My heart was broken and healed within the pages of this book. When we first meet Alexandra, Cecelia, and Francesca they are residing at an elite finishing school for young ladies. They are united through high intelligence, high jinks, and secrets. Some of their secrets are shared, but some are just too painful. Right before graduation, they are thrown into self-defense and murder, leading to a cover-up and a clean-up making them vow to never marry or trust any man. Secrets and promises take on a life of their own, one of the trio finds she can no longer afford to pay off the blackmailer and she sells her soul to the devil in exchange. But what the cost?

The Terror of Torcliff wants no Duchess. His scars are obvious while his anger runs deep. He makes an offer to one of the Red Rogues. One of them must break her vow. No matter the reason, he will have his wife.

Kerrigan Brynne has a mastery of the written word. When reading her novel you are there with the characters. You can breathe, sigh and experience everything they are. I love being pulled into her stories. Don't miss "How to Love a Duke in Ten Days". It's a 5-star plus! #metoo

I received an ARC from Netgalley and I am happy to give my honest review.

This is the first Kerrigan Byrne book I have read but it definitely won't be the last. A few years ago I went through a period of only reading historical romances. I got so burnt out on them because it was the same story over and over. This book was so different and charming and gut wrenching that I can't wait to read more.

Trigger warning: there is a fairly graphic rape scene in the first chapter. This may really bother some people so I want to mention it. However, I do think it was necessary to set up Alexandra's character and the author handled it very well.

Ten years after the trauma, Alexandra is penniless after paying blackmail she can't afford. She goes to be with her friend who is announcing her engagement to Piers, a duke with facial scars. Alexandra's friend doesn't want to marry him and she jumps on the opportunity to marry a wealthy man. She's terrified of being under control but knows she needs his protection.

Piers has watched the women in his life be faithless, with his mother and his ex-fiancee. He wants to get married, have kids, and continue his adventuring. He's drawn to Alexandra's intelligence (score for a lady doctor/archaeologist!) and accepts her proposal. They marry immediately because why not. He discovers she isn't a virgin and is furious. He doesn't treat her unduly cruel, like I have seen other historical romance heroes. He's logical and disappointed. I'll admit I shed some tears during the scene when he discovered her past trauma. It was so heart wrenching and beautifully crafted.

In the end I recommend this book 150%. It was a delight to read and I'm looking forward to Cecilia's story next.

I really enjoyed this story. Loved the girls of the “Red Rogues Society” and their cute names for each other. The first chapter was a bit harrowing and as I do not want to give spoilers, just be mindful of the fact. Alexandra, Cecelia and Francesca’s friendships are bound by “secrets, blood and pain.” But they are the best of friends willing to do anything for one another. Along comes Piers Atherton, Duke or Redmayne or more fondly called “the Terror of Torcliff.” Now things are bound to heat up.

This first book in the series is totally different from the historical romance books you are used to reading. The beginning may look the same, but get ready...

Three girl friends studying at the same school, L'Ecole de Chardonne.
One of them is called in the headmaster's room because he discovered their secret.
They, eager for knowledge, used to meet in a cave to read, learn, and talk about subjects only allowed for men, such as Poe, Dumas, Latin, Algebra.
They called each other by male names: Alexandra was Alexander; Cecelia, Cecil, and Francesca, Frank.

The headmaster acts totally inappropriately for someone of his importance, and that makes Alexandra take emergency and definite actions.

The three friends now change from Red Rogues Society, a group that just wanted to learn, to a society with dangerous secrets.
On this basis, the three swear never to marry and always be ready to help each other.

Years later, Francesca writes to her two friends asking for help.
She should have to marry the terrible Duke of Redmayne, and she was sure he was to blame for her family massacre years ago.

Piers Atherton was so terrible that he was known as The Terror of Torcliff.
He would rather have to deal with his wild horses a thousand times than with other people, but there was an engagement contract signed in his childhood with Lady Francesca Cavendish, and he would honor it.

