Great book for fans of bridgerton. A period retelling of Cinderella and the rake. There is some spice to this book. Classic fake dating troupe is featured in this book.
A spinster manages to convince a rakish Duke into marrying her to keep the wives of the ton and their husband's at bay while ensuring she doesn't remain a servant to her preening step mother. But neither of them expects to develop feelings for the other but will secrets from their pasts bring them together or tear them apart.

“I would look for you anywhere, my lady.”
“That smart mouth has me hypnotised”
“He wanted to possess this woman’s thoughts and desires, to be what she craved, even if he disappointed her in the end”
Saying that I loved this book would be a huge understatement!!!!
I enjoyed every minute of reading it and if I could reread it all over again, like it was the first time, I definitely would !!!
The characters of this book were almost as good as the tropes that were ruling over their lives.
Forced proximity, marriage of convenience, banter and some very entertaining spicy scenes made this Cinderella retelling so good, especially being in a regency romance setting !!!
Gregory and Julia’s story was funny, intriguing and very very beautiful !!!
I felt so many different emotions going through their book, starting with the fun times I had while they had a particularly heated discussion to the goosebumps I felt when they shared some intimate moment together !!!
Their past that seemed to be so intent on tearing them apart, at the end was one of the things that made them fall for each other.
Because only a fool can fall in love with his own wife !!!!
The writing style was easy enough for everyone to read, the plot was engaging and the characters very entertaining!!
Especially this special Duke whoMs the FIRST TO FALL!!!!
I truly hope for this book to be the first in a series because there truly are some side characters whose adventures I would like to read more of !!!!
“Despite what other men tell you, size does matter”
“I don’t want duty from you … I want passion”
“Lie still, Your Grace … I’ll hear your screams yet”
“Most men are idiots … A troublesome woman makes for a happy home”

A new book from a new author! The story brings two damaged souls together. The hero has been neglected and chased for his appearance and sexual prowess but never loved. The heroine has been treated like a Cinderella by her stepmother and abandoned at a young age by her first fortune hunting man. The book started off great and ended great. I was confused in the middle that the heroine has a couple interactions with Groupies in mourning wearing black and discussing her husbands prowess with the heroine shortly after the wedding. I found that odd but overall a good read!

Thank you to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for an eARC of this book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this foray into regency romance and adventure…it is a great little escape and a lovely romance as well. Some language is a little too modern to fit into the regency era, but the story is well written, the romantic tension is terrific, and the two main characters are strong, funny and mostly relatable.

I’m a sucker for a good romance, especially a regency romance, and this fits the bill!

When the clock strikes midnight...​​​

From A Cinderella Story to the magical Ever After, the story of a young woman seeking true love is truly a timeless tale.​

Lydia Drake gives the classic narrative a Regency spin, providing readers with heartbreak, humour, and romance in her stunning novel Cinderella and the Duke.

Join me as I dive into what makes Cinderella and the Duke so spectacular.


[Note: A big thank you to Netgalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC (Entangled: Amara) for the opportunity to read and review such an entertaining book.]

A heroine with marriage on her mind...

Witty and spirited Julia Beaumont lives caged in a life where there is no hope of a better future beyond being her stepmother Constance's nursemaid.

Constance is set on finding a match for Julia's stepsister Susannah - not Julia, who is considered to be in the 'prime of spinsterhood' at the age of 27. As Julia so perfectly puts it: "It's less likely I'll secure an offer of marriage than that someone will mistake me for a coat rack."

When Constance comes down with a cold, Julia is brought in as her stepsister's chaperone to a ball and is given one glorious night of freedom. With the kind and tenderhearted Susannah cheering her on, Julia will attempt to do the seemingly impossible...find a husband in a single night. For marriage would give Julia all that she desires; true freedom.

But there's a niggling fear at the back of Julia's mind. That her chance for love and marriage may have passed her by years ago...the last time she trusted a man with her heart and got burned for her troubles.

However it's time for her to push down those fears and harness her fierce Beaumont spirit, as she moves forward to take hold of her own destiny.


"I've often thought life would be easier as a shoe. You come into the world with you match already made."

Gregory Carter, the Duke of Ashworth, is a rogue, a rake, and a libertine. At least...that is what Society would have you believe.

