This is Lorraine Heath’s second book in the “ONCE UPON A DUKEDOM” series, releasing 9/28/21. It can be read as a standalone.
Loved it! ♥️ I devoured this incredible book in one sitting. The duke is seeking a wife and an heir, and puts the task of finding a bride in the hands of his very trusted secretary of eight years, Miss Penelope Pettypeace. Penelope harbors an unrequited love towards her employer, Hugh, the ninth Duke of Kingsland. Hugh cares about little more than making money and securing success at any cost. With a small twist of fate, Hugh finds he does have a heart after all. This is the sweetest story about finding love where you least expect it. I can’t wait for the third book in this series.

Thanks to Avon Books and Harper Voyager via NetGalley for kindly providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I have to admit that when I started this book I was not feeling all that hopeful. Whip-smart spinster with a dark secret falling for her emotionally repressed employer? Pfff. I expected a lot of pining and internal dialogue and pining (yes, wrote it like that on purpose). Those elements were there, I won't lie, but they were done so skillfully that instead of saying 'oh, get over yourself!' in my mind I genuinely felt for both of them. The plot was good, the chemistry was there and the intimacy was hot. I also liked the other Chessmen quite a lot so I hope their books are coming!

The Duchess Hunt was an easy read. The characters were likable and the story unique. Their individual challenges were believable and both were very surprising. Some of the story was fanciful but it didn’t detract from my reading experience. My only complaint was the female lead’s last name did not seem to fit her at all and it was hard for my brain to just let it flow as I read. Overall, a great read and I definitely recommend.

I devoured this book! I’ve enjoyed just about every book Lorraine Heath has written so I wasn’t surprised that I liked her newest offering but the unfolding of Hughes’s tenderness was so engaging. There was plenty of suspense with each person’s secret and when they would be revealed. Ms Heath didn’t spend too much time before she brought our lovers back together which I really appreciate. This one is a keeper! I also like the glimpses of old favorite characters.

This is the second book in the Once Upon a Dukedom Series, but it can be read as a standalone.
The story is different in that it involves a Duke who has a female secretary who has been in his employ for eight years. He seems to be the only person who doesn't realize how much she means to him. Both have secrets that rule their personalities and relationships. Both are characters you appreciate and pull for. There is plenty of angst, but it's not the annoying kind. A fun read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.

4.5/5⭐️

I really enjoyed this one! It was hard to put down.

Penelope Pettypeace (great name!) has been the secretary to Hugh, the Duke of Kingsland (and hopelessly in love with him) for 8 years, and he considers her indispensable. He asks her to choose a wife for him, and she vows to pick the best lady possible. Unbeknownst to the other, they are both hiding secrets that could destroy them.

I loved both the story and Penelope and King, however the latter really shown in this one. Their humor, their respect and admiration for the other, and especially how they stand by the other when needed…they were so well-drawn.

Recommended, and I definitely intend to go back and read the initial book in the series, “Scoundrel of my Heart”.

My sincere thanks to #NetGalley and #Avon for providing me the free early arc for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

I was not sure how this story would play out. It took me a few chapters to fall into Penelope and King's story and to start to understand their connection (emotionally - I figured out that she was his secretary just fine). But when the story clicked, it came together wonderfully. I loved how their work proximity added tension and heat to their relationship.

Things that worked for me:
I liked how we got some of King in the previous book, but got so much more depth in this one.
They already had an established relationship so there is depth from the first page.
Penelope has made a life for herself and advocates for women having financial independence.
King values her for who she is and for her brains and abilities over her beauty.
The strong female lead stands strong in The Duchess Hunt, but he is no wilting flower either.

The Duchess Hunt is the second book in Lorraine Heath's newest series, Once Upon a Dukedom. While it can easily be read as a standalone, you would do yourself a disservice not reading the previous book.
While the book starts out with a bit of an outlandish plot, a duke putting an advertisement in the mail for a duchess and his female secretary choosing the lady, it quickly evolves to something more substantial. The marriage plot acts as a thread weaving the story along and providing anchor points, but it is not where most of the novel's attention lies. The story is more about the recognition of the love between Penelope and King. While Penelope is aware of her feelings, she is resigned to them being unrequited. King discovers his feelings for his secretary during the book. The camaraderie and chemistry between King and Penelope are apparent and a testament to the writing. It was a believable romance. I found the mystery behind Penelope's past well-done; hints were dropped along the way but I could never guess it exactly. I loved that the disagreement between the two didn't fall into the classic miscommunication trope, but was reasonable for both parties to feel the way they did.

