Emma Orchard's "A Duke of One's Own" is a captivating tale that intertwines romance, societal expectations, and the pursuit of personal freedom in the Regency era. At the heart of the story is Lady Georgiana Pendlebury, a spirited and adventurous woman who is no stranger to defying the conventions of polite society. Her journey begins when she attends a clandestine party, one that spirals into scandal and introduces her to a world where the rules are often bent or broken. It is here that a mysterious stranger first enters her life, setting the stage for a transformative summer that she could never have anticipated. The narrative takes an intriguing turn when Georgiana is invited to a house party at the notorious castle of the Duke of Northriding. This gathering, masked as a social event, serves a more profound purpose: to secure a suitable marriage for the Duke, who is under pressure to produce an heir. Duke Gabriel Mauleverer, known for his rakish reputation, becomes the focal point of the event, yet he is not just a distant figure for Georgiana. To her astonishment, he is the very same man who came to her aid at the clandestine party weeks prior, intertwining their fates in a way neither could have foreseen. Orchard skillfully crafts a rich tapestry of characters, each vying for the Duke's affection, adding layers of tension and competition to the plot. Georgiana, torn between her burgeoning feelings for Gabriel and the threat of her secret being exposed, embodies the struggle many women face in a society that often prioritizes reputation over personal happiness. This internal conflict resonates deeply with readers, as it reflects the timeless themes of love, ambition, and the desire for autonomy. The chemistry between Georgiana and Gabriel is palpable, and Orchard expertly explores the nuances of their relationship. As they navigate the complexities of desire and societal expectation, readers are taken on a rollercoaster of emotions. Will their past encounters serve as a bond that can withstand societal scrutiny, or will it be the source of their undoing? As they grapple with their feelings, both characters undergo significant growth, forging a connection that challenges the norms of their world. In "A Duke of One's Own," Emma Orchard not only delivers a romance filled with tension and allure but also invites readers to reflect on the nature of desire and the constraints imposed by society. The novel shines a light on the courage it takes to pursue true happiness in the face of societal pressures, making it a compelling read for anyone who has ever felt the weight of expectation. In conclusion, "A Duke of One's Own" is a delightful blend of intrigue, romance, and self-discovery. With its well-drawn characters and engaging plot, Orchard has created a story that will linger in the hearts of readers long after the final page is turned. It's a must-read for fans of historical romance and those who appreciate a tale of love that defies the odds. Whether you're drawn in by the allure of the Regency era or the promise of a passionate romance, this book is sure to deliver an unforgettable reading experience.

Set during the Regency Era, "A Duke of One's Own" is romantic, quite spicy at times, and so much more. Whenever I picked up "A Duke of One's Own", I was whisked back in time, and could not put this book down!

Firstly, I love this cover!

Emma Orchard's writing is incredibly detailed. immersive, and engaging, and her storytelling and world-building are phenomenal.

Lady Georgiana and Duke Gabriel have chemistry that jumps off of the page from the start. After their first meeting where Gabriel helps Georgiana, and when they meet again, their connection continues to grow and deepen. You will just have to read to find out what happens!

At times, the pacing of this book felt a bit off to me, but, I'm not quite sure why. However, even with this said, I still found myself reading into the early hours of the morning to see what was going to happen next.

If you enjoy Regency Romance, I highly recommend this book! I can't wait to read more by this author!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the e-ARC of this novel! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This was my first time reading something by this author and I really enjoyed it. It's a light-hearted, fun romance with just the right amount of steam. Georgiana is prone to breaking rules of society, but even she has her limits and boundaries. When she unknowingly finds herself at a party more scandalous than she could have imagined, she is shocked to say the least. She is relieved when a mysterious stranger offers his assistance. Some weeks later, she attends a house party, which is arranged to find a bride for the Duke of Northriding, Gabriel, a notorious rake. Georgiana is happy to attend the event, but when she sees Gabriel and realizes that he is the very stranger who helped her at that clandestine party weeks ago, she does everything she can to stay out of his sight, afraid that her secret might come out. But despite her efforts, she finds herself drawn to Gabriel and has a hard time resisting him. There was definitely no shortage of lust between them. The chemistry was undeniable and the witty banter between them was fun to read.
If you're a fan of Bridgerton, this might just be up your alley! A very enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more by this author!
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Loved this spicy regency romance. This is the first book of Emma's I have read and I really enjoyed it.
Thanks to th publishers and Netgalley for the eARC.

A delightfully spicy romance! This book is perfect for those who like hot historical romances. I will be on the lookout for more from Emma Orchard.

"A Duke of One’s Own" is a compelling novel that offers a fresh take on the historical romance genre. The heroine, Lady Georgiana Pendlebury, is bold and unapologetic in pursuing her desires, yet she acknowledges her moments of recklessness and impulsivity. Her unapologetic stance on her sexuality adds depth to her character. The novel positively and realistically portrays queer relationships of the time, showcasing the deep love among ‘companions’ and ‘eternal bachelors.’ The detailed descriptions of locations and decor create a believable and immersive setting. However, the novel occasionally feels clunky and struggles to develop the romantic relationship between Georgiana and the Duke outside the bedroom. Ultimately, it did not deliver on its promising beginning.

With thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review this book. Unfortunately this book wasn't for me, although I did finish it. Positives for me included the main setting in Yorkshire, very gothic and romantic! I would have loved the story more if it all took place there. However I didn't much like the characters, and found the story dragged by as a result. #ADukeofOnesOwn #NetGalley #boldwookbooks #emmaorchard

I don't know what I expected from this book but originally it was such a fun historical romance book. However, it's a little bit of a weird one. I didn't like how it immediately jumped into smut and how there wasn't much development.

