Verity is the plain and always overlooked sister. She is always getting into sticky situation, which is how Magnus met her. They butt heads right from the beginning and deny any and all feelings for each other. They find themselves together only to realize there are to many obstacles in their way. Will they each find their happily ever after? Read this great book to find out!

4.5

A new series for Vivienne Lorrett.

It started with two feuding families that have blamed each other for years over a bad investment that lead to so many ruined lives. Then a lie made the families have to be in contact with each other again. Verity and Magnus have been pulled together because of this lie. They first start out as enemies then Slowly they turn in lovers.

I really enjoyed and liked this story. I think that the interaction of the characters were well developed. I loved the family love that was shown and the friendships that were highlighted were amazing. I would have given it a 5 but I struggled with the way that Magnus treated and kept on talking to Verity through most of the book. I understand the reason of it but it still irked me.

I loved their banter and dialogue! A wonderful book in a new series by Vivienne Lorret.

Verity Hartley, the fiercely loyal and headstrong eldest daughter of the colorful Hartley clan is caught hanging off a ladder in a very embarrassing situation by her mean girl nemesis Nell Hunnicutt when she tells a lie that changes her life. That she is betrothed to The Duke of Longhurst. News spreads like wildfire through the village. People can hardly believe it! Not only because Verity is a penniless spinster but because their families hate each other after a bad business deal that left Longhurst’s Estate in ruins!

Magnus Warring, The Duke of Longhurst is a man who holds honor, duty and honesty above all else. When he hears of this deception he is furious! Not only is it interfering with his plans to marry and heiress to fill his coffers, but he can’t stand the Hartley’s! He immediately goes to Addelwick to confront Verity Hartley and clear up this mess but when he sees her, his plans go out the window. They face off in a constant battle of wills fueled with underlying passion. Soon they cannot deny that their feelings for each other run deep. Can they overcome the family drama and find their HEA?! Read to find out!!

If you love enemies to lovers, fake betrothals, and a hint of pride and prejudice this book is for you!

Our heroine, Verity, feels like the odd one out in a family that's odd. Her sisters and parents are always putting on plays, acting, and getting up to other shenanigans involved with theater. Verity feels she doesn't fit in with them and generally has kept to herself. She isn't lonely, but feels solitary. Unfortunately, her snooty neighbor happens to spark her ire and Verity makes a bad decision: lies that she is engaged to a duke. This quickly backfires, with the rumors spreading around her little hamlet until it inevitably reaches said duke, Magnus Warring, Duke of Longhurst.

Magnus, our MMC, feels honor-bound to not embarrass Verity by shaming her and agrees to go along with a week long charade, after which they will part ways and he can marry Miss Snow, an heiress that will provide the money Magnus needs for his brother.

Verity and Magnus's first meeting is tense, Magnus being rightly aggravated that a lie is delaying his engagement to Miss Snow. Verity gets miffed by this, which I didn't understand - it was your lie! After this however, Verity and Magnus are thoroughly cute, with Magnus waxing poetic about the shades of Verity's hair... however, what deducted some points for me was the last 10%. I think it was rushed, and the ending conflict would've felt better without it. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book.

✨I loathe you 🫶✨

Okay this was FUN fun. It Had to Be a Duke is absolutely a true enemies-to-lovers romp. Those two were at each other’s THROATS the entire book. There was also a body of water *present* during a fight scene, so the similarities to The Princess Diaries 2 were beautiful and perfect. It was also entirely believable that they didn’t like each other; the book easily earned the word enemies. And it was so audaciously funny—I’m still weak thinking about certain scenes.

It’s a unique take on the “I started a rumor we’re engaged so now we have to fake it” trope, as most I’ve read have the other party be at least slightly willing to go along with it. Magnus was NOT having it. Pairing him with Verity was such a smart move. They were so similar but presented themselves in completely different ways, so it was fun seeing them fit together.

We saw the entire relationship develop on the page, so their HEA felt incredibly earned and satisfying. Lorett spent so much space showing the little moments that moved the romance and *feelings* forward, while still keeping that enemies energy present. Verity thinking that man was standing behind her at all times trying not to strangle her while he was actually just trying not to kiss her was just so funny to me. He also did something so perfect and lovesick that gets revealed at the end—if I speak !!!

