Mrs. Ambrosia Bloomington, now a widow, is ready to start a new life amongst Mayfair elites without the overarching reach of her late husband, Mr. Harrison Bloomington. With her trunks loaded safely onto her own private carriage, she’s ready to face the world as an independent woman in Regency London.She does not, however, bargain for cocksure Frenchman, Mr. Charles Cochran Bateman coming along … coming along and turning her very ordinary journey into the adventure of a lifetime.
She does not bargain for his laughter, his enthusiasm, nor his Joie de vie.
And blast and fiddlesticks, she certainly is not expecting to experience the sparks that charge the air between them.
And, it seems, apparently, neither is he…
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One of my favorite stories so far! I enjoy Historical/Regency romances a lot, it’s how I began my love of romance fiction many decades ago LOL Truth be told, I prefer them to contemporary romances any day so I was overjoyed this book turned out to be so pleasing! It’s been a hot minute since I read Cocky Bastard so for me it felt brand new!
I am seriously impressed at the depth of this story. I absolutely adore both characters immensely. The writing was flawless and both Charles and Ambrosia, aka Chance and Aubrey, entertained me from beginning to end. There is really nothing not to like about this book. Both leads were developed very well, and the story unfolded perfectly. I swooned and I cried, and I laughed, and I just felt all kinds of emotions reading this book. Nothing was overtly this or that, but there was always some kind of emotion happening. I loved it! It wasn’t until I was done that I started to really remember the plot points of Cocky Bastard and it dawned on me what an exceptional job this author did in retelling events of today in an 1800 setting. Not gonna lie, it’s impressive how well it all turned out to be.
Cocky Duke was my first in the long list to come of Cocky Hero Club stories, which the books are set in the world of the Cocky Series by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland. Anders based her on Cocky Bastard. This was my first by Anders, but I’m sure it won’t be the last as I’m not really into historical romance. Anders made me rethink that. Made a non-believer into a believer that anything is possible. I’m trying to figure out how to write this review without giving too much away.
It’s a great read with very entertaining characters. Ambrosia and Charles had an immediate attraction. Then the adventure begins for them. I loved the slow burn and the banter between the characters. It was such a great way to see the Cocky Bastard again. If you loved Vi and Penelope’s Cocky Bastard, you’re going to love Annabelle Ander’s, Cocky Duke!
A historical romance in the world of Cocky Hero’s. Chance and Aubrey give us a new take on sexy historical romances. Filled with innuendos and scandalous men this book is worthy of the Cocky Hero world.
Tres’ Magnifique! Amazing, Perfect, No, more than Perfect. Romantic beyond words. Going into this story I was thinking light hearted, funny, romantic. So I was not prepared for the deep emotions that wrapped around my heart. Oh yes there is the wonderful humor that Annabelle Anders always creates and of course precious Lancelot that will win your heart. (although it was Guinevere that started it all, kind of..)
Then add in the audible with Desiree’ Ketchum, who set the perfect tone and inflections for our heroine Aubrey’s thoughts, which was half the book . Then the fabulous Tim Campbell (just talk to me!) voiced the Cocky Duke, aka Chance Bateman, aka sigh worthy beyond belief and I was mesmerized! Yes I sound besotted and I will admit it. Yes, yes I am.
Combine a widow who only wants to be happy and is travelling to London to set up her household, a beyond handsome Frenchman who finds himself without his beloved Guinevere and ends up riding with her in the coach and a sizzling attraction that literally squeezed my heart, and you have one of the best books I have read/listened to this year. I am so glad I listened to this in audible because these amazing narrators make you feel you are there with them and watching it unfold. Of course that would not be possible with the gift this author has in creating her fabulous stories.!
A widow on her way to London, Ambrosia Bloomington is ready to start life anew. What she doesn’t plan on doing is meeting a handsome man and falling in love. Chance has no intention of falling in love with Ambrosia either. It fate has a way of making even the cockiest man fall.
