Hollis’ 4 star review

I was so worried about HOW TO LOVE A DUKE IN TEN DAYS. The opening chapters, in some ways, read a lot like THE HIGHWAYMAN, the first book by this author I loved (and unrelated to this series..). I was side-eyeing the story, some familiar elements, until.. those similarities dissipated and this story, different and with its own strengths, emerged.

<I>Loneliness was safer than love.</I>

This book is dedicated to survivors, to the #metoo movement, and that probably says a lot about some of the content in this book. Infact the very first chapter opens up with a sexual assault on our heroine and she spends the rest of the story dealing with the aftermath. She learns to disguise her form and navigate life to avoid touch, avoid danger, and basically any men who could be a threat. She becomes a traveler, an academic, preferring the company of dead men and their bones to real flesh and blood ones. Even though it’s a dead man who haunts her.. as well as a very real person who is blackmailing her over it.

<I>Just who were these ladies? Where were the tears and histrionics? Couldn’t they have at least afforded him a modicum of feminine display for his — he wasn’t too modest to say — rather heroic behaviour?</I>

She and her two best friends from school reunite when one of them announce their engagement to a duke. And it’s when Alexandra inadvertently runs into said duke, prior to an introduction, that her carefully curated life goes off script.

“<I>I know we’re both in a great deal of trouble at the moment, but that is no reason to marry a <b>man</b>. When has the addition of anyone of the opposite sex ever <b>improved</b> one of our situations?</I>“

It’s no secret that Byrne’s specialty is dark, damaged, anti-heroes. But this time, with Piers, she gives her typical (atypical?) hero a bit of a twist; he’s dark, he’s damaged, but he’s also charming. Funny. Tender. Kind. He’s not an anti-hero, more just resigned to his fate, for all that he’s blessed with riches and a dukedom. He’d rather tend the horses, travel, and be far from the ton and their two-faced-ness, as well as any and all wearying social niceties.

“<I>You’re like no duke I’ve ever met</I>.”
“<b>And you’re unlike any lady of my acquaintance</b>.”
“<I>I–I didn’t at all mean that as a slight.</I>”
“<b>And I was paying you the highest compliment.</b>”

Both have secrets. Both have their own scars. And both somehow discover this incredible connection over the course of (you guessed it) ten days. While I would almost never buy this in a contemporary, and I’m sure I’ve doubted it in a HR, too, somehow.. Byrne makes me believe it. The intensity of the events, with (multiple!) near death close-calls, the emotional rollercoasters they have to navigate as they get to know each other, plus the heightened connection by way of their attraction and everything they have to navigate in order to be together.. it just works. In the same way that the secret, hovering over their heads, worked. It wasn’t something that could just be blurted out and I didn’t begrudge it for its existence. Every reason for keeping it a secret was valid. Somehow everything about this story just.. fit. Everything that was introduced was handled beautifully, respectfully, and overall this was just so well done. Even the outlandish or harder to believe bits.

“<I>All I’m asking is for you to have mercy on me, [..]. If there is a battle to fight, a villain to face, I beg you to allow me the honour. Because the cruelest thing you could do, is sentence me to a world without you in it.</I>“

This was all the swoon, all of the fun, all of the mystery (though I did actually guess right!), that I’ve come to love from Byrne and I’m so relieved considering the last additions to the <I>Victorian Rebels</I> series had me worried. They seemed to be missing some of the early spark I had come to love and rely on from this author; but the same cannot be said here. It might feel a little familiar for those who know, and love, the aforementioned series.. but it’s in the best kind of way. And it definitely stands apart. I’m very keen to read on in this series, which, additionally, had the next couple cunningly teased (not that we couldn’t guess..) in the epilogue. Just to hook you. So, consider me hooked!

** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **

This story shows that appearance can be deceiving. Making assumptions can be misleading until you realise how wrong you have been.

Piers is a Duke. He is now considered to be a monster after an encounter with a dangerous beast. He is looked upon as being a beast himself. He actually relishes on all the horrible tales that are related to him.

