Fans of Netflix’s Bridgerton series will be swept away by a Regency romance of broken engagements, second chances, and stolen kisses from the author whom Publishers Weekly calls “irresistible”.
After her third fiancé leaves her at the altar, Lenora Hartley is beginning to think she’s cursed. One thing’s for certain: she needs to escape London and her father’s tyrannical attempts to find her … father’s tyrannical attempts to find her yet another suitor. The Isle of Synne, an isolated and idyllic retreat off Britain’s northern coast, is blessedly far from society’s gossip, but it also carries haunting reminders of her first fiancé. Letting go of the past to find happiness seems impossible — until Lenora is thrown in the path of a gruff, mysterious blue-eyed man who makes her pulse race.
Next in line for a dukedom he doesn’t want to inherit, Peter Ashford is only on the isle to exact revenge on the man who is responsible for his mother’s death. Once he’s completed the task, he’ll return to America where his life can finally be his own. Yet when he meets the beautiful and kind Miss Hartley, he can’t help but be drawn to her. Can Peter put aside his plans for vengeance for the woman who has come to mean everything to him?
for his mother’s death. Once he’s completed the task, he’ll return to America where his life can finally be his own. Yet when he meets the beautiful and kind Miss Hartley, he can’t help but be drawn to her. Can Peter put aside his plans for vengeance for the woman who has come to mean everything to him?for his mother’s death. Once he’s completed the task, he’ll return to America where his life can finally be his own. Yet when he meets the beautiful and kind Miss Hartley, he can’t help but be drawn to her. Can Peter put aside his plans for vengeance for the woman who has come to mean everything to him?for his mother’s death. Once he’s completed the task, he’ll return to America where his life can finally be his own. Yet when he meets the beautiful and kind Miss Hartley, he can’t help but be drawn to her. Can Peter put aside his plans for vengeance for the woman who has come to mean everything to him?more
What a beautiful love story! Peter, the gruff gorgeous Viking-like hero bent on revenge and closed off to love and Lenora, the talented compassionate beauty who opens his eyes to how life could be if he softened his heart and allowed love in.
The writing is fantastic–descriptive without being overly so. You feel like you’re on the Isle of Synne with the characters. Twists and turns and a truly heartwarming and steamy slow burn romance make this book worth staying up late to finish. Trust me, it was 1:45am and I just had to do it. Worth every minute. Highly recommend.
3.5 stars rounded up.
To say that Miss Lenora Hartley has been unlucky in love would be an understatement, she has been engaged three times and is still unwed! After being jilted at the altar by groom number three, she decides to escape London and her father’s attempts to find her another suitor. She goes with her dearest friend Margery Kitteridge to the Isle of Synne to visit Margery’s grandmother, Viscountess Tesh. But Synne may not offer the respite she is seeking, as it stirs up memories of her first betrothed, who tragically died and with those memories comes guilt for her part in his death.
Finally back in England after making his fortune in America, Peter Ashford has waited thirteen years for this day, the day when he repays a debt and begins to enact his plan for vengeance against those he believes wronged him and caused the death of his mother. But Lady Tesh refuses his money and insists that he honor a promise he made to his dying mother – a promise to stay with Lady Tesh for a month. He refuses and while rushing out, almost plows over Lenora. He returns to the inn and relays what transpired to his good friend and business partner Quincy Nesbitt. Quincy convinces him to stay and honor the promise.
Peter and Quincy return to Lady Tesh’s and Peter bargains with her – he will stay and will attend dinners, balls and escort her – much to his annoyance. But on the bright side, he learns the lovely woman he ran into earlier – the one he hasn’t stopped thinking of, is also staying with Lady Tesh, along with his cousin, Margery. There is no denying the attraction between Peter and Lenora, but Peter won’t let anything in the way of his vengeance. Peter is the heir to the Duke of Dane, the man he holds responsible for his mother’s death. He has sworn that he will never marry and that title will die him and that he will destroy everything the Duke held dear. Lenora has her own issues to deal with including the new fiancé that her father has sent, with the clear message: accept her father’s choice or be disowned!