Husbands glare at him from across ballrooms and he spends most of his time avoiding being caught alone with any one of his many avid admirers. Having been surrounded by matrimonial shipwrecks, his view of love and marriage is as jaded as they come. As he himself notes: "The second kindest thing I could do to any woman is to not marry her."

One night at a ball changes his life forever, when a captivating young woman rescues him from a compromising situation. He's never heard of Julia Beaumont before this night - but after only a few moments in her company, her sharp wit and refusal to bow to his whims has both delighted and ensnared him completely.
​
When she flees the ball, Julia leaves behind a single beaded shoe with a missing heel and a Duke who will use any excuse to see her again. The return of her slipper leads to a startling proposal: a marriage of convenience. For her, the freedom she's been craving. For him, a shield from the simpering females of the ton.

The events (and witty banter!) that ensue are immensely entertaining and feed into the growing passion and tension between the Duke and Julia, as they fight to navigate their marriage and their hearts' desires.


Love is never convenient.

"Wouldn't he love to lower his defences and show her all of himself? Take down that Spartan shield, bare his breast for her dagger? If she wanted to carve out his heart, he'd only be too delighted to give it."

The romantic relationship between the Duke and Julia is complex and passionate.

It starts off straightforward - a mutually beneficial arrangement between two parties. Julia doesn't care who she marries as long as she is married. As for Gregory, the word 'marriage' is enough to make his skin crawl. He believes himself to be incapable of love. Julia believes herself incapable of being loved.

"I can't give you what you want."
"You're a single man with a pulse. You're everything I could dream of."

Julia knows of Gregory's not-so-sterling reputation and is wary of him. However, she begins to be drawn not only to his appearance (he's terribly swoon-worthy!) but she seeks to uncover more about the man she's tied herself to. Who is true Gregory beneath the facade? Who is this man who makes her laugh and yearn for something more? But she's wary of being made to feel like a burden to him, something he resents. Of being left behind, waiting for a man to choose her...yet again.

Her stepmother Constance - in complete disbelief over the news that Julia will become a duchess - is a big part of Julia's low self-esteem. Bitter that her stepdaughter has achieved even a modicum of happiness, she has no qualms about calling their marriage a fraud and reminding Julia that she'll never, ever, be enough for anyone.

Gregory is Julia's perfect match in every way. Even their correspondence reflects their compatibility (especially when it comes to their humour!): "To my lovely ball and chain, from your devoted future prisoner." Not only is he excellent at verbally sparring with her, but he sees her. He sees her lack of freedom, what a waste her life would be should he not make her his own, and goes along with the marriage plan. Not only does he go along with it, he seems to relish it - catering to her wants, defending her, and showing genuine appreciation of her intelligence and candidness. His belief that he cannot love her seems to be deeply rooted in worry. Worry that he'll hurt her in the end because that's what he does to those he loves.

Their arrangement comes with many benefits - status, wealth, freedom - but the shine begins to wear off as Julia is forced to live up to the image they've cultivated...two people in the midst of a fairytale romance, head over heels in love. It would be too easy to fool herself that it is all real, and that he truly loves her. When lines blur, will she be able to tell the difference between what is fake and what is real?


"Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds, or bends with the remover to remove. It is the star to every wand'ring bark, whose worth's unknown although his height be taken."

Historical fiction oh yeah.. Cinderalla and a Duke. Must read it now. This checked off everything I look for in a book. Was not disappointed. Really enjoyed this book. I will read more from this author. Must read.

Cinderella & Her Duke is really good for Sophie’s story in Bridgerton. It’s a fun historical romance fiction.

I love fairytale stories they are one of my favorite reads. Cinderella and the Duke is a delightful read I love Cinderella retelling when it's done right 5 Star read 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thanks Netgalley for a arc copy of this book for a honest review

Happy Reading Lisa 📚

I was swept away by this debut romance! The hero may have been a bit too stubborn after a while and I adored Julia’s wit; overall this was a great read!

4.5 Stars

Some fairytales do come true. Well… sort of.

