk, joyful pace, driven by sharp dialogue and the delightful tension of a Cyrano-inspired deception. Readers will find themselves immersed in a cheerful, sunlit mood, where garden hedges become the staging ground for flirtatious sparring and unexpected vulnerability. The prose is snappy and light on its feet, perfectly capturing the transition from playful antagonism to deep, swoon-worthy affection. It is an absolute delight for readers who crave historical romances where the heroine's sharp tongue is her greatest asset, and where a war-weary hero finds healing not in quiet demureness, but in a vibrant, challenging love.
- Mood
- cheerful
- swoony
- spirited
- cozy
- Tone
- playful
- witty
- lighthearted
- romantic
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- hidden identities · power of words · healing through love · witty courtship · loyalty and friendship
- The writing
- Snappy, dialogue-heavy, and effervescent, focusing on sharp repartee and emotional warmth.
- The arc
- Moves from playful deception and sharp-tongued sparring to genuine vulnerability and a deeply romantic connection.
- Who it's for
- Fans of Regency romance who love a good battle of wits, Cyrano retellings, and heroes who fall for the sharp-tongued friend.
Content notes
- past war trauma
- mild sexual content
About the book
Inspired by Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac
IN THIS BATTLE OF WITS
Lady Lucy Upton’s tongue may be too sharp to attract suitors but her heart is good and when her painfully shy friend Cassandra needs help she devises a brilliant scheme to help her discourage an unwanted suitor, the Duke of Claringdon. Lucy will hide behind the hedgerow and tell Cass just what to say to discourage the duke...but it turns out that he’s made of sterner stuff than either of them anticipated. And Lucy is shocked to discover that tangling with the tenacious man is the most fun she’s had in ages.
KISSES ARE THE BEST WEAPON
Lord Derek Hunt made a promise to his dying friend to marry the demure Cassandra, and for a man who wants nothing more than peace and quiet after the horrors of war, she’ll make the perfect bride. If only the impudent Miss Upton will let him court the girl! Doing battle is the last thing on his mind, but bantering with Lucy behind the bushes is too tempting to resist. And the spoils of this war just may be true love...
Description from Open Library.
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