A poignant Regency romance full of secrets and a love worth fighting for from bestselling author Jane Ashford.This heart of mine cannot be mended…Peter Rathbone, Duke of Compton, is mourning the loss of his sister Delia, but the work of keeping his family’s deteriorating estate afloat is never done. When Miss Ada Grandison, a close friend of his sister, arrives with a mysterious letter that she … she claims holds the secret to saving the family home, Peter is skeptical to say the least…and his life is about to get even more complicated.This one is mine to help heal…Ada is eager to do whatever she can to help the Rathbones. She brings clues that Delia claimed would change everything for the family and that lead Ada and Peter on a hunt to unravel the past. But they’ll have to face their painful memories—and their true feelings for each other—to discover the truth.
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Clean sweet romance. I’m looking forward to Arthur’s story.
They were connected by loss and drawn down the same path by a mystery. Peter and Ada will have several obstacles, both literal and emotional, to overcome before they find their HEA but I could tell it was going to be so very worth it.
Peter is the last of the London gentlemen that Earl of Macklin is determined to see settled. This matchmaker has seen some beautiful success in his last three adventures so there was no doubt he’d make this stubborn Duke and his late sister’s best friend see that they were made for each other. It wasn’t a difficult argument to convince sweet Ada, she’d been attracted to the Duke for years. The Duke was a whole other matter. Bitterness and disappointment have a way of blinding a person to what’s right in front of them.
I liked that this wasn’t insta love. They had to get to know each other on a deeper level and trust was a big part of that. The build up is a slow burn. I would have liked for the pacing to not have been quite so slow but it was worth the read to finish the book.
Ms. Ashford introduced several new possible future heroines with this book. I would like to see them explored and allowed their own adventures. Ada’s aunt was fun, too.
Readers who enjoy a good mystery with a lovely dose of romance may enjoy Peter and Ada’s story. The Earl of Macklin’s quest is complete with this book but I could easily imagine this world expanding and the lives of those he brought together building and growing.
Peter Rathbone, Duke of Compton, is still reeling from his younger sister Delia’s tragic death and barely scraping by financially, trying to salvage the ducal lands with nearly no income. He has nothing to lose, so when his late sister’s friends descend upon him unannounced, he has no choice but to host them in an impromptu house party that could change everything for him.
Miss Ada Grandison is haunted by dreams of her late friend and hopes a visit to her home, and her handsome brother, will help her overcome her grief. As Peter, Ada, and her friends try to parse meaning from the cryptic note Delia left behind, Peter finds himself increasingly skeptical and afraid to hope for a change in his circumstances, especially when his burgeoning feelings for Ada make him long for that change more than ever before.
This was an okay book for me, but I wouldn’t precisely call it entertaining. I was intrigued by the premise, but it seemed nothing really happened for much of the book. I was rather bored for much of it and it started to feel like I was reading the same scenes over and over with Peter being awkward, but rather adorable, if cynical, and Ada being a bit vapid and immature, but also admirably determined. I really didn’t enjoy the girl group shenanigans we got here; Ada and her friends just seemed rather immature much of the time and very rude to Peter. Despite his reduced circumstances, he was still a duke and their host and deserved better treatment. To that end, while his loneliness and cluelessness made him charming, Peter was also a bit too much of a beta hero and I wanted him to stand up for himself a bit more.
There was very little in the way of romance here. In fact, I think there were more scenes featuring Ada and her friends than there were between Ada and Peter. This combined with an utter lack of steam, not to mention the abject loneliness of Peter’s situation and the immaturity demonstrated by both himself and Ada, made this seem like a fleeting sort of puppy love more so than a lasting relationship with a true foundation. The mystery aspect here started out intriguing, but it just fizzled out and there was no romantic chemistry to keep things going either. Ada never tried to understand Peter or his worries, she was just determined to have her own way and it fortunately worked out, but there was never any real relationship development or attempts to get to know one another. This combined with the extremely slow pacing had me losing interest rapidly. There was a good set up for this to be a solid, gothic themed novel and it just didn’t pan out. The most compelling characters here were Aunt Julia and the Earl of Macklin so I may read the next book for them, but I’m not sure at this point.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Once again, Arthur Shelton, the Duke of Macklin and the ever-present, Tom appear to be up to their matchmaking schemes in A Duke Too Far, the story of the final man at that dinner in London. Although you might be tempted to believe this is the last story in The Way To A Lord’s Heart series, it appears there is one more book to come, Earl’s Well That Ends Well, and I’m hopeful for that story to wrap up everything quite nicely (time will tell).
