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I was excited to check out this upcoming release mainly due to the Royal link in the story. Hello? Who doesn’t love a good royal romance? I actually thought this was a first book for me by this author, but I scrounged through my Goodreads account and found another book I read by her prior. It was 5 years ago, so that probably doesn’t count much as writers develop over time.
This story captured my heart in so many ways! While it is somewhat a book 2 in a series, it can be read as a stand alone. (Here is book one.) Continue on for my full review and thoughts about this sweet rom-com, perfect for some holiday happiness!
Duke, Actually by Jenny Holiday
Publisher : Avon (October 26, 2021)
ISBN-13 : 978-0062952080
OVERVIEW:
There’s a royal wedding on, and things are about to get interesting.
Meet the man of honor
Maximillian von Hansburg, Baron of Laudon and heir to the Duke of Aquilla, is not having a merry Christmas. He’s been dumped by a princess, he’s unemployed, and his domineering father has sent him to New York to meet a prospective bride he has no interest in. In the city, he meets Dani Martinez, a smart (and gorgeous) professor he’s determined to befriend before their best friends marry in the Eldovian wedding of the century.
Meet the best woman
Newly single, no-nonsense New Yorker Dani is done with love—she even has a list entitled “Things I Will Never Again Do for a Man”—which is why she hits it off with notorious rake Max. He’s the perfect partner for snow angels in Central Park and deep conversations about the futility of love.
It’s all fun and games until their friendship deepens into attraction and, oops…
Falling in love was never part of the plan.
Duke, Actually by Jenny Holiday Review
Have you ever picked up a book and from the first few pages just knew that it was going to be a delightful read? This one was that book for me.
I love the premise and the plot of this book. I so wish I had read the first book prior as the best friends that are in book one are who we are reading about in Duke, Actually. Yes, it can be a standalone, but I think it would be so much better together!
The Hero and heroine – H/h – are just so fun and develop this amazing friendship. This story is such a slow burn that you find yourself anxious for them to just get together and enjoy the sizzle and heat they are throwing off the pages. Holiday perfects the banter and male to female bestie relationship while the push and pull grows throughout.
Duke, Actually is a romantic and captivating holiday romance that calls to your inner love child. Fun and sweet, we have to wait for the fireworks but the story holds true and is so worth the read!
4 STARS!
Disclaimer: Affiliate link included. Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free ebook so she could evaluate and use it for this post. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.
Hi! I’m Chris! Just a Midlife Wife sharing about life’s journey; screaming and kicking through it while supposedly aging gracefully…
Focusing on healthy living, low carb & keto, things I am loving right now, and life in general.