A precocious six year old boy introduces the Duke of Clayton to his guardian, Natalie Fanshawe, when he decides to hide under the Duke's table at the inn, in a game of hide and seek. Lou and Natalie are both from America. Natalie believes in equality for all and what do they mean, curtsy? Little did all three now how much their lives would be entwined. A charming romance of how an English Duke becomes liberated by the woman he loves and a little boy who has a lot of questions. Very engaging!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Forever My Duke by Olivia Drake
Read as an ARC from Netgalley - All Natalie wants is to honor her best friend Amelia’s dying wish by bringing her young son, Leo, to his British family and then return to America to open a school. But it’s not as simple as it would seem. Leo’s grandfather disowned his daughter when she eloped to America. And, ten years later, it seems that he still hasn’t forgiven her. Can Amelia’s cousin, the Duke of Clayton, help? Natalie and the duke are appealing characters, and the narrative is generally well done, although there are some overwrought moments. Despite some plot points that, upon reflection after finishing the book, don’t quite make sense, the overall premise is unusual enough, and the writing engaging enough, to make this a worthwhile and thoroughly enjoyable read.

I loved the hero Hadrian, handsome, sexy and a Duke. He was a stuffy sort of man because of his upbringing but within the first chapter you just knew he was nothing like everyone thought of him. Then he meets the American who has him running hot and cold, Natalie. It’s a great story and I read it in one day. It starts off in a flash and it doesn’t stop. I was trying to stop reading by waiting to reach a boring chapter, I never found one. I love the description of the characters, the homes and the opulence of the Ton, it never gets old. I could close my eyes and see it all. Best part is that it’s not overdone, yes there’s descriptions but it really is just enough. The love story of these two is nice, hot, sexy and I couldn’t put it down. I recommend it highly.

Forever My Duke is an outstanding historical romance by Olivia Drake. Ms. Drake has once again impressed me with her storytelling abilities with this well-written book. The characters in this book are phenomenal and my favorite part of the book. Hadrian is the Duke of Clayton on his way to visit with his former guardian when he meets Audrey and Leo. Audrey is bringing Leo to his grandfather after his parents are killed in a massacre. Hadrian and Audrey's story is loaded with drama, humor, spice, action and suspense. I enjoyed every page of this book and look forward to reading more from Olivia Drake in the future. Forever My Duke is book 2 of the Unlikely Duchesses Series but can easily be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

After witnessing the brutal death of her best friend, Natalie makes a promise to travel to England and deliver her friends son Leo to his family. On her way she meets Hadrian, a duke, who happens to be everything that she dislikes of the peerage. But becoming stranded at an Inn, she accepts his offer and travels with him to Leo’s family home.

Natalie resisted Hadrian’s charm. Concentrating on the task to deliver Leo safely home, but as she struggles with letting go of a Leo to a family that can never love and appreciate him as much as she can, Natalie slowly starts to fall for Hadrian. Hadrian starts to melt as he spends time with Natalie and Leo. He starts to see Natalie in a different light and slowly starts falling for her.

Natalie and Hadrian’s story has a slow simmer. While not the overly romantic and spicy read, it was a good relaxing romance. It kept your interest and made me want to learn more about these two.

A romantic historical romance about Hardrian a Duke and Natalie who is from America..
A chance unexpected meeting on the road leads to romance ,emotions twists and some angst.
Good easy enjoyable read.
Voluntarily reviewed.

This is my second book I've read by Ms. Olivia Drake and I thought it was okay. "Forever My Duke" started offa bit slow but then it picked up. I thought the Duke of Clayton was a bit pushy but understandably so in order to assist Natalie Fanshawe who is see by her best friend's family as some imposter. The only thing she wants is to return the orphan, Leo to his rightful family. I love Natalie's independent, carefree attitude with regards to the rules of Society.

Natalie and Hadrian make a wonderful pair and this story has it share of plots and twists. I found myself wanting at times to wring the necks of quite a few people but glad the story had its HEA in the end. A nice comfy read and I enjoyed it.

Thanks very much to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3-Stars

Thank you to publisher for sending this to me to read!!

