I really enjoyed this book. I really liked how Vivienne and Gabriel are both headstrong and though bump heads, surprisingly share a lot in common that allows them to connect with each other. I loved the banter in this book and the back and forth, as well. And then their silent but fiery inner dialogues you can tell are just happening after one of them says something to annoy the other person, LOL.

In this novel you find yourself empathizing and rooting for both characters despite their different opinions. On top of that, both characters are very likable. Overall, I am really grateful to have received an ARC for Dreaming of a Duke Like You and you should read this if you enjoy an enemies-to-lovers trope!

Heartwarming story

This is a sweet and not overly spicy romance in which the two main characters, Gabriel and Vivienne, are torn between rules and their hearts. There is a charming relationship developing between Gabriel and Vivienne. Their bond is progressively changing, making it more credible. It has one of my favourite items, a determined woman.

I liked the secondary characters, Gabriel’s friends and sisters. These secondary characters add flavour and emotion to the plot and help us get to know Gabriel and Vivienne better. I highly suggest this beautiful romance.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Gabriel owns a gambling hell and has worked his way up in life. He then finds out that he is now a Duke with six sisters to care for. He meets Vivienne who begs him to cancel her brothers debt and he agrees as long as she helps him tame his sisters. This book was cute and fast read!

Dreaming of a Duke Like You" by Sara Bennett is a Regency historical fiction that skillfully weaves together classic tropes in a captivating manner. Gabriel Cadieux, a gaming hell owner with a complicated past, unexpectedly inherits a dukedom and its responsibilities. In a bid to secure a future for his half-sisters, he strikes a deal with Vivienne Tremeer, who aims to clear her brother's gambling debts. Their alliance sparks a slow-burning romance amidst society's watchful eyes.

Bennett masterfully utilizes common Regency themes, such as rags to riches, gambling debt, and grumpy vs. sunshine dynamics, crafting a narrative that feels fresh and engaging. Vivienne's sunny disposition complements Gabriel's stoic charm, resulting in an electric chemistry that keeps readers enthralled. The storytelling, character development, and vivid plot imagery blend seamlessly, making this historical drama an absolute page-turner. For those seeking a delightful blend of swoon-worthy romance and compelling characters, "Dreaming of a Duke Like You" offers a satisfying journey that leaves you cheering for this enchanting couple.

This was a good historical romance. I enjoyed the main characters and their conflicts. I recommend to historical romance readers. A satisfying plot with a solid romance.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Gabriel is enjoying his life until he gets some surprising news he asks Vivienne to teach his sisters and himself how to act in public. I enjoyed the chemistry between Gabriel and Vivienne.

This is a sweet historical romance and both main characters are extremely likable and worth rooting for. It was incredibly slow, though, and weirdly repetitive. It could easily be edited down to fewer pages and would be a stronger book.

This Regency historical fiction drama has flair with many of the best tropes. There are many well-used common themes in Regency novels, but the author incorporates them well and not just because. Namely, rags to riches, gambling debt, scandal, and the grumpy versus sunshine character. Indeed, the wordsmithing, character development, and plot imagery strongly solidify the narrative.

Vivienne is your sunshine, likable lady, and Gabriel is the austere yet honorable businessman turned gentleman. The duo’s chemistry had me on the edge and I craved more at each turn of the page. For those that need a warning, there’s one intimate scene near the end. If you are in the mood to swoon and root for a couple look no further, engross yourself with this pair.

** I'd like to thank Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Netgalley for offering an eARC in exchange for a free, honest review **

Rating: 4.3/5 ⭐️'s

Holyyyy smokes, I flew through this book like a damn hawk. Like, stayed up late at night to read it, got it out every time I was in the car with company, and read it whenever I had a speck of time. My kindle must've been begging to be alone.

These characters were so good to read and had just the right amount of charactization to make them relatable, pitiful, and romantic. They felt real! The emotions were written in a relatable, but not stereotypical, way. Now, Gabriel has the typical grumpy softy persona, but he has a good reason to be "grumpy", considering he grew up essentially in an orphanage. He eventually is able to overcome this, but man, the gaming hell role was so sexy on him! Regardless, his kindness was wonderful toward friends and family and I loved that he and Vivenne had that connection of having siblings over the course of the story. The sibling dynamics really made the story shine and it's refreshing to see genuine sibling love in a story with no ill-feelings. Which, by the way, Gabriel's sisters made for fantastic side characters, as well as Vivienne's pitiful brother. I'm fascinated to see where the author goes next in terms of another book in this series. I do think some things were left intentionally vague in this novel so that they could be explored in future novels (what about step-dad? rival owner?). It didn't really bother me, though.

The slow-burn in this novel was phenomenal and well paced. While it had very little of the spice that is typical of HR, I found that the absence of it made the story even better. Sometimes, all I want to do is read a sweet, gentle story of over coming feelings, adversity, and finding love amongst a harsh world. The angst in this story wasn't overwhelming, but the step-father, rival den owner, and feelings themselves added a nice angsty vibe across the story and relationship. Also, the enemies to lovers was done at a great pace that felt real and true. It takes time for feelings to arise, people! But, there is nothing like melting an icy heart though 😍.

Overall, I really did enjoy this story. It still has its kinks, from the minor plotholes to a pace that did slightly drag at times, but the good far overwhelmed the negative in the end. I thought this author did a fantastic intro to this series and I look forward to picking this book up when published and seeing what else the author and publisher have to offer!! Pick this up if you can!!!

As always,
happy reading!!!

