Series: Difficult Dukes #1
Published by Avon on November 28, 2017
Genres: Historical Romance, Victorian Era
Narrator: Kate Reading
Length: 11 Hours and 12 Mins
Pages: 388
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
ISBN: 0062457381
Not all dukes are created equal. Most are upstanding members of Society. And then there’s the trio known as Their Dis-Graces.
Hugh Philemon Ancaster, seventh Duke of Ripley, will never win prizes for virtue. But even he draws the line at running off with his best friend’s bride. All he’s trying to do is recapture the slightly inebriated Lady Olympia Hightower and return her to her intended bridegroom.
For reasons that elude her, bookish, bespectacled Olympia is supposed to marry a gorgeous rake of a duke. The ton is flabbergasted. Her family’s ecstatic. And Olympia? She’s climbing out of a window, bent on a getaway. But tall, dark, and exasperating Ripley is hot on her trail, determined to bring her back to his friend. For once, the world-famous hellion is trying to do the honorable thing.
So why does Olympia have to make it so deliciously difficult for him . . . ?
A Duke In Shining Armor is the first of the newest series by Loretta Chase. I really didn’t know what to expect when I started this book but I was delightfully entertained with this story. And I will be quite frank….what has always drawn me to this book was the COVER….its so pretty, I just love the landscape, with her in the wedding dress and her hair cascading down her back. It’s real perfection and really portrays the story very well actually. I have read most of this author’s other works and this definitely is going to rank as one of my top favorites from her, to be honest. So entertaining, lively and downright fun in so many ways.
Our story begins with our heroine, Lady Olympia Hightower, who is about to be married. But when her nerves get the best of her she gets drunk and decides it would be best to flee the situation especially after her mother got through telling her about intimacies (kinda freaked her out, but back then who wouldn’t be freaked out?) but while she is fleeing, a certain best friend of her groom chases after her. Hugh Philemon Ancaster is the seventh Duke of Ripley, and he knows he can’t just let Olympia leave to her own devices especially in the state she is in. So he accompanies her to make sure she doesn’t get into trouble. An adventure is awaiting them including a passion neither expected to find, but their forbidden match is one both Ripley and Olympia are willing to fight for. But what will the consequences be for their love?
A Duke In Shining Armor, first off, was so HILARIOUS. Like honestly I just was laughing so much all the way through. The bantering we find between these two was highly addicting and I just wanted more of this delicious dialogue that builds between these two. Now at first, I was REALLY confused about why Olympia was running away. Her characteristics really clash at the beginning, to be honest, and don’t really make sense. You can tell from the very beginning that she is such a strong-willed young woman who doesn’t easily run away, but here she is. So I did find that she had a strong contradictory nature (but us women are that way, I think it’s in our DNA, unfortunately, hehe) This is where the confusion over the heroine’s actions can mislead the reader at times.
Now for our delicious hero, Ripley, is simply magnificent. There are no other words for him, and quite logical and sensible. He definitely knows all the right ways in dealing with Olympia because her character can be difficult at times but that doesn’t seem to put Ripley off at all…if anything it only fortifies him in some unique dynamics. I love how strong he does try in not caving quickly to his feelings for Olympia and tries to stay loyal to his friend but eventually, he does cave and boy is that as sexy as sin? Their dynamics are quite unique as they are very opposite from each other but I adored both characters. Both are strong-willed and stubborn at times, but at the heart of it, they both are solid good-hearted and generous human beings and their love story just really sparks fire and deep emotion.
Overall I found myself addicted to this unique love story of opposites attract, witty bantering you won’t get enough of, and a romance to steal your heart in delicious ways!!
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