Forever My Duke

Forever My Duke was my first book by Olivia Drake. I found it to be a very enjoyable read that kept me entertained throughout.

Hadrian Ames, the Duke of Clayton, and Miss Natalie Fanshawe meet at an inn on a stormy night. That sounds very mysterious and romantic… truth is they met because of Leo. Leo is a precocious six-year-old who Natalie is guardian of, and he has decided to sneak off to hide under the Duke’s table. Of course Natalie goes looking for him but before she can find him she comes face to face with the gorgeous but stuffy Duke.

I really enjoyed the characters in this book. Natalie was spirited, caring and passionate. Hadrian was exceedingly proper but had a huge heart hidden underneath that stuffy exterior. And Leo was just too cute for words. I couldn’t help but cheer for them to find a way to be together. To ignore societal norms. To become a family.

Forever My Duke left me with a smile on my face after spending a quiet Sunday cuddled up with its characters.

How can anyone not love a duke?

This is an easy set-up: an egalitarian American who was raised to disdain the English aristocracy finds herself inexorably drawn to one of the wealthiest dukes of the realm. Knowing they’re going to find their HEA doesn’t make the journey an easy one, however. The secondary characters are a bit standard, but this story is driven by the fascinating character studies of its two main characters, Natalie and Hadrian.

Hadrian has had duty drilled into his psyche since early childhood, so much so that he doesn’t hesitate to question whether it’s the best course or not. Until he meets Natalie, an outspoken, provincial young woman who challenges everything he believes in. But he’s not the only one being challenged. Turns out Natalie has a few things to learn about drawing easy conclusions as well.

The writing is so on-point that I was simultaneously convinced that they absolutely belonged together and that there was no way it would ever work between them. As the story unfolds, questions arise and are answered in unexpected ways as both Hadrian and Natalie sort out what exactly is the most important driving force in their lives: duty? patriotism? family? love?

I was instantly captivated by this beautiful romance and read it straight through in one sitting. It’s a terrific regency that shows it’s possible to root for both the English and the Americans, even right after a war. Aside from the class and culture differences, there’s a side story involving the family of the child Natalie has brought to England, with a little bit of action and suspense toward the end. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Forever My Duke is the second book in Olivia Drake’s Unlikely Duchesses series. I had the pleasure of reading an ARC of the first book, The Duke I Once Knew, and I really enjoyed it. This one, however, I loved; I didn’t want to put it down! It had the humor of the first book, but there was also a bit more heartbreak, plus great disparity in the difference in social classes between America and England.

Hadrian Ames, the Duke of Clayton, is on his way to see his austere former guardian, Lord Godwin, and his youngest daughter; Hadrian needed a bride, and he figured Lady Ellen would suit as well as anyone. Delayed at an inn, Hadrian’s dinner is interrupted when an imp of a child hides under his dining table. In comes sassy American Natalie Fenshawe, the governess of the little boy Leo, looking for him. Leo’s mother was Natalie’s best friend in America. When Leo’s parents were murdered on the frontier, Natalie swore to fulfill her promise to deliver the boy to his grandfather in England. When Natalie and Leo miss their ride on the mail coach the next day, Hadrian offers a ride in his carriage. Imagine their surprise when it turns out that Lord Godwin is Leo’s grandfather!

I just adored the relationship between Hadrian and Natalie; they were both great characters. Hadrian appeared to be very haughty, due to his childhood in the home of not-very-likeable Lord Godwin. However, as time went on, he displayed a hint of devilish humor and a great streak of kindness. Then there’s Natalie, who totally disliked England’s titled nobility, as she believed all men were truly created equal. She also disliked the English for a totally heartbreaking reason. Becoming close to Hadrian, she begins to realize that one shouldn’t judge one’s character based on titles. I also enjoyed the character of Leo. No, I’m not terribly fond of children…please don’t judge! But I couldn’t help falling in love with the little scamp. He was a lively little boy, at times naughty, but always sweet natured. I love how he called Hadrian Mr. Duke! This is one romance you’ll be hard-pressed to resist.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

A charming and heartwarming story. Hadrian Ames is the Duke of Clayton, he is looking for a wife. He has sowed his oats and has decided to settle down. On his way to meeting a cousin to see if she was compatible. He had to stop at an inn because of the ice storm. While there he made the acquaintance of a woman from America and her ward. Unbeknownst to them, they were going to the same place. Miss Natalie Fanshawe and Leopold Jeremy Bellingham had just come from America where his parents had died. She promised his mother that she would bring him to his relatives in England. She found him to be the sweetest boy. Although he kept disappearing and frightened her to death.
The author did such a wonderful job of writing this story. It is funny in places, it is also romantic, and so charming. It kept my attention all the way thru the book. It was interesting how their problems came to the front. It is for the eighteen and above bunch but still a great novella. I do recommend this, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.

