“Anyone who loves romance must read Sabrina Jeffries!” —Lisa Kleypas, New York Times bestselling authorAn Amazon Best Romance of the Month A USA Today Bestseller A sexy and distracting rake is tamed by a scholarly heroine with a penchant for the sciences in this dazzling and witty tale of Regency London. A past kiss with adorably bookish Miss Olivia Norley should be barely a memory for Marlowe …
A past kiss with adorably bookish Miss Olivia Norley should be barely a memory for Marlowe Drake, the Duke of Thornstock. After all, there are countless debutantes for a handsome rakehell to charm beyond a young lady whose singular passion is chemistry—of the laboratory type. But Thorn has not forgotten—or forgiven—the shocking blackmail scheme sparked by that single kiss, or the damage caused to both their names. Now Thorn’s half-brother, Grey, has hired the brilliant Miss Norley for her scientific expertise in solving a troubling family mystery. And the once-burned Thorn, suspicious of her true motives, vows to follow her every move . . .
For Olivia, determining whether arsenic poisoning killed Grey’s father is the pioneering experiment that could make her career—and Thorn’s constant presence is merely a distraction. But someone has explosive plans to derail her search. Soon the most unexpected discovery is the caring nature of the reputed scoundrel beside her—and the electricity it ignites between them . . .
“Intoxicating…Jeffries’s perfect blend of romance, mystery, and suspense is sure to have series readers anxious for more.”
—Publishers Weekly
more
I’m loving this series! And who could not love a Regency chemist heroine? She gets the tension boiling, too, with Thorn, who is sooo suspicious of her–and sooo attracted to her. I found his secret interesting and intriguing and I can’t wait to find out the who-done-it at the end of this family’s journey.
Who Wants to Marry a Duke is the third book in the Duke Dynasty series. I haven’t read the first two books, but it didn’t matter. The main couple of this book is Olivia Norley and the Duke of Thornstock, or Thorne. They have a bit of past together. He has been forced to propose to her ten years earlier, but she’s refused. For some reason he’s held grudge for it ever since.
Olivia is an aspiring chemist, beggaring belief in those of us who want some historical accuracy, but it’s done well enough and I could let it stand. She’s hired by Thorne’s brother Grey to investigate the body of Grey’s father for traces of arsenic. Thorne wants to keep an eye on her, because he doesn’t trust her. But of the two, he’s the one who’s keeping secrets.
Olivia is a forthright character who is curious about everything new, including romance and sex. Thorne is slightly annoying with his hot and cold act, and the grudge he holds seems a little contrived and manufactured for the sake of drama. And when his secret is revealed, the following fight seems out of proportions for the transgression. They make up easily enough afterwards. But they’re a good couple together, Thorne especially grows as a person, and the naughty scenes are satisfying. All in all, a nice romance.
The murder investigation is the weakest part of the narrative and doesn’t really have much of a role despite starting the events. And the murder isn’t even solved in the end. But I liked the writing style well-enough that I’ll likely read the last book in the series, if only to find out who is offing the dukes and why.
I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.
Chemistry is Everything!
******
Overall Rating: 5 Stars
Kindle Unlimited: No
Standalone: Yes
Steam: 2 flames!
******
This is Thorn’s book. The Duke of Thornstock, he is one of Lydia Fletcher’s five children from her three husbands. In previous books we have been leading up to one heck of a whodunit…. but this book kicked it up a notch! In this book Grey, Duke of Greycourt has asked a chemist to look into his father’s death. He no longer feels his father died of ague but instead…was murdered by poison! Arsenic to be specific!
But first we must go back 9 years…to a ball when Thorn was just 21 and newly titled. He runs into an unusual young lady, literally and spills a drink all over his clothing. Ms. Olivia Norley, the unusual young lady, has just the answer for that stain, because she studies chemistry…a little dab of champagne and bicarbonate of soda (which she just happens to have in her purse) will do the trick. The two of them wander off to a room alone, and Olivia gets to work on that stain, while a young Thorn, gets to work on figuring out how who this young woman is, and maybe a little kissing…Scandalous! You know this cannot go well right? Olivia and Thorn get caught in the room alone and Olivia’s mother instantly demands he be at her townhome in the morning or else! Or else she will share a secret that will ruin his mother and family…
Thorn feels like Olivia and her mother have set him up and he angry, and poor Olivia is just embarrassed. Thorn shows up the next day to request Olivia’s hand in marriage, but our unusual young woman is more perceptive than most and not looking to trap an unhappy man in marriage…and she declines.
