Who wants to marry a duke? Nah, not me - at least not this one.

While I somewhat liked the character of Olivia and her interest/education in chemistry, and what someone might argue borderline autism/Asperger, I loathed Thorn.

He was selfish, and single minded. Possessive, sulky and with less charm than a slug. F*ck the consequences and Olivia as long as he got her in the sack. No matter how much he “redeemed” himself, I am certain the world would be a better place without him. And so would Olivia.

Loved this book! Olivia was the perfect heroine. She had ambitions and wanted more than just to get married. I felt her motivations were really and honest. I really identified with her. Thorn was a bit dramatic but as the author of plays, it worked for him.

This was the 3rd book in the Duke Dynasty series. This is the story of Thorn, Marlowe Drake, the Duke of Thornstock.
Thorn meets Olivia when he first returns to England from Germany, where he grew up as an Ambassador's step son.
They have an instant connection. When he kisses her and her mother walks in, he feels he was set up. He is hurt and very disappointed that Olivia has done this. When he is forced to propose, Olivia rejects him, knowing it's not really what he wants.
Fast forward 9 years where they meet again under different circumstances. That instant connection is still there. Can they start over and try again. There are many reasons why this may or may not work out. But let the adventures begin and there are many.
This is a fast moving, adventurous, romantic, mysterious story. The "chemistry " is off the charts, haha.
I enjoyed it very much and look forward to the next one.
I want to thank Netgalley for the chance to review this book.

I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the fourth installment but third full length book (there is a novella between book 1 and 2) in the Duke Dynasty series, and it was fantastic. All the books in the series are brilliant. I recommend reading this series in order because the sub-plot is continued in each installment.

Thorn and Olivia are the romance couple for this book and their chemistry is hot hot hot! This is a second chance enemies to lovers, love story with the continuation of the mystery sub-plot. Thorn and Olivia’s first meeting nine (9) years earlier ended with them in a compromising position and Thorn being blackmailed into offering for Olivia by her stepmother, Lady Norley, which Olivia refuses. This leaves Thorn with terrible opinion of Olivia and her stepmother. Olivia, a true bluestocking, is smart, feisty and strong. In her pursuit to be a chemist, she has foregone the ton and friends as well as any hope of marriage. Thorn, a now well know rake, partly due to untrue rumors spread by Lady Norley, has his own issues with marriage on account of his interactions with Olivia and Lady Norley. When Olivia accepts a position as chemist with Grey, Thorn’s brother, to assist him with an investigation, she was not aware of his connection to Thorn. Due to Thorn’s history with Olivia, he does not trust her and when Grey refuses to dismiss her Thorn takes it upon himself to keep an eye on her to ensure her honesty. This leads Olivia and Thorn spending a lot of time together filled with undeniable lustful attraction. Their interactions are funny, frustrating as well as endearing, you cannot help but root for them as they get to know each other, find out what really happened when they first met and learn to trust each other to be able to come together for their HEA.

Finally, I also loved that we got to see the family and get caught up with them. I ADORE this family and cannot wait for the next book.

Thanks to the publishers, Netgalley and the author for an Advance Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book is the second in the series and I found it very enjoyable. When Olivia and Thorne are caught in a compromising situation, he feels obliged to offer for her, even though he doesn't believe in love and doesn't want to get married. It irks him when she rejects him, although he can't explain why. Nine years later she is employed by his half-brother to look into the mysterious death of his father, using her skills as a chemist to find out whether he was poisoned. And now Thorne is faced with the possibility that he let the perfect woman for him go.
He's also keeping some important secrets from her, which threaten their new connection. Not to mention the likelihood that someone is trying to kill them!
I always love this author's books. The characters are always interesting and the plot engaging. I am looking forward to the next one.

I received an earc of Who Wants to Marry a Duke by Sabrina Jeffries via NetGalley from Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way influenced my thoughts and feelings about the book.

