Rowena’s review of How to Lose a Duke in Ten Days (An American Heiress in London #2) by Laura Lee Guhrke.
They had a deal…
From the moment she met the devil-may-care Duke of Margrave, Edie knew he could change her life. And when he agreed to her outrageous proposal of a marriage of convenience, she was transformed from ruined American heiress to English duchess. Five years later, she’s delighted with their arrangement, especially since her husband is living on another continent.
But deals are made to be broken…
By marrying an heiress, Stuart was able to pay his family’s enormous debts, and Edie’s terms that he leave England forever seemed a small price to pay. But when a brush with death impels him home, he decides it’s time for a real marriage with his luscious American bride, and he proposes a bold new bargain: ten days to win her willing kiss. But is ten days enough to win her heart?
This book sounded like something I’d enjoy so I jumped on the chance to read it for the blog. Boy am I glad that I did because I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It came with it’s frustrations (how long it took for Edie to come around with Stuart) but it was really hard to stay frustrated with Edie, considering why she acted the way that she did.
I thought Laura Lee Guhrke did a great job of telling this story. Edie is an American heiress that was ruined back home in the states and needs to get married. She doesn’t want just any husband though, it’s got to be someone who will accept her marriage terms and when she meets the Duke of Margrave, Edie feels like she’s hit gold.
It’s been five years since she married the Duke of Margrave and Edie couldn’t be happier with her choice. Stuart has been in Africa for the last five years, leaving Edie to look after his estates and Edie has done a great job with it all. But after he almost dies at the hands of a lioness, Stuart goes home.
To his life. And most importantly, to his wife.
Things really take off when he returns home to find that his wife is not at all happy about his return but Stuart is not about to let that get in the way of him staying right where he belongs. Trying to get Edie to come around is going to be hard work but he hadn’t realized, how much work until the work is already under way.
I really liked getting to know both Edie and Stuart. Their relationship is complicated and Stuart was a complete flirt that I absolutely loved. I really liked the support he got from everyone at home, including Edie’s little sister. And when he finally finds out why Edie is the way that he is, oh man did I come to love him even more. I also came to understand and admire the hell out of Edie.
This was a wonderfully romantic story about two characters drawn to each other, and who desparately need each other as well. The cast of characters all made this story really pop and this book left me wanting more from this series. I’m definitely in for more goodness from this series. I definitely recommend this book to lovers of historical romances and of Laura Lee Gurhke’s work. You won’t be disappointed.
Grade: 4.5 out of 5
This book is available from Avon. You can purchase it here or here in e-format. This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
All right, Rowena, I shall read this just because you tell me so. I didn’t love Laura’s last series and I don’t think I ever even read the last book, but I’ll read this because it sounds good, plus I love the whole spouses fall in love with each other plot.
😀 thanks for the lovely review.
Also, the font of the comment section is rad! You guys rock!