One of the best historical romances I’ve read this year! I really enjoy the “I don’t believe in love” man vs “I will only marry for love” woman trope and this one does it so well. The sex positivity, the intrigue, and the big personalities of the characters made this very enjoyable.

Same title, much different man....

Tess is left a widow when the old duke she married dies before they can do the deed.
Now, a widow, she is free to do some investigating. Which leads to the next duke to inherit the dukedom she married into. Justin. He's young and virile. There's steamy times and some intrigue and well, perhaps marriage to a duke by the same title..again. Same title, but a much different man.
Recommend.

This was a fun historical romance. I loved Tess and her strength of character. Her and her friends run King and Co and are investigators in secret. Her previous husband died the night of their wedding and through some interesting plans she meets Justin who is the next duke. I loved their banter together and the way the relationship grew. I’m looking forward to the other books in the series.

Thanks to Netgalley and St Martins Press for this ARC.

A new steamy historical series from Kate Bateman?!
I'm in!

"Her Majesty's Rebels" looks like it will be a series that follows the love stories of three progressive private investigating ladies and the first, "Second Duke's the Charm" hooked me right away, It definitely kept me guessing as well. Nothing went the way I was thinking it would.

After being forced into marriage with an ancient Duke who dies on their wedding night, Tess decides to embrace her newfound freedom as a widow and start a private investigation business with her two best friends. Despite what the ton believes, she's still a virgin and quite ready for a real romance.

Little does she know that the search for a new heir to the dukedom has turned up Justin Thornton, a wealthy merchant accountant just back from Canada. The two have a sexy meet-cute at a party and then agree to a marriage of convenience without knowing anything about each other. For some reason, Bateman added that Justin had been secretly crushing on Tess for two years instead of making them just strangers who fall in love. I didn't think that detail was necessary, but I had to keep reading to see what his reaction would be to her secrets and how they would push through their emotional baggage to accept love!

My glasses fogged up a few times from the steam these two created! Justin's big romantic gesture at the end was as silly as it was swoony. There's a whole "someone is trying to kill Justin" subplot that we really didn't need because there wasn't a villain that needed to be punished. The other subplot of Tess's investigation was also lackluster. Her case could've just been more dangerous to create the high stakes adventure, I kept wishing she would've brought Justin in on the case with her somehow and that we would learn a bit more about his character.

Overall, it was a fun, engrossing read and I'm ready for the next adventure in the series!

Kate Bateman is back with a new historical romance series set in a lush English atmosphere following lovable characters as they live their lives among the Ton. The story opens as Tess, our heroine, is forced to marry a Duke much older than her by her father’s hand. Tess experiences a very wild wedding night, but not for good reasons. Her new Duke falls over dead as the wedding night begins and Tess finds herself as a wife and now a widow in charge of a brand new Dukedom.

The story follows Tess navigating her newfound position as Lady of the House and her adventurous job as a private investigator of sorts. Tess decides she wants to experience new things in life and does just that with her best friends and coworkers in tow.

Two years after the Duke’s passing, Justin is discovered to be the long-lost heir to the Dukedom that is now under Tess’s care. This story has many fun tropes including but not limited to marriage of convenience, virgin heroine, masked ball, widow, working heroine, and pining.

I really loved the beginning of the novel. Kate Bateman’s classic witty banter and fun plots were ever present in this book just like her others. The tension between Justin and Tess was palpable on the page during the first half, but I felt that tension begin to dwindle toward the middle. I felt like Tess and Justin were so preoccupied with having sex and the plot wasn’t moving forward at all. I also didn’t like that Tess was so secretive throughout the whole thing. I guess I understand why she made her decisions, but I couldn’t get on board with them.

Overall, I really enjoyed this and it was a promising start to a series I’m very excited to continue!

* I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

Wow this book was just so good and so easy to get lost in. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I just didn't want the story to end. I just couldn't get enough of these wonderful characters and I just loved getting to see their journey. I will most definitely be reading more stories from this wonderful author.

I went on a spate of reads involving a semi-anonymous / masked hook-up or one night stand that resulted in the characters being important to each other in some way and I am in no way mad about it!!

This book features Tess, our FMC, who is widowed on her wedding night to the (very old) Duke of Wansford. She goes on to form a secret detective agency with her friends Ellie and Daisy. Then we meet Justin, our MMC, who by a series of unfortunate events (for everyone else) has become the new Duke of Wansford. Justin and Tess meet before they actually know each other for a hookup at a house party where Tess is masked.

Justin is a starchy business man who has vowed never to fall in love (DOES HE NOT KNOW HE IS IN A ROMANCE NOVEL??), and Tess has a lot to hide in her side hustle.

👍🏻Recommended!The chemistry between these two MCs was off the charts and the spice in this was SPICING. I loved the (semi-bananas) side plot involving the actual QUEEN OF ENGLAND (lolllll). This is a very solid start to a new series and I’m excited to read more!

Romance Details
- M/F, age gap (he’s 30, she’s 21)
- He’s a businessman-cum-duke, she’s a widow
- Marriage of convenience
- One night stand turns more
- Open door, explicit, 5+ intimate scenes

Kate Bateman is one of my favorite Historical-Romance writers. You always get a wonderful story and very interesting characters. Here is a tale of love at first sight and two star-crossed lovers determined to hide not only their true feelings but some significant secret from each other. Both are intelligent people, except when it comes to dealing with each other. Love the dash of suspense/mystery that adds to the misunderstandings these two already have with each other. As Grand Gestures go this one was wonderful.

Tess Townsend's father sold her to the highest bidder and now she is facing life with a lecherous old coot, the Duke of Wansford. To her everlasting thanks and great good fortune, he drops dead on their wedding night leaving her still a virgin and the wealthy Dowager Duchess of Wansford. Life is good, except Tess really wants to experience what lust is all about but doesn't particularly want to get married to do so. She likes her independence and being able investigate crimes against women with her two best friends, Daisy and Ellie.

Justin Thornton, through the death of several other heirs, now finds himself the new Duke of Wansford. He doesn't need the money; he has a fortune earned with hard work in the shipping business and the title is more an annoyance since it will attract attention he could do without. As a diversion he stops at a house party where he meets and has a delightful encounter with a woman he named Scarlet for her enchanting red dress.

Meeting again in a ballroom in London, Tess, the Dowager Duchess of Wansford and Justin, the Duke of Wansford, come face to face with the reality of their prior encounter. Justin needs a wife and Tess could use the continued protection as the Duchess of Wansford, so they strike a bargain and make an agreement suitