This author is new to me and this book is the third in a series. I think it would be a good idea to read the first two books because the characters do reappear several times. The story is about a socially awkward duke named Daniel who recently returned home from fighting Napoleon. He has physical and psychological injuries. Margery is a war widow. The story takes place on an island and there are lots of interesting characters about. There are matchmaking matrons, an evil cousin, loyal servants, insensitive neighbors, eligible young ladies, a blackmailer and a large unruly dog named Mouse. Daniel and Margery eventually get together and help each other heal.
The story obviously has some sadness but the ending is very happy. I think that the blackmail plot wasn't really necessary, but the book was overall a great read. I also think that the purple cover design is especially gorgeous.

I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Starring Mrs Margery Kitteridge and Daniel Hale, Duke of Carlisle.

Trope: Matchmaker (Conjugality coordinator), Widow, Beauty and the Beast, Beta Hero, Socially awkward hero, and Virgin hero.

Oh my heart this was good… another winner from the amazing Christina Britton!! A beauty and the beast re-telling that’s definitely going on my favorite list.

Daniel was so endearing in his awkwardness to blend in with society. Not only is he self-conscious about his scars… but he knows he lacks the suaveness to attract potential brides. Honestly, I just wanted to bask in his shyness… he was absolutely wonderful.

Margery was a wonderfully strong heroine… but not overpoweringly so. I love that she continuously defended Daniel when people couldn’t see beyond his scars… and took him to task when he berated himself. She was his champion and I loved that about her.

Together these two were a match made in storybook heaven. Daniel and Margery’s road to HEA me happy!! I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

There’s a little bit of intrigue in the storyline, but it didn’t detract from the romance.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily review it and the comments are 100% my own.

My rating system: 4 1/2 stars
Book was great. Loved the characters. Storyline kept me entertained. Gave me the feels and aaaaaaalmost made me cry in some parts.

✨✨✨Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book!✨✨✨

This was a quietly sweet romance about a former soldier who fought in Waterloo and a widow whose husband died in that battle.

Daniel and Margery meet when Daniel is visiting the Isle of Synne, hoping to find a wife before returning to London. He doesn’t want to marry anyone who will expect anything from him emotionally and Margery doesn’t wish to marry again. Margery offers to help Daniel navigate the social functions at Synne and find a bride… for a price.

I will say there was a lot in this book that was predictable. It was also definitely not action-packed. However, if you are in the mood for a quiet, sweet historical romance, this might hit the spot. There was anything groundbreaking or unique in this story, but it was still mostly entertaining.

I will probably try out some more Christina Britton novels in the future, but this is not a new favorite. Others will definitely enjoy it much more than I did, I’m sure, though.

Loved this book! A truly beautiful love story.

This author is a now a must-read for me. The couple had a depth between them that really made the story believable. Also, the respect between them really drew me in. The end left me sighing contentedly.

A scarred Duke and a widow fight their attraction as he searches for a wife. However, the woman he wants is right under his nose. A delightful story!

This is a review for A Duke Worth Fighting For by Christina Britton.

Daniel is a war hero second son who becomes the Duke when his brother has a tragic accident. He was at Waterloo and nearly died in the battle. As a result, he has many scars, physical and otherwise, and walks with a cane. The woman he was supposed to marry, who supposedly loved him, turned up her nose at him once she saw his scars.

Margery is a widow who deeply loved her husband. Childhood sweethearts, Aaron goes off to war and tragically dies in battle. Margery swears to never love or marry again, as she sees this as a sign of disrespect to Aaron's memory.

Daniel's mother and Margery's grandmother work together to pair the two together, unbeknownst to them. Margery offers her services to find him a wife within a month to pay off a blackmailer who claims her beloved husband was a deserter. Daniel, assuming no woman will want to marry him, whether due to his scars or social ineptitude is up for debate, so he gladly takes her up on her offer. They spend a lot of time together and fall in love.

I enjoyed the story in many ways. It was medium steam (he's a virgin!), so I would have preferred more, but it was still a fun read. It's lovely how Margery defends him and convinces him to stand up for himself, especially against his terrible cousin.

My one thing that annoyed me is Margery and the whole "I cannot love again because I loved my dead husband so much". Honor his memory, but don't throw your life away on someone who has passed and cannot be there with you. This just isn't a trope I'm into.

I'd give this a rating of 4-stars.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

A Duke Worth Fighting For by Christina Britton is book Three in the Isle of Synne. I have read the previous books but felt it could be a standalone book if you wish to do so. This was a very good romance story that kept me turning the pages. I do plan on reading more from this author in the future.

Although I loved the first two books in this series, this one solidified Christina Britton as one of my favorite Historical Romance writers. The characters, pacing, and emotion were so well done that I didn’t want the story to end, and I’m hoping (as it’s been hinted by the author) that the series will be more than a trilogy so we can return to the alluring Isle of Synne in the future.

The kind and resilient Lady Margery Kitteridge stood out from book one, and therefore I was so ready for her to get a book of her own. It was lovely seeing her and Daniel heal and find their match in one another, as after the hardships they endured they deserved their happy ending. Let’s just say I teared up more than once during the course of this book!

