Review: The Bachelor (Duke Dynasty #2) by Sabrina Jeffries




Print Length: 352 pages
Publisher: Zebra (February 25, 2020)

From Goodreads.com:  Lady Gwyn Drake has long protected her family's reputation by hiding an imprudent affair from her youth. But when her former suitor appears at Armitage Hall, manhandling the heiress and threatening to go public with her secrets, it's Gwyn who needs protecting. Her twin brother, Thorn, hires Joshua Wolfe, the estate's gamekeeper, to keep her safe in London during her debut. As a war hero, Joshua feels obligated to fulfill the assignment he has accepted. But as a man, it's torment to be so very close to the beauty he's fought to ignore . . .

With handsome Joshua monitoring her every move, Gwyn would prefer to forget both the past and the parade of money-seeking bachelors at her coming out. But Joshua is unmoved by her attempts at flirtation, and the threat of blackmail still hangs over her. With danger closing in, Gwyn must decide which is the greater risk: deflecting a scoundrel's attempts to sabotage her--or revealing her whole heart to the rugged bodyguard she can't resist . . .


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My Rating: 4 stars out of 5

This was a thoroughly engaging novel with complex characters and a plot that kept me glued to the pages. 


I enjoyed watching Gwyn and Joshua interact with one another throughout this novel. From being friends of a sort who were distrustful of most everyone, to watching as the sparks started to fly these two were a delight. The banter between them, as well as their interactions as he served as her body-guard created several laugh out loud moments. I especially liked the way he managed to give her what she wanted (shooting lessons), without actually giving her what she wanted. The chemistry between these two was palpable, and I for one was pleased with the way the author chose to use and expand on that chemistry instead of having them just rush off to bed together. 


I also liked the way the author was able to weave the villainous ex-suitor into the story, and having met him in a prior novella in which he attempted to kidnap another character, getting to learn the extent of his depravity made for a shocking discovery.


The one thing I was a bit disappointed with is the fact that this story does end on a sort of cliff-hanger in regards to something that happened early on in the story. I would have liked to have had all the loose ends tied up, although I can see why the author would choose to leave it the way that they did as it perfectly sets up the next installment of this series. 


I believe this story will appeal to fans of historical romance novels with characters that don't like to conform to society thinks they ought to be. I will read more from this author.


DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. 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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                               The Bachelor is available from Amazon.com

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