I thought the story was well written, but it did drag a bit and I found Peter’s single-mindedness to be a little annoying – but honestly, the vengeance trope is not my favorite as it never seems to make sense to me. I did like that this story took place outside of London and that there was a local legend woven in to the story. The book has a lot of emotion, vengeance, wonderful secondary characters, slightly warm love scenes, a bit of twist at the end and finally HEA. This was the first book in a new series and it looks like Quincy is next up, I really loved Quincy in this book so I am looking forward to his story!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by the publisher. *
After her third broken engagement, Lenora Hartley leaves London for the Isle of Synne for a one-month reprieve in the hopes of avoiding the scandal and rumors. Knowing that upon her return Lenora will be wed to someone of her father’s choosing, Lenora is glad to get away. So, she flees to the Isle of Synne, a place she spent her summers when she was a child. Here Lenora must face the secrets of her past and figure out what she wants for her future.
Peter Ashford has returned to the Isle of Synne after thirteen years in America to exact revenge on the man who didn’t help his mother when she was dying. Peter is next in line to a dukedom that he doesn’t want, and he is fueled by his hatred and need for revenge. However, when he meets Lenora, Peter’s singular focus begins to change. Lenore touches him in a way no one has before. Will Peter put his plan for revenge aside and convince Lenora that they have a future together?
Lenora is a wonderful character. She is so kind and appreciative, and she has an easy way about her that endears her to others. She is so helpful and appreciative, and I enjoyed the complexities of her character. Burdened by guilt, shame, disappointing her father, and more, Lenora has closed herself off emotionally. She no longer paints, though it was her passion because it brings up too many feelings. She and Peter are similar in that they both struggle with their feelings, especially feelings of loss, guilt, and grief. However, they deal with their feelings and experiences in different ways.
Peter is a bit more difficult to like. He is angry and jaded, a cynical man seeking vengeance for something that happened to him and his mother over a decade ago. So intent is he on revenge that he is often cutting and rude to the people who stand in his way. Like Lenora, he has closed himself off from others. However, his single-mindedness pushes people away. He’s so unlikeable in so many ways, especially when he speaks in anger, but there’s also a vulnerable side to him that makes him unbelievably appealing. He also shows a lot of growth throughout the story, and he learned to let go of a lot of his hatred. Now, I might be a sucker for a brooding hero, but when Peter realizes and expresses his feelings for Lenora, I totally swooned!
The romance between Lenora and Peter is slow-building and explosive. They both want to be loved so badly, yet they have closed their hearts to love. However, they can’t deny their feelings for each other. One of my favorite scenes in the story is when Lenora teaches Peter how to dance. It is such a magical and swoon-worthy moment in their love story, and it showed how frightened, exhilarated, consumed, and confused each felt about their ever-growing feelings. Their chemistry is filled with sexual tension and angst, and it’s fantastic.
The side characters really shine in this story as well. Lady Tesh is an intelligent, kind, and astute woman, and her dog Freya is adorable. Lenora’s best friend Margery and Peter’s best friend Quincy are both interesting, dynamic characters, and they have larger roles in future books in the series, which is fabulous. Quincy is the focus of book two and Margery book three, and their love stories are both beautiful and poignant. What I love is that these characters are all supportive, loyal, friends who are there for each other no matter what.
This is a great start to a wonderful series, and it will definitely appeal to readers of swoon-worthy historical and regency romance. The beautiful and immersive setting, the messages of redemption, opening yourself up to love, and forgiveness, are compelling, and the love story is fantastic. Thanks so much to Christina Britton, NetGalley, and Forever for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
This is the tale of Lenora and Peter. This is the third betrothal that did not work out. She had averaged one a year. This time Lord Landon had fought a duel just This morning and he had run for the continent.
