A duke in disguise . . . a damsel in distress . . . a match made in—Manchester?When 23-year-old Theodore Radney becomes the Duke of Reddington after his father dies, the weight of his new responsibilities is enough to send him into a panic. Theo soon accumulates a pile of debts—and discovers he can’t touch his inheritance until his father’s will is probated. His brother-in-law, mill owner Ethan … brother-in-law, mill owner Ethan Brundy, lends him the money, with one caveat: Theo will repay the loan by working in the mill.
Daphne Drinkard and her mother have fallen on hard times, and are now reduced to taking in boarders. When a Parliamentary candidate hires the dining room for a series of political meetings, Daphne knows he might be her last chance for an advantageous marriage. Still, she’s far more intrigued by the boardinghouse’s newest resident. Mr. Tisdale is obviously a gentleman—but why would a gentleman be working in a cotton mill?
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Audiobook: Narrator – Noah Michael Lavine
Absolutely LOVED this audiobook! I never get tired of listening to this narrator. He gives an amazing performance to an era long past while not losing me to an accent that I might not be able to follow. Each character is clearly defined and of course, I can’t help but swoon, again, each time he does Ethan’s voice. But this time he’s introduced me to Theo and I was a bit worried it might be a little too much but as soon as this book began I knew it was going to be perfect. Highly recommend this narrator!
Theo has got himself into some hot water after the death of his father and then the very public break up from his paramour. With the probate of his father’s will too late to help, he asks for Ethan’s help to tide him over. Ethan however, cunning individual that he is, declines – with very good reason – and sets Theo up to work in the cotton mill.
Daphne and her mother, once the height of society, now operate a boarding house, each dreaming of more. When Theo arrives on their doorstep, it is in succession with another individual, a man set to beat Ethan in his bid for the seat in the Commons. With her mother pushing her towards one man and her heart yearning for another, Daphne’s dreams change a bit.
This was such a wonderful read/listen! I loved the lighthearted banter of the characters, the quirky individuals that preside at the boarding house and most importantly this hero and heroine. Daphne was just so sweet and her dreams really were simple but honest. Theo was stuck in a place that either way he was going to lose. My heart hurt for them both.
I’ve become a huge fan of this series and this book solidifies it as a winner all around. I can’t help but recommend it to anyone who likes a sweet historical romance with characters that come to life and fill your heart from the first page to the last.
I was gifted this lovely book with the understanding that I would leave an honest review. Well I loved this book! I am not one to read a lot of romance or regency novels but Sheri Cobb South has a way of writing that I can’t resist. I am in love with her John Pickett series, read most of those. Now I will be checking out more in this series “The Weaver”. I also loved Noah Michael Levine’s narration of this book. He does a wonderful job of making the story come to life. Noah’s voice was perfect for the story line.
Sheri Cobb South has again written another winner in the Weaver series. This is #4 THE DESPERATE DUKE. It starts off with yet another spoiled and irresponsible young noble, who has not had a good example to follow, going the wrong way very fast.
However, the Duke of Reddington is related by marriage to my favorite weaver Ethan Brundy. And that’s when things get interesting.
Sheri develops Theo’s culture shock to the point I almost felt sorry for him. Almost. It was lovely to see Theo maturing, becoming aware of those around him, their situations, their problems. And, need I say it, finding love. He solves a mystery and stands up for his brother-in-law Ethan. It is a lovely book.
It has been a long time since I gasped out-loud over a character’s action. Leave it to Ethan and the letter to do it. Sheri has also added tidbits and teasers, that had me re-reading certain parts. And of course building anticipation.
Good job, Sheri.
I received this book as a prize and have given a true and honest review.
I received this book for free. I am voluntarily leaving this review and all opinions expressed herein are mine.
This is the fourth book in Weaver series. I have not read any of the prior books in this series. This was a standalone book [no cliffhanger ending]. I had no trouble following the characters or their motivations not having read any of the prior books.
Here, Theodore Radney’s father dies – leaving him to inherit the title of Duke as well as a substantial fortune but the problem is that the will has not been probated and Theodore does not yet have access to any of the spoils. Second problem, Theodore has got himself into debt. His brother-in-law agrees to pay his debt in exchange for Theodore’s work in a mill he owns. Theodore then gets lodgings at the local boarding house where political meetings are being held which could jeopardize the mill. Theodore must now decide how to protect both the mill and the owners of the lodgong house.
