Katrina’s life has been full of unexpected scandal. First her brother loses an arm in a duel to protect her reputation and several years afterwards the same gentleman who has been persuing Katrina accidentally falls to his death out of her bedroom window. Katrina has found some solace in a group of friends on the Isle of Synne as well has with her companion Lady Tesh. When she unexpectedly meets an old love Sebastian who has inherited the dukedom that is in ruin and needing saving. Sebastian is set to marry a proper lady with a big dowry but once he meets Katrina again past feeling come back to the surface. Can he save the dukedom while also marrying for love instead of money?

This was another wonderful installment of the Isle of Synne series.

reconnected after four years of separation and life altering circumstances doesn't mean the heart doesn't want what it wants

Recommend | Historical Romance | Explicit

Katrina and Sebastian knew each other four years ago from a light romance, but with events that forever changed the two of them, they never expect to see each other again. But when Sebastian is roped into distracting the brother of the woman he needs to marry they meet again. This time he's a poor Duke attempting to correct the wrongs of his father and she's a lady's companion after two incidents that paint her as a scandalous woman.

Look I love a forbidden romance. Add in "we both can't do this" because of the need to do right for others is the self inflicting love that I eat up.

Katrina is a little more meek than I love, but it fits her personality and upbringing that are slowly hinted at throughout the novel. I adored the way she tries to help everyone. She grows quite a bit in this book, which is good to see even if she does try to rationalize the good sides of everyone.

Sebastian, that poor man, goes through the emotional rollercoaster throughout this book. He so wants to be with the woman he remembers from his youth but the duties of his family and tenets is too much for him to give in. It's so freaking good. Sure, he was a little hot and cold and tried to save Katrina from several incidents but it turned out all good.

I really enjoyed the plot and I especially loved how Katrina did become more authoritative. I mean the steamier parts of the book--Katrina YES! To be honest I was expecting some sort of twist at the end and I really didn't see the one that happened coming, so that was great.

Overall it was a good, fun read. I've enjoyed all of Christina Britton's books thus far and highly recommend her earlier series as well. The characters make a small appearance in the book.

Thank you Forever Pub and Netgalley for an eARC of the novel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What's a Duke Got to Do With It is a Regency romance novel by Christina Britton. It is the second book in the Synneful Spinsters series, but it can be read as a standalone.

The story follows Katrina Denby, a young woman who has been unlucky in life and love. Three years ago, she was compromised by Sebastian Thorne, Marquess of Marsten, heir to the Duke of Ramsleigh. Sebastian left her without a word, and Katrina's reputation was ruined.

Now, Sebastian is back in town, and he's determined to make amends for his past mistakes. He offers to help Katrina find a suitable husband, but she's not so sure she wants his help. She still loves him, and she's afraid that if she gets too close to him, she'll get hurt again.

As Sebastian and Katrina spend more time together, their old feelings for each other resurface. But there are still obstacles in their way, including Sebastian's duty to his family and Katrina's own fears and insecurities.

What's a Duke Got to Do With It is a well-written and engaging romance novel. The characters are complex and relatable, and the story is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. I especially enjoyed the way Britton explores the themes of forgiveness, second chances, and self-love.

If you're a fan of Regency romance novels, I highly recommend What's a Duke Got to Do With It. It's a story that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📚Disclosure: I received a review copy of this #book from Forever - Grand Central 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/author for allowing me the opportunity to review. 🦄 @ReadForeverPub @GrandCentralPub @HachetteUS
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The fact that another man’s obsession over you would have ruined a lady’s status makes me so thankful it’s current day. But watching Sebastian become protective was beautiful.

“It was as if every moment of his life had led to this.”

I’ll admit, I was really worried that this book wasn’t going to provide the HEA ending I expect in a romance novel. I mean how on earth were these two going to find a way to be together? The entire book was heartbreaking and filled with regret and impossible dreams. This is the kind of story you really need a new box of tissues for.

Sebastian and Katrina were star-crossed lovers from practically the first page. Anything and everything seemed determined to keep them apart. Katrina especially seemed almost cursed having two separate scandals, neither of which were her fault, laid upon her shoulders not to mention being abandoned by her brother in such a callous way. Thank goodness she found such wonderful friends on the Isle of Synne.

Except for a semi-open door scene this book is pretty mild. And despite the true love Sebastian and Katrina have for each other it’s pretty low on steam. I didn’t read the first book in the series but never felt confused, either. This is a good, easy to read and enjoyable book and the only real complaint I had was there was way too much descriptions, thoughts and reflections and not enough talk and action. Still, I liked it and will probably read more books by Christina in the future.

What's a Duke Got to Do With It is the second book in Christina Britton's Synneful Spinsters series. I read and enjoyed the first in the series but it wasn't a necessity in order to follow this one. Katrina was the belle of the ball during her debut year. She was deciding which suitor to marry when an unfortunate event through her life into scandal. An already engaged member of the peer climbed into her bedroom at night uninvited. Her brother challenges him to a duel but it's too late. Katrina's reputation is already lost.

