This was enjoyable. It was my first book by this author and I would read another book from her. In general, I love the tropes Orchard used and cannot wait for more like this!

Okay, so I was excited to read this one because the blurb sounded so good and the plot was really interesting too. But my main problem was that I couldn't really connect with either of the main characters. Also, I was expecting some slow burn and tension but I did not feel the chemistry between Georgie & Gabriel tbh. The plot twists were good and engaging but the insta-love ruined this book for me.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review

I’d missed Emma Orchard’s first book in this series, but I’ll definitely be buying it. Sassy, spicy and exciting, I sped though A Duke of One’s own, loving the spirited Georgie and Gabriel, who though not equal in societal convention, (him being male and her not,) were more than equal one to one. I doubt Georgie knows how to simper, or is she did wouldn’t stomach it. I haven’t read much Regency romance, but for me this was a first where the leads took ownership of their sexuality and while Georgie may not feel in control of it, she doesn’t shy from it – which kicks off the chain of events which make such an entertaining story. Loved it. If you enjoy Evie Dunmore’s books, or Martha Water’s, or the modern Regency romcoms, you should absolutely look this one up.

A Duke of One's Own is a spicy Regency romp featuring the wilful Georgiana and Gabriel, who has earned a scandalous reputation as a seducer of all women.

With a slightly unconventional beginning to the tale, we are quickly whisked away to the wilds of Yorkshire for a house party where Gabriel must find himself a wife to ensure his family line continues and doesn't end up in the hands of Leaky Sue on his death.

What ensues is a Regency romance where, as we would expect, neither character speaks their mind and allows events to whirl around them as they slowly begin to understand their feelings for one another while society lays down its expectations for them. But that is not the end of our tale. No, Georgiana has a past, and it will come back to haunt her and Gabriel.

This is an enjoyable story, very much in the Bridgerton/Julia Quinn mould, and sure to delight fans of the genre and period.

The first few chapters are interesting, but the rest was excruciatingly boring. I don't know what happened.

A delightful read, "A Duke of One's Own" by Emma Orchard earns a solid 4 stars from me. The storyline was engrossing, offering a captivating glimpse into the societal norms and challenges faced by women during that era. I particularly appreciated the supportive dynamics among the characters, highlighting the diversity of personalities and their refusal to conform to societal expectations.

how I adored the banter between Gabriel and Georgie in the beginning! It had me grinning from ear to ear. Emma's writing truly shines in those moments. While I wished for more of that playful energy as the story progressed, Emma's writing still kept me thoroughly entertained.

And let’s not forget the spice! It was a perfect combination of fun, sexy, and positive energy that added that extra sparkle to the story.

Overall, “A Duke of One’s Own” is a compelling historical romance that offers a refreshing perspective on love and society. Thank you to @theboldbookclub for providing the ARC of this book.

Sweet, hot and fun

What a wonderful new discovery! I love historical romances and this one hits all the right notes for me. As you can see from the synopsis, we have a slightly rebellious but naïve young miss of good breeding who isn't too sure she wants to be married just to be married and she is tricked into going to a party that wasn't quite the thing... with interesting results. She then unexpectedly finds the man she met at said party and... This may be a book within a series (or maybe we have a prequel coming), but no issues reading this as a stand-alone. I will be looking for the rest of Emma Orchard's books!

Thank you to the publisher who lent me an e-arc via Netgalley. This review is optional and my own opinion.

A Duke of One’s Own by Emma Orchard is a very sensuous book as well as a steamy one. Lady Georgiana was always in trouble. She was curious and she didn’t think things through. That was how she got involved with Captain Hart and nearly lost her virtue and her reputation. All he wanted was her money. Then she met Mrs. Aubrey, who led her into situation after situation until she found herself at an orgy, from which she didn’t know how to escape. Again, not thinking things through. She was rescued by a strong, handsome man with whom she spent a very sensual evening until he dropped her in her neighborhood so she could get home. He looked for her at balls and such but never found her. Mrs. Aubrey had tried to ruin her. She was livid. Gabriel, the Duke of Northriding had a sister, Blanche, who was now a widow. She was Aunt Louisa’s old friend and had invited her to a house party. She, her companion, Miss Spry, and Georgiana attended. It was full of young women of the ton as the Duke was looking for a wife. Lady Georgiana was not to be part of the parade, being there are the behest of Lady Blanche. It was HIM. The man from the orgy. He recognized her as well. Well, there you have it.

He snuck though a secret passage way to her room that night. His presence was powerful. She was frightened, not because he he would hurt her, but more of her own emotions and how they could hurt her. He was a powerful rake, although not as much of a rake as reputation had him. He needed a wife. He wanted her. If not her, someone. He was a powerful character, well written, and attractive. She was drawn to him, but she could not stumble. So he started courting another. She would have to watch. This was a well written novel, loaded with potent emotions on all sides. The story was thorough and moving. Characters beyond Georgie and Gabriel had stories to tell. It was a wonderful book. Thanks Emma Orchard! Thanks Boldwood Books!

