The Duke Hunt, Book 1
From the publisher:
New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan begins the all new The Duke Hunt series with the illegitimate son of a duke who meets his match in the daring daughter of a vicar.
The Bastard Rogue…
Peregrine Butler’s privileged blue-blooded world is rocked to the core when it is revealed he was born before his parents’ marriage and therefore is not the legal heir to the dukedom. Facing ruin, Perry must use his charm and good looks to win an heiress—all the while ignoring his fascination with the one interfering and alluring chit who is intent on sabotaging his efforts.
The Lady Vicar…
Everyone knows Imogen Bates, the virtuous daughter of the senile vicar. She can write a sermon in a day and spot a rogue in a second, so she sees right through Perry’s seductive façade. But Imogen’s plan to protect the heiresses of her beloved Shropshire from the erstwhile Duke of Penning, the bane of her existence since childhood, soon turns into something altogether unacceptable for the proper lady … who suddenly finds herself longing to keep his heated glances and tempting kisses all to herself.
It is almost inconceivable to go from being a wealthy Duke to a commoner with nothing, but those are the circumstances in which Perry finds himself. Luckily, his mother lives in the dowager house and she takes him in, but he is not enjoying his stay there. It is difficult to go back to living with your mother when you are an adult and have been living on your own for years. Especially since she isn’t thrilled to have him there, and is pushing hard for him to marry one of the local heiresses.
But there is a problem with his plan. Imogen Bates has had it in for Perry since they were kids, when he was mean to her repeatedly over the years. She’s never forgotten the hateful things he said to her, and when she realizes he is looking to marry money with one of the young women in their small village, she is determined to save them from him. She starts spreading rumors about him and it has the effect she wanted. But then she realizes that the girls’ fathers don’t care so much about the rumors, until she comes up with one that they will care about.
Meanwhile, Perry has been spending some time with Imogen and her father, and he is falling for her. But when he finds out she is the mastermind behind the rumors, he is livid. Imogen has been fighting her feelings for Perry, but eventually she realizes she loves him, but also knows they can’t have a future. She is the daughter of an impoverished vicar, dependent on the Duke’s keeping them in town. So there is a lot against them, but this romance has the requisite happy ending.
Assume the title of this book is double entendre; this was a steamy romance with terrific characters who come to life on the page. I have enjoyed Jordan’s previous series, and this looks to be another winner. Don’t miss it.
8/2021 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
THE DUKE GOES DOWN by Sophie Jordan. Avon (July 27, 2021). ISBN: 978-0063035638. 352 pages.
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