I was really excited for this one at first, since the FMC was written canonically bi within the first page or so. But then, I quickly stopped enjoying it because a page or so later, it was kind of fat-phobic towards a side character (who I didn't really understand why that was there in general) and then possibly a little fetishizing to the person I assume was the MMC (not sure, I DNFed).

A good book that touches on an unusual subject for a Regency romance - the issues faced by those who don't quite fit into Society's narrow view of who belongs and who doesn't.

Gwen is the granddaughter of an earl and the widow of the second son of an earl. She and her husband Christophe were artists who spent most of their short marriage in Italy, where they pursued their art. When Christophe died, grief-stricken Gwen returned to England. However, once she recovered from the worst grief, she lived independently and continued pursuing her art instead of staying with her family and looking for a new husband. She has earned an excellent reputation for her portraits, which is at odds with her position as a lady, leaving most people wondering how to treat her.

Devlin Bythesea is the new heir to the Duke of Creighton, thanks to a series of unfortunate deaths. The son of an English father and an Indian mother, Dev spent all his life in India. Called to England because of the impending death of his uncle, Dev faces an uphill climb to gain acceptance. His aunt insists that having a traditional portrait done is the first step, followed by finding a proper English wife. But Devlin has no intention of letting his aunt pick his bride, so he hatches a plan for some insurance. One of his friends told him about the other portraits that Gwen paints, which are not for public viewing.

From the moment she and Dev met, Gwen felt the sparks that flowed between them. But she'd already lost one man whose death nearly destroyed her, and she refuses to marry again. Dev feels the attraction just as strongly and wants to have her in his bed, but he understands the fear that controls her. I loved their time together, as their ability to see past their public facades to the person underneath brought them closer together. I loved how Gwen listened to Dev when he talked about his life in India and understood how the two worlds made up the whole man. The descriptions of both portraits showed that she could capture that melding.

As the attraction between them grew stronger, Gwen fought her feelings. The idea of loving someone else after Christophe made her feel guilty and filled her with fear of losing again. She convinced herself that she and Dev could give in to their passion without muddying the waters with feelings, knowing there was an end date for their relationship. Dev realized the truth of his feelings before she did but had no idea how to convince Gwen they could have it all.

Matters are complicated by Dev's cousin, Bish, who is green with jealousy over Dev gaining the dukedom. He starts an insidious campaign of impugning Devlin's fitness to inherit the title. He is a sneaky little twit, taking it a step further by also turning his sights on Gwen. His actions are despicable and create some unwelcome stress for Dev. I loved how Dev found a way to spike Bish's guns, and the scene before the Heralds was fantastic.

Unfortunately, Bish's actions did throw a wrench into Dev and Gwen's relationship, and harsh words were exchanged between them. Luckily for Dev, he received timely and helpful advice that enabled him to return to Gwen's good graces. She had had time to think and realize that having two great loves in one lifetime was possible. Dev's big scene at the end was fantastic, and the epilogue was a great look at their lives a year later.

One of my favorite parts of the book was Dev's relationship with his uncle. Dev's love and respect for the old duke are undeniable. I loved how Gwen got involved by visiting with Dev and sketching the older man for Dev to remember him by. He won my heart with his advice for Gwen and his belief that she and Dev belonged together. The wedding scene is intensely emotional, and the description of the portrait in the epilogue emphasizes Gwen's talent.

I enjoyed seeing the mention of characters from previous books and will have to go back and read the ones I missed.

The widow painter and the duke from India...

Devlin Bythesea is the heir presumptive, as his uncle the duke's health worsens. He was summed to England from India, as he was never supposed to inherit the title. He's looking for a last fling before settling down to marry a demure English rose. He seeks to have an affair with Gwen, a widow. She, too, lives on the border of propriety and impropriety. She's the granddaughter of a earl, who married an artist and is herself a talented painter with the ability to undress a person with her eyes (a skill shared with every teenage boy). Her reputation is how she makes her living and with it, her independence. Which Dev sees as a challenge to seduce her (which I did not like). But he quickly comes round to being all about Gwen. But there's trouble in th dukedom (Bish is trying to get him declared not the heir).
Sex positive and Gwen is a great match for Dev.
Recommend.
4.5

The Art of Catching a Duke by Bronwyn Scott - If you're a fan of Lisa Klepas, this is the book for you! It's scandalous, sexy, steamy and all the sexy Duke you need! Great on beach days and rainy days.

I just reviewed The Art of Catching a Duke by Bronwyn Scott. #TheArtofCatchingaDuke #NetGalley
[https://www.netgalley.com/member/book/286302/review]

A well written, enjoyable story that brings together two non-typical main characters for Regency Romances today and does it wonderfully.

For those who still want your historical romance with a duke and a HEA this is for you.

Thank-you to HARLEQUIN - Romance (U.S. & Canada), Harlequin Historical and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

#TheArtofCatchingaDuke #NetGalley

Widow and earl's daughter Guinevere is hired to paint the portrait of Dev, heir to a dukedom. His eligibility to inherit is called into question by a jealous cousin who threatens to create a scandal. If Dev doesn't give into his demands, Guinevere will be ruined.

In this intensely character-driven novel, Guinevere is determined never to marry again—but she can't help falling in love. The external plot is secondary to the struggles between Guinevere and Dev to come to terms with the growing feelings between them.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Widowed Guinevere relies on her painting portraits for a living. When she is to paint Dev, she is tempted to do more. They find they have much in common. When he must marry soon, she is afraid to love again. Dev attempts to change her mind. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Harlequin for my honest review

"The Art of Catching a Duke" by Bronwyn Scott is a second-chance interracial romance.

Devlin Bythesea is nephew and heir to the Duke of Creighton. He is also biracial, having a British white father and an Indian mother. His uncle is ill and close to death, so Dev has to come to England to assume the dukedom. But it's not going to be easy for him.

Guinevere Norton is a widowed artist and the granddaughter of an earl. However, she lives on the fringes of Society, unwilling to fit into the mold Society or her family expect.

Dev and Gwen have an instant connection, and it's not merely a physical attraction. It's an emotional one, where they can see past each other's walls. Dev comes to clarity about his feelings quicker than Gwen does however; despite this, watching their relationship progress is enjoyable and at times enlightening.

Naturally, there is a villain - Dev's cousin Aldrich Bishop Bythesea, known to all as Bish. His jealousy over Dev - the heathen, foreigner and rake - becoming duke leads to his attempts to ruin Dev via rumor & innuendo. He ultimately fails, as he should.

Like all romances, this one ends on the happily-ever-after note. Dev and Gwen marry, he is now the duke, she has a small art gallery, and is soon to provide Dev with an heir. But it's not just the usual love conquers all message Scott wants the reader to take away. Two others are put forth:
1. love is infinite - you can love and lose someone, but love again and do so without guilt;
2. mankind is capable of great intelligence, but also of great narrow-mindedness/ignorance.

A wonderful book that is so much more than a simple romance. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for this advanced copy, which I voluntarily read and reviewed.