I really enjoyed this book, honestly I did, I even overlooked the seemingly random discrepancy in the plot (possibly due to the book not being edited properly it is after all an e-Arc) but I truly felt the plot for this book was lackluster and weak.

The first few chapters started out strong and full of possibilities on the ‘why Nicole and Mark broke up’ mystery; could it be Nicole or Mark cheated on each other? Could it be Nicole had to backstab Mark? What is it? So my hopes on the why was sky high and it was shot down when the truth of their estrangement was explained and the reason just felt inadequate to me.

The reason for their estrangement could be more fleshed out and the author could have gone more in depth because the duration of their estrangement which is 10 years, you would think the reason would be some cataclysmic event or something so when you find out that it is over something petty you start to think really? Really? That was it?

Another reason that my enjoyment for this book was diminished was because Mark was written to be this suave spy-master, all smart, cunning and just overall a pretty intelligent guy hence I was expecting so but instead what I got was this guy who was a bumbling idiot. He interpreted things wrongly or guessed the wrong culprit, like if it was once or twice and had something to do with Nicole I’d understand; estranged wife and mixed emotions can muddle your brain, but it seems like he got everything wrong so again it made me wonder this is the spy-master? Jesus, if he was spy-master then I’m Queen of England.

Last reason that I did not enjoy the book so much was the cheesy ending, it’s just not my cup of tea. I like happy endings but I dislike the cheesy dialogues and the whole ‘Omg, you’re the love of my life BS’, the cynic in me is just like STFU will you. I felt like if you loved each other so much then why 10 years passed before ya’ll did anything? I get back in the day communication isn’t as fast as now what with social media and whatnot but honestly even back then 10 years estrangement is a bit of a stretch.

Oh my...I loved this book! Right from the beginning the love between Mark Grimaldi and his estranged wife is palpable. You can feel the sparks, you can feel their emotions. Apart from that, they are also two very lovable characters, unique, strong and very much in love despite their estrangement.

When Nicole agrees to come back to England to help further Mark's career, her terms for supporting him are...unexpected but not completely unagreeable....
Slowly getting to know each other again, Mark and Nicole fall for each other - again. Or maybe they never fell out of love anyway. While cautiously navigating the ton and the political landscape in London they can put their combined experience of working for the Bow Street runners and as spies when they have to solve a high profile murder that is rather close to home, the two might even grow closer than before.

A wonderful and gripping story, that kept me glued to my reader. Once started, I couldn't put it down till the very last page! This is definitely a book that I'll read again as it catapulted itself right away on my list of favorite books!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved the dual POVs. It helps me to understand the characters so much better. This book made me a little sad as the two protagonists lead separate lives for 10 years because of lack of communication and miscommunication. The murder mystery was a wonderful part of the plot. If you love second chance romance, then I would recommend this book.

Thanks St. Martin's Press and netgalley for this ARC.

At first I didn't see how Bowman could turn this story into the astonishing intense love affair that comes out of the awkward situation at the beginning. Amazing, violent, ardent, and star-crossed

I’ve received an eARC at no cost to the author.

A few days ago, I read a review somewhere that talked about who much you can love a book and still acknowledge that it has some problems. And I have to say that this book fits that description.

I really enjoyed it, and I really liked both the plot and the author’s writing style, but sometimes there were small problems that slightly annoyed me. An example: Mark is a very intelligent man, he knows how the world works, and knows that influence and titles are important. However, somehow, he fails to see how that might come in handy for when he decides to propose a new police force to the House of Lords, etc. Really? It was small things like this that sometimes annoyed me.

Anyway, the story starts with Mark focused on trying to get a promotion and him needing a wife to achieve it – but he already has one that went to France 10 years ago. And right away we start wondering what happened between them – 10 years is a long time (in another country, especially!).
I really liked Nicole, and I sympathized way more with her than with Mark (he was a bit too proud for me, and it took him too long to realize it). Their love story is a bit complicated, but like most love stories, if they had just talked to each other and weren’t so proud (and arrogant, in Mark’s case), those ten years apart would not have come to that.

