Review: Someday My Duke Will Come (Isle of Synne #2) by Christina Britton

 

Print Length: 400 pages

Publisher: Forever (January 12, 2020)

From Goodreads.com:  Lady Clara Ashford's world changed fifteen years ago at the hands of a rogue who took her innocence. Determined never to give into temptation again, she settles into a life as caregiver for her family. With her younger sister recently engaged and about to embark on a life of her own, Clara feels adrift and without purpose―until Quincy, the new Duke of Reigate, arrives on her doorstep in need of a fake fiancée.

When Quincy Nesbitt unexpectedly inherits a dukedom, he's determined to do his best by the title. One thing he won't do? Marry a woman he's never met just because she was engaged to his older brother. So, he enlists Lady Clara's help, since he can't marry another when he's engaged to her. But as they pretend for the ton, Quincy finds himself falling for real. Now, he just has to convince Lady Clara to take a chance on him.

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My Rating: 3 stars out of 5

There wasn't anything wrong with this book. It flowed smoothly, and had some interesting characters. The problem is, I just didn't connect with them. At times I felt the story itself was lacking something - a spark or something that brought it together in a way that made me care about these characters. 

Part of the problem is I didn't believe in the chemistry between these two. A friendship sure, as they did have some witty conversations and Clara steadied him in a way no one and nothing else ever had. I also liked how he forced Clara out of her comfort zone, getting her to participate in games and things she had given up in her youth in order to care for her younger siblings. I just didn't feel like theirs was a love story. It was just sort of there. 

Perhaps this was in part due to the fact that they both had tragic pasts that they needed to work through, one of which being the loss of a child. I felt these details while adding to the complexity of the characters, just dragged the story down because instead of talking about them, they just just brooded on their issues for most of the book.

I also didn't care for Quincy's mother. Her antics were not only toxic, but extremely over the top. As a Duchess, I feel she would have known better than to just show up at the home of another peer (especially imposing upon the family during preparations for a wedding happening that week). For someone who supposedly cared so much about her reputation and social standing, she certainly didn't act like it. 

Even with these things, I enjoyed the story just enough that I will give this author another chance.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

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                                                        Someday My Duke Will Come is available from Amazon.com