This was a solid read.
The characters were fun and the plot was entertaining.
My only issue was the pacing slowed down a lot during the middle and the will they/won't they lasted a tad too long.

4.5 Stars. This book made me so happy. This wonderful historical romance finds Jaqueline (Jack) breaking into the house of her neighbor, James the Duke of Stone, to ask for his help in finding a husband. He agrees to find her a match but as the pair spend time together they can’t deny their attraction for one another. Of course James has no desire to marry and his loyalty to Jack’s brother, his best friend, makes him want to keep her at a distance. A compromising position witnessed by the wrong person forces the pair together against what they claim is their wills, but is really their heart’s desire.

The trope of help me find a spouse is one that always works for me in historical romances. I don’t care how many times I’ve read it, it just always makes me happy. I loved both Jack and James. I loved that Jack knew her worth and valued her independence, but did not fall into the pitfalls of the not-like-other-girls trope. I loved that James was a typical brooding and damaged romance novel duke. Again, I don’t care how many heroes are this way, it always works for me. I loved the banter the pair had together and their interactions with their friends and family.

I absolutely loved the writing style of this book. Eva Devon is an author who I enjoy and need to go back and read her other books. Some of my favorite quotes include:

“She is the sunshine to my cloud.”

“We cannot live our lives by intent. It is what we do that matters, my friend.”

“You’re not about to tell me that I’m different from other young ladies, because that is not a compliment.”

A big thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A sweet and endearing love story. The Duke of Stone, James Haven, considers himself a matchmaker. Lady Jacqueline (Jack) Peabody has to get married but doesn’t want to. These are two excellent characters. They are the perfect foil to each other with Jack’s free spirit and wit and Jame’s tendency to follow the rules and make lists. The plot unfolds subtly as the couple pulls each other into their orbit and can’t help falling in love.

The Duke's Accidental Bride is a steamy friends-to-lovers romance that will leave you wanting more. The main characters are likable, and both figure it all out to get to that HEA. It didn't hurt to have Olivia, and Alexander's characters build toward the story. A well-written, entertaining and enjoyable read.

Thank you Entangled Publishing for the complimentary copy of The Duke's Accidental Bride.

OK I have found my new favorite Duke | Duke of Stone, James! And, of course my newest book boyfriend from the regency era.

This friends to lovers was simply perfect. I throughly enjoyed the fiery nature of Lady Jaqueline "Jack" Peabody and her determination to help her family. Her love of nature, especially trees, get her entangled with James in ways she never thought possible, and ultimately in marriage. Jame's grand gesture to demonstrate his love was breathtaking.

While Jack loved to lie in the branches of trees, it's the strength of the roots helped them to build their LOVE. This regency romance was a joy to read.

I loved the story and the banter between hero and heroine. The dialogue was so fun to read made the characters very likeable..

I did like the characters of Lady Jacqueline (Jack ) and James, Duke of Stone. Jack needed to get married but she didn’t want to lose her freedom. She lived for playing the piano and had studied abroad. James had no intention of marrying, due to his childhood experience, but he did enjoy match making. They had known each other from childhood but now begin to see each other in a different light. It was an interesting storyline but the pace was too slow for me. There were a good number of inner thoughts from the main characters but going over the same things. There was a villain to add interest. Usually, I enjoy this author’s work but I’m sorry but this wasn’t for me. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions own.

Reviewed on behalf of Verve Romance

A sweet and sexy historical romp with great friendships and banter, a swoony hero, and HEA that’ll leave a smile on your face.

Eva Devon hits all the right notes with this easy-to-read and enjoyable regency romance. It’s a charming childhood-friends-to-lovers story that has a sassy hero (first seen launching herself into a Duke’s bedroom) and a matchmaking Peer who is just the right amount of damaged by his past.

Jacqueline—Jack, if you’re her matchmaker/admirer/nemesis/childhood friend—makes for a likable heroine, one who has been maligned by society and who just wants to sit at her pianoforte and lose herself in music. Honestly, I can’t say I blame her, given the options available otherwise, but ultimately this story (and Jack’s heart) really belongs to James, Duke of Stone, and his need to ensure everyone is happily partnered.