I was invited to read A Duke of One’s Own by Boldwood Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BoldwoodBooks #EmmaOrchard #ADukeOfOnesOwn

A Duke of One's Own by Emma Orchard was a book that caught my attention by the cover and when I read the summary, I knew I wanted to read it. It's the first book I've read by Orchard but I'll definitely pick up more from her in the future as I enjoyed it.

Lady Georgiana Pendlebury isn't afraid to break the rules of polite society so when she's invited to a party by someone she considers a friend, she jumps at the idea. Unfortunately, there's more to this plan than she thought. As she's abandoned by this so-called "friend" in the middle of something more scandalous than a party, and a mysterious stranger offers to help, she accepts, never knowing that their encounter would turn her life upside down.

Later that summer, Georgiana is invited to attend a house party in Yorkshire and the gathering is really an effort to arrange a marriage for the Duke of Northriding (Gabriel) who not only needs an heir but also has a reputation as a rake which makes Georgiana happy to be there solely for entertainment purposes. Little did she expect upon her arrival that her mystery man from that party all those nights ago (and who she hasn't been able to stop thinking about) is none other than the Duke.

As Georgiana does everything she can to make sure their secret never gets out, she can't help thinking about Gabriel and after that night with Georgiana, Gabriel doesn't want any of the debutantes vying for his attention, no one but Georgiana will do. I loved how these two met (spicy!) and their reunion as well. The underlying story of just why / how Georgiana ended up at that party was an interesting twist with some bumbling villains that ultimately brought these two characters together.

Ultimately, I enjoyed this book and I'll pick up more from Orchard in the future. If you're looking for a historical romance with a bit of spice, consider picking this one up. It has a good story and solid characters that will keep you turning the pages.

Fresh, spicy and perfect for fans of Bridgerton. I really enjoyed this book! Will definitely be reading more from this author.

This was an entertaining read. Lady Georgiana was someone who always pushed things too far and caused her elder brother, Hal, all types of worry. Gabriel, the Duke of Northriding is looking for a bride, he needs an heir. He had a very bad reputation. Gabriel had a troubled background. Georgie and Gabriel had an instant attraction but they both had reasons for not marrying each other. I enjoyed the way, their relationship developed and the ending was very satisfying. There are a few surprises that added interest. I received a copy and have voluntarily been it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’ve never been a big reader of Regency romance in the past but, over the past couple of years, this has changed and it is mainly due to two factors. The first is ‘the Bridgerton effect’ which is largely to blame for the upsurge in popularity of this genre, not just for me. The second is my association with the Romantic Novelists’ Association and, through that, coming across so many wonderful authors who write these books. It has been an education, and a highly pleasurable one. So, I jumped at the chance to read a new-to-me author in this genre when I received an email about A Duke of One’s Own.

Despite the fact that i have read a number of books in this genre recently, this one hits a little differently. The main reason for this is the level of spice. It is ramped up high for this genre. You won’t get this in the Mills and Boon Historical line. Think Season 1 of Bridgerton after Daphne and the Duke get married and you’ll be on the right track for the heat level. If this is not your thing and you prefer a more prim and proper version of romance, this book is not for you. If you like a bit of chilli kick in your love stories though, read on!

I have to say, it took me a few chapters to get in to the book. The beginning was abruptly surprising for Regency, a bit like a bucket of cold water to the face as you answer the front door and that first chapter ia a bit of a blur as a result and I didn’t connect with the characters initially. I might have ordinarily given up but I persevered and I’m really glad I did because, once I was into the story and bonding with the characters, I thoroughly enjoyed the whole escapade. There is chemistry and romance and drama and intrigue and villainy, it is entirely entertaining and well worth picking up.

I hadn’t realised that these characters had appeared in a previous book by this author and I think I would have liked to have read that first to get a clearer picture of the background but it didn’t unduly spoil my enjoyment of this book, the references to some of the past events were just a bit distracting in parts. But then, that might just be me as I am easily distracted these days with so much going on outside of reading and the blog (hence the dearth of content these past weeks.) Overall, this book passed a number of enjoyable hours and I can highly recommend it.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book a lot! It was fantastic!

"A Duke of One's Own" by Emma Orchard is a charming Regency romance, filled with witty banter, swoon-worthy moments, and unexpected twists. Enchanting!

Lady Georgiana Pendlebury isn't your usual Regency miss, she enjoys a rather unconventional lifestyle which inevitably leads her into trouble. Her meeting, one night, with a mysterious stranger changes the course of both their lives and brings unexpected results. Whilst the Silver Duke has his own rather louche lifestyle, he can't get this beautiful stranger out of his mind and when he meets her again, sparks fly in more ways than one.

