Romancing the Duke: Castles Ever After book review

Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare
Published by Avon on January 28, 2014
Pages: 370
Goodreads

In the first in Tessa Dare's captivating Castles Ever After series, a mysterious fortress is the setting for an unlikely love . . .
As the daughter of a famed author, Isolde Ophelia Goodnight grew up on tales of brave knights and fair maidens. She never doubted romance would be in her future, too. The storybooks offered endless possibilities.
And as she grew older, Izzy crossed them off. One by one by one.
Ugly duckling turned swan? Abducted by handsome highwayman? Rescued from drudgery by charming prince?
No, no, and… Heh.
Now Izzy’s given up yearning for romance. She’ll settle for a roof over her head. What fairy tales are left over for an impoverished twenty-six year-old woman who’s never even been kissed?
This one.

I am a fan of the Bridgerton series. After reading some of those I’ve been on the look out for something new. Well, Romancing the Duke: Castles Ever After was the perfect match, and this book blew me out of the water. I loved the concept of the book. I loved how the sexiness and the plot line are written really well, definitely won me over. Tessa Dare does something magical with this book. I will definitely be picking up other books as I search through the romance genre figuring out what I like. Romancing the Duke: Castles Ever After is just the beginning.

Characters in Romancing the Duke

When I think about the plot line and story I just fall in love with the characters all over again. I adored their interactions, the banter and the ease that they found themselves in. It truly is the perfect love story that isn’t really a love story. Romancing the Duke: Castles Ever After is about Izzy Goodnight the daughter of a famous author. But, who after his death is penniless and with nowhere to go. When all of a sudden she is bequeathed a crumbling castle by a distant relative. However when she arrives she finds the Duke of Rothbury far less amenable to her taking his ancestral home. They both have to find a way to live together whilst they get this all sorted out.

I’m not even lying a little bit, when I say the chemistry between them was impeccably done from the offset. Reading about them both and seeing them figure out each other’s flaws and vulnerabilities was perfect. I loved how the characters and story was written.

I also really loved the introduction of other characters within the story and how they end up shaping not only the plot but also the other people within the story. The main character is the valet (I cannot for the life of me remember his name). The way he wanted so desperately to help was beautifully done. You never felt as though there was anything untoward going on and that despite Ransom being a mean one he ever mistreated the staff on purpose. I am hoping that all of Tessa Dare’s books has a great cast of side characters because Romancing the Duke: Castles Ever After had some of my favourites.

My favourites and issues

It’s hard to think about what I hated or had issues with when I think about Romancing the Duke. But I definitely had a few issues with the plot and the story in general. However I just want to gush for a little bit.

The concept of this book, as I have mentioned before, done so well. I wasn’t sure I was going to be too big of a fan of the damaged hero, it was a little bit odd but I do think it was done well. There was enough angst to keep me intrigues but not too much to push me over the brink and think him annoying. I really enjoyed comedic value of this book. There were moments that had me laughing out loud and moments where I wanted to curl up and cry. It won me over completely and I think that historical romance is going end up being one of my niches.

My issues with this book are few and far between. I will say I was a little disappointed in the ending. I felt as though we were leading up to something massive and actually it was all just a little bit underwhelming. The consequences were non-existent in this book, it was a real let down. The Duke should have had more of a back bone and I feel it would have gone better in the end. It wasn’t a deal breaker for me but I can definitely see why other people might have an issue with it.

Recommendation

I loved reading Romancing the Duke. Learning about the characters and the concept is definitely one of my favourites. I will definitely be watching out for the other books in the series and giving them a go when I get a chance. I am a little sad that Ransom and Izzy aren’t in the others but we can’t have everything can we?

Have you read this one? What was your favourite part? Let me know in the comments!