There’s something so endearing about a Duke determined to find suitable matches for those around him—even if he is convinced that marriage doesn’t require passion. It’s his friendship with Alexander, brother of the heroine, that I enjoyed most. Their honesty with one another, even touching on those dreaded feelings (and mental health, which is fab to see), adds another layer to our hero with the hurt heart of gold.

My only real complaint is that the ending came upon me rather swiftly—I would have liked more time between scandal, marriage, and the end. But, with a lovely epilogue that gives meaning to a thoughtful gift, I can’t actually complain all that much. Devon remains a go-to historical author in my book.

Some characters make even the simplest of stories most enjoyable. This book has such characters and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Lady Jacqueline is one of the most delightful heroines I have come across. She doesn't follow the rules and wants to live her life freely. Unfortunately, things aren't going her way. Tragedy struck their family and now she must marry a rich man to save her siblings from ruin. But before that, she will give a piece of her mind to the Duke of Stone who is responsible for this mess...
And that is how another mess is created...
She is bold, fierce, and passionate. And he is reserved, closed off, and unreachable. But the two of them together are perfect. They have been friends for many years before losing touch. Now, they have reconnected and it might work out for the best because James has promised to find the right husband for Jacquiline. She trusts him and knows that if he made a match, marital bliss will follow.
Neither is prepared for what happens next, though.
It's a scandal to keep the ton entertained but also a love that will never die. I love this book and recommend it to all romance lovers. It will make you smile and warm your heart. The chemistry between the main characters is amazing and of course, what we all love; a happily ever after in their future.

James Haven, the Duke of Stone is a man, who eschews marriage for himself but finds success with matching London’s most eligible ladies and gentlemen in happy marriages. Yet when he finds a match for Lady Jaqueline (Jack) Peabody’s sister, Jacqueline is none too happy. As a consequence, she will need to marry well if her family is to survive, meaning her plans for living a single life with her pianoforte. So James agrees that he will find Jack, a husband. However, James is finding it difficult to match Jack with a potential suitor as he is captivated by her. So when Jack’s hopes of a successful match is thwarted, he might just have the solution.
Jack is such a delight to read about, from the very beginning with her climbing a tree to confront James in his bedroom to her meeting him in her trousers. For a couple that grew up together, it was lovely to see these two grow in their relationship. I also enjoyed many of the secondary characters including Jack’s brother and James’ mother, who add greater depth to this romance.

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

Lady Jaqueline Peabody aka Jack is back in England after four years abroad with her parents. She's annoyed with her brother's best friend James Haven, the Duke of Stone, who matched her sister with a vicar with little in the way of income. With the family fortune in tatters, it means Jacqueline is tasked with marrying well—and must bid adieu to her dreams of a lovely spinsterhood with her pianoforte.
James eschews marriage for himself, he enjoys great success with matching London’s most eligible ladies and gentlemen. So if Jacqueline needs a wealthy husband, he’ll find her one. Then scandal erupts, when they are caught during their kissing lessons & they are forced to marry.
A well written book with strong characters & a well paced story. I really liked both James & Jack, he has secrets from his past & she’s unconventional. I enjoyed their road to a HEA but wanted to shake James several times for not acknowledging his feelings but he got there in the end
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

The Duke's Accidental Bride is a wonderfully written story of James the Duke of Stone and Lady Jacqueline Peabody his next door neighbor who also is his best friend's younger sister. The story begins as Jacqueline, Jack, to her family, climbs a tree and enters Jame's bedroom to vent at him for arranging a marriage between her elder sister and a younger son to another aristocrat which sets her up for having to marry a man for money to save her family. In order to appease, Jack, the Duke promises to help her find a husband who has the requirements she needs to assist her family and who will also not take away her independence. Mrs. Devon provides the reader with a storyline that is intriguing, romantic and spicy enough to keep us turning the pages to find out what situations James and Jack find themselves in next as they try to find the perfect man for Jack.. I am waiting anxiously for the next story by this author. I received a copy of the book as an ARC from Netgalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

This book was fun! Highly highly improbable and daft but I liked Jack and the Duke and the story zipped along fine.

