I hadn't enjoyed booked two as much as other Eloisa James books that I'd read previously, however this was definitely an improvement for me. I thought Stella was a great character and loved her development, Silvester's mum was fantastic and of course it's always lovely to hear about Merry. There were a few things I wasn't keen on, and to be honest they were the bits that were most connected to book two...I'm looking at you Lydia and Giles.
A great escapist read with some extremely funny and heartwarming moments.

Thank you NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for providing me with a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

Eloisa James is a pretty reliable read most of the time. I can’t say I’ve ever been let down by any of her books but some are better than others, this is one of the better ones I thought. It ticked all the right boxes, there’s a handsome but annoying Duke and a feisty red headed, spectacle wearing heroine who wants nothing to do with him or anyone really. There’s banter, there’s smut everyone gets dunked in a pond what more could you ask for? A great time was had by all.

Admittedly, this took several attempts to get into but once I did, I really enjoyed it. It was both refreshing and frustrating to read about a heroine who wasn't the hero's first choice. Refreshing because it starts with a friendship and annoying because it was like both Silvester (and his rival Giles) were using Stella (who was delightful) as a distraction while pining over Yasmin and when Silverster realised the error of his ways, he didn't do nearly enough to prove to Stella that she was the one for him. He also seemed very callous of Silvester who is very careful about the image he portrays. While, I've been lukewarm about Eloisa James' more recent work thus was definitely one of the better ones.

I honestly don't know who I loved more in this book - Silvester or Stella.
I didn't read the first 2 books in this series and I kind of wish I had, just to see if the attraction between the 2 of them was as obvious whilst reading about Giles and Yasmin.

As always, Eloisa James has hit it out of the park and manages to write about people in a time period that she excels in without anything seeming samey.

My only regret is that I put off reading this for so long!

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

After being insulted by Silvester, the Duke of Huntington at a dinner party, Lady Stella Corsham wants nothing to do with the handsome duke. She may be freckled, wear glasses, and have a mass of red hair, but she also has a strong dowry, and no need to marry if she doesn't want to. If she does marry, then she wants Giles, Earl of Lilford, who seems interested in marrying her, but is also lusting after Yasmin at every turn. But Silvester is actively courting Yasmin, and the whole ton knows she is his first choice. But then Silvester and Stella find themselves married, both adamant they don't love each other, but fighting their growing feelings at every turn. Will Silvester be able to convince her that he's in love, and will Stella even accept it?

This book is definitely one to read if you had questions after finishing book 2. The first half or so of Not That Duke is a rehashing of The Reluctant Countess, but from Stella and Silvester's point of view. We learn more about why these two were courting Giles and Yasmin, and see more of Lydia's machinations (if it's even possible, I hate her more now). I felt for Stella quite a bit in this book. She's definitely a wallflower, but she can hold her own, and never lets Silvester forget that. When she spent time in the river with Merry and Silvester's mother, it was wonderful to see three duchesses (well, soon) be so open and free, rather than caring about what society thought. Silvester, in my opinion, should've fought harder and sooner for Stella, as after they married no one let her forget that he was so in love with Yasmin, and had 'settled' for her. He seemed to have such a shift from lust to love over Stella, and didn't have a big moment to show her it. I do like how they came together, in love, eventually, and feel like this book has tied everything up very nicely.

I haven't read the second book in this series and feel this has affected my view on this one. It seems this book cover's the same events just from Stella and Silvester's point of view. This did make me feel I didn't have the full picture so perhaps best read in order. Stella was the typical wallflower type that is always underestimated but is great. While Silvester I just couldn't warm too as he just took too long to come to his senses and was hurting his wife for far too long. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I have enjoyed so many of this author’s books but this was disappointing.

I dislike love triangles and hate stories where a spouse is in love with someone else and where he, (or she- but in this case it’s Silvester, the husband) spends the book ignorant/uncaring of the hurt he’s causing his wife.

It took far, far too long for him to realise he wasn’t really in love with Yasmine but by then the damage to his wife was done. She got to the stage of accepting he loved another but asked him to not be so obvious in public. Wtf! He was a jerk of 5he highest order and he didn’t grovel enough. I wanted romance and instead I got betrayal. Sure, he wasn’t physically unfaithful but he might as well have been.

Really disappointing.

