Lady Emmaline Radcliffe always knew she never wanted to marry a man who embraced the rules of Society. But when her mother threatens to secure a suitable match for Emma if she cannot make one on her own, Emma sets out to determine if her girlhood infatuation is the love she’s been looking for. Nathaniel did save her life once, after all. But when she finds herself in the arms of the gentleman’s … gentleman’s brother—the serious and proper Duke of Blackbourne—she begins to question all she ever thought she desired.
Lucian, the Duke of Blackbourne, is tired of playing keeper to his irresponsible brother. He vows to quit, but when his brother resolves to seduce the impetuous Lady Emmaline, Lucian knows he must save his foolish brother and the innocent debutante from themselves. Yet his plan to intercede goes awry when he finds himself drawn to the woman who is everything he was positive he didn’t want in a wife.
But his brother won’t give up so easily, and soon Lucian’s well-intentioned plans are revealed. Now to keep Lady Emmaline’s heart he must prove that he’s truly not the stuffy, sneaky duke he seems to be.
*Previously published in Thwarting the Duke (When the Duke Comes to Town, Book 2)
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It’s in the Duke’s Kiss was an engaging regency romance by Julie Johnstone. Lady Emma Radcliffe thinks she knows what she wants in a man, she’s been infatuated with Nathaniel for a long time but she finds herself continually drawn and attracted to his older proper and serious brother the Duke of Blackbourne. The characters keep you engaged all the way to the end. Wonderful!
Thoroughly enjoyed this tale where the heroine, having been infatuated with the younger brother in childhood, discovers on closer proximity to the family that it is his brother she is attracted to. Nice to enjoy a historical romance without modern incongruous steamy scenes.
This book was given away free to newsletter subscribers, I voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Lady Emmaline Radcliffe lives life to the fullest as she wants to be unencumbered. She does not want to be with someone who let’s the rules dictate how it is to be. She loves her family. However, she does not know how to please her mother as the criticisms that have come get way through the years have proven that. The first person to show her it was ok to live life Emma believes is the person she should be with as through the years he has lived the same way.
Lord Nathaniel Layton, the younger son of the Duke of Blackbourne, is a wild child. Living in his brother’s shadow, he knows he has never lived up to anyone’s exceptions. He has been kicked out of another school and does not care.
Lord Lucian Layton, the new Duke of Blackbourne, has tried to steer his brother into a path that matures him to be a responsible adult. He takes his duties very seriously, and just wants a peaceful life. With getting his brother out of all his scrapes it just makes for a balance to have a calm wife, when he is ready.
Brothers’ going against each other to prove they would be what is meant to be, however, they don’t really see what needs to be done. Add into the mix of not talking with actual listening to each other. Then there is a female thrown into this and they turn into jealous two year olds fighting over a toy.
What they don’t realize is this woman is not one for the fighting nor the childish behavior.
Who will she end up with? Will matchmaker get involved? Will boys finally grow up? Find out in this magically, wintery read that will have you itching to be a kid again
A Wonderful Clean Novella. With Wonderful & likeable Characters. It contains Humor, Intrigue & Romance. Emmaline is a free Spirited Young Lady. Lucian is a serious man who adheres to the rules of the ton.
This couple learn from one another how to balance joy, fun & happiness in their lives with the day to day activities that needs taking care of.
Just delightful! A sweet novella with just the right mix of fun-loving young lady, tall-dark and handsome Duke, irresponsible rake about to make off with said young lady, and dutifull loving parents/relatives overseeing the budding romance. Could not put it down!
This is a clean book, appropriate for all ages. I can’t wait to read the next one!
It’s In The Duke’s Kiss by Julie Johnstone is the story of Lucian, the Duke of Blackbourne and Emmaline Radcliffe. I haven’t read the previous book, so for me this was a standalone book.
Emma’s mother wants her to marry of course and has even started to say she will find her someone. So Emma thinks to see if Nathaniel would be the one for her but she ends up running into his stern brother Lucian instead. Lucian has been having to go through and clean up his brother messes but this time his brother is planning to do wrong by Emma. Which in turn gets Lucian to try and prevent that which leads to something else.
Loved this book and Ms. Johnstone writing.