There was other drama happening throughout the book, but their relationship was so fun that I truly would’ve fought through anything to keep reading about them. He was set on marrying another woman for familial duty, which got a bit old, yet it did it in a way I really couldn’t hate. So while it got a little long, and the breakup felt a bit sudden, everything all together felt necessary. It set up the series wonderfully, and I’m already anxiously awaiting book two.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶️🌶️.5*/5

*We only got twoish scenes, but they were pretty long and…that man was down so bad in both I found them to be incredibly hot...



Thanks so much to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.

** I'd like to thank Avon and Netgalley for giving me an eARC in exchange for an honest review **

rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️'s

See, this is why I freaking love Avon as a publisher - they always offer top quality stories written by fantastic authors. I became a huge fan after reading Lisa Kleypas and found that this author was a quick favorite as well. I sped through this book crazy fast! I was super excited to be approved and I hope to read more Avon titles in the future.

Now, the humor in this novel was fantastic and I found myself giggling just at the first few pages. I've always loved the dynamic of being the "regular" one in a family of weirdos and I feel like it adds a unique sense of humor and personal appeal to this story. It's relatable, cute (especially since her family is so supportive), and easy to put your attention to. The side characters were also so enjoyable in this story and added more humor and a tinge of angst to the story. I'm still new to the world of HR, but this marked a lot of the tropes I enjoy. Nothing is overly complicated, but also not too boring. The detail is immaculate and I could really *see* what was going on around me. That is such an important quality to a book, I swear.

Verity and Magnus are sweet, *so* sexy, stubborn, and overall such a good couple to read. While they have their ups and downs, woes and triumphs, they remain steadfast in their romance once they break that slow-burn. Which, enemies to lovers thrown in with fake relationship is just my party. The depth of this story is really enjoyable even with its length and I was glued to my kindle screen for hours at a time, taking in all I could about this couple and how they navigated the waters of loving to hate you to hating to love you to *I love you*.

While there are some things that some people may have the ick about (typical breakup ARC and more but I won't do spoilers), I enjoyed this book and the things it offered to me. I'll certainly keep an eye out for Vivenne and both her previous and her upcoming stories.

Happy reading!!

Magnus Warring, the fifth Duke of Longhurst, needs to marry an heiress. He nearly succeeds, only to learn of a rumor circulating that he is already betrothed to his enemy’s daughter. Magnus wants to confront the culprit and have her recant her ludicrous lie. Verity annoys him like no other, but he finds that he cannot erase her completely from his thoughts. Can Magnus ignore the enmity between their families?
Verity Hartley is the oldest daughter of a baron. She considers herself the odd duck in her family. To get back at her spiteful nemesis, Verity claims to be betrothed to the Duke of Longhurst. She never expected her little lie would reach the man’s ear, or that he would show up at her hamlet home. Magnus’s vexing attitude brings out the worst of Verity. Yet, she cannot seem to exorcise him from her mind. Will Verity’s falsehood become truth?
Mmm, Magnus. I have a weakness for the grumpy and overly serious hero types. Magnus is a straight shooter. He detests lies and deceit. I found it fun that he became an unwilling participate in one (not of his making of course). What I like the most about Magnus is that he is unlike other dukes. Instead of gambling, borrowing, or selling things off to keep his estate from ruin, he chose to work alongside his tenants.
I could not help but like Verity. She does not really fit in with her family nor does she share their passion for the thespian arts – something she accepted long ago. I like that Verity is plagued by self-esteem issues. This makes her relatable to me. Now there was a time or two when her insecurities, especially about her age, got annoying.
IT HAD TO BE A DUKE is the first book in Vivienne Lorret’s historical romance series, THE LIAR’S CLUB. Enemies-to-lovers trope. I am new to this author’s works. The book’s synopsis is what interested me to give the story a try. I love a good enemies-to-lovers tale. I found the storyline fun and engaging.
I plan to be reading further books in this series. I have a feeling Honoria’s story will pick up where this one ended. I cannot wait! Plus, I want Rowan and Anna’s story. And Truman! He deserves a happy-ever-after. I hope his story is not a second chance; it’s my least favorite trope.

I loved this book so much! Vivienne Lorret always delivers with her beautiful writing and her lovable characters. Verity is a mess, she keeps getting into shenanigans despite being the level headed one of her family; but she is so chaotic and fun! Magnus is starchy and duty bound but he slowly starts unraveling the more time he spends with Verity and it is just so great to watch these two come together!
There's a third act breakup that I didn't love; I understand the book needed more conflict I just feel like the reasons behind the breakup felt a little flimsy but it still set up the ending very well and it seems to have set up the rest of the stories in the series. THe book ends on a cliff hanger for what will hopefully be the next story in the series and I can't wait! Thank you so much to Avon for this ARC!