Alexander is a bright archaeologist. She is against having a relationship due to a horrific experience. Her two best friends, Cecelia and Francesca have stood by her throughout the years.

When she is invited to one of her friend's wedding, she is surprised, but will attend because apparently there is danger afoot. She uses her bravery to avoid a disaster and this is where she encounters Piers. They are both taken by each other, but are misled by their appearances.

Their true identities come to light, but doesn't change their first impressions even though there is an attraction between them. Besides, Alexander wishes to know about the danger that her friend is facing. She soon finds that she herself is in danger and this is where everything becomes complicated and very interesting. Is she the only one in danger? With so many suspects, who is the real threat?

I like the concept of this story. The long friendship that she shares with her friends is commendable. Piers is a contradiction, but his love is fierce. Once Alexander discovers that not all men are animals, she loves unconditionally. There is friendship, loyalty, betrayal,blackmail and the romance is beautifully presented. It's nicely paced and there is enough suspense to keep you guessing. It's a satisfying read.

I was kindly issued with an eARC from Netgalley and the views expressed are my personal opinion.

Famed and brilliant, Lady Alexandra Lane has always known how to look out for to herself. But nobody would ever expect that she has darkness in her past.

Piers Gedrick Atherton, the Duke of Redmayne, is seeking revenge and the first step is securing a bride.

Winning a lady’s hand is not so easy, however, for a man known as the Terror of Torcliff.
When Alexandra proposes marriage, Piers knows that, like him, trouble haunts her footsteps.

I was taken in from the first chapter. Although I am not a fan of rape scenes this one is necessary to explain Alexandra's fear and need.
Alexandra has a secret that only a select few friends know of, however someone else must know because she is paying a blackmailer. Could the blackmailer be someone she considers her friend?

Piers knows his life is in danger. Unlike Alexandra he knows the source of that danger.
Can this unlikely pair be more to each other than a source of comfort in their mutual time of need. Will ten days be enough to bring love instead of just mutual need to this couple?

I gave this newest Kerrigan Byrne book 4.6 of 5.0 stars for storyline and character development. I have seldom read anything by this author that I did not like.
The wonderful ending was reason enough to read through some otherwise unsavory scenes to finish this otherwise enthralling book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

The first book in the new series by Kerrigan Byrne is as the British say "Brilliant". The characters are flawed and scarred both physically and emotionally, but none the less they continue to live life treating others with the kindness that had not been shown to them. The writing is superb, keeping the reader guessing to the very end. But it does end with a HEA and cliff hanger for the next book.

In a girls school in France, Lady Alexandra Lane, Francesca Cavendish and Cecelia Teague share more than just been redheads, but ideas, wants and desire, so formed a private club, the Red Rouges Society. However, their activities, including pilfering, came to the attention of the headmaster, who decided that the perfect punishment for her was- rape. To defend herself, she grabbed a razor from the headmaster's desk and killed him. Her friends take care of her and the ground keeper buries the body. But someone else saw and instead of coming to her aid, starts to blackmail her. The three decide that they will never marry, so it is a surprise ten years later, when Francesca summons her friends to Castle Redmayne to be her bridesmaids. Alexandra is now Dr Lane, with a doctorate in archeology from the Sorbonne. She comes to warn her friends about the blackmail. At the train station, she comes upon a magnificent man, who it turns out to be Piers Gedrick Atherton, the Duke of Redmayne, Francesca's fiancee. Their fathers had promised them to each other a long time ago, but once both father's were dead, they had ignored the contract, until Pier's fiancee betrays him and he requires a heir and Francesca's quest to find who murdered her parents, leads her to the Castle. Before the engagement can even take place there is an assassination attempt- but who was the intended victim? Alexandra and Piers are clearly made for each other, and for the first time in her life Alexandra is attracted to a man, so offers herself as a stand in for Francesca. But intrigue and danger follow them and Alexandra's fear to share her secret with Piers causes painful conflicts until he finally puzzles it out for himself. She seems to have forgotten from the romance novels that they read as girls, that secrets always come out and the hurt that they were kept, rather than what they are, is what puts the relationship and in this case the people in danger.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review. I highly recommend it and hope to read the next book in the series once it is released.

