Member Reviews
I really enjoy this authors books! They are so wonderful and full of life! The romances are just swoony! Bronwyn and Ash are so perfectly matched! I couldn’t help rooting for their HEA! Ash is the Duke of Buckley, who also owns and runs a gambling hell. He doesn’t want love or feelings but the man cares! He’s in charge of 3 young girls care, so he comes up with a plan to marry for continence of them! Enter our heroine Bronwyn, she’s sweet, not tilted, and loves to study insects! Since Bronwyn is the only one so far that the girls like, Ash proposes a marriage. One that would benefit them both….we all know how this goes! Both have lustful feeling and steamy times! But as time goes on, well all the feels come at them! I really liked how these two overcame their issues so they could have an HEA! Just a wonderful book! Looking forward to the second one next year!!
Some dukes have all the luck indeed! Ash, Duke of Buckley, is pretty lucky that the answer to all his problems bumps into him on the street, and she’s the most incredible woman ever, and she falls in love with him! Bronwyn is pretty lucky too - finding a Duke to take her away from her awful parents, who not only allows but encourages her entomological studies and free spirit, and treats her so tenderly. This was such a fun regency read. Highly recommend!
Wow, I did not expect this one to pack such a powerful and emotional punch, but it does!
I’m not a huge historical romance reader but I’m glad that I grabbed this one.
With a pretty unlikable hero at first, who’s motives are later revealed. 😉 I really enjoyed all the tension and heart that was put into this one. And I was pleasantly surprised by the steam.
A solid historical romance for me and I’m glad I took the chance on it.
This book had all the angst, pain and past hurts one could ask for. This book hooked me from the moment I started reading and I didn’t want to put it down.
Ash is a duke with three wards that he has lost control of, he stays as far away as he can but he tries to hire all the necessary people to take care of them. But his wards are so unhappy with this two of them run off. When he finally locates them in his mothers old home he is relieved, yet heartbroken because of all of the memories of his mother surrounding him.
He realizes that he may need to marry to have someone to care for his wards more that he can. Upon staying in Synne he comes across Bronwyn and starts to think that this chance encounter can be the solution he needs after all Bronwyn gets along with his wards better than anyone he's hired.
Bronwyn is different and not as socially inept as the rest of girls her age. She was lonely growing up with no friends and turned to studying insects, she's intelligent and has goals other than getting married.
Her parents however are trying their hardest to get her married. And not only married but to someone with a title so that they can climb the social ladder. They have restricted Bronwyn from her studies and her friends that she was finally able to make that she has no choice but to get married.
So Ash and Bronwyn come together in a union that is to help both of them. But in order to do this they need to stay together for sometime.
I loved the way Ash and Bronwyn interacted finally someone was making Bronwyn feel special and like she really mattered. And that she was smart, unlike he uncaring parents. And Ash was opening his heart to his wards and Bronwyn.
They both blossomed together and so did the girls. I loved watching them grow together and reconnect with one another. Ash was a cinnamon roll covered up in angst and pain. He blamed him self and took on so much guilt for things that were not in his control. And things that he didn’t do.
I didn’t like the way it weighed him down and made him make silly decisions.
I loved seeing them all have their happily ever after.
Ugh and Bronwyn's parents! They were so annoying and uncaring. Instead of supporting their daughter in anything they tried to use her to further their social status. And they were so annoying that they rubbed people the wrong way and made enemies.
They did this to the detriment of their own daughter and then blamed her for it. Not to mention how invasive they were. I was so happy to see Bronwyn finally stand up for herself and not take anymore non sense from them.
❤️ 1 Sexy Duke + 3 mischievous Young Wards + 1 Bluestocking Naturalist = Happiness 4 All ❤️
Some Dukes Have All the Luck begins the Synneful Spinsters series off with a bang! Christina Britton has once again created magic on Synne Isle. This series is related to her Isle of Synne series and although there are some character overlaps, this story is able to be enjoyed without reading the other series.
Synopsis
“Ash Hawkins, Duke of Buckley, no more wants to marry than he wants a stick in his eye. As the owner of a gaming hell, he is all too aware the odds of a happy marriage are against him. But raising his three rebellious wards alone is proving more than he can handle. He needs to find someone who stands to benefit from a marriage of convenience as much as he does. Someone logical, clinical, and rational. And in a stroke of luck, he quite literally stumbles over just such a woman.
