Derek Hunt made a promise to a dying friend to marry Lady Cassandra, and after living through war, Derek is happy to spend the rest of his days with the calm and sensible lady. The only problem is Lady Upton, Cassandra's friend, who insists on thwarting Derek's attempts to court Cassandra. A battle of wits is the last thing Derek wants to engage in, but he finds Lady Upton tempting despite her harsh words. Derek may soon find out he's been looking for love in the wrong place.

Valerie Bowman has written a witty romance filled with delightful characters. Lucy may be an unlikely duchess, but Derek is definitely an unlikely duke. A soldier whose risen through the ranks, he gets the dukedom for his military service. He's intelligent, determined, and caring, making him a likable, and enticing character. Lucy is brash, blunt, and loyal to a fault. Her absolute loyalty to her friends will charm readers. From the moment they meet, the tension between Lucy and Derek is obvious and the romance between the two is magical.

The dialogue in THE UNEXPECTED DUCHESS is superb. When Lucy and Derek face off in a war of words, their witty banter is comical and impressive. Both characters are eloquent speakers and well matched creating an enjoyable dialogue between the two. Bowman doesn't complicate the remarkable dialogue keeping THE UNEXPECTED DUCHESS readable.

Jane, Cassandra, and Garrett are wonderful side characters who balance the story out, keeping it light and fun. THE UNEXPECTED DUCHESS is not overly serious, or too sentimental, and there is humor throughout. Bowman's THE UNEXPECTED DUCHESS is a witty and entertaining story of friendship and true love.