Kerrigan Byrne doesn't disappoint. From the first moment, I was enthralled. By the end of the dedication I was riveted. Yes, the dedication, by the end of the first chapter, I was bawling, and in shock. Kerrigan is a master at fleshing out characters who are real, and emotions you can feel, and relationships you get lost in. I loved that Alex had a girl squad. They supported each other, they listened to each other, they were there for each other. I loved that Alex had so much strength, as well as vulnerability. I loved the care and comfort she found first with her friends, and then with Piers. Piers was also a great character. Reclusive, haunted, yet he had a sense of humor, and honor, and integrity. Watching Alex and Piers get to know each other, and come to love each other, kind of felt like a privilege. I am seriously looking forward to the next book, and to many nights of rereading this one. It was that good.

Phenomenal. Outstanding. Breath-taking. There are so many words I could use to describe this book! I have read several of Kerrigan Byrne's novels, but this one takes the cake. I was absolutely drawn in from the first few pages, and could not put it down until I had finished! I always love Byrne's flawed, imperfect characters, and these two didn't disappoint! The dynamic pull between the two was obvious from their first meeting, and I loved watching it grow throughout the novel! I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who loves a steamy, unconventional, historical romance. You will not be disappointed. I CAN NOT wait for Byrne's next installment in the series!!

Good. Lord. Kerrigan Byrne knows how to bring it to historical romance. This is only my second book by this author, but I have now come to the realization that I probably (must) go back and read more of her previous works.

How to Love a Duke in Ten Days was addicting, and I could hardly put it down. I wanted to devour and savor this book at the same time.

There were so many things to love about this book.

Alexandra was a strong, intelligent, adorably nerdy woman who suffered and survived a traumatizing experience as a very young woman (trigger warning).

Piers was delicious. A scarred, gruff, unconventional aristocrat, he was the perfect complement to Alexandra. I adored their chemistry and connection as well as their daily interactions.

The Red Rogues were a lovely, tight-knit band of friends who maintained their friendship and loyalty to one other over many years. I truly enjoyed that.

Throw in a little suspense and intrigue along with a touch of drama, and it's the perfect romance.

I can't wait for the other two Red Rogues to get their HEAs.

***I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley.***

The series is about three school friends who call themselves the Red Rogues, and share a very dark secret. This first book is Alexandra and Piers' story and mostly revolves around the secrets in Alexandra's past although they both survived trauma that brings them together but also makes it difficult to move forward. This book is sweet, funny, suspenseful, and very emotional.

Alexandra is sweet and nerdy while Piers is a protective, overbearing alpha male. They suited each other perfectly though. It took Piers a long time to clue into what happened in Alexandra's past that has shaped the way she is 10 years later. Once he does figure it out, he is even more protective of her and in awe of her resilience.

A fast paced story filled with heartache, revenge, twists, and a steamy romance. Plus a great epilogue 2 years later with a teaser about the next book!

2.5 Stars

In this first in a series (Devil You Know) Lady Alexandra Lane has an usual reputation for her time period as a scholar and scientist. On the outside she appears cool and collected, but inside is a wounded young woman who is being haunted by a blackmailer for past misdeeds. Alexandra becomes desperate when her family is near ruin and she is threatened with exposure. Her bold solution is to marry the scarred Duke known as the Terror of Torcliff who has wounds both visible and invisible of his own.

Piers Gedrick Atherton, Duke of Redmayne has hardened his heart after having a scandalous mother and weak father as well as a faithless fiancée. Piers sees revenge is his only driving force now. Practically, he knows that an heir must be produced and when the fiery, bold Alexandra proposes marriage, Piers decides this enticing, beautiful woman who intrigues him will make a good wife. Danger stalks them both and while Alexandra’s secrets threaten to undo their relationship, Piers is determined to protect her.

