Great plot, poor execution.
The book had a promising start, the war veteran with severe PTSD, the loving fiance who was ready to fight tooth and nail to be the anchor for her intended, and the stigma and misunderstanding of mental health symptoms that were always equaled to lunacy in the book's era.
Although the plot is strong, the book had many issues.
First of all, I truly wish the FMC was older than 18. I know that eighteen back then is basically early twenties now, but it was still unbelievable when she made certain decisions, and her overall thoughts were unconvincing considering her age.
Secondly, the MMC was robot like. For the whole book all he did was having episodes because of his disorder, and lusting after his fiance. I just didn't like how the foundation of their "love" was mostly physical attraction. They kept telling each other how they support each's character and misgivings, but it was more for convincing the readers of their devotion.
If I can be frank, Arabella viewed Anthony as a challenge, also, she considered him a compatible partner because of his struggles, she loved how he needed her strength, which isn't necessarily wrong, but I'd not call it love.
Another point I didn't like was the repetitive affirmations going back and forth. He told her how remarkable she was, and she told him that he is sane EVERY. SINGLE. CHAPTER. It was really irritating.
There were many parts and characters that didn't make sense, like the couple's parents and the legalities of the marriage.
Overall, I thought the book needed a lot of editing, of every kind, because it was full of inconsistencies and even grammatical errors.
*I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

The description of The Accidental Duke sounded like something I could love, a powerful angsty story about a dark, traumatized hero who finds his redemption with a brave lady. And I guess deep down it could be a powerful angsty story about trauma and redemption, but I just got constantly distracted from the story by the stilted dialogue, the convoluted sentences and the flowery word choices. To me it would have been more powerful and heartwrenching with more straightforward prose, as I find it hard to relate to characters who speak like this while walking in the park: "At just over seventeen hands, with a coat as black as a crow's feather, Hesperus stood tall on the battlefield as a most impressive animal. Friesland born, from his deep heart-girth to his robust haunches, with cannon bones like the trunks of a mighty oak, he was short coupled from his croup to his withers, and he never failed to answer the call of duty."
It ended up as a DNF/partly skimmed for me.

This book provides a stark reminder of how vulnerable anyone was in the Regency area. Anthony suffered PTSD (it's not identified as such) and because of this he was vulnerable to be declared a lunatic and locked away without any recourse. Arabella considered Anthony's property once married was also without any rights whatsoever. They were both taken and held against their will just on the word of Anthony's father who wanted an heir and wanted his son out of sight.

The romance evolves and is a true partnership which is rare in historical romance. There is plenty of chemistry and the level of trust they have in each other helped weather the worst.

My only issue was with some of the language used. That is just a personal preference, I am not a fan of the word chum and it comes up way more than I would like.

I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was intrigued at the beginning with the PTSD plot. However, it got old very quickly. I would say almost 65% of the book is devoted to this and I got bored of it. The last 30% of the book is where it got good. The plot picked up and there was a lot of suspense and some romance. I will read the next book in the series because of this.

Thanks to the publishers, Netgalley and the author for an Advance Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It's so refreshing to see how far historical romance has come in the last decade or so. I have always enjoyed them in the past for the well-researched historical context and the way they make the reader reflect on what history can teach us about relationships in the current era.

I've been honored to read books that have celebrated diversity and proud to see writers and readers embrace rarely explored or previously 'taboo' topics.

This book is no exception. From the start we see Anthony struggle with what we would describe now as PTSD. We see how his loved ones cope with the challenges he faces, in particular how his father's brand of help could very well lead to his destruction. The author does not shy away from what war can do to the people who fight, and the people they come home to.

I also really loved that Arabella says exactly what she wants to say. Not only is she passionate and a little wild but she is fiercely protective and has a strong sense of justice. A very likeable heroine.

I'm looking forward to finding out what these matchmakers do next!