After years of ridicule for being more interested in bugs than boys, Bronwyn has accepted that she’ll never marry for love. Her parents, however, are threatening to find her a husband. Bronwyn doesn’t need any scientific research to show her Ash has secrets. But his proposal would give her the freedom to continue her entomology research and perhaps finally get published. Just as long as she can keep her mind on her work and off his piercing eyes, broad shoulders, and wicked, wicked tongue.”
My Reaction:
I read this book from beginning to end without stopping and stayed up way past my bedtime, just couldn’t put the book down! Britton combined some of my favorite tropes in this story including the marriage of convenience and love between different classes. I loved watching Bronwyn quite literally save Ash and his wards and I loved seeing Ash learn to enjoy life as he realizes his fate is not determined by his father. There are quite a few scorching hot scenes, all in the name of research, 😉which I of course loved!
Things I could have done without - the multiple interactions between Bronwyn, Ash, and Bronwyn’s ridiculous parents. The visit from Bronwyn’s past “suitor” in combination with Bronwyn’s idiotic parents. I am seeing a trend. However these things were not enough to ruin any aspect of the story.
Overall rating 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 5 Flames 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 and I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
📚Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from Avon and Harper Voyager publishing via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, comments, and interpretations of the story are my own and bias free. I did not receive any money in exchange for this review. Thank you to the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to review. Reviews are cross-posted to social media, goodreads, and blog. 🦄
This was my first Christina Britton and I want more! It was so delightful and fun to read! Ash and Bronwyn together were sexy, funny, smart and really brought out the best in each other. Bronwyn's influence on Ash and his wards was evident from the get go and I thought the author did a nice job meshing our heroine into this family that so desperately needs her as much as she needs them. The Oddments were definitely my favorite and I really hope we get more of each woman in the squad. I'm loving this trend of bluestocking girl groups in historical romance. It's really fun to read the found family and strong female friendships and I want more!
I loved the spice and the banter! I also think the author did an excellent job of incorporating the physical abuse aspect into the plot and handled it with such care that while difficult to read about, wasn't as graphic or needless as some other books. I really thought this was just a fun and spicy book and I look forward to reading more from Christina Britton in the future!
What a heartfelt story. Some Dukes Have all the Luck is the first in the series Synneful Spinsters and I can't wait to read the next one. Bronwyn and Ash are believable and so realistic with such depth and individuality it's easy to relate to. It's a rollercoaster ride that brims with tension as two lost souls who are afraid to reach out and find love. With the help of Ash's rambunctious wards who add just enough liveliness to the mix to help Ash and Bronwyn along the road of happy ever after. Christina Britton has given readers a book that is well-written, filled it with great cast of characters that come off the pages and pull you into their emotional ride that keeps you involved until the very end, with passion, and great dialogue. With setting descriptions that are wonderfully vivid that brings the story to life which brings this read together perfectly.
What’s your favorite type of hero in romance?
Mine is hands down the emotionally crippled, broken and beautiful, scarred by his past but deep down is a cinnamon roll who just wants to soak up love.
Ash, the hero of @christinabrittonauthor’s newest release, is all of these things.
Ash, the Duke of Buckley, is a gaming hell owner who wrestles with the brutal legacy of his past.
Bronwyn is an aspiring entomologist who wants to be seen and appreciated just as she is.
They agree to a marriage of convenience that becomes something else entirely. He needs someone to guide his wards and she wants to publish her research.
Ash is a man who celebrates Bronwyn’s intellect and loves spending quality time with her. He captivated her because he listens to her, stands up for her, and supports her dreams.
This sweet, spicy romance will have you swooning and longing for a cinnamon roll in disguise who will kiss you softly, listen to you ramble and take you on picnics.
Tropes: marriage of convenience, guardian at his wits’ end, steminist heroine, opposites attract.
A huge thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my complimentary ARC in exchange for a review.
we 👏🏻 love 👏🏻 to 👏🏻 see 👏🏻 a 👏🏻 lady 👏🏻 scientist!!!!!!!!!!
