{Fallen Review} Catch a Falling Duke by @EvePendle

Catch a Falling Duke by Eve Pendle
on May 26th, 2021
Genres: Romance, Historical
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A duke reeling from the revelation of the true origin of his family's wealth...

A woman on a quest to solve her own family mystery...

After Hugo Ravensthorpe comes to Beatrice Fenton’s aid in a crowded inn, the usually no-nonsense farmer finds herself sharing a room with the well-born, handsome stranger. Beatrice takes a chance and makes a scandalous proposition: one night, no commitments. But she can't refuse when Hugo offers to assist in tracking down the last connection to her mother, and one more night becomes more... complicated.

The Duke of Cumbria is on the run. He never expected to end up masquerading as Mr. Ravensthorpe or to find himself in bed with witty and spirited Beatrice. One night with her, and not as a duke, makes him hungry for more. But can there be a future for a farmer and a duke? Or is love only possible if Hugo prevents his worlds colliding and Beatrice discovering his family secrets?

I received Catch a Falling Duke for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Hugo is stunned when he finds out his family’s dark secret. In effort to rid himself of the horrible deeds of his grandfather, he flees his estate to take shelter in an inn. When he finds a disgusting man harassing a young lady, Hugo pretends to be her husband for the span of a meal. That decision sends him on a journey he never expected as the Duke of Cumbria.

Widow Beatrice Fenton is on a mission to discover her own family secret when the dashing Hugo comes to her aid. They end up in a room for the night, tangled in a passion that cannot be denied. Hugo stays by Beatrice’s side while she discovers her own secret. They part thinking they may never see each other again. Until one day when Mr Hugo Ravensthorpe shows up at Mrs Fenton’s farm looking for a job. While technically Hugo did tell Beatrice he was the Duke of Cumbria, she never believed him and he never corrected her. The pair fall hopelessly in love while they work the land they both care so deeply for.

This is definitely not the normal Victorian romance I typically read. Where many stories spout tales of the ballrooms of London or sprawling green estates, this one is set on a simple farm where all work hard and are rewarded for their labors. I didn’t know going in that I would enjoy a story of a duke who separates himself from the life he could lead in the aristocracy of the time. What I found was a rather amazing story of finding a love for a person and a community can be more rewarding than all the finest jewels in the world. I try to keep spoilers out of my reviews, so you will just have to trust me when I say this unusual tale is one that will make you appreciate the small things and that money made ethically can be incredibly rewarding.

Who knows where Eve Pendle will go from here. Check out all her other titles including the two previous titles of the Fallen series, Falling for a Rake and Once a Fallen Lady, for more outstanding romance.