As always, the characters come to life, and the storyline is woven of the finest threads. Truly enjoyed this book!
My first read by Anabelle and it blew me away.
This was a lovely story about friendship and love between Aubrey and Chance. Great steamy scenes and storyline that will suck you in from the first few pages.
I look foward to reading more books by this fabulous author. 5*
Annabelle Anders has the knack of pulling the back of your head into her story within the first two pages. Astounding!!
This story will not only pull on your heartstrings but will squeeze it until you’re sitting on the edge of your seat chewing on your thumb nail. I love her work!!
Aubrey was married to a man who clearly did not know how to treat women, or anybody for that matter. He has passed and she has spent the last year in the company of the brother and his wife awaiting her freedom and that day has finally arrived! She has boarded a carriage on her way to London to start a new life. Pure freedom, a new home, a fresh start, and no husband for her future. She would begin life anew and enjoy the arts that London has to offer. Course, this man outside the window of an inn en-route to London has certainly caught her attention and who knew how much that man would play on her immediate future plans.
Chance was a man of honor and integrity. He’s full of mystery and secrets, but his charm was quite appealing and quite infectious. He catches this slip of a woman gawking at him through the window and has decided to have a bit of fun with her. Who knew that a set of circumstances beyond their control would have them traveling together, as new acquaintances….perhaps friends. Perhaps more.
This story will grab your heart from the onset and not let go. I personally found them perfect for each other but had no idea what his secrets were and why it could stop him from loving Aubrey. You’ll find out when you read it, because I offer no spoilers. Only know that it’s a read worth your time. I was gifted with an ARC and wanted to leave a review.
I always enjoy Annabelle Anders book so much that when I am reading them, the time passes so quickly. This is a nice story of friendship and love between Aubrey (Princesse) and Chase. From the moment they meet Chase teased Aubrey and made her smile, where her life before she met him did not have much to smile about. While they traveled to London together Chase was fighting his attraction to Aubrey, but Aubrey did not want to fight her attraction, she wanted to feel loved. I loved “Mr. Dog” who Chase referred to as Aubrey’s son.
I received a copy of this book for my honest review.
Great historical romance read!! Two characters from opposite sides of the track come together by sheer happenstance. Steamy romance that you won’t be able to put down!
Aubrey meets Chance after she is widowed. They become friends and the sparks fly on their travels to London. A few short days and one funny little dog will change Aubrey’s life.
This was my first Annabelle Anders book since I don’t typically read historical romance. It was an interesting twist on Chance and Aubrey’s story. I really liked Chance and what an honorable man he was in his time. Aubrey seemed like a strong woman for historical London. She was setting out on the journey of her lifetime into a totally unknown future. Enjoyable addition to the Cocky Hero Club World.
I have to say Aubrey and Chance’s story originally written by Penelope award and Vi Keeland is one of my all time favorite books so when I heard we were getting a retelling of it set in historical times I was excited!!! I’ve not read a lot of historical romances so I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was blown away with how amazing this was and now I may be hooked on historical romances. I know I’ll read more from this author for sure. The author stayed true to Chance’s cocky yet loving attitude and Aubrey’s sweetness. Great Read!!!
I really enjoyed this adaptation of Aubrey and Chance’s story. It was truly interesting to read a modern story taking place in the 1800’s and the spin of seeing how this romance might have occured then.
This is the first book that I’ve read by this author and I didn’t know what to expect. This book is an historical romance that is set in 1823 and I have never read an historical romance before and I really enjoyed it.
Ambrosia Bloomington ‘ Aubrey ‘ is recently widowed and is about to start a new life, she is a very sweet, kind woman that is about to experience something new. But there is one thing she doesn’t bargain on and this is a cocky french man who makes her laugh alot, which she She loves.
Chance is a very sexy beautiful man that speaks French and helps Aubrey out of a situation. They end up travelling together and this cocky man is so loving and so very funny.
