Lydia Lloyd: When the Duke Loved Me

When the Duke Loved Me by Lydia Lloyd
Published by Tule Publishing on August 28, 2023
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Historical / General, Fiction / Romance / Historical / Regency
Pages: 329
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They are both pretending to be someone else for the night…

When Catherine Forster asks a handsome stranger to lead her out of the ballroom and into the Tremberley gardens, she hopes to glimpse its renowned Roman ruins…and maybe steal a kiss. But when she and her delectable escort are discovered in a scandalous embrace, Catherine is horrified to learn that she has been kissing John Breminster, heir to the man who ruined her family.

Given that the Forsters are his sworn enemies, John had no choice but to walk away from Catherine that night. But he has never been able to forget their close encounter—and, even years later, still longs for her touch. Worse, when his father dies, John, now the Duke of Edington, finds himself with a problem that only Catherine can help him solve.

Catherine agrees to aid him in his quest…for a price. On their journey, they soon begin to give into temptation, even as they uncover troubling revelations about the past. Will John and Catherine overcome this shared history? Or will its secrets tear them apart forever?

Another new to me author I was excited to try, When the Duke Loved Me is the first in The Rake Chronicles series, but worked great as a standalone.

Yes, another second chance romance! I don’t know what the universe is trying to tell me, but after a few in a row I am thinking this trope may be one I like more than I thought I did.

There were some great twists and turns in this book that kept me reading once I got hooked a chapter in. The MCs have insta-chemistry, and the opening scene is a hilarious introduction to their differences but also how they are drawn together. She is a historian/writer and he is an all out bad boy, both looking for a chance encounter for the night while he masquerades as a poor relation.

We move forward in time and circumstances have changed. Does the MMC give off some crusty signs? Yes. But is he revealing his soft gooey center all the time in little ways? Also yes. So cinnamon roll hero, here you go! Catherine is tall, voluptuous nerd who is also just a darn good person, so its hard not to root for these two despite some of the misunderstandings that jump in the path of true love.

The bulk of the book is a mystery/missing persons hunt while they both grapple with their past and  a twisted family legacy that has ensnared both of them. There is on the page intimacy, a lot of mature themes (including infidelity, death in childbirth, and abandonment), and no real violence but definitely some abuse tingey content that rates this a bit higher on the flame rating scale (a combination of intimate scenes, mature themes, and violence). I thought the intimate scenes were well done but honestly I was more interested in the how we get to HEA in this one.

Apparently, this is a debut effort which bodes well, and for those who love the tropes you will find: second chance romance, enemies to lovers, insta-love/lust, one bed, rake/bluestocking, carriage good times, and some mystery.

Once again, I was surprised how I loved the kiddo scenes in this one, too. The letter exchange between the Duke and the young baron was just chef’s kiss surprising and enjoyable.

Good historic details and adherence to Regency conventions, I think this one has a lot to love and recommend for readers looking for a new voice.