The premise of a scandalous historical romance was incredibly promising. Unfortunately, this novel fell short of my expectations. The initial meeting between the protagonists was intriguing, but the subsequent development of their relationship felt lacking in chemistry.
Historical romances often thrive on the slow burn and the complexities of societal constraints. This novel, however, lacked these essential elements. It felt like they lusted for each other and love blossomed from there super quickly like.
Despite the promising setup, I found myself struggling to connect with the characters and the storyline. Ultimately, this book failed to captivate me, and I was left feeling underwhelmed.
Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Perfect regency romance for Bridgerton fans. I liked this one more than I expected to, as I am fairly new to regency. Super cute.

If you love Georgette Heyer's writing style, but wish her books had some spice - give this one a try. This is actually the second book in a series (the first being The Runaway Heiress) but I read it without having read the first one. I never felt lost as to what was going on, although at some point I did check Orchard's other books because it felt like there was probably a story behind Georgiana's brother's new marriage - and indeed that's the story told in that first book. I really enjoyed this one - the characters are interesting and there's definitely chemistry between them from the start, despite their age gap. Orchard does an excellent job of taking that initial physical chemistry and growing it into something much deeper as they get to know each other better. I enjoyed the humor she added, and the slightly over-the-top villains. She also gives us a wonderful sense of place, especially at the Duke's castle on the coast. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series - and to reading Emma Orchard's previous books.
Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for providing a digital copy for an unbiased review.

Such a cute and sweet regency romance! Perfect for Bridgerton fans or anyone who likes a swoon worthy historical romance!

"A Duke of One's Own" by Emma Orchard is a charming Regency romance that has witty dialogue, good characters, and plot twists. The story centers on a strong willed heroine and a brooding duke whose paths cross in unexpected and amusing ways. . Fans of historical romance will find "A Duke of One's Own" to be a delightful escape into the world of dukes, debutantes, and delightful scandals.

A Duke of One's Own was so much fun! The characters were well drawn and felt realistic, while the writing and setting was also escapist and entertaining. I would definitely read more from this author.

**Review of "A Duke of One's Own" by Emma Orchard**

"A Duke of One's Own" by Emma Orchard presents a promising premise but ultimately falls short. The story follows Lady Georgiana Pendlebury, who finds herself at a scandalous party and is rescued by the enigmatic Duke Gabriel Mauleverer. This chance encounter leads to further complications as Georgiana attends a house party aimed at finding the Duke a suitable bride.

While the setup offers potential for an engaging romance, the plot quickly becomes staid and lacks depth. Georgiana and Gabriel’s chemistry feels meh, and their interactions lack the connection that could have made their relationship compelling. The characters are not fully fleshed out, making it difficult to invest in their journey or care about their fates.

Additionally, the pacing of the novel is lengthy and not enough on developing a coherent and engaging storyline. Overall, this book does not live up to the standard set by other works in the Regency romance genre, earning it a 2-star rating.

A fun, regency-romance with daring characters and several solid plot twists!

This book was fun, with unexpected characters! Lady Georgiana was a refreshingly daring heroine, and while our hero falls neatly into the reformed rake tropes, Duke Gabriel is also the hero every woman dreams of. I liked the nods to classic fairy tales like Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast, as well as the smart, sassy secondary characters.

Overall, I really liked this book!

The premise of A Duke of One's Own was promising-- lighthearted, regency romance following on the tails of Bridgerton and its impact on all of us. But so many little details held down the story and writing, and it honestly hurt my eyes to read.

I loved reading Georgiana and Gabriel’s story in this regency romance. Thwarting the bad guys and finding true love.

Whether you are a long-time fan of Regency romances, or a newly Bridgerton inspired fan, then you are going to thoroughly enjoy A Duke of One’s Own.

The book begins with Lady Georgiana Pendlebury finding herself in a tricky situation. Bored with the usual round of society parties, she has trusted her new friend Mrs Aubrey to take her to a secret masquerade party. When they arrive, Georgie soon realises that she shouldn’t stay and finds herself in need of a tall, dark, mysterious stranger to rescue her.

Later that summer, reputation still intact, Georgiana and her aunt join a house party where the dashing rake the Duke of Northriding is hoping to choose a bride. Gabriel is a gorgeous Duke with a very bad reputation but he is also very rich so there is no shortage of young women lining up to become his new Duchess.

Georgie has vowed that she will not end up in a loveless marriage of convenience or, worse still, fall in love and get her heart broken by a philandering husband.

Of course, it’s no surprise when Georgie and the Duke recognise each other and the truth about the party and their past connection is revealed.

The chemistry between Georgie and Gabriel is instant. There is a palpable sexual attraction and some steamy scenes. But unlike the other society misses, Georgie is resistant to the sound of wedding bells.

There’s more drama when Mrs Aubrey appears back on the scene with a plan to ruin Georgie’s reputation.

This is an absolutely entertaining romp around Georgian England. Georgie is feisty and fun. She knows her mind and has the support of her family to make her own choices.

The spicy scenes are pretty, well, spicy! So if you like you Regency a little more vanilla you might want to skip those pages.

This was a completely engaging and fun read, perfect escapism for a rainy afternoon. I loved it and will definitely read more from this author in the future.

This was okay. I get that it is a book, and they can’t just get engaged 90 pages in or there’d be no story, but Georgiana’s reasons for saying no to Gabriel’s initial proposal seemed pretty flimsy to me. I guess back then infidelity was very commonplace but the immediate assumption that one or both of them would end up having an affair was like…okay. I did end up enjoying their relationship a lot. Some of the sex was hot but the dirty talk wasn’t really my thing. I loved all the clothes descriptions and stuff and that there was a f/f side couple!

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the digital ARC. All of my opinions are my own.