The other day I shared my reviews for Project Duchess and The Bachelor, the first two books in this series and today it's Sabrina Jeffries newest release turn. I love this one so much. It has everything that I love about historical romance and is the perfect sequel.

Who Wants to Marry a Duke follows Marlowe Drake, the Duke of Thornstock, otherwise known as Thorn. He hasn't had the best experience when it comes to Olivia Norley. He could never forget the kiss that they shared, but he also won't forget about the blackmail that followed. Now his half-brother has hired Olivia to help solve a family mystery. But Olivia might be in even more danger than anyone thought. And close quarters and high stakes bring Thorn and Olivia closer together.
This was such a fun, entertaining and romance filled read and I could not put it down. Thorn and Olivia were an absolute blast to read. Who Wants to Marry a Duke isn't just a great book on its own but stands brilliantly in the series.

Thorn is a classic historical romance male and he made all the right moves. From the start, he stood out on the page. The reader can see who he is right away, and he doesn't change much from there. His voice is very strong, and I loved that. He has a fantastic character arc that was explored throughout Who Wants to Marry a Duke. I wanted to know more and more about him as the novel went on. I wanted to know why he was acting the way he did. And I wanted Olivia to knock him on his feet. At times Thorn could be a little 'mean' but that I think that was the front that he was putting up to hid myself from hurt.

Olivia was a pleasure to read. I love having a woman of high education in my historical romances now and again. It's a dynamic that is interesting to see. I loved that Olivia wasn't taking shit from anyone. She knew what she wanted, and she knew what she was good at - and didn't let anyone stop her. But this also meant that she had a tight wall around her that was tough to get through.
Sabrina Jeffries is fantastic at writing characters that are different from one another, but all fit into the same world. Thorn and Olivia are quite different from the other couples in the series and I loved that. The stood out on their own. But also completed everyone else.

I love, hate to love romances, but there is something about hate to love in historical romances that is just perfect. Sabrina Jeffries has done an excellent job here and writing a romance that is full of angst and it worked so well. Olivia and Thorn both have issues with one another, and a lot of that steams from miscommunication. Normally I wouldn't like it at all, but it worked out so well in Who Wants to Marry a Duke.

This isn't a historical romance series that you should or could read out of order. There is a mystery that is intertwined through all the novels that get more intense as you go on. I think that is what makes this series and out for me. For the most part in nearly all historical romance series, you can read them out of order. You might get teased about who ends up with who - but in reality, it doesn't matter all that much. However, in Who Wants to Marry a Duke everything connects. There is one overarching storyline and I love that.

One of my favourite things about this series is the banter! There is banter between everyone and gosh it made for such a fun read. I laughed so many times throughout Who Wants to Marry a Duke. The relationship between the step and full siblings was just fantastic. It explores them fighting, playing and not getting along. But it is such a good representation of a sibling relationship.

Overall, I love reading Who Wants to Marry a Duke by Sabrina Jeffries. It's a fantastic addition to the series and just as good on its own. It was such a wonderful reading experience and has everything that I look for in a historical romance. I adored Thorn and Oliva as both protagonists and lovers. Who Wants to Marry a Duke is a fantastic sequel and I simply adored the romance. I can't wait to read more in this series and find out more about the mystery. If you haven't picked up this series yet - do it's fantastic.

Will the past stand between them and a future together...

I was curious about this third installment since I read the blurb.
I have a love for scholar and Olivia is definitely one, devoted to her research but still a woman. I loved she is still feminine and dresses well despite her occupation. She wants to make her own mark in her area if competence but it does not lessen the fact she is a woman, she might be a bit socially awkward, she is also a young woman with feelings.
While she wants to be successful as a chemist, she won’t renege a husband if he is one to let her indulge in her pursuit.
When Thorn is quite a jerk in this tale. One bump and he swore of love and branded Olivia with her stepmother a duet of vile tricksters. Yet he does not mind seducing her aven when he still hold a grudge against her, and it does not bother him she is a lady.