This is going to be my very first historical romance which the male main character here is physically hurt and lost his arm during the wartime. The way the author explain and write about PTSD that our male main character is having here is just nice. I need some historical fiction book to be more real. He's having this bad flashbacks, moments, and nightmares. I feel bad for him. Anthony and Arabella are just soulmates to each other. I like them just fine. I just hope the way to 'distract' or 'repair' Anthony doesn't have to be through sex or smut scenes.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the copy!

This is my second book I have read by Barbara Devlin. It was not one of my favorites, At times, it seemed wordy and sometimes it seemed like Lady Arabella was being shallow in her interactions. I do love how Barbara used this book to bring light to PTSD and how it affects people and the treatment they receive from others.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This is a first read by this author for me, and I'm in love! The characters had such sparkle and personality, and I don't mean they were happy. No, these were characters brought together by adversity of a terrible kind, and he particularly had a past which caused PTSD, though that's not the word they had for it back then, those scarce doctors that actually understood it. With a plotting relative, a villainous charlatan and a merry band of men whom I will gladly get to know more of during subsequent books, the plot was exiting and fast paced, barely letting you go at the end... Really I'm just waiting for the next book! #netgalley #theaccidentalduke

A Wounded Hero and a Woman of Courage

This is a well-crafted story that will keep you turning the pages. Neither Arabella nor Anthony wants to marry. They are two people forced together by circumstances, but they can’t help but fall in love. Anthony is a wounded soldier. Losing his arm might be the least of his injuries. It is his soul that needs healing. It would take a woman with amazing strength and courage to understand and love him. Arabella might be that woman.

They say that “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” Did Anthony’s father truly have good intentions when he consigned his only son to an asylum? Perhaps he did however, the harm he causes is immeasurable, and you just might wish His Grace to perdition from the very beginning of the story. When his son needed compassion and understanding, he sent him away to hell on earth. Could Anthony survive? Arabella’s love and understanding are balm to his soul, but will he be able to endure? This is an amazing story that might make you weep. It will keep you on the edge of your seat, waiting for what will happen next. I loved Arabella’s strength and Anthony’s gentleness. I recommend this story to anyone who enjoys reading Regency romance with a wounded hero and a strong heroine.

Im really torn in my like/hate of this book.
First off- kudos to the author for writing about the PTSD that many suffer after a war and she does so with respect but also stunning detail that I feel needs to be recognized.
There is a fantastic story line here, the prose is well written although a bit wordy at times and the characters are nicely done, I didnt feel that I was missing any of their character traits or story.
Loved Arabella's strong witty character
Overall I really enjoyed this story.
My concerns are (as many other reviews have noted) that Arabella used sex as a way to comfort Anthony when he began to get out of sorts which made her (and the story) seem shallow.
It appeared to me that Arabella seemed to only get with Anthony, not because of their bargain but out of pity and a want to mother him when she sees him hurting. It took away from the entire Anthony becoming a strong man again because it likened him to a weakened boy who only wanted pity and to be mothered.
There is also way too much going on in this book, enough for several different stories so it made it a bit confusing to keep up, especially with all the heavy dialogue.
I also had a problem with Anthony's father comforting him one moment yet turning on him the next, he seemed to have an understanding of what Anthony was dealing with only to turn uncaring the next.
But all this aside, the intriguing story line prompted me to read further and I am glad that I did. I would recommend this novel.
I received an advanced reading copy in exchange for a review

I absolutely love Arabella and Anthony. Lady Arabella is a strong, independent woman, very intuitive especially where Anthony is concerned. Anthony is a wounded warrior, a survivor of Waterloo. He not only lost his arm, but is afraid he had also lost his mind. Unfortunately, his father, the Duke of Swanborough believes Anthony is mad. Anthony finds himself betrothed to Arabella, who had been his late brother's fiance. Although at first both were against marriage to anyone, Arabella turns out to be Anthony's saving grace. The author gives us a look into a person suffering from PTSD. Although just fairly recently recognized, its roots can be traced back to any combat. Barbara Devlin's descriptions leave me knowing we need to do more than a lukewarm "Thank you for your service" for our veterans. This book is a winner on my levels. Yes, it is a look into social injustice, but it is also a remarkable love story of trust and strength. I am looking forward to reading more of The Mad Matchmaking Men of Waterloo.

