The Dutchess deal by (Girl Meets Duke #1) by Tessa Dare was a really fun, enjoyable romance read. The main characters were funny, witty and charming and I enjoyed their interaction. The plot was quite simple, but somewhat believable as Emma was not the kind of girl to just roll with it, she was clever and knew what was in her best interest, and marrying the duke was. There were some scenes that were a tad ridiculous like the scene with the cat when it attacked the duke and it was a tad cringey. There were other scenes like the one when she hid behind the couch with her friend and although it was funny, it wasn't cringey.

He also seemed to have overplayed the emotionally scarred dude role up to some point when this got better. It reminded me a little of the Beauty and the Beast. It was quite interesting that his wounds were quite significant and not just a "marred cheeck". I really liked Emma as she was not one to be messed with, she had a spine and loved to challenge him; she was a spitfire. What I wan't much keen on, was the "antagonist" as she barely made an apparition and was just an unidimentional character. I wished she would've been more than just a selfish, self-absorbed trope.

Regardless, this was a great fun, enjoyable read and I have this  4  as it was one of my favourite purely romantic books in a very long time! Also.... this cover!!!!

I absolutely love regency romances, they're my guilty (not-so) secret. Whilst I enjoyed this one, I found it was a little too risqué for my liking - I prefer my romance to be hinted at, rather than described in detail.

Enjoyable story with some fun characters - I particularly liked the ladies from across the square - and Emma and the Duke's relationship seemed very real.

I would read more from this author, but would definitely need to be not reading it on the tube... made for some uncomfortable reading, wondering if the person next to me was reading over my shoulder (*shudder*)

This book is the first that I have read by Tessa Dare. It is also the first in this particular genre.

I found it an utter delight to read. Emma is such a likeable character as is the Duke of Ashbury.

If you ever wondered how Beauty and the Beast would play in a historical romance novel—with no fantasy elements at all—stop tormenting yourself and go grab this book. You won't just get your answer, you also won't stop smiling even after you finished the read!

"The Duchess Deal" is such an enchanting book that I found myself finishing it in a matter of hours. From the very first page it seems things go quite fast, but the story has that fairy-tale halo all around that just works with this kind of pace, and it didn't bother me a bit. Of course, all the amazing, funny banters, and the sexual tension quickly escalating in blazing nights together are what keep your nose in (their business) the book. The deal these two strike turns to be a challenge for them both, making them face issues they have with themselves, especially the Duke of Ashbury. Now, who doesn't love a scarred hero? And who wouldn't want to come to his rescue? Fair warning, when you meet THIS Duke, your heart will be the one that needs saving...

Amusing, seductive and dreamy, a totally recommended book for lovers of this genre. Do not hesitate and simply let Tessa Dare tell you a story, her characters will take it from there and do the rest!

I loved the Duchess Dare. It's my first foray into Tessa Dare's work, but I want to read much more! I can't wait for #2 in this series.
Our protagonist Emma, and her beau Ash, are two of the most well rounded characters that I have read in any romance book. It being a Mills and Boon I wasn't expecting the full on sexual scenes, but I am glad there was no fade to blacks and it was refreshing to see!
My only qualms were it was a tad short! There were times where I wanted more explanation, especially towards the end. Each of the beats came slightly too quickly for me! A few more chapters would have changed that for me.

All in all I give it 4/5 - it's well worth a read for any romance reader!

I’ve read a number of Tessa Dare books but this one made me wonder why she’s not on my auto-buy list and why I’m not fan-girling over her at every available opportunity. I was blown away by how fun and engrossing this story was.

The premise was original and hilarious - it really sets the scene for what you should expect with this book.

Ash bears some physical and mental scars from Waterloo and beyond. He’s considered a monster by the ton and so that what he’s become. But never fear, he’s blooming adorable. “With most, he merely took reverse pleasure in being a pain in the arse.” He would hate me to say it but I loved him for it. He was so prickly and stern but Emma never really believed that. The way he seemed truly baffled by her refusal to obey him and her teasing, was just delightful.

Emma. Loved her. Yes, she was a seamstress. Yes, she was Ash’s social inferior. And yes, she had her own demons. But she was her own woman. She was smart, intelligent and believed in herself. And in Ash. It was really lovely and made my heart happy.

Together, the pair were perfect for each other. Ash brought a security to Emma’s life while Emma brought Ash to life again and made him happy. It was funny to watch them spar with each other and then dodge their growing feelings. It was written so well that we as the reader, much like Emma and Ash themselves, couldn't’ pinpoint exactly when the pair actually fell in love.

