Love Blooms with the Duke is the sixth book in the Suddenly a Duke series. Alexa Aston is one of new favorite authors. I love her writing and how she weaves the storyline that pulls you in for an endearing love story.

A fourth son is never expected to become a duke and is able to do anything he wants. Xander Hughes is one of London's most notorious rakes. He returns home for the funeral of his father where Xander has never been welcome. His father has blamed him for the death of his mother who died while giving birth to him and called him a murderer. His older brothers have had no use for him being much older than him. Circumstances claim the lives of all of his older brothers and the mother of his two nieces. Xander instantly becomes the new duke and realizes he must secure a governess for them as soon as possible, so he can go back to his old life.

Willa Fennimore has not had an easy life. Her parents died when she was fifteen in a scandalous manner. Willa doesn't find their death's unusual since they led scandalous lives themselves. But she was able to put the past behind her and become a governess. Although unsuccessful not of her own making since the previous two head of the households tried to have their way with her. She is once again looking for employment when a man runs into the employment office to demand a governess right now, takes one look at her and says Willa will do! Once Xander agrees that he will behave himself she agrees to be the new governess.

The house settles together nicely as the girls begin to behave and care for Willa. Xander notices the change in the girls and is happy, but he starts to rethink going back to his rakish ways as he also has fallen under Willa's spell.

Xander offers marriage to Willa, and she accepts but she has not told Xander about her notorious background involving her parents. Another person beats her to it and the hopes and dreams she had for the future seem to be over. Will the innocence of a child be enough to change the sad ending to a happy one.

This was a very entertaining love story. Willa, in spite of her horrible parents and upbringing is smart, strong and very mature. I really loved her character. Xander was a typical rake and not necessarily a good role model for the girls, but he didn't have the guidance and love that he yearned for. I really enjoyed watching Willa's level headedness help Xander and the two girls become better people than they were destined to become.

Another winner, winner chicken dinner! We have read governess stories many times but this one has a different slant on it. The story grabbed me and held on for dear life while I consumed it in one day. Xander and Willa are so precious and the kids are too cute. I loved every minute, every page of this story. Alexa is so good at storytelling, the characters pop off the page and into our hearts (oh my, the epilogue is so good I was crying). I have read a lot of Alexa’s stories and this has become one of my favorites. Just so fantastic.

It was bound to happen but I'm still a little surprised - Alexa Aston finally wrote a book that I wasn't a huge fan of. Usually her novels are some of my favorite, but I just couldn't get into this one. Based on the title and the themes throughout this series I expected Willa's non-ton vocation to be related to gardening and was a little disappointed that she was actually a governess. I'm never a huge fan of this particular story (the governess and the boss) even when it comes from one of my favorite authors. The beginning involving Willa's parents is intense and immediately sets up Willa as a character you can't help but love. As for Xander, he was the typical selfish, arrogant young man from a titled family but who never expects to inherit that title. There was nothing particularly original about him, but I did like that he was able to step up and be there for his nieces when he needed to be. The biggest disappointment with him was his reaction to finding out about Willa's parentage - he didn't just end things, he was cruel about it and even though he makes it right in the end I couldn't really forgive him. His thought about her parents being "less than" because they were in the theatre showed how elitest he truly was. My heart broke a little for her when she so stoically accepted his decision to cut ties with her and returned the dresses. The only reason I was happy that he changed his mind about marrying Willa was because Willa deserved to be loved and cherished, especially after how her parents had treated her. Lucky for Xander, Willa is a much more forgiving person than I am.

Another great addition to the series. Willa was an interesting character and I appreciated that her background was different than we have seen previously in the series. I like her relationship with the girls. She has been the most interesting main female character in the series thus far. I'm A little over rakes and overly charming men but Xander did seem to immediately leave that life behind which I appreciated. Thank you NetGalley for providing me this ARC for my honest opinion.

A Warm Romantic Tender Read!

Willa’s life had not always been easy, the scandal of her families past was long forgotten and she had made a life for herself as a governess which was not without it’s own problems.

Xander, the new Duke of Brockbank had never expected to rise to this position, he was a fourth son and loved his life as a rake but when his new life was suddenly thrust on him and he became guardian of two young girls, his nieces, he knew he had to change his life and his ways.

Meeting and employing Willa as the girl’s new governess was the best decision he had ever made. His nieces thrived on her company, while Xander as Duke found he wanted to be a better person and before he knew it he had fallen in love with her.