Nine years pass before these two see each other again, and Thorn has become well-known for his wild and wicked ways. Olivia, now 26 considers herself a spinster and focuses solely on science. Now, back to the plot. Grey suspects his father was murdered and has asked Olivia to come to his estate and run chemical tests on his father’s remains to see if she can prove it. Thorn, still carrying all the distrust from nine years ago, decides he will come to the estate too, to keep an eye on the devious Olivia. Hmmm, somehow, I think more kissing might be involved…because you know, chemistry (see what I did there). But, can Thorn let his distrust go and will he fall in love?
This book was great! It had secrets, suspense, chemistry, sabotage, steam, great characters and fabulous plot! truly couldn’t ask for more… Folks, we are getting close to big reveal and I think we will soon find out that maybe, Lydia Fletcher’s many husbands deaths and other sabotage events may all be connected and something sinister has been going on for years! I cannot wait for the next book because it is really getting good! This series gets all my recommendations and I loved Thorn and Olivia’s story!
Series: Duke Dynasty #3
Publication Date: 8/25/20
Number of Pages: 352
Ah! The plot thickens! This is a series with an overarching mystery/villain and there has been nary a real hint about who that might be – until this book. There are still only hints and conjectures, but we can see the solution coming. While you could read this as a stand-alone book, you might have a bit of confusion about the overall storyline. I’ll give you a quick overview of the series scenario and you can decide whether reading this as a standalone is for you.
We meet – and love – the five children of a duchess who has had three husbands – all dukes. She had one child, Fletcher (Grey)(Project Duchess), with her first husband; two children – twins – Marlowe (Thorn)(Who Wants to Marry a Duke) and Gwyn (The Bachelor) with her second husband; two children, Sheridan and Heywood (in the anthology Seduction on a Snowy Night) with her last husband. The series revolves around the untimely deaths of those three husbands. Were they murdered or were all of them just horrible mishaps? We get some definite answers in this book – and maybe the solution will come in Sheridan’s book since I assume that will be the final book in the series.
Marlowe Drake (Thorn), the Duke of Thornstock, is the most secretive, skittish, and distrusting of the duchess’s children. He’d always felt separated from English society because he was raised more in Prussia than in England. When he was very young, his mother married the English Ambassador to Prussia and so, the children were mostly raised there. Marlowe’s mannerisms, phraseology, etc. were more Germanic than English, so he never felt he fit in. At twenty-one, he was newly in London and his older brother Grey warned him about grasping mama’s who would do anything to ensnare a handsome young duke for their equally grasping daughters. Immediately on the heels of that warning, he stepped into what he assumed was one of those very traps and ended up being forced to make an offer for a girl he’d just met. When the girl then refused him, he was incensed and he’s held a grudge against both of them for the last nine years. The blackmail used against him in that trap immediately soured his views on love and marriage.
Olivia Norley is a chemist. It is all she’s ever wanted to be. She has no interest in love or marriage. When she realized the young duke was being forced, by her mother, to offer for her, she immediately refused his offer. Her mother was furious with her, but Olivia was adamant. She certainly didn’t want any man who was forced to offer for her – especially not one who looked as thunderous as this one.
Thorn and Olivia never encountered each other again for nine years. Olivia felt as out of place in society as Thorn and she just didn’t participate. So, when she and Thorn are thrown together because Grey has engaged her services to determine if his late father was poisoned, sparks – both good and bad – fly.
I loved Thorn’s acceptance of Olivia and who she was. It didn’t bother him that she didn’t fit in – he didn’t either. I loved their working together to solve the question of the poisoning and I loved how protective Thorn was – even when he thought he didn’t like Olivia.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and this book and I hope you will as well. It is well-plotted, well written, and the characters are interesting and very likable.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
“Who Wants to Marry a Duke” (series: Duke Dynasty, book 3) by Sabrina Jeffries
I thoroughly enjoyed my time in this story. It was a fun read with enough Mystery & Suspense, not too much Spice and a Romance story you are not quite sure where it is going—HEA or Goodbye. This story can be read as a stand-alone book, but I do recommend you do read the whole series. Like I said in isn’t necessary, but it will give you more background on some of the characters in this story. And, I think you will enjoy their stories as well. Happy Reading ! !