The sex also brought a nice jolt to the tummy, too, which is always a bonus. Just enough sexual tension and actual sex to keep this reader content.

This is the first book in a new series called Girl Meets Duke. We meet the heroine of the next book - Alexandra - in this first. We don’t learn much about her in this book but I’m still keen to read her own tale - The Governess Game - which comes out in August 2018. I’m assuming that Nicola and Penny - also introduced in this book - will get their own stories in the rest of the series. I’m also kind of hopeful that ‘The Menace’ gets an appearance in the rest of the series - he was hilarious! But fear not, there are no godforsaken cliffhangers in this book. Emma and Ash’s story is finished just as it should be.

This isn’t a dark and deep Regency romance by any means. It’s light and sparkly but it’s so wonderfully real. The banter was divine - I think I probably highlighted so many passages of text that genuinely made me laugh out loud. And made me sigh in a Regency-swoon-like fashion. I finished the book and my first thought was that this is why I fell in love with Regency romances; this wonderfully captivating tale filled with love and humour. It’s pure sweetness in a book. 5 stars.

This was as enjoyable for me as all Tessa Dare's books are. I love the convenient romance trope and this one was done really nicely, with the two people both marrying for some degree of gain and then slowly getting to know each other after the wedding.

The two main characters were a joy to read and I liked how we got each of their POVs so we weren't left wondering why they had the reactions they did - it was always obvious where their actions were stemming from. Emma's refusal to allow Ash to treat her badly and Ash's sheer confusion at this was a joy to read. They had wonderful chemistry and banter together, and their emotional issues preventing them from admitting their feelings felt very well-thought out. Ash's scars and his fiancee leaving him is of course going to leave him feeling rejected and monstrous, while Emma's backstory has her feeling the same thing. It just make sense, how their issues got in the way of communicating with each other and admitting to themselves how they felt.

The side characters were just as delightful to read about and I loved Khan, the butler, Trevor and Emma's new friends as well. I especially loved the ending between Emma, Ash and Khan!

I liked the conflict between the two of them, as always it was not what I expected. I wasn't such a fan of the monster of mayfair subplot, I felt like it was just there to give an excuse about why Ash was late and I could have happily had the book without it altogether.

This was one of my favourites of Tessa Dare's books. 4.5 stars!

The Duke of Ashbourne needs an heir to stop his cousin squandering any inheritance he might leave, and decides that Emily, a seamstress will fit the bill.
I enjoyed reading this lively and amusing piece of Regency escapism, occasionally laughing out loud as the banter between the charismatic two main characters leapt from the page. The main characters (Ash, the Duke of Ashbourne) and Emily, are passionately attracted to each other, though Ash (wounded in battle at Waterloo) feels his scars repel people, and is reclusive and bitter.
Emma finds ways to bring Ash back into society, and I loved the humour, both from the main and secondary characters. Khan, Ash’s butler, is priceless.
I would recommend this entertaining book for a humorous, light-hearted read, and I am looking out for the next book from this author. This is the first book I have read from this author, but will looking out for more.

I’m not a big fan or reader of romance books due to how formulaic it can be, but I still do read some when the mood strikes. The Duchess Deal had the usual tropes but what I liked about it is the deviation from the sexually-innocent-and-shy female protagonist. The book is by no means perfect but the fact that it surprised me elevated it from the usual romance books I’ve read.

This was a story that I found captivating from the first page. Emma was such a strong lady, as she needed to be given her circumstances. I loved the banter between Emma and the Duke of Ashbury. Ashbury was such a troubled soul and Emma was just the right person for him. Their gradual awareness of their feelings for each other was tender and heartfelt. There were places when I had a smile on my face and other times when I had a tear in my eye. There must be stories for the three friends that took Emma into their group and Trevor was an added bonus. This is an ideal story for anyone who enjoys a witty romance. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a wonderful Historical Romance.
The characters keep a smile on your face and I could not put it down.
A great read.

This is the first Mills and Boon I've read in a while and my first ever Tessa Dare and it turned out to be the perfect choice. It's such a funny and cute story, I can't remember the last time I laughed so much and I literally couldn't put it down. I should confess that I am a fairytale re-telling addict and so any kind of Beauty and the Beast story is always going to be right up my street but this is just so well done. The characters are incredibly likeable but it's the banter and the chemistry between them that really made this story for me. I couldn't wait for their next scene together and often found myself laughing out loud (warning: do not read this in public)

The secondary characters are also wonderfully done, from the meddling servants trying to push them together to Emma's new group of rather eccentric friends who I'm hoping will be be the leads in the following books. I suspect the humour and wit in this may not be to everyone's taste but I absolutely adored it and was very sorry to reach the end.