Tired of being harassed by young ladies and their matchmaking mamas, and believing himself ready for marriage, Hadrian Ames, the Duke of Clayton, has decided it’s time he wed. He needs a proper blue-blooded wife and his distant cousin, Lady Ellen, will do nicely. Then he meets brash and irreverent American Natalie Fanshawe on the way to visit his potential intended at the Godwin estate and is captivated. This woman is nothing he wants in a wife and she disdains English society, but her allure is undeniable.

Natalie has no time for a spoiled English lord and it totally uninterested in titles or unearned wealth and status. She’s preoccupied with her plans to open a school back in the United States and with her journey to escort her six year old ward, the now orphaned Leo Bellingham, her best friend’s son, to his grandparents, the Earl and Countess of Godwin. Despite the fact that he continuously reminds himself of his need for a blue-blooded wife and Natalie’s commoner status, Hadrian finds himself considering a future with her rather than Ellen, though he continues his original courtship ruse, aware of Natalie’s disdain for the aristocracy and not wishing to scare her away by revealing himself too soon. Now he just has to convince her to stay with him, despite his lofty title.

First off I really did enjoy this book. These two had chemistry, but man was this a slow burn. I liked seeing how Natalie challenged Hadrian and how his views and priorities subtly shifted throughout the book as he opened his eyes to the reality of his narrow world and strict upbringing. Natalie did try my patience quite a bit with her insistence on not accepting help, even though she’d already allowed Hadrian to help her quite a bit; her constant assertions of her need to return to her life in America even though it was made clear she had no family there and only the plan to start a school, a plan which had not yet been set into motion and which she could easily do in England instead. I did appreciate Natalie’s unwavering sense of equality and her loyalty to her values, although she sometimes came off as rigid and a bit preachy. It was also annoying how much she judged Hadrian based on the actions of other aristocratic men and not for himself and I appreciated that he called her out for it. I enjoyed the intrigue at the conclusion, even if it was predictable and thought this book well-written, even if it was a bit repetitive at times. Overall, this was a good read and I’ll look forward to more installments in the series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Forever My Duke by author Olivia Drake is a vibrant, well-told story of an American woman, Natalie Fanshawe, who loved her best friend Audrey enough to fulfill her dying wish. She asked Natalie to accept the responsibility of traveling to England to take Audrey’s young son Leo to his English relatives after Leo’s parents’ deaths. Natalie is a very strong character with very strong opinions about British aristocracy. She believes in equality of all and scorns the aristocracy. When she meets Hadrian Ames, Duke of Clayton she slams right up against her views and her attraction to the Duke. I enjoyed all the interactions between Natalie and the Duke as they traveled along the road to their HEA.

An American, Natalie Fanshawe, is entrusted with the care of a little boy, Leo, whose grandfather happens to be an English Lord. How does a woman that has been taught by her father to distrust the British aristocracy come to terms with bringing a young boy into its world? Natalie Fanshawe is a strong-willed, opinionated, and fiercely protective woman. Natalie made a promise to her dying friend that she would bring Leo to his grandfather. On their journey to England and Lord Godwin; the precocious little Leo, keeps things interesting with his antics. One such time brings Natalie into contact with Hadrian, the Duke of Clayton and things become a little complicated….

I really enjoyed this story. It was interesting to throw an American woman into the mix; not long after the end of the Revolutionary War, to have to go to England. The characters are well written and believable. I always enjoy a strong female lead and this definitely has that. The journey of discovery between Natalie and Hadrian is a joy to watch unfold.

I received an uncorrected ebook galley of this from the publisher through Net Galley.

Natalie is an unconventional woman. She’s outspoken, can’t stand the nobility, and is the devoted guardian to a precocious little boy. Hadrian is a duke and determined to finally get married. He’s handsome, wealthy, practical, and conscious of his duty to those in his employ. Hadrian is intrigued by the feisty American and he steps in to offer his assistance when her plans go awry. They butt heads and challenge each other’s assumptions. They quickly become friends and leave each other rethinking their plans. Forever and a Duke is an entertaining, opposites attract story with banter, heart, and family.

This is the first series I have read by Olivia Drake and I am so glad I found her work. I loved this book and The Duke I Once Knew (the first book in the series) and I am excited to read more of her books. Even though these are in a series, they are stand alone books so can be read out of order without a problem. The characters are great! I love a heroine with a different outlook on life and when she isn’t afraid to stand up for herself and others. Great books!

Historical romance is not my usual read but I thoroughly enjoyed this book.