This is a sort of Beauty and Beast tale since Piers’s scarred looks are frightening and intimidating to those around him. Alexandra sees beyond the surface and Pier’s wild reputation being neither afraid nor repelled. I feel conflicted about this story because while the writing is very good, the prologue starts off with a brutal rape that pervades the whole book not surprisingly. If this is a major trigger, then this book may not be for some readers of historical romances. The prologue could be skipped as details are given throughout, but the theme remains.

This being the 8th book I have read by Kerrigan Byrne, she continues to surprise me with her masterful storytelling, complex characters and how she evokes such powerful emotions through her writing. Like holy crap this book was amazing!! I didn’t think I could love a book as much as her Victorian Rebels series but I sure did!

I totally cried when reading this book because it does deal with trauma and our main heroine, Alexandra has suffered in a way no person should ever have to. With that pain, humiliation and suffering, she confides in her friends, Cecelia and Francesca, who have secrets of their own and their friendships become even more reinforced in their sisterhood. I love seeing strong female friendships because these ladies would do anything for each other and it is a beautiful thing to witness.

We have Alexandra that offers to marry the Duke of Redmayne to save herself and her friends with the power and influence only a duchess could have married to a powerful and imposing duke. Redmayne has his own scars, literally, and has a strong distrust of women that Alexandra has of men. Over the span of yes, about 10 days they learn so much about their past pains and learn to be understanding, compassionate and heal in the arms of one another. Their romance and love is so wonderful I could totally start to cry again. They deserve all the happiness this world could offer them.

The suspense was driving me insane. I had so many ideas but couldn’t pinpoint the exact answer to the many mysteries that guided this story to the end. I was right in the end but I definitely was not sure until the very end. Oh it was so good! Hints are dropped and I was so engrossed from beginning to end. I didn’t want to sleep since I would have to stop reading.

Kerrigan Byrne writes about people who have suffered in one way or another in the past or present and writes about healing with the love, support and understanding of friends and family (family by blood or by bonds) and I love her for it. She always handles delicate subjects with everything you hope an author would. I seriously appreciate and I am in awe of her talent to write romance while dealing with serious issues, never writing such things as trauma without respect and understanding.

Overall, just wow, wow, wow what an amazing book!
I’m ecstatic to read Cecelia’s story next and then Francesca’s. I can’t wait to see what type of love is in store for these two. They deserve it for damn sure!

This is only the 2nd book by this author I’ve read and I am really enjoying them. How to Love a Duke in 10 days, book 1 in the new Devil You Know Series, was an emotional read that was difficult at times, but written so beautifully. Alexandra is such a strong woman to endure what she had and still make something of herself. She’s traveled the world and is a renowned archeologist, I admired her so much! I also was in awe of the friendship between her and Francesca and Cecelia. I loved how they would do anything for each other.

The hero in this story is Piers Gedrick Atherton, Duke of Redmayne also known as the Terror of Torcliff. He too was a tortured soul, his need of a wife was not for the greatest reason and he really did not care who it was, but once he met Alexandra he could not stop thinking about her. He was just so wonderful with Alexandra. Even with the fears she carried, the way Piers was so gentle with her and so patient, Alexandra was able to finally allow herself to feel desire. The only real issue I had was Piers reaction to Alexandra when they finally consummated their marriage, I felt it was really harsh, especially with what she had endured in the past. Granted Piers did not know and when he finally figured it out, the utter remorse he felt was enough for me to forgive him.

The suspense storyline was intriguing and definitely kept my interest. The drama brought out the protective instinct from Piers that I adored. The chemistry was intense. The secondary characters were fascinating and I am chomping at the bit to get to their stories. A wonderful read and I definitely recommend it.

What a powerful book! The prologue was packed with such intensity that I knew the book was going to be riveting, and it was. For those who can’t handle a woman being raped, this book might not be for you. However, it is warranted as the heroine must endure challenges to overcome her vulnerabilities. It was chocked full of action and mystery. A fitting ending that left me anxious for the next installment in the series. Book provided by NetGalley.