first of all i LOVE that our main character is named bronwyn a la @onceuponabron and that the hero’s name is ash 🥰 ash is the guardian of three young ladies and he feels an enormous responsibility towards them and their happiness,well-being, etc. which becomes a problem when the youngest two run away to the isle of Synne where his mother grew up. this is also seriously impeding his marriage prospects bc oh yeah he’s also a duke. there he meets bronwyn by running into her and spilling all her insects and research all over the ground (meet disaster, anyone?) after seeing his wards interact with her, he decides she would be the perfect duchess to help take care of them and to let him be off in london running his gambling business. this works out great for bronwyn coincidentally because her horrible parents are intent on shaming her out of her scientific interests and into acceptable ladylike behavior. thus she is ON BOARD for a marriage of convenience to remove herself from under her parents’ thumbs. even better is the fact that ash supports her entomological studies and respects her as a human being (the novelty!!!) bronwyn and ash have to figure out a way to move forward- with or without each other- and to give the three young ladies the best chance for happiness!
i love every character in the book (aside from the parents obvi) especially the monstrous dog named mouse 🤭🤭🤭 and i loved the personalities of everybody, how well developed they were, and how supportive the relationships were whether it was the oddments, the wards, or the romance. this one was a winner 🥰🥰
Ash Hawkins realizes he’s in desperate need of some help after two of his three wards run off to his family’s home on The Isle of Synne. His traumatic past has kept him away from Synne but it is here he runs into Bronwyn. Bronwyn is a constant disappointment to her parents as she’s more interested in researching bugs to become published than finding a husband. After her disastrous debut in London they are determined to get her married off to a man with a title and they are willing to ship her away from everything she’s ever known to do it.
After seeing Bronwyn captivating his ward’s attention he realizes that she could be the answer to his problems. Bronwyn could get away from her family to continue her research and Ash would have someone to look after his wards so he can go back to London and keep them safe. Everyone wins. Bronwyn insists they spend two weeks together as a married couple (for research purposes of course) and that’s when the trouble begins. How can Ash leave Bronwyn and his wards as planned after finding true happiness with them?
I’m trying to branch out and I thought this historical romance would be a good start and I’m glad I was right. I love a strong, independent, smart heroine and we got all three with Bronwyn. She has goals outside of marriage and she’s not afraid to be herself even at the cost of being label different. Her relationship with the Oddments (her group of equally unique friends) was a delight as was her relationship with Ash’s wards.
Ash was a frustrating hero at times, bent on self destructive behavior at the cost of those around him. But I loved seeing the positive change that Bronwyn and the girls brought to him. He never judged Bronwyn for her professional goals and never expected her to change to suit him. If anything he changed for them.
If you enjoy marriage of convenience, found family, a strong smart heroine and a supportive but damaged hero with some steamy scenes thrown in then I think you’ll enjoy this one! This is the start of a new series and I’ll definitely be back for more!
Ash Hawkins, Duke of Buckley, is the co-owner of a gambling establishment who is also trying to rear his 3 wards that were left to his care after their grandmother died. As he returns to the Isle of Synne, the home of his late mother, he bumps into Bronwyn Pickering who is a budding entomologist. He is intrigued by her but they did not have a chance to introduce themelves. He and Bronwyn meet again a few days later and Ash ends up proposing a marriage of convenience so that he wouldn't have to spend much time with his wards and Bronwyn could help him with their care. Bronwyn doesn't think Ash is serious with his proposal but ends up accepting his proposal iy as a way to get away from her parents. They each vow not to forman attachment to the other but agree to spend two weeks together on the Isle of Synne so that her parents and their neighbors won't think Ash abandoned her directly after the wedding. As Bronwyn tries to develop relationships with the three wards she encounters problems bonding with the older ward, Regina and enlists Ash to help her by spending more time with them before he departs for London. This is a story that requires Ash and Bronwyn to each come to terms with their pasts. Ash has a secret regarding his wards that he does not want to become known. Bronwyn must face her fears that she is unloveable which where enforced by her relationships with her family and a past suitor.
I received the story as an ARC from Netgalley and I am voluntarily leaving a revie
A totally passable romance, but there's nothing unique about it - all the elements have been done before, together and separately, and by better authors. There's no reason to not recommend it to readers, but I'm starting with other books.
I really enjoyed Ash and Bronwyn's story. It was fun watching this go from a marriage of convenience to one of true love!
This book was so good. It wasn’t a high stakes book, rather it was cozy and comforting and just nice.
The relationship between Bronwyn and Ash felt a little insta-love but the way that their relationship then developed after the beginning: Top tier.
There was found family, super supportive husband, insects, I-can’t-love-but-oh-no, annoying parents, and great characters arcs.
To be honest it wasn’t my favorite romance, but it was enjoyable and calm. Perfect for cuddling with a cup of tea and a blanket.
