This was a great romance novel and I really recommend picking up this novel and the author's other novels if you love period romance.

I thought that this was a very fun and cute read. I found Helena and Declan likable and easy to root for. The storyline held my attention well and I felt that the book had a fresh feel to it. I loved Helena's fierceness and determination. I thought Declan was quite swoon worthy and the struggle that he felt between what his mind thought and what his heart felt came across beautifully as the story unfolded. All together a very enjoyable romance and a promising start to this new series that I'm eager to read more of.

A Duchess a Day (Awakened by a Kiss #1). By Charis Michaels. 2020. Avon (ARC eBook).

With her inheritance in danger, an apple orchard and the crofters the orchard supports, Lady Helena Lark has spent years trying to break off an engagement to the dull and indifferent Duke of Lusk, whose uncle desires Helena’s land as it would facilitate the expansion of a mining operation. And now she and her family have traveled to London to celebrate the birthday of Lusk’s uncle and finalize her marriage arrangement. Knowing Helena’s penchant for evading, even running away, Lusk’s uncle has hired the “The Huntsman” to shadow her every move.

Declan Shaw is an experienced mercenary, but after his last job failed spectacularly the fate of his and his family’s future hangs in the balance by successfully keeping a young lady’s shenanigans reigned in. But it isn’t long before the beautiful, vivacious and brave Helena secures Declan’s help in her quest to find a new duchess for Lusk. They have seven days until the party. That gives them time to find seven ‘lucky’ prospects to take Helena’s spot, freeing her for a fairy-tale love with the handsome Declan.

Wow, I loved this story. Helena and Declan were brilliant together. It was so fun and adorable, and a fresh breath of air on re-imagined fairy tales. This is my first read by Michaels and I look forward to reading more by this author.

Helena has spent years trying to get out of her marriage to the Duke of Lusk. She finally has an idea that she thinks might finally be the solution. If she finds someone that captures his attention and he cries off, then she will be in the clear. But not too long after arriving in London for the season, she finds herself with a bodyguard. Can she convince the man to help her in her quest?

Declan is a mercenary, but his last job landed him in prison. When he is offered a job in exchange for his freedom, he jumps at the chance. But Helena is not what he expected and he soon finds himself helping her accomplished the opposite of the job he has been hired for. Is he willing to give up his freedom to help the woman he is falling in love with?

I really enjoyed Helena and Declan's story. I loved that Helena had come up with such a creative way to get out of an unwanted marriage. I loved watching them work together on Helena's scheme! This was my first book by Michaels and I can't wait to read more from her!

A fun, rather frothy Regency romance loosely tying in the fairy tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Lady Helena would rather be a horticulturist of apples on her family's acreage than married off to the detestable Duke of Lusk, and she attempts to run away every chance she gets. The Lusk family hires a mercenary to disguise himself as a groom to make sure she doesn't run away before the wedding date, but they don't count on them falling right into insta-love. I enjoy romance, but oof, enough of the insta-love already. The seven "Dwarves" are actually 7 sleepy/grumpy etc etc ladies who a part of the plan hatched by Lady Helena to get one of them to fall for her irksome Duke. The chemistry was palpable, and I enjoyed the weirdness of Lady Helena's plan, but overall, the novel really made the reader stretch their imagination to believe all of that.

2.5? 3 stars?

I almost DNF’d this like, twice? But I think I can totally say that I just wasn’t the reader for this one. It has good writing and such an interesting plot (a retelling of Snow White of sorts?), but either I was distracted or I just couldn’t get behind these characters. I’m already not a big fan of insta-love, so when our main couple’s relationship came out of nowhere, I almost gave up. Also, how convenient was that ending?

ANYWAY, I wouldn’t knock this one all the way down and I am looking forward to the next book in the series!