This story is a fast read with not many events but Olivia plays her role and brings a new turn to the background plot. Setting in motion the next and probably last book.
The enemy part was short and mostly on Thorn’s side as while he was angry at having been tricked as he thought, his pride was much more mortified when Olivia refused his proposal.
Olivia is very much too kind and forgiving, even more when he was not trustful with her. His hobby and what he does with it is easy to forgive, it is his lack of faith in her which is difficult to accept.

A cute second chance tale with a bit of steam.
4 stars

I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Kensington, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

After reading about Thorn, Marlowe Drake, the Duke of Thornstock be as dukishly domineering as possible in the last instalment of the Duke Dynasty, while his sister finds romance… it was nice to see him loose that haughty air and find someone to be himself around.

After always being told that as a Duke to watch out for scheming mama and daughters, Thorne is enraged when he is caught in a kiss with the unique girl who assisted him with a stain on his jacket. He is even more insulted after he does the honourable thing, asking her to marry him and she turns him (A DUKE!) down!

Years later Thorn is shocked again to meet the same miss as she is introduced as the chemist hired by his brother to help investigate his brother’s fathers death.

Still not trusting her, Thorn is drawn to Olivia again… can he win her heart and her trust after the way he acted before?

As I started reading this book, I had very few hopes held out for Thorne redeeming himself, but as I read on, he was able to see his current and past mistakes and work at redeeming himself. Olivia I loved from the beginning. A woman of science and goal oriented, she never let the shine of a title distract her from her goals. The surprise character that ended up making an impression on me, was Olivia’s mother! She started off as a screaming and conniving mother only interested the best title for her daughter… but as the story develops, so do we learn more of her true intentions and she ends up being a try comfort to Olivia in the end.

I really enjoyed this book. The Duke Dynasty is tuning into a mystery caper, where the family is trying to find out the truth behind all the past dukes deaths. I am anxious to see where they git in the next instalment with Sherridans story.

Who Wants for Marry a Duke by Sabrina Jeffries is scheduled to release August 25th, 2020.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zebra, Kensington Book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#WhoWantstoMarryaDuke #SabrinaJeffries #Netgalley #pinkcowlandreads

This is a second chance romance of a sort. Olivia & Thorn had met years ago when both new London madness known as "the season", and while it was a brief meeting, it was an eventful one that left lingering bad taste and animosity behind even though they don't run into each other again for many years. The level of animosity and distrust when they do meet again, while understandable, seems a bit overblown for what had occurred. Also the reason for their meeting once again, the family mystery, seems a little weak and forced into the story to create conflict for not only this particular book but the series as a whole. That being said, the chemistry between Olivia & Thorn is definitely not forced or overblown. The banter between the two, both when fighting each other and their attraction, is delightful. They make a fun and entertaining couple and makes up for any stretching the above conflicts may call for.

This is my fair and honest review, voluntarily given and in my own words. Another great read by Ms Jeffries! Very well written with a complicated story line and so many intertwined and interesting characters. Definitely worth reading. I was a bit disappointed in the ending (IT WASN'T ENOUGH).

I really like Olivia. She just wants to be a scientist. She knows that a husband would not support her desire to be a scientist, so she has resigned herself to never marry. Olivia and Thorn met at a ball and were compromised. Thorn proposed and she rejected him. Nine years later, Olivia is going to help Thorn's brother find out if his father was murdered. Thorn has been thinking for years that Olivia and her step-mother are scheming women just trying to trap a man. So, he decides to keep an eye on her. What he finds is that Olivia is far different than he thought. Just when he thinks they will have it all, she discovers his secret and calls off their wedding. Can he ever redeem himself in her eyes or will he have to do without her for the rest of his life?

Who Wants to Marry a Duke by Sabrina Jeffries is the third book in the Duke’s Series. The series focuses on three dukes and the family that connects them. This book focuses on Miss Olivia Norley and Marlowe Drake, the Duke of Thornstock.

