This is a fake dating regency romance that's also incredibly romantic.
I liked that this was about intimacy more than just sex. I think intimacy is very underrated in romance and I think its an important part of love. That's why I was so intrigued about this from the synopsis and I'm glad to report that I was not disappointed.
Britton weaves a tale of grieving the loss of a husband, fake courtship and finding new love. I was swept away with the romantic relationship between the hero and the heroine. It had sugar and spice, and everything I like.
I would say if you're a fan of the novel, When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn this is the book for you!

Really loving this series so far!

Daniel Hayle, the Duke of Carlisle, has come to the Isle of Synne with his mother. He is extremely awkward in social settings and after being scarred in the war, he worries he will never find a bride. Someone who won’t be scared of his scars or how awkward he is around others.

Margery Kitteredge is a widow still in mourning ever though it’s been several years since he husband died in battle. She receives a letter claiming that he husband tried to desert his the army unless she pays them a large sum of money, money she doesn’t have. Then along comes Daniel, someone who needs a little help to learn the ropes of society and how to go about finding a bride. Margery offers to help him in exchange for money, which she will use to pay her blackmailers.

Daniel and Margery both had a life full of hardships and heartache. But when you add attraction and a healthy dose of meddling from Lady Tesh, you end up with a sweet love story!
This is the third book in the Isle of Synne series but if you’d like to start at the beginning, pick up A Good Duke is Hard to Find and Someday My Duke Will Come!

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

Daniel Hayle, Duke of Carlisle and Margery Kitteridge vowed to never marry for love. Daniel because his fiancé left him and Margery because her first and true love, her husband, passed away way to young. Daniel also carries visible scars on his body from the war, so no woman is going to fall in love with him, which suits him just fine. That is until he meets Margery. She doesn’t seem to be bothered by his scars. But he needs help finding a wife before he returns to London and Margery has agreed to help him as she needs money to pay off the blackmailer. As Margery introduces him to every single woman on the isle, they both begin to realize that there isn’t a woman he’s interested in other than Margery. Will these two overcome the barriers to their heart and embrace the love they have for each other, or will the blackmailer keep them apart?

This is a very sweet story about two people who didn’t want to engage their hearts only to have them broken. Margery’s care, support and love for Daniel showed through the pages as did his for her. But with so many barriers to overcome, it took them a while to realize how much they meant to each other. The author did a good job in developing their relationship and their feelings. I was a bit disappointed with the resolution of the blackmailer. That fell a bit flat for me, but it doesn’t take away from the love story. Very well done.

Such a wonderful book full of laughter and a refreshing look at the time period. Many twists and turns will keep you reading late into the night. I so enjoyed the journey!

Why have I deprived myself of Regency Romance for so long...

A Duke Worth Fighting For, Isle of Synne book #3, is a welcomed addition to this series. The reader finally learns more about Margery and her broken heart after the loss of her husband in Waterloo. Since his death, she has vowed to never remarry or to let love seep back into her heart.

Enter Daniel, a duke, who's social skills are less than to be desired, is in search of a wife. Visibly scarred from the battle and socially awkward, Daniel and Margery, gallivant across the isle is search of women to take his hand. Both terrified of love, they blossom into companions each a protector of the others feelings.

Can what he's searching for be standing right in front him? I strongly recommend you read this series in order, to fully understand the isle and the characters. A Duke Worth Fighting For is a lively read with flawed characters, emotions and the serene setting of the Isle of Synne.

Let's hope the author pens many more books in this series.. Thank you NetGalley and Forever for the complimentary copy.

‘To protect the dukedom from an incompetent and greedy cousin, Daniel Hayle, 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.

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.’
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3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars.

A Duke Worth Fighting For is the third book in the Isle of Synne series by Christina Britton and is a historical romance.

This is the first book in the series I have read and actually my first from this author. I didn’t have any trouble enjoying the characters or plot due not reading the two previous books in the series, so I would say this book can serve as a stand alone.

It’s a Beauty -and-the-Beast style story, which I always enjoy. The story was sweet and I liked the main characters, although I didn’t find them incredibly compelling. I think the book started off really strong and enjoyed the ending when the pressing mysteries of the book came together, but I did feel that it lagged a bit in the middle. The middle is largely Daniel being introduced to and attempting to get to know a revolving list of young ladies and I didn’t find that part of the book to be very engaging, but things picked up again and the booked nicely.

