The story: Penelope Pettypeace has worked as the secretary for the Duke of Kingsland for the last 8 years and he values her so much that he has tasked her with selecting his future duchess. Lately tho, they both have been having feelings develop that are nothing to do with work. They both are keeping these feelings secret but those aren't the only secrets being kept!

Pettypeace is a great character - an efficient, capable woman who is secretary to a powerful Duke and has learned to fend for herself. Throughout the book we learn little bits of the secret that she is constantly afraid will be revealed. King (as the Duke is called) has his own history that has led him to lead a very structured life, hence why he wants his secretary to select his future duchess for him.

Their romance was a slow burn ... very slow if you consider the 8 years prior to the start of the novel. I kept wondering what happened during that time, how these two who are falling for each other hadn't done that already in EIGHT years. They are two very bright people but they both seem to be pretty oblivious when it comes to love and they both keep making choices or saying things that seem to disappoint the other one. They had some great moments but the love story didn't entirely work for me.

I had a very hard time connecting with the characters in this book. Until about 30% into the book, there, everything seemed to come together. Penelope is a very independent woman taking care of herself. Living a peaceful life. Hugh is the typical Duke. And then the story gets intriguing. Without giving away any spoilers....read this book. It's great!!

If you can suspend belief that a duke would have hired an inexperienced woman to be his personal secretary, you can enjoy this romance. The improbably named Penelope Pettypeace is a marvel of intelligent competence and she’s also very attractive. The duke is handsome and intense. Of course, we know where this is going. Both have secrets from their past that they will have to work out together. Their growing closeness and how they work together makes a very enjoyable read.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Lorraine Heath exhibits her masterful storytelling in her new historical romance about a Duke and the secretary he can’t live without.

The Duke of Kingsland has exacting expectations and his secretary, Penelope Pettypeace, is one of the few who lives up to those expectations. He trusts her explicitly, to the point that he has tasked her with choosing his wife! Penelope has been in love with King for some time. He treats her as an equal and is a man whom she can admire. She knows once he is married she will have to leave him, so she decides to enjoy what time she has with him!

This book will make you laugh, cry, and think about your finances! Heath explores what it means to be a financially independent woman and the importance of women investing (yes, this is historically accurate). King and Penelope are so staunch it’s laughable at times. I loved how all it takes is the touch of a hand to incinerate the boundaries they have established! If you enjoy sexual tension and a good workplace romance, I recommend you read this book. I loved it and the epilogue did me in!

I was provided an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. The Duchess Hunt by Lorraine Heath is the second book in the Lost Lords Series (which began with the last book of the Sins for All Seasons series). I have read each book in each series but would have enjoyed this as a stand-alone. The Duchess Hunt is the story of Penelope Pettypeace, secretary to the Hugh Brinsley-Norton, Duke of Kingsland. The ever efficient Ms. Pettypeace dedicates herself to finding the perfect Duchess despite being in love with Hugh herself. What's more, they both carry huge secrets that make the prospect of falling in love seem far out of reach. The author brought a fresh and touching voice to the very familiar romance trope of unrequited love and secretary/boss. I was fully invested in Penelope and Hugh. Their connection and love for each other was so clearly presented on page. This was also one of the most genuinely romantic stories I've read this year. The ending was truly beautiful. If you're look for a story of romance and enduring love, I would highly recommend this book.

4.5/5 Stars

** I received this as an E-ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review, Thank you!**

I completely enjoyed my time reading this book. I adored Penelope and Hugh. I loved watching the back and forth, and seeing them show their affection but also deny it. I liked how everyone could tell they had feelings and they liked each other except them. I enjoyed the other side stories of finding a bride and the revealing of dark secrets. Overall I honestly had a great time and completely recommend this book.

Hugh and Penelope are a special couple. Both of them have secrets that could destroy them. He is a Duke that harbors a secret. She is his secretary but more than that.
Lorraine Heath has penned a most worthy novel.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

We have a duke looking for a spouse but doesn't care for and it isn't interested for love. So he gets his secretary Penny to get him a wife, whom has had a crush on him the whole time, and even though he does not realize it at the time he has feelings for her too. They get a blackmail letter and do not know who it is for, him or her and that my friends is how the the intrigue begins, we have secrets that need to be told and past that need to be dealt with. Pretty spicy for a historical but I like my spice.

The Duchess Hunt, is a wonderful book . I love how King sees Penelope's worth to him. It might be as a secretary but it is of great importance to him. I believe because of this is how he is able to see her in a new light. Plus Penelope is just awesome so there is that.