However, with the arrival of his fiancee's friends, Piers finds himself between the fulfillment of a family agreement and the voice of his heart, which for the first time began to beat.
In addition to this there's a great secret involving Francesca that endangers the life of the woman he loved.
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The book is dedicated to all women who have suffered from being considered fragile sex and to the #metoo movement.

From this beginning, we already know that the secrets of the three friends are serious, especially when referring to women of that century.
The plot is well made, the characters are strong and with each new event the reader is thrilled about how everything will happen.
I can't wait for the story of the other friends, women who don't wait for their enchanted princes in silver armor but who can defend themselves.
More than 5 stars

Alexandra is known as a bluestocking spinster. She has no interest in getting married. She distrusts men and for good reason - she was raped by her headmaster as a young girl. Her two closest friends are the only ones who know she killed him and where she buried him. But someone is blackmailing Alexandra.

Piers is known as the Terror of Torcliff - his scarred face and vicious moods scare people off. He is bitter about the fact his fiancé left him for his cousin and will inherit the title if Piers has no children. Piers is going to marry out of spite to a girl his parents made a marriage contract with in his childhood, Alexandra’s best friend Francesca.

Alexandra knows Francesca doesn’t want this marriage. And she knows Piers is only marrying out of spite. So she volunteers to be his wife - his title and money will help keep the blackmailer from going to the law.

This is a very good and angsty romance. Alexandra is very distrusting of men and with good reason. Piers is known as being a terror, but he’s so in tune with what Alexandra needs.

I really enjoyed this romance. If you don’t like angsty, this romance might not be for you. This is one of the few historical romances that deal with PTSD in a woman. If you would like to see a woman overcoming PTSD and read a great romance - this might be the book for you.

This is my second Kerrigan Byrne, and like the first of hers that I read, this is a great love story. Alexandra Lane experiences trauma as a 17 year old at boarding school. It happens in the prologue and while I’m normally not insistent on trigger warnings, the prologue scene was shocking to me and I’m not sure I ever really moved past it. While it does provide a bit of extra detail as to why Alexandra and her two friends have such a tight bond, if you are highly sensitive to scenes of abuse, I would recommend skipping the prologue.

Chapter 1 begins the core of our story, 10 years after the events of the prologue. It’s a bit of an insta-love story - meeting, marriage, drama, and HEA take place over the course of 10 days (hence the title), but it’s not completely unbelievable. Piers Atherton, the Duke of Redmayne, is a wonderful hero. He’s kind, considerate, and very gentle with Alex. Alex, despite the trauma in her past, is a very strong, independent woman. I loved watching their relationship blossom.

The only things that keep this from being a 5-star read for me, personally, are the prologue and the lack of humor. I love Tessa Dare and Sarah MacLean because their novels always make me literally laugh out loud. Byrne’s novels are much more serious, and I prefer the humor.

I loved this!
So much heartache and terror for Alexandra at first, you’re unsure of how she’ll ever get past her traumatic experience. But then she meets Piers. He’s sure to be the brute that turns her life around.
But something deadly lurks in the shadows. It might be too much for Alexandra and Piers to survive.
I can’t wait for the next in this series!!! 5 stars!

This was an amazing, superbly written book. I can't express how much I loved the writing in this book. This author has become a "must read" for me. The way the words were put together, the images, the way each part of the book meshes so perfectly throughout, the way the characters are described, what they have gone through and how they develop together, all of it was incredible. I couldn't put it down and I am eager to read the next book in the series as well as find and read all the other books this author has written. I could not recommend this book more highly.

This book was simply amazing. I love a good historical romance, and Kerrigan Byrne did a tremendous job with How to Love a Duke in Ten Days. From the friendship between Alexandra, Cecelia and Franchesca to her unconventional romance with Piers Redmayne, this book kept me hooked from the moment I started reading it.

Content warning: Alexandra is a rape victim. Parts of this book are very heavy and sometimes very difficult to read, especially if you have been a victim of sexual abuse. But Byrne has a way of weaving a lovely romance in between the horrors and after effects of sexual abuse. I've highlighted so many passages that both touched a deep part of me and made me love not only Alexandra, but Piers too.

