Susan Jennings is unmarried, and, though long past the threshold of spinsterhood at age 30, she is happy with her life. She bears the role of the doting aunt, devoted daughter and sister, and prides herself on her extraordinarily sharp intellect. As a result she cares very little for what society has to offer.
George Kendall has had too many close calls with death. After recovering from a deadly illness, he determines it is time to search for a wife in earnest. He simply cannot stand the flirtatious and scheming young ladies of society intent on securing wealth and a title.
After crossing paths, both Susan and George cannot help but deny utter loathing for one another. However, when George is cornered by the Prince Regent and must either claim engagement to a young lady or suffer an arranged marriage, the only name that comes to George’s mind is the name of Miss Susan Jennings. Once he has claimed engagement to her, he--and Susan--must follow through and learn to make things work.
This book was sweet and interesting. I enjoyed and appreciated the historical aspects that were sprinkled throughout the book. I feel that gives historical fiction more credibility.
I enjoyed the themes discussed in this book. Themes include choosing to trust one another, accepting others’ help and good intentions, learning to see yourself in new light, beauty is more than skin-deep, and intelligence and outer beauty complement one another. I felt these themes were thought-provoking and resonated with me.
This book started out well, wasn’t so great during the middle, but ended well at last. At the beginning I felt like I had a pretty good grasp of the characters’ personalities and I looked forward to finding out how the confrontations between Susan and the Duke would eventually be resolved. As the story played out though, I had an increasingly difficult time keeping a grasp on their personalities. Some of their actions (i.e. makeout scenes) did not seem congruent with how their personalities had been described or portrayed during the prior chapters. It was as if they would think or say one thing, and then do another. It could be that the characters didn’t know their own minds because they were in a difficult circumstance, but I found the lag in continuity disorienting. Perhaps their actions needed additional explanation and that would have resolved that issue. In any case, their actions seemed more in line with their personalities around three-quarters of the way through the book and I enjoyed the last quarter. By the end of the book I felt things had resolved well enough that the end was satisfying. However, I didn’t feel like I really came to understand the characters by the end of the story.
Overall, this book was cute and interesting, but I am not convinced I would recommend it.

Content:
Sex & Affection--A few instances of passionate kissing, general references to a wedding night, intimacy, providing an heir, and mistresses.
Alcohol, Drugs, and Substance Use--moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Language--Individuals direct insults at other people.
Crime & Violence--None

The Duke Meets His Match started off a little slow for me. But once things picked up, I didn't want to put it down. I read most of the story in one day.

The description is again right yet gives the wrong impression. Susan and George meet at a wedding a year before the events of the main part of the story. Susan sought solitude in the back of a library with a good book. George used the same library for a private conversation concerning efforts to help the crown in ending the war with Napoleon Bonaparte without checking to see if the library was unoccupied. The two verbally spar after George catches Susan, although she couldn't help to overhear and was not attempting to eavesdrop. George since references her as "the harpy" in his mind while she in turn thinks of him as "His Loftiness."

Susan was to accompany her sister, Rebecca, to London for her coming out Season. Susan herself had three seasons in London and then has spent the rest of her time in the country. But Rebecca breaks her leg and is unable to make the journey. Rebecca pleads for Susan to go without her and she reluctantly decides to do just that. Lady Walmsley, affectionately called Aunt Margaret, is happy to focus her attention on Susan and ensure she has everything she needs for a proper London season.

Susan runs into George at her first London ball when her brother James introduces them. James works with George in his attempts at securing peace with the war effort. The two have as cantankerous of a 2nd meeting as they did the first. Yet George still finds himself claiming an engagement to Susan when pressed by the Prince Regent into a different marriage alliance that isn't to George's liking at all. He then has to convince Susan of the merits of marriage to him. As the description states, when the two join causes in an alliance feelings begin to blossom.

I didn't highlight any particular quotes, but The Duke Meets His Match was exactly what I needed. I devoured it. The characters were easy to root for, and thankfully none of the conflict caused me to roll my eyes as sometimes happens because none of it felt forced even though I spotted a few moments when perhaps other authors would have gone in the direction of forced eye-roll-worthy conflict. I'll definitely keep my eyes out for other books by Karen Tuft in the future. The Duke Meets His Match gets 4 Stars. Have you read The Duke Meets His Match? What did you think? Let me know!

I enjoyed this one! Susan is a spinster, enjoying books more than balls. George is a confirmed bachelor, not really wanting much besides being left alone. But the chemistry is real between the two, even if it starts out somewhat as a chemical fire. Throw in a royal edict to marry that George wishes desperately to avoid, and you've got the start of a pretty good novel!

