{Hot Historical Romance Review} Cinderella and the Duke by Lydia Drake

Cinderella and the Duke by Lydia Drake
Published by Entangled: Amara on December 27, 2022
Genres: Fiction, Adult, Romance, Historical
Pages: 352
Source: Netgalley
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Miss Julia Beaumont has exactly one night to find herself a husband…
The Weatherford Ball is the last chance Julia Beaumont has to escape the clutches of her horrid stepmother. Any potential husband will do—rich, poor, even a reasonably well-groomed walrus. But all of Julia’s matrimonial chances are completely obliterated…thanks to the actions of an infuriating and utterly rakish duke.
Gregory Carter, Duke of Ashworth, would never risk his cherished bachelorhood by flirting with marriage-starved debutantes. But one look at the luscious and refreshingly clever Julia, and he simply can’t resist a stolen kiss—scandal be damned. Then just as things start getting deliciously interesting, the lady flees…leaving only a slipper behind.
And it must have been one dandy of a kiss. Because now Julia has proposed to him. After all, the lady needs a husband, and this roguish duke will certainly do. It’s simply a matter of making him the perfect scandalous offer…

I received Cinderella and the Duke for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Some fairytales do come true. Well… sort of.

Out for one night only, Julia Beaumont needs to find a husband. She’s twenty-seven and can’t stand the thought of spending the rest of her life caring for her wicked step-mother, Constance. She hasn’t been to London for the season in ten years and is only in town now for her adored step-sister’s first season. Her dear friend, Lady Weatherford, has agreed to help any way she can, but when Julia spies the hungry women of the ton lusting after the Duke of Ashworth, she has concerns for his safety.

When the ethereal Julia saves Gregory, the Duke of Ashworth, from dueling with an angry husband for something he didn’t do, they share a passionate kiss before she runs off leaving only her shoe. The next day when he calls to return her shoe, she makes a proposal and sparks a wicked game of love and passion.

I believe this is Lydia Drake’s debut novel and she has completely swept me up in the world of Gregory and Julia. Julia has a witty, yet sharp wit. Her sparring with he step-mother is hilarious and absolutely what the older lady deserves. She uses that same wit with Gregory before and after they are married. It is one of the many things that cause Gregory to fall in love with his more than beautiful wife. While they play the love match to the ton, they agree to a marriage of convenience at first. Then it changes to only a wedding night to consummate things, but once the dear readers get to that chapter, we know Gregory will never be able to resist more.

While I did shout at Gregory a few times for him to stop being so stubborn, he does get his act together eventually. The road there is filled with spice, passion, and the creation of a love of a lifetime.

I’m absolutely certain historical romance lovers will enjoy every word of Cinderella and the Duke. I hope to read more soon from the talented Lydia Drake!