I also loved the tropes and how they were woven together. If you’re a fan of any of the following in romance, I’d suggest picking up this book and this series ASAP: matchmaking and widowed heroine, battle-scarred and virgin hero, just-once-won’t-hurt-so-it’s-out-of-our-system… need I say more?

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via Netgalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I have thoroughly enjoyed all the Isle of Synne books and Christina Britton has become if my favorite authors!

I love a matchmaking grandma, and Lady Tesh does it best. Daniel was such a great awkward hero. Margery was such a sweet and sunshiney character despite her previous heartbreak. It's so nice to read a love story about two people who are just good and sweet. This was a slow burn story and I loved every moment if it.

Though still young and attractive, Margery Kitteridge has no intention of remarrying, as she continues to mourn her beloved husband, who was killed at the Battle of Waterloo. Daniel Hayle is disfigured by wartime scars and lacks the sophistication and self-confidence to woo a wife. But when Margery receives a blackmail letter demanding money she does not have, and when Daniel recognizes the need for an heir now that he has succeeded his brother as Duke of Carlisle, she offers to help him find a bride in return for money to pay the blackmailer. The trouble with this plan is that they are attracted to each other from the start, and as they get to know each other better, that attraction only grows stronger.

This, the third in the Isle of Synne Regency series, is a variant on the tale of Beauty and the Beast. Although Margery’s reluctance to seek the help of friends and Daniel’s sense of insecurity can seem frustratingly excessive, both are caring characters whose efforts to conquer their fears and insecurities win our sympathy. The location of the isle is disconcertingly vague, and its idyllic nature may account for the idiosyncrasies of many of its characters, but readers looking for a sentimental love story of two lonely people finding the happiness together that they deserve will find much to enjoy.
HNR, Issue 97 (August 2021)

I’ve loved every book so far in the Isle of Synne series and this book met all of my expectations. Daniel needs a bride and Margery, a widow, misses intimacy. She will help him navigate the social scene while they have an affair. Of course it’s not as simple as they planned. They have an unexpected connection through her husband and both need to get over their pasts in order to have a future. Such well written characters with a delightful romance was th eperfect break from the world that I needed. The book was entertains and well written and I couldn’t put it down.

Ah, this book! such a sweet slow burn it is. the thing is, my heart went out to both Margery and daniel alike and that happens very rarely. even poor Aaron. very very heartwarming.

What I loved - the whole tortured soul of Margery, with the idea of not betraying her late husband's memory but not hurling herself into the pits of repair either. I like she has been enjoying life, has cheer, and is surrounded by loved ones. I loved the vulnerable scenes of Daniel especially when he is called upon for difficult activities like stairs, walking, and whatnot. but it is done in such a light way you consider it as a normal day in his life. even the beach walk scene with Miss Pickering was done nicely.

and the most? Lady Tesh of course! oh, bring on all the matchmaking grandmas my way!!!

what I didn't love. - not much!

trigger warning: light trauma, PTSD, references to war scenes, and death.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this.
I really enjoyed this instalment in the series. I found the plot, characters and conclusion quite interesting, and it kept me guessing the whole way through. The relationships Daniel and Margery had with their family and the resolutions that were made after death, were pretty touching, and added depth to the story.
I liked the chemistry between them, and I really admired their personalities in general. For a historical romance, this was everything it promised to be.

The Isle of Synne - 1819

Mrs. Margery Kitteridge has received a blackmail letter saying her late husband, Aaron, was not a hero, but a coward. The blackmailer is demanding 100 pounds which Margery does not have. Many men who had fought at Waterloo live on the island. Her father had been against her marrying Aaron saying he was just a blacksmith’s son. Defying him resulted in him cutting her off and disowning her.

Margery is staying with her grandmother, the dowager Viscountess Tesh, who has invited her good friend, Helen, the dowager Duchess of Carlisle. When the Duchess arrives to visit, she brings her son, Daniel Hayle, the Duke of Carlisle. The man is scarred and walks with a cane from injuries he received at Waterloo. Margery’s grandmother wants her to introduce Daniel to society as he is in search of a wife. She offers to help him in exchange for 100 pounds secretly to pay her blackmailer. She will be his Conjugality Coordinator.

Daniel’s scars are a turnoff for many of the young women to whom Margery introduces him. However, she does not find his scars offensive, rather he is a kind and handsome man. But she has vowed to never marry again so she denies her attraction to him.

Daniel is also living with guilt that makes him feel as though he does not deserve happiness in life. Margery is such a strong and positive woman and is determined to help Daniel find happiness.

What a delightful story and I loved it. Such strong and real characters. The angst that both Margery and Daniel lived with in their lives is so sad and no one should suffer their pain. My favorite part is that we have a historical romance with no spies or people working undercover for the Crown! For me, that is such a plus making this a true historical romance.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I enjoyed reading this addition to the Isle of Synne series, this time with Margery Kitteridge, a widow who finds herself blackmailed over his dead husband's reputation. This starts out a major plot point and definitely leads to some drama, but it becomes rather secondary to her concerns about getting involved with another man as a betrayal of her husband's memory. It is definitely a much slower, quieter romance than I expected from that initial plot point.

