Ella Wright and her two sisters have just lost their father, in a tunnel cave in, on Oak Island. Their father was a treasure hunter and believed that Captain Kidd, among others, had buried pirate treasure on the island. Now they have lost both parents and find themselves alone. Mother had died from smallpox and now their father. What to do next? Buying tickets on a steam ship, they headed to London and a grandfather they knew nothing about. The Duke of Rothwood’s daughter had left her betrothed at the marriage altar and married their father, a treasure hunter. Would the Duke even acknowledge that they are indeed his daughter’s children? I loved the plot of this book as it relates to history that today is still being looked for. The characters are wonderful, and the story line is infectious. Thank you for an unusual story line that catches the imagination.

This is the third book in the series and i haven't read the others but feel this can easily read on its own. I liked both Sebastian & Leonora, their chemistry sizzled even when they were arguing.. An engaging short read although could be set in any time setting. My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

The Duke of Dartmouth was looking for revenge against the Holt family, he believed even though Leonora used to be his best friend that her family had ruined his father’s life!
Sebastian seemed to be everywhere Leonora was and she knew he was up to no good. At her sister’s wedding breakfast, a nude painting of her mother was given as a wedding present and Leonora just knew it was from him! In order to stop any more scandal, she distracted everyone by playing the piano which thwarted his plans a little.
Leonora decided there and then, she would set a trap for him. Visiting the opera, she decided to set him up in a compromising position with an opera singer, only for that plan to fail as Sebastian knew the singer who was a friend and who was involved in part of his life which was a well kept secret.
There follows a cat and mouse chase, Sebastian wanting to know what was going on and how Leonora knew the singer all the while fighting an attraction he had for her. Leonora, wanting to set a Duke Trap to get him in trouble, then fell in love with him.
A beautiful, well written story about revenge turning into love with some steamy and funny moments to keep you engrossed in the story. I would definitely recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my fair and honest opinion. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 4 Stars
Publication: May 11, 2022
Series: Determined Debutantes #3
Number of Pages: 159

Bianca Blythe is a new author to this reader and “The Duke Trap” was a delightful novella that featured the trope of frenemies to lovers. Lenora Holt is the elder of two other sisters that have either married or betrothed before her and her brother believes that she really needs to marry. Sebastian, the Duke of Dartmouth, once a family friend wants revenge against the Holt sisters as he believes they are responsible for his father’s downfall. There is enmity and quite a bit of banter between Lenora and Sebastian, however at some point passion reared its head that made formidable enemies into formidable lovers.

This was a very enjoyable read and I think it could have been developed a bit more and included more to the story. Two smart individuals who fall in love when they least expect it. Recommended read.

3.5 Stars
Leonora Holt never expected that her two younger sisters would find love before her. Lately she’s grown disconcertingly accustomed to her brother Timothy’s sighs and hints that she needs to marry.
Sebastian, the Duke of Dartmouth, knows he should probably forget how the Holt family destroyed the last years of his father’s life. At one point, he even considered Leonora Holt his best friend. Of course, that had been when he was ten, and he’s achieved far more wisdom since then. Leonora is determined to trap Sebastian. If his reputation is maligned, perhaps he will halt disparaging her family.
The third book in the series & it’s easily read on its own. I liked both Sebastian & Leonora, their chemistry sizzled even when they were at loggerheads & it was obvious to everyone but the pair that their feelings ran deep. An engaging short read, which I read in a sitting & a fitting finale with a couple of surprises
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Enemies to lovers at its finest! Well, friends to enemies to lovers in fact. No one can truly hurt you as much as your best friend, and once that bond is broken it is often replaced with the strongest of hatred. This is what happens between Sebastian and Leonora, best of friends as children but driven apart by family betrayal between their fathers. Feelings of resentment grow and fester and the two live to torment one another as adults. But as they are forced to spend time closer together they quickly realize that they indeed possess very strong feelings, just not the feelings they thought. An exciting tale of one of the most Determined debutantes, the Holt girls are strong, fiercely independent and have learned not to be swayed by public opinion. This motivates Leonora to act most scandalously once she accepts her feelings and realizes she will need to fight to convince Sebastian that he holds her heart. I greatly enjoyed the many surprises in this story and especially the force of nature that exists in both Sebastian and Leonora.

This story had caught all regency romance points with great effect. I found myself hanging on the story towards the end. I thought it was a great read.

Bad History between two families does not end well or does it? She was minding her own business until he interfered and was trying to embarrass her family. He wanted revenge for a bad deal. Her plan to get the Duke to stay a way back fires in unexpected ways.
I found this book interesting and different. But I suppose if one was trying to keep friends, burying an old grievance would be the thing to do. There are several scenes that I skipped over, with out missing anything. If your looking for a quick read. Here it is.
 I recieved a free copy so that I might tell you what I honestly think. Hope you enjoyed my review. Now go enjoy the book

The Duke Trap by Bianca Blythe is the third book of the Determined Debutantes series. Leonora Holt never expected her two younger sisters to fall in love before her. Her brother has hinted that she should find a husband. The task is impossible because Sebastian, the Duke of Dartmouth is determined to remind everyone of Leonora’s mother’s scandal. The Holt family destroyed the last years of Sebastian’s father’s life. Before then, Sebastian had considered Leonora his best friend, but that has since changed. Leonora plans on trapping Sebastian and ruining his reputation in the hopes that he will stop trying to ruin her family. She doesn’t expect to fall in love.

This is a quick read. Definitely a fun romance you can read in an evening!

I quite enjoyed this book! Third in a series I haven't read.

It's a bit daft but the two main characters are sweet - they were childhood friends who lost touch after a family feud broke them apart.

I feel like it could have done with another edit and perhaps a little more depth. Some of the background and scene setting I would have appreciated might be in the other two books though, I am not sure.

The dialogue can tend to the American and anachronistic ("cranky"?! I am 100% certain that noone in Regency era Britain would have used that word) but then when I read the writers bio her inspiration is Julia Quinn as opposed to your Austen or Heyers so... I guess it is a different style.

Anyway. I quite enjoyed it, its a short and cheery read.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

I’m a fan of regency romance stories and the enemies-to-lovers trope. This didn’t feel particularly historically accurate, but it’s a cute, short story.

Very enjoyable read with four weddings to look forward to. They were friends to enemies to lovers. The intensity of their enmity was probably due to the latent passion they had for each other. They fought each other but themselves as well and came together as one formidable pair,

I received an ARC of this book and leaving my review voluntarily.

Thank you Net Galley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. When reading a enemies to lovers, it is absolutely essential that there is actual chemistry and good banter amongst the MCs. This book certainly had that. I enjoyed my time reading this book, especially if you're a fan of the bridgerton series (both books and tv). Historical romances are just absolutely wonderful and this one delivered.

WOW !!!!! I enjoyed and I really appreciate that NetGalley granted me an advance reader copy for my honest opinions. The chemistry between the two main characters is off the charts. Bianca blithe definitely knows how to write romantic and sensual scenes. It is really amazing how well hero and heroine compliment and understand each other. Wonderful balance of ; a smart, sexy partnership, an admirable heroine and an amazing, wonderful hero! Thank you! :)

I received this book as an ARC from Net Galley. These are my opinions.
This is a thoroughly enchanting enemies to lovers read. The chemistry between Sebastian and Leonora was wonderful. I gave the book 5-stars. I highly recommend reading the Duke Trap.

3.5 star

A bit fluffy and quick read more in the style of the Bridgeton TV series (not the books). A childhood friend to enemies to lovers story. IMO not historically accurate but worth an evening read.

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