I really wanted to love this retelling of the Beauty and the Beast in the days of “me too” but the book just fell short to me. It started brilliantly with the rape of a seventeen year old by her school master, and there are riveting moments, including the post traumatic responses to certain stimuli. But confusing sex with love and defining love in possessive and obsessive terms, even violent terms is inexcusably unhealthy. Too, there are characters given importance, then abandoned by the storyteller which left this reader wondering where they had gotten to. There are many sex scenes demonstrating the heroine’s post traumatic growth toward sexual health, but an inadequate addressing the healthy growth of a relationship outside of sexual pleasure. I received an unedited copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

#howtoloveadukeintendays #netgalley

How to Love a Duke in Ten Days is the first book in Kerrigan Byrne’s Devil You Know series. I have been a big fan of her Victorian Rebels series for a few years, so needless to say, I was very excited about the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.

Even if you’ve only read one Byrne book before, you already know that the prologue is intense, and this book is no exception. Content warning: Alexandra, the heroine, is raped by the headmaster of her school, and she ends up killing him in self-defense. Her best friends help her bury the body, and they go on to live their best lives.

Flashforward ten years, and Alexandra is traveling to Castle Redmayne to meet up with her friends for a wedding. She doesn’t realize that it’s going to be *her* wedding, but she finds herself married to Piers- the Terror of Torcliff, an enigmatic duke who has inherited a title he was never supposed to possess.

Alexandra has neglected to tell her friends that she has been receiving “I know what you did last summer” style notes, and that she has been paying for the blackmailer’s silence. But when there’s an escalation to actual physical danger, it seems as though long-buried secrets are coming back to plague Alexandra.

This was a wonderful book. I love feisty heroines, and Alexandra is both spirited and intelligent- she’s an archaeologist with a doctorate, and she has spent most of the last decade out of the country working on ancient sites.

There was one plot element that was slightly problematic, but I understand both characters’ positions and motivations. However, I have never been disappointed by Byrne, so I proceeded with an open mind, and I thought the resolution was perfect.

Alexandra and Piers have excellent chemistry together, and it’s important to note this marks the first time that she has been interested in pursuing a relationship after her previous trauma. For what it’s worth, Piers has a prolific sexual history, but Alexandra is the first person he feels like he can be genuine and vulnerable with.

The mystery was satisfying, and kept me guessing until the big reveal. Granted, the list of suspects wasn’t huge, but I was still surprised by the big reveal- especially since it was more complicated than I expected the climactic moment to be.

I would absolutely recommend How to Love a Duke in Ten Days. This is an excellent beginning to a new series, and I love the way the next book was hinted at in the epilogue. Nobody writes Victorian historical fiction better than Byrne, and for that matter, nobody writes angsty historicals better than her either. I’m already looking forward to the next book, but since that is not arriving until next spring, I am going to have to content myself by re-reading the Victorian Rebels series while I wait.



I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Bravo! I could not put this book down and will be re-reading it over and over again. This is my first book by Kerrigan Byrne and it did not disappoint. Full of intrigue, a brooding hero, a brave heroine, a great cast of characters, and an overall outstanding, sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat storyline. The author has a very distinct writing style, one that creates pictures and uses words beautifully. You really get a sense that the character speaking has come alive and that you are going on the adventure in real time with them. While I don’t want to give any spoilers, I felt that the past history that happened to make Alexandra the way that she is was handled with sensitivity and really allowed the reader to gain perspective about how others may feel having gone through similar situations. I thank Ms. Byrne for not tippy-toeing around the issue but making it an integral part of the story. Yes, there is a lot of thinking or internal monologue done by the characters however I found it was needed and fit into their characters nicely.
My cons- The reveal of the villain fell a bit flat for me and then the subsequent pages left me thinking (as did Piers), who else wants to come down the tunnel and join us in this farce? It read to me like an Indiana Jones movie and was a bit over the top and unbelievable. And the other was that I didn’t care for the title of this book. While I get it, I don’t think it maybe was the best title to use for this adventure. In fact it actually set me off with the wrong mind set when I started this book and I would not have been attracted to this book if I saw it on the shelf based on the title.
It is a quick read, I managed it in three days, a few hours each night and I would recommend it highly. I cannot wait to explore Ms. Byrne’s other’s books. My thanks to the author and to St. Martin’s Press for an ARC e-book in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 Stars!!