Declan has been hired to make sure that Helena keeps her appointment at the alter to a Duke she wants nothing to do with. Helena schemes to find another bride for the duke just so she can go back to living her happy with her apple orchard. Despite the fact that their goals are at odds, they can't help but be attracted to each other. The only problem is, for one of them to win this battle, the other must lose their freedom. The growing love between them makes that sacrifice a potential reality.

Charis was a new author for me.
I loved Helena and Declan. She’s determined and he’s smitten and together they have some fantastic scenes. I loved their honesty, willingness to help each other, and the natural progression of the relationship. Yes, there’s instant interest, but it’s not love.
I love this different sort of fairy tale. I can’t wait to read the next one.!

This book is just... so good. Like a perfectly ripe, crisp apple. First of all, that cover is FIRE. It's got just enough Snow White looking elements to draw me in and go "oooh, this this a historical romance Snow White retelling?" I LOVE all the little Snow White elements in this book, each and everyone one tickled me with laughter.

The chemistry between Helena and Declan is... *fans self* WHEW. He's hired to make sure she makes it to the altar with the duke she's betrothed to, as she's proven to be something of a runner. I LIVE for the sparks between them from moment one, and they've got that perfect sort of chemistry where there are major sparks but also this deep current of connection and warmth and familiarity. Their banter is amazing because they're so totally on the same page. I did get a little bored of their capers to track down the seven potential replacement duchesses to hopefully take Helena's place, but am glad I kept going because THAT ENDING. OH. MY. GOSH. I have a spoiler-free review policy and I've never been more frustrated about it because I so desperately want to flap my hands excitedly while talking about the glorious genius of that ending. I can't even.

This is the first book in the Awakened by a Kiss series, and can be read as a stand alone. I'm really excited to see what sort of twist she brings to the next books in the series, which are supposed to be twists on Tinkerbell from Peter Pan and one of the stepsisters from Cinderella! Yes please!!

I reviewed this title for Fresh Fiction. My full review can be seen here: https://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=72416

I ABSOLUTELY ADORED THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This book was delightful, fun. I loved the Snow White retelling featuring the debutante as the seven dwarves and the Huntsman as the hero.

I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

I seriously LOVE fairytale remakes for romance readers hard!! I was so lucky to be given a chance to read this beautiful book early! I haven’t read this author before but let me just say, I WILL be reading everything she comes out with!! I adored everything about this Snow White telling! Helena is our determined heroine, who refuses to marry a drab Duke. *whom she’s been avoiding for sometime* Enter Declan, the Huntsman, who is in charge to watch over her until she marries this Duke. Helena decides it’s her mission to find another bride to replace herself....now our story really starts! Helena & Declan have amazing chemistry but are def opposites! Which I love! I loved the wittiness and how fun this story was. I also loved the build up with touches & kisses between these two!*swoon* They are just a perfectly matched couple & I’m so happy they got an HEA! All in all a wonderfully sweet and fun story to the very last page!!

Super fun Regency romance! Loved the quirky humor--the "mad" nightdress, the "awakening" of the duke--and the sweet main characters. The fairy tale aspect was very well done and reinvented in a fresh and exciting way. I'm looking forward to reading other retellings in the series!

The beginning of a new series, this is a fun take on Snow White and The Huntsman, featuring inventive twists on both the heroine and the hero along with the secondary characters. Helena and Declan have much to overcome on their way to a happy ending, but I was happy to go along for the ride. This is the first book I have read by Charis Michaels, but it will not be the last.

I loved everything about this delightful, madcap, historical adventure romance! This is my first by this author and I'm in love!!

Lady Helena Lark enjoys living in her forest, tending her apple orchards and not dealing much with her parents, or the fiancé they've been trying to saddle her with for 5 years. Yes, he's a Duke, but she is so not interested. She's tried everything she can think of to get out of the marriage, from acting insane, to just running away, but nothing has worked. She has a last ditch plan to find some other woman to catch his eye, and it better work, or she can kiss her beloved apples goodbye.

