She needs to wed… And he’s going to find her a husband.
When Margaret Carberry’s mother drags her upstairs at a ball, Margaret does not expect her mother to tie her to the bed and lock the door. Unfortunately, Margaret’s mother has taken it upon herself to declare Margaret compromised—whether or not Margaret wants to resort to such tactics to snare a husband.
Jasper Tierney, the Duke of … tactics to snare a husband.
Jasper Tierney, the Duke of Jevington, is surprised to encounter a half-clothed woman sprawled upon his bed. He is even more shocked to discover her identity. Margaret Carberry is renowned as an incorrigible wallflower, not a seductress, no matter how appealing her bare flesh is against his bedding. When Margaret declares she won’t go along with her mother’s scheme and will find a husband on her own, Jasper vows to assist her, lest Margaret’s mother concoct another method to arrange a compromising situation. Jasper is certain of one thing: he has no desire to marry.
As Jasper works to match Margaret to a fellow duke, the prospect of a forced marriage with her lacks its earlier loathsomeness. Perhaps he missed his chance for true bliss.
more
I received an ARC of “All You Ever Need is a Duke” by Bianca Blythe from Netgalley. This is the first book I have read by this author and it definitely won’t be the last one. Margaret Carberry, a young Scottish lady wishes to be a wallflower, but her mother has other plans. Jasper Tierney is the Duke of Jevington, and finds Margaret tied to his bed in his bedroom in the hopes of a marriage of convenience by Mrs. Carberry if they are both found in a compromising situation. He quickly helps untie her and saves them both before anyone knows any better. He then decides to help her find the best spouse for her by inviting her family and his friends, who happen to be a group of dukes for a weekend at one of his estates. Fun story!
This is the 2nd book I’ve read written by Bianca Blythe; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the chemistry between the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
Great Start, Likeable Characters
Regency romance is my favorite fiction to read, and I particularly like ones that have slightly inventive twists on familiar tropes as well as characters who are essentially good at heart. This book has filled the bill on both counts. The book starts with the familiar compromise Regency trope, but this compromise, oh my! Perpetrated at the hands of the heroine’s mother but derailed by the quick-thinking hero and heroine. I particularly liked the heroine, as I thought she was smart and honorable, even if her mother didn’t want her to be so! The hero is a kind-hearted gentleman, but I found him a little weak compared to the heroine. Still, I found their path to an HEA to be a fun one to follow. The heroine certainly did struggle with self-esteem issues despite her inherent kindness and cleverness. The author wrote in deep perspective, and she managed to pull that off well for both the hero and the heroine. Theirs were entertaining heads to be in for sure! The only thing I didn’t like about the book is that the author used what I would consider more of a contemporary romance device that just doesn’t seem to suit a historical romance. Namely, she has an affinity before short phrases, short sentences, and short paragraphs. Sometimes a “paragraph” was just a word. I just don’t like that as I think it makes for choppy writing in general. Historical writing, to my mind, requires at least a certain level of formality which that kind of device just cannot provide. I think historical language needs room to breathe, but that doesn’t happen with choppy phrases and short paragraphs. But other than that, I enjoyed this story. If you enjoy Regencies that play around with the familiar tropes and love kind-hearted characters who are just doing their best, you will most likely enjoy this book.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
This book has a lot of promise, and I loved the plot and beginning, but the rest of the story does not live up to its full potential. Aside from the highly annoying tstl issues that have Margaret fleeing from the man she supposedly loves and make her refuse to believe he could actually love her too all the way to the alter, it does not make any sense at all whatsoever that Mr Owen would spend the entire time they’re together berating Margaret for absolutely everything humanly possible and then suddenly decide to to propose to her without any warning whatsoever. Normally I love Bianca Blythe’s books, but this one needs some tough love.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
Who would need enemies when her own mother has a scheme to make her daughter found in a compromising situation and forced to marry?
Obviously, the man chosen would not be just anybody, but a duke.
Jasper was unfortunate enough to find a half-naked woman tied to his bed.
As Duke of Jevington he knew he would need to have an heir, but marriage was not in his plans.
Thanks to Margaret’s honesty, her mother’s plan did not work.
Anyway, she knew she would need to find a husband. Her mother did not accept that she would rather study fossils than find a man with a title.
Jasper then offers to help Margaret on this mission, and through a country party she would have more opportunities to find the perfect candidate.
But would Jasper, after knowing Margaret’s charm, be happy to see her in the arms of another man?
4 stars
This is a really great start to a new series and I enjoyed everything about it from the different characters and their sometimes strange or quirky personalities, actions, conversations and responses to the slow dawning on both of the main characters parts of their blossoming love for each other.
If Margaret’s mother were mine, then I think I might have strangled her (smile).