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Duchess Hunt has officially got me out of my historical romance slump. It's been so long since I read historical romance and this book was able to remind me again why this genre used to be my all-time favorite romance genre. I have always been a big fan of Lorraine Heath, so it's not surprising that she was able to deliver another amazing story to her readers.

In this story, it tells the story of The Duke of Kingsland who is searching for his future duchess. Therefore, he asked the help of his secretary to find the most suitable match to be his wife. Little did he know, Penelope has been in love with him. Now, judging by the plot alone, we can already tell it's gonna be an interesting read. Well, I can assure it, it's a total *chef kiss*. Like seriously, even the characters are just amazing. I completely adore Hugh & Penelope. These two have such great chemistry with one another and even the personas that they portrayed throughout the entire book stole my heart.

Overall, it was a fantastic and enjoyable read for me. This book got me hooked from the beginning till the end and I just loved every single second of it. I think Lorraine Heath has done a great job because everything was well developed and greatly written. I highly recommend for everyone to try this out cause it's absolutely worth it.

I really enjoyed this one! It promised scandal, and it definitely delivered. So many historical romances promise scandal, and then have it be a teeny tiny secret. This scandal on the other hand, even surprised me. I loved that this one took the unexpected approach to things.

I also really liked the romance in this one. I did find it odd that Pettypeace had worked for Hugh for 8 years before he developed feelings, but I just chose to ignore the fact. I loved that this was slowburn, we really got to see the friendship between Hugh and Pettypeace before they moved it to the next level.

I also loved Pettypeace as a character. She was so independent, which is something you don't see in many historical romances. She didn't need Hugh, and she made that obvious. Instead of feeling like their romance didn't work, I felt like her attitude just made them fit better.

I wanted a quick read, and this was the perfect book for that. It was fluffy, but with the perfect hint of suspense. I'd definitely recommend it to historical fiction fans!

Thanks to Netgalley and Lorraine Heath for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

I enjoyed this book as much as the first one! I loved the chemistry between Penelope and Hugh and that what they had was not only love, but a deep friendship as well. Ever since I read the first book in this series, I was excited to see the Duke of Kingsland's story and I wasn't disappointed! I highly recommend not only this story, but this series as well. One can never go wrong with a deeply romantic and steamy historical romance.

What can I say that hasn't been said? Lorraine Heath is one of the queens of romance and should be revered as such. She writes in such a succinct and well loved manor that every time I pick up her book, I know I'm going to fall deep into that pit and come out on the other side just happy. Duchess Hunt is similar to her other books in that there is plenty of steam, a slow buildup, lovely characters, a fast paced story, and hilarious side characters. The Duke made my eyes roll a few times with how much of a blockhead he could be, but he ultimately saw the light. This would be great for lovers of Ms. Heath's stories or a brand new reader.

I cannot tell you how much I loved The Duchess Hunt. The characters were well-drawn and engaging. Penelope is one of my favorite heroines and Hugh. Oh dear. Hugh. He was just perfect. This was also one of the few times that I have been actually shocked at a shocking secret.

The Duke of Kingsland is in need of a wife. Penelope Pettypeace, his secretary of 8 years is tasked with finding said wife. There is some beautiful mutual pining because both of them are obviously secretly in love with each other. And BOTH hero and heroine are harboring their own great secret that could ruin their own individual lives.

It pains me to rate this 3 stars as I COMPLETELY ADORED the first book. But there were several things I had issue with, one is the fact that both secrets aren't really hinted at other than they are a big secret that would ruin them, until the moment they are revealed. While the Duke's secret is quickly glossed over (despite being kind of a huge deal) Pettypeace's secret takes front stage and honestly was painful to read about.

I really disliked the Duke's dunderheadedness about Pettypeace, he truly held out to the very end to admit his feelings for her and that made most of their time together feel very much like using her. I just didn't believe he actually loved her. But what really put this at 3 stars is how he reacts to her secret. It was so disappointing and I really hoped for better from him.

This book is truly beautifully written though, scenes are painted with so much clarity and beauty.

But a few things were a no for me.

When Hugh Brinsley-Norton, the Duke of Kingsland, decides it's time for him to marry, he assigns the task of finding the most eligible lady to his secretary, the ever efficient Penelope Pettypeace. There's only one problem--Pettypeace is in love with the duke. She's worked for Kingsland for eight years and knows him well, but he's reluctant to open himself up to emotion and he's certainly not planning to fall in love with his wife. As Pettypeace does her due diligence narrowing down the choices for the perfect candidate, her relationship with the duke shifts as he becomes more aware of her as a woman. Can she watch the duke marry her perfect choice for him all the while her heart is breaking?