Olivia and Thorn met years ago under unexpected circumstances, so Thorn was suspicious when Olivia showed back up in his life. His half- brother Grey has highered Olivia to help prove a theory. Thorn decided that he is going to be closely monitoring Olivia. However the attraction from the past is still quite strong and too many dangerous things can happen. With explosions and Olivia’s mother showing up, nothing is easy, but Olivia has to find the answers Grey and Thorn are searching for. The heat between Olivia and Thorn makes the story hot. The mystery is what makes the book interesting.

Sabrina Jeffries is one of my go to authors to read. Who Wants to Marry a Duke by Sabrina Jeffries is a good read.

Who Wants to Marry a Duke continues the Duke Dynasty series, where siblings work to uncover the truth behind the potential murders of their fathers/step-fathers. The urgency picks up when several suspicious "accidents" prove that the murderer is still very much alive and keeping an eye on the siblings- and willing to go to any length to prevent them from learning the truth! It's a book of hiding secrets, suspicious motives, and long-believed lies- both in the romance and the mystery!

The Duke of Thorndale met Ms Olivia Norley his first year in England and was instantly attracted to how different she was from every other debutante. When he's blackmailed into proposing to her, Thorn believes she must be like every other woman, out to snag a rich duke. His pride is hurt and it doesn't help any when she turns him down. Nine years later Thorn is a confirmed bachelor and rakehell, cynical and refusing to believe in love or reveal his inner self to anyone. Olivia is now an accomplished chemist who Thorn's brother Grey convinces to test his father's remains for arsenic. Thorn refuses to believe she can do what she claims and joins her, determined to prove she is the schemer he has built up in his mind.

Olivia thought Thorn saw the real her nine years ago and didn't mind that she preferred chemistry to small talk, didn't know how to dance, and had no interest in flirting. She didn't understand why he proposed when he didn't want to, and was crushed by how he treated her. He only confirmed her belief that she was meant for science, not love. Grey's offer is the chance to prove a test she's developed and make a name for herself as a chemist. But a suspicious Thorn interrupts her at every turn, and the worst part is that the chemistry between them is as volatile as phosphorous and oxygen.

Who Wants to Marry a Duke is a delightful twist on a second-chance romance, where both Thorn and Olivia have been burned by their attraction and are too resentful to want to see where it could lead them. Pride and misunderstandings stand between them, but being forced to spend time together allows them to see their true selves and to question the past as they understood it. Every step of the way, Sabrina Jeffries reminds us of the importance of communication in a relationship, and how hiding secrets never ends well. Thorn is closed-in and sensitive, afraid to show even his family members all of his true self, and he's built a hard shell around his heart to protect it from what he thinks love means and refuses to even acknowledge that his siblings might be finding the real thing. At times you want to shake him, at others comfort him. Olivia is the stronger of the two in many ways: she's willing to admit when she's wrong, willing to admit when she's fallen in love (despite trying not to!) and willing to forgive when necessary. She's gained confidence in herself in the nine years since Thorn saw her and has no problem being a chemist and not marrying. Nor is she willing to give up what others consider a 'hobby' were she ever to marry. It would take a special kind of man to give her both the respect and love she wants in a marriage, and Thorn has to decide if he can become that man for Olivia, if he's capable of risking himself by falling in love or of losing her for good.

Full of Jeffries' lively sense of humor, complex characters, and enough urgency in the mystery to keep the plot moving along, Who Wants to Marry a Duke is a good continuation of the Duke Dynasty. Despite being book three of a series, it could be read as a stand alone for new readers with no trouble, and sets up well the next book, promising us poisoners aplenty and dangerous dowagers as the mystery continues!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Series: Duke Dynasty #3
Publication Date: 8/25/20
Number of Pages: 352

Ah! The plot thickens! This is a series with an overarching mystery/villain and there has been nary a real hint about who that might be – until this book. There are still only hints and conjectures, but we can see the solution coming. While you could read this as a stand-alone book, you might have a bit of confusion about the overall storyline. I’ll give you a quick overview of the series scenario and you can decide whether reading this as a standalone is for you.