Lenora was waiting in the back of the church and her sweet cousin came from the front of the church. Telling her to get back into the carriage, quickly. She and her father got back in and headed for home. While Margery told them. Her father blamed her for it all and she hadn’t even chosen him, her father had. Lenora and Margery decided to travel to Margery’s grandmother’s house. The Isle of Synne was where she had become betrothed the first time, Hillram. But he died. It would be nice to see gran again. So they went. Her father was a very cruel man. If it didn’t help him it was not going to happen and it would be Lenora’s fault. Here Lenora met Peter, he was angry and didn’t want to be here.
It can be an intense and at times, a sad story. There are some twists to it, also. The characters are exciting and intriguing. The book is well written and fast-paced. Peter has a hard time keeping his anger in control. His friend Quincy is a relaxed man and light-hearted. The complete opposite of Quincy. They do feel an attraction to each other.
I also had a hard time putting the novel down, it was worth the time and I loved it.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it. (less)
Somehow this was my first book from Christina Britton. I’ve seen her books around, so I was surprised when I checked Goodreads that I haven’t read her books before. This is the first in the Isle of Synne series, which made me happy because I didn’t have to worry about starting a series in the middle. The second book was published in January and the third comes out in August, so I’ll have to track down copies of those.
I liked both Lenora and Peter. Lenora was instantly sympathetic as the book begins with her third finance leaving her at the alter. She then runs away to the Isle of Synne with her best friend to stay with the friend’s family, who includes the newly returned Peter. Peter returns for revenge but finds that the situation that required vengeance was not all that it seemed. Instead of being a flat revenge filled character, Peter was truly multifaceted. I especially liked Peter’s banter with his friend Quincy, which added humor to the story. I can’t wait to see where the series goes
I really enjoyed this book set on the fictional Isle of Synne. I could just picture the countryside, the manor houses, the village, and the views of the sea. Especially since Lenora is an artist, the descriptions were unusually vivid.
Lenora and Peter were attracted to each other right away, but it seemed like their romance could go nowhere since Peter was determined to exact his revenge and leave the island as soon as possible. I loved how Lady Tesh helped to maneuver them both into situations where they were together. She’s a master matchmaker and a great advocate for all those she considers to be her family.
I’m looking forward to reading more about the people we have met on the Isle of Synne.
I enjoyed this historical romance that takes place on the Isle of Synne an island located off the North coast of Britain in 1817 Lenora Harley has now had her third betrothal broken so she leave London and travels to the Isle. Peter Ashford is our hero, a little questionable on that when I first met him as he was a brooding, crude & arrogant man who has come to Synne from Boston & he is there for revenge.
It was not love at first sight for Lenora & Peter – they are so opposite, she is everything good & he has nothing of merit to offer. I loved plotting & schemes made by Lenora’s Honorary Grandmother.were great & she and her pup moved things along for Lenora & Peter. I highly recommend this first book in the new series – it proves that kindness & love conquer all.
What a great opening to this book. It immediately sucked me in. And if slow-burn is something you enjoy this is definitely it. Oh and the hero is a Grump!
Miss Lenora Hartley finds herself left at the altar. Her fiance isn’t coming, he was dueling for another woman. This is her third failed attempt at getting married And her father tells her he’ll give her the summer to get over the loss before trying to find another husband for her. But if she doesn’t make it down the aisle he’ll cut her off and abandon her. She heads to the Island of Synne, where she be far from the gossip. But it also holds a lot of memories from the past, specifically of her first fiance, who died.
Peter Ashford is next in line to inherit a dukedom he doesn’t want. He plans to destroy it all after he was turned away as a child when he came looking for help for his dying mother. His Grand-Aunt reminds him that he made his Mother a promise on her death bed. Will also be staying with the lady to fulfill the request his dying mother made, years ago? One look at Lenora and he’s instantly drawn to her.
I purchased this book in August 2020, and didn’t read it until the 2020 Christmas Holidays! I shouldn’t have waited!! What a great read!