I found it refreshing that this story was a reversal of the typical male lead who takes the lead both socially and romantically and serves as the protector of those around him, especially the women. In this book, however, Daniel is awkward and reserved and relies on Margery to ease his introductions through Synne society. He is also inexperienced romantically and reticent to face rejection and so Margery takes the more active than passive role here as well. Lastly, when others are disrespectful or dismissive of Daniel due to his scars or cane, she aims to protect and defend him from such treatment, even when he won’t do so for himself. I also appreciated that Daniel’s tendency toward being awkward in company was due more to his nature than merely from feeling self-conscious and inadequate due to his injuries, although they were still a factor.

I would read more by this author and plan to go back and read the previous books in the series to read more of Margery’s family.
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I would like to thank Forever, Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for sharing an eARC of A Duke Worth Fighting For with me. This is my honest review.

This book has a tortured, cinnamon roll, virgin hero and wannabe matchmaker, poor but proud, grieving widow. It's got a true, All Is Lost, How Will They Every Get over This? moment, and a final payoff. It's sweet and angst and lovely.

A widow vows to never love again. A Duke scarred and crippled from wounds at Waterloo, needs a wife and heir. She volunteers to find him a wife within four weeks for a price.. She desperately needs money to pay a blackmailer.. Meeting all the single young ladies on the isle of Synne, none interests him as much as the widow. The Duke's nightmare and confession drive a wedge between he and the widow. Only the truth from another nightmare and a blackmailer will free them for a happy ending. Grabbed my attention from the first page.

Yay! Its time for Marjorie's book!

Christina Britton does it again with the third installment in the Isle of Synne series! I've been looking forward to this book for a while, and to me, it didn't disappoint. I appreciate that this book was a little quieter compared to the previous two. I felt like that suited this heroine much better.

The Duke of Carlisle was also a nice historical hero. The grump to her sunshine, and I love that dynamic always. He felt like a beast to her beauty as well, and that is the kind of thing I just eat up like candy. Truly a gem.

Can't wait to see what else comes from this author!

What a great conclusion to this series. Margery has been a favorite character of mine from the beginning so it was great to finally get her full story. It was easy to love awkward, scarred Daniel as well. Lots of angst for these two, as they fall in love. And good plot twists/surprises, I couldn't read fast enough.
I'm sad the series is ending but I'm looking forward to reading it all over again.

Daniel, now the Duke of Carlisle, was wounded while serving at the battle of Waterloo. He has come to Synne to practice his social skill before having to head to London. Where he'll have to spend time around the ton if he wants to find a wife. Someone who won't be scared off by his scars.

Margery, still mourning the passing of her husband, has just received a blackmail letter accusing her husband of desertion. Not sure how she'll pay off the blackmailer, she offers to help the Duke find a bride. She just never imagined beginning attracted to someone other than her husband.

Thanks so much to Forever, the author and NetGalley for this ARC to review.

Some books use a plot device of a widow, separated from some portion (or all) of her family, who gets blackmailed to preserve the husband's reputation and falls for the man who ends up helping her figure out the truth behind the blackmail. Some books use a character who has been injured mentally and/or physically in war and tries to reintegrate into the Society he left, or one who has been mentally and/or physically abused and must overcome something relating to that. Christina Britton's "A Duke Worth Fighting For" uses all of these devices, and blends them together into a brilliant and cohesive whole. I never felt like she was trying to fit too much into one book, things didn't feel rushed or simplified or left hanging at the end. Margery never plans on falling in love again because she feels it would be disloyal to the memory of her husband Aaron. Daniel doesn't plan to let his emotions become involved in a marriage because that only opens him up to pain and betrayal. Naturally, these plans don't last long past their meeting. But Britton does an excellent job making their mental turnarounds feel believable and puts both her main characters through hell before they get to work towards their happily ever after. It was a very believable and deeply moving plot. I also appreciated that it was Daniel who suffered physically and emotionally at the hands of an abuser when he was a child- he doesn't get to be the perfect, strong man but someone very real and very sincerely struggling with his issues.