Bespeckled and freckled, Lady Stella Corsham at least has a dowry that has attracted a crowd of fortune-hunting suitors, which definitely doesn't include the sinfully handsome Silvester Parnell, Duke of Huntington, who laughingly calls her 'Specs' as he chases after elegant rivals. Then the worst happens. Marriage. To the duke. To a man marrying her for all the wrong reasons. How can Silvester possibly convince Stella that he's fallen in love with the quirky woman he married? Especially after she laughingly announces that she's in love - but not with that duke. Not with her husband.
The third book in the series & it’s easily read on its own, although Silvester was in love with Yasmin from the previous book. I loved Stella & think most of us less than perfect women can relate to her. I liked Silvester & gradually my feelings warmed to him the more I read. I thoroughly enjoyed the witty banter & the friendship that gradually grew. Silvester nearly blew it by not making Stella realise she’s not second best from the start, I would have made him grovel far, far more. A very well written book, which I really enjoyed
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

This is a book about two people learning to overcome their insecurities and getting to know themselves better along with each other. I see other reviewers were displeased with the hero’s initial attachment to another woman, but I found that worked well as a catalyst for the protagonists’ journey of self-discovery. Stella was ultimately far more preoccupied with Yasmin than Silvester ever was, and this rang true given her upbringing and consequent self-concept. I’m not sure Silvester’s failure to recognise love for what it was rang as true for me, but I suppose he hadn’t been raised to be emotionally self-aware.

The author’s note at the end adds interesting and useful context to the characters’ insecurities and motivations and I’d advise readers not to skip past it.

The timing of the book’s events overlaps to a great extent with those of the previous book in this series, The Reluctant Countess. I had forgotten most of that book and could still follow along very well with this one, so I don’t think it’s necessary to have read any of the previous instalments in this series before reading this.

For me, this is the best in the series so far. The protagonists’ relationship made sense to me - I could understand what they saw in each other, and that wasn’t entirely the case with the last instalment. The secondary characters were richly drawn and well developed. The writing sparkles in true Eloisa James style and I chuckled out loud more than once while reading. A pleasure overall.

I found this book an absolute joy to read - Full of quirky and eccentric female characters who aren’t afraid to defy expectations and be true to themselves. Stella has a lot of insecurities about her looks and personality but isn’t afraid to forge her own path in life. Best of all, she knows her own worth and refuses to be treated badly by others. Silvester initially comes across as the usual arrogant, attractive regency romance hero, so it’s refreshing to see him open up about his own insecurities and admit his mistakes. A strong thread of humor winds its way through even the most difficult and emotional moments of the story. Although I have loved all of Eloisa James’ previous books, this one is right up there with my all time favourite, ‘Say yes to the duke’.

In Eloisa James' "Not that Duke," the enchanting tale follows Lady Stella Corsham, a quirky, bespeckled redhead with a generous dowry that lures suitors aplenty. Despite her attraction to the sinfully handsome Duke of Huntington, Silvester Parnell, Stella believes he only sees her as a friend while he openly courts another woman. Their friendship blossoms amidst the meddling of the ton's Mean Girls. A delightful twist of fate leads to an unexpected marriage, leaving Silvester to prove his true affection for Stella, even as she claims to love someone else.
Throughout the novel, endearing moments featuring Stella's pocket companion, the adorable kitten named Specs, add a heartwarming touch. Eloisa James crafts a captivating enemies-to-lovers romance, skillfully balancing delightful fashion highlights and a well-executed time jump.
“Not that Duke" is a delightful and engaging historical romance, perfect for those seeking a charming escape into the Regency era.

Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy through NetGalley

I really enjoyed this story. Our heroine is an unlikely lead in the era due to the colour of her hair, her unfashionable figure, and above all her supreme intellect, yet we follow along as she surmounts these supposed obstacles to become the most envied person in town. I appreciated the author not just stopping the story at a marriage, but instead continuing until the characters growth is complete. This has a HEA and although there are some racy parts, you can easily skip them without losing any of the story

Let’s start i love Eloisa James and i will read anything she writes.

I loved this regency romance it was full of emotion, humour, romance, wit and enticing moments.

The main characters were enchanting each with their own history, foibles and wonderful personalities they read well and i loved their chemistry and romance that grew within the story.

The other characters in the book were delightful and added a lot to the book.

These books are one of my go to genres and this author never disappoints.

If you are looking full on romance with a bit of spicy romance then this is the book for you.

Thank you Netgalley for a copy for an honest review