Ada and Peter’s story felt very much like a slow burn romance. Peter is not only heartbroken by his sister’s death, but he’s also struggling to keep his rundown, dilapidated estate solvent… with not much luck. He has no time nor inclination for romance or company but has been descended upon by not only Ada and her group but by the Duke of Macklin as well. Ada was his sister’s friend, and she’s convinced that she has a vital clue in the documents that she hand-delivers to Peter that could change his estate’s future – and an attraction to the man who always seems lost in thought and standoffish to the world.
A Duke Too Far is not only a romance, but a bit of a treasure hunt as well as Ada, Peter, and Ada’s friends set out to find a hidden treasure that has always seemed more fantasy and legend than a possibility to Peter. I enjoyed myself back in this world, and I’m definitely looking forward to what the next, and perhaps final story holds for us.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from Sourcebooks Casablanca via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
Peter Rathbone, Duke of Compton, is flat broke due to mismanagement from a long line of dukes. As the last Compton duke, Peter does everything he can including fixing things in his mansion when he can. He is fighting a losing battle and he has lost hope that he can bring the estate back into the black. When his younger sister Delia dies in a tragic accident, Peter is now alone in the world. A group Delia’s friends come to visit and Peter has to stretch his meager budget to accommodate them. Miss Ada Grandison was the one who found Delia at the bottom of a cliff and she has come to hopefully find closure and solve a mysterious puzzle Delia left. Falling in love with the duke wasn’t in the plan, but can she understand that love isn’t everything when there’s no money to live?
I usually love Ms. Ashford’s books, but this one was a struggle to get through. I didn’t really feel the connection between Peter and Ada. She seems more committed to the “idea” of love than actually trying to understand Peter’s reluctance to form an attachment to her. The mystery surrounding the estate’s missing treasure was the saving grace for this story. The secondary characters including Ada’s aunt helped carry the story.
view An engaging story filled with a mystery and the journey to find the answers of the death of a young woman and much more. Plus as in the other stories, the Earl of Macklin arriving to have dinner with four men, Peter being one of them to help them with their grief.
The loss of his sister combined with his crumbling estate was overwhelming to Peter, the Duke of Compton. But it gets more interesting when Ada, who was a close friend of his sisters, arrives with a clue that may help the estate. She also brings some of her friends as they are an amateur sleuthing group and they set out to find the clues that Peter’s sister had talked about and left behind.
Great characters and I really like seeing Ada, attracted to Peter and determined to help him. The banter, reasoning to solve the mystery and the friendships pulled this story together..
Such a well written series that I have truly enjoy and urge you not to miss! I read this through Netgallery and the publisher
Peter has lost his sister and Ada has lost her friend. These two young people are brought together on a journey to solve a mystery left behind by Delia. They are connected by her but also by love. The story has many warm and funny moments as the group of young girls, young Duke, and the chaperones each play their parts in their hunt for the treasure. It has the hint of a fairytale of the broken castle, hunt for treasure that saves the day, and the couple in love that gets their happily ever after.
Peter Rathbone, the Duke of Compton, age 24, is heading to have dinner at White’s with Arthur Shelton, the Duke of Macklin and three other titled men. Macklin has invited them there as all of them have recently lost a family member. Peter lost his sister, Delia, when she fell from a cliff.