A tender, warm, emotional love story, Xander wanted a better life for his nieces and he loved Willa but would he still love and accept her once he learned of her past?

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC. All thoughs and opinions are my own.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Xander Hughes, fourth son of the Duke of Brockbank, has returned to the family estate in time for his late father's funeral. Meeting his young nieces for the first time, he realises what he has missed, but still looks forward to returning to his old life, and London, as soon as possible. But tragedy soon strikes, and when his three brothers all die, as well as his sister in law, Xander finds himself the new duke, and guardian for Cecily and Lucy. He needs help, and fast! Miss Willa Fennimore had an eclectic upbringing to say the least. Born to a playwright father and actress mother, she had to raise herself alone, and when her mother kills her father, and then herself, she is left alone to fend for herself. Spending some time as a companion and a governess, she is in London looking for a new position when Xander finds her, and proclaims he needs her. She should refuse the position because of her attraction to Xander, but Cecily and Lucy need her, and she can't pull away from the girls who've stolen her heart. But her secret past won't stay hidden for long, and will Xander still want her if he knows the truth?

I always love a book where there are found family elements, and this one had it all. Xander, Willa, Cecily, and Lucy became the perfect family, and though all had their struggles and faults, together they overcame them, and it was wonderful to see. I liked how Xander didn't gloss over his rakish past, but as soon as he became duke and guardian to the girls, he grew up, and took responsibility. Willa was so well rounded, more so than I would expect with how hectic her childhood had been. She spent most of her time in the theatre as a child, and was left to her own devices often. She took her education into her own hands, and became fluent in a number of languages, which helped her in her governess work. But her looks were her downfall, as the men who hired her decided that she was theirs for whatever they wanted, and she had to leave again and again. This time though, she was upfront with Xander about what he could expect, and he did respect it, while also trying to convince her to marry him. I did hate the misunderstanding which occurred, and was so happy that the girls convinced their uncle he was being an idiot! Another wonderful addition to the series, and it was lovely seeing Henry and Fia again.

She’s Willa Fennimore, daughter of an actress and a playwright with an unconventional upbringing. When her parents die, she wants out of the theatre world and tries to provide for herself as a governess and companion. She soon learns those are rather risky positions for a beautiful girl with employers taking liberties and accosting her.

He’s Alexander Hughes, rake and aimless fourth son, who suddenly within days of his father’s death, finds himself the new Duke of Brockbank. He not only inherits an impressive title and all its responsibilities, but also two young and clever girls desperate for attention.
After the girls chased away two governesses, Xander is determined to find someone who will last. And Willa, an orphan herself with an unusual approach to education, might just be the one.

The two of them come to an agreement with very clear rules: she will love and care for the girls and he’s not to touch her. An agreement they both regret as soon as it’s spoken…

⭐⭐⭐✨
📚 An entertaining sequel in this witty and enthralling series, this is a fun and romantic tale with rather sinister beginnings. It’s all about tragedy, secrets and second chances.
Both MCs take their responsibilities exceedingly serious, and thus find themselves quite often in each other’s company. Sweet chemistry, compelling dialogue, some laughter and tears, nice steam and a beautiful setting. The plot, however, feels a bit light to me, meandering easily towards a predictable happy ending, it could have handled a bit more umpf.