Note: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley with the request for a written review.
Who Wants to Marry a Duke by Sabrina Jeffries is a great historical fiction romance novel that is the third book in the Duke Dynasty series.
I have to admit that I have read the prior two books and this story is definitely a wonderful addition to the series.
I truly enjoy the fact that there is an overarching theme, murder/mystery plot, and previously introduced and focal characters are continuing on in the subsequent novels. This concept keeps me coming back to each book wondering what can possibly happen next. While one could pick up this book and read it as a stand alone, it can best be enjoyed as part of a whole.
I love this extended family. The characters are so unique, have their own intricate and complicated pasts, are all realistic, have their own personalities, and play well off of each other. The dialogue is quick, interesting, sassy, and engaging. There are not any moments that I feel “lag” at any time. There are individual plots within each book to help focus on a particular set of characters, all the while adding to the overall concept and plot line. It is great!
This time, the author focusses on Marlowe Drake, 3rd Duke of Thornstock (Thorn) and his eventual love match (and intellectual equal) Olivia Norley. I enjoyed their interactions, sparing, chemistry (no pun intended), and I enjoyed the ending. I love that Olivia went against the social norms, was sometimes awkward, and was a chemist. It was so refreshing to find another female character that is independent, fiery, yet realistic and likeable.
I also am excited to see that there will be a fourth book in this series to come out focusing on Sheridan Wolfe, 5th Duke of Armitage. This will be good!
5/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
Holy hotness!!! This was absolutely one of the most sizzling historical romances I’ve read in forever!
I adore nerdy heroines and while Olivia wasn’t your typical nerd, she was definitely a heroine who had her nose stuck in chemical elements and experiments. She was more than capable of holding her own in society, but that was not where her interests laid. Her reaction to Thorn took her by surprise as she has not experienced the things he makes her feel upon first meeting him.
Thorn was initially a well rounded duke but after having his beliefs dashed and his character minangled, he quickly learns to embrace his rakehell title. I loved watching him fall for Olivia even as he didn’t realize that was what he was doing. He was a fun hero as he grumbled and groused his way into Olivia’s life. With a lot of protectiveness and a bit of jealousy, it didn’t take much to make him a new favorite for me.
Together, this couple had me smiling, laughing, cursing, and cheering as they struggle to find their happy ever after. As the drama and action rolled across the pages, revealing new thoughts and ideas regarding this family and their past, I found myself growing more and more excited to learn who the ultimate villain is.
This has a great pace to it that kept me turning the pages as it never bogged down or repeated itself. The chemistry between Thorn and Olivia was absolutely delicious in all its wickedness, and I am once more reminded that this author has kept up with the times when it comes to giving the romance reader exactly what they’re looking for.
Sabrina Jeffries gives another gem as the next offspring of the dowager duchess of Armitage finds true love against the background of searching for the person who’d murdered each of her three husbands. This time, it’s second son Marlowe “Thorn”, Duke of Thornstock who falls in love. (There are 5 siblings fathered by 3 different dukes. The 2 who have married so far have made things confusing by falling for relatives of their younger half-brother.)
9 years after Olivia, the daughter of a baron , rejected his proposal following what Thorn believes was a staged compromising position, their paths collide. Olivia is now a spinster, fancying herself a chemist. Thorn spent several years kicking up his heels until settling down to a secret life as a playwright, only his family still thinks he’s a rogue.
Thorn’s older brother, the Duke of Greycourt, suspect that his father had been murdered by arsenic poisoning on the day of his christening and he hires Olivia to prove it. Thorn, still suspicious of Olivia & her mother decides to tag along to ensure his half-brother is not going to be defrauded. Forced into Olivia’s company, Thorn quickly realizes he’s severely misjudged her character and their attraction for each other gets rekindled.
There is the overarching drama of the mysterious deaths a generation ago that is getting closer to resolution. Thorn grows increasingly uncomfortable about keeping his theater work a secret. But he and Olivia realize how perfect they are for each other.
This is a delightful romance. I wanted just a little more heat and because of the time spent with the intrigue with the murder investigation, I was left wanting more connection between Thorn and Olivia. But this is an enjoyable, solid 4 star read.
Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to read and provide my honest review of this story.