Peter’s home is called Albendene and is located in Shropshire. It is a crumbling place and Peter is trying to make as many repairs as he can. When Macklin happens to visit Peter’s home unexpectedly, he sees what bad shape the place is in.
Ada Grandison, age 18, is still grieving the death of her good friend, Delia. She and her aunt, Julia and three other friends are heading to Albendene to visit where Delia had grown up. When they all arrive at the same time as Macklin and his group, Peter is scurrying to find suitable rooms to house all of them. Thankfully, he has a wonderful cook who pleases them all.
As Peter shows them all around his huge castle and explaining the history of it, Ada wants to be able to privately ask him to see Delia’s bedroom. It appears she found a document written in a language she did recognize and remembering that Delia saying that she had discovered something that would bring wealth to Peter. Will they truly find something that could be a savior to him?
I have read many of Jane Ashford’s books and know that they tend to get somewhat muddled at times. However, this one just seemed to flutter about almost as much as the dining room bat. Sorry to say that it is not a favorite of mine. I would like to see this talented author get a good editor to edit her work.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
A Duke Too Far by Jane Ashford is book 4 in The Way to a Lord’s Heart Series. This is the story of Ada Grandison and Peter Rathbone, Duke of Compton. I haven’t yet read the previous book, so for me this was a standalone book. Ada good friend Delia has died but has left a letter and clues to a possible treasure. So Ada arrives at Peter’s door with her other friends to look for this hidden treasure. Peter is morning the lost of his sister but also fighting to keep the run down Estes that are in much need of money to fix up. Peter isn’t so quick to believe the tale of the treasure but ends up going along. This of course brings Peter and Ada to be around each other which brings out their feelings for each other. This was a good romance mystery read.
I enjoyed seeing the characters from the past books in this series. Peter is struggling to get over his sister Delia’s death and his cash poor estate. Ada also is struggling to get over her friend Delia’s death. Ada finds a clue to a fortune hidden on the estate and she helps to save the day. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
The death of Peter’s sister Delia eventually sets off a turn of events that change his life. Her three friends show up at his impoverished estate bringing a note left by Delia in a language no one understands. Treasure and the possibility of hope are something Peter didn’t expect to have in his life, especially from a young lady determined to make the impossible happen. Entertaining, with humor (bats, cats and a dog) and hope for an HEA. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
I felt the author did a good job of depicting the dire financial situation the hero finds himself in and his loneliness. He diligently works to keep his estate from totally falling apart. He’s also quite thrifty and pragmatic in his use of old clothing he regularly retrieves from the attics. The hero is certainly not to be envied and had my sympathy.
The young ladies coming to visit mean well, however, I felt it rather assuming of them to thrust their presence on him, when he can so ill afford the housing and feeding of guests.
The search for the treasure kept this story moving.
The history behind the earl and his young protege (?) Tom were total mysteries to me.
I read an advance copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley; the thoughts expressed are my own.
Thanks goes to the publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary copy of A Duke Too Far by Jane Ashford for the purpose of reading and reviewing prior to publication. A Regency romance book 4 in The Way to a Lord’s Heart. My opinions are my own and no one has influenced me in any way.
A Duke Too Far is well-written, but there are several problems. The pacing is extremely slow, which made it difficult to remain engaged and become vested in the characters. The best part of the book is the mystery involving the hidden treasure. I enjoyed that aspect of the novel. I also enjoyed the characters’ struggle with grief.
Ada Grandison is the heroine. She was close friends with the hero’s late sister. She arrives unannounced at the duke’s home accompanied by her chaperone and three school friends. They want to help the duke discover the treasure, but he has no faith in the rumors that his late father and sister insisted existed.
Peter Rathbone, the Duke of Compton is our hero. He’s inherited the title, along with a broken-down estate and no funds to improve his prospects or properties. The last thing he needs is a gaggle of women showing up on his doorstep. I did like his character but would have enjoyed more depth.
The romance between the hero and heroine is sweet, but minimal, more like what high school teenagers would have. Both the hero and heroine are immature. There isn’t much sexual chemistry between the couple at all.