This was a unique story and I enjoyed having Pettypeace well respected in her role as secretary in a usual male dominated world. While I liked Pettypeace, the "big secret" she was hiding fell a little flat for me. Perhaps, if it was revealed earlier in the book, at least to the reader, it would have resonated more how that the shocking revelation would have ruined her place in the duke's employ. I thought Kingland's secret was much more of a shock. Again, if there had been a little foreshadowing of his actions traveling alone to Scotland would have better. In the end these two were well suited to each other and was I happy to see how everything was resolved so they could have their happily ever after.

The Duchess Hunt (Once Upon a Dukedom #2) by Lorraine Heath
• historical romance

Rating: 5 stars

Synopsis: Hugh Brinsley-Norton, the Duke of Kingsland is in search of a duchess. He needs an heir and a spare posthaste so he places an advert in the paper. Recently spurned, he leaves this arduous job to his constant and reliable secretary Miss Penelope Pettypeace. Pettypeace is on the job, but how can she find someone to take the place she secretly yearns to be in?!

Thoughts: I read this book in one day, two sittings. So good! This was my first time reading this author and she really ticked all my boxes with this one! The Duke is perfection- respectful, protective, tiny bit broody with a simmering restraint through the first half of this book. Penelope is my favorite kind of heroine- smart, strong, independent, and game for anything. These two slow-burned nicely until around halfway and then it was super spicy in the sheets. I really appreciate that long secret yearning. You could see Hugh and Pen starting to lose their inner battle of restraint and I FELT THAT. Makes the love scenes so much hotter! There is also a mystery lingering in the background- Lorraine really had us wondering who had the more checkered past.
All in all, zero complaints….except maybe one more sex scene 😆

Things to Note: This is the second book in a series, but since I haven’t read the first book, I can’t say whether there are spoilers in this one. I wasn’t confused about anyone or any plot points so you could possibly read alone or out of sequence.

Interest: 5/5
Romance: 5/5
Heat: 4/5
Stand-alone: ?
Cliffhanger: no
Would I recommend: Yes


*** I was given a copy of this book for an honest review by the author/publisher through Net Galley.

I loved this second installment of the Once Upon a Dukedom series, much better than the first, and I really enjoyed the first one.

Hugh Brinsley-Norton, the Duke of Kingsland is still searching for a duchess. His last search resulted in Lady Kathryn falling for another. Not one to be deterred, and really, he wasn't heartbroken but more inconvenienced, he tasks his personal assistant/secretary to sift through the new onslought of letters by women hoping to tbe the next Duchess of Kingsland.

But as we know from the very start, Penelope Pettypeace is in love Hugh. And Hugh is unwilling to consider Penny until danger confronts them both.

I love this Cinderella story, though pretty certain this would never have happened in real life. Still, it's fun to lose oneself in the fairytale. And as with all Lorraine Heath romances, the chemistry is palpable.

Can't wait for the next in the series.

But when an anonymous note threatens to reveal truths best hidden, Kingsland has no choice but to confront the danger with Penelope at his side. Beguiled by the strong-willed, courageous beauty, he realizes he’s willing to risk everything, including his heart, to keep her safe within his arms. Could it be the duchess he’s hunting for has been in front of him all along?

Lorraine Heath has always been a Must Buy romance writer for me, and this series is no exception. The Duchess Hunt was a tender and enchanting romance that had me captivated from the first page.

Penelope is smart, determined, and can take care of herself, the "I-don't-need-no-man" type that I gravitate towards. Her boss, business man Hugh the Duke of Kingsley, knows every detail about Penelope from the moment he met her to now, always paying to the little details, her mannerisms and general way she carries herself, but to jeopardize not just their business relationship but friendship is something he won't do. As Penelope plans the ball and attempts to find the perfect wife for her employer, a blackmail letter falls into her hands that could be either of them and puts the very secrets they harbor in danger.

I wasn't necessarily excited for this story as I wasn't Hugh's biggest fan after Scoundrel of My Heart, but Heath proved me wrong. Their relationship isn't just that of business partners, but two people that have the upmost admiration and respect for one another. It's not the damsel in distress being saved, but someone that is Hugh's equal, and Penelope isn't thrust into a relationship with someone who leaves her idly on the sides while he lives his own second life. Despite their differing social classes, they compliment each other so perfectly.

P.S.
The epilogue was perfect. There was not a thing I would change.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC.

Mini Review: I really liked this Historical Romance! My heart hurt for what both Penelope and King had been through. Their romance was wonderful, and I loved the scene at the ball at the end. I also loved that we got an epilogue with what happened to not only Penelope and King, but also other characters from the book! This book definitely had some heavy/sad moments, but overall I recommend reading it!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.