I loved that Margaret’s character shows that she is knowledgeable on most subjects, sometimes more so than the men the meets while she is still feminine and graceful and that Jasper is a man in love doing all the strange things that men seem to do when trying to fool themselves into believing that the opposite is true.
I love this author’s sense of humor. She makes it very easy to enjoy her stories and I am happy to recommend this as a one to be read.
I read an Advance Reader’s Copy (ARC) of the ebook and my review above is unbiased and given voluntarily.
Book one in The Duke Hunters Club series and I know I want to read the next book. Jasper Tierney, the Duke of Jevington and Margaret Carberry’s story I found myself laughing at somethings and hoping that he would see that he was the man for her. That was some meddling Mother. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sweet and funny. I loved Margaret and her family, the dog Lily, and especially Jason. Margaret is a wallflower who is more interested in books and fossils then finding a husband. She is too quiet and too nice and the men don’t really notice her. But her mother schemes to get her married to a Duke and tries to force Jason, the Duke of Jevington to marry her. But Margaret escapes and then because he is nice and likes to help people Jason decides to help her marry one of his Duke friends. But the more time he spends around her the more he realizes she would be the perfect wife. For him. But he has vowed not to marry. If he doesn’t care about anyone he won’t be heartbroken if he loses them. Will he go after her or let another marry her? I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
Wallflower Margaret Carberry is the victim of her mother’s disgraceful plot to get her married. Her mother ties her to the bedposts in a compromising position so that she can declare her “compromised” and be required to marry the Duke who owns the bed!
Jasper Tierney, the Duke of Jevington, agrees to help Margaret find a suitable husband so her mother stops her dreadful plots. But as they work together on a plan to match her with a Duke, their change in expectations let them relax and get to know each other. Soon the idea of marrying her himself doesn’t seem like such a bad thing after all. Both of them have their insecurities, Jasper wanting to be desired for more than a title, and Margaret feeling unworthy of love. But will he now tell her how he feels? Will the two find their HEA with each other?
The story has a good story line with romance and humor. I liked the characters and hoped that they would see the best in each other. Grab your copy and see how it all works out for them.
Who needs enemies when you have a Mama like hers.
Margaret Mama is a real jewel. With a very elaborate stage set for a compromising situation I bet she did not realize that her daughter had more morals then she did. Jasper Tierney the Duke of Jevington had not planned on finding a lady tied to his bed and with a mama hot on the heels of the situation. Helping to release Margaret she is out the window and he lost her. Then after meeting her again, Jasper decides he needs to help her find a husband. I really liked Jasper I know what he set out to do and I thought it was pretty cool may have backfired a bit but in the end, things got better. Margaret was great too this was one character I felt so sorry for. The exciting final chapters made for a fun and engaging piece I loved this story, I loved the humor, this book made my day. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
All You Need Is a Duke is a cute and humorous story. I could easily picture Maureen O’Hara in the place of the wallflower, but still feisty, Margaret. Her mother wants to see her married to a Duke and sets her up in ridiculous fashion to be compromised. I wasn’t as crazy about Jasper. I like for male heroes, and especially a Duke, to be more of an “in charge” person. It was an enjoyable book and something different from what I usually read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a greatly entertaining book. It was so much fun to read and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and exchange for a free copy.
A role reversal.
Margaret is a mere Scottish miss, but wealthy with a ruthless social climber mother who goes to dastardly lengths with ribbons and a dukes bed to see her wed. Er, compromised by trussing her up in Jasper’s bed.
Only, Margaret fools her mother by jumping (slipping) off a balcony. She’s the wallflower taking manly risks not to trap a duke.
Meanwhile, Jasper is neither brilliant, or sporting or particularly outstanding. He’s just a duke, a lot foppish and is intent on not marrying.
Still be concocts a house party to help her find a decent husband. Oh, and he likes to throw parties, hence the house party he pulls together for Margaret.
I did enjoy. But Margaret was the one with the daring. Which I liked.
All You Need is a Duke is the first book in The Duke Hunters Club series and is a great start to this new series.
I really enjoyed this entertaining Regency romance. The characters are charming, likable, and interesting. The storyline is well written and entertaining, with a meddling mother, drama, societal concerns, twists and turns, and a slow-burn romance.
I am looking forward to reading more books in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The idea of this romp is cute, however, I did not find it all that entertaining. I’ve enjoyed other stories by Bianca Blythe more. I felt at times the effort at humor was forced. The epilogue contained the most “natural” humor and did bring me to laugh out loud.
When reading a romp I can suspend belief and allow for some extreme aspects and behavior in the story. I believe this story could be greatly improved with some diligent fine tuning. There are some contradictions / inconsistencies and repeated interruption of dialogues with irrelevant thoughts of the characters which were distracting. It reminded me of someone making up a bedtime story and losing the thread at times.
I read an advance copy; the thoughts expressed are my own.