Finished this lovely romance with a happy sigh!! I absolutely loved the characters in this book. They made me laugh and smile at their teasing and fun with each other!

When Arabella’s family is rocked by a scandal, she must marry well to set her sister up for a great marriage. She believes she can offer a deal to Duke of Whittsley that he won’t be able to resist. He helps her find a husband for her sister, and she gives him the heir he needs. Then she will retire to the country to continue his life in the way he wants. Their marriage contract includes 10 agreements to make sure they stick to the rules. Neither expect that they will fall in love and how that might ruin their plans!!

Silas and Ari and fun characters. I don’t know how Michelle does it- but I adore the characters she writes!! Keep these books coming!!

Thanks Entangled for sending me a copy of this book so that I could read it!

What a great read! Likeable characters, witty banter, fun - what's not to love! An excellent book that I could not put down.

I did enjoy this book, particularly the humour between Arabella and Silas. Arabella was quite determined to help her younger sister in anyway she could, even if it meant doing some that would have been considered outrageous at the time. Arabella and Silas did have a list of rules to follow but as the old saying goes, rules are made to be broken! Silas has a secret that Arabella becomes anxious about. If only they had spoken to each other about their worries! This was an entertaining read with engaging characters. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝑵𝒆𝒕𝑮𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑷𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆-𝒂𝒓𝒄.


This a late review post but here it is ✨


𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭:

I always love it when books are fast paced alongside with the good writing. This is probably the recent Historical Romance I’ve read for so long and girl, I did missed this genre so much.

I enjoyed the marriage for convenience trope going on here, as well as adding of those rules which just made the trope more thrilling, intense and at the same time hilarious in some scenes.

I think the only part where I didn’t like was the whole miscommunication thing going on, I honestly despised that trope to be honest so that one was a missed.


𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬:

Arabella was indeed a fun and likeable character, I love how she chose the library which is like totally me and such a priority for both us. Aside from that, I also enjoyed how sound and striking her personality is which just made her more of a likeable heroine.

As for Silas, I also find him very endearing as how he cared for Arabella. He’s such a cinnamon roll and a fun character as well (adding him to my book boyfriend lol).

I also would love to read the story of the supporting characters especially Charlotte’s and some of the others, hopefully in the future if there is.


𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞:

Thé chemistry between the two characters is really there, I love how they easily go along with each other and their communication as well as their rules chiche was really hilarious in some scenes.

I just hoped that there were more of a fluffy and steamy scenes to be honest because I think it was kind of lacking for me.

𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥:

This was a fun read. I would love to read more of the author’s book. Totally recommend and definitely will reread soon as ✨.

If you are in the mood for a charming and delightful novel then look no further than Ten Rules for Marrying a Duke. This is such a sweet and lovely, low angst romance that starts out as a marriage of convenience but blossoms into so much more. Michelle McLean weaves together a story with endearing characters, satisfying situations, appealing banter and pleasantly sensual moments. McLean's writing is engaging and softly paced, perfect for this light hearted romance.

This romance is between Arabella, a bookish wallflower who has no desire to appease society until scandal befalls her family, and Silas, a duke who is being pressured by his grandfather to provide his estate with an heir. Arabella sees the perfect opportunity to enter into a marriage of convenience that will be beneficial to both the Duke and herself. But first they must set forth some rules for them to fall in order to stay the course for both their desires.

I really enjoyed both our characters and the dynamics that they both had with each other. I feel like they were both the perfect foil for the other and watching them test each other was just delightful. Arabella, although bookish, can be strong in her opinions and stand up for herself when she needs to. She is also a quietly strong character with a heart of gold when it comes to the people she loves. Silas, may come across as carefree, but he truly has an open and kind heart for those around him. Watching Silas become gently enamored with Arabella was so heart warming. Michelle balances banter and sensuality very delightfully as these two fall more and more in love with each other and I found the heat level to be a nice and moderate one that you would anticipate in a historical romance.

I would definitely recommend if you are in the mood for a nice and easy read that will put a smile on your face. Michelle's writing is quickly engaging, her characters interesting, and I am definitely looking forward to exploring more of her work and watching her grow in her craft.