This was super adorable!!! I LOVED how headstrong the heroine Natalie was. She’s an American who just can’t be BOTHERED with the way British society works and it’s hilarious and refreshing all at the same time. I thought the hero and heroine had good development towards the second half, the story itself did go a bit slow for me but I did really like it! I felt a strong spark towards the middle half of it and I enjoyed how that connection grew as the story progressed. I did think the bit of incest that is mentioned was a bit much even though Natalie’s reaction was really relatable and humorous. I think the author did that as a hilarious throw to what was actually done during that time period. Hadrian was very easy to like but I loved watching him fall in love with an American! Very sweet!! There’s also an ADORABLE little boy in here to sweep readers off there feet! He was so cute and a huge highlight of the story! All in all, I recommend if your looking for something quick and fun to read! I’m looking forward to the rest of the series!

Forever My Duke
By: Olivia Drake
3.5 Stars ⭐️
Blurb: Hadrian Ames, the Duke of Clayton, needs a bride. He even has the perfect one picked out. That is, until he meets the lovely, free-spirited Natalie Fanshawe. She’s the opposite of what a man of his high rank should desire in a wife—an outspoken American who has never even set foot in a London ballroom.
But Natalie doesn’t have time to be swept off her feet by a handsome duke who must be a spoiled scoundrel like every other British lord. And she couldn’t care less about Hadrian’s title. After all, it’s not as if he actually worked to attain his wealth and status. He surely can’t understand what it’s like to be a busy woman, planning to open a school while trying to reunite a six-year-old orphan with his English relatives. Nevertheless, Hadrian launches his campaign to win her heart. Can the utterly delightful American beauty ever find a way to love him…despite his being a duke?

- H likable? Yes, but Clayton fell into insta attraction/lust with Natalie. It seemed out of character since he was supposed to be reserved, aloof, logical/rational
- h likable? No, Natalie was too preachy, martyr, and political for my taste
- h virgin? Yes
- First time they kiss: 46%
- First time they sleep together: 82%
- OW/OM drama? Yes, the H is considering marrying someone else
- H/h cheat? No
- Steamy? No, mild
- Did I skip pages? Yes
- Big secrets? Yes. Natalie’s English family and Leo’s kidnapping
- Did I cry? No
- Cliffhanger? No
- How it ends: Clayton and Natalie are together.
- Recommend? Yes, though not my fav Olivia Drake but decent read. I couldn’t connect with Natalie and I don’t enjoy insta attraction/lust.
Thank you to the publisher for providing the ARC.

Hadrian Ames, the Duke of Clayton, needs a bride. He even has the perfect one picked out. That is, until he meets the lovely, free-spirited Natalie Fanshawe. She’s the opposite of what a man of his high rank should desire in a wife.When I started reading I couldn't put it down.Olivia Drake is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this book.Can't wait for the next book.

Forever My Duke is the second book in the Unlikely Duchesses series, and, although it really is more of a standalone than a traditional series book, it makes for a very satisfying read. Hadrian Ames, the eighth duke of Clayton, is responsible, reserved, and handsome. Classic hero material. Natalie Fenshawe, an American, is feisty, smart, and beautiful. Classic heroine. Throw in a precocious 6 year old orphan and you have a wonderful story of clashing cultures, opposite personalities, and, ultimately, the creating of a family.,

This was an interesting read featuring an American heroine and a British Duke. I thought their connection was quite well written given their difference in background and the limitations they each felt on their future. I thought Leo was a really interesting character to use to keep Hadrian and Natalie communicating. I often felt that some of the chapter beginnings were a bit jarring, it wasn't always initially easy to decipher whose voice we were hearing, and several times it was a minor character forming a side plot, many of which I thought were unnecessary. I got to the point where I was just eager to know the end and I skipped several chapters, having read the end I didn't feel like I'd missed anything essential to the story. It was an average read for me which filled a spot whilst I waited a few new releases. I'm not sure I'll remember it for very long, sadly.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

There were elements of this book that I liked. I adored that the heroine was American and she questioned some of the ridiculousness of British aristocracy. I liked Leo and felt her connection with the child was realistic. Like liked Hadrian was my favorite type of hero, a duty-bound one that gets his world rocked by love. However,though things were questioned it still felt like the book came out in favor of the idea that certain people are "born superior" to others whether by skill, money, blue-blood, or race and that is they way of the world, that there is the ability to move, but certain rules are still supposed to be obeyed and there is a certain centering of white European ideals that just made me feel uncomfortable. I thought the writing was good and detailed and the plot was refreshing. There were just some things i could've done without.