We meet – and love – the five children of a duchess who has had three husbands – all dukes. She had one child, Fletcher (Grey)(Project Duchess), with her first husband; two children – twins – Marlowe (Thorn)(Who Wants to Marry a Duke) and Gwyn (The Bachelor) with her second husband; two children, Sheridan and Heywood (in the anthology Seduction on a Snowy Night) with her last husband. The series revolves around the untimely deaths of those three husbands. Were they murdered or were all of them just horrible mishaps? We get some definite answers in this book – and maybe the solution will come in Sheridan’s book since I assume that will be the final book in the series.

Marlowe Drake (Thorn), the Duke of Thornstock, is the most secretive, skittish, and distrusting of the duchess’s children. He’d always felt separated from English society because he was raised more in Prussia than in England. When he was very young, his mother married the English Ambassador to Prussia and so, the children were mostly raised there. Marlowe’s mannerisms, phraseology, etc. were more Germanic than English, so he never felt he fit in. At twenty-one, he was newly in London and his older brother Grey warned him about grasping mama’s who would do anything to ensnare a handsome young duke for their equally grasping daughters. Immediately on the heels of that warning, he stepped into what he assumed was one of those very traps and ended up being forced to make an offer for a girl he’d just met. When the girl then refused him, he was incensed and he’s held a grudge against both of them for the last nine years. The blackmail used against him in that trap immediately soured his views on love and marriage.

Olivia Norley is a chemist. It is all she’s ever wanted to be. She has no interest in love or marriage. When she realized the young duke was being forced, by her mother, to offer for her, she immediately refused his offer. Her mother was furious with her, but Olivia was adamant. She certainly didn’t want any man who was forced to offer for her – especially not one who looked as thunderous as this one.

Thorn and Olivia never encountered each other again for nine years. Olivia felt as out of place in society as Thorn and she just didn’t participate. So, when she and Thorn are thrown together because Grey has engaged her services to determine if his late father was poisoned, sparks – both good and bad – fly.

I loved Thorn’s acceptance of Olivia and who she was. It didn’t bother him that she didn’t fit in – he didn’t either. I loved their working together to solve the question of the poisoning and I loved how protective Thorn was – even when he thought he didn’t like Olivia.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and this book and I hope you will as well. It is well-plotted, well written, and the characters are interesting and very likable.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Marlowe Drake, the Duke of Thornstock, better known as Thorn, has never forgotten Miss Olivia Norley. Imagine his shock when he discovers that she is the much-talked about chemist who's going to assist his family. Thorn does not trust her due to an incident that occurred years ago. He is determined to keep a vigilant watch to see just what she's up to.

Thorn's half brother, Grey, believes his father, was killed due to poisoning. He seeks out a chemist's help and Olivia is recommended to him. Olivia is excited to be offered the rare opportunity. If she is able to prove her method works, she can make a breakthrough as well as get her work published. Unfortunately, Thorn is constantly interfering in her duties. When Olivia's life is threatened, Thorn and her come to terms with their past. Find out what happens next in WHO WANTS TO MARRY A DUKE.

I was hooked with just the title. It also helps that the cover is absolutely stunning. I love the idea of a female chemist making discoveries. Olivia really surprised me with her ingenuity. There's no doubt in my mind, men of her time would learn to take her seriously. Thorn was just that... a thorn in Olivia's side, until all of a sudden, he just wasn't. Thorn was stubborn, but finally comes to realize Olivia isn't the person he made her out to be. That's when things take a real turn for the better in their relationship. WHO WANTS TO MARRY A DUKE is a very enjoyable read. Can't wait to see which sibling author Sabrina Jeffries writes about next.

