Bringing Down the Duke

I don't normally read historical romances, so Bringing Down the Duke wasn't really on my radar initially. After reading the blurb and seeing the beautiful cover around though, I decided to give it a chance and I'm so glad I did! I enjoyed the hate-love/enemies vibe immensely between Annabelle and Sebastian. Their verbal sparring ramped up the anticipation so well and their chemistry was amazing. I would have loved even more scenes between them. The story started a little slow for me, as the world and characters were being established, but once things got going, I was hooked. My heart was fluttering and there were plenty of chest squeezes/turns thanks to the lingering, longing glances and brushes of physical contact. I love a good forced proximity and this trope played out perfectly between Sebastian and Annabelle. The secondary characters were just as wonderful and I enjoyed the strong friendships between all of the women as much as the romantic aspect of the story. I really enjoyed the author's writing style and wit, but I did have to stop from time to time because I wasn't familiar with all the terminology/britishisms. A quick google search had me back in the story though. ;) This was a fantastic debut and I'm very excited to see that Lucie's story is next! *I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*

Annabelle is tired of being the ‘governess/maid of all work/ servant’ to her cousin, a vicar. He’s more interested in keeping Annabelle in line, a not so easy task as she is determined, intelligent and chafing against the restrictions placed on her by the simple fact of her sex. While we know that am indiscretion when she was a teen left her disowned and needing to rely on her cousin, it has led her to not trusting in any man, and determined to find a way to define and live her own life despite the constraints placed on women. She does have an out though – her own acceptance into Oxford to continue her studies of the classics – if only she can convince said cousin to let her go and her ability to pay him for her absence. Once in Oxford – it feels a great relief were it not for her tutorials taking place over teashops and in rooms set far away from the college proper – and with plenty of time to use her brains and determination for other things. Soon she is in the movement to amend and alter the property laws that mean that a wonan will give up her property to her husband’s management and ownership when they marry. Secondary issues here result in the laws stating that only “men of property” have the right to vote – and while suffrage and the vote isn’t the primary issue, it’s all tied together. With her two special friends, the three are given the task of ‘changing’ the mind of particular Lords and members of Parliament – and Annabelle’s chance encounter with the Duke of Montgomery – a confidante of the Queen, and feared by all for his powerful management of himself and his interests. Often thought cold and unfeeling, Sebastian has several secrets and plenty of worries – not the least is his failed marriage and his recalcitrant brother. Sebastian is intrigued and drawn by Annabelle – her determination, brains and ability to make him rethink things in new ways have him off-balance and spending more time (and political capital) on thoughts of her, or actions on her behalf. He was hurt badly once, and it is mostly fear and worries about ‘what people will think” after his rather disreputable father near bankrupted the title and holdings – all of which Sebastian has worked tirelessly to mend. While the difference in status bothers them both – and both have reason for shying away from a more ‘formal’ arrangement, or even marriage – the two of them are unable to deny the attraction or that they are so well matched. A lovely debut that only muddled a few times with stories of Sebastian’s brother’s disappearance and Annabelle’s friends, but these moments gave us a deeper understanding of the characters the two have as friends and family, and added depth. I’m interested in the next book, and can’t wait to see how long it took the scandals around the match of Annabelle and Sebastian took to die down. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility. >

Magnificent! I adored this book. It is a heart-crushing, bone aching, toe-curling romance. Dunmore reveals complex and calculated characters. I fell in love with the hero Sebastian and cried over the heroine Annabelle’s plight. There are several steamy scenes but all very well written, in my humble opinion. I can’t wait to read more.