Dreaming of a Duke Like You was an enjoyable read.
I liked the enemies to lovers making a deal and thought that aspect of the story was interesting. I also liked the MMC. He inherits a title but doesn't think twice about making sure his six sisters are taken care of. He had a heart of gold that was guarded by a hard shelled exterior. I liked the FMC too. She's also trying to protect her sibling so these two have that character trait in common. The romance is charming and parts will certainly make readers swoon.
I do wish the characters themselves were slightly more developed but otherwise a cozy read.

Gabriel Cadieux owns a profitable gaming establishment in London. He receives news that he is the heir to a debt-ridden dukedom and guardian to six sisters. Gabriel grudgingly accepts his new responsibilities. However, he needs to find someone who can help his siblings integrate within Polite Society. Gabriel believes Vivienne Tremeer will be perfect for the job. She is perfect for his sisters but wrong for him. Which will Gabriel choose? His responsibilities? Or his heart?

Vivienne Tremeer is the daughter of a baronet. When her brother loses at gambling, and has no way to pay, she approaches Gabriel to forgive his debt. Instead, the infuriating man offers Vivienne a deal – if she agrees to teach his sisters how to navigate the ton, he will clear the debt owed. She never expected to fall in love with him. However, Vivienne knows her blemished reputation is wrong for Gabriel’s family. Will Vivienne do the right thing by giving Gabriel up?

It is always fun for me when I see a hero share my youngest son’s name. Other mothers may find it uncomfortable or unnerving, but not me. And no, I did not name my son after a book character (my husband forbade it. Lol). I could not help but love Cadieux. He started out with nothing, a boy from a foundling home, who managed to turn his situation around by a game of chance. I like how Gabriel never forgot his two childhood friends, also from the same foundling home. He included them in his new life, both as a gaming hell owner and then later as a duke. What I adore the most about Gabriel is his hobby. He likes to read… and not what others would expect. Gabriel likes reading romance books, a first for me.

I could not help but empathize with Vivienne. She always put her loved ones’ needs before her own while dealing with her own worries and troubles. I admire Vivienne’s willingness to take action to protect her brother’s future. She had limits on what she was willing to do. Even when things looked bleak or helpless, Vivienne never considered debasing herself. What I like the most about Vivienne is that she never treated Gabriel like an outsider. She understood him better than their peers ever would.

DREAMING OF A DUKE LIKE YOU is the first book in Sara Bennett’s historical romance series, DUKE OF GRANTHAM. I am new to this author’s works. The story’s premise is what interested me. I have a fondness for the “gaming hell owner” angle in historical romances. Some of my all-time favorite stories have that aspect in them. I cannot wait to read further books in this series.

Nitpicks, I do have a few. One, Vivienne and Will’s stepfather. I believe that could have been touched on further. Honestly, I anticipated him being Gabriel’s final roadblock to deal with. Instead, it feels like the entire situation fell between the cracks, forgotten. Unless the author plans to save that for Will’s story.

The second one is Longley’s character. I understand he is Gabriel’s nemesis. He seemed to only come out to cause some tension or problem for Gabriel, only to melt back into the background. Nothing more is done with him, no final confrontation, nothing. I wonder, like above, if the author plans to use Longley for Charles’ book, which makes sense.

This was a solid historical romance book. I have not read this author before. I enjoyed the book and I Ould recommend to others.

I enjoyed this one while still wanting more from this series starter.

Slow in parts, with some characters and their actions never developed to their better potential or sufficiently wrapped up (perhaps these missing parts will be addressed in the upcoming books?).

A non-steamy, sweet romance can be just the thing sometimes. I will read more of this series.



Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the DRC

I really enjoyed this book. It was a page turner for me even though I guessed how the story would end. It had a movie style storyline that I can see a romantic comedy film adaptation come out of it. A nice light read.

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. Historical fiction oh yeah.

4.5
Wonderful story! Gabriel was abandoned as a child but when the old Duke dies he becomes the legitimate heir to the dukedom. Vivienne is trying to protect and save her brother, she goes toe to toe with Gabriel. They learn to trust each other and they help each other when their situation ms become complicated. At the end they find their HEA!

This was a pleasant read but I wish it had more oomph. It definitely needed a bit more spice for my liking. Otherwise, it was a fine way to spend the evening.

A delightful regency romance.

This book quickly captured my attention and kept it to the end. The heroine is an older sister who is ready to sacrifice everything for her loved ones. The hero is a gaming hell owner who grew up believing himself an orphan, but surprise! he's actually the legal heir to a dukedom. He's a typical grew-up-rough and now has a hard exterior hiding his heart of gold. The two meet when she goes to plead clemency for her gambler brother which he refuses. She is ruined in the eyes of society because of an incident in her past and he's trying to fit into his new role in order to save his <spoiler>(now illegitimate)</spoiler> half-sisters. The development of a relationship between the hero and his sisters is charming. There's a villainous step-father and a gambling hell competitor who complicate the lives of the couple.

I enjoyed the read as long as I didn't think about the characters' actions too much. Some (non-essential) aspects of side characters were underdeveloped, but will hopefully be elaborated if this becomes a series. The ending felt a tad bit rushed.

In terms of explicitness, it is explicit but brief, not terribly "spicy."

Thanks to netgalley for the uncorrected proof.

Dreaming of a Duke Like You by Sara Bennett

This is definitely one of my favorites so far and the written is similar to those of Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn, and Eloisa James. Great book! I'm in love with the entire book. This is going to my book library when it releases.