Overall, I highly recommend the book to any historical romance reader.

The Duchess Hunt
Book 2 in the Once Upon the Dukedom Series
Rating: 4 stars
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.

The Duchess Hunt was a great story!! I enjoyed reading about a secretary who has felt an unrequited love for her boss who happens to be a duke. Sadly this duke is in search of a duchess and it is Penelope's job to find the best suited one for Hugh.
I liked the slow pace of the story and how day by day Hugh was realizing that Penelope was becoming someone very important to him, beyond her top notch secretarial duties. There were times when I felt bad for Penelope because she was just falling more and more for him while finding Hugh the duchess who he thought he needed. They both had secrets from each other and it is once certain secrets of their past are revealed that the trust they built for each other was put to the test.
I loved their bantering and romance!
I highly recommend it and I look forwards to the next one in the series!!

The Duke of Kingsland and his secretary, Penelope Pettypeace have a companionable relationship. She’s been his stalwart right-hand for the past 8 years. During this time, they’ve had a close, working relationship. However, neither has been what one would consider a close friend to the other. More like, a reliable person with whom one resides and works with.

The Duke has decided he must wed and, after a failed attempt last season, enlists Pettypeace as his designated bride-finder. Unfortunately, for her, she’s realized she holds loving feelings towards the Duke and therefore will find it difficult to maintain her position once he’s wed.

Lately, the Duke, too, starts to develop feelings of the emotional and physical towards his secretary. As anyone who has read a historical romance before knows, however, a relationship betwixt the two will be difficult to undertake with one being a Duke and the other an employee of his household. They begin to notice the others receptive feelings and decide to throw caution to the wind.

Pettypeace, however, has quite the past. She came to work for the Duke as an escape from things that happened when she was younger she feels she will never flee completely. I won’t spoil the book, however, it is definitely an impediment. This author, however, is a master at throwing seemingly insurmountable adds at her characters.

This is not my first Lorraine Heath novel, so I’m aware she often, if not always, pushes opposites together. And, in the end, they seem to find a way. I feel these problems the characters face can make the book that much more enjoyable.

I’m a big fan of this Author. Her books have the capability of grabbing the reader and taking them on an emotional journey. A tale you didn’t know you needed, but feel you’ve become a better person after reading it. In fact, two books from this author I consider my favorites of the genre.

Unfortunately, this one fell flat for me. While her writing is superior to most, sometimes her stories can be a bit hit or miss for me. I feel this one fell in that category. Although, her “misses” are still written better than most authors’ bests.

My biggest complaint with this novel was the length of time the two main characters knew each other and never felt the need to be close. While I’m aware some people fall in love and others grow in love, 8 years seemed like too long to discover feelings for someone with whom you’ve lived with for almost a decade. This was an aspect of the book I was unable to get past.

I also didn’t like how long the beginning dragged. It wasn’t until 50% into the book before they actually began an intimate association. I would have been ok with the build up if everything wasn’t a continual, “where did these feelings come from?”, type of mentality. I’m asking that, as well, where did these feelings come from? It’s been EIGHT YEARS. Honestly, I think I would’ve thoroughly enjoyed this book if the two main characters were already in love, but knew they couldn’t tell the other because of their working relationship and their mutual hope of not losing what they felt they had. Even Pettypeace, who knew she loved the Duke, didn’t realize until right before this book began.

Suffice it to say, I’ll definitely continue to read this author. She’s ridiculously talented. I’m even interested in the upcoming books I’m hoping she’ll write involving characters from this book. There were quite a few I’d love to see have their own stories.

I absolutely loved this book. I could not put it down. I don't think I've read any of her books before but I definitely will be now. I got so invested in Penn and Hugh individually and together. I loved (and hated haha) the way their pasts were released throughout the book. It really kept me involved. I especially loved the way the characters reacted to the big scandal near the end. It felt very real and natural and not at all contrived. I want another book with these characters because I just couldn't get enough.