If you want a light, fairly steamy historical romance with an entomologist heroine and a Duke that struggles with feelings: I highly recommend this book!!
This book is the perfect set up for what I hope is the beginning of a fabulous series.
Some Dukes Have All the Luck is my first Christina Britton novel but will definitely not be my last!
Ash Hawkins is set never to marry after watching his parents marriage disaster. Charged with three spunky wards, he is in need of a wife to watch over these women. A marriage of convenience, a sane idea for a Duke running a gambling hall in another land. With his luck, his convenience wife walks right into his path.
Bronwyn, under pressure from her parents to get married to a Duke, just wants to study nature and fight for women’s rights. Running into Ash on a whim, he engages her in a proposal that she may not be able to refuse. But will she be able to resist the duke’s swoony stature and breathtaking eyes?
Christina Britton writes a STEM heroine that readers will want to root for and a Duke that needs to come to his senses that readers will want to yell at. The wards were written not as background characters but people that the readers would also want to care about. Britton writes spicy scenes that were placed throughout appropriately and the marriage of convenience trope was well written. I recommend this novel to fans of historical romance reads.
This book was everything! I laughed, gasped, squealed, cried, and now I’m back to staring at my ceiling because of the grip these characters have on my heart. The FMC was portrayed brilliantly as a woman with a scientific mind. Then there’s the MMC who didn’t believe he’s worthy of love, but was the kindest man. Their marriage of convenience was so out of the blue but it fit perfectly for both of them. Until of course they both simultaneously and reluctantly fell for each other! And the girls?!! I need a new box of tissues.
Steam: 🔥🔥
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the advance reader copy. All thoughts are my own.
This was a breezy historical romance that should’ve been a quick read but unfortunately took me a while to power through because I had a hard time getting into it. I loved the found family aspects, how supportive Ash was of Bronwyn, and the fact that she was a ~woman in STEM~ but I didn’t feel invested in the characters or their relationship. Thanks to Netgalley and Forever for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
Bespectacled bluestockings finding love away from family who doesn't understand them is absolutely my catnip and this book had it in spades. 10/10, super swoon-y, will read again.
I loved the Isle of Synne series, so I was so excited to see that Christina Britton was taking readers back to Synne with this spinoff Synneful Spinsters series. And there was no better way to kick off the Synneful Spinsters than with Some Dukes Have All the Luck.
I adore Britton's main characters, and Ash and Bronwyn were no exception. Their chemistry was immediate, and I loved how two people who shouldn't work together (a gambling hall owner and an entomologist) end up being exactly what the other person needs in all ways.
Ash is definitely a troubled hero. He is struggling with his past, but also with his three wards in the present. I loved that Bronwyn - who was always better with bugs than with humans - ended up being the solution to both of Ash's problems.
Bronwyn really speaks to any of us bookish types who found our happiness while learning, rather than out socializing. I found Bronwyn to be a completely likable and relatable character, and I was so glad that she ended up with a life that made her happy and with people who supported her passions.
And speaking of support, there was such a fantastic cast of supporting characters in this book. From Ash's wards to Bronwyn's friends, everyone had unique personalities that filled the page. I could easy find myself reading a story featuring any of these characters as the lead.
I always find Britton's writing easy to pick up and get lost in, and that definitely applies to Some Dukes Have All the Luck. With the help of great characters, an alluring plot, and early steam between the two main characters, I ended up devouring this one in just a couple of sittings.
After reading the Isle of Synne books, this new series felt like coming home. I honestly can't wait for the next book; I know whichever leading lady Britton picks for the next story will result in yet another binge-worthy story from Synne.
Miss Bronwyn Pickering is an entomologist. Living on the Isle of Synne, she is able to collect and study lots of specimens. Her parents are demanding she find a titled husband and forbid her to continue her studies. Ash Hawkins, Duke of Buckley, is responsible for the care of three wards. Keeping his distance means he has no control over their behavior. When the two youngest sisters disappear, it's the oldest sister who gives him the clue to go after them. Caulnedy Manor, Isle of Synne. A brief encounter between Ash and Bronwyn near Quayside Circulating Library, gives him the idea of needing a wife and not another governess for the girls. Proposed as a marriage of convenience, Bronwyn soon changes his mind and becomes the glue that holds all five of the family together, and until Ash is afraid of not being good enough and returns to London. With the help of a friend, Bronwyn decides it's time for the truth. An emotional rollercoaster from start to finish with a very happy ending.
Heat level 3+
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.