This was a quick interesting read!

An opposites attract story where the tight and awkward Duke (Dare) is attracted to a happy sunshine refinement tutor (Juno).. Both the characters were lovable.

Definitely looking forward to the new books in the series.

"Charming" is the word that came in my mind as I finished reading...

This was a really good slow-burn romance, the character development was not too dramatic so as to be unrealistic, and both the male and female main characters were likeable in their own way. The only thing that stopped me making this a 5* was just how quickly he realised he’d made his mistake - somewhat unbelievable for a man.. 🙈

(Also published to Goodreads)

The Rigid Duke by Darcy Burke is the first book in her newest series Matchmaking Chronicles #1. I have enjoyed all of Darcy Burke’s books to date, so I knew I had to read this first book in her new series. It was all I could have wished for - irascible man, enterprising woman, a house party and plans for matchmaking by various parties.

Juno Langton married someone she loved against her family’s permission. After he died within the first year of marriage, Juno knew she had to redo her life plan. She began as a tutor and then became a refinement tutor. She helped young “unmarriageable” ladies to find a spouse and a good marriage. She was at a house party with her newest charge when she met him.

Dare, the The Duke of Warrington hates the idea of marriage, but knows it is time. He is invited to a house party with the goal of meeting and marrying a young lady that Juno has been tutoring. While the young lady is not a good match, he can’t stop thinking about Juno.

Darcy Burke’s characters are quirky and fun. The story line runs smoothly with a few surprise encounters. The Rigid Duke by Darcy Burke is a fun read.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. These are my opinions.
Another fabulous book from Ms. Darcy!
Juno is a refinement tutor who helps her charges find advantageous marriages. When thy go to a house party her shy, retiring pupil has no interest in the grumpy Duke of Warrington. The Duke, however, is entranced by Juno.
I loved the different storyline. It is a 5-star read! It is the first in a series and I can't wait for the next.

Will her fears of abandonment hold her back …

I liked instantly Dare, even if he is not the easiest person to appreciate, he is blunt, rough around the edge but he does not hide who he is nor lie. A man awkward in society, lost when he must mingle, in some way, he brushes the edges of the Asperger syndrome.
After as a Duke he got more leniency, or so he believes. After until a peculiar companion, he had no qualm to say what he wants or not tell anything if it suited him. Yet for this woman, he rethinks his attitude, his words and even his deeds.
Juno made a successful career all by herself, she has too with no backup, she only answers to her employers, no one holds her back. She loves forward from one post to another, enjoying her leisure time in between. She is a woman who embraces life, society and pleasure, happy to do her job well and with empathy for her charges. Except, I found she listened more to the promised extra bonus than to the incompatibility between her pupil and her potential suitor. Pushing them together and easily dismissing Dare as being the flawed party instead of grabbing he was like her student, ill at ease in company.
I understood and felt Dare slowly falling for Juno, as she intrigues him, but she surprised me, one moment judging him rigid, scolding him for not trying enough then lusting after him, her change of heart was a more sudden and unexpected than Dare’s.
4 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 hot, onscreen foreplays and lovemaking scenes.

I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

Widow Juno has been hired to help her awkward charge, Marina, recover from a disastrous first season. At a house party, Marina has the opportunity to make a match with an equally awkward duke. Instead, the duke seems more interested in Juno. But Juno has no interest in remarrying, and even if she did, a duke can't be expected to wed a woman of her status. Failing to make the desired match could hurt Juno's future job prospects. Who will the duke choose?

I love Juno. It's interesting to see how her personality lures the duke out of his grumpy personality. I hope we see more of Marina in future books—there's a lot of potential in that character.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I Loved It! The Rigid Duke will hold you captivated from the moment you begin the journey with Juno and Dare until the very end. Miss Juno is a companion for Miss Marina who is at a house party in the country for a week to match her charge with a Duke. Dare hates parties and he also hates being around a lot of people. But nothing could be worse than happy go lucky Juno and her shy as a mouse Miss Marina. With Dare growling most the time, Miss Marina trying to find a corner to sit and read and Juno feels like this will be her greatest challenge. Darcy Burke has written a story that has a great cast of characters that come off the pages and pull you into this emotional ride that keeps you involved until the very end, sizzling passion, is smoothly written, with a enjoyable plot that will keep you reading from the beginning to the end in this outstanding story!