Needless to say I've added Tessa Dare to my list of authors to look out for and am already hunting down her whole back catalogue..

This is an enchanting book. Tessa Dare has a lightness of touch that is delightful to read, and parts of it are very amusing. Emma Gladstone bursts into the Duke of Ashbury's library wearing a beautifully made but ghastly wedding dress. The wedding had been cancelled, but Emma wants paying for all her hard work as a seamstress. The dress had taken months of work, and she needed the two pounds seven shillings she should have been paid. The Duke is a fearsome man with a very bad temper. He had been hideously wounded in the Battle of Waterloo, he had suffered terrible burns to his face and torso, and no longer liked to appear in public. But he needed an heir, so he needed a wife, and is impressed that Emma stands up to him. So he offers her marriage, once she has produced an heir to his estate she can retire to a house he will provide and need never see him again. She eventually agrees, for reasons of her own.

Emma sees beyond the scars, and she likes him, very much. Their verbal sparring is excellent, and she breaks through the ice surrounding his heart. Lots of amusing incidents, and a lot of poignant moments. Well worth reading, and I will look out for this author in the future.

'The Duchess Deal', is the first Regency romance I've read in a couple of years. A clever mix of humour and poignancy laced through with sensual romance, Ash and Emma's story is the perfect weekend read.
The Duke of Ashbury's reclusive life is disturbed when desperate seamstress, Emma demands payment for his ex- fiancee's wedding gown. From their first meeting, you can tell that Emma is a strong, independent woman, ready to defy convention and risk all to ensure her survival. Ashbury believes her intrusion to be serendipitous and wastes no time in making her an unlikely offer, he is brusque, haughty and hurting and the marriage of convenience he proposes riddled with rules designed to protect his already battered heart and self-esteem.
The couples unlikely romance is aided and abetted by Kahn, the butler and Mary, the ladies maid and indeed the whole of the Duke's staff at his London residence. They want to see the Duke happy and believe Emma is the perfect match for him.
Painfully disfigured from a horrific war injury Ashbury's prickly nature is exacerbated, he shuns society and human contact and has only allowed the marriage of convenience to get an heir; enabling him to honour his father's memory and fulfil his duty to his tenants. Emma sees the man beneath the scars, moved by his sense of responsibility and caring nature. Falling in love will make her vulnerable and is something she can't afford to risk, but is it already too late?
The plot has good pacing, the necessary twists and lots of humour, which counterbalance the angst the couple experience, as they battle their internal demons and external nemeses to get their happy ever after.
Emma's friendship with an unusual set of ladies gives her courage as she fights to understand her complicated husband, I look forward to reading about their lives in later books.
The Duchess Deal is an engaging, lively, sensual Regency romance with delightfully flawed, likeable characters and a lovely balance of laughter, kisses and tears.
I received a copy of this book from Mills & Boon via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Oh, words cannot describe how much I enjoyed The Duchess Deal (Girl Meets Duke, #1) by Tessa Dare.
I wasn't really expecting that much from this and it jumped up and hit me by surprise.
So The "The Duchess Deal" tells the tale of vicar’s daughter turned seamstress Emma Gladstone and The Duke of Ashbury’s "Ash".
Ash Horribly disfigured after the war needs a wife and heir after his broken engagement and Emma a seamstress but a lady nether the less fits his bill precisely.
But there will be some rules to follow.

.They will be husband and wife by night only.
No lights, no kissing.
No questions about his battle scars.
Last, and most importantly… Once she’s pregnant with his heir, they need never share a bed again.


But Emma sets a few stipulations of her own.

They will have dinner together every evening.
With conversation.
And unlimited teasing.
Last, and most importantly… Once she’s seen the man beneath the scars, he can’t stop her from falling in love