Ten Rules for Marrying a Duke is a fun and flirty, sexy and funny marriage of convenience story which will have you laughing and reading way past your bedtime. I loved it! I found it totally engrossing and didn’t want to put it down. Arabella Bromley needed someone to marry quickly in order to save her family’s reputation and Silas Spencer fit the bill. She literally stumbles into him and before the end of the day she has a marriage contract of 10 rules to get her sister married to an appropriate suitor and he gets an heir. What they didn’t count on is that they totally loved the process of heir-making and each other’s company.

What made this story work so well for me were the two main characters, Silas and Arabella. Their banter with one another was fun from their first encounter negotiating the rules, and every one after that, they just loved to tease one another. But more than that they began to care for one another and didn’t realize that they wanted more from this arrangement but was afraid to ask for it. I fell in love with Silas even more when he gave Arabella a choice about their rules and let her have the final say on whether or not to continue and made him such a good guy in my eyes.

With a small bit of intrigue and a good cast of supporting characters, this book was superb. I highly recommend this story even if you aren’t a historical reader because the story was just so enjoyable.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining read! Extremely well-written with well-developed, interesting and wonderfully entertaining characters, this story is filled with emotion and humor. The hero and heroine were perfect! This is a sweet romance with just the right amount of romance that will leave you totally satisfied and wanting more. I highly recommend this book.

I loved this writing! The characters were so cute and immediately drew me in and I loved their dialogue. The only thing that wasn't my favorite were the sex scenes-I was expecting them to be more literal, but these tended a little toward more old-school vague-ness (and shortness!). Unique premise and enjoyable read.

Thank you NetGalley for a fun read. Arabella does not want to be married but she wants to help her sister make a good match. Her older sister married a groom so options are poor for her younger sister. The Duke of Whittsley does not want to marry but his grandfather is pressing him about having a heir. Arabella has the idea to make a deal with the duke that he will help her find a husband for her sister and she will provide an heir. When these points are completed she will retire to the country and he can go back to his life. This is all easier said than done. They marry and then find they are having too much fun together. They each think about sticking to their rules but it just does not seem to be working out for them.

This book is like a warm hug tucked between bookends of witty charm and laugh-out-loud humor. I don't think I stopped smiling the entire time I was reading. I'd never read Michelle McLean before this but after finishing Ten Rules for Marrying a Duke, I want to read everything she's ever written.

McLean plunges the reader straight into the story with a "meet cute" that immediately captured my interest, followed by a proposition (proposal?) that sealed the deal. I was captivated within the first few pages and knew I would not be putting this book down anytime soon.

Silas and Arabella fairly leaped from the pages. These two were so wonderfully developed, with quirks and flaws and good hearts beneath it all. They have such a great dynamic with Arabella charging so delightfully and unexpectedly into Silas's life and taking him by surprise at every turn. Silas, in return, turns all of Arabella's notions on their head, in the best possible way. I loved their rules. The scene where they concoct them - with Arabella's good friend acting as skeptical scribe - is hilarious and watching them do their best to adhere to them (when they aren't breaking them) is an absolute delight. They are both so sure of what they want from life - love is not on the list - but sparkle so sweetly as they finally discover the joys of opening their hearts (following the requisite misunderstanding and a bit of angst).

Their chemistry is off the charts and the steam they generate is creative, explosive, and a bundle of fun. What these two can get up to in a carriage, behind a leafy tree, and in dark corners of a ballroom kept me gloriously entertained and grinning from ear to ear.

The secondary cast of characters are also richly depicted, adding humor and emotion to the overall story. I like that everyone was given a happy ending while at the same time not downplaying the bumpy road ahead for those who ran afoul of society's strictures.

If you're a fan of Tessa Dare or Julia Quinn, this book should be right up your reading alley. Like books by both of the afore-mentioned authors, I have no doubt Ten Rules for Marrying A Duke will be a book I turn to more than once when needing an uplifting dose of laughter, sizzle, fun antics, and joyful happily ever after.

4.5 Stars
ARC received for fair and unbiased review

When her family name is in ruins, a bookish and determined spinster makes a deal with an intrigued and incorrigible Duke to produce an heir in return for his help in finding a suitable husband for her sister.