This is the first time I've read this author. I enjoyed her story and will probably seek out her other books. However, if I could make one complaint, I'd have to say I hate how often words were italicized for emphasis in the conversations. In some conversations, words were EMPHASIZED every FOUR words or so and it REALLY distracts from the story. Beyond that, the novel is enjoyable and I liked George and Susan quite a bit.

Rated G
--clean romance
--no violence
--no language

I received this ebook free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first Karen Tuft, and I have to be honest. I was a little disappointed. Susan was described as an educated bluestocking. She was schooled with her brothers, and in many cases, bested them in intellectual matters. In the end (spoiler alert), her only contribution to the resolution of the plot was overhearing a conversation. I'm actually not sure what she found so intriguing about the duke. It felt like a really good start, but the plot and characters were not as deep as they could have been.

I was hooked by this book and sped through the beginning of it; my enjoyment did taper at the point where George and Susan confront Prinny--that whole scene just didn't draw me in for some reason--but then I liked the ending. I liked the fact that Susan was 30--very different from the typical Regency heroine--and I adored several of the secondary characters. All in all, a very enjoyable read.
4 stars.
I read an ARC provided by the publisher via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Oh, what a delightful book! Great story and I laughed out loud multiple times. The 'who' of these protagonists was well established, revealed and utilized in the development of the plot. With very likable Susan and George, there is immediate friction. However, friction builds warmth--and several comical situations. Prinny is also good for a laugh and some crucial plot points. This really was a charming story.

The Duke Meets His Match is a sweet, romantic read from Karen Tuft. A clean romance with characters that you’ll remember even after you finish the book.
Susan Jennings is a spinster who is happier alone in a library than at any ball. The Duke of Aylesham is the handsome, popular bachelor any woman would marry. After an unexpected encounter where her sharp tongue and his lofty attitude collide, they despise each other immediately. One year later they meet again while she is visiting a new friend in London. Due to an unforeseen circumstance, the two decide to join forces. As they spend more time together they find that they have more in common than meets the eye, and an attraction that is undeniable.
I loved the build up of this romance, and both character’s strong personalities. It was a quick read for me, as I was sucked into the story on page 1! Highly recommend for the romance lovers out there!
I received this ARC from the publisher for my honest review. Thank you #covenantcommunications !
#netgalley
#TheDukeMeetsHisMatch

I loved this book! Between Susan's furry personality and George's cocky assurance, there is plenty fighting and intense tension (not all bad) to keep you reading until the last page.

The Duke Meets his Match is appropriately named. In this story George Kendall, the Duke of Aylesham, holds a secret meeting in a library at the wedding of the Earl of Cantwell's where he accidentally bumps into Miss Susan Jennings, "the harpy". They take an instant dislike to each other. Almost a year later, Susan finds herself in London with a season sponsored by Lady Walmsley. When she is escorted to her first ball by her brother, she is introduced to none other than the Duke of Aylesham "his loftiness". Imagine everyone's surprise when Aylesham announces to Prince Charles that he was betrothed to Miss Susan Jennings when he was offered a royal engagement. Now all he has to do is convince Susan, and her brother, before Prinny marries him off to a foreign princess. Wonderful characters, wonderful dialogue, wonderful situations!
I loved the animosity between the characters and the humor of the situations. I really enjoyed this story and would definitely recommend it. I would like to thank Karen Tuft and Covenant Communications for allowing me to read this book.

Definitely enjoyed this one! Such an interesting concept and the writing was well done. I'll be looking for more from this author. The cover is also beautiful, as are the chapter details.

The Duke Meets His Match
by Karen Tuft
Back of the Book: “At thirty years of age, Susan Jennings has long been considered a spinster. Exceptionally intelligent, she has little tolerance for London and the dreaded Season—if that’s how one is expected to find love, it’s not for her. But when an invitation arrives that cannot be ignored, Susan leaves her comfortable life in the country and enters the fashion and frivolity she most despises. She quickly discovers, however, that there is more to loathe in London—and his name is George Kendall.
George, Duke of Aylesham, has learned to keep his distance from cloying females chasing the title of duchess. Susan Jennings, however, proves an entirely different challenge—a woman who has pushed him to the limit of his patience with their every encounter. But their simmering hostility is disrupted by a thoughtless slip-up: to avoid a marriage of political strategy, George claims he is already betrothed. And when pressed for the name of the lucky woman, only one name comes to mind: Susan’s. Their forced betrothal proves advantageous, but when their verbal sparring must change in order to be convincing, the line between fact and fiction becomes blurred by something neither expected: love.”
Impressions: This was a witty but sweet romance. I can’t believe that this is the second book in this last week that I’m having déjà vu with. It was similar in predicament to, The Lost Lieutenant by Erica Vetsch. In comparing the two I would say this one flowed better and made more sense as it played out on the pages.
Rating: stolen kisses
Liked: This was a light and easy read. Everything flowed well in a timely manner.
Disliked: Everything for the characters worked out a little too well in parts where there could have been more struggle.
Quotes: “George was not particularly hungry, but he ate what was placed before him, as discipline required.” – I just laughed at this line because I’m in that crazy mom stage of life where every meal is a fight with my boys. I wish my boys just ate their meals “as discipline required.”
“My mind never wanders, Evans.’ It goes precisely where I send it.”- Exactly 😊
“It is quite one thing to envision something and quite another to face it in truth…”