When she is literally walking down the aisle, Lenora Hartley learns her Fiancé has not shown up, and in fact has run off. After three unlucky engagements, Lenora thinks she is unlovable and with her best friend, escapes to the Isle of Synne to stay with her friend’s grandmother. She has spent much time there and in fact, her first Fiancé was from that location. Now she is licking her wounds and trying to forget that her father is still looking for a suitable bridegroom.
Peter Ashford has returned from America, to the Isle of Synne to destroy the Dukedom he is soon to inherit. He places the fault for his mother’s death on the current Duke, his uncle, and wants nothing to do with keeping the Dukedom intact and profitable. He wants to run the place into the ground and wants his ailing uncle to know he will do it. Sworn to never marry and exact revenge on his uncle, his gracelessness and horrible manners indicate he will do what he wants when he wants!
But then, love. Not right away, and not when you’d expect it. Lenora is all things good. Peter is a boor with a chip on his shoulder. The machinations of Lenora’s honorary grandmother are epic! Credit to an Old Crone and her little dog to move romance along.
Opposites attract and love can mend hearts. Kindness triumphs over vindictiveness. What a great read. I recommend this book.
This is the first book by Christina Britton I’ve read. It won’t be the last!
A sign of a talented author is when the words and emotions play out seamlessly across the pages as if they were being displayed on a big screen. This new to me author did just that, my fellow romance book loving friends. Though at times I had a bone or two to pick with Peter, the hero, for his knuckleheaded thinking and one particular action, I ultimately found I genuinely liked this main couple together so much it was good to find and see them get their HEA.
Lenora was looking more and more like a victim of long term, verbal parental abuse. Holding out false hope her papa dearest wasn’t the monster we learned he indeed was seemed to be the only thing that kept her putting one foot in front of the other. Combined with misplaced guilt over an unfortunate tragic event years earlier, and that only doubled the doubt and insecurities she had. Two failed engagements just heaped more on her shoulders, as that was considered extremely detrimental to a lady during that era.
It was the numerous stolen sideward glances and speaking up and coming to each other’s defense and aid in uncomfortable situations that seemed to cement their budding relationship. I swear it was what most endeared me to both of them.
Well, that is all I have time for I’m afraid. Just know I’ll be looking to find more romantic tales by this author in the near future.
Title: A Good Duke is Hard to Find, Series: Isle of Synne (Book 1), Author: Christina Britton, Pages: 385, stand-alone but part of series, new to me author, enjoyed writing style, relationship angst, mean daddy issues, some OM drama, no OW drama, flames of revenge cooled off by love, two graphic steamy scenes.
(I voluntarily read and reviewed a library edition of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review. There is no affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/PR firm.)
A Good Duke is Hard to Find features a wonderful romance between a woman cursed in love and a duke’s heir out for revenge.
After being jilted by her third fiancé, Lenora Hartley decides to take a break from London and her father’s attempts to find her another match. The Isle of Synne, an isolated island off Britain’s northern coast, is exactly the right place to avoid the gossip. But soon after arriving, she runs into a mysterious man who attracts her far more than she expected. Peter Ashford is set to inherit a dukedom he doesn’t want, but his only thoughts are of getting revenge on the man who let his mother die. Determined to ruin the man and his legacy, he heads to the Isle of Synne to set his revenge in motion. But once there, he meets Miss Hartley who has him questioning all of his plans.
Lenora was an intriguing character and one I was interested to learn more about after seeing she had three failed engagements. It quickly becomes clear Lenora’s father plans to use a marriage to Lenora to further his own political career and Lenora has had very little input on her betrothals. It was easy to feel for Lenora in her situation and I think my one complaint about her character was how long it took for her to stand up for herself. Peter left England thirteen years ago after the death of his mother and it is only his own sense of debt to the woman who helped his mother that has him returning now. Peter’s situation as a child was heartbreaking and it definitely made it easier to understand why he was so hell-bent on revenge.