Out for one night only, Julia Beaumont needs to find a husband. She’s twenty-seven and can’t stand the thought of spending the rest of her life caring for her wicked step-mother, Constance. She hasn’t been to London for the season in ten years and is only in town now for her adored step-sister’s first season. Her dear friend, Lady Weatherford, has agreed to help any way she can, but when Julia spies the hungry women of the ton lusting after the Duke of Ashworth, she has concerns for his safety.

When the ethereal Julia saves Gregory, the Duke of Ashworth, from dueling with an angry husband for something he didn’t do, they share a passionate kiss before she runs off leaving only her shoe. The next day when he calls to return her shoe, she makes a proposal and sparks a wicked game of love and passion.

I believe this is Lydia Drake’s debut novel and she has completely swept me up in the world of Gregory and Julia. Julia has a witty, yet sharp wit. Her sparring with he step-mother is hilarious and absolutely what the older lady deserves. She uses that same wit with Gregory before and after they are married. It is one of the many things that cause Gregory to fall in love with his more than beautiful wife. While they play the love match to the ton, they agree to a marriage of convenience at first. Then it changes to only a wedding night to consummate things, but once the dear readers get to that chapter, we know Gregory will never be able to resist more.

While I did shout at Gregory a few times for him to stop being so stubborn, he does get his act together eventually. The road there is filled with spice, passion, and the creation of a love of a lifetime.

I’m absolutely certain historical romance lovers will enjoy every word of Cinderella and the Duke. I hope to read more soon from the talented Lydia Drake!

I received Cinderella and the Duke for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I enjoyed reading this book so much I couldn’t put it down. I love that she is smart, witty and has a cheeky sense of humour. And he is her perfect match. Their past prevents them from realizing their happily ever after sooner but there is a reason why being smart is an advantage. Looking forward to friends’ stories!

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

I was extremely fortunate to receive an ARC of Cinderella and the Duke written by Lydia Drake, from Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This is her debut novel and what a well written beautiful R
romantic story. Julia Beaumont is tired of catering to her step mother's every call and beck. Julia finally has one opportunity to break free and find a husband when her step mother is ill and Julia has the opportunity to chaperone her step sister at a ball. As Cinderella's story goes, she encounters Gregory Carter, the Duke of Ashworth, at the ball, loses her broken shoe as she is fleeing the ball after having been kissed intimately by Gregory, who is known for his conquests of women. However, what ensues the following day, and most every day thereafter is so much fun to read. Lydia Drake has a beautiful way of conveying emotions through her words. There is easy colorful banter between the two main characters and the rapport is stupendous. A very good debut novel.

What a brilliant, *brilliant* fairy tale retelling… I couldn't help but smile and laugh all the way through. Loved… I read it in just two days, I didn’t want to put it down. Snap this up

Spinster Julia Beaumont wants to escape her horrid stepmother. Any potential husband will do. Rake Gregory Carter, Duke of Ashworth, would never risk his bachelorhood, but a stolen kiss with Julia after she saves him from an irate husband leads him with a broken slipper and a marriage proposal. 

I was hoping for a clever take on the Cinderella tale, but the tie-ins were very subtle. Gregory and Julia trade clever barbs but the premise was hard for me to get behind. Women won’t chase Gregory if he’s married?? Since when? Besides, he sleeps with married women all the time. He just doesn’t like running afoul of their husbands. I couldn’t understand why he agreed to Julia’s deal.

I liked Julia’s snarky humor, but Gregory is your typical jaded insecure rake who finally repents but was never that bad to begin with. No much is regency period accurate in this insta-lust tale, but it’s a fun read with all of its banter and Gregory’s arc was believable.

I really liked the cinderella esque retelling has some forms of the cinderella story in it that i liked. I also liked how Julia had to find a husband so she can escape her horrid stepmother. She chose the Duke of Ashbury to propose to named Gregory. The book was overall super funny and had a lot of great chemistry between the two characters and filled with a lot of sex. Loved the slow burn romance.

Great book thank you for the arc!

Julia has to find a husband in one night to escape her horrid stepmother. She decided to propose to Gregory, Duke of Ashworth. Will he give in to his attraction to her?

Love both characters. Such chemistry. Such funny banter. Adore how those 2 finally fall in love.... I love the Cinderella references especially since I am a big fairy tale fan.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.