Sebastian Thorne has been in love with Katrina since the first moment he saw her. On the night he finally gets up the courage to tell her, he receives word his father is deathly ill. He leaves London and doesn't return for years. He assumes that Katrina must have moved on and married just like he will need to do to settle his father's debts and keep the estate solvent. The father of his soon to be fiancé, tells him in order to secure his bride he must convince her brother to give up his actress paramour and spend some time with his aunt on the Isle of Synne. When he arrives at the island, Lady Tesh's companion is none other than Katrina Denby who has been recently embroiled in another scandal. What will Sebastian do when the love of his life is right in front of him but he must marry for money?

This one was just fine. I didn't find myself really invested in the characters or storyline. I was a very quick read, I finished it in one day. There were some funny moments; especially regarding her dog, Mouse. It was also nice to see other book characters pop up. Read this one if you enjoyed the first in the series and want to see more of the Isle of Synne. Otherwise, I would stick to the first book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Grand Central Publishing for this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own. #netgalley #forevergrandcentralpublishing #WhatsADukeGotToDoWithIt #Isleof Synne #SynnefulSpinsters

Bluestockings Rule!
Katrina went from being a darling of the ton to a scandal no one wanted anything to do with. If you were rich it was easier to escape for a while to the continent. If you were not rich (like Katrina) you fled and became an old lady’s companion. Add to that a duke who needs to marry for money, Sebastian. It’s full of angst for me because it wasn’t any fault of Katrina’s she was in that situation and the duke should’ve tried to make money another way! He was going to take the easier way out of his problems. The book has lots of anxiety for me, but the characters are compelling. Well worth reading.

I received a free copy of the book in advance and am leaving this review voluntarily.

This one will make you sad. Even with the HEA I was just sad throughout it- second chance but full of scandals they had no say in- made it very hard. Mouse, her dog, is a great distraction along with some side characters. This was a very slow burn with some forbidden aspects in play.
Loved this series and previous storylines in this setting, so hope we get to more happy plots next time around.

Rated 3.5 Stars

I was looking forward to reading What's a Duke Got to Do With It because of how much I enjoyed the first book. While it was also enjoyable I found it slow and for me the conflict dragged on a bit too long. I had high hopes for this one but sadly it didn't fully work for me. It was still a delight to read.

My reading took a backseat to other things in life in the months leading up to pub date for this book and I was not able to read and review. I still haven’t fully caught up on my backlist, but I hope to get to this book in the future and I look forward to reading it. A few friends read it and loved it, so I suspect I will enjoy it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher and my sincere apologies. Life is like that sometimes.

I’m such a sucker for historical romances. I can’t get enough of them. This was another I enjoyed. It was a nice break from all the adult fantasy I’ve been reading lately.

Christina Britton should be on the shelf of anyone who loves historical romance. This is my second book by her and I need to have them all on my shelves. She writes such strong, smart and funny characters. I can see being friends with any one of the heroines I've read of hers so far and I love that. In What's a Duke Got to Do With It, we have Katrina and Sebastian. The two had a moment years and years ago that was rudely interrupted and the two didn't reconnect until several years later. Katrina is trying to clear her name as it is now associated with a couple of scandals. Sebastian is trying to save his title and land and needs to marry someone rich ASAP. Together they start helping each other with their issues but of course, they fall in love along the way.

I had such a great time reading this book. I love it when a romance makes me laugh and swoon but what really stands out for me is the friendship between Katrina and the other women of the series. I love found family and this book definitely has some of that in addition to the second chance romance at the forefront of the story.

If you have yet to read Christina's work, I highly recommend adding her to your TBR.

I really enjoyed this book despite not living the first in the series, the two leads were well written and their journey was goodl

4.5

I really enjoyed this one! i loved being back on the Isle of Synne! We got to meet Katrina (and mouse) in the first book and I am so happy to learn more about her! I loved her character no matter how much she had been knocked down and boy was she knocked down a few times she was still so positive and trying to make the best out of a super unfair situation. I also loved Mouse her big of brute of a dog, all the Parts with him had me smiling ear to ear and I especially loved the way Sebastian our Duke was with him! I also loved the Duke in this I loved the little bit of what never happened aspect of this story and I loved the moments him and Katrina shared together. I liked his background story and why he was doing what he was doing. I also loved the sea side setting of this and all the scenes we got on sea side. And of course all the people of the isle of Synne!

I adored Katrina and Sebastian's story! I just loved watching these two find their way back to one another!

I enjoyed What's a Duke Got to Do With It. Katrina and Sebastian were very likable and their situation rife with stressors. It was sad to see what had happened to each of them since their initial interactions. It was heartwarming that they still cared deeply for each other though everything was stacked against them.

I would have loved to have seen more of the Oddments. They were such fun in the first book and while we see them here and they're still fun, they didn't play as much of a role. Or at least it didn't seem so to me.

The times have sure changed but in accordance with the book's timeframe, poor Katrina is punished horribly for an act she had nothing to do with. She in no way played part in the unwanted suitor sneaking into her room, twice, Or in his death. But as a lowly women of the ton, she is banished to Synneto serve as a companion. Her employer, her friends, Sebastian and the reader all know what a lovely person she is and love her for it. She hasn't let this turn of events make her bitter or nasty tempered.

