Hello Fellow Readers,

I've been in the mood for a historical romance and I was really hoping this would scratch that itch, unfortunately, I just couldn't get passed my dislike over the 'Hero' in this novel The Duke of Granby. It's such a shame because I actually really liked Andromeda. She was ambitious, kind, yet very strong-willed. I just really liked her POV chapters, usually I love when a book has both the heroine and hero POV chapters as it really gives you each of their intentions and makes you get to know them better but in this case I really wish it was just Andromeda. The Duke doesn't really add anything unless you want to hear about his prejudices, how he hates everything, oh and how Andromeda gets his trouser snake going, but thank god he has a long coat that doesn't show it. Cue me rolling my eyes everytime.

My irritation everytime he mentions why Andromeda would be an ill-suited bride almost makes me close the book. We get it Mr. Duke. I know historical romances are usually spicy but there's a build up and chemistry. I did not feel that with these two. I know the Duke eventually evolves and his mind changes but by that point I was so over it that I just was disinterested.

Overall not the romance for me. ( )

The Heroine
Andromeda is the daughter of a scandalous duke and a ladies companion turned duchess and a sister to a bastard brother, and a notorious rake who together own a famous gambling hell. All of which make her an unsuitable, risky bride for the Duke of Granby. But, none of that bothers Romy and she adores her family! She loves to design clothes for the ton and secretly works with a modiste friend to discreetly turn her sketches into wardrobes for the Ton. She also says what she thinks and has a bit of a temper!

The Hero
David Warburton, the Duke of Granby, is a self-righteous, pompous duke who looks down his nose at just about everybody. His father was a horrible man and Granby's mother ran away when he was just a child, leaving him to be cruelly raised by his father. Even knowing what a horrible person his father was, Granby has ingrained in him the need for propriety, marrying the perfect, flawless duchess, and carrying on the Granby legacy.

The Plot
David and Romy butt heads from the first time they meet, but, Romy finds him intriguing and Granby can’t stop wanting her. So when Romy shows up at a house party at his estate, she is ready to avoid him. However, Granby makes no secret of his desire for her and slowly their banter turns into desire. Although the Duke is willing to overlook her flaws to make her his duchess, he has no intention of her keeping contact with her scandalous family or continuing with her passion of designing clothes. When Romy realizes that he wants her, but isn’t willing to love all of her, flaws and all, she refuses to settle for nothing less. Granby must come to terms with his past and his family if he is ever going to keep Romy for himself!

Tropes
Historical Romance, Regency Era, House Party, Ton Society, Alpha Hero, Grumpy Hero, Titled Hero, Artist Heroine, Virgin Heroine, Outdoor Steam, Desk Steam, Slow Burn, Enemies to Lovers, Sunshine/Grump, Forced Proximity ( )

The Design of Dukes by Kathleen Ayers
The Beautiful Barringtons #2

Enemies to Lovers and/or Opposites Attract ~ Great Historical Romance that had me waiting with bated breath.

What I liked:
* Lady Adromeda “Romy” Barrington: designer of extraordinary clothing, hiding her talents from the ton, loves her family, more than a pretty face, strong, intelligent, knows what she wants, not willing to settle for less than what she desires…and deserves
* David Warburton, Duke of Granby: an upright prig, rigidly and abusively raised, following a path set out by his father, drawn to Romy though she is all wrong for him…or so he thinks, grew through the story
* David’s aunt…much more to admire before the book ended…really liked her
* Theodosia “Theo” Barrington: has a crush on Lord Blythe, vanity precludes wearing glasses with predictable results, artist, will star in book 3 (already read and adored)
* Being reminded of the rest of The Beautiful Barringtons and knowing each, hopefully, will get his/her own book
* Meeting some of David’s friends and wondering if they will show up in future books and if so, who they will be paired with
* The “bubble” that the Barrington family created and lived within…and how they all cared for one another
* Seeing how Tony and Maggie were doing….and hearing Leo is away on business (think I will be reading about him next in book 4)
* The sound of the gorgeous outfits created by Romy
* That some of the “mean girls” did not win
* That the emotions, feelings, and behaviors were believable and in keeping with the characters
* That Romy was true to herself, stated her feelings strongly without excess emotion, and stood true to herself
* The truth that emerges toward the end of the story and how it impacts Granby’s future
* All of it really except…

What I didn’t like:
* Granby’s father
* The mean girls, the gossip, and the hatefulness of the ton
* Thinking about how difficult it must have been to be a woman in that era…and also how difficult to be poor

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely!

Thank you to IndiePenPR and the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5

BLURB ( )