A lady with a noble mission. A duke looking for redemption. A forbidden love that cannot be denied…
Lady Daphne Hallworth is ready to celebrate the holidays with her family. But when they accidentally leave her home alone, Daphne uses the time to work on her dream—opening a home for unwed mothers. But her quest isn’t problem-free: She’s in a battle to win the property for the home against her brother’s best friend-turned-enemy, Paul Barstowe, Duke of Southart. And that’s not all: someone has stolen her personal diary, which holds secrets that could devastate her family. Daphne has always harbored private feelings for the man her family scorns…though perhaps striking a bargain with the handsome Duke will solve both their problems?
Paul, long considered good for nothing, aims to open a hospital to honor his brother and restore his reputation. So when a conflict over the land brings him straight into Daphne’s life, they make a deal: He will help her find her diary if Daphne can change her family’s opinion of him. But before he can win her family’s affection, he has to win hers first. Maybe love was the answer to their family feud all along?
Titles in The Cavensham Heiresses series include: The Bad Luck Bride – The Bride Who Got Lucky – The Luck of the Bride – The Good, The Bad and the Duke – Rogue Most Wanted –
Title: The Good the Bad, and the Duke
Series: Cavensham Heiresses #4
Author: Janna MacGregor
Genre: Regency Romance
Published: November 27, 2018
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
My Rating: 4.5 stars
If you are brand new to the Cavensham Heiresses series it’s… possible to enjoy The Good, the Bad, and the Duke on its own for there are some mentions of previous events and characters. Yet, to get the full idea and feeling for the characters in not only this story then I’d have to gently suggest that you consider starting at the beginning of this series. Do you “have” to? Of course not. But I believe you’ll get more enjoyment from Daphne and Paul’s story if you understand the past… but that is my opinion, you do what is right for you.
Daphne has become so good at fading into the woodwork that her family has gone off on Christmas holiday without her. Well, it at least leaves her time to make plans for her independent future since she has no suitors clamoring at the door. Her dream will go against everything the ton tends to avoid even thinking exists in her world, but she is determined to open a home for unwed mothers and the perfect property is available… perhaps.
Paul finds himself unexpectedly a Duke… one with a past and a reputation that he deeply regrets. His brother has passed away and now Paul is determined to redeem himself in his own eyes and the ton’s as well. He is set upon opening a hospital to honor his brother’s memory but the property isn’t as available as he first thought.
Daphne and Paul will meet again under strange circumstances. When he offers to help her retrieve a stolen diary if she will help him to mend the friendship he once shared with her brother they begin a partnership that neither expected. One that will lead to secrets being revealed, hope and happiness a possibility and falling in love with the right person for them… that is if they can keep from strangling each other along the way.
I enjoyed The Good, the Bad, and the Duke. It’s a great addition to the series, and gives us some interesting characters as well. I would recommend this story and series to any reader who enjoys Historical or Regency Romance, likable characters, a bit of steam, and a puzzle to unravel. If at all possible I would suggest starting at the beginning of the series. I know that’s not always possible, but I believe you’ll have a better entertainment experience if you can.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
Available in paperback and for the Kindle