Poor Sebastian is also held captive because of an error he played no part in. Thanks to his father's misdeeds, he is forced to marry for money which means not to the love of his life, Katrina.

Watching these two leaves no doubt they are only meant for each other and I quite enjoyed their journey. Their story wouldn't make for a good romance without their HEA but I'll leave it to you to find out for yourself how they get there.

Thanks to NetGalley, Forever and the author for the ARC.

I loved this book so much. Christina Britton creates such a deep world that envelopes you. Wanted to live in this book. It was a joyous time. I also love anything to do with dukes, so this was tailor made for me!

We are back to the Isle of Synne in Christina Britton's second in the series, What's a Duke Got to Do With It! I love this cover, it is one my recent favorites! The dress, the colors... just fantastic! I know we are not supposed to judge a book by it's cover, but this cover is a promising start.
This is a good story! Katrina, our heroine, has a promising start at the beginning as a debutante who is very successful in the start of her first season. It ends badly when one of her erstwhile suitors tries to compromise her and ruins her reputation. The compromise and ensuing duel ruin her reputation, and she becomes the companion to a woman and living on the Isle of Synne.
On the Isle of Synne, living her life with her oddball employer and huge dog named Mouse, she is reaquainted with her first love, Sebastian. Sebastian has inherited a title and considerable debt, and has to marry someone with money. But the two are drawn together, and a lot of hijinks, pining, and pondering about what is important in life occur!
While this was mildly entertaining, I wasn't fully into this book. It took me a while to get into it because I really don't like tropes involving a woman being blamed and living a hard life for a man wanting something and feeling entitled to it. The dialogue is written well and has some funny bits, especially with Katrina's employer and clumsy, overeager dog. Some of the book didn't make sense-- like did Katrina's brother fight in a duel when he really doesn't seem to be that connected to Katrina? Katrina is so memorable to two men (regardless if they're good or bad men) that they are in love/lust with her after four or five years yet she's still wasting away as a ladies companion just did not make sense to me, and made the story kind of jarring around to me.
I really like Sebastian and Katrina together, they have great chemistry and you root for them the entire time. All in all, it was a mid-range in liking for for me and while not my favorite, I did enjoy this book.
I received What's a Duke Got to Do With It as an ARC for my honest opinion, and I was really excited to read this one! I really enjoy Christina Britton's series. It is a an enjoyable read!

Love, love, love!!! Christian Brittons book NEVER disappoint me.

The character make you beg for them to fall in love. Her plot pacing is perfection. Her surrounding cast delights!

If you enjoy Regency romance, do yourself a favor and read this book!
The only thing that makes me sad is waiting for her next release.

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

I fell hard for all three couples in Christina Britton's Isle of Synne series but you know what? I'm enjoying her spinoff Synneful Spinsters even more. A collection of intelligent, independent-minded women past the first blush of youth who don't quite fit in with society for a variety of reasons but who win the hearts of men who love them precisely because of who they are, not in spite of it.

I always enjoy a complex, emotionally-layered, second chance romance, especially when the couple was separated by events beyond their control. In this case, Sebastian and Katrina were on the verge of declaring their feelings when his father's health called him away and another man's stupid decision cast Katrina out of society in shame (though she did nothing wrong). When they are unexpectedly reunited years later, it quickly becomes apparent the feelings they once held still simmer but circumstances for both are quite significantly changed. Which will prevail this time around? Hearts? Or duty?

Oh, the yearning in this book. So much yearning between these two. I loved it. Britton does a wonderful job of layering their journey with a complex web of obstacles and emotions that test their resolve. She gives them opportunities to become reacquainted which then begin to deepen feelings between them that never really went away while also keeping the reasons that prevent them from being together in full view. She does not make it easy for these two and, I confess, I couldn't quite figure out how she would work it all out to my satisfaction in the end. Of course, she did.

I love the chemistry between Katrina and Sebastian but also the foundation of friendship that it is built upon. I enjoyed the clear communication between them, how they both moved forward with eyes open, knowing the consequences for any actions and making decisions together, how they defended and supported one another. Especially, how Sebastian repeatedly leaped to Katrina's defense. I also loved their easiness and humor and especially how Sebastian interacted with Mouse, Katrina's lovable but exceedingly exuberant Great Dane. You can tell a lot about a man by the way he treats your dog. Just saying.

The secondary cast once again provides richness and texture - not to mention matchmaking - with several characters from other books popping in and out. You can absolutely enjoy this second Synneful Spinsters book on its own but I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I highly recommend all of the books in the two Isle of Synne series.

If you enjoy emotion-driven romances with complex characters, witty dialog, strong female friendships, swoony heroes, intrepid heroines, humor, and a hard-won happily ever after, you can't go wrong with Christina Britton's What's a Duke Got to Do With It. And, if you especially enjoy seeing the heroine's selfish, unfeeling brother get what's coming to him in the end? Well, that's just extra icing on this delicious historical romance cake.

4.5 Stars
*ARC received from publisher via NetGalley. Fair and unbiased review.