Magnus, Duke of Longhurst, strives to maintain a spotless reputation. He must marry an heiress to restore his failing estate. A past scandal and familial responsibilities rendered Longhurst distant and distrustful of people, especially, those with a Hartley surname. Unfortunately for him, a trivial lie lands him in a temporary betrothal with a member of the very family he loathes.

Verity Hartley sees herself as the ugly duckling of her eccentric family. She also considers herself as the sensible one. However, while trying to gain the upper hand against her archenemy, a little lie slips out of Verity’s mouth, which results in her spending time with an overbearing and irascible Duke. I adored Verity. Although, her clumsiness was overdone for my liking. What began as amusing eventually turned cringy and dispiriting. Nevertheless, she is charming, and I loved seeing her come into her own. Those annoying villagers who belittle her can fall off a cliff!

Vivienne Lorret excels at crafting emotional, but witty romantic tales. Given this is the first book of the series, it isn’t a surprise that there are other storylines happening in the background involving the side characters, thus setting the foundation for future books. It Had to Be a Duke is funny and sexy. I enjoyed the sexual tension, the romance, and the drama. I also liked that family is an important theme of this book. Despite their many differences, Verity and Magnus share a deep love for their family. And I love how Magnus cares for Verity when she’s anxious. “Listen to me, darling. You’re going to be just fine. You’re braver than you think. And you’re not alone. I’m here.”

3.5 rounded up to 4.

CN: bullying, childhood trauma, claustrophobia, slight violence.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for providing me with an e-ARC. All opinions are my own.

Admittedly, it took a bit for me to get into the book. There was just something about the first 15% that I struggled with. but once I got over that hump, what a wild ride the rest of it turned out to be! This is just one of those wacky books. There were moments where the writing seemed well thought out and other moments where it felt a bit juvenile, especially in it's descriptions and dialogue. But otherwise, I really enjoyed it. It did suffer from the 'first in the series' plague that is introducing a whole new cast of characters, but as I said, the premise was just loopy enough that that didn't bother!

After taking a long break from historicals, It had to Be a Duke by Vivienne Lorret was an amazing way for me to get back into the genre. Growly heroes, sweeping romance, and a heroine who stands up for herself? YES PLEASE!

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for this arc. I really enjoyed this story. The characters were entertaining and story moved quickly enough for me.

I have to be in the mood for regency and while I did enjoy this one, I felt to some degree there was too much going on.

I LOVE the trope where the girl just picks a random man to be her “fiancé” and then boom hijinx occurs, but here I didn’t feel it made particular sense.

*SPOILERS*

I didn’t feel that it was believable she would name her family’s enemy even with the happenstance of him being in town. I also felt the secret everyone was upset over ended up being a little unbelievable.

*Spoilers End*

All in all though it was a fun Regency with some enjoyable spice.

Thank you so much to the publisher for the advanced copy!

Every time I picked up "It Had to Be a Duke", I was whisked back in time, and went on such an emotional journey with this romance!

This is the first book in Vivienne Lorret's "The Liars' Club" series! Ms. Lorret's writing is simply spectacular! Her storytelling, world-building, characters, and plot all jump right off of the page, and I simply did not want to put this book down! She writes with so much heart, emotion, and her passion for writing is so clear from the first page to the last.

(Possible Spoilers!)
Oh my goodness! This enemies-to-lovers and fake-engagement romance between Verity and Magnus is full of so much: romance, wit, frustrating moments, secrets, family, history, heartwarming moments, and so, so much more. The more time Verity and Magnus spend together, and the more they get to know one another, what starts as a lie begins to deepen. Though it is sometimes a difficult journey, their love and relationship becomes something deep and beautiful. They truly are one another's happily-ever-after, and I hope to see them again in future books!

If you enjoy Historical Romance, I highly recommend this book! I so look forward to reading what Ms. Lorret writes next, and I hope this series will continue for a long time!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Avon for the e-ARC of this novel, and to Avon for the beautiful finished copy as well! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This was an interesting and unique historical romance novel.

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Prepare to be swept away on a captivating journey onto the stage of Regency England with "It HadTo Be a Duke.” Author Vivienne Lorret weaves a delightful tapestry of deception, desire, and undeniable chemistry in this enemies-to-lovers fake-dating historical romance.

From the moment Verity Hartley and the dashing Magnus Warring clash, sparks fly, igniting a firestorm of passion. Their witty banter crackles with tension, setting the stage for a romance that is as tumultuous as it is tender.

Amidst the trappings of this storybook time, these two embark on a charade of fake courtship, each harboring their own secrets and ulterior motives. But as their masquerade deepens, so too does the undeniable attraction between them, leading to moments of heart-pounding swoon-worthy romance.

With its richly drawn characters, lush historical detail, and sizzling chemistry, "It Had To Be a Duke" is a feast for the senses. From stolen glances to stolen kisses, every page brims with charm, keeping thirsty readers eagerly turning the pages late into the night.