I loved this book! It was so much fun to read. Verity’s family is a delight and her parents are gross and adorable and remind me of Gomez and Morticia Addams. I love a good dash of humor, and this book definitely delivered on that front! Sweet, heartwarming, and funny, it really had all of the main things I enjoy in a HR. The main characters had great chemistry and there was just the right amount of tension. Additionally, it’s always a lovely and refreshing change of pace when a main character’s entire family is loving and supportive—no petty sister or controlling mother or neglectful father here, that’s for sure.


A big thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

A very slow start. From the beginning a few pages would grab my attention but the story got kind of boring and it took almost to chapter 10 before I started to get into the book. I ended up enjoying the last half of the book. It was just meh. I found both characters almost borderline too stubborn and not really having chemistry.

Liked this one! As is sometimes the challenge with kicking off a new series, there was a lot of back story exposition and the introduction of new people, which encroached a bit on the romance. Still, I enjoy many of the tropes here: smart, plain girl + grumpy noble; enemies to lovers; fake romance that becomes real.

Verity is just a bit out of step with everyone in her life: far less dramatic and more practical than her family, plainer than her lovely sisters, a bit clumsy and prone to minor disasters, always happier tromping about outdoors than staying inside. When confronted by a bully, she blurts out that she is engaged to the Duke of Longhurst, which inconveniently interrupts his near-engagement to a rich debutante. Magnus needs to recoup his family's coffers, because his father had been swindled out of most of the duchy's wealth in an investment scheme partially led by Verity's father. In other words, he definitely wouldn't be engaged to Verity if given the chance, so when he learns of his surprising "fiancé," he travels to her village to sort things out. They agree to keep up the fake engagement for a short period, and as you can imagine, it doesn't take long for the romance to start feeling real.

Verity gets herself involved in quite a few scrapes--some fun, some sad. Again and again, Marcus proves to be a solid ally in those circumstances, whether rescuing her from trees or helping her confront a phobia. Meanwhile, she helps him break down emotional walls he erected when he was a child and had to be the most responsible one in his family; Verity teases him, encourages him to take himself less seriously, and helps him tap into his long-dormant passion. I like a bit more of a sense of humor in my male romance leads, but if you like them gruff and serious, Magnus will be just right for you.

I really liked Magnus's actual intended fiancé, Anna, who became good friends with Verity and will almost certainly have her own book in this series. And there's a wonderful cast of characters around Verity and Magnus who will surely make appearances (and maybe have their own romances) in coming books.

All in all, a pleasurable read that left me both satisfied at the end and looking forward to more from this cast of characters.

What a charming book! Enemies to lovers! The dialogue, the intrigue, it’s all there! Verity is the oldest daughter who is always overlooked. She lies about being engaged to the Duke. The Duke is trying to secure an alliance with the Snows, as he needs her dowry money to begin his business. However,
Verity and Miss Snow become friends. And there is a mysterious Mr. Dashing! A lot of fun. A great read!

The Duke of Longhurst needs to marry an heiress for the sake of his family’s betterment. (Spinster and non-heiress) Verity Hartley, tired of being bullied by her neighbor, tells a lie out of extreme frustration and suddenly she and the Duke of Longhurst are engaged to be married.
…much ensues.

I had a smile on my face all throughout my reading of this one - it was wonderful and exactly what I needed to read.

Verity is perfection, The Duke of Longhurst gave me rather strong Matthew Macfayden-as-Mr-Darcy vibes ❤️ (my favorite Mr. Darcy) and the chemistry between the two is fantastic.

I loved this one, from start to finish and seriously can’t wait to read more of this series!

Recommended!



Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the DRC!

Vivienne Lorret has another hit with IT HAD TO BE A DUKE. Filled with the author's ability to balance off the beaten path characters and give them, and their stoic counterparts, rich depth, the novel is captivating from the start and doesn't let go once it has your attention. While a bit lengthy, I appreciate that the author doesn't take the easy way out--instead, the characters are forced to argue, to make up, to get to grips with the facets that they disliked about each other. That way, this enemies to lovers gives more than just the usual trope-y scenes, IT HAD TO BE A DUKE shows us the process between them and doesn't pull back any punches.