This is book three on the Duke Dynasty series. In this book, Thorn and his brother, Gray, are looking into the deaths of their fathers. Gray hires Olivia, a chemist, who also has a past history with Thorn, Thorn is distrustful of her intentions. He thinks that years ago, she and her mother set him up, and blackmailed him, in order to make him propose. But after spending time with her, he finds he’s still attracted to her.
I really enjoyed this book. It was another well written book, and I absolutely adored these characters, and loved reading their love story. And I loved finding out how the characters Gwyn and Joshua, from the previous book are. I can’t wait to read about the others, and find out what happened to the former dukes.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book and I admit that my expectations were a little low. Thorn did not seem to acquit himself well in the two preceding books in the series. He seemed aloof at best. And the idea of pairing him with a chemist seemed like an odd fit.
However, all my preconceived notions were, as is often the case, incorrect. SABRINA JEFFRIES CREATED ANOTHER WONDERFUL ROMANCE. Thorn turned out to be not just passionate, because we all know that aloof behavior can often be suppressing that, but truly caring and compassionate. It turns out he was even wounded by Olivia once upon a time. Who knew the lowly chemist would have such power over a duke?
The story unfolded in an interesting way continuing the mystery of the death of the three dukes that began with the first book in the series. I highly recommend these books be read in order. This is not a standalone book due to the important mystery running throughout them.
This is such a good series combining romance with mystery. The adult children are getting closer to proving who killed their fathers. I’m looking forward to reading book five.
I have read a lot of Sabrina Jeffries books when I was younger and I am a fan. I forgot how good of a writer she is. Who Wants to Marry a Duke is the third in the series. I had not read the first two but I didn’t feel lost or confused. This was the duke of Thornstock and Olivia Norleys story. Olivia immediately intrigues Thorn from the start with her oddities. She’s not like anyone he’s ever met but when they share a kiss everything gets construed. So when thorns brother Grey decides to have Olivia help him to determine if his father was murdered by way of arsenic through some chemistry experiments. Thorn goes along to keep an eye on her. I feel thorn is a bit ignorant in the ways of Olivia. He saw her for her right off but then some how ignores his first instinct and goes with the second which is completely wrong. That was frustrating for me. I wanted To reach in the story and shake him. I have to say I’m a huge fan of Olivias mother. Some of the things she would say to Olivia were so sweet and moving. I loved this story. I was surprised by it because I’m not really a fan of murder mysterys but Sabrina Jeffries weaved love and mystery in, in a very smooth, enjoyable way. I found myself invested in this story and can not wait for the next book!! #netgalley.
Who Wants to Marry a Duke is the third book in the Duke Dynasty series by Sabrina Jeffries, and it’s my favorite of the series to this point. I’ve read the first three books in the series within a couple days, I’ve just been pulled into the series and can’t wait to see what happens next.
This book follows Olivia and Thorn. These two have a checkered past where they got caught in a compromising position shortly after meeting. Thorn proposed marriage and Olivia turned him down. Years later they run into each other again when Olivia is asked to use her knowledge of chemistry to prove that Thorn’s step-brother’s father (yeah, it’s that confusing) was poisoned. They didn’t originally part on good terms, but there’s a spark there that neither can deny.
What I really liked about this story was that the overarcing plot of the series is really advanced. It had to as there’s only one book left in the series, but I felt there was finally some significant movement in solving the mystery. I also appreciated a female chemist as the heroine. It’s uncommon and added an interesting twist. All of Thorn’s family makes appearances in Who Wants to Marry a Duke, but I was thankful of the addition of Olivia, who had no prior connection (meaning, she’s not a cousin of a step-sibling as the previous two pairs included). I mean, this family tree is already a bit convoluted.
Good character development, a solid romance and movement in the series’ ongoing plot made this a great read. I’ve been devouring this series and can’t wait to get my hands on the final book in the series to see how it all plays out. I highly recommend for historical romance fans.
A woman who can solve a mystery, despite men saying women have too little a brain! Wonders never cease. Never, Never, Never underestimate the power of any woman for anything — this novel proves it, as Ms. Jeffries determines to do on a regular basis. I enjoyed it because it goes against the grain of the originally felt men of the first half of the 19th century…except for Grey, who believed in her, and Thorne who realized he had no choice. And who wouldn’t with this love of a woman? Loved reading it once; plan to read it again — which I do on a regular basis (I love revisiting my fantasies you all write).
