How to Love a Duke in Ten Days

Our Review

Piers Atherton, the Duke of Redmayne, needs to secure a bride to thwart his scheming cousin. His scarred face earns him the nickname, The Terror of Torcliff. At the train station close to his castle home, Piers runs across his betrothed’s friend. The secrets in Alexandra’s haunted gaze arouses his instinctual need to protect, so when she proposes marriage, Piers accedes. Strange incidents follow them on their honeymoon. Can Piers protect Alexandra from harm? Will he learn the full scope of his wife’s secrets?

Lady Alexandra Lane is the bluestocking daughter of an impoverished earl. She worries about how to pay her blackmailer so her shameful secrets remain hidden. When she travels to Devonshire to aid a friend, Alexandra encounters the woman’s unwanted betrothed. She believes Piers is the answer to her problems, and she offers to take her friend’s place at the altar. Accidents follow them, threatening their lives. Can Alexandra learn to trust Piers? Or will her secrets be a constant rift between them?

Piers is such a gruffy and scarred teddy bear. He too has demons to conquer and overcome. I like how Alexandra gives him a reason to exorcise them for good and open his heart to trust again. I adore how Piers recognizes a fellow kindred spirit in Alexandra. They both enjoy traveling and seeing the world. What I love the most about Piers is the patience he shows Alexandra. I think, on some fundamental level, he sensed the trauma she suffered. It just never registered until all the signs walloped him upside the head.

Alexandra is such an inspiration for women, especially those who have suffered from sexual assault. She has survived the worst ordeal a woman can face. I admire the inner strength Alexandra exudes when she faces her inner demons while taking steps to overcome for good. She knows the process will be painful and difficult, yet she endures for the promise of a family of her own. What I adore the most about Alexandra is her steadfast loyalty to her two friends. She perseveres her blackmailer’s demands to protect them. Alexandra also dropped everything to come to her friend’s aid, regardless of the trouble.

HOW TO LOVE A DUKE IN TEN DAYS is book one in Kerrigan Byrne’s brand new historical romance series, DEVIL YOU KNOW. I eagerly anticipated this book. It did not disappoint. I love how this story has the same dark edginess as the author’s VICTORIAN REBELS series, without it being too similar.

HOW TO LOVE A DUKE IN TEN DAYS is an emotive tale of two wounded souls overcoming their inner demons to forge a loving future. I had a rough time putting this book down and devoured half of it in one sitting. I cannot wait for Cecelia and Ramsay’s book.

A recommended read.