Piers and Alexandra have this crazy intense chemistry from the moment they meet each other. Their encounters had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion! But I was also swooning at the sweet (and sexy) things that Piers would say to Alexandra to keep her on her toes. I ended up falling so in love with this sweet, sweet couple who were so perfectly matched for each other.

One of the aspects of this book that I loved so much was the friendship between Franchesca, Cecelia and Alexandra. These three women have such a special bond. Within the first few pages of this book, I was already emotional by how much support they provided one another. These are the kinds of friendships that we all aspire to have in our lives. Friends who will be there for you no matter what you are going through without judgment. Friends that provide a shoulder to lean on or cry when you are feeling at your lowest or celebrate with you when you're at your highest. I hope to read more of this friendship throughout the trilogy. I already can't wait for the next book!

This was my first Kerrigan Byrne book, but will most definitely NOT be my last. **Thank you St Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review**

Kerrigan Byrne is my favorite historical romance author, so I was very excited about the start of a new series! Without sharing spoilers, I will simply say that I thoroughly enjoyed the book. The character development and plot lines were fantastic, although I would warn there are a couple triggers, but nothing that prevented me personally from connecting with the book and falling in love with the characters.

The threesome of lovely red-headed ladies, Alexandra, Cecilia and Francesca appear to be the heroines in this new series, and although each is quite different from her associates, they make a great team. I also really liked the male character, the Duke of Redmayne. I started out picturing a more British-looking Jason Momoa in the role, and it was a very pleasant reading experience ;-)

There was also quite a bit of distrust between certain characters (which is understandable considering their circumstances), but it drove me a little crazy at times when characters seemed to think the worst of each other by jumping to conclusions. It's a work of fiction of course, and this is all about driving the plot and creating tension, so I definitely understand the purpose, otherwise there would be no story to tell. All of this was obviously resolved for a HEA.

I am so excited for the next book in this series, which is due out next spring. I happily recommend How to Love a Duke in Ten Days to fans of historical romance books.

I was provided a free digital copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

How to Love a Duke in Ten Days by Kerrigan Byrne was a fun historical romance. I found the characters interesting and liked how the story slowly evolved and grew. The novel was an interesting mystery as well as a romance. It was unclear who was trying to be murdered and why. I enjoyed the twists and turns. I felt the author had a great writing style and drew me into the story.

I liked Alexandra, she was strong and determined, yet vulnerable. I found her devotion to her friends heart felt and allowed her to become a character to enjoy. It is inconceivable to me how hard Lady Alexandra Lane had to work to be accepted and complete a program at the Sorbonne during this period of time. The story of Alexandra’s past and her fear only made her more appealing.

Piers Gedrick Atherton, the Duke of Redmayne made me laugh. His gruff exterior and his so over the top alpha male growl made him fun. I love how he treated Alexandra as an intelligent woman. I love how he began to understand her fears. He was also very, very hot in a growly way.

How to Love a Duke in Ten Days by Kerrigan Byrne was a great read.

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

Lady Alexandra Lane, with two very close friends, Francesca Cavendish and Cecelia Teague, have formed a little group called the Red Rogues. The name is partly due to their varying color of red hair, as well as their rather unorthodox behavior. The girls are away at school and. under certain circumstances, refer to each other as Alexander, Cecil and Frank.

One day after class, the headmaster has caught Alexandra out. He knows of their nefarious activities and threatens to expose the girls. Before he can do that, he does unspeakable harm to Alexandra, and she defends herself, and ends up killing him. They manage to cover the crime up, and go about their lives. Before I go on, I will admit to feeling rather broken while reading this scene.

It is now ten years later and Francesca is about to announce her betrothal. Alexandra and Cecelia travel to Devonshire for the announcement. But, Alexandra has received a note from Francesca that indicates she may be in danger, so Alexandra knows something more is up.

