What fun. Piracy in the coastal waters and ransoms. Shipping and trade are not the usual way a duke makes money but why not? They financed canals and railways but hid their trade from their fellow aristocrats as it wax not 'done'..
I thought this a really nicely written book, good grammar, set accurately in the time, and geography. I liked the characters and the plot, which was unusual.
I shall look for this author again.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Finding herself on a ship commandeered, most people would fall to pieces, but not Sarah Parrish. Obviously she's upset with the change of plans, but she believes that all will be okay, and agrees to pretend to be the wife of her fellow captive. Discovering that Mr Smith is in fact Nicholas Terrell, the Duke of Severton, and her captors believe she is a duchess, she has more protection, but her growing feelings for her 'husband' definitely throw a spanner in the works.

I found this a nice, enjoyable read. Both of the main characters had compelling back stories, and though they were from different classes, they really worked well with each other. I liked how their feelings grew gradually, and though not in a very natural setting, it felt right for them. The adventure and mystery aspect of the book was really good too, and definitely helped the story progress past a normal run of the mill romance. A really nice romance from Allen.

Sarah and Duke Severton, Nicholas, are forced to pretend they are married when their ship is hijacked. I didn’t get lost in this storyline. The characters didn’t feel relatable and I didn’t like Sarah, she came across as too perfect and head strong.
I was gifted this book by Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review

I really liked the sound of this book, with drama on the high seas and the enjoyable 'fake relationship' trope. While I did enjoy the story, it didn't grab me quite as much as I'd hoped.

The supporting characters were fun and likeable, although the author's propensity to use vernacular for the maid and Charlie could sometimes lead to confusion and perhaps would have been better kept to a few words for flavour rather than whole sentences.

Nick, the Duke, and Sarah oddly were a little less relatable and I must admit to finding Sarah a little annoying - a little too perfect. Her 'headstrong' nature just didn't seem to work for me and sadly I found I couldn't warm to her as much as I would have liked to.

The story itself was fun and full of adventure, but just slightly missed the mark for me.

Thank you to the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

Found this book surprisingly addictive! Cheesy, sure, but so good! Very easy to get entangled up in the characters lives - great story and background flesh etc. Loved it!

I read this ARC for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

I enjoyed this
A lovely story with pirates and dramatic twists and turns

A lovely sweet romance story with lost fortunes, pirates and dramatic rescues. Fortunes restored and a Duke who bans a duchess despite the efforts of his sister in law. I would recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free ARC in exchange for a review.

This was not a book for me. Most of the first half is Nick musing about how special Sarah is because she's not like the other slutty evil women, she has thoughts! And feelings! Amazing!! Literally he is amazed that she can hold a conversation or that she's not super flirty with him. Nick actually talks about how he usually divides women into certain groups, but she's just so fantastic that she defies category.

I also just found it painfully boring. I don't know how a book about pirate kidnap can be so dull and monotonous. There are fun and inventive ways to do tropes, but this book does all the tropes in all the worst ways. Evil slutty ex-fiance? Check. Not like other girls? Check. Constant rescuing? Check. It's just boring.

Finally, the book will randomly delve into super dark topics incredibly casually and then just move on like nothing happened. Sarah's father's suicide is an inconvience and is constantly causually dropped into conversation. <spoiler> Charlie, the child, is desperately afraid that in sharing a room with an adult man he will be raped or assaulted, and it's treated like "oh sad, now he's over it because Nick is sooo great though". </spoiler>

It didn't do it for me. If you love really classic tropes done in really classic ways, and you don't mind the heroine being the only worthy woman in the book, you would probably enjoy this. I did not. One star.

I am not usually a fan of historical romances but I really enjoyed this one. Sarah is a companion escaping her past and Nicholas is a Duke, they are thrown together when the ship they are travelling on is attacked by pirates and Nicholas claims Sarah as his wife to protect her.
Sarah is escaping her tragic past by seeking employment as a companion. Nicholas, a Duke, is researching a possible investment into shipping. Both are on a ship attacked by pirates. Nicholas saves Sarah by claiming her as his wife. Initially as they are getting to know each other their is mutual admiration but slowly the feelings between them start to change and love starts to blossom.