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

Xander Hughes, London’s biggest rake, suddenly finds himself in over his head, becoming the Duke of Brockbank and guardian to two nieces Cecily & Lucy he has never met. He decides he must turn over a new leaf and become a sober, responsible duke and starts by hiring a governess for the girls. But Miss Fennimore is a most unique governess with her odd methods of education—and soon Xander wonders if she might make for an even better duchess. Willa Fennimore’s parents were the toast of London’s theatre world until Theodosia Fennimore murdered her playwright husband and then leaped to her death. Willa supports herself as a companion and governess for a decade, finding her latest post is to instruct a duke’s two unruly nieces. As Willa falls in love with the orphaned girls, she finds herself also tumbling into love with the Duke of Brockbank.
The sixth book in this lovely series & it’s easily read on its own. The start of the book was one tragedy after another & my heart went out to Xander & Willa. I loved both Xander & Willa, both were neglected as children, he tried to get his father to notice him by behaving badly & Willa became self reliant. I loved the chemistry between them which grew & grew but Willa was keeping the secret of her parents & things could only go pear shaped once revealed. The two young girls were a delight they’d also been neglected, especially by their father for the sin of not being boys! I loved how they blossomed under Xander & Willa's care. Another very well written engrossing read, which I devoured in a sitting
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Tragedy, Secrets, Second Chances:
A tragic beginning of the marvelous all-encompassing romance story.
Willa has survived a very unusual childhood. Pretty much growing up and providing for herself on her own after her parents' scandal.
Xander comes home for his father's funeral and meets up with his estranged older brothers and his two nieces.
More tragedy strikes the family and Xanders life has just turned upside down and he needs help.
This story totally captivated me with our intriguing characters Miss Willa, Xander, Miss Cecily, and Miss Lucy, and more.
The plot involves many issues of a blooming romance, different stations in life, accepting ones past and finding true love.
There's always a snag towards the end that was quite agonizing for the reader but there is a heartfelt happy ending.
Never a dull moment in this story.
The intimate scenes were excellently written. A Bravo! in that department.
Mature Advisory.

Great tragedy allows second chances for a different life for both Xander and Willa. Xander being a 4th son led a life as a rake until having to become a Duke and care for his two nieces. Willa's theater parents both died as part of a scandal and she had to go into a life of service.

Xander definitely fell for the girls new governess and her unconventional way. She changed him and his heart, but her theater upbringing can ruin her chance at love.

I love the learning creativity that Willa brought to the girls in this book, learning by gardening and baking. It was also nice for the Duke and Duchess of Linberry to have some appearances in this book too.

This is a fun series with a bit unconventional women and lots of love with their Dukes.

Thank you to Dragonblade and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this ARC for my honest review.

This started out very nicely. The protagonists were interesting and I wanted to know more about their stories. Both have unfortunate childhoods with parents who didn’t care for them. Both Willa and Xander had to essentially raise themselves and survive the tragedies of their childhood.

Willa is trying desperately to avoid the theater life of both her parents and work as a governess. Xander suddenly becomes duke after the tragic deaths of his older brothers. He suddenly becomes a responsible man and just wants to provide loving care for his two young nieces. Willa seems the perfect woman to be their new governess.

After this interesting set-up, the book lost a little steam. Xander is now an honorable man trying to do his best. Willa is an educational genius who introduces imaginary ideas to win over the Duke’s nieces and help them recover from their family’s tragic losses and start to love learning. There is a minor complication that was obviously going to arise, but it was resolved quickly.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review

A heartrending beginning.
Willa was neglected and unloved by her parents (an actress & a playwright). Their tragic ending was borne with peace by Willa and she moved on to be a companion/governess.
Xander was the fourth son of a Duke born later in life. He was neglected and unloved by his parents and brothers. He enjoyed debauchery without any cares or connections to his family.
Another tragic ending with the Duke’s death and subsequent deaths of his brothers as well his brother’s wife leads Xander to become the new Duke with 2 nieces in need of a governess.
Thus…the story of two people with much in common have to overcome their past in order to find love and forgiveness in forging a future together.
Thoroughly enjoyed this story.

Love Blooms With The Duke, is a great light hearted romance novel. It is a quick, not much drama book. I love how Willa choose to treat and teach Xander's nieces. Letting them choose what they want to learn more about. They get to delve deeper into that subject, craft or idea. Which leads to to want to learn about new things. It's a fresh idea that seems to get results. Wonder if it would work on today's children and teens. I will be recommending this book to others.

This book was a delightful take on the duke marries the governess theme. Things started out on a very dark note for both Xander and Willa. Xander was the fourth son who never expected to become a duke. Willa had managed to become a respectable governess despite her shady origins. Happily, Xander, Willa and his two orphaned nieces immediately bonded. Reading about their family adventures was very sweet. However, as in most stories, a dark cloud was brewing on the horizon. Fortunately, things were quickly sorted out and the happy ending was wonderful. The fact that the beginning of this book was riddled with so much personal tragedy, made the ending even more meaningful.
I received a free ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest review.

Xander, a rake and fourth son, finds himself unexpectedly inheriting the dukedom as well as his two young nieces. After having many governesses quit, he takes whomever he can get. Willa, the daughter of an infamous actress and a playwright father, wants nothing to do with the theatre world she grew up in. After her parent’s death she takes jobs as a chaperone or as a governess. Though unconventional in her teaching, she wins the nieces, as well as their Uncle Xander, over. Can she ever be socially accepted as a duchess? I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.