There is alot of sizzling chemistry between these two characters and they both get thrown together by fate and things start to develop that neither of them expected.
She knew a life with Chance would be filled with adventure and this time she was willing to take it. The problem is Chance has his own secrets that he is keeping hidden.
I felt like this book pulls on all your emotions and you really feel for the characters. This author written this book great and the characters we’re really in depth and you really felt what they did.This book is told in two parts and from different points of view which I always prefer, part one is Aubrey and part two is Chance. This was a great installment in the Cocky Hero Club Series and I can’t wait to read more.
Thank you to the author and publishers for allowing me to read an early copy of this book. ARC provided in exchange for a voluntary honest review.
The Cocky Duke is a beautiful book by Annabelle Anders. I was on the edge of my seat as I read Mr. Bateman and Aubrey Bloomington’s story. I couldn’t put the book down as I encountered unexpected twists and turns. “Laughter still danced in his eyes. ‘Come now, Mrs. Bloomington, admit that you’ve wanted me to kiss you since you watched me from your window.” Cocky, indeed! Humor, heartbreak, and steamy scenes combined to make a masterful romance. I thoroughly enjoyed it! I was given a copy of this book.
Firstly I should mention- this is a new author for me and I also generally don’t read books set so far in the past. However secondly I should mention that I really did enjoy this retelling. I found myself so eager to keep reading and find out what happened next. The whole story kept my interest and had me hooked. I absolutely recommend that you read this book.
This retelling is a little different as Chance and Aubrey’s story is set in the Regency era. It was interesting to see how the author took the contemporary story and characters and was able to adapt them to the new time period.
While this is not my usual genre, Cocky Duke was a quick, entertaining read. If you have read Cocky Bastard, I definitely recommend picking this one up.
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review.
This book is a historical romance in the Cocky Bastard kind of retelling world, Aubrey and Mr. Charles Bateman meet in quite interesting circumstances, remember this is historical romance so they know they have to be friends, but can’t help to fall, there is more into Chance and might the something that will tear them apart. Definitely a great historical rom-com one that I enjoyed.
I was thrilled to be able to get a early copy of this book, as I had read Cocky Bastard, Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland and this was a mirror of the book in different centuries. Cocky Bastard was from the 21st Century & Annabelle Anders’Cocky Duke, takes place in 1823 Regency England.
The first half of the book is given in Ambrosia Bloomington’s (Aubrey) point of view. She is kind, non-confrontational & a lovely young widow on her way to begin in new life in London. She has inherited a townhouse in Mayfair & enough yearly allowance to be self sufficient. Her biggest worry is establishing herself in society.
Chance Bateman gives his side of the book in the second half. He is a handsome, cocky, hilarious man that finds humor in life but he hides many secrets & responsibilities from the outside world. He is travelling to his home for his 30th birthday party but it is obviously not a happy occasion for him.
Due to many unforeseen problems, Aubrey & Chance are thrown together to travel across the country together with her driver & the wonderful little rescued dog, Mr. Dog. I felt all the emotions possible between this couple – I went from laughing out loud to having my heart ache, in the space of a few pages. I highly recommend this book to all romance readers – Annabelle Anders has created the perfect couple to complete the perfect story & I will remember this book for a long time.
I was gifted the Advanced Reader Copy of this book & all opinions are my own & have been voluntarily given.
This was a tale that will make you smile with the acts of Chance, a cocky duke with a French accent ooh la la. There will be a time of separation and sadness for Chance and the widowed Aubrey. Chance will have to work hard to have Aubrey forgive him and give him another chance. I received a complimentary copy and I am voluntarily reviewing.
This is my first book by this author and I love how she took Aubrey and Chance’s story and made it her own. I don’t read much historical but this one had me intrigued. Ambrosia and Charles had me laughing and swooning. It is a slow burn but there are some secrets and mysteries and the journey to the end was bittersweet.