This is the first time I have read a book by Karen Tuft and I loved it.

The plot was creative in how it drew together two characters who want nothing to do with each other and set them up to find out that their perceptions weren’t entirely accurate. The shifts and turns of the story kept me turning the pages and I found the ending to be entirely satisfying.

I received a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and I highly recommend it.

4.5*  This engaging story has a solid plot line and many connecting characters to Karen Tuft's other novels.  It was fascinating to see parts and pieces of other storylines that had lasting effects on the characters and their trajectories.  I enjoyed the supporting characters and found myself hoping multiple of them would get their turn to star in a book soon!

I received a complimentary copy of this book.  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A Duke, a Spinster, old flames, a Prince Regent, a rebuffed Princess, and all the mayhem you could want in Victorian England meet in this delightful book! I wasn't sure about this book at first as it seemed to start a bit slow, but once the pace picked up, I couldn't put it down! I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the strong-willed Susan Jennings and the confirmed bachelor, George, Duke of Aylesham. Susan is sent to England at the insistence of her sister for The Season. Susan hates all things London- the balls, the frivolity, the fashions, the Ton. She thoroughly despises Aylesham (George) after a disastrous encounter at a ball. Susan is determined not to marry for anything else but love. Aylesham, realizes that he has waited long enough to marry and needs an heir. Aylesham is commanded to appear before the Prince Regent and that is when chaos commences! Aylesham soon finds himself entangled with the one woman he despises and who also despises him!
I didn't enjoy the the slow start, the constant reminder that Susan was a spinster, and the fact that I couldn't quite figure out what line of work George was in (something covert but not fully explained to my satisfaction).
I enjoyed the back and forth between Susan and Aylesham. She is quick witted and stands her ground. George, I believe is a contradiction. He seems so selfish and yet vulnerable at the same time. He is loyal and that loyalty lands him in a bit of trouble. I loved how real historical figures came into play throughout the book. The fictional characters were well developed. All in all it was an enjoyable book that I would recommend!

I think this is my favorite Karen Tuft book so far. I started it when I only had a short time to read and by the end of chapter one I was irritated that I couldn't keep reading. I so wanted to read it in one sitting and was frustrated that life did not cooperate. So glad I got to read the last half with no interruption.

I found elements of this book very amusing. The meet-cute was not remotely cute or even pleasant. This was definitely an enemies to love trope. I was amused by the nicknames they gave each other. Only in their minds of course because anything else would have been highly improper. He calls her The Harpy and she calls him, His Loftiness. Sometimes it made me laugh out loud. I loved that they used the personification of those names to save the day so to speak. I liked both characters and particularly loved that Susan was not a woman to be bossed around. She stood up for herself all the time even if it just meant standing tall and not cowering to the ton. She even stood up to the Prince Regent.

It was also fun to have real life characters in the book. Typically in the books I read the Prince may be spoken of from afar but he doesn't normally play an active part in scenes of the book. But he is a major plot point in this story.

A lot happens in a very short period of time and sometimes I forgot that not more time had passed. They do not get along at all in the beginning but spend time communicating and quickly become a partnership that doesn't take long to become what will become a love match. They actually work well together when they try. I imagine if they were to be characters in their own series they could become a very effective spying team.

I enjoyed the secondary characters too. The overly doting staff members were very sweet. Aunt Margaret is a funny little matchmaker and very kind and generous. And Susan's brother was sweetly protective of her too.

Overall I really enjoyed the book and regretted that I didn't have time to read it all in one sitting. Stopping was annoying because I wanted to know how the story would play out. Ugh. Life. Leave me alone and let me read.....

No sex, language or violence
*I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley and voluntarily choose to review it.

I love Karen Tuft's Regency books and this is no exception. Characters from her other books are mentioned, but you do not need to read those stories first to love this one. I loved that Lady Walmsley was a big part of this book again. She is such a fun old lady and I love her. Susan and George's meet cute was amazing. I loved Susan's strong character and we saw it again and again throughout the story. This was quite a remarkable story, but I found myself being drawn in and loving all of it. I loved watching their relationship go from loathing to tolerate and eventually all the way to love. I hope we see these two again in other books. I would love for the other Jennings to get their own books.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley, but this is my honest review.