The Duke’s Counterfeit Wife by Louise Allen was slightly less than successful for me. The first half of this book relies on some heavy action to create conflict – Sarah and Nicholas, the leads are kidnapped by pirates, and then have to track down the man who ruined the heroine’s father. As a result, I didn’t feel they really had space to fall in love or even have much chemistry. However, I really loved the secondary characters in this, particularly Millie the maid, who was a very fun, sharp Londoner, and sweet Charlie, the ex-cabin boy. I also enjoyed the sensible way that Sarah dealt with communication – rather than letting a misunderstanding cause drama for the sake of it, she communicates honestly and openly, which I love to see! Overall, I didn’t fall in love with this one, but if you like your romance on the action-y side, it’s a good one.

Sarah is escaping her tragic past by seeking employment as a companion. Nicholas, a Duke, is researching a possible investment into shipping. Both are on a ship attacked by pirates. Nicholas saves Sarah by claiming her as his wife. What follows is a romantic adventure with cleverly crafted characters and absorbing historical details. The romance grows believably from friendship as mutual respect leads to mutual attraction. There are numerous obstacles to romance, but after much adventure and angst, they get their happy-ever-after.

This is an engaging historical romance with dangerous adventure and simmering passion.

I received a copy of this book from Mills and Boon via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Sarah Parrish is travelling to Great Yarmouth, by ship, to take up a new appointment as a companion after being left destitute after her father’s assistant made off with not only money but six ships. Nicholas Terrell, Duke of Severton is also on the ship travelling as Mr Smith whilst he researches prior to investing in shipping. When their ship is commandeered, Nicholas saves Sarah Parrish by claiming she’s his wife! She’s more valuable if their captors believe she’ll bring them a duchess’s ransom, but now Nicholas is compelled to share a cabin with his distractingly beautiful faux bride. Outspoken Sarah enchants him like no debutante ever has.
A totally captivating read with strong characters & a fast paced story. I loved both Nicholas & Sarah, he first came across as a dour rigid man but then as Sarah demolished the walls he’s built he became a warm loving man, she's outspoken, feisty & fearless. I loved that they became friends but their feelings for each other grew all the time. I loved the verbal banter & the chemistry between them sizzled. I also loved James, the valet, Millie, the maid & Charlie, the cabin boy who made a wonderful team. The action is fast & never stops as the group seek justice. A thoroughly enjoyable read, which kept me reading until way past my bedtime
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I love the escapism of historical romance and Louise Allen is one of my favourite authors. The Duke's Counterfeit Wife is a fabulous fast-paced story about a lowly lady's companion and a duke, thrown together after being kidnapped by pirates.

Sarah Parrish was left almost destitute by the collapse of her father's shipping business, caused by the crooked behaviour of his assistant. Now she has to earn her living as a lady's companion. Travelling around the coast by ship to her next employment, rather than taking a stage coach, she is effectively 'kidnapped by pirates' when the crew turn rogue and begin murdering the other passengers. She is only saved because Nicholas, the Duke of Severton, tells the captain Sarah is his wife and they could earn a large ransom in exchange for their lives. But has Sarah's life been saved only at the cost of her reputation?

Sarah and Nicholas race around the country trying to solve the mystery of what the ship was carrying in its cargo hold that made it a target for the 'pirates'. Sarah is convinced it is connected to the collapse of her father's business and forces Nicholas to let her tag along on his investigation.

I've read most of Louise's historical romances and this is one of her best. Her books are always meticulously researched, the pace does not let up, and the main characters become friends in a very realistic way before becoming lovers. I adored the way Sarah and Nicholas, along with her maid and his valet, become a tight-knit team, working together to solve the mystery regardless of rank. Sarah stands up to Nicholas, despite their social differences (and much to his surprise!) and there is at least one occasion where she saves him!

Fabulous escapism and a solid five-star read. Recommended for all fans of Louise Allen and historical romance.


Thank you to Louise Allen and Mills & Boon for my copy of this book, which I requested via NetGalley and reviewed voluntarily.

excellent romance - piracy, emotional baggage and a hard past and some great supporting characters to make Nicholas and Sarah both smile. A really good, fast paced, moving romance with a cast that you really like.

This was a really enjoyable read. The 2 main characters jumped out of the pages and their adventure, interactions and romance kept me fully engaged. The author writes with such a great style that even the other characters in the story came alive and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The length of the story was also just right as it allowed a great story to develop..

An enjoyable ‘happy ever after’ book with a difference. A fun read, full of adventure and romance. I’d certainly recommend this book to any fan of the regency period.