If you enjoy mysteries and not that into romance, then A duke Too Far by Jane Ashford my work for you. I did like the premise for this book, but the execution fell short for me. Happy reading!
3.5 Stars
Peter Rathbone, Duke of Compton, is mourning the loss of his sister Delia, but the work of keeping his family’s deteriorating estate afloat is never done. When Miss Ada Grandison, a close friend of his sister, arrives with a mysterious letter that she claims holds the secret to saving the family home, Peter is skeptical to say the least…his life is about to get even more complicated. Ada is eager to do whatever she can to help the Rathbones. She brings clues that Delia claimed would change everything for the family and that lead Ada and Peter on a hunt to unravel the past.
This is the fourth book in the series & Arthur the Earl of Macklin is again meddling in the nicest possible way. I found it to be a fun, entertaining read that made me smile. The pace is good & held my interest all the way through, I liked both Peter & Ada but did feel that there wasn’t much chemistry between them & I was more caught up in the hunt than in the romance. I believe this is the last in the series & would have liked to have some conclusion for Macklin & Tom & hope we meet them again
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Peter Rathbone, Duke of Compton is struggling. Both financially and with the recent death of his sister. His estate is literally crumbling around him. He can’t seem to get ahead and he is always alone since his father died. He did what repairs be could around the mansion. But it would never be enough. It had been six months since he had met Lord Macklin in London. He had been invited to dinner with him at White’s.
Ada Grandison had found Peter’s sister at the end of a deep embankment. She had been dead, now Ada was haunted by dreams. She and three of her other friends had met Delia while they were at school. They had all become fast friends and would do anything for each other. They were taking a trip to Alberdene, Peter’s estate.
Ada had found a paper in a foreign language that she had found under the mattress in Delia’s room. She felt it was important and might help her brother.
This story started out a little slow but soon picked up. It was a great mystery. I enjoy the banter between the four girls and Peter. They were use to working on mysteries where he wasn’t. The characters were engaging and at times funny. The tale was compelling I found that it was difficult to put down, it was very entertaining. I do recommend this book to all.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.
I loved this delightful romance and mystery!
Peter is a nearly-destitute duke whose late sister’s friends descend upon his dilapidated ancestral home with a mysterious note and a whole host of ways to upset his desolate life. Ada was closest to Peter’s sister, Delia, and is seeking some solace from visiting her friend’s home. Accompanying Ada and her three friends is her formidable aunt, Julia, acting as chaperone, and their visit coincides with that of the Earl of Macklin, a friend of Peter’s, who has a reputation for surreptitious matchmaking.
Peter is a man weighted down by his responsibilities and still grieving for his sister. While he welcomes her friends, he doesn’t welcome the questions and possibilities that their visit brings. But he can’t help being attracted to Ada, even though there’s no way he would ever be considered an acceptable match for her, and barely holds onto his proprieties as she weaves her magic around his heart.
Ada is thrilled to discover that Delia, before her passing, was very close to finding a secret treasure trove hidden by her ancestors centuries before. All four of the young ladies work together, with and sometimes without Peter’s cooperation, to piece together all the clues of what Peter is convinced is just another flight of fancy that wasted his father’s and his sister’s time.
The writing is especially clever, poignant, humorous, and insightful. The author beautifully brings out each character’s heart and soul, making these characters come alive and leave an unforgettable imprint. Each character is developed fully, even those on the periphery, and I was thoroughly enraptured right from the start.
The HEA was so sweet and tender, though I would have loved for it to have been drawn out just a little bit longer. This is a clean romance, with our characters sharing only a few steamy kisses. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
A Duke Too Far
The Way to a Lord’s Heart Series #4
Jane Ashford
https://www.facebook.com/JaneAshfordWriter/
Release date 04/28/2020
Publisher Sourcebooks Casablanca
Blurb :
Peter Rathbone, Duke of Compton, is mourning the loss of his sister Delia, but the work of keeping his family’s deteriorating estate afloat is never done. When Miss Ada Grandison, a close friend of his sister, arrives with a mysterious letter that she claims holds the secret to saving the family home, Peter is skeptical to say the least…his life is about to get even more complicated.