Declan Shaw, known in some circles as "The Huntsman," is a mercenary-for-hire, but since his last job went wrong, and he was accused of kidnapping and disposing of his client, he's been awaiting trial in jail. When a man offers to have him released, if Declan agrees to babysit the potential runaway bride-to-be of the man's nephew, he doesn't see any other options. If he does this job, he would be able to build up his nest egg and care for his father and sisters adequately again. Little does he know Lady Helena will be the one person to knock him off course.

Declan and Helena had an immediate attraction to each other, and it was fantastic. I loved their banter, and how they felt kinship and trust with each other right away, even though it was the OPPOSITE of what they should've been feeling, based on their situations. They really cared for each other so much, even when Declan was convinced that there was no possible way for them to be together, regardless of their feelings. Helena refuses that allow that, however! I loved her determination to live life on her terms, and how she was so sure of Declan from the start.

The hijinks and hilarity these characters went through to track down the seven other potential duchesses was so much fun, and I loved tagging along on their adventures. Helena's family wasn't really on the page much, thankfully, but her youngest sister Camille was so sweet. I loved the way she looked up to Helena and wanted to be like her, rather than how society says that "ladies" should be. The Duke of Lusk was quite the wretched character as well, though we didn't see too much of him either, until closer to the end of the story. And then we get a bit of a different view of him which was fascinating. But his uncle was THE. WORST. I enjoyed how everything played out in the end with him.

There's a bit of a side plot with a mysterious cloaked figure who is following them, and they can never catch up to the person! They don't know who it is, or which one of them is being followed, and I loved it. It added another layer to the story that I ended up really enjoying. And how that storyline completed was fantastic too!

Overall this story was just such a delight! I loved these two characters endlessly, and their stumble toward love was so enjoyable. I highly recommend the story, and I can't wait for more in this series!!

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Overall - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Heat - 🔥🔥1/2

A Duchess a Day is the first book in the new Awakened by a Kiss series by Charis Michaels. This book is Michaels’s first mass market paperback, and she really knocked it out of the part with this one. The story is a Snow White and the Seven Dwarves retelling that was emotional, steam, funny, and just all around enjoyable.

Lady Helena Lark needs to escape her betrothal to the awful Duke of Lusk. Thus far she’s managed to evade marriage, but time and her family’s patience are running out. Declan Shaw, better known as “The Huntsman,” is a mercenary who’s been thrown into jail under false pretenses. His only way out is to babysit Helena, he assumes the task will be easy until he meets Helena.

Michales weaves a story of an errant fiance and her begrudging bodyguard with the classic fairytale in amazing ways. I’d hit a bit of a slump recently with historical romances, and this was a pleasant surprise for me. I was familiar with Michaels in name only and I’m so glad this was my first book by her. The only reason I’m marking this down is because I didn’t care for how slow of a burn it was. I wanted more heat and at least 1 more full sex scene.

If you’re a fan of bodyguard romances, forced proximity, fairytale retellings, class differences, lower angst, or “on the road” style romances this will be right up your alley. Even though the steam was low for this reader it was still an amazing book and I am looking forward to the next entry in the series.

A Duchess A Day is the first book in the Awakened by a Kiss series by Charis Michaels. This is a three- book series inspired by characters from fairy tales.

Lady Helena Lark is a desperate woman. Her parents have signed marriage contracts for her to marry the worst possible man, Bradley Girdleston the Duke of Lusk. She has tried for years to get out of this impending marriage but is now facing down the wedding day.

Declan Shaw is a desperate man. He is faced with a choice of either continuing to sit in New Gate prison, trying to prove his innocence for a crime he did not commit, or taking an offer of guarding a hesitant bride and insuring she makes it to the altar.

Declan Shaw and Lady Helena Lark are brought together by the circumstances and soon find themselves desperately in love. Together they work to circumvent the impending marriage.