"Your heart will learn to beat again. Until that happens, I'll protect you. I promise."

"Alexandra Lane. A confounding dichotomy of iniquity and innocence."

"I'm more of a monster than any scars or scandals I claim."

I've finally found a historical romance that I LOVE!!! If you've been following my reviews for a while, then you know that historical romance is a genre that I really struggle with. That being said, I've just been trucking along, hoping that eventually I would find one that would make me forget that I was reading a historical romance and just get swept away in the story. I am over the moon to have finally found an author who has made me do just that.

From the moment I picked up How To Love A Duke in Ten Days, I was hooked. The story started off with a bang and kept me glued to the pages. This story was well written and captivating. The characters were intriguing and left me begging for more. I loved the encounters between Piers and Alexandra. To some, Piers may seem like a beast of a man. I mean, he totally comes off as harsh and demanding, but when it comes to Alexandra, there is just something that makes him want to be gentle. Is he perfect? No. He makes some pretty awful assumptions about things. However, once he learns the truth, he is so sweet and so devoted to Alexandra. He will protect her at all costs and will worship her beyond her wildest dreams.

How To Love A Duke in Ten Days took my by surprise in the best possible way. I loved getting lost in Alexandra and Piers story. Their story is filled with romance, danger, secrets & lies, surprising twists & turns and of course some good angst. I loved that this story was sexy, yet not overly so. I will warn you that this story does touch on some sensitive subject matter, but the author did a brilliant job handling it.

All in all, this book was a fabulous read from beginning to end. This is my first book by author Kerrigan Byrne and it most certainly won't be my last. She has made me a fan of historical romance and I can not wait to check out more from this author in the future.

Peirs, the Duke of Redmayne is planning revenge against his cousin who wants his dukedom and is trying to kill him. He needs to marry and have an heir. Enter Alexandria who asks him to marry her.
There is a back story to Alexandria and her two friends from school which is disturbing but handled in a sensitive way.
The book was good. A lot of mental talking and not much action in the story. The writing was very good, and I will probably read the next in the series. Thank you Net Galley I voluntarily revised this early copy for an honest review.

How to Love a Duke in Ten Days is the first book of the Devil You Know series and a wonderful start of the series. This author is one of my favorites so I was so excited to read it. I loved all the characters, but this book was Piers and Alexandra’s story. Piers, the Duke of Redmayne, needed to get married and have an heir, so he decided to honor a childhood betrothal. Lady Alexandra arrived at his estate after receiving an invitation from one of her best friends, Francesca. The Red Rogues (Francesca, Cecelia and Alexandra) were close friends from school and had bonded over childhood secrets. Francesca was trying to avoid marriage to Piers. Alexandra is being blackmailed and decides to marry Piers in order to have his protection. There are several mysteries happening in the book with lots of unexpected twists. It kept the reader’s attention throughout the book. I can’t wait to read Francesca and Cecelia’s stories. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

WOW! Suspense,secrets and amazing friendships. A dazzling romance story very well written. I was on the edge of my sit the whole time. Strong wonderful characters make this book a must read.

This book started off really strongly. I really thought this was going to be a 5 star read, I loved smart and strong Alexandra and the scene where she meets Redmayne at the train station was fantastic. I love the way Byrne writes and I was so enthralled by the obvious connection between the two and Alexandra's putting the safety of her friends over her own fear. Everything went downhill for me after the first part of the book when it felt as if the conflict and lack of communication between the two was dragged out unnecessarily and the ending with the unmasking of the villains just seemed over the top. There was enough to love here for me to still recommend it and I am still looking forward to reading the next book in this new series.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.