Miss Arabella “Ari” Bromley will sacrifice everything to make her youngest sister happy. Even wed a stranger and have his heir. What she doesn’t anticipate is that the very charming Duke of Whittsley would accept her proposition, be a noble and thorough champion for her family, and stir something in her that she never expected.

Lord Silas Spencer, Duke of Whittsley, does not want to be married, but when the beautiful and intriguing Ms. Arabella Bromley literally falls into his arms and proposes an offer that might just get his grandfather off his back, he concedes. To his chagrin, the more time he spends with his new wife, the more he doesn’t want to follow all of the rules in the marriage contract. He can’t have feelings for her. It wasn’t part of the agreement, and he has a secret that would ruin everything.

Arabella and Silas bring out the best in each other with their teasing banter and strong attraction. When Arabella gets nervous, having Silas nearby seems to calm her. And the more time Silas spends with Arabella, the more comforted and settled he becomes. Arabella is an introvert who would rather read books than attend balls. Silas is an extrovert who is very mischievous, funny and, likes attention. They may be opposites, but once they become hitched, they can’t keep their hands off each other. The respect and admiration they discover for each other are captivating. There are some troubling times with a secret Silas has held for years, but all is revealed, feelings are expressed, and a happily ever after is found.

The patient and loyal Charlotte is a great companion for Arabella, especially when she has to chaperone and keep the exuberant couple in line for propriety’s sake. And Silas’s grandfather, Lord Mosley, is a hard nut to crack, but Arabella helps soften his relationship with his grandson.

I highly recommend this delightful opposites-attract historical romance trope which is witty, steamy and a testament that rules are meant to be broken.

For another lovely Michelle McLean recommendation, see my review for Hitched to a Gunslinger.

Thank you to Ms. McLean for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

10 Rules for Marrying a Duke was simply fantastic. Arabella Bromley hatched a plan to secure her sister a worthy husband after their older sisters scandalous behavior. All she needs is a respectable man to join in her efforts, and ALL will be settled.

Duke of Whittsley blantantly disregards the rules of the Ton. He's single, rakish and a respected Duke so what does he have to loose in playing into Arabella's scheme, only his heart. Together, they negotiate a list of 10 rules they will obey in marriage so she can secure her sister place in society. The chapters as they came to terms on their agreement were so full of fun banter and wittiness had me literally lost in laughter.

10 Rules of Marrying a Duke is enchanting, and absolute delight to read. Thank you Entangled Publishing and TLC Book Tours for the complimentary copy of the novel.

A MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE WITH GREAT BANTER

Marriage of convenience is a really underrated romance trope that I always enjoy when I finally happen upon it. This was done very well and made me smile.

👍 What I Liked 👍

Trope: Marriage of convenience deserves more attention in HR! It seems like a very plausible trope for the time, most marriages were marriages of convenience, so it's a shame that the trope isn't explored further. Here we have Arabella and Silas both need to get married - Arabella to save her family, Silas to continue his affable life. Their arrangement is purely for convenience, but romance blossoms between them soon enough. The trope really worked and I especially adored that Arabella was the instigator of the plot!

Chemistry: There was no denying the chemistry between Arabella and Silas. I am a sucker for easy, teasing banter between romantic partners, and Arabella and Silas certainly delivered in that aspect. Their attraction to one another was undeniable.

Easy: This was, first and foremost, just an easy, entertaining read. If you're expecting more than just romance and banter, you'll be disappointed. If you looking for sweet romance, this is just the book for you.

👎 What I Disliked 👎

Unsurprising: Yes, I liked that this was an easy read. I liked being able to turn off my brain and just enjoy the journey. But I would still have liked a single surprise or two somewhere along the road. Something I hadn't seen coming.

Inconsistent: There were a few inconsistent moments that nagged at me. For instance, the first time we meet Arabella we're told that she wears glasses. But never again after that point (at least, unless I missed it) were the glasses referred to again. I used to wear glasses and trust me, it's not something you don't notice throughout your life. Little things like that take away from the reading experience for me. It felt like a cheap ploy to make her diverse without wanting to go the full mile.

This book was fun at the beginning because they had great banter as they set the rules for their arrangement. It does stay fun later on while they spend time together, as they navigate their growing feelings for one another.

Arabella Bromley has a plan to fix the problem her older sister left for them. She knows she has to restore the family's reputation and the only way she sees that happening is to marry a particular duke she has in mind.