Fans of enemies-to-lovers romances will find much to enjoy here, while lovers of historical fiction will delight in the vividly depicted world of a bygone era. So, pour yourself a cup of tea, settle into your favorite reading chair, and prepare to be swept away by the irresistible charm of "It Had To Be a Duke.”

Absolutely adore Vivienne’s books! They’re always fun, sweet, sexy, and gives you the feels! I really enjoyed this one! It’s the start of a new series! I loved the enemies to lovers vibes with a fake engagement! These two had the perfect amount of banter with all the tension to build up! I also enjoyed the family dynamic in there too! They sisters are great! I can’t wait to read the next one! I highly recommend this one!

It Had to Be a Duke by Vivienne Lorret

Vivienne Lorret's latest book is a must-read for fans and newcomers alike. With a masterful touch, Lorret brings to life a story brimming with human emotions that transcend time periods. Her ability to delve into themes of endurance and resilience resonates deeply, reminding readers of the universal experiences we all navigate in our lives.

Verity and Magnus are captivating protagonists, their clash of souls tempered by unwavering self-truths. As their bond unfolds amidst a backdrop of revenge, betrayal, and love, readers are treated to a rollercoaster ride of emotions, complete with steamy scenes and humor that feels like witnessing the story unfold firsthand.

With a perfect score of 10/10, this book is a testament to Lorret's storytelling prowess and her unwavering ability to captivate readers with each new series. Prepare to be swept away when you grab your copy—it's a journey you won't soon forget.

Vivienne Lorret is a recognizable name in the genre of historical romance. Her books are well written and well received; It Had to Be a Duke, was no exception.

A blurted lie lands both Verity and Magnus in a bit of a predicament – the former must abide by it to save face, while the later is forced to go along with it to save an impending betrothal.

This enemies to lovers themed historical is a bit silly in parts, but its well-plotted gradual romance is a bit more believable than others of its kind. Though the initial pairing is built upon a lie, by the end of the book one is wholeheartedly rooting for a happy ending for Verity and her Duke.

It Had to Be a Duke is a solid read that any lover of historical romance should enjoy!

This was a delightful story with interesting characters and a fun storyline. The heroine’s anxiety was believable and the grumpy hero was perfect for her. 4 stars.

CW: Child abuse, child death, parental death, panic attacks.

This is my first Vivienne Lorret historical romance. I picked it up because I feel like I’m forever chasing the Good Book Noise™ or rather Good Book Experience I had with Tessa Dare’s When a Scot Ties the Knot. I want a leading character who plays along with the lie of being betrothed, or dating, etc. It’s a slightly different flavor of fake dating with a little more oomph and tension. Rather than two people entering into a mutually beneficial fake relationship, having a single character’s lie lead to a fake relationship scoots this trope toward enemies to lovers. Additional tension is built into the conflict because one person can expose the other and could potentially ruin the plan. Understandably, that opposite party is peeved, but sees some benefit in going along with it and that’s more my jam.

Ultimately, though, this book did not get close to recreating that experience. It was slightly above “fine,” but two of the three portions of the book were dull or unnecessary.

Verity Hartley is the eldest daughter of a family of thespians who live in a quaint hamlet. She very much feels like the odd one out. She’s too shy to perform and often gets great anxiety at being the center of attention. She’s also nearly twenty-six and unmarried, mostly due to a family scandal in which her father and their neighbor made a poor investment decision and lost a substantial amount of money.

The hero, Magnus (yes, Magnus) Warring, the Duke of Longhurst, is the eldest son of the neighboring family. He holds a grudge against the Hartleys for getting his father embroiled in a bad business decision, leaving their coffers pretty empty, and forcing Magnus to rebuild everything. Magnus has plans to marry an heiress in London, though his proposal is put on hold when gossip begins to travel that Verity Hartley claims they’re betrothed.

Long story short, he’s convinced by his grandmother that “breaking it off” with Verity to immediately court another woman would look poorly. It would be best for both parties to pretend for a week or so and end things when he returns to London. Verity fesses up to Magnus pretty quickly, stating she regrets it, but was desperate to get a longstanding childhood bully off her back. Of course, Magnus assumes that like all of the Hartleys, she’s a liar.

Both Verity and Magnus are…fine. That’s really the most fitting adjective and feels a little damning to use it. Nothing stuck out too much for me. Everyone talks about Verity like she isn’t in the room or says the mostly casually cruel things about her circumstances. It’s quite sad and frustrating. There’s a lot of “eldest child managing the emotions of relatives or handling the family baggage” with both main characters. Also as the eldest child, I’m kind of full up on that sort of dynamic.

There is plenty of sequel bait in the side characters and I’m curious enough to keep an eye on future books to see when they’ll get their own romances.

As I mentioned earlier, the book is set up into three sections: Fake dating in a quirky hamlet, forced proximity in London, and third act bleak moment. Part one was a slog (as I found the theater-loving family and nosey townspeople rather annoying) and part three was not really needed.