With all of this said, you would expect me to give a lower rating to this book, right? Wrong! Because even though it had its issues, I really enjoyed reading it – I read it in just a few hours! It was very engaging, with a Clue-like mystery to keep the plot going, and steamy romance between Nicole and Mark. I have to say, I’ve read my fair share of sexy/sexual/sex scenes, and these were some of the best! Granted, they were only bedroom scenes, but you can tell a lot about an author and their style of writing from the way they can actually describe a romantic scene: every sense most be awake (and awoken) with these scenes, and I really liked how the main characters connected by using their lovemaking as a way to be able to talk (both literally and metaphorically) to one another, and eventually work out their problems.

I also liked that, even though this is an independent book, it sets the scene for the next one. All the secondary characters were there for a reason, they weren’t just there to fill in the space, they actually brought something to either the plot, the main characters development, or both.

In the end, it was a very pleasurable read, with romance, mystery, and strong enough points that kept me interested and made me want to keep reading as fast as I could.

General Mark Grimaldi finds he needs a wife for the promotion he wants, but then he has a wife. Nicole has been Mark's wife for ten years but they had a fight and each went their own way. They each care about the other but just have such hurt feelings they have gone on with living their life. Nicole has something she wants from Mark too. Can their wants bring them back together? Mark's uncle the Duke is dying but then his cousin who is next in line dies at a dinner party. Who is put in next to be Duke? Mark does not plan on it being himself. The death of his cousin was murder so Mark with the help of Nicole, his cousin Regina and Daffin the Bow Street Runner have a couple of days to find the murderer. Can Mark & Nicole rekindle their love?

Love this book!!!! Loved this style of writing. It began with a little misunderstanding that destroyed a marriage but 10 years later a second chance. It takes you an emotional roller coaster from the beginning...heartbreak of old lovers reuniting, suspense, mystery. It did a great job of captivating me. A very good read!!!

I really did enjoy this book. It took me a while to get into it, reason for the 4 stars. A lot for this couple to work out. They hid things from each other from the start. They lived apart for 10 years, only coming back together to enhance General Mark Grimaldi's career.

I'm glad I finished the story. I would certainly buy more books from this author and I would recommend as well.

On the whole, A Duke Like No Other was exciting to read. There were times I was so anxious to skip forward I had to take breaths to calm down and that’s no exaggeration. The murder mystery had a twist or two and I really appreciated that it wasn’t quite so obvious. I changed my mind a few times about the “whodunit” and that was a little thrill I enjoyed.

I recommend this novel (despite the flashbacks! *shudders*) because it is so, so much fun to read and so female positive, witty and clever (and sexxxy!) I am already stalking the author’s website and Goodreads profile to see what she has in store for Playful Brides 10!

A Duke Like No Other is the ninth book in Valerie Bowman’s Playful Brides series of Regency era historical romance novels. I was excited about the opportunity to read this book because I’ve read almost all of the other books in this series, and I have been looking forward to reading this one.

Mark Grimaldi is a career soldier who has worked with some of the heroes from previous books. As the story begins, Mark learns that he is being considered for a prestigious government position. His odds of being selected would improve if he were a family man. Fortunately for Mark, he is already married. Unfortunately for Mark, he has been estranged from his wife for almost a decade.

Nicole has spent the last ten years living in France. She’s not sure what to think when Mark arrives at her house, and asks her to return to England with him and pose as his wife. But there is something that she wants as well, so perhaps a bargain can be struck. Can they find peace together after so many years of strife, or is their bond irreparably broken?

This was such a good book. We don’t initially know why Mark and Nicole are estranged, and while I won’t reveal those reasons here, I do think that Mark was unreasonable. I can understand the importance of pride and standing on one’s own merits, but it’s important to give the ones we love the benefit of the doubt. Needless to say, as they reflect back on the tumultuous events that separated them, there’s a fair bit of angst.

