Nathaniel Gresham, heir to a duke, chose Lady Violet Devere as his bride precisely because she is unexceptional. She dresses modestly and never stands out. She'll make a quiet, well-behaved, ever-so-proper duchess. Little does he know, Violet is yearning for freedom after suffering under the thumb of her strict and overbearing grandmother. For his part, Nathaniel never does anything questionable either. He acts as a duke ought, and is the go-to big brother when his younger siblings get in any kind of trouble.

HEIR TO THE DUKE is a novel of transformation. Author Jane Ashford gives us two people who've grown up behaving exactly as they ought. Violet's grandmother criticizes her harshly for every perceived transgression, so she is counting on her marriage to let her dress as she wants and do as she likes. In many ways, she's still a child, because she was never allowed to be anything but perfect and proper. She sees her marriage as a form of freedom, and her exuberance pulls Nathaniel into a daring new lifestyle as well.

Nathaniel doesn't mind his position as the duke's heir, and he takes his responsibilities very seriously—never realizing that they're a weight on his shoulders. When Violet begs for a trip to Brighton for the little season, they both find new ways to create joy in their lives. Stepping outside their comfort zone, though, brings danger that could threaten their happiness. Inspired by an acquaintance's smart rig, Nathaniel orders his own fast new carriage and takes an interest in racing. Violet, meanwhile, encounters an old friend who drags her into a forbidden subterfuge that could risk both their reputations. She also learns a dark secret from her family's past and fears that if Nathaniel ever finds out, she'll lose him forever.

In HEIR TO THE DUKE, Ashford crafts a perfect Regency love story set in the bright and colorful orbit of the Regent himself. I highly recommend this novel to readers who enjoy historical romance set firmly in the sphere of the Ton.