An emotionally complex and heartfelt book, well written and a great red.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Mrs Margery Kitteridge has mourned the loss of her husband, Aaron, at Waterloo, for the past four years. She's seen her friends and family find love and happiness, and she loves spending time with them, and her grandmother, on Synne, but can never imagine remarrying. When she receives a letter from a would be blackmailer, claiming that Aaron was a coward, shot down while fleeing on the battlefield, and that the truth would be spread far and wide unless she pays £100, Margery is in a panic. How will she raise the money, without telling her family, and besmirching Aaron's good name? Well, when her grandmother invites her friend, the Dowager Duchess of Carlisle, and her son, Daniel, the current Duke to stay, Margery has an idea. Daniel needs to marry, but his injuries following Waterloo have left him scarred and injured, and the jibes from his vindictive cousin have left deeper scars inside. He can't imagine going to London and facing the ton and matchmaking mamas, so when Margery offers to help him navigate the local society, with a view to find a bride on the island, for only £100, he jumps at the chance. But the longer that Daniel and Margery spend in each other's company, it's clear that the only person Daniel has met who he's interested in marrying is Margery, who only wants one night with him - or does she?

This book was glorious. Ever since we met Margery in book 1, I've always had a little bit of a soft spot for her, so when I learnt that she would be having her own story in A Duke Worth Fighting For, I immediately sent off an email requesting a copy, and was overjoyed when I arrived in by inbox. Both of the main characters here were hurt by war, and by Waterloo. Margery has mourned her lost husband for years now, and still is in half mourning dress. She's told everyone she will never marry and forget Aaron, and being a godmother to her friend's children is the best thing for her. But she is lonely, and she wants what Lenora and Clara have, but how can she do that? Even meeting Daniel, she's immediately drawn to him, and can't stop thinking about him, but the guilt at forgetting Aaron is always on her mind. Having an affair with Daniel should be enough to itch the scratch, and get over him, but soon one night, turns into multiple, and they are vulnerable with each other in a way they've never been with anyone else. Daniel, for his part, hates being Duke, and hates the way his injuries, and the taunts from his cousin, make him feel. He is socially awkward, and thinks that he won't be able to find someone to tolerate him enough to beget an heir, let alone find love and happiness. Margery's plan is perfect, until it's clear he wants her and no one else. I loved the slow burn of the romance, and the sheer chemistry between the characters. They might just be my favourite in the series, and the growth we see in all characters from the beginning of A Good Duke Is Hard to Find, is perfect! I love Christina's books and characters, and can't wait for her next story!

This was a beautiful novel of two people learning to love again and providing strength to another person. I absolutely adored this novel! Christina Britton has a calming way of crafting her story and characters with such care and thought that the reader is instantly drawn into the world and invested in the character lives. Britton's writing is well paced, accessible and wonderfully drawn out. Britton's tone is amusing and earnest as she creates the situations that will drive the hero and heroine towards their ultimate HEA and it is done with such ease that the reader feels taken care of and invested in the adventure.

Margery is a widow who is determined not to marry in honor of her love for her late husband. She is a strong and independent woman, she has a very kind heart and a love and loyalty for her family that is unbending. Daniel is a war hero who has been left with physical and emotional scars that have affected his confidence and he has returned from the battle at Waterloo with an unexpected Dukedom in his responsibility. When these two meet attractions do emerge as well as a little misunderstanding of Margery's reaction to Daniel's visible scaring, but this is all quickly cleared up and they enter into a beneficial arrangement. Margery is in need of a sum of money and Daniel is in need of a wife (and would prefer to find one before he returns to London). Margery convinces Daniel to hire her on to help him find the perfect wife and from here they both work very closely together in pursuit of both their goals.

Watching Margery and Daniel build a friendship of trust and respect is so beautiful. They both are equals and learn how to use their strengths to help the other. I love watching Daniel's social awkwardness and Margery be absolutely charmed by it. I loved watching them both learn to provide the other with what they needed at any given moment. I love that they are both a friendly and listening ear, that they do not judge the other, that they give strength and care as they both begin to open up their hearts to new experiences and feelings. Their love is able to build upon these strong foundations and their physical explorations are sensual and gloriously trusting. Britton has done a lovely job of crafting this tale of two people who learn to want more out of life, who learn to better stand up for themselves, and learn that love is boundless.