There is something else. Each girl is bond together by a dark secret. As this is Alexandra's story in this trilogy by Kerrigan Byrne, the turn of events becomes rather interesting. One of the first people that she sees is going to be rather significant in her life. During her years away, Alexandra became a doctor, an archaeologist, but her past has traveled with her. She has been blackmailed all of these years and her family is now destitute.

Meanwhile, the stranger Alexandra meets, Piers Gedrick Atherton, the Duke of Redmayne, is actually soon to become Francesca's betrothed. Piers is badly scarred and has the moniker, Terror of Torcliff. Nonetheless, sparks quickly fly between him and Alexandra. Therefore, things end up completely different, and before long, Alexandra and Piers are together.

The story shifts to their honeymoon in Normandy, where the couple go on an archaeological dig. While they get to know one another, Piers must work feverishly hard at keeping her safe. In all actuality, her blackmailer will stop at nothing.

What a story! After what Alexandra experienced as a teen, marriage was the furthest thing from her mind. She faces quite a bit of adjustment. Piers is a true hero. His compassion, understanding and gentleness shine through. Between watching the relationship develop, all while with danger continually escalating, made this quite an impressive, fast-moving story. I adored this book and cannot wait for the other two stories.

Many thanks to Kensington Publishing and to NetGalley, as well as Edelweiss, for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

A guilty pleasure! Know that this starts - yes starts- with the rape of Alexandra by the headmaster of her school. Know also that she has two really good friends- Francesca and Cecilia- and that this well written sleigh ride is as much about their bond as it is about Alexandra's romance with Piers, the Duke of Redmayne, a man many view as a monster. Piers, like Alexandra, has his secrets but he's not a bad man. Alexandra's decision to marry him in order to save her family leads to a ballet dance of back and forth. These two develop a nice relationship. I enjoyed this much more than I expected to, especially after the beginning. It's well written and very entertaining. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I'm looking forward to more from Byrne, a new to me author.

I really enjoyed the way this couple was portrayed. They were both independent and strong...and stubborn. I like that they respected each other, even if they didn't always trust each other, and that when we finally got to their HEA it felt exactly right.

I also enjoyed the Rogues' friendship and can't wait to see how they all conquer their men.

I follow Natasha of Natasha’s Book Junkies and recently she highly recommended Ms. Byrne’s Victorian Rebels series to her followers. Reading The Highwayman made me love historical romance again.

How to Love a Duke in Ten Days is the first book in her new series and it was a an intriguing story. It starts out with Alexandra involved in a serious and heartbreaking situation. Her friends, Francesca and Cecelia surround her with love, friendship and a pact.

The story jumps to ten years later and Alexandra is highly educated and travels the world in her archeology work. When Francesca asks Alexandra and Cecelia to come to her immediately as she’s going to be married, they all rush to the estate of her potential future husband.

When Alexandra and Piers, the Duke of Redmayne first meet, they have misconceptions about each other. The more time they spend together, they are yearning for a connection and yet they are wary of trusting each other. Both have secrets and the story is full of mystery and intrigue. Their conversations were so entertaining with Alexandra not hesitant to speak her mind and Piers enjoying her intelligence and wit.

While Alexandra keeps her secrets, it drives me crazy because if she and Piers would just talk, it would make things so much easier between them. I wanted to see them give in to the building emotions much quicker but I enjoyed the pace as they learned more about each other. It was so sweet to see the Terror of Torcliff, as Piers is known due to his behavior and scarred face, to start becoming so different with Alexandra and for her to feel something she’s never experienced.

I love epilogues and this one was sweet with the adventures they shared along with such promise in their future. The ending gives a hint to the characters in the next book and I look forward to reading more of Ms. Byrne’s work.

Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this new work.

Where to begin?

This was a thoroughly engrossing book. I enjoyed it from the very first moment, I got lost in Lady Alexandra Lane's world. The characters Alex and Piers, the Duke of Redmayne and all supporting the supporting friends were very well written.