Lenora and Peter’s relationship was very much an opposites attract romance with the added bit of forced proximity due to the small isle they’re on. Peter is definitely a pessimistic person compared to Lenora, but as a fan of the grumpy-sunshine trope, that worked for me. Both Lenora and Peter have issues opening up to others which meant it took a while for their romance to progress. Plus, with Lenora’s father arranging another betrothal for her, she knows she’s not entirely free to follow her heart and Peter’s quest for revenge means he has no plans to marry. My one issue with their romance was how long it took for both of them to admit that their relationship was something they wanted. They definitely admitted their attraction to each other right away, but it took much longer for them to admit they wanted more.
Overall A Good Duke is Hard to Find was a very enjoyable read and I will definitely be picking up the second book in the series, Someday My Duke Will Come, when it releases next year.
After being left at the alter by her third fiancé, Miss Lenora Hartley is at her wit’s end. She’s only sure of her need to escape London and her father’s obsessive determination to find her yet another suitor. She joins her best friend, Margery, and her grandmother, on the Isle of Synne, isolated off Britain’s northern coast. There Lenora can escape society’s judgments and her father’s threats, but she must also face the ghost of her first fiancé and the guilt she feels surrounding his death. Lenora certainly doesn’t expect happiness, but all that changes when she meets a mysterious stranger who causes flutters she’s never experienced before.
Returned to England as the heir to a dukedom he has no interest in, Peter Ashford is only focus on taking his revenge against the man who refused him the aide that could have saved his dying mother. As soon as that’s finished, he plans to return to America with all of his debts wiped clean. But when he inadvertently meets Miss Lenora Hartley, he can’t help his almost immediate attraction to her. He must determine if he can give up his need for revenge in exchange for the happiness that has continually eluded him with the woman he’s come to love.
This was a really sweet story. I loved that Peter was such a grumpy hero and that he showed so much development over the course of the book. I was happy Lenora finally learned to stand up for herself and make her own decisions. This was definitely a slow burn and I think Peter gave up too easily there for a while. I would’ve liked to see more of that tension between Peter and Lenora continue instead of stalling out and restarting later. I also wish Lenora had let go of her secrets and guilt sooner because this got a bit repetitive to read after a while. Similarly, Peter’s focus on his revenge got a bit old and perhaps went on too long. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the emotion in this book and the writing and scenery descriptions were lovely. I was very interested in the supporting characters here and will be continuing this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Impassioned, engaging, and romantic!
A Good Duke is Hard to Find is set on the idyllic Isle of Synne during 1817 and features the handsome, bitter Peter Ashford, the heir to the Dane dukedom, who is bound and determined to revenge the man he holds responsible for his mother’s death until he meets the kind, disheartened Lenora Hartley, a young woman with heartache and troubles of her own.
The prose is light and authentic. The characters are intelligent, unsettled, and warm. And the plot is a push-pull blend of Regency lifestyle, familial expectations, palpable attraction, undeniable chemistry, desire, friendship, heartbreak, and steamy romance.
Overall, A Good Duke is Hard to Find isx1b an entertaining, passionate, delightful read by Britton that may be the first novel I’ve read by this author but definitely won’t be my last.
A Good Duke Is Hard to Find by Christina Britton is the First book in the Isle of Synne Series. This is the story of Peter Ashford and Lenora Hartley. Peter left for America about 13 years ago after something happen to him and his mother. Peter and his business partner Quincy Nesbitt have made plenty of money but now Peter has return to get settle the score. Quincy has come with him but Peter wants to do what needs to be done and leave. But he goes to Viscountess Tesh who was a friend of his mother’s and reminds him of a promise he made to his mother. Lenora is unlucky in love or at least the attempts to marry after being left three times by three different fiancés. So Lenora has joined her friend Margery Kitteridge to visit her friends grandmother Viscountess Tesh in the Isle of Synne in hopes of getting away from the town gossip. There she meets Peter who seems familiar but she is definitely attracted to along with Peter to her. Will this be her lucky chance at love? Really enjoyed their story and will be looking for more books by this author.