From the first page to the last you will be spellbound in Who Wants to Marry a Duke unfolds beautifully. Sabrina Jeffries has given readers a book that is well-written, filled it with great cast of characters that come off the pages and pull you into this emotional ride that keeps you involved until the very end, steamy passion, witty dialogue, with an enjoyable plot as well as appearances from characters from the previous novels that bring this read together perfectly! Ahhh…the game of love can be a bit trying for The Duke of Thornstock, Thorn a rakehell, who doesn’t believe in love and Olivia, a bluestocking chemist, wants only to marry for love. With dealing with unnerving situations and a mystery involving Thorn’s family that will bring Thorn and Olivia together again and with past misunderstandings forgiven sparks begin to ignite between them once again. I can’t wait for the mystery to unfold in Sheridan’s story The Last Duke Standing!
This third book in the Duke Dynasty is my favorite so far in the series. The characters are terrific, intelligent, secretive, and thoroughly likeable, although they both prefer to be on the fringes of society rather in the middle of it. Lady Lydia Fletcher has been married three times each time to a Duke and so three of her sons are also dukes. In the previous books the sons are questioning whether their fathers were murdered rather than by the cause of deaths given so many years ago. First they need to prove that the oldest, Grey ‘s father died from arsenic poisoning rather than a argue. That calls for the very special talents of one Miss Olivia Norley, who is a chemist. Unfortunately, Thorn (2nd son and the Duke of Thornstock) had a rather unpleasant encounter with Olivia and her stepmother nine years before. As much as Thorn does not like her, he is strongly attracted to her. Will the sparks between these two finally Ignite and burst into something much stronger? What will be the outcome of their investigation? More importantly will they be able to determine the who and why? I received this eBook from NetGalley for an honest review.
The plot thickens as Grey and Thorn set out to find out if their fathers and uncles were murdered and by who. This third book in the series, is about Marlowe “Thorn” Drake, Duke of Thornstock, who doesn’t believe in love, until it surprisingly hits him in the head and he stupidly almost loses the love of his life.
Nine years ago, recently having return to London and warned by his half brother, Grey (Duke of Greycourt), about the extremes that mothers and daughters will go to land a duke, he met the unconventional Miss Olivia Norley, whose only interest is chemistry. There is quite a bit of chemistry going on between them, but when her stepmother tries to blackmail him into offering for her and then she refuses, because she is only willing to marry for love, he becomes quite angry at her and writes the two of them, step mother and daughter, into the plays that he secretly writes, under his friend’s name. But now the four half brothers have become suspicious of the deaths of their mother’s husbands and the previous 2 Dukes of Greycourt. Believing that his father was poisoned with arsenic, Grey hires Olivia to prove it and brings her to his estate along with his wife and suspicious Thorn decides to tag along. But when her lab is deliberately blown up, he realizes that he doesn’t want to lose her and he is going to protect her, while they continue their investigation.
Ms Jeffries has created wonderful characters with an intriguing plot of solving a mystery while also finding romance for those characters. Vivid descriptions and lively banter add to this delicious read.
I read an ARC from NetGalley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.
Can’t go wrong with a book by Sabrina Jeffries. I’m thoroughly enjoying this new series by her and looking forward to her next book!
I’m sitting on the fence still with my review for this book. I did enjoy the book but the H and h still never felt like they had a connection to me. I like Olivia but with Thorn he came across as one historical romance male lead that shouldn’t have been the lead. He was just always off for me. I’ll continue with this series but this one is a miss for me.
Who Wants to Marry a Duke by Sabrina Jeffries is book Three in the Duke Dynasty Series. This is the story of Olivia Norley and Marlowe ‘Thorn’ Drake, the Duke of Thornstock. I have read the previous books, which did add to my enjoyment of this one, but I do feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so. Olivia is a women who pursuits are in chemistry then finding a husband. When she is given a chance to solve a mystery it puts her closer to Thorn who she had shared a kiss with some time ago. Thorn is used to beautiful women and some with ulterior motives. But there was something in Olivia’s kiss that he can’t forget so when she is asked to work closely with his family he goes to make sure she isn’t trying something but it just puts them testing their feelings more and more. I am a fan of this author’s and would always recommend her books and of course this one.