The wounded hero and the woman who would save him.... My very favorite story to read because seeing the broken redeemed and finding love fills my heart!

Anthony is back from fighting at Waterloo, having lost part of himself and much of his mind it seemed. He continues to have flashbacks and nightmares that is consumes him. Unfortunately, since he is now heir to a dukedom, he is expected to marry.. marry his deceased older brother's betrothed, Lady Arabella, since her role was to marry the heir.

Arabella had no wish to marry, but she never expected a man such as Anthony. She could feel the anguish and self loathing emanating from him and she had a strong desire to help him. Surprisingly a friendship grew between them and she was able to soothe him with her presence. Unfortunately, his father had mapped out his future and it was not good.

Emotional, heartbreaking at times and compassionate, Barbara has discerned the inner turmoil and the horror of war to the point of almost being painful, what Anthony was going through. I longed to see him made whole and could not wait to get to the end. Very well done.

I received this book as an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publisher.

Really really interesting and unique book! The "soldier's nostalgia" story line (now known as PTSD) was a really unique and interesting one for a historical romance. The chemistry between Anthony and Arabella is wonderful and it is nice to see the heroine save the hero for a change.

Before anything else, I should note that this is an #ownvoices series covering various disabilities, and that the inclusion of more OwnVoices in romance is vital to the continued relevance and reach of the genre.

That being said….this book contains the line, “aching to pound her clam with your ham.” The male love interest also compares Arabella to a horse multiple times, and only truly respects her because she’s not like other women, not because she is worthy of respect independent of any other characteristics.
The biggest red flag for me though, was the consistent use of sexual contact throughout the book as a “cure” for PTSD flashbacks. As someone who is very familiar with the different forms PTSD can take, I know that everyone has their preferred grounding techniques, physical touch being among them. But every time the male love interest has a panic attack or disassociated episode, Arabella feels the need to throw herself at him and repair him through sex. Linking sexual and romantic worth to one’s mental illness is not something I feel comfortable with, but there’s a chance it may resonate with someone else.

Major Anthony Bartlett, 7th Marquess of Rockingham returns to London with a severe case of what we now call PTSD. He lost a hand at Waterloo, and doesn't know how to fit in anymore. He is now the heir to a dukedom and a betrothal he wants out of as much as his intended fiancee. Lady Arabella does not want to marry anyone, but when she is introduced to Anthony she sees his struggles and there is something that draws her to Anthony. Anthony in turn responds to Arabella and calms in her presence.
Anthony's father, the Duke of Swansborough, is an uncaring man. He is only concerned about an heir to continue the family line and has no affection for Anthony whatsoever.
Barbara Devlin has written a gripping emotional story that will grab your heart until the very last page. This is a fabulous story that you will keep in your personal library.
The Mad Matchmakers of Waterloo are a delight and show the strength and bond of soldiers on and off the battlefield. I can't wait to see what they are up to in the rest of the books in the series.

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

It's been a while since I've read a new Barbara Devlin book, but after all this time, I was not disappointed. I was instantly drawn to both of the main characters, Lord Anthony, an injured and tormented war veteran, and Lady Arabella, a strong willed woman with a good heart who longs to be more than someone's trophy wife. They are bound to marry due to an agreement between their families made before Arabella was even born. As they get to know each other and resigned to their fate, they realize that the other person may be exactly what they need. I loved the growing respect and understanding between these two characters, which then leads to love. When it comes out that Lord Anthony's father has nefarious plans, for the both of them, the have to trust in each others love and strength-and the help from their loyal friends to insure their future together.

This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed this different take on a Recency novel. Having a main character who fought at Waterloo is not uncommon but coming back with a loss of a limb and ptsd is.

I loved the relationship between the main characters, but It did seem they were really close really fast without a lot of interaction in the beginning.

