Published by Grand Central Publishing on February 9, 2021
Genres: Fiction, Romance, Historical, Regency, Action & Adventure
Pages: 352
Format: eBook
Source: ARC
Goodreads
A woman accidentally kidnaps a duke in this fabulous Regency romp that Bridgerton author Julia Quinn hails as a "delight."
Chloe Wynchester is completely forgettable—a curse that gives her the ability to blend into any crowd. When the only father she's ever known makes a dying wish for his adopted family of orphans to recover a missing painting, she's the first one her siblings turn to for stealing it back. No one expects that in doing so, she'll also abduct a handsome duke.Lawrence Gosling, the Duke of Faircliffe, is tortured by his father's mistakes. To repair his estate's ruined reputation, he must wed a highborn heiress. Yet when he finds himself in a carriage being driven hell-for-leather down the cobblestone streets of London by a beautiful woman who refuses to heed his commands, he fears his heart is hers. But how can he sacrifice his family's legacy to follow true love?
"Erica Ridley's love stories are warm, witty and irresistible. I want to be a Wynchester!" —Eloisa James
I adore the Wynchesters! There is so much going on in that family and keeping them straight will basically require a family tree at some point. Chloe’s “talent” for lack of a better term is her ability to blend into a crowd and be forgettable. Imagine meeting someone multiple times, they have conversed with your spouse on several occasions (with you present) so its safe to say that you are acquainted. Then, at a dinner party you congratulate them on their promotion only to have them turn, take a solid 5 seconds to look at you and then ask “Do I know you?” Good news: You’ll probably identify with Chloe like I did.
I loved Chloe’s fierce loyalty to Bean and her siblings. My heart-ached with her simultaneous desire to be seen and also invisible. Lawrence, while he has a reputation for being cold and a bit of a superiority complex, is just a sweet cinnamon roll hero trying to undo all the damage his father wrought on the dukedom. The romance between Chloe and Lawrence was adorable, tooth-achingly sweet. A low-key enemies to lovers, their admiration for each other grows in leaps and bounds with each interaction based on solid personality and abilities rather than physical appearance (though there is a bit of that too).
As much as I enjoyed the characters, I think the story dragged on for me. I don’t typically say that the third act obstacle lacked tension and angst, but the pacing felt off and everything resolved too quickly for me.
Highlight: I loved all of the characters, but honestly my favorite has to go to Great Aunt Wynchester. I was giggling non-stop whenever she was on scene. I seriously hope she returns in the future because I need more inappropriate grumbles about the peerage.
Overall, I’m excited to see the rest of the Wynchesters get their stories! This was an adorable romance, and the romantic overtures on Lawrence’s part were the sweetest. It feels like Thomasina’s (Tommy’s) story is coming next and I’m super excited that we have rumblings of an LGBTQ+ romance.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Awesome & very detailed Review !! Although I don’t read romance anymore, this one sounds very nice 💕