Marina Fletcher’s Rules:
Rule 1: Spend life composing music in peace. Do not worry about finding a husband.
Rule 2: If must worry about finding a husband, marry for love only or commit to becoming a spinster.
Rule 3: Resist urge to spend time with the sinfully sexy Duke of Framlingham, who clearly does not believe in love.
Rule 4: Never ever say yes to said duke’s wicked plan for us to silence society’s expectations with a fake engagement…
But what happens when this wallflower breaks every single rule?
| Title: | How the Wallflower Wins a Duke |
| Author: | Lucy Morris |
| Series: | HMB Historical |
| Pages: | 277 |
| Category / Genre(s): | Harlequin / Mills & Boon Historical |
| Trope(s): | Regency Romance Opposites Attract |
| Point of View: | Third Person, Past Tense, Dual Viewpoint (H & h) |
| Location: | London, England |
| Setting: | 1816, Regency |
| HEA: | ✔️ |
| Release Date: | 21st December, 2023 |
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Entertaining and sweet story
I am a big fan of Lucy Morris – her Viking romances really are second to none. This is her first Regency story and brings together a roguish duke and the simple musical miss that steals his heart. I wouldn’t miss it!
Our hero is Brook, Duke of Framlingham – a man who was never supposed to ascend to the dukedom. His childhood was difficult as the spare to the heir and he still hasn’t come to terms with it. It’s what drives him. It’s the main reason he’s determined to take a Grand Tour – leaving all his responsibilities and finding who he is. Brook is a good hero although it took a while for me to see the rogue in him. Perhaps that’s because the cover doesn’t show him as wicked at all – but anyway… He can be grumpy and boorish at times but I loved how he came to see Marina and how they were as a couple.
And for those wondering like I did, the name Brook is actually an old English / German name and would likely have been in use in the Regency times. With that said, it did seem strange to hear what feels like quite a modern name in story set in the 1800s.
“…a fairly gentle book which definitely lends a slow-burn, friends to lovers quality…”
Marina Fletcher is but a simple miss but from a rich family. Her father is an architect and vying for a job for the Duchess of Framlingham, the reason why her family are thrown into the company of the Brook. Marina is considered quite plain but she’s happy in herself and who she is. She’s quite feisty and wonderfully loyal. I liked her a lot. She’s looked down on by other members of the ton and has suffered through their teasing and mocking – but always manages to keep her head held high.
This is a fairly gentle book which definitely lends a slow-burn, friends to lovers quality about the love story. Things ebb and flow as our couple get to know each other and it’s nice to have a couple that really know and support each other as they fall in love. That’s not to say that there’s not a spark between our pair. There’s just enough heat to make things nicely sizzle which just adds to their connection.
One thing I’ve always enjoyed about Lucy Morris’s writing is her ability to whisk you into the historical period of her choosing. She manages to do so again with this story and I loved the detailed romp into the Regency. I hope she doesn’t forget about her Viking stories but I’m always willing to follow her into a new time period – especially if it’s as entertaining and sweet as this story is. 4 stars.
* I received this book in exchange for my honest review*
Lucy Morris lives in Essex, UK, with her husband, two young children, and two cats. She has a massively sweet tooth and loves gin, bubbly and Irn-Bru. A member of the UK Romantic Novelists’ Association, she was delighted to accept a two-book deal with Harlequin after submitting her story to the Warriors Wanted submission blitz for Viking, Medieval, and Highlander romances.
Writing for Harlequin Historical is a dream come true for her and she hopes you enjoy her books!
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