I adore Eloisa James's historical romances, so I was thrilled to receive an early copy of Say No to the Duke.
Lady Betsy has always felt Society judges her for the scandal of her mother running away with a handsome Prussian, but she gets her revenge on the gossips by behaving like the perfect lady at all times. These bullies have also told Betsy that no respectable gentleman would ever want to marry her, so she is determined to receive more proposals than any of them - and does so, culminating in a proposal from the handsome duke considered the catch of the Season.
Lady Betsy has always felt Society judges her for the scandal of her mother running away with a handsome Prussian, but she gets her revenge on the gossips by behaving like the perfect lady at all times. These bullies have also told Betsy that no respectable gentleman would ever want to marry her, so she is determined to receive more proposals than any of them - and does so, culminating in a proposal from the handsome duke considered the catch of the Season.
Lord Jeremy Roden, a friend of Betsy's elder brother, is currently living at Lindow Castle while Betsy and the Duke flirt with each other. Recently returned from the war in the Colonies, Jeremy is suffering from PTSD and trying to keep out of everyone's way by hiding in the billiards room. Unfortunately, this is where the Duke chooses to propose to Betsy.
As with all of Eloisa's books, the story is as much about the interaction between the characters as the plot. I loved the way Betsy and Jeremy bounced off each other, how the duke was sweet but completely bemused by the pair of them, and especially by the duke's mother, who is desperate to win Betsy for a daughter-in-law. Even Betsy's maid is conspiring against her, forcing Betsy into huge pink dresses to make a favourable impression on the duchess. Because Betsy has played the part of the perfect lady for so long, everyone believes this is what she's really like. The 'real' Betsy would love to be as wild as her brothers, play billiards, and stride around in breeches rather than big pink dresses. And the only person who realises she hides behind a mask is Jeremy - because he wears one too.
I won't tell you the outcome of their wager but the only bit involving breeches was right at the very end of the story. And while it was a clever twist, I was disappointed there was no scandalous road trip, as suggested by the blurb. Lord Jeremy Roden isn't rakish either; he's rather lovely and I adored him all the more for it.
Although this book is #4 in The Wildes of Lindow Castle series, you can easily read it as a standalone. It would suit readers who enjoy the 'fairy tale' kind of historical romance and authors such as Julia Quinn. I loved the characters, especially the banter between hero and heroine. Say No to the Duke is my favourite book of the series, and one of my favourite reads this year too.
Thank you to Eloisa James and Piatkus for my copy of this book, which I requested from NetGalley and reviewed voluntarily.
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