‘A Good Duke Is Hard To Find‘ is an emotional story far more than an action-packed one, although there are moments. The first story in the ‘Isle of Synne‘ series will introduce us to Lenora who has been almost to the altar three times now and is still unmarried through no fault of her own, much to the fury of her odious father. As she awaits another match to be arranged by her father, who is only looking to line his own pockets and raise himself up in the eyes of Society – certainly not concerned that Lenora finds a love match – she and her good friend, Margery will return to the Isle of Synne where Margery’s feisty grandmother, Lady Tesh resides, and a place where Lenora has experienced happiness and deep sorrow as well. This visit will change her life as long as she is willing to take a risk.
Peter has spent much of his life plotting revenge. Now his goal is in sight. Yet he didn’t plan on the quiet Lenora to come to his aid, even though she was unaware of his end goal but simply because she is a caring, good person. It won’t take long before Lenora will have him second-guessing his plan against the grandfather who turned his back on Peter and his dying mother. Softening his resolve wasn’t in his plan at all, and neither was falling for a lovely lady who is filling up an empty place in his life, in his heart. Now his goal has changed, and the prize is the love of a woman he never saw coming – if he, they can outwit her calculating father and the man he’s chosen for Lenora.
I liked Lenora and Peter both separately and together – but together they are explosive in many ways. Each has issues, each has a past to be dealt with and a choice to keep living there or to move onward to a different future than either expected. Watching the chemistry sizzle, smiling as the love slowly grows beyond their immediate attraction (which each ignored for a bit), was an emotional, enjoyable journey. I definitely enjoyed myself in this world. The secondary characters brought this world to life, and I’m looking forward to more of their adventures in this series. If you love a really good Regency Romance with characters you’ll be cheering for, then ‘A Good Duke Is Hard To Find‘ should be on your reading list… right now.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Forever, 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.*
Oh, the revenge trope…I love it. A story of heartbreak and want for revenge and love. But revenge is never as sweet as we might think. I understand Peter’s feelings but he let revenge rule his life and when he finalizes it is not worth it he might be too late. I thought these are two wonderful characters. There is lots of heartache but as the ending comes it will be well worth it. Synne and Ivar – Peter and Lenora! This is a lovely read.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
I loved this book. It starts strong and just keeps going. “He cupped her cheek with his hand, felt the softness of her skin under his touch. The bones of her face were so fragile and fine, her hair like silk where it brushed his fingers. He deepened the kiss, urging her lips open, his every move careful, gently, afraid to mark her with his roughness.” I loved the tension between the hero and heroine and the build. I can’t wait to read more by this author. I was given a copy of this book.
I thought this was such a beautiful read, very heartwarming and proof that there’s always hope of love, even when you’re not looking for it or think you don’t deserve it.
Lenora escapes London to the Isle of Synne, where she spent lovely times growing up, to get away from yet another scandal. Being left at the altar is nothing new for Lenora and it’s a good thing her heart wasn’t affected since they were marriages arranged by her father. Being back on the Isle of Synne brings back a lot of good memories but also some heartbreaking ones which she is keeping secret.
Peter is man bent on revenge and has spent the last 13 years plotting to ruin the man who refused to help his mother when she lay dying. Back on the Isle of Synne to pay off a debt, he meets Lenora and finds himself fighting his attraction to her. He should only be concentrating on his planned revenge and anyway, he’s vowed never to marry or have a family.
Some angst and heartbreak will occur before these two find their HEA. Secrets will be revealed. Standing up for oneself will occur. Forgiveness will occur. True love and peace will finally be in their hands.
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
After three failed engagements Lenora is desperate not to marry. She meets Peter who does not want to marry and is trying to bring down the dukedom he stands to inherit. Lenora manages to soften Peter as they both try to deny their feelings. This was a good story. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
A Good Duke is Hard to Find was a wonderful story! This was entertaining and sweet with a delicious slow burn happening. I had such a great time reading it and getting to know Lenora and Peter. I loved the push and pull they had going on and I was excited for them to get to their HEA.