Second Chance Prince by Sara Bennett

Tracy’s Rating: 2.5/3 of 5 stars

Series: Romancing the Dukes #3

Release Date: May 19, 2026

Roberta Ashton was raised as Lady Roberta Ashton, daughter of the Duke of Grantham, but learned after his death that her parents’ marriage was not valid and she and her sisters were deemed as illegitimate. Thankfully, her half-brother Gabriel didn’t turn his back on them and insisted that they still had the privileges due to them as daughters of a duke. She met Prince Nikolai of Holtswig years ago when he was introduced as a possible suitor for her sister Olivia, and was instantly smitten, thankfully her sister married someone else, but he returned home soon afterwards. Now during her come out season the prince returns and they meet again at a ball, while they are catching up their conversation is interrupted when someone tries to kill the prince! The next day she is shocked when her brother’s friend Freddie Hart, a government agent approaches her and asks her to pretend to be engaged to the prince so the English government will be able to guard him without insulting his countrymen. She agrees, never believing she would actually marry him, even though she is still smitten with him. But when plans go awry and her life is turned upside down, will she find her HEA?

Prince Nikolai “Niki” of Holtswig has recently inherited his grandfather’s throne, but he is aware that not all of his countrymen are happy with his ideas for his country’s future. But he ever imagined anyone with try to kill him! When an attempt is made and it is suggested that he betroth himself to an English lady, he immediately asks Freddie to approach Roberta Ashton. Though he courted her sister, he had always been drawn to Roberta and thinks she would be the perfect lady to play his faux fiancée. When their charade becomes real, he is thrilled, as he knows he loves her, but not everyone is happy with their marriage and with so many suscepts it is hard to know who he can really trust. Will he be able to figure it out in time or will he lose everything including the woman he loves?

I really didn’t like the first two books in this series and was hoping the third time would be the charm – it wasn’t. I think I am just too picky – I know this is a work of fiction and I am willing to accept a certain amount of creative license, but in this series, it is like the author didn’t even try to make the story realistic to the era. I am not going to rehash all the title and protocol errors – but even if I was willing to overlook those errors, I thought the fake engagement plot was weak and slow moving. Overall, I do like the author’s writing style and enjoyed getting to know Roberta and Nikolai, the love scenes were warm without being graphic, the mystery was very well done and the book ends with a happy ending. So, while not my cuppa, I am sure many readers would find this book enjoyable.

2.5 stars

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

 

My Secret Duke by Sara Bennett

Tracy’s Rating: 2/2.5 of 5 stars

Series: Romancing the Dukes, #2

Release Date: April 1, 2025

After weathering the scandal caused by learning that her father was not legally married to her mother, and that the new Duke of Grantham was a gambling hell owner, Olivia Ashton is determined to curb her wild ways and find a respectable man to man. But when she is caught with Ivo Fitzsimmons, the Duke of Northam, she once more finds herself the subject of gossip. She is attracted to Ivo, but he is not in a position to help her family restore their standing in society or replenish their coffers, so when he proposes, she refuses and returns to the country to ride out the scandal. She needs to forget out Ivo and find another man to marry – too bad her heart is set on the roguish Duke.

Ivo Fitzsimmons, the Duke of Northam is in no position to marry, his estate is in debt and his main source of income is derived from smuggling, so he should be overjoyed that Olivia turned him down. But her biting words and accusations have only made him want her more and to win her, things are going to have to change. But changing is easier said than done, especially when his past comes calling and new secrets and scandals will make winning his heart’s desire.

This is a well written story with likable characters, but sadly this book just didn’t work for me. Olivia is illegitimate thanks to her father’s bigamy – but for some reason the author acts like this is no big deal and even continues to address her as if she has an honorific and that she would be welcomed by the ton. Then she is found in a compromising situation – but isn’t ruined, in fact, she has several titled suitors – including a prince vying for her hand – a penniless, illegitimate daughter of a duke with several scandals in her past – I don’t think so. I just couldn’t get past this – it is absurd and unbelievable. I am sure there are readers who won’t care about these things, but for me they ruin the story for me. I didn’t really care for the first book but wanted to believe that it was just a fluke, as I have read and enjoyed other books by this author, but I think I am done with this series.

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