The Duke's Accidental Wife: A Regency Romance

Four left for war. One stayed home. The battle is just beginning… Lawrence Pembrook, Duke of Ravenwood, dislikes crowds. What an understatement – he despises crowds. A fact that has him rarely attending ton functions and when he does he avoids interacting with anyone as much as possible. A trait that has earned him the nickname “Frost King” by one beautiful hoyden. He’s a man very aware of his responsibilities and takes his duties very seriously but his greatest desire is to be treated as a man, not a title. Miss Katherine (Kate) Ross is dreadfully afraid of marriage. Marriage equates to the loss of freedom plus her knowledge that she and her babe could die during childbirth have fueled her desire to remain a spinster. A state she has worked hard to accomplish. Being unwed has allowed her freedom to open her beloved antiquities museum and associate with members of the arts and theatre crowd. Ambushed by his sister, the wife of a dear friend and the one woman he cannot abide, Miss Katherine Ross, Ravenwood reluctantly agrees to appear at a charity art function/soiree to be hosted at Kate’s museum. He knows his appearance will attract a large crowd thereby ensuring large donations for the charity. The event is indeed a huge success. Feeling the need to find a little peace away from the crowd, Ravenwood retreats into the inner part of the museum. Having Ravenwood ignore her after making eye contact has piqued Kate’s ire. Being ignored by the “Frost King” at her own event just will not do and she goes in search of him. Finding him at the entrance to her storeroom a battle of words ensues. Thinking she has the last word she invites him “into her lair” – knowing he will not follow. Ravenwood startles her twice – first when he does follow her into the small space and again when he speaks then and reaches to help her retrieve a wooden box on a high shelf. This attempt to help her sets off a series of events that will alter both their lives. An addled aunt, secrets and fears, duty and passion, and of all things a puppy help bring life to Ravenwood’s world. Secrets and fears, passion and compassion and most of all the desire to prove her worth are what drive Kate. They each take little steps to opening up to the other but it takes a near disaster to hit home what means the most to them. I adore Kate’s enthusiasm in everything she does and her ability to go with the flow, even when things don’t go the way she thinks they should. I loved seeing the ever stoic Ravenwood have a flaw, one that basically controlled his life. My intentions were to read The Duke’s Accidental Wife over a two night period; however, Ms. Ridley’s writing draws you into a story and engages your emotions – it was read in one night. I found myself wanting to knock sense into both characters while enjoying every minute of their interactions. Erica Ridley’s The Duke’s Accidental Wife is the seventh and final book in her Dukes of War series. As in the previous books in her series, Ms. Ridley has the character’s staying true to themselves all while evolving into more. Her writing style will draw you in and have you feeling each emotion the hero and heroine do. My only complaint – this book was not as angst ridden as the previous books in the series; therefore, it seemed to have a slower pace. Overall, it was still an excellent read and I highly recommend it.

Every girl dreams of falling in love and living happily ever after. Right? NOT!!! Katherine is the complete antithesis of that claim. Falling in love is not for her. She prefers her own company and the freedom to make her own decisions. I received an ARC of The Duke's Accidental Wife in exchange for an honest review. A cynic and a romantic, how could you not fall for these characters. Erica Ridley has turned the tables on the way romance is perceived with this one. Ravenwood is the ideal. A romantic at heart searching for the other half of his soul. I love that Ms. Ridley tried something different. She stayed true to her addictive stories but with a twist that was surprising and fantastic.

This was a sweet story of two people who know what they want out of life, but you can't always get what you want. Sometimes you have to make due with what you get. I loved the writing! You could feel the anguish each person felt and I hoped things would work out well. Very introspective people ask this story has less dialog, but I don't think it takes anything away from the story. I felt like it brought the reader in for a closer look at these two people trying to figure life out