Ada is eager to do whatever she can to help the Rathbones. She brings clues that Delia claimed would change everything for the family and that lead Ada and Peter on a hunt to unravel the past. But they’ll have to face their painful memories—and their true feelings for each other—to discover the truth.
My review :
Will his sister’s last quest bring love or one more deception in his life…
I wonder if this is the last book in this series as the four men invited to dine by the Earl of Macklin all got their second chance. It lives only the Earl and Tom, both alone.
I have only read the previous book, still, I liked Arthur, the Earl, in some way, he has decided to help those men, to smooth their grieving day and improve their future.
Peter Rathbone is his last project, yet I was dubious how he could help him, as he is nearly destitute and a bit of a recluse.
Still, the Earl is a kind of magic charm, where he goes, love follows him. And while he is not one to push over someone, he observes to determine the best road to assist.
My heart arched for Peter, he has lived quite a lonely life, loss after loss, disappointment after disappointment. But then he left bitterness cloud in some way his judgement.
After, having to scrape every coins he gets, doing himself his estate’s repairs, using his forefathers clothes to dress himself, he has every right to be dubious about a treasure tale when he lives in a shambles of a house.
Ada was attracted to her late friend’s bother since their first encounter, but very young to be able to act upon it. Yet, she is not one to let it pass before her, without a try. So in a way, to bring peace to her departed friend but also herself, she schemes a trip to meet the man she is attracted too. While she is young, she shows determination and a strong burgeoning personality.
I loved they were no beautiful people but while aware they were no hidden beauties, they become beautiful in the eyes of the other as their feelings move forward.
While the romance between Ada and Peter is the thread linking everything, this book was more a tale of the power of friendship with a side plot as the mystery indices by Peter’s sister, Delia, last words.
Ada is surrounded by her three friends, with Delia’s spirit between them. Together they plan, plot and have fun in this merry chase to solve a hundred old mystery if there were one. But there is also the relationship between the Earl with his protégé, Tom or with Peter or even Ada’s aunt, an old acquaintance of the Earl too.
I loved their many interactions, their banters, their reasoning. It was what infused life in this story.
4 stars for this fun read with many entertaining characters, I just do hope it is not the ending of this series as I would love to see the earl of Macklin get his own HEA and learn more about Tom’s future.
I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Sourcebooks Casablanca. Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
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A Duke Too Far is the fourth and final book in The Way to a Lord’s Heart. The series is based on four men the Earl of Macklin thought he might be able to help and after having dinner with the men in London and discussing the death of their loved ones, the earl spends the summer traveling to each man’s estate and playing matchmaker.
Peter Rathbone, the eccentric Duke of Compton, was struggling to keep his crumbling family’s estate together. He was surprised when Macklin showed up at his home and even more surprised when Ada Grandison and her companions arrived that same afternoon. Even though a duke, Peter hadn’t gone to the traditional schools’ other gentlemen went to and had never been a part of Society, so he wasn’t skilled in social graces, but he was glad for their company.
Ada had discovered Delia at the bottom of the cliff, and she felt certain Delia wanted her to take her discovery to Peter. Even though Peter doesn’t want anything to do with the mystery once they learn Delia was looking for the family’s hidden treasure, Ada is determined to find the treasure. She had fallen in love with Peter and knew they needed to find the treasure if they wanted a future together.
I have enjoyed reading the series but must admit this was not my favorite book in the series. It did have a good plot with the mystery of the hidden family treasure. Hopefully we will see the side characters in future books.
The story started out quite funny. The plot line grabbed my attention, but as I got through 48% of the book, it changed to being very bland. I was loot for love and romance between Ada and Peter. Unfortunately I didn’t feel that connection with the characters and it fell flat.