In the beginning, the story seemed to have the potential to be pretty good. However, once the characters started to develop the problems quickly mounded up. I found that aspects which make a good historical romance is the use of time appropriate language, character behavior, and situations. This book failed to deliver on these elements. The lead characters’ behaviors were more like those in contemporary romance novels than those found in historical romance novels. I had problems with the male hero’s language and behaviors and the female lead character, supposedly an earl’s daughter and a virgin, showed no sign of decorum. The female lead character was far too aggressive in instigating sexual encounters with her groom/bodyguard, and while these primarily were kissing scenes (there is one mild sex scene in the book), she threw herself at her groom/bodyguard in the most unlikely and unbelievable places.

Another problem I had with the story was that the author’s use of references to Snow White and the Seven Dwarves missed the mark. Names of characters and objects from the fairy tale were used in the story but in no way did these relate to the original fairy tale. The author’s reference to the seven dwarves did not enhance the story.

A third problem I had was the over-use of characters’ repetitive internal dialog about their situations. As a reader I find this technique comes off as nothing more than page filler. It led me to want to skim ahead just to get through the repetition. Lastly, the author’s use of a dark cloaked stranger, was problematic. This character appears throughout the story, essentially at every place the lead characters went to outside of the home, and the explanation for this person’s spying did not make much sense. On a positive note, in the end there was a Happy Ever After.

I struggled to finish reading this book. The problems were too great to recommend it.

~ Andrea

A fun read!

A fanciful Regency romance cleverly using the Snow White tradition as the organizing motif to give us a wonderfully witty romance. This fractured regency fairytale has a skew of cleverly inserted identifiable parts.
Lady Helena Lark has been evading her arranged marriage to the Duke of Lusk for years, using more outrageously creative attempts as time moves on.
Declan Shaw, a mercenary dubbed “The Huntsman” languishing in Newgate prison is released on the condition that he will guard Helena and prevent her from escaping her upcoming nuptials.
Helena has other ideas. Declan is faced with a rather different challenge. Guarding this astonishing woman is a test in more ways than one. His amazement as Helena plots with all the confidence and ability of the best of spies equals my delight at Helena's capabilities.
Helena plans to introduce alternative candidates to Lusk as part of her campaign.
Her seven potential duchesses list riffs off the seven dwarfs--Sleepy, Happy etc.
Helen's bodyguard and protector Declan (remember the Huntsman movie!) is fabulous.
The swapped roles with Lusk who seems removed to the point of sleepiness and is awakened by a surprising entry is nicely drawn. Indeed explosive!
All the best elements are present, aided by a strong plot and tight writing, to give us a three W read--Wow factor, Winsome and Wonderful!

A HarperCollins ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

This was an entertaining, well-written book. Lady Helena Lark has spent years trying to end her engagement to the Duke of Lusk. Now she has decided to find a bride to replace her. Declan Shaw has been released from jail (on false charges) and in exchange he has been assigned to keep an eye on Lady Helena and keep her out of trouble. The book was fast paced and I did not want to put it down. It was so much fun to read. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

Lady Helena Lark has spent five years avoiding marrying a lousy duke. She wants to remain in the forest and grow apples, an unusual avocation for a Regency heroine. She's out of time now -- her betrothed's uncle is determined that she will marry and goes so far as to pluck a man from prison to be her guard. Declan Shaw -- better known as the Huntsman -- was unjustly accused and worried about taking care of his sisters and dad. He signs on to guard Lady Helena but isn't able to guard his heart. The two have an immediate connection, sealed with a kiss, as Lady Helena enlists Declan's help to find an alternative wife for the duke she loathes, the two introduce seven would-be duchesses (one a day) so she can return to the forest. Helena and Declan fall in love -- quickly, sweetly and without any of the games so often found in romances. They have to become a team, respecting each other's intelligence and trusting their growing love. The villainous uncle and Helena's useless family are wonderful foils for our heroes -- and the ending is just priceless. An aside on the author; I have read all of her books since her debut, The Earl Next Door. She gets better and better and this take on a fairy tail is delicious. (I received an ARC from NetGalley. Opinions mine.