Tag: #DesperatelySeekingADuke

How the Scot was Won by Caroline Linden

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

How the Scot Was Won (Desperately Seeking Duke, #2.5)How the Scot Was Won by Caroline Linden

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Desperately Seeking a Duke, #2.5

Release Date: July 6, 2021

If you read A Scot to the Heart then you have already met Agnes and Felix and are probably dying to know what happened to make her first dislike him and then apparently reconcile with him – Well the wait is over and the story is delicious! If you haven’t read the aforementioned book, no worries – this novella is their complete story and you will have no problems jumping right in.

Felix Duncan and Agnes St. James have a long history, one that goes back to their childhood, Felix was a friend of Agnes’ brother Andrew and was always kind to her, but it wasn’t until years later that Felix saw her again and realized that little girl that always tagged along was now a beautiful woman. One he wanted to get to know. Through “random” meetings at a coffeehouse, they formed a friendship and deeper feelings began to take root. But a night of revelry and a bit too much whiskey resulted in the world’s worst marriage proposal and the end to what had been a lovely friendship.

Things remained tense between them, and while they would have liked to avoid each other, that is not possible when her brother returns and Agnes ends up staying with her friend Ilsa who becomes romantically involved with her brother – who happens to be staying with Felix. When Andrew organizes a house party and invites Felix to join them, it appears that our lovers will finally talk and reconcile – a boon in Felix’s opinion and one he doesn’t plan on wasting, because, despite everything that has happened, he really has fallen for Agnes. But just as things seem to be falling into place for their HEA, things completely fall apart for Ilsa and Andrew, and any hope for a quick HEA is lost, but that doesn’t mean it will never happen – does it?

I really enjoyed this novella, it was well-written and never felt rushed or recycled as it was also its own story even though it is on the same timeline as A Scot to the Heart, this book is filled with emotion, angst, steamyish love scenes, a hero who works hard for redemption and finally a well-deserved HEA. This was written as a companion novella to the novel A Scot to the Heart which is Andrew and Ilsa’s story, and while you can read this story without reading that one with no problems, I wouldn’t recommend reading this one first as it will have spoilers.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

Scot to the Heart by Caroline Linden

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

A Scot to the Heart (Desperately Seeking Duke, #2)A Scot to the Heart by Caroline Linden

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Desperately Seeking Duke, #2

Release Date: June 29, 2021

After years of serving in the army to support his family, Andrew “Drew” St. James’ life takes an unexpected turn when he learns that he is the heir presumptive to his distant cousin the Duke of Carlyle. The Duke is an invalid and has been for years, but when his younger brother dies, his mother, the duchess, has her solicitor, Mr. Edwards to find the duke’s heirs. The duchess wants Andrew to move to England and learn about the dukedom, but gives him six months to get his affairs in order and asks that since he plans to go to Scotland to see his family, Mr. Edwards asks that he inspect Stormont Palace, one of the duke’s estates in Scotland that they might want to sell. Drew agrees to everything and even suggests that when he returns, he would like the duchess to help him find a wife, someone who would be the perfect duchess.

He returns home and spends his first night with his friends, they go out for dinner and that is when he meets and dances with an amazing woman. They share a moment and she kisses him before leaving him stunned and smitten. The next day Drew learns that his mystery woman is his sister’s dear, widowed friend. He knows Ilsa Ramsay is not duchess material, but he cannot stop thinking about her. He spends time with her and begins to wonder if he will be able to walk away. In an effort to decide, he invites her to join his family when they visit Stormont Palace.

Ilsa thought she was done with marriage, after marrying the man her father chose and enduring a cold marriage and then a horrific scandal when her husband was killed in a duel, she thinks she will be happier as a widow. But meeting Drew makes her wonder if maybe marriage with the right man could bring the joy she has been trying to find. The time they spend at Stormont Palace confirms their feelings and when they return he makes it clear that he wants to court her. But their return to Edinburgh is plagued with one problem after another, problems Ilsa is sure will destroy any chance for HEA.

This was a well-written, interesting, nicely paced read. I loved Drew, he was such a great hero, and even though he was not perfect, he gave his all for those he loved. The book held my attention from the first page to the last, it was filled with wonderful characters, a little bit of mystery, some warm love scenes, a couple of surprising twists, including a whammy at the end that may change everything for our lovers as they start their HEA. There was also the hint of a secondary romance featuring Drew’s sister Agnes and his friend Felix that will be followed up in the novella: How the Scot was Won which is releasing a week after this book!! I enjoyed this book and am happy to recommend it, and while it is the second book in the series, it could easily be read as a standalone title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.