This is a lively, and rather spicy, romp through the vagaries of Regency society where there is never a dull moment as we observe as aged roués gather in the jaded decadence of a London salon, to the starkness of a Yorkshire castle where prospective brides are paraded in front of Gabriel Mauleverer, Duke of Northriding, as he attempts to pick out his future wife. I raced through the story in a couple of afternoons, there's a nice amount of intrigue to keep interest, and lots of sparky passion between the lead characters and whilst the peripheral characters add interest this really is Georgie and Gabriel's story.

A Duke of One's Own has a hint of a modern day Georgette Heyer, the narrative is authentic, no modernisms to spoil the flow, and whilst it is unashamedly sexy, it is also super duper romantic.

Fun To Read

I really enjoyed this story and the charming writing style of the author, who is new to me. The plot is good and peppered with humor, twists and turns, a touch of intrigue and some spice. The characters are endearing and I loved the chemistry between them right from the start. Most of the side characters also were very sympathetic, which made the book all in all an enjoyable read.

Georgina Pendlebury is a young, passionate lady who likes to break the strict rules of society. When a friend invites her to a masquerade, however, she has no idea that she will end up in an orgy. But she is far too curious to leave it straight away and ends up in a passionate tryst with a stranger.

Since the incident, Georgiana is determined to behave properly from now on and accompanies her aunt to her childhood friend in Yorkshire, whose brother is organising a house party to find a bride.

Gabriel Mauleverer, the Duke of Northriding, is a notorious womaniser who never intended to marry, but when his two potential heirs die in quick succession, he is forced to find a suitable bride.

When the two come face to face, they immediately recognise each other and still feel strongly attracted to each other.
Although he asks her to marry him, she refuses because she doesn't want a marriage based solely on lust...

Overall, an entertaining story with likable characters that I am happy to recommend!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you @boldwoodbooks, @NetGalley, and author Emma Orchard for my advanced copy of A Duke of One’s Own. This book was so good. If you’re a fan of Bridgerton, you’ll definitely enjoy this book. The romance was incredibly heartwarming, and the storyline was well developed.

Such a fun read alongside serious topics during the regency era! Georgiana & Gabriel’s story was witty, steamy & thoughtful; both characters showed determination and strength in their own ways. Highly enjoyable read!

A Duke of One's Own-read as a standalone

By Emma Orchard-never read author for me

Rating: 4 /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

📃 Page Count: 304

🌎Setting: London 1816

📙Publication 4-22-24, Read 4-20-24

🙏🏾 Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC❤️ ! I voluntarily give my honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.

🤷🏾‍♀️ What to Expect

✅Historical Romance Fic
✅spicy masquerade
✅one night stand
✅forced proximity
✅sapphic romance/LGBTQIA+ rep
✅hidden identities
✅age gap romance

Summary: Lady Georgiana Pendlebury (Georgie) walks to the beat of her own drum. She chooses mischief and adventure over polite society within the ton. She's invited to a masked ball by her new friend, a widow Lady Caroline Aubrey- not knowing the ball is an orgy. Shocked and needing to get away, a mysterious man hurries her away to a room alone. They have a steamy moment together and go their separate ways. Months later. Georgiana attends another party where she learns the Duke of Northriding/ Duke Gabriel Mauleverer is her stranger, and he's looking for a wife. They spend time together even though Georgie resists him and his marriage proposal- until she doesn't.

🎭The characters: Georgie and Gabriel come off as opposites, her an innocent virgin and him a rake. They have the same passion for each other and it oozes off the page. Their story is a little Shakespearean with Georgie dressing as a man at the party, meeting a sexy stranger and finding out he is a wealthy duke looking to marry. I loved Aunt Louisa and Jane's unconventional and scandalous relationship. They are two strong women who could care less about what other people think. I loved the family aspect of Georgie and her five brothers, and Gabriel with his sister Lady Blanche.

🤔 My Thoughts: This was a solid historical romance filled w/ a lot of spice. I could have lived without the "villain" plot but that's just the romantic in me. I'd definitely read more in this world Emma Orchard created. Bravo!

{ARC review - thank you to Boldwood Books for the early copy in exchange for my honest review}

This was a fun little Regency romance to whet my appetite for the upcoming season of Bridgerton! I didn’t super love the main characters - they felt a little underdeveloped and (as much as I hate this term) all of the character development that happened felt like a case of “telling, not showing”. We were told the characters had these attributes, that Georgie was flighty and rebellious and Gabriel was a rake, but we weren’t actually SHOWN enough examples for these to be their defining characteristics imo.

That said I did like the side characters, I especially appreciated that a couple of members of Georgie’s family were in same-sex relationships and that this was acknowledged as a challenge given the time period. I loved that the one same-sex relationship we got a bit of insight into (Georgie’s aunt Louisa and Jane) was shown to be a loving, supportive relationship. Without giving too much away I really loved where those two ended up!

Overall this would make a great read for anyone looking for a light but spicy Regency romance. A Duke of One’s Own is out tomorrow (April 22nd)!