What follows is nothing short of sublime as Emma wagers one-woman guerrilla warfare against her new unsuspecting husband.
Emma can't help falling for the grumpy bad tempered Duke and She will Teach Ash the real meaning of Love and care as she falls further down the rabbit hole herself.
So This was a fantastic read not only did it manage to keep my attention I found myself chuckling throughout.
Ash's intriguing use of language had me grinning from ear to ear.
That original bed scene where it was like a game of blind man's buff as Ash was feeling around in the dark for Emma was fantastic, so amusing.
Then there was that stray cat Emma just picked up from the street to take with her, lucky cat ay.
And as this story progressed you couldn't help to fall along with Emma for the gruff, sarcastic stubborn but wholly worthy of love Ash.
It reminded me so much of a beauty and the beast tale just more risque and raunchy as Emma and her Duke proceed to christen all rooms in there home lol.
Ash may be disfigured but without his impairment, Emma and Ash would never have married so maybe it was a blessing in disguise resulting in his happiness and escape from his previous shallow engagement.
The many terms of endearment used throughout "The Duchess Deal" By Emma were brilliant and kept me smiling along.
And the added story of the "Monster of Mayfair" was also quite sad, I felt for Ash but at the same time wanted him to realise he was much more than just his face.
And when Ash did do sweet in his own particular snarky way well just SWOON GIRLFRIEND!!!!

“You are wet, and you are cold. You don’t like being cold. Therefore, I despise you being cold. I would go about murdering raindrops and setting fire to the clouds, but that would take slightly more than an hour. Perhaps even two. So we’re here, and you will cease complaining about it.”


Listen to me talking as if these characters are really real lol.
But that, in my opinion, is the sign of a well-written story that by the time I was finished here I felt I was leaving behind me, two old friends.
I was actually sad to leave Emma and Ash in the background.
But so happy they got to live there very own HEA.
"The Duchess was so refreshing to read and left me with such a happy feeling inside.
I was provided with an ARC of "The Duchess" By Netgalley of which I have reviewed voluntary.
All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Not a huge fan of this book - it was good for a light read to get away from the daily grind of life, but there wasn't anything spectacular about it. Some parts were especially unrealistic and took away some of the enjoyment. However, just because it wasn't for me doesn't mean that other readers won't enjoy it!

The Duchess Deal is the first book in the Girl Meets Duke series by Tessa Dare.

The Duke of Ashbury needs an heir in order to make sure that when he dies, his worthless relatives won't inherit from him. He was terribly scarred during Waterloo when a rocket pretty much exploded in his face. His body, including one side of his face, has been damaged irreparably and he looks so bad now that people stare at him in horror. Even his ex-fiance vomited during the one attempt she had to be intimate with him. An extreme reaction, but one that Ash will never forget. He knows a marriage will be purely one of convenience and sets about asking his solicitor to find a suitable candidate for him. One that will agree to his rules such as sex only in the dark and once she is pregnant one that will move away with the baby and have no dealings with him. He has no self-esteem at all and believes his baby would be terrified by him just like everybody is.

Before he even has a chance to send the missive a woman ends up at his door wearing a wedding dress. The wedding dress that was made for his ex-fiance. After the wedding was called off nobody bothered to pay for the dress, and as a seamstress desperately in need of her wages, Emma Gladstone goes to the Dukes to demand payment. Emma is a vicar's daughter, he kicked her out when she was younger for bringing shame on the family. She makes her living as a seamstress and can't afford to not get paid for the number of hours she put in and the materials used.

Ash loves that Emma stands up to him, and he decides then to offer her the payment for the work or for her to become his Duchess following the rules he sets out. She chooses the latter and from there we see their relationship develop into something more than just a contract.

This was a real Beauty and the Beast story and I loved how Emma made Ash realise that he isn't a monster. She was exactly what he needed and their romance developing was a joy to read. There were many comical moments in the book and I particularly loved how Emma called Ash silly names because she didn't like to call him Ash or Duke as he asked. His reaction to the names was great fun to read. I loved how protective of Emma he became and I found myself smiling throughout their journey. There was no huge drama in this story, it was a wonderful feel-good romance that I loved every minute of.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers' copy of this book.

This is a real beauty and the Beast story.
Beautifully told it demonstrates that not only that love conquers all but that beauty can truly be in the eye of the beholder.
A lovely romantic read with a little bit of erotica.

I really enjoyed this book. Ash and Emma meet after she had made a spectacular wedding dress for his ex fiancée. He offers her a deal that she accepts! She will become his duchess in exchange for giving him an heir. He has stipulations which they agree - but she is a very spirited girl and although this is a business arrangement she soon tangles herself into his reclusive life. She is desparate for him to fall for her as she sees the soul beneath his troubled exterior.
I loved her sparkiness and understood why Ash was so keen to keep himself hidden- but also that he made secret walks around London at night. He was injured in the war and is very conscious of his wounds- as it was the reason his fiancée was keen to run a mile and break their engagement.
You could picture the mansion house and all the staff became part of the family.
There are some sexy scenes alongside some heartwarming ones. I'm glad that I chose to read this one which is outside my usual genre.