Another thing that I enjoyed about this book is that the narrative is interspersed with flashbacks, so we get to see Mark and Nicole’s courtship, as well as the events that led to their estrangement. They have a lot to work through, and at times, the odds seem insurmountable.

I would absolutely recommend A Duke Like No Other. This book functions well as a standalone. Most of the series regulars don’t appear in this book, so it’s not as important to read the previous books in the series. But you should definitely read the rest of the series. This was a beautiful story of reconciliation and redemption, and Bowman also includes an interesting mystery that Mark and Nicole work together to solve. I am looking forward to reading more from Bowman in the future- unless I am incorrect, she provided the foundation for the next book in the series during the course of this one!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book.

When I first picked this book up, I did it on the blurb alone. If I had any idea it was book nine in the Playful Brides series, I would have probably taken a pass– A) because Playful Brides do not sound like my cup of tea and B) I haven’t read the previous eight installments in the series. I’m happy to report that neither point became an issue. There were no playful brides to be found and this book holds up completely as a standalone.

This is a second-chance-at-love story involving a married couple that has been separated for the past ten years. There was a Big Secret/Big Misunderstanding that drove them apart after just a few months together. Now, though, the husband, Mark, is in line for a job he wants desperately–a job he can only win if he proves he is a family man. So her tracks down Nicole to come back and play the part. She agrees, but only if he promises to give her something she wants in return: a child.

Of course, he accepts her terms.

I was not a big fan of Mark’s. The man has Issues. He is estranged from his late mother’s family because they never accepted his Italian father. He doesn’t even acknowledge them, much less use their high standing in the aristocracy to his advantage. That Nicole knew of his lineage before they got married was the very reason they went their separate ways; he was convinced she was angling for a good match instead of marrying for love.

If he knew Nicole at all, he could have never believed that. She wanted way more than a sheltered life of privilege. In fact, she worked with the Bow Street Runner solving crimes. Her mother never understood her. Mark left her. All she wants now is a baby to love and to love her unconditionally; she’s tired of being lonely. But she absolutely doesn’t want to risk her heart by falling for her husband again. He’s made it more than clear that the only thing he cares about is his job.

The book was ok. It moved quickly and it was an easy read. But the romance didn’t wow me. Part of the problem was that there was way too much time spent in flashback, basically spoon-feeding us the backstory. Then, as I said, I didn’t love Mark. I put the bulk of their problems at his feet, because he basically was more wrapped up in his emotional baggage than his love for his wife. He didn’t give her a chance to explain nor did he ever give her the benefit of the doubt. Nicole should have fought harder to make him listen, but still…

On top of that, there is a murder mystery. It’s not a bad one, but it takes up a lot of page time. I felt like the reconciliation was a bit short changed. And when Mark finally sees the light, it’s anticlimactic.

Eh. There wasn’t anything I actively disliked. And it delivered on the blurb. I just didn’t love it as much as I hoped I would.

Rating: B-

When General Grimaldi is up for a promotion the only thing holding him back is that he is not married. This makes him take a trip to get his wife back. the one that left years ago. His wife is shock to see him but has a something she wants in order to come home. What they don't expect is when it is time for her to g ago goodbyes isn't alway what you think it is.


** I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

A Valerie Bowman read takes on a life of it's own. With intense heroes and headstrong heroines, a good time is usually had by all. From a hurtfully chilly estrangement to a passionately turbulent reunion, A Duke Like No Other weaves an intricate maze of dangerous liaisons and tempestuous seduction. Let the tango begin.

A Duke Like No Other by Valerie Bowman is Playful Brides #9. General Mark Grimaldi has devoted his life in service to his country, rising the ranks on his own merits as a spymaster and he is now up for promotion to Home Secretary. With one condition. He needs to be settled. They want him to have a wife. The only problem? He's already married. Nicole Grimaldi has lived her life driven to do more. First as an assistant to the Bow Street runners and then as part of the foreign office as a lady spy during the war. Estranged for 10 years from her husband and retired to France, she more expected to receive notice of his death before seeing him at her doorstep.