Silas, the Duke of Whittsley isn't one to follow the rules. So when Arabella presents him with her proposal, he finds himself willing to go along with her outrageous plan: he'll save her family, she'll give him an heir.

Once he's agreed they work together to set a few goals to keep them on track. They go about setting ten goals to keep them focused. But the one thing they didn't plan on was falling in love.

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

I genuinely liked this book. I thought the story was a perfect blend of fun but heartfelt. Arabella and Silas were easy to like and easy to fall for. They made a great couple that put many smiles on my face while dousing my heart with feels. A smartly crafted combination of emotion, drama, humor, heart and angst firmly tugs at your heartstring while keeping you eagerly turning those pages. A wonderful couple, plus an excellent story, equals one truly delightful romance.

A fun read, by a favorite author of mine. I am always a fan of the fake marriage trope, and this one proved different from so many others due to the way it all comes about. And it's always fun to see the characters set rules, which will inevitably be broken, in this case quite enjoyably by the Duke. While the rest of the story was fairly predictable, I found it more comforting rather than clichéd or unoriginal.

This is amusing and romantic. A different way of having a marriage of convenience turns into a fun story that will have you laughing out loud. Arabella and Silas are both ignoring the rules of society, and they're both enjoying themselves. They are likable people who I really loved. This is a must add to your TBR list.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.

This was one of those fun reads that you just could not put down!

Deciding the only way to say her family from scandal was a prominent marriage for herself, Arabella decides to make that happen… does she present herself to suitors at balls and events- heck no! She come up with a scheme to get an audience with the most marriage adversed duke in the ton and proposes a marriage of convenience wit him!

A wife and all the freedom from match making mamas, plus the necessary heir, all for the cost of one wife and the finding of a spouse for her sister… seems like a bargain!

But of course, the Duke of Whittsley and our bluestocking Arabella decide that they will need terms for this union… 10 rule to be precise!

I think may favourite part of the book was the amusing banter back and forth as these two come up with the perfect set of rules for this marriage of convenience… that, and when they start falling for each other!

The chemists between Whittsley and Arabella was a delight and kept this book in my hand until the end! I couldn’t get enough of these two bumbling over their feelings of love and inability to put their hearts out on limb for each other. So much uncertainty and angst for two who could not get enough of each other and spelled out their feelings over and over in their love actions.

This book was a treat and I can definitely think of ten reasons or more to read it!

Ten Rules for Marrying a Duke by Michelle McLean is scheduled to release February 14th, 2022.

I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from Entangled Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.


#TenRulesforMarryingaDuke #MichelleMclean #NetGalley #pinkcowlandreads

This has a plot we've seen before in historical romances but the characters make this an enjoyable read.
This a short read for a historical (approximately 300 pages) but I think it suits the story. There aren't a lot of complicated plot points and the characters are straightforward, so there aren't many loose ends or plot points to tie up.
The marriage of convenience trope works here because of the main characters' chemistry and banter. It added life to the story and kept this a pleasant read.
My only issue would be the miscommunication trope towards the end. I'm not a particular fan of this trope (I have yet to encounter anyone who does haha) but I think the novel relied too heavily on it towards the end. Again, this is a typical HR trope so I can't really complain too much.
Overall I would say this was a fun, sweet, delightful historical romance that I would love to sit on the beach with.

Thank you to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for an opportunity to read an advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ten Rules for Marrying a Duke, which releases today, is my second book by Michelle McLean, and she's quickly becoming one of my favorite authors of lighthearted historical romance. Her books are not only quick and easy reads, but they're hilarious and full of heart.

Arabella Bromley has concocted perhaps the most ridiculous plan ever, but if it works she’ll end up married to a duke, her family’s reputation will be restored, her sister will find an advantageous match, and as soon as she provides an heir for the dukedom, she will be free to retire to the country and read through the duke’s entire library.

Incredibly, Silas agrees to her outlandish proposition. They draw up a list of rules for their unconventional union meant to prevent a true attachment from forming. It seems like the perfect solution; they made their rules for a reason. Except maybe, just maybe some rules were meant to be broken.

McLean writes with wit and humor, and her characters are so much fun. I finished it last night with a huge smile on my face.