As the daughter of a famed fairy tale author, Isolde Ophelia Goodnight grew up believing in knights and dragons. When her father passes away without making any provisions for her, Izzy quickly realizes she needs to become more practical since fairy tales won't feed or house her. With the arrival of a letter stating that she has inherited a castle, Izzy believes her prayers have been answered. Now if only she could do something about the man who insists the castle is his.

Ransom Vane, the Duke of Rothbury, owns the castle Izzy inherited and he has no plans on giving it up to a penniless maiden and her ermine, no matter how enticing she may be. Having spent the last seven months hiding out in his home after an accident left him blind and scarred, Ransom only wants to get Izzy out of his home, whether by force or fear. When it becomes evident there's more going on than he's aware of, Ransom hires Izzy to become his secretary. What happens after that may just make Ransom believe in fairy tales.

The only way I can think to describe ROMANCING THE DUKE, the first book in Tessa Dare's Castles Ever After series, is adorable. Everything about it, from the fairy tale loving Izzy and her finger biting ermine, Snowdrop, to grumpy Ransom, oozes sweetness. Dare has always been one of those authors I'm aware of but just never got around to reading. After reading ROMANCING THE DUKE, I've become an instant fan and now have to get my hands on the rest of her books. Dare really knows how to pen a whimsical read that is as enchanting as it is delightful. For anyone looking for a feel good story that has heart and humour, you won't go wrong with ROMANCING THE DUKE. I can't wait to see what Dare has in store for readers in the next book of the series.