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. Who Wants to Marry a Duke by Sabrina Jeffries is the third book in her engaging Duke Dynasty Series. I do think that you should read the first two books in this series before reading this one because there is an ongoing mystery that continues from book to book and while you could possibly read this a standalone you will have missed information from the first two books. Nine years ago Miss Olivia Norley made her debut and was caught getting kissed by Marlowe Drake, the duke of Thornstock. Her stepmother blackmailed Thorn into proposing and he was shocked when Oliva turned him down flat. They meet again when Thorn’s half brother the Duke of Greycourt needs Miss Norley’s expertise in proving that his father was poisoned. Once again sparks fly between these two but Olivia doesn’t think studying chemistry and marriage would work together, and Thorn has secrets that he’s sure he needs to keep hidden from her. Sabrina Jeffries always does a marvelous job at writing family relationships and sexy banter and I enjoyed reading this book very much. Medium Steam. Publishing Date: August 25, 2020. #WhoWantsToMarryADuke #SabrinaJeffries #KensingtonBooks #ZebraRomanceNovels #bookstagram #historicalromance #NetGalley #SecondChanceAtLove

This is the third book in the series and while it may be read as a standalone, I'd suggest you read the other two first.

I came to this book without reading the previous two and found myself a little befuddled at times by the family relationships (a problem that could have been resolved by flipping back to the family tree at the beginning, but I'm a lazy reader...) and the ongoing mystery. I had also expected more resolution to the mystery component, not realizing that it was a through line in the series.

My favorite parts of the book feature Lady Olivia Norley, 26 year old spinster and chemist, in her element discussing... elements. I adore a good STEM/bluestocking heroine. I was disappointed that we spent less time with her doing science than I had hoped.

I've waited several days between reading and writing this review and unfortunately much of the story has already left my brain. It didn't make a lasting impression on me.

I enjoyed reading it, it's a perfectly fine book, but this will work better for other readers who've already become invested in the series.

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

This turns out to be an engaging and enthralling read! A third book from the Duke Dynasty, it was well written that I could follow through even though I have not read the first 2 books. I have enjoyed how the story panned out and I didn't expect such an adventure with some 'Agatha Christie' in a regency romance novel! Not forgetting the leading lady has spine, strong willed with ambition that made the difference.

My first Sabrina Jeffries and I find the story refreshing. Her take was a little too modern at times and yet thankfully it did had me wanting to finish it soonest just to know the ending, even though we knew it is definitely a 'Happy ever after' one :-) The way she portrayed the leading lady, though modernised yet induced with some feminine characteristics of that era.

I only find the couple talk or think too much especially during their coupling moments LOL! So much going through their respective minds during such ecstatic times! Oh well, I guess it sort of fitted in the perspective of their dilemma that made the story more endearing.

That ending though, I was so hoping to know who did it! Instead it is open ended leading to the next Duke Dynasty book. It includes a teaser chapter of the next eligible duke, The Last Duke Standing coming in Summer 2021!!! Can't wait for it to debut soon so that I can have my closure, who did it?!

This is the third book in the series. Loved it as well.
Olivia is a extra ordinary woman. She wants to a published chemist. When she gets an opportunity to land a duke she refuses him unlike the women of that time.
I like thorn's secret identity. Their banter is so much fun. We also meet character of previous and upcoming books.
The only problem was the pace was a little slow.
Some steamy scenes. Waiting for the next book

I am absolutely loving this series, and this was another excellent installment. It checked a lot of boxes for me: strong, smart heroine, grumpy, protective duke, and an interesting mystery that’s getting closer to its conclusion. (I definitely have a theory. And I can’t wait to see how it all plays out.) It was also great to check in with the couples from the previous two books.

The highlight in Who Wants to Marry a Duke is Olivia. She’s not a simpering miss, nor is she “too smart”’for marriage and love. She’s a great balance of brilliance and a willingness to accept love, and I applaud Sabrina Jeffries for making such a character central to this story.

With a fun side plot, plenty of heat, and two compelling leads, this one is one to read. Cannot wait for Sheridan next!