I generally liked this book. The plot was good and I liked the characters. However, the problem was the constantly written references of Natalie’s discrimination and disdain of the nobility. At times the references took away from the story. I still enjoyed the story just not the constant harping of dislike of nobles.

Loved it! It’s been quite a while since I’ve been drawn to a Victorian book. The perfect setting for an all the feels read made my day of reading a complete success.

Romance, laughs and exceptional writing had me from the beginning. The story was fast paced but the book itself, although long, felt like mere moments since I started. I absolutely loved the descriptive writing as well as the character building. Outstanding! My only complaint is no epilogue into the future. It’s a standalone but ends with a happily ever now.

Passionate and emotionally involving, with the right dose of steam given the historical setting of the book, an enticing story of a duke who has plans to settle down by marrying one of his ranking, unaware of what fate has in store for him. A snobbish aristocrat with his pompous world and an American spunky girl with beliefs of equality. This is such an unusual match but the reader will soon be caught by their growing connection to one another.

Well-written with likeable protagonists. Patriotic American, Natalie Fanshawe, does not think highly of the English, especially not the English nobility. And that was even before she lost her close friends to the violent war atrocities committed by English soldiers. And yet, here she is on English soil, accompanying the orphaned child of the friends to unite him with his titled grandfather. Turns out, the task is easier said than done, because the grandfather and his family perfectly live up to Natalie's low expectations of the aristocracy by treating both her and the child with disdain and distrust.

Enter Hadrian Ames in all his ducal and glory. He reluctantly comes to the rescue of this frank woman and the lively little boy while on his way to meet the young lady, earmarked to be his wife. As it turns out, the orphan's grandfather is the sire of the potential wife in question and so his compulsive chivalrous nature demands that he accompanies them to their joint destination. Of course, his marital plans get derailed pretty much at first sight of the beautiful Natalie and suddenly the thought of marrying a young and timid debutante is as distasteful as the knowledge that Natalie intends to sail back to America as soon as her promise to her deceased friend has been accomplished.

I like both protagonists and the little boy is a cutie. It was amusing that she was revulsed by his incestuous marital intent (the girl was his 2nd cousin) as well as the age difference (11-12 years?). I like her egalitarian attitude and refusal to genuflect or show deference to anyone else and I adore his unwavering support for her beliefs.

"You are the equal of any noble. I won't have you acting against your principles."

I would have loved for him to start off with being the haughty man, he and his acquaintances all referenced. We just never saw any evidence of this arrogance and snobbishness from him. He was nice and supportive from the start.

He set his jaw. "Society will accept you. I'll make certain they do."
Smiling wistfully, she shook her head in gentle exasperation. "You have it all wrong, Hadrian. It isn't whether English society will accept me. It's whether I will accept English Society."

Hardrian Ames the Duke of Clayton is on his way to propose marriage to 18 year old Lady Ellen. He is held over at an Inn because of an Ice Storm. He meets Natalie Fanshawn when her 6 year old charge is hidding in his rooms. Natalie is 26 year Ameican who promised Leo's mother when she was dying to bring Leo back to his family in England.

Hardrian and Natalie have an immediate attraction. The story is Okay. Its just didn't have the romantic sparks I like. It didn't ring true to the era. I know its just fiction but something was missing. Even with that it was a good story just not great!!

ARC KINDLEY PROVIDED BY NETGALLEY FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!

I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review

Too slow of a burn; not enough chemistry, not enough heat.

Set in the years immediately following the War of 1812, this is a slowly paced story about an American lady, Natalie Fanshawe, coming to England to deliver her best friend's son back to his family. She conveniently meets the Duke of Clayton at an inn at the start of the book and he realizes she's traveling to the same place. Both she and the duke must overcome societal norms and prejudices, his family, the boy's constant disappearing, and her mysterious family roots to have their happily ever after.

I found myself skipping large chunks of this book to get to progressive parts of the story. I seem to do that quite a lot lately. In my opinion, it needs more editing.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.