When girl meets Duke, their marriage breaks all the rules… appears in his library wearing a wedding gown, he decides on the spot that she’ll do.
His terms are simple:
– They will be husband and wife by night only.
– No lights, no kissing.
– No questions about his battle scars.
– Last, and most importantly… Once she’s pregnant with his heir, they need never share a bed again.
But Emma is no pushover. She has a few rules of her own:
– They will have dinner together every evening.
– With conversation.
– And unlimited teasing.
– Last, and most importantly… Once she’s seen the man beneath the scars, he can’t stop her from falling in love…
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Why did I wait so long to read this?!! Emma and Ash were hilarious! The story was madcap hilarity, with underscores of emotional vulnerabilities, while the romance swept me off my feet….
I loved this book!
I don’t think it’s vey historically accurate but I don’t care. This book made me laugh out loud and made me swoon. I couldn’t turn the page fast enough.
I also think that the blurb doesn’t make it justice. It does give you all the info you need to know where you’re getting into but there’s something missing.
The banter was excellent. The back and forth of witty lines was amazing, the sense of humor was fantastic and both of the characters were outstanding.
Thank God this is one of those books that there are no missunderstings. When the time comes they DO talk about feelings. past and everything.
This book is a fresh of breath air.
I totally recomend it.
‘I am a Duke. I’m not asking you to marry me. I am offering to marry you. It’s a different thing entirely.’
When George Pembrooke the Duke of Ashbury returns from war badly scarred, he realises he needs an heir – which means he needs a wife! When Emma Gladstone, a vicar’s daughter turned seamstress visits wearing a wedding dress, he decides on the spot that she’ll do.
His terms are simple:
– They will be husband and wife by night only.
– No lights, no kissing.
– No questions about his battle scars.
– Last, and most importantly… Once she’s pregnant with his heir, they need never share a bed again.
Oh this is a must read, it drew me in from the start, a story of a marriage of convenience between a duke & a seamstress, it made me think of a mixture of Pygmalion & Beauty & the Beast but the real joy was the humour & the laugh out loud moments, this is the first book I’ve read by the author but it won’t be the last.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
I loved this book, it was an entertaining and quick read! The main characters were both quite likable.
I have read quite a few of this author’s work. I have never been disappointed. However, this book, The Duchess Deal, is the cherry on top of the luscious dessert of historical romance. I have never laughed out loud so much! I enjoyed the story line, the quirky characters, the humor; the intimate scenes were thoughtful as well as well written. In short, I can’t say enough good things about this book.
I love any Tessa Dare book always a wonderful read and always fun. This was a fun book ..
I LOVED IT!!! Nothing more to say..
Five fantastic stars. I devoured this book in two hours. Had tears in my eyes from laughter beginning at Chapter One and throughout the book. Teared up in the end as well from Ash’s fears for his child. The dialogue is sharp, witty, clever, and laugh-out-loud funny. The characters were sympathetic and utterly likable. The attraction between Emma and Ash was strong from the start. Their love scenes were steamy. Outstanding secondary characters, too, from Khan to Emma’s “unlike-other-London-ladies” friends (Penny, Alex, and Nicola) to Trevor, and all the way to Breeches. I loved, loved, loved that they talked out their misunderstandings and did not let them fester. I also adored the Shakespearean curses and Emma’s endearments for Ash (she refused to call him Duke). Nope. Can’t find anything to complain about in this book, not even Miss Worthing or the vicar.
SBTB got it right- The Duchess Deal is a combination of Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, and Batman altogether, maybe Dr. House also, making for a very happy read. Tessa Dare is simply the best historical romantic-comedy writer right now. No question about it
Tessa Dare is one of my favorite romance authors – everything she writes is gold to me. Her books are always sexy/steamy, but also have witty, smart-ass dialogue that is a welcome break from the restrained atmosphere of a typical romance. The scarred duke’s wry comments had me giggling right away. His abrupt duchess deal is a stark way to drop into a marriage of convenience, but it’s the opposite: he just needs an heir, he doesn’t want a companion. From her six years as a seamstress she no longer has the fantasy of marrying for love – enough money to pay for food and rent is a primary need. She finds him appealing and they have chemistry, so she says yes. The ups and downs of a relationship with a man whose face terrifies people ensue, with his servants trying to help with romance every step of the way. At the end of every Tessa Dare book, I howl, “When is the next one!” They are just that awesome.
Loved it. A very good read. Buy it. You won’t be sorry.
loved it. so witty and romantic. one of my FAVORITES from Tessa Dare.
Good for a light read, character depth was a bit lacking. Overall not bad.
Tessa Dare is in my opinion one the most haunting of authors in historical romance to date. Her stories are equal parts heartbreaking but highly unforgettable. The Duchess Deal takes a few cues from Beauty and the Beast and like the thief of the night Ashbury presents himself to be runs away with a readers soul. Emma is the owner of a lonely heart. Ashbury is the keeper of a broken spirit. Their’s is a relationship of convenience until emotions become involved and the terms run away with their hearts. Nothing is as beautiful as the courageous and seductive romance of two lost souls finding a forever home in each others arms.