The impetus for the break up felt a little forced. It occurred too late in the timeline of Verity and Magnus’ relationship to feel plausible and only served as a dramatic detour for the last 50ish pages of the book.
The portion of the book set in London was by far the most interesting. It had some action, it was funny, and I was disappointed that I whipped through it so quickly. I legit laughed out loud during this scene where the main characters found themselves being threatened.

“Hartley, did you bring your daughter to the docks? For shame. So many awful things can happen to a young woman when she’s in the wrong place and the wrong time.”

“You think I look young?” Verity asked at the same time Magnus growled, “Touch her and you’ll die,” and the baron interjected. “I’ve never seen her before in my life.”

It felt very much like two books or ideas trying to fuse together, but I only felt like one was successful or at the very least appealed to my own reading tastes.

I did mention some trigger warnings up at the top that I’d like to briefly explain.

TW/CW explanation and some spoilers

Regarding child abuse, as a child Verity was often locked in a cupboard by her governess and now frequently experiences panic attacks. There is also a very brief scene in which Verity tells Magnus that she had a younger brother who drowned and they don’t speak of it. It’s roughly three or so lines and that’s it.

Reviews for middling books are always the hardest to write. As Sarah says, “These are some words on a page.” I’m curious enough to look for upcoming books in the series, but may temper my expectations a bit more or only pick them up if it’s starring a secondary character I really enjoyed, like the cheeky town reverend Tobias or Miss Snow, a London heiress who loves inventions. This book didn’t make me bang my head against the wall, but it’s certainly not going on my keeper shelf either. It’s simply…fine.

I wasn't sure about the premise of this book but as usual Lorret did a great job of bringing us along for the ride.

I liked this book. I love a good enemies to lovers story and this one was very satisfying. If the characters had spent more time together I would have given four stars.

I really enjoyed this love story. I especially loved the FMC (she’s plain and has anxiety, and I found her very relatable), but it took me a minute to warm up to the MMC. This book has some humor to it, which was fun. If I had to pin down a trope, maybe enemies to lovers. This book was well-worth the read.

I received an ARC from NetGalley. This is my honest review.

Vivienne Lorret is an author I trust implicitly to deliver a great book, and she never disappoints. It Had to Be a Duke is a great read, with unexpected twists, laugh out loud moments and emotions dialed up to eleven.

When Verity Hartley accidentally declares she’s betrothed to a duke, and not just any duke, but the one who is the enemy of her family, she never expects him to go along with it! Magnus, Duke of Longhurst, can’t risk his reputation, since he’s busy negotiating an engagement to a wealthy heiress. A week of a fake engagement to the wild daughter of his enemy followed by a mutual separation should put matters to rest. However, Magnus and Verity can’t help the electricity that crackles between them as they get to know each other better.

This book felt a little different from some of Lorret’s other books, but was still chock-full of heart. I’m excited to see where she takes this new Liar’s Club series; the next book is queued up and I can’t wait. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who loves fake engagement, touch her and die, duty vs desire, and smart, witty heroines.

This was my first Vivienne Lorret book ever and I cannot believe I spent this long not hearing about her. This was one of the BEST historical romances I have read in so long. It fulfilled every serotonin need and desire within me. The characters, the storyline, the dialogue, the care and thought they put into this story just left me whole. I spent a sleepless night reading this book, and I did not regret it!

Magnus is such a lovely, brooding hero with the typical duty-driven personality. I loved seeing the time and care Lorret gives him and his thoughts. The reader really does see character development within him and the turmoil he goes through as you see him journeying through his feelings for the heroine. It's not just the emotions for the heroine, but also his emotions toward the past and the vengeance he still holds in his heart for something that happened years prior. I loved being able to see his flawed self as he learns from his mistakes.

Verity is the Plain Jane we all root for. Yet, the author purposely makes her perfectly flawed as well. Because of her flawed nature, she ends up in this fake engagement to Magnus who she cannot seem to stop thinking about. Their relationship is one to envy although they do have a rough start. I loved seeing Verity come to realize her self worth without needing a man in her life- having Magnus is just extra for her. She also isn't the typical wallflower who shies away from what she likes.

There were so many comedic moments that I just loved! So many moments that had me giggling like a little girl or staring at the words in mock horror with my mouth hanging open. Lorret got a brand new fan in me. This book invoked feelings in me that historical romances hadn't done in so long, and while I usually forget a story as soon as I finish reading it, this one will stay safely locked away in my heart. 2024 off to a great start! And I cannot wait for the rest of this series!

This was an absolutely delightful romp of a regency romance. Vivienne Lorret is a new-to-me author, and she had me turning pages late into the night. Highly recommended!

This was such a perfect way to kick off a new series! I loved these characters and this story. It had that mix of humor and sweetness I've come to expect from Vivienne Lorret. Such a fabulous grand gesture! And the setup for the next book? *chef's kiss* Cannot wait to read more.