Marina Montrose: Marguerite

Marguerite by Marina Montrose
Published by Cupid's Arrow Publishing on December 4, 2025
Genres: Fiction / Romance / General, Fiction / Romance / Historical / Gilded Age, Fiction / Romance / Historical / Regency
Pages: 162
Format: ARC
Source: The Author
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Chemistry sizzles between Lady Marguerite and the Duke of Argyle. Will she be able to reconcile reason with passion?

When the arrogant Duke of Argyle makes an offer for her hand, Lady Marguerite Lennox is quick to refuse, thinking him arrogant and aloof.

Her parents are disappointed she has turned down the best catch in the matrimonial stakes. The duke himself is reeling from the insult to his ego. He decides to pursue her as he has never pursued anyone before. His aim is to conquer, to bend her to his will.

When the duke steals a burning kiss at a ball, sparks fly. Marguerite is struck by lightning, but is terrified of getting burned. If passion wanes, she fears her life will be bleak.

Marguerite is the story of a man who is obsessed with a feisty but kind woman—who loves him but does not much like him.

I received this book for free from The Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

In the spirit of grumpy/sunshine pairings, this debut novel, Marguerite gives us a haughty Duke who becomes nearly feral with wanting to marry Marguerite, an Original who is determined to marry for love. Marguerite is baffled when their paths keep crossing, but is aware she can’t cut the connection…until suddenly she doesn’t want to.

While there is some drama and on page intimacy, I found this book to overall be a cozy read. Much of the tone is similar to a traditional Regency romance, although we have elements like intimate moments, that blend in spicier historical romance. There are some mature themes but little on page violence (a couple of accidents), so unless you are wanting kisses only this book is appropriate for most readers.

Much of the book centers around how and if Marguerite will change her mind about the Duke, who she refuses in the first few pages. The Duke, at first out of pique and then love, pursues Marguerite relentlessly, determined to set aside his rakish ways and open up his life of solitude to the character that is headstrong, romantic, and compassionate. A little like Beauty in the Beast, although the Duke does not kidnap her and there are no speaking candlesticks.

The style of writing is reminiscent of many traditional Regency romance authors, so it feels very immersive in the era with nice attention to detail. We get both some London scenes and scenes in the country, as well as a diversity of supporting characters, which round out the story nicely. I particularly loved Marguerite’s father and the Duke’s aunt, who are keen and amusing observers of young love. Marguerite’s cousin Alice, too, provides a nice foil particularly with a competing love interest.

Its an interesting book, in that it does not end at the HEA, and continues to tell a little about life after the wedding which I think will be really appealing for some readers who long to spend a little more time with the MCs after they get together. I think this adds to the cozy vibes, providing an overall low angst read that can be easily completed in a few short reading sessions.

There are several scenes following a serious accident that aren’t terrifying and are important to the plot/resolution, but I thought I would add that in case car accidents or similar can be triggering for some readers.

Montrose provides a thoroughly enjoyable debut that shows a great understanding of the era and a different type of storytelling that I think many readers will enjoy.

 

* The author provided the book in exchange for a review. The author is also currently running an ad on the website. Neither of these factors influenced my review.