Why Dukes Say I Do by Manda Collins Series: Wicked Widows #1
Published by St. Martin's Press on 30 June 2013
Genres: Historical Romance
Pages: 352
Format: eARC
Source: Netgalley
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When Trevor Carey, the Duke of Ormond first meets Lady Isabella Wharton, he thinks she's a cold hearted treasure hunter, and so he pretends to be a farm-hand to make her leave his lands as quickly as possible. Her poise and honesty appeals to him, though, and since her carriage is broken, he lets her stay at his estate. Soon, she becomes friends with his younger sisters, all the while hiding some sinister notes that keep appearing in her bed chambers, veiled threats that become more urgent as the time passes.
The reluctant Duke feels an urgency as well, and it has all to do with the lovely Lady who is staying as a guest in his house. He realizes there is a lot more to her than the beauty that meets the eye, and he is both intrigued and admiring when it comes to her. Isabella has been burnt badly before, and the last thing she wants is to have a man in her life, but Trevor is very charming, and brutally honest as well as loyal.
*I received a free eARC of Why Dukes Say I do from St. Martin’s Press via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review*
Why Dukes Say I Do is exactly my kind of historical romance. Isabella is a strong-minded widow, but she can still be blackmailed by the dowager who is also her Godmother. Trevor is a reluctant Duke who has never met his own grand-mother because her late husband left his father penniless for marrying for love. When Isabella is sent to Yorkshire to convince him to come to London and embrace his new role, Trevor wants to bargain with her to make sure he won’t have to leave his beloved country home.
On top of getting to know each other, and trying to convince each other to change their point of view, Trevor and Isabella have to deal with the fact that someone seems to be out for Isabella’s blood. And the secret Isabella is keeping is a very big one. Why Dukes Say I Do is a mixture of historical romance and mystery, and the balance between the two is expertly done. As the plot moves forward the different culprits start to make sense, only to be discarded later, but Isabella and Trevor both continue to search and as they do, they grow close.
I really enjoyed the humor as well, and of course, because the heroine is a widow, there is no ambiguity about the fact that she is not a virgin! I have a discussion post about why heroines so often are virgins, and it made me very happy to actually read a historical romance where this is not the case! And since the name of the series Why Dukes Say I Do is named Wicked Widows, I have a feeling this is one romance trope that is not part of the rest of the books in the series either.
The character development makes a lot of sense, and as Isabella and Trevor get to now and trust each other, they show other aspects of themselves than they did when they first met. The interactions with Trevor’s younger sisters, and later with the haughty dowager are extremely well done, and I had a very good time while reading Why Dukes Say I Do. If you enjoy historical romance novels that also include a mystery and some humor, you should definitely make room for Why Dukes Say I Do on your ‘to read’ list.
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
Twitter: bmreviewsohmy
Sounds like a good one. 🙂
It really is, Stormi 🙂
Twitter: limabean74
Don’t normally read these kinds of books but you having me wondering if I should start 🙂
Great review
Michelle
If you like romance at all, you might enjoy it, Michelle! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
I also enjoyed Why Dukes Say I Do, and I read it based on your posting that it’s out already, remember? Thanks for that 🙂
I also liked that they knew each other and did not just fall for each other with no basis other than their good looks.
I’m glad you enjoyed it too! And yes, not falling in love as soon as they laid eyes on each other is another big plus 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Goldie.
Historical romance, mystery and humor?!? I’m sold, Lexxie! Why Dukes Say I Do sounds like a great read. I haven’t read HR in quite awhile and I’m missing the genre. 🙂
I hope you’re having a great week so far! *hugs*
Oh then Why Dukes Say I Do will be an excellent re-introduction to the genre, Brandee.
Thanks for stopping by! *hugs*
I haven’t read historical romance, or romance to be precise. 🙂
Every time I think about it it’s like a hand grabs me away from those kind of books.
I want to read one but every time I end up with YA, Crime Mystery. I have to try harder. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. Sounds pretty good.
If romance isn’t your thing though, I really wouldn’t force it! Reading is supposed to be fun and enjoyable 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Athina.
Twitter: talksupeblog
I have to say the wicked banter and verbal forepplay is what i miss the most from historical novels. The characters are always so concerned with what’s proper its quite fun reading them find loopholes and act slutty. AND the heroines are frequently virgins!! The cherry popping is the beat part. Man, I should read historical romances again.
LOL the wicked banter is awesome, but I actually kind of like it when there’s no cherry-popping! And yes, historical romances are totally awesome, Braine 🙂
Thanks for stopping by.
I read more and more historical romances books, and I love the genre. It’s nice to discover some new ones so thank you! I even tried a French author yesterday but it’s always a little less good.