I greatly enjoy wounded hero stories, so this was a good fit for my interests. Daniel is wounded, suffering from PTSD, and childhood emotional abuse, so he doubts himself and his value a lot in the book. This means there are definitely times when he behaves in potentially frustrating ways, but I found him endearing and cheered for the two to get past their issues. Moreover, I loved watching him learn to value himself and his desires. He is a nice break from some of the domineering dukes in other books.

You do not need to have read the previous books to enjoy this one, but the characters stop in, so it adds to the experience to know them.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

his series continues to blow me away! This is the third book in the Isle of Synne series. Margery Kitteridge has made an appearance in the first two books but we finally got her story!

Margery has been a widow for four years. She isn’t looking for find another husband or move on, but she misses having someone close. When her grandmother makes her show Daniel Hayle, Duke of Carlisle, the Isle.

What’s amazing about this story is Margery is the experienced, lovable, heart of gold, charming character. Daniel is your wallflower. And I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT. There is something perfect about wallflower love interests even more so when the rolls are flipped from the “norm.”

There is grief, healing, a connection between Margery’s late husband and Daniel, how moving forward doesn’t always mean moving on and best of all HUMOR. Witty characters are my kryptonite.

Christina Britton’s books will forever be on my auto buy list!

Let me begin by saying that this book, while being listed as book 3 in the series can be read as a stand alone. Yes, there are characters from the prior two novels that appear in this one, but it's not done in such a way that the reader is left feeling lost or as if they have missed something important.

As a widow myself, this story really resonated with me - Margery's journey to realizing she can love one without losing the love she had for the other is a lesson I'm still learning. I enjoyed watching her grow as a person, the way she defended Daniel against those who spoke ill of him, and all the little ways she fell in love without realizing it. I also enjoyed Daniel. His awkward social skills made him endearing (especially when you consider they came from his natural state of being and not due to his war injuries). I felt we saw a lot of character growth with him as well as he learned how to better navigate social interactions and the way he finally stood up for himself against oaf of a cousin.

The main issue that I had with this one was the fact that parts of it seemed to drag on to the point I found myself wanting to skip chapters entirely. At the end of the day, I feel like certain elements could have been left out altogether. Like the blackmail scheme for starters. There could have been many reasons for Margery to offer her help (one of which would be to dissuade her grandmother from attempting to match her with Daniel in the first place). And while I enjoyed seeing Margery stand up for Daniel, the constant meeting of different ladies I could have done without as well (one would have sufficed especially when you consider Daniel seemed to have no preference on bride at the start of the story).

There were however, a couple of well placed red herrings as to the truth of what happened in the past, and who was behind things that made for an interesting twist. I thought for sure I knew who was behind it, only to find out I was way off the mark.

All things considered, I do believe this novel will appeal to those who enjoy historical romances, as well as second chance romances. I would read more from this author!

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

, Duke of Carlisle, has promised to find a bride in London this season. But the idea of facing ballrooms and card parties is as intimidating as any battlefield in France, including the fight at Waterloo that left him terribly scarred. Perhaps a month on the Isle of Synne can provide him with the practice necessary to find a wife who can tolerate him enough to give him an heir.
Promising his mother he would find someone to marry and produce an heir.

While traveling in Synne, Daniel met Margery who needs money to protect her last husband name convinced Daniel to hire her to help find his bride.


Margery Kitteridge has been mourning her husband for four years, and while she's not ready to consider marriage again, she does miss intimacy with a partner. When Daniel asks for help navigating Synne's social scene, and they accidentally kiss, she realizes he's the perfect person with whom to have an affair. As they begin to confide in one another, Daniel discovers that he's unexpectedly connected to Margery's late husband, and she will have to decide if she can let her old love go for the promise of a new one.

Daniel and Margery have to find out who is blackmailing her. Working together and getting closer. Daniel realized Margery husband is the man he save deserting his troops.

Working together they realize the man blackmailing is exactly the one deserter.

Overall this is a emotional sentimental story of two people facing realistic challenges in their daily lives and overcoming them. I gave it four stars because in several areas the dialogue was too drawn out and slow. It caused me to lose interest. However, as I kept reading it would pickup again and would become quite satisfying.

I received an Advance Readers Copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read
Entertaining
Happily Ever After
Realistic

Rating more like 4.5 stars.

I was approved for an ARC of A Duke Worth Fighting For on Netgalley. I was really excited for the book, so I dove right in (or as soon as school allowed me anyway). The beginning was on the slow side, but once Margery and Daniel's romance took off, so did the pace of the book.

Daniel is socially awkward, and his anxiety is heightened by his experiences in way and worry about his scars. For most people, the first thing they see about him is his scars, and many are scared away. Margery doesn't see just his scars, but his beauty. As they get to know and trust each other, they realize that people aren't always what you expect. There romance was well done, and I always find it fun to read books with widows, as they were allowed more leeway in the romance department than debutants.

It was fun seeing some of the previous main characters getting their happily ever afters as Margery and Daniel worked towards theirs. Lots of cute babies, which is always a plus. I definitely enjoyed this book, and will read the next one when it comes out!