This is a fun, quick read with great characters and a fun little plot! At only 156 pages, you can fly through this in one sitting. The book takes place over a week long house party where the Duke of Warrington is expected to suit with Lady Marina in order to avoid the London season.

Dare is a handsome, yet grumpy man who rarely smiles and despises parties. He prefers to be outdoors on his feet or on his horse, alone. Juno is the complete opposite. She is upbeat and cheerful, always smiling, and loves people and parties! I guess it's true when they opposites attract haha! I absolutely loved how Juno was able to drag Dare out of his shell. She really did bring out the best in him, and I liked seeing the happier side of him.

Lady Marina was shy and quiet, but I sensed a bit of mettle about her near the end - I'd actually be very curious to see what becomes of her. I loved that she'd rather have her nose in a book than talk to people - I can relate lol!

Despite the fact that this book was short, I didn't feel like any aspect was rushed. I liked the pace at which things progressed and was a fan of the writing style. The book had just the right amount of spice, danger due to forbidden love, and connection. Overall, an enjoyable read and I look forward to the next in the series!

Mrs. Juno Langton has a difficult task ahead of her trying to help a young woman become more socially adept, but her charge wants nothing to do with preparing for a Season. When they are invited to a house party, Juno thinks it's the perfect venue to hone the young woman's skills. The Duke of Warrington "Dare" hates house parties, but he knows it's time to search for a wife. When he finds he's being matched to a young woman who seemingly despises him, he tries to win her over, but he's conflicted because he really wants to win over her companion, the vivacious Mrs. Langton. Can Juno encourage them both to give their best efforts to a match or will she find herself pining for the duke?

I'm a fan of Ms. Burke and this story does not disappoint. It was a quick read without a lot of fluff. The plot moved along nicely and Ms. Burke does a good job of letting the reader into the character's mindset. The biggest obstacle in the book is both Juno and Dare not voicing their growing attraction for each other. After a few bumps along the way, they finally find their HEA. This was a good start to a new series and I look forward to reading more in the series.

In this book we follow The Duke of Warrington or "Dare" and Mrs Juno Langton.

Juno is a Widow and earns her living helping young women refine their skills and confidence in order to have a successful entrance into society and hopefully secure a good marriage. Juno arrives at a house party as companion to her employer anf tries to help match her to the Duke of Warrington. Instead Juno can't help but be attracted to the Duke.

Dare has come to the house party at the request of his mother and is in search of a wife. He is gruff and rigid and often comes across as rude. He knows who he is supposed to pursue but instead finds himself inexplicably drawn to Juno, he certainly smiles alot around her.

This is a really cute, quick read. A little bit of angst but it's not long or drawn out. I absolutely loved that Juno was so open about her sexual desires and there was no shame placed on this. The romance was believable and I was totally rooting for them the whole time. I also loved that the characters didn't have to change for one another, they were accepted as they were.

This book is the first in the Matchmaking Chronicles and I will definitely be checking out the rest of the series.

Thank you to Netgalley and Darcy Burke for the free ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

Ms Burke is a masterful weaver of stories. I loved the strong heroine and the grumpy hero she tries to change. Would have loved to seen how her charge turned out with her dragon mother , but it may be another story. House parties have a way of bringing the best and worst out in everyone. The two nosy nellies were adorable as well. Enjoyed this sweet, short ride!

I’ve come to expect enjoyable and well written books from this author, and The Rigid Duke met those expectations. There was heat, a character comes into her own, and a ton of emotion. I wish it had been a little longer - I enjoyed the story and the trope. It was a great way to spend my weekend recuperating from, well, the week.

I received an ARC courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. The opinions are my own.

Darcy Burke provided an easy, light, delightful, and very sexy read! I enjoyed this funny, cute, low-conflict book from start to finish. Could there have been a bigger conflict? Sure. But did I want that? Not at all. This book had a grumpy Duke, a smart and sassy woman who knows herself, a house party, secret flirting at the dinner table, carriage antics, and great sex in a folly. A people=pleasing histrom all the way!

Light. Fun. Like the taste of lemon meringue pie. Once you get past the title - I admit to slight hesitation. Delightful characters. Honestly portraying an intimate relationship with nary a virgin.

As a refinement tutor, Mrs. Juno Langton helps young ladies develop the skills and confidence to secure an advantageous marriage. She is asked by her employer to help the ward, Marina catch a Duke. Too bad the Duke of Warrington dislikes social gatherings and is as social as a caterpiller.
He tries hard to actually consider Marina as a potential wife because of their annoyingly similar traits (his mother sent him in a house party to meet her) but he always ended up noticing her companion, Mrs Langton. So now, he’s rethinking his wife choices.


It was an insta-love, almost enemies to lover (more like not a good first impression) book. But I enjoyed it, and it was so easy to breeze through, hardly took me a day and left me feeling giddy. Dare, the duke, and Juno were well drafted characters and Cecilia, was a joy to read.

The Rigid Duke by Darcy Burke

The outgoing and refined Mrs Juno Langton is attending a house to encourage a marriage match between the shy ,studious and somewhat difficult charge Lady Marina and the prospective match the grumpy and generally antisocial Dare the duke of Warrington. Who rather takes a shine to the generous and refined tutor who does everything in her power to discourage the very attractive duke.

Very humorous and interesting set of characters and an enjoyable read

3.5 stars Widowed Juno Langton likes a challenge and has made a career as a refinement tutor to help young women find their confidence and succeed socially. When her latest awkward charge’s mother insists they join a house party and try to snare the Duke of Warrington, Juno is eager to prove she has what it takes.

Dare is sick of the marriage mart and he likes his routine. Everything the same, at the same time, and socializing and smiling when he doesn’t feel like it are not part of his routine. But he needs a wife and a house party would be better than a season in town. His mother hopes he’ll set his eye of Marina, Juno’s charge.

Juno has a positive outlook and an assertive nature. Dare is honest, abrupt, and possibly neurodivergent. Everyone assumes Marina and Dare will suit because they’re both quiet, but Juno soon has her doubts. She finds him boorish and not a good match for Marina, being too alike in their taciturn nature.

Dare is absolutely himself at all times and figures a future wife had better get used to how he is. Marina is shy, but he has no pretenses whatsoever. Besides, he’d much rather talk with the energetic Juno, who has taken it on herself to encourage him as much as Mariana.

Both are likable characters and Dare has a believable arc and interest in Juno, whom he finds cheerful and charming, but her initial attraction to him seems out of the blue. After that, and when Mariana is no longer in the picture, she appreciates his humor and understands his need for planning and his desire for small social gatherings.

Overall it was a pretty easy resolution and that’s the only reason for my not rating it higher.
I received an arc from NetGalley

When Juno takes up the challenge of training Lady Marina to be the chosen bride for the Duke of Warrington she doesn’t know what she’s in for.
Alexander Brett - Dare - likes his life orderly and everything planned. When he attends a house party in order to find a wife, he thinks it will be quick and easy.
Matchmaking for her mistress, Juno ends up talking to the Duke and finding common ground. Dare realises he may be looking at Lady Marina but he can’t keep his eyes off Juno.
My absolute favourite scenes are the ones in which they banter and argue and end up discovering more about each other. The ‘Rigid Duke’ has a fun side and the companion is so much more than just that! A lovely romance with characters who have depth and a writing style that flows seamlessly. I’m definitely going to look forward to reading more books by Darcy Burke!

I would like to thank Netgalley and Zealous Quill Press for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It's been a while since I've read any historical romance, and I must say, I've missed reading about it.

The story itself was quite fast paced and I didn't have to wait very long for Darcy to bring the hero and heroine together.

I loved the way Juno was written, it showed her independence and how she could hold her own in the presence of the Duke, and I could see why Dare fell in love with her. Having said that, however, I can't quite place Dare. When I read from his POV, he seems like he's a bit scattered, and perhaps that's the way he was supposed to be..? In that he can't make up his mind whether or not to like Juno or be in her company.

All in all, it's an easy read, but unfortunately I didn't feel too invested in the characters. I would have loved if there was some closure for Marina though, like, did she find her suitable match at last? Or perhaps that's for another story in her next series?

In a new series out by Darcy Burke, we are introduced to a polite and sweet-natured widow, Mrs. Juno Langton, and the "call it like you see it" and hard to approach, Duke of Warrington. Throw them both together during a house party that is set to bring the Duke together with Juno's shy young charge, and the oil and water relationship begins.
The plot was a great idea and worked for the most part but there seemed to be more that could have been flushed out to make it more gripping. Maybe the heat level could be ramped up, or more of the backstory developed, but something fell a bit flat in the middle of the novel.
I am sure we will see this pair again, which I do look forward to.