About a Rogue review [Desperately Seeking Duke book 1]
A Scot to the Heart review [Desperately Seeking Duke book 2]
She’s a duchess in all but name
Philippa Kirkpatrick has been raised at Carlyle Castle by her doting guardian, the Duchess of Carlyle. Preoccupied with the succession of the dukedom and the duke’s health, the duchess has left the estate in Philippa’s hands—and Philippa is determined not to let her down.
He’s not a duke at all . . .
The arrival of a new estate steward should be a relief, but instead it threatens to upend everything. William Montclair is handsome, brash, and scandalously bold. The horrified duchess wants to sack him on sight. Philippa is just as shocked . . . but also, somehow, charmed.
But could he be her hero?
Carlyle cannot be her home forever, but Philippa is determined to leave it in good hands. She means to teach Will how to run the estate properly and love Carlyle as she does. The more time she spends with Will, though, the more she likes him . . . trusts him . . . even loves him. Unfortunately, she’s also more and more certain that Will is keeping secrets that could break her heart.
storygraph.com
Content Warnings: Detailed sexual scenes, blood, loss of loved ones, and racism.
Having read the first two books in this series I, wrongly, assumed I’d already figured out the plot of this book. I have a feeling this is just a trilogy but I really hope we get more novellas or a spin-off so I can get to know more of the characters we’ve met in all three books. There is a novella between books one and two and another between books two and three that I need to get my hands on and read but I desperately need more after finishing book three.
Philippa’s father married the duchess’s only daughter when Philippa was young and she has lived in and been a loved member of the Carlyle household ever since. Having lost her mother, then father, and then stepmother she’s developed a close bond and relationship with the duchess and takes care of a lot of the runnings of the Carlyle household.
William has never managed an estate before and wasn’t raised knowing English etiquette, which has everyone a bit curious as to how well he’ll do as the new estate steward. Determined to ensure he’s up to the task William aggressively starts petitioning for repairs and upgrades all over the Carlyle lands which overwhelms and shocks the duchess. Having only lost their last steward a few years ago the Duchess, and Philippa, are shocked at the number of structures that William claims are in disrepair.
Constantly at odds with Philippa, and the Duchess, William is sure he won’t last long in his position but refuses to back down on all the changes he deems necessary. Once Philippa realizes that the lands do in fact need a lot of upgrades she takes it upon herself to teach William how to explain things in a way that will make the Duchess more receptive to the changes. The more they work together the harder it is for them to ignore their attraction.
I adored the banter between Philippa and William and seeing how hard they both tried to fight the attraction they shared. Wishing this book was a little longer so I could have gotten more out of the ending. I’m really hoping we get to see a spin-off series, or at least one final novella, that will allow us to get, at least, one more glimpse of this world and all its characters.
NoelleLovesBooks 