I found both characters to be passionate and driven as well as witty and intelligent. The one hole each seems to have in their ability to figure out and influence their environment with confidence is their relationship with each other. I liked how much confidence and capability each displayed as well as how fun their battles with each other were. While at first the idea that both Mark and Nicole, very intelligent in other areas, had such a difficult time seeing the things in their own relationship, in the end I found this almost more realistic. Often times its the things right under our noses that we have the hardest time seeing.

Overall, I very much enjoyed A Duke Like No Other by Valerie Bowman and the battles and passion that Mark and Nicole shared with each other.

Ten years. Imagine what you could do with ten years. You could even grow an entire career and be up for the promotion you've always wanted. That's exactly what Mark Grimaldi has done, but his new position comes with a stipulation. Mark needs a wife. That would be easily remedied by finding a tolerable, biddable, young miss. Unfortunately, Mark already has a wife. (Gasp, what? I know, right?) Mark has spent the last ten career building years estranged from his wife. How is he going to convince her to help him?
Ten years ago Nicole was married to Mark Grimaldi for a few blissful months. Since then, she's been in France.
Take two strong willed people and throw in marital strife, family, a mystery and what do you get? An awesome book! I loved A Duke Like No Other and you will too.

Although I liked the characters, I did not like the timeline. It bothers me that 10 years or more go by and I'm supposed to believe that neither character had "feelings" etc. (especially the guy) for anyone else, yet they did not try to contact each other ever. And then one day, they get back together like nothing ever happened! And the reason!!! Once again, unbelievable! I am aware that I am not an acclaimed author, but, please make the reasons for the break-ups and getting back together at least more realistic. I like many of Ms. Bowman's books, but this one was a bit of a let down for me.

**Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.**

Valerie Bowman continues to firmly cement herself as one of historical romance’s most talented and ingenious writers with her stunning new novel, A Duke Like No Other. Action-packed, humorous, suspenseful and heartwarming, this is a captivating Regency romance you will not want to miss!

General Mark Grimaldi is a man who is dedicated to his profession. His military career means everything to him and his meticulousness, dedication and devotion has enabled him to climb the ranks without having the benefit of a nobleman’s title. When the position he has worked so hard for finally becomes available, Mark is determined that nothing and nobody is going to stand in the way of securing the post which he has yearned for for so long. Having sacrificed everything for the sake of his career, Mark is not about to fall at the last hurdle, but it seems that his bosses have a condition before they allow him to sign on the dotted line: the only way Mark can secure this post is if he is a married man. But what his bosses do not know is that Mark is already married – to a woman who has been living in France for the past decade!

Lady Nicole Huntingon Grimaldi had fallen for Mark from the very first moment she clapped eyes on him on a dark night in a mews after she had given chase to a footman who had stolen from her family. Unlike the wimpish men which her grandmother and mother had been keen to introduce her to, Mark had been dangerous, dashing and a man she simply couldn’t stop thinking about. Even though they had only known each other for a matter of months, Mark and Nicole had known that they were destined to be together and they had wed. But when the marital idyll they had dreamed about had been cruelly shattered, Mark and Nicole knew that they had no other option but to go their separate ways, with Nicole heading off to France and Mark throwing himself body and soul into his work as a spymaster.

Nobody was more surprised than Nicole when Mark had turned up in France demanding that she return with him to England and act the part of a doting wife. Having built a life for herself in France, Nicole is initially hesitant to leave everything behind – before she comes up with a condition of her own! She will accompany Mark to France and be a dutiful wife if he agrees to her terms!

Brought together by fate and united by a sizzling passion that simply cannot be denied, Mark and Nicole quickly find themselves slipping into their roles as loving and devoted spouses with ease. Will they have the courage to lay old ghosts to rest and give their love another try? Or is their relationship best consigned to the past?

A Duke Like No Other is a spellbinding read liberally spiced with danger, desire, intrigue, suspense, drama and emotion that will keep you turning the pages late into the night. Valerie Bowman is an outstanding writer of historical romance and she will sweep you off to a wonderfully witty, wicked and exciting world you will never want to leave.