Alexander Hughes, one of London's well known rakes, becomes the Duke of Brockbank after the multiple tragic deaths in his family. Now he is responsible for the care of his two nieces. Willa Fennimore grew up in the world of the theater with neglectful parents. Scandal is part of her past, but not of her doing. It's never stopped her from making her own way in the world as a paid companion or a governess. Hired by the new Duke of Brockbank as a governess for his nieces, Willa introduces a way of thinking and looking at the world that changes the girls and their uncle. Happiness is within reach but, will the scandal of her past destroy the future. This book has some dark turns at the beginning that surprised me. It certainly sets the pace of the story waiting for disaster and hoping it will never come.
Open bedroom door.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

"Love Blooms with the Duke" is probably my favorite entry thus far in Alexa Aston's Suddenly a Duke series. FMC Willa Fennimore is the child of a scandalous playwright and his scandalous actress wife, both of whom exited this mortal coil in an incredibly scandalous way. MMC Xander loses his father and three older brothers in the course of a few days, suddenly finding himself a duke and guardian to his 2 young nieces, who are (understandably) acting out. He engages Willa to be their governess, with the vague notion that he will settle them in at the estate for a bit and then resume his borderline debauched and certainly rather aimless existence in London. Of course, he does no such thing.

Indeed, this book is about Xander growing up as much as it is about him falling in love. Xander finds he likes responsibility, something he never previously had. And he likes Willa's self-assuredness and intelligence, and sees her for the amazing person that she is.

All of this makes his third act idiocy that much more painful, both for the reader and of course for Willa. While it seems to resolve quickly in the book, I found myself less willing to quickly forgive Xander for his foray into absolute shallow mindedness and snobbery. But he did eventually win me back. I just loved this couple, Xander (at least for the majority of the story) accepts Willa and her ideas without question. Willa finds even more strength and depth as the story progresses. Definitely a recommended read. It is a standalone despite being part of a series.

A very solid 4 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Dragonblade for an ARC of this book. The opinions herein are my own.

A beautiful love story. Both hero and heroine basically grew up orphans the day they were born. But the heroine is more sagacious than most her age. She brings love, adventure, light and second chances to people she comes in contact with. He just needs a little more wisdom to deal with life’s surprises. Wonderful characters, specially the two children who brought them together.

I received an ARC from Netgalley and leaving my review voluntarily.

An other amazing story from Alexa Aston . Willa is the child of a famous actress and a playwright who never cared about her and at 15 she end up orphaned when her mother killed her father and ther killed herself . Now 10 years later she works as a governess . Because of her beauty the last two employers had been forced upon her . Xander the fourth son of a Duke ends up being himself the Duke after the deaths of his father and his older brothers within days . Not only he earned a dukedom but his brother two young daughters . The girls have run off every governess he had hired so he is in need of a new one . He hires her in the spot and that start their journey . Her way of teaching is way different but makes them more interest and involved , Both her pupils and their uncle love her . Xander after became Duke has become a new man , his interest is his Dukedom and the people who depend on him and first of all his two nieces . When he asks Willa to be his Duchess and she accepts what will happen when he dicsover her origin ?
I received this book from netgalley and the publicer as an ARC . Thank you . All thoughts and opinions are my own .

We start with a tragic prologue for Willa, the daughter of a playwright and an actress who are in a tumultuous relationship and are negligent parents. After her parents have dramatically and scandalously passed away, Willa has distanced herself from the theater and worked as a lady’s companion and governess. Xander is the fourth son of a duke and often ignored as his birth caused the death of his mother and he very suddenly inherits the dukedom and two troublemaker nieces to care for. In the search for yet another governess, he runs into and hires Willa for the job. While Xander was previously an indolent rake, he has taken up his responsibilities quite well and dedicated himself to the care of his nieces. In getting to know Willa and her teaching strategies, he grows even more impressed with her and sets his mind on making her his duchess. Willa is wary of the former rake due to her past poor experiences with employers and wants to avoid his company to try to avoid temptation. However, we can see how much Xander has turned into a responsible duke who loves this newly built family. Not all is perfect, since Xander has yet to realize Willa’s background in the theater, which could reignite scandal and scorn.