This latest book by Eva Devon was an enjoyable and entertaining read with interesting characters. The hero is a managing duke who wants to see everybody happy because he’s sure he’ll never be happy himself. I love a tortured hero, they are my favorite ones, and James was lovable and endearing. The heroine is a breath of fresh air, maybe a touch too reckless and impulsive, but funny and very different in a sea of women all alike. I liked her quite a lot. The one character I didn’t like was his mother, who seemed to love him, but didn’t understand the pain she caused him with her behavior. All in all, a conventional romance plot with a touch of humor and angst.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

An excellent plot and great characters made The Duke’s Accidental Bride a great read. I really liked Lady Jacqueline Peabody, Jack to her family and close friend James, Duke Of Stone. I loved her tree climbing, something no lady should be caught doing. James was easy to like too. Having had a very challenging childhood, he has questionable views of his own ability to be a husband and father but he has no qualms at all about matching up his friends and acquaintances. It was nice to see a male matchmaker for a change.
I thought the story was let down a bit by rather clunky dialogue including the use of “shall” instead of “will” throughout. “Shall” has its place, but not in every second piece of conversation. Also, phrases like “dance the Tyburn jig” popped up a bit too often for my liking. That aside, this was an entertaining story and an enjoyable read.

Lady Jaqueline Peabody is furious. The interfering matchmaker next-door might have made her sister very happy, but now she must pay the price. Our heroine is about to make him suffer.

James Haven, Duke of Stone seems to have a knack for knowing when two people will make a good match. He knows that he can never risk the storm that love can bring, so he tries his best to make others happy. Our hero faced a terrible childhood that it still governs much more of his life than he realizes.

A historical romance that is filled with fabulous characters and has an unusually emotional story.

I loved every page.

Jacqueline’s plans to become a renown pianist and lead a single life are dashed when her family coffers are empty and she has to marry for money. James, a family friend, never plans to marry as he is convinced he will become mad and violent in his later years as his father was. Forced into marriage, they must overcome their fears. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Entangled Press for my honest review.

I’ve been getting into novellas a lot this year but unfortunately this one didn’t work for me. There was a lot of telling and no showing and that really bothers me. The writing wasn’t my favorite in this one either.

A matchmaking Duke, and his childhood friend.
James has been matching members of the ton, and after he matches Jack's sister with a lovely young man, it falls on Jack to marry well and help her family get out of financial ruin...
The only problem is Jack never intended to get married, and she blames James for her new circumstances. So she climbs a tree right into the Duke's window to give him a piece of her mind. This of course intrigues James to no end, and he resolves to help her find a man that will give her the things she needs.

This leads James on a long journey to find the perfect man for Jack, and let's just say he fails over and over again.
The more time they spend together the more James realizes that Jack is an amazing, fun, and quirky woman whom he really doesn't want to see with anyone else. If only he didn't have this horrible fear about turning into his father, something that won't let him settle down and fall in love with anyone. It's too bad, they just can't seem to stay away from each other...

I liked Jack a lot, she didn't have any trouble being herself and telling James off when the need arises.
James was really sweet, he doesn't think he will ever have happiness so he finds joy in helping others find it.
They were a very cute couple, and I liked how they were childhood friends that ended up finding each other again.

I really enjoyed this book. The author writes with a dry, slightly tongue in cheek humour that I really appreciate. The characters are interesting and three dimensional with unique personality quirks that make them very endearing. Although the trope of an impoverished lady needing to marry well, is fairly typical for a regency romance, I was caught up in the story right from the start and couldn’t put it down. Unusually, this author manages to avoid using the American words and phrases that so often pepper these sort of books, which really elevates it above the rest, in my opinion!