Penelope Pettypeace has been the secretary of the Duke of Kingsland for eight years. She does everything he asks and does an excellent job of it. They both have secrets to hide. His latest request he wants her to select his wife and do it in six weeks. Plus all her regular duties. He is demanding, exacting, and feels he has no heart. But he saved his estate by investing wisely. He is also very intelligent about some things. Hugh Brinley-Norton, Duke of Kingsland, was going to go have dinner with his friends, the Chessmen. Pettypeace thought they were a handsome lot and King asked her to join them. He needed her to take some notes for him. It was funny to watch them, they were besotted with each other (the Duke and Penelope) and everyone in their sphere knew it. But they didn't trust their feelings.
I liked Kingsland, He treated her as an equal and trusted her with everything except his secrets. Everyone seemed to like her. His mother knew he was in good hands, as did his brother. The characters were wonderful and gave poor King a hard time. It has humor, a touch of excitement, and a touch of suspense. I loved how well they worked together.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.

The Duchess Hunt is a solid historical romance with interesting characters, mutual pining, and a heap of secrets. Unfortunately, it didn't entirely work for me and it pains me to say it because I adore Lorraine Heath's writing and LOVED the first book in the Once Upon A Dukedom series. However, I will happily read the next in the series in hopes that one is more my speed!

Absolutely loved this book! Ms. Heath is an auto-buy for me, but I think this is one of her best. Loved the interaction between the characters, and the secrets that they both had. I would give this book more than 5 stars.

Heath's lastest installment in her Once Upon a Dukedom series introduces us to a unique young woman whose heart wars with her practicality when her employer, the Duke of Kingsland, commands she help him find a bride. When an anonymous letter threatens them, the Duke decides to investigate side by side with his secretary, only to discover that maybe his duchess has been right in front of him all along.

Wonderfully lush, vibrant, and intelligent, The Duchess Hunt builds a compelling romance that centers around family, loyality, and abuse in multiple forms as two survivors fall in love while struggling with secrets that could destroy them both.

'The Duchess Hunt'. What an apt tile. This book was the hunt for more than a duchess, it was hunt for opening one's heart to reality and the hunt for respectability and the hunt for freedom. The duke, Hugh, our hero, had advertised for a duchess the previous year, announced her and then lost her to love. Our heroine, Penelope, had changed her name due to her past and was always looking to redeem her adolescent error. One thing that Penelope had that most women of that time didn't have was the smarts to become financially independent and not have to marry. And then the greatest freedom of all is to take the chance on a life that one could only dream of.
This story was so romantic. I always thought that Cinderella was the greatest love story of all. But this story was about a Cinderella that was cast aside, pulled herself up by her bootstraps and didn't have to leave the ball for her Prince Charming to beg her to marry him. They both just had to open their hearts to the reality of their love and support of one another.
This story may not seem historically accurate for the enlightened thoughts, but it was historically accurate in other ways. The book was well written and was a smooth read. The love scenes were tastefully depicted and the acknowledgement of happiness was the lesson we all can learn. The character development and supporting people were both instrumental in making this a wonderful read. I have read this author many times, but yet I find that this is one of my favorites by her. 5 stars, no doubt.

WOW… LORRAINE HEATH NEVER DISAPPOINTS!!!! The Duchess Hunt by Lorraine Heath is book 2 in the Once Upon a Dukedom series and oh how I just loved this book. The chemistry between Hugh and Penelope was awesome. I could not put this book down. I have been reading Lorraine’s books for the past 20 year and I have enjoyed each and everyone of them. She is truly a very gifted writer and has always been a favorite of mine. What an incredible writer. I found this book easy to read, original and it give the true feeling of the regency era. WOW…JUST WOW! This story has a independent women with a secret past, a duke that likes things in order, finding a wife for the duke, not knowing the perfect women is right before their eyes, a secret long time love, blackmail, running away, not wanting to be recognized, a good investor, sharp mines that think alike but can a duke fall in love with his secretary? You will just have to read this book to find out and I am highly recommending you do. It is Fantastic!!!

***This book was gifted to me and I am voluntarily reviewing.

The Duchess Hunt, by Lorraine Heath. Being a big reader of historical romance novels, I enjoyed this book. I say it’s worth reading. I liked the witty banter among the characters. I found the story very entertaining. For me, the book was a fast pace read and that’s ok. The romance between Hugh and Penelope was wonderful. I really liked reading their story. The romance and the attraction these two had for one another was the best part of the story. I consider this story a very happy ending.

I liked the first enjoyed the first half of the book and the chemistry between the two main characters. However, once the secrets of the two main characters came out I lost interest in the book because I feel like the book did not do justice to the serious topics mentioned.

Meh. Since the H and h are already in love with each other (even if one won’t admit it), it felt like a second chance romance to me with repetitive thoughts.