I absolutely adored spirited, courageous and feisty Nicole and brooding and enigmatic Mark. Valerie Bowman certainly knows how to make her characters come to life and I was cheering Mark and Nicole on to get the happy ending they richly deserved!

A fantastic historical romance I absolutely adored, A Duke Like No Other is a superb Regency treat you are going to love!

Mark Grimaldi isn’t a duke. He’s not even the direct heir to a duke. He doesn’t want anything to do with his mother’s powerful family, determined to become Home Secretary on his own merits. Only problem is, his superiors want a family man for the position, and they’re suggesting Mark take a wife. Except… he’s already got one. He’ll just need to go and find her.

Nicole left England ten years ago for a quiet life in the French countryside, when it became clear her husband’s ambition far outstripped his affection for her. Now he’s come for her, and her loneliness prompts her to offer him a desperate bargain.

I quite like reunion romances, but this book did spend a lot of time teasing the reasons for their breakup, only to reveal eventually it was because they both concealed information from each other and Mark couldn’t get past it. Which, since Nicole was a teenager at the time, really made me think he was a bit of an ass. He expected too much of her, and never going after her was just ridiculous, frankly. Especially since, according to the timeline, she left to live in France in 1809 or so, slap bang in the middle of the Napoleonic Wars. An Englishwoman living peacefully in a country chateau in France in those years? Sorry, my suspension of disbelief doesn’t quite stretch that far.

That said, my suspension of disbelief had already ridden off laughing into the sunset when I was asked to believe that Mark had progressed from the rank of Army Corporal to General in ten years. A rank jump from Captain to General in ten years would be pushing it, even in those days where money and birth could buy rank; corporal is nothing short of flatly impossible. I don’t think the author understands how ranks and officer’s commissions work, and an editor should certainly have picked up such a wildly impossible assertion. A lowly corporal - an enlisted man just one step above the common private - would certainly never have been welcomed into the homes of the aristocracy without acknowledging his heritage, in which case he wouldn’t be a corporal anyway. It just doesn’t make sense.

Though I enjoyed much of the story and I do like the author’s writing style, Mark’s arrogance and pride and the unbelievable occurrences I’ve mentioned here make it impossible for me to give the story more than three stars.

A Duke Like No Other was an easy read for me. This was my reward book for every chapter I finished while copy-editing my WIP. I enjoyed the early chapters' setting of France and the sparks that flew between Mark and Nicole. I appreciate the twist of them being already married and having to stay together for the sake of Mark's career. I loved that Nicole gave as good as she got and didn't let Mark get the upper hand. Valerie took pains in establishing that husband and wife are equal in terms of physical beauty as well as intellect.
For all of Mark's vaunted arrogance, he is truly in love with his wife and acceded to her conditions and delays. I just had to suspend my disbelief that he remained celibate for all of the ten years that they were separated, but I liked him as a hero.
I also like Nicole as a heroine. She's intrepid and clever. Again, a couple of eyebrow-raising plotlines regarding her work as a Bow Street Runner, but nothing too impossible that I couldn't just chalk up to artistic license.
I like that their coming together was almost slow-burn and when they did, whoah, it was hot.
I enjoyed the little mystery and the resolution of it as well as the secondary characters of the duke, Tottenham, Regina, Oakleaf, great-aunt Harriet (she's hilarious), among others.
The flashbacks worked for me too, although I was always imagining a piano tinkling when the narrative shifts to them.
Overall, a fun, light read. Four stars.

Awesome regency romance with intrigue, suspense and action. Nicole is a lady and when she met and fell for Mark he was a Corporeal. They tell for each other quickly and appeared happy for a few months. Unfortunately, something came between them and she soon left England and headed to France. After 10 years apart Mark shows up in France needing Nicole's help. The author did an excellent job of drawinG the reader into the story and keeping you turning pages to get to the end. I received a complementary copy of this book via Net Galley and chose to write a review. I look forward to reading future books by this author.