This is another sweet and charming story by this author. And, not to be missed by fans of this author, the easter egg in the epilogue. There is wonderful growth of character by Theodore and lots of fun when he interacts with the spunky daughter of the owner of the boarding house and all the quirky lodgers.
I listened to this book – the narrator did a very good job with all the different voices/accents for the various characters.
Series: Weaver #4
Publication Date: 12/15/18
Number of Pages: 180
This delightful addition to the Weaver series is excellently written, well-plotted and the characters are fully relatable. I adored our hero’s growth toward maturity and responsibility and fully appreciated Sir Ethan Brundy’s hand in making that happen. Oh! And lest I forget, the book has one of my favorite things – an epilogue. This epilogue is really, really special, so you’ll have to be sure to read that – because I’m not going to tell you about it.
This is the fourth book in the series and I have not read the first three, so I can tell you that it can easily be read as a stand-alone. However, reading this one just made me want to go back and read the earlier books – especially the first one, The Weaver Takes A Wife. The heroine in that book is the sister of the hero in this book and she and her husband make appearances in this story.
Theo is the typical spoiled, and aloof aristocrat who has no clue how the world works. He just knows that his every need and want is met – like magic. He never has to give a thought to how that happens or who provides it. He’s twenty-three, handsome, charming, and the heir to the Duke of Reddington. While his father is a bit of an ogre, Theo doesn’t want to lose him. However, that is exactly why he has been summoned from London – his father is dying. Theo doesn’t believe it because his father has pulled that stunt before only to be perfectly fine when Theo arrives. This time though, it is different – the doctor says that his father really only has a short time to live. Theo is in no way ready for that to happen.
After his father’s death and the funeral, Theo basically runs away. He is totally and completely overwhelmed by the demands of the dukedom. The estate steward goes over interminable lists of crop yields and repairs needed. Theo can’t handle it and heads for his horse and London – and the beginning of his troubles. He spends too much and gambles too deeply – and loses – and then discovers that he cannot touch a dime of his inheritance until the estate is totally through probate. How is he going to pay his debts? Well, luckily for him, he has a rich brother-in-law and Theo just knows that he will loan him the money. When his brother-in-law first says a flat-out NO, Theo is aghast. Finally, his brother-in-law agrees but puts a very tough stipulation on the loan. Can Theo meet those terms?
Miss Daphne Drinkard’s family is not titled, but she was born and raised as a gentlewoman. At least she was until her father died just before her Season and they discovered that the dedicated, loving, laughing, happy family man they thought him to be wasn’t real. He was a deep, hard gambler – cards, horses – he didn’t care. Except he usually lost. When he died, everything except their home had to be sold off to pay the debts. Daphne went from happily awaiting her Season to working with her mother in the boarding house they had to open. It distressed Daphne to see their lovely home turned into a boarding house and to have to give up the bedroom she had decorated herself. They were making do, but life wasn’t easy and there were certainly no prospects for a good marriage.
When Theo arrived at the boarding house he was in disguise as just a plain cotton mill worker. He was in second-hand clothes, but he was still handsome and the other boarders took to him right away. He and Daphne are drawn to each other, but he doesn’t have time for a relationship with the number of hours he’s putting in at the mill and Daphne’s mother won’t let her have anything to do with a common millworker.
Something is afoot with the workers at the mill, but Theo doesn’t know what. Whatever it is, it isn’t good and Theo knows that he must handle the issue because Sir Ethan isn’t answering his letter.
It was delightful to see Theo grow up and come to respect the lives that others lead. The shift in circumstance was so drastic – from privilege to millworker – that you could almost feel sorry for Theo. However, he handled it well and learned how to be a good human being and not just another wastrel aristocrat.
I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet, clean romance and I hope you will as well.
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“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any
The Desperate Duke (Weaver Book Four) was a good read by Sheri Cobb South. Theodore Rodney is twenty three when he becomes the Duke of Reddington, and it sends him into a panic. He finds himself with a lot of debts but can’t touch his inheritance until his father’s will is probated. His brother in law lends him money, but he must repay the loan by working in his mill. Daphne Drinkard and her mother fell on hard times. They must take in boarders to help them. I enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read more by the author.
Love this series and this author. This is the 4th book in the series and it did not disappoint. She has created some memorable characters that I will revisit again.