[ARC Review] Beguiling the Duke by Darcy Burke

Publisher's synopsis: On the way to meet his future wife, the Duke of Lawford’s coach loses a wheel. Repair is impossible because he’s landed in Marrywell on the first day of their annual May Day Matchmaking Festival and everyone is on holiday. Furthermore, there are no rooms to let, so Law must accept the hospitality of a country squire or, more accurately, from his beautiful, clever daughter who obviously runs the household.

After a disastrous foray at the matchmaking festival four years ago, Sadie Campion has mostly hidden away at home. But at twenty-four, may be her last chance to marry and have a home and family of her own. When her unexpected houseguest offers to help her attract a husband, she can hardly refuse and, on the duke’s arm, becomes the belle of the festival.

As they grow closer and attraction simmers between them, Law wonders if she is the match he was destined to make…

My thoughts: Beguiling the Duke was a short and sweet historical romance with plenty of substance and a whole cast of great characters. 

As the only lady in her household, Sadie was such a relatable character. People were taking advantage of her willingness to help, and I fell for Law the moment he started making sure everyone could see that. Sadie was torn between wanting to help her family and wanting her own home. Law truly came into her life at just the right time, spurring her to take chances and put herself out there again. 

Setting a good portion of the story at the May Day Matchmaking Festival certainly kept things exciting. Not only did this provide new events each day to keep the plot moving, but it was an excellent way to keep the cast of characters rotating (as well as giving Law reason after reason to be jealous). 

This was my first Darcy Burke book, and I can't wait to read more of her books now. I enjoyed Burke's writing style, and found the details well done. It was easy to imagine the festival and all its denizens - and Burke managed to include quite the large number of characters for such a short book. But everyone was unique, and it was easy to instantly either love or hate each new character. 

Overall, Beguiling the Duke was a great first book in the Lords in Love series. Burke created a fun and interesting atmosphere, and I loved Sadie and Law as a couple.

[Thank you to Erica Ridley, Darcy Burke's co-author on this series, for sending a review copy of this title to all her Review Crew members!]

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Release date: 3/7/23

Format: eARC

eARC provided via: Erica Ridley's Review Crew