The Duke Alone by Christi Caldwell Published by Amazon Publishing on October 18, 2022
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Historical / Regency, Fiction / Romance / Historical / Victorian
Pages: 319
Source: Netgalley
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Lady Myrtle McQuoid has always felt a little forgotten, and this season is no exception. When her boisterous family vacates their London townhouse for the country, Myrtle finds she's been left behind. But she just needs to stay warm, keep her belly full, and distract herself until her relatives realize their mistake and turn back to collect her. Surely that won't take long.
Brooding widower Val Bancroft, the Duke of Aragon, has shut himself off from the world. He craves blessed solitude--a loyal dog, a silent house, and his own company are all he requires. Certainly not the nonstop chattering of the joyful, opinionated young woman next door.
But with a potential threat lurking in the winter shadows, Myrtle may need to pluck up the nerve to approach the reclusive duke. And Val is not one to turn his back on a vulnerable lady.
Amid the silent nights of London, beneath a blanket of snow, could the light of a new, warm love be kindling?
I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Inspired by Home Alone, this Christmastide tale plays with the Beauty and the Beast trope to bring together two unlikely friends.
Myrtle has returned home from four years away at finishing school to find her London home in bustle as everyone readies to leave for Scotland ahead of Christmas, abandoning the house for workman to come fix rotten floorboards and a leaky roof. And just her luck, her room has the leakiest of roofs, forcing her up into the attics to sleep for the night.
With such a large and rowdy family, its no surprise that Myrtle is left behind…completely home alone. This was a fun twist on a holiday favorite. And the story is filled with nods to different Christmas traditions emergent during the 19th Century. Although I could have done without the many full page recitations of Christmas carols (it just seemed like a page filler).
This Home Alone story also features a scary neighbor who horrible rumors have swirled around about, but instead of being an elderly gentleman, its a 30 year old Duke who seems to live almost completely alone. And after a brief interaction, he is the first person Myrtle seeks out to help her negotiate her first experience being completely alone.
Myrtle is described as a fairy/sprite light young woman on the cusp of her first season who seeks out the reclusive, grumpy Duke next door. He is a scowling, rude, and suffering beast who slowly is charmed by Myrtle’s persistent overtures. I thought the romance was sweet, with a little bit of emotional pull as they got to know each other. There is an age gap that (30 and 18) that may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Myrtle is a bit immature, but Val (the Duke) also seems like he has had a bit of arrested development after the loss of his wife, so it seemed plausible if not entirely relatable. I also think Myrtle has a bright optimism that is charming.
There are some thieves staking out the place, true to Home Alone, but sadly (I was so hoping for it) there is no great booby-trap scene to bring them to justice. Instead that subplot gets wrapped up with only a little action and really no resolution (at least for some unanswered questions I had).
I also missed the amazing tie in with the mother fighting her way home, and that reunion at the door. Which would have gotten in the way of the romance–maybe? In any case, I was a bit disappointed, although I did like the last few pages of resolution and the epilogue.
This is kisses only, with fade to black ahead of the intimate scene. There is some discussion of grief, death by carriage accident, and feeling rejected by family. There is also one scene with assault, although its not terribly graphic.
All in all, this was a cute holiday read that some readers will enjoy, if not love.
