THE UNSUITABLE DUKE is book 4 in Suzanna Medeiros’s LANDING A LORD series.An enemies-to-lovers romance.When they were children, Ellen Laughton considered the Duke of Castlefield her best friend. But when he learned their parents were hoping they’d marry one day, he did what any boy of twelve would do—he pushed her away.She’s been angry with him ever since.By the time Castlefield realized there … since.
By the time Castlefield realized there was only one woman for him, Ellen was already betrothed to another. Now that she’s a widow and out of mourning, he is determined to win back her friendship and her heart.
But when Ellen learns about the role he played in her husband’s death, will she be able to forgive Castlefield’s betrayal?
THE LANDING A LORD SERIES
Book 0.5 – Dancing with the Duke
Book 1 – Loving the Marquess
Book 2 – Beguiling the Earl
Book 3 – The Unaffected Earl
Book 4 – The Unsuitable Duke
more
Raised as neighbors, Lady Ellen Laughton and Charles, now the Duke of Castlefield, were thick as thieves as children. Until Charles learned his parents hoped for a match between him and Ellen and he sought to create distance between them. Ellen has never forgiven him.
It took Charles too long to realize Ellen was the woman he was meant to be with and by then, she was marrying another man. Now she’s widowed and Charles is determined to regain his position at her side and not ruin things this time.
I had been looking forward to this book after really enjoying previous books in the series, but I must say this one fell flat for me. It felt like I kept reading the same lines over and over at times with so many mentions of specific characterizations described in the exact same way and it got old quick. But what really tanked this one for me was Ellen. I get that her first marriage was awful, and I understand her reticence, but her neuroses went well beyond that. To hold a grudge from something that happened when she and Charles were both 12 and was literally normal childish behavior was just too much. At age 32, I would’ve expected more maturity from Ellen, but her useless vendetta against Charles was uncalled for, as was her spreading defaming gossip about him, especially when she was supposed to have had this close relationship with his sister. You’d think she’d not want to hurt the family because of that if nothing else. Ellen of course came to her senses eventually, but this was too little too late to save it for me and definitely not enough groveling from her after how abominably she treated Charles and how immaturely and irrationally she behaved. This, along with a near total lack of steam, made this feel stilted and lacking in chemistry and it just didn’t really work for me.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Unsuitable Duke by Suzanna Medeiros is book 4 in the Landing a Lord Series. This is the story of Charles the Duke of Castlefield and Ellen Laughton. I have read the previous book but felt this could be a standalone book. Ellen and Charles where childhood friends…best friends. But Charles when he became older broke things up with Ellen. Of course Ellen had planted rumors to get back at him. But now in the present day a lot has happened since their falling out. Both have changed due to their choices they made. Charles knew pretty quickly that he had made a mistake but it had been to late. Ellen is not trusting of Charles’s intention towards her at first when they start to work back to what they had when they were younger, along with their adult feelings now.
Enjoyed this second chance romance.
When they were children, Ellen Laughton considered Charles the Duke of Castlefield her best friend. But when he learned their parents were hoping they’d marry one day, he did what any boy of twelve would do he pushed her away plus he loved playing & challenging her younger brother Lucien Charles returned from University to realise that there was only one woman for him, Ellen but she was already betrothed to another. Now twelve years on she’s a widow and out of mourning, he is determined to win back her friendship and her heart. However there’s a secret that could part them forever.
This is the fourth book in the series & whilst its easily read on its own characters from earlier books to appear. I binge read the earlier books quite a while ago now & have been eagerly awaiting this book & it didn’t disappoint. I loved Charles who was toe curlingly gorgeous & so patient & caring. I really liked Ellen & could understand her reticence to trust again but she’d known Charles all her life & he was her brother’s best friend so I was surprised she guarded against him so much. I did love their verbal banter & the chemistry between them. Now looking forward to the next book in the series, hopefully sooner rather than later
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Another lovely story in the Landing a Lord series. A bit of angst but not too much. Charles and Ellen are just lovely people. Ellen has sworn off men being a widow with a horrific dead husband and Charles is the fellow who loved her all of this time. When he tells Ellen he plans to woo her you would think she had developed a malady. But his wooing won her over (even after a misunderstanding) and they live happily ever after.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley
As a widow of an abusive husband, Ellen does not trust many men. She especially does not trust her former childhood friend Charles, the Duke of Castlefield, who rejected her friendship as a young girl. I enjoyed this enemies to lovers book. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
Disclaimer: I’m a sucker for romances which follow the line of childhood friends who later in life discover their romantic love for each other AND who have entertaining family members.
That said, I enjoyed reading this. However, Ellen did annoy me. She was too distrusting of Charles, all because he “rejected” her when he was 12 and preferred to play and go on adventures with her brother. I found that rather immature for a woman 32 years of age. Her distrust is also repeatedly mentioned, which gets redundant.
As far as Charles goes, sigh…
I read an ARC I received via NetGalley; the thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.