This was my first introduction to Vivienne Lorret.
The fake relationship trope is not for me. I think this colored my reception of the story, but I do enjoy enemies to lovers.
Magnus and Verity did have good chemistry and the secondary characters were enjoyable without detracting from or adding too much fluff to the overall plot. I did feel as though the story dragged on for a bit, but overall was pleased with how it wrapped up.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Avon in exchange for an honest review.

Charmed!

I am positively charmed by this delightful romance. It has so much heart, so much swooning, and so much laughter! If I wasn’t in the midst of a fainting spell over how intense the leads’ chemistry hit me, I was doubled over in whole body laughing. Gosh, I could not stop just grinning throughout this read! Charming is the word I would use to best describe this book. A book led by two charismatic characters with a love story that simply could not be stopped— no matter how hard each tried! And boy did they try!

Verity and Magnus.

Magnus and Verity.

Whew! What an iconic pair. What a gorgeous slow burn, reluctant romance!

If anyone ever needs an example for what bantering between a romantic pair should look like, Verity and Magnus have it down pat. They have it down iron clad. Their bantering was truly the best verbal sparring. They were like a pair of cowboys about to duel at high noon, except with boat loads of intense sexual and emotional chemistry. Fireworks, friends, fireworks! Enemies to lovers done properly, bantering done properly, chemistry that never once plateaus done properly!!!

I really missed reading historical romances, it’s been hmm…close to two months I think, so this book truly came at the most perfect time. I needed a good one too, a truly good one, and this hit all the marks. If I have a singular qualm is that I felt the book had a bit of a slow start, I didn’t immediately engage with it, but my goodness, once Magnus and Verity shared a scene I was all in (even as they were clamoring to get away from each other as much as they could)! Just all in.

I lamented how quickly I went through this one, but I simply couldn’t stop.

If you want a love story that brings onto the page a fiery passion along with bellies full of laughs, be sure to pick up It Had to Be a Duke. 4.5✨

Thank you NetGalley and Avon for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Amazing! Both of the characters were very different and it seemed like their story wouldn’t have a happy ending. But they pulled through!

But like a loving three stars!

Lorret may be my favorite, most consistent, a little wallpaper-y author. I had quibbles with some language/rhetoric she uses. (Like if we’re getting a wallpaper-y book already, let’s get rid of the 26 year old heroine being so concerned about her age that when someone trying to kill her calls her a “young woman” her reaction is “you think I look young??” blegh).

But Lorret is from the school of Kleypas-kidnapping plots and she is pretty good at plot payoff! Also the way she does *themes* is maybe her biggest skill. That I can describe this both in trope terms (fake dating that comes from a one sided lie) and thematic questions (what do lying and fears have to do with each other?) feels novel in a 2023 romance, that just so often have mad-libbed tropes strung together.

I would recommend this to someone who wants to read something in a day and have a little cry, if they are prone to crying and/or are an oldest sister. I am also excited for the series overall! She does good interconnectedness.

A Regency Romance with a made up engagement that spoils all the best laid plans. To show up a neighbor’s spoiled daughter (she names her The Tick in her head), Verity fakes the engagement with a duke, Magnus. When he hears this he is enraged and quickly sets off to confront her. You see he must marry an heiress whose dowry will save the impoverished dukedom. And that is *not* Verity. Not only is she penniless but he believes Verity’s father swindled his, leading to said impoverished state. Their families are enemies. He needs to end this farce so he can wed an heiress.

However, as Magnus gets to know Verity they begin to fall in love. For both, duty and ‘doing the right thing’ are the bedrock of their belief systems. They struggle over duty vs. desire.

Verity is wonderful. She thinks she is plain and boring and forgettable. But you see her little quirks - and some big ones as well- and watch her come out of her shell. She is compelled to tell the truth (except for that whopping engagement lie) and the things that come out of her mouth can be so funny.

Magnus is hot but he is torn up over his desire for Verity while knowing he cannot marry her. Of course, they eventually let their desire take over (who knew?) and it is a pretty good love scene. But now what? The dilemma still stands. Read on, gentle reader…

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I really liked this one, so I stayed up all night to read it in one sitting. It has great pacing, delightful characters, and some danger and daring-do. I am quite looking forward to reading more books in this series and seeing where the loose ends of other characters lead.