What’s a Duke Got to Do With It
Since they first met four years ago, Katrina Denby and Sebastian Thorne have fallen on hard times. Her reputation ruined, and rejected by her brother, she has found refuge as a companion to Lady Tesh. He has inherited the Dukedom of Ramsleigh, but its overwhelming debts oblige him to marry an heiress. Though their former feelings rapidly rekindle when they meet again, social and financial obstacles remain.
This is second in the Synneful Sisters series, set on the Isle of Synne. It largely tracks the protagonists’ internal struggles to repress their powerful mutual attraction in the face of challenging circumstances. Though their devotion and self-sacrifice merit a happy outcome, the radical change in attitude of several characters and the unexpected inheritance that solves the financial issue are overly convenient strategies to achieve it. The supportive group of women are interesting, particularly Lady Tesh, but the characters in this sentimental Regency romance play one-dimensional roles, either loyal friends or insensitive bullies, and the plot drifts towards melodrama at times. Readers looking for sorely conflicted lovers will be satisfied.