George, Duke of Aylesham, is perhaps the most eligible bachelor in England and has assisted the Foreign Office in the past, so the Prince Regent arranges to 'reward' him - with the gift of a wife. The woman is a princess, the daughter of a foreign prince whom George has heard of being connected with Napoleon - for which reason, as well as for others, he is desperate to evade the match. But the only excuse he can think of on the spot is a previous betrothal, and the only name that comes to mind when pressed (she has to be unmarried, and preferably unknown to the prince) is that of Susan Jennings. Angry, the prince pushes for a marriage soon, and George fears that should he fail, he would be unable to avoid the Prince's plans. The only problem? The several occasions on which he and Susan have met, 'the harpy' and 'His Loftiness' didn't get along - to say the least! But a woman he dislikes must be better than the daughter of a potential enemy of the country, right? But Susan has a mind of her own too... Amidst all the confusion and conflict, will the Duke truly meet his match?

Clean, and with writing that kept me feeling for the characters even when they were butting heads - not to mention laughing plenty - this is a book that I think I'll be coming back and rereading. It's definitely not always predictable, which I enjoyed, and the slow progression of the relationship felt realistic, even if the 'hate at first sight' seemed a slightly over-the-top reaction. I particularly enjoyed the garden party, especially Susan's role in that memorable event. Of course, the only good thing that can be said about 'Prinny' is that he inadvertently forced them to spend time together, but I guess a good, hateable villain isn't a bad thing to have! All in all, highly recommended.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

I received this book for free from Netgalley. That did not influence this review.

The Duke Meets His Match by Karen Tuft is a clean Regency Romance with intelligent, interesting protagonists who navigate the path from mutual aversion to betrothal of convenience to love with admirable maturity and common sense.

George Kendall, Duke of Aylesham, is a prickly man whose work for the Crown, something to do with intelligence gathering during the fight against Napoleon, has kept him very busy. He knows he has to marry because he is the last of the ducal line. (Careful exploration by his secretary has located the next in line: a criminal who was transported to Australia). He has had two previous courtships, one that ended disastrously and one that never really got off the ground. However, when the prince (Prinny) summons him to announce he is being awarded the gift of a German heiress to wed, George is horrified. He has no interest in being manipulated by the prince and is under no illusions that the German princess will be any sort of prize. So he tells the prince that he is already betrothed and about to be wed. When the prince asks for the name of his intended, the first name he thinks of pops out of his mouth.

Miss Susan Jennings, daughter of a viscount, is a blue-stocking on her way to spinsterhood. She had one failed near-betrothal when she first came out, but that was many years ago. A studious young woman whose biggest dread is marrying an intellectual inferior, Susan is quite content to be a doting aunt and unmarried daughter. One year earlier, she had an unpleasant encounter with the haughty Duke of Aylesham, and she recently made his acquaintance again, equally unpleasantly, at a London party she attended reluctantly. However, they made impressions on one another, evidenced by the fact that it was her name that popped from his mouth.

George sees no option but to propose to Susan. Naturally, she rejects him out of hand. But when he explains the situation, she reconsiders.

The novel follows the course of their uneasy courtship. Susan has ample opportunity to show what strong stuff she is made of. George comes to admire her. George has opportunity to show what a reasonable and thoughtful man he can be. Susan comes to understand him better. They fall in love.

The plot is a little strained, but the hero and heroine are sympathetic and make a convincing pair. Recommended for those who like intelligent protagonists and less steamy, more romantic Romance.

I love when spinsters get to come off the shelf and find their own happy ending, especially the smart and intelligent ones. An engagement of convenience between enemies becomes necessary when Prinny seeks to reward George with a political match. Susan and George’s story is full of witty barbs and banter and gives a satisfying enemies to lovers romance. I appreciated that this was a clean read, yet still conveyed the warmth of their match. I was given a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own, freely given.

The Duke Meets His Match takes Pride and Prejudice and gives it a run for its money. From initial impressions of harpy and His Loftiness to falling in love, this story has everything. Fairy godmothers, intervening princes, conniving women, and gossipy matrons. The characters stay true to their inner selves while finding an ally in each other. Both felt their days for marriage were over when an unexpected circumstances threw them together.

I loved how this story had a great plotline and conflict that did not come from a terrible misunderstanding or lack of communication- instead the conflict was outside influences pushing against the characters and they were able to work together to find a solution, falling in love in the process. I truly enjoyed reading this regency romance.