I liked that it did not follow the typical format of a romance novel and they both characters had an identity that wasn't just based on the aristocracy and the haute ton. Both protagonists changed for the better over the course of their relationship and it done in a really beautiful and poignant way.

Piers was a delight to read about, from his masculinity as well as his gentle manner with Alex won me over from the very first introduction. I enjoyed the building of their feelings for each other as well as the pace of the plot.

There were a few heart breaking moments, but I think this author really handles them in very effective manner.

A thoroughly enjoyable read. Highly recommended!

A love story that starts in 1880 and ends in approximately 1892. Three school girls are finishing up a school year, in France, when their mischievous behavior entails their unofficial leader being called to the headmaster's office to answer for their misdemeanors. The punishment gets out of hand and she is raped by the headmaster. While defending herself she kills the man. All three, plus a trusted gardener, then conceal the body and crime. Move forward 10 years and we find the young lady being blackmailed, broke and single, while attending a party to celebrate the upcoming engagement of one of her school friends. Subsequent events lead to her being the bride and the blackmailer being exposed and dealt with along with other miscreants. All in all a good story line but if I had to sum it up in five words it would be sex, sex, and more sex.

I have rated this book 4 stars.

I received an ARC from Netgalley for my unbiased opinion.

4.5 stars. An excellent start to Kerrigan Bryne's new series! At first I was sad to hear that she wasn't continuing her Victorian Rebels series, which I loved, but I really liked the tonal shift in this one. It still has the heartbreaking background traumas and the dark and angsty twists, but at the same time it feels more hopeful, since the characters are actively trying to move beyond their pasts (with varying degrees of success, but at least the intent is there).

Alexandra and Piers are such well written main characters. Although Piers certainly can be a domineering character, for the most part he lets Alexandra set the terms of their relationship (with a notable exception when he veers a bit off character and acts like a total a-hole). Alexandra is an interesting and complex heroine -- she hides her past traumas from the world through various coping mechanisms, while still forging forward to become a successful and well-respected academic (aside from within the snobbish circles of the English aristocracy).

Overall, this was headed to 5 star territory, but dropped off a little due to an overly convoluted ending and the feeling like -- despite it being 445 pages -- it felt like not enough happened plot-wise. I love the characters' introspective parts, but they could have been scaled back a little in exchange for more action.

Looking forward to reading Cecilia's and Francesca's stories next!

Thank you to St. Martin’s and Netgalley for providing an ARC for review!

Kerrigan Byrne’s new series starts with a serious crime - you immediately know this is one book not to put down. Beginning with our heroine in a difficult situation, things get worse immediately. Alexandra is blessed to have great friends as school mates, Francesca and Cecelia, who become lifelong friends and confidants to help and care for her. They had already formed the Red Rogues during those school years who get up to a bit of mischief to alleviate the boredom of boarding school. Each of these school girls mature into successful women who are keeping each other’s secrets when a serious threat arises years later.

The duke is ruggedly handsome and a bit scary to some. He has his own issues with which to deal beginning with his mother’s infidelity. This affects his relationship with Alexandra who fights her own demons determined to keep the Red Rogue’s secrets although it could cost her marriage to Piers.

The title may confuse you if you think this a light hearted romance. There are several twists and curves to keep you turning the next page wanting to find out what is really going on. The Red Rogues stick together no matter what. This group of ladies is so enjoyable, all with such odd situations. I cannot wait for the next book in the series!

Allow me to say that I was surprised by how many times the F-bomb was dropped by our hero - not sure that was necessary. I believe Ms. Byrne to be able to express a character’s frustration with other words, but with the very sensual nature of the book, I guess it is to be expected. I love the care that Piers showed for Alexandra once he figured out what had happened to her.

I loved that this story did not follow the typical, historical romance 'formula'. It was a very unique tale that immediately drew me in. The characters were vivid and complex and made the story seem so realistic, that I often felt like I was actually there watching the story unfold.

#NetGalley #HowToLoveADukeInTenDays #KerriganByrne

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley & St. Martin's Press in order to read and provide a voluntary and honest review, should I choose to do so.