This is a definite recommendation from me, Britton's writing is delightful, it is woven together with wonderful tropes, with beautiful and strong characters, with a care for her readers as well as her characters and the situations that surround them. (Christina Britton has listed any content notes or warnings on her website and a page at the front of this book gives that information to her readers.) Definitely do yourself a favor and pick up this story and the other beautiful stories in this series!

This book follows the tale of Daniel and Margery. The whole series is wonderful, so I would definitely recommend the series. A Duke Worth Fighting For can absolutely be read alone though. The topics in this story can be intense and heartbreaking, so be prepared for a roller coaster of emotion. Everyone has things they have to deal with and accept, some are just more visible than others.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. The book held my interest and I didn't want to put it down. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

A good story. Danielle is injured and scarred from his time serving at Waterloo. He needs to find a bride to fulfill his duties to the Dukedom. Marjorie has been mourning the death of her husband at Waterloo for the past four years. A matchmaking scheme by his mom and her grandmother has thrown them together. The story is touching and poignant as it deals with flashbacks from war and the loss of a loved one. There is still lots to enjoy as they have fun getting to know each other and explore their feelings. The ending is really beautiful as it is very light and hope filled.

Christina, you have outdone yourself. I have enjoyed all of your books but these last two are something special. A tortured hero is my catnip and Daniel is so tortured it takes it to a whole new level. These war heroes are so hurt that is breaks my heart and they are to be revered. Who can love a broken man with scars? I tell you who can, all women who are not superficial. Christina brings these people into our lives with amazing writing and beautiful stories. Daniel and Margery’s journey through life is heartbreaking but will leave with you hope and knowing there is always love. Tissue warning!

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. A Duke Worth Fighting For by Christina Britton is the third book in her charming Isle of Synne series.
It can be read as a stand-alone. The couples from the first two books feature as secondary characters in this book but not in such a way that you would feel like you were missing something if you had not read the previous books. Dowager Lady Tesh is back at her matchmaking shenanigans, this time with the help of her old friend, the Duchess of Carlisle; her intended targets are her granddaughter widowed Margery Kitteredge and Daniel Hayle, Duke of Carlisle. The Dowagers have their work cut out for them because Margery has no plans to marry again and indeed is still in mourning for her husband, who was killed at Waterloo. And when his engagement ended after this fiancee saw the wounds he sustained during the battle of Waterloo, Daniel has decided to look for a bride willing to settle for a marriage of convenience. He needs an heir to ensure his nasty cousin never inherits but is reluctant to risk his heart again. Margery, in need of funds to pay off a blackmailer threatening to tarnish her husband's reputation, offers to be his conjugality coordinator and time spent together speaking a bride for him, has both of them re-thinking just what it is they want in life. I enjoyed this story, and the twists and turns will keep you intrigued till the very last page and the well-deserved HEA. Steam Level: Medium. Publishing Date: August 24, 2021. #ADukeWorthFightingFor #ChristinaBritton #ForeverGrandCentral Publishing #HistoricalRomance #NetGalley #HistoricalRomanceReader #IsleOfSynneSeries #FriendsToLovers #bookstagram #bookstagrammer

A Duke Worth Fighting For
Book 3 in the Isle of Synne Series
Rating: 3 stars
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.

A Duke Worth Fighting For fell a little flat for me. It's not a bad story but I just felt that it was too slow paced and that nothing much happened. Honestly I was a little bored towards the end. I did like both leads but I just felt their romance was a little lackluster.
I did like the premise of the story. Who doesn't like a wounded hero who is trying to overcome the tragedies of his past and a heroine who deserves a second chance at falling in love?
I hope there is a fourth book in the series because I did enjoy a little more the previous two books of the series.

It took me a bit to get into this one- I think it was just life going on not the book- I really enjoyed this series and was glad to go back to this cute small sea side town. This is not a slow burn with fiends to lovers fast.
The Duke will win you over with him trying to find a bride before he has to go to London and try there. Love the Grandmother, dogs, side characters from book one and two. Overall, an enjoyable book but it has more deeper topic like war/war injury/blackmail.

4 stars
3 steam


Thanks Forever for a copy of this book!