But a good read overall

WOW! This book goes into details most romances only skim over, such as, graphic depictions of what soldiers faced in war. It is the first in series and is off to a promising start. When I started I could not put it down, it grabs you and takes you along for the ride. The plot should be about the same as other injured romances but with all the details and how perceptive the heroine is it feels quite different and very fresh.

Major Anthony Erasmus Hildebrand Bartlett, Marquess of Rockingham, does not want to marry his brother's fiancé, in fact he doesn't want to marry at all. This thought is shared by said fiancé, Lady Arabella. They work to make the marriage not happen, even though it is clear to the reader that it is quickly blossoming into love. She wants to help him with his "PTSD"/shell shock. But when she learns that their father's plans are for her to get with child, then immediately put him into an alyssum for the insane; and take her child for his dad to raise. She can not let this happen and it will take all of their friends to help them out of it all. I won't say more as to not spoil the book but there are no slow spots and its a book well worth reading. But be warned this is not some light hearted book, it goes into painful details but is an incredible love story.

The Accidental Duke by Barbara Devlin is the first in a new series entitled the Mad Matchmaking Men of Waterloo. Isn't that the best? In this case, the intended target is Anthony Bartlett, the Marquess of Rockingham, who has returned home from Waterloo missing the lower part of his arm. He now believes that life is not worth living and he can do nothing, be nothing. In modern terms he is suffering fro PTSD; WW I called it shell shock; at the time of Waterloo it was called nostalgia or soldier's heart. It is all the same and it is treatable. Few knew it at the time. He had inherited his dead brother's fiancé, Lady Arabella. He had no intention of marrying her. As it turned out, she had no intention of marrying, period. They got to know one another and that all changed. They were in love. Arabella caught wind of Anthony's father's plan for them: they would marry; she would become with child; they would cart Anthony off to an asylum; and she could return to London. She was having none of it. After the wedding, they were on their way to the cottage Anthony had purchased in which they would spend their first weeks as a married couple, when they discovered, the carriage was not going where it should. Their next discovery was that they were locked in. Things went downhill from there.

This novel had a most unusual plot, followed by horrifying descriptions of the things that happened to the couple, and to Anthony and his comrades. His friends from the war all conspired to assist Arabella and her father in finding Anthony and rectifying the wrong that had been done. His friends knew her originally had not wanted to marry and had conspired to convince him it was a good idea, and then later, helped Arabella rescue him. It had all worked so well that they thought they should assist one another in achieving the same happiness. Arabella was an obstinate character, totally in love with her husband, and able to think on her feet. She managed to see him rescued and had found and taken evidence that would convict his tormentors. The plot was excellent: deeper than is normally found in this type of romance. The descriptions pertinent tot he time were excellent and the supporting cast of characters were entertaining and useful. It was a job well done. I loved it.

I was invited to read a free ARC of The Accidental Duke by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #netgalley #theaccidentalduke

Major Anthony Bartlett, the Marquess of Rockingham, loses his arm in the battle of Waterloo. Returning to London traumatised from his wartime experiences, his father believes that he needs to be committed to an asylum as he is not able to face his responsibilities as a future duke. His father wants him to marry but Anthony does not want a woman to seal her fate with his. Lady Arabella does not want to marry but when she meets Anthony, having been betrothed to his older, now deceased brother, she finds herself drawn to him. She understands him and the pain that he is going through. When they marry, the duke has Anthony imprisoned, and her only way to save him is to call on his friends, who have formed the ‘Matchmaking Men of Waterloo’ group as a way to draw their friends together with future brides.
Both Arabella and Anthony, make for a great couple with Arabella so caring of Anthony and his struggles. With her, he finds strength and with Anthony, Arabella feels strong and valued. Whilst I found Anthony a difficulty character to first warm to, the pairing of this couple, made for a lovely romance. The secondary characters were well integrated into this storyline, giving added depth to a great story. The realities of war are not hidden in this story but dealt with extreme sensitivity.
I receive an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.