Historical romance set round a match making festival Engaging characters and an interesting story with some twists and turns.

Sadies last adventure at the Marrywell festival did not go well, but she has to take part in this year's festival if she is ever to have a chance of a husband or a family of her own.

The Duke of Lawford is on his way to meet his future wife when he suffers a carriage accident, with his coachman injured he is stuck for a week in Marrywell living with Sadie and her family.

Sadie has no time to look after a Duke, she should really be at the festival, the Duke should be itching to go to meet his future bride, but the more time he stays with Sadie the less urgent his onward journey seems to be.

A great start to a new series and some really engaging characters, well worth a read.

I love Darcy Burke and her books. Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy. I also purchased a copy for myself once it was published. Really good.

Darcy Burke's books are a guaranteed fun read. This book is no different, A good book to read in one sitting. Perfect for a weekend with a cup of tea.

When Law ended up in Marrywell while on his way to meet his prospective bride, he didn't know that it was going to change his whole life. Sadie was busy trying to finish her chores so that she could get to the welcoming ceremony for the matchmaking fair, he last one before she was considered on the shelf, when Law and his two employees showed up. Law and Sadie made an instant connection as friends, and by the end of the night, Law had become Sadie's biggest champion. But while just pretending to be courting, they were falling in love. Law and Sadie make a fun, heartwarming couple.

Beguiling the Duke is a nice,quick, and easy read. I mostly enjoyed it,but I found myself losing interest here and there. Sadie was a relatable character, and Law was a swoon worthy hero. I was very invested in their happily ever after. This was a bit of a Cinderella story and I almost always like that.
This was a nice start to this series. I'm looking forward to reading more.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own

Reading Darcy Burke is always a fun time and this was a great intro to her new series. Stranded in a new town, and giving us an intro to the local marriage festival this does a great job setting up the rest of the novellas

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC.

I thought Sadie was great. She’s strong and determined and I was so happy she realised she’s been taken advantage of though the circumstances under which this happened wasn’t the best.

I liked Lawford as the hero and loved how he defended Sadie at every turn.

Would recommend this read book to anyone looking for a quick enjoyable read.

Yay! Two of my favorite historical romance writers have teamed up again to create a new series! Darcy Burke and Erica Ridley created the Lords in Love series.

And we start with Darcy in Beguiling the Duke. The duke of Lawford (Law) has an accident with his coach and gets stranded in Marrywell (what’s in a name…) on his way to meeting his betrothed. He is forced to stay with the Champion family, where it seems that the youngest sister, Sadie, is managing the household.

Of course, this story is funny, cozy and cute. The May Day Matchmaking Festival is the main theme throughout the book and I wish I would have been able to attend. I’m looking forward to the next part in the series, from Erica this time. Four out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc

Why did this novella feel like a slog? I thought the meet cute was adorable enough but beyond that I kept waiting and waiting to feel something—anything—between the MCs? It was surface-level and underdeveloped, even for a novella. By the time she burst into his bedroom I couldn’t take it any longer and bailed. Their “relationship” needed so much more. The plot was weak to begin with but I was hoping the romance would at least make me swoon.

Thank you for the advance reader copy via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

This is the first of a captivating new series, Lords in Love. I always love picking up a book by Ms. Burke. Her stories never fail to entertain and captivate me, and this one was no different. John, the Duke of Lawford, finds himself stuck in the town of Marrywell when his carriage loses a wheel. He is on his way to meet his future bride, but with the town on holiday for the annual May Day Matchmaking Festival, no one is available to make repairs. The town lodgings are also full, so he accepts the hospitality of the local squire. The squire's daughter, Sadie, is looking forward to the festival in hopes of finding a husband herself, and not one chosen by her family. John offers to pretend to court Sadie so her family will back off. But things start to get complicated when pretend starts to turn all too real. The attraction between them is strong, but their is a social divide between them, not to mention he was already promised to another.
This was a quick, light-hearted read, with strong characters and an interesting storyline. The matchmaking concept made this a fun read, and I look forward to continuing the series.
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Bug thanks to the publisher for an ARC of this book via NetGalley. This review is being given honestly and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Overall this was a quick and easy read. I liked the idea of the story a lot more than the execution. I feel like there was something missing in this book which was disappointing because I have really enjoyed Darcy Burke’s books in the past. I think the third act break up could have been done different and low key feel it was totally unnecessary as I think it was pretty well wrapped up by the time they officially got together. The valet plot line was honestly kind of wild and a little out of place but it really didn’t add or detract from the book.

Would still recommend Darcy Burke’s books, maybe just not this one.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

I was not sure about this book and the back story when the Duke, Law, had an accident and ended up in a small town during a marriage festival but it was fun to read the craziness going on with Sadie and her family.

There was also some drama, betrayal, and romance all mixed in to make the story interesting as Law and Sadie were attracted to each other but was it enough for a relationship?

Throw in a meddling matchmaking father and some oblivious brothers and the plot thickens.

Great conclusion and Law and Sadie got their HEA.

At an age soon to be left on the shelf our heroine Sadie plucks up the courage to throw herself into the Marrywell marriage fete. Then when a broken wheel lands a Duke in her path and she finds fate working against her attempts they both decide to work together to find her the perfect partner. All the while developing their own dalliance. A lovely regency love story.

I have to confess that I love Darcy Burke´s books. They are about strong independent women, who know what they want and await from their life.

The same was with Sadie. After the death of her mother Sadie was everything in her family. Taking care of everyone, household and also tenants.

When she was tidying a under the roof she literally fell into arms of Duke of Lawford. Due to his broken wheel and his emploees' injuries, he can't continue to travel and has to stay in the village. Sadie invites him to the May Festival, which he more than enjoys. What he has never counted on was fall for Sadie although he was on the way to his betrothed. The path is stony and complicated for them but they finally find their HEA.

Great book with a lovely suspense.

Omgoodness I absolutely adored this book! Was so sweet and real and down to earth and I loved that he’s a quirky kinda guy abut it’s not overly stressed. She was sweet/sexy and they just had me smiling through most of the book.

I received a copy from NetGalley; this is my honest review.
-Pleasantly surprised with this new story by author Burke. Unfortunately, the author feels the need to tell us again if someone is white or black. Why? Why? Why?
-One star off for the multiple repeats all through the book. For ex., we are told at least six times that Sadie is running out of time and we're still in chapter 1!
-In a small village, where everyone knows everyone else, there is no need for you to tell me that X is your mother or younger sister. The name here is more important than their title.
-I've never seen a family taking advantage so much of someone as the Campions'. In-laws included. In the epilogue, Law says Sadie inspired them. Wrong, she hindered them.
-I'm not sure when this story is set-up but Queen Charlotte died in 1818.
-How is Law's approach to Sadie better than Walter? They both wanted the same thing, the same way. I don't care that Law was nicer. Sadie let both do something to her and more! I don't agree with Law's assessment that Sadie's anxiety was best dealt with by doing the exact same thing as Osborne. The best way would have been to just walk through the labyrinth without anything happening to her!
-Only half the usual bedroom scenes than usual, which was a relief. Good dialogue, natural pace between the chapters. Good epilogue. Good start to a new series.

Sadie Campion is the daughter of a successful farmer. Since her mother died years ago, she has assumed looking after the family. Then, the house as well. Sadie is always happy to help to the point where her family take advantage of her. All she really wants is a family and home of her own.

Law (the Duke of Lawford) has his own issues. One his way to meet his possible wife, or betrothed if he fulfills the wishes of his dead father, his carriage breaks a wheel. Unfortunately (or fortunately) there is no room anywhere in Marrywell for the Duke to stay while his carriage is mended. The Marrywell Marriage Festival is on! Therefore, he must stay with the Campions.

Law escorts Sadie to the festival and promises her to help her secure a husband., Will she receive a marriage proposal before the festival is over? Does Law really have to fulfill all his father's wishes? And who keeps trying to sabotage Law's quest to help Sadie?

This story is classic Darcy Burke and I loved it. It's almost fake dating, or what it could be in regency times. The marriage festival is very cute. However, her brothers leave a little to be desired. The spice was fantastic! I would read another 20 Darcy Burke stories!

On the way to meet his future wife, the Duke of Lawford’s coach loses a wheel. Repair is impossible because he’s landed in Marrywell on the first day of their annual May Day Matchmaking Festival and everyone is on holiday. Furthermore, there are no rooms to let, so Law must accept the hospitality of a country squire or, more accurately, from his beautiful, clever daughter who obviously runs the household.
After a disastrous foray at the matchmaking festival four years ago, Sadie Campion has mostly hidden away at home. But at twenty-four, this may be her last chance to marry and have a home and family of her own. When her unexpected houseguest offers to help her attract a husband, she can hardly refuse and, on the duke’s arm, becomes the belle of the festival. As they grow closer and attraction simmers between them, Law wonders if she is the match he was destined to make…
Another sweet story from a great author with beautiful characters that have so much to offer. I like that she seems fragile but is strong and resilient. He could be a duke, but a really down to earth one with a rigid father that still hunts his decisions. It’s a slow burn romance, easy to read and enjoyable.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Darcy Burke's Beguiling the Duke is such a sweet and light hearted countryside romance. Burke's writing is soft and lively, keeping the pace of this novella clipping along at the perfect tempo. Burke's characters are easily sympathetic and understandable. I absolutely adored this broken down carriage, small country side festival, insta-love romance. Burke is always an author I look out for, and this is such a lovely and quick introduction to her work if you have not had the opportunity to read her works before.

Who doesn't love a matchmaking festival, a young woman ready for love, a stranded Duke, and a meeting of minds and heart? The basic plot of this novella was an absolute drawing point, and then the richness and charm of both the hero and heroine become the heart of this novella. I love that they both swiftly develop a deep affection for the other, I love that they both have this really lovely depth and connection which feels both organic and cosmic. Burke does a lovely job crafting their relationship and trust with each other, she also builds the perfect sizzle and tension of chemistry that deliciously grows into a heartwarming love of the other. This novel has a little light angst and misunderstanding that must be righted, but at its core is a strong relationship and two people realizing who and what they want.

Definitely check out this novella by Darcy Burke. I am looking forward to the continuation in this series and what Erica Ridley and Darcy Burke will do with it.