IT HAD TO BE A DUKE by Vivienne Lorret features Verity Hartley and her neighbor, Magnus Warring, Duke of Longhurst. In a fit of pique at a snooty neighbor, Verity, a confirmed spinster, blurts out sheβs recently been engaged to Magnus, an enemy of her family. To Verityβs horror, the rumor of her betrothal spreads far and fastβ¦and ruins the much-needed engagement of Magnus to an heiress. Now, Verity must convince Magnus to pretend to be her fiancΓ© for a short while and that their pretend feelings donβt turn very much real.
I love this delightful historical romance! Vivienne Lorret is one of my favorite authors and IT HAD TO BE A DUKE is such a fun romp. The fake betrothal trope has honestly been done so many times but somehow Lorret manages to make it fresh. Itβs probably because on top of the fake betrothal trope, Verity and Magnus are enemies-to-lovers, my second favorite trope. It is executed well here as Magnus and Verity REALLY donβt like each other at the beginning. And not in the way these often go where they still find each other maddeningly attractive; while each admits the other is attractive, they are not lusting after one another and truly despise each other. It makes the reward of them finally getting together all the sweeter.
Verity and Magnus are easy to root for. Magnus is such a stiff and strait-laced guy at the beginning that itβs fun to watch him loosen up and lose control. And itβs all because of Verity. She is also normally very logical and composed but, like Magnus, loses sight of her logic when in his presence. Their verbal sparring is just so delightful.
There is a bit of foreshadowing for the next title and I am very excited for it! The side characters are all fun if a bit ridiculous at times.
IT HAD TO BE A DUKE is a fun start to a new series. It features a sassy heroine and a serious hero who despise each other but enter into a fake engagement anyway.
Verity Hartley always tells the truth. Well, mostly. However, when her snooty neighbor returns to their small hamlet to brag about having a grand Season, a plethora of ballgowns, and so many suitors that she cannot possibly decide which one to marry, Verity tells a lie. She claims to be betrothed. To a duke. Who happens to be her family’s sworn enemy. But what are the odds that he would ever learn of this one, little, harmless falsehood?
Magnus Warring, the Duke of Longhurst, is on the precipice of marrying an heiress to save his estate from financial ruin. At least, he was. Until he hears an unbelievable rumor that he is already betrothed. To the daughter of a liar, cheat, and swindler! Needing to protect his reputation, he hunts down the culprit. And when he finds the untamed beguiler, she has the audacity to ask him to lie for her. To pretend to be her fiancé!
One week, that’s all Verity needs. Then Magnus can return to his life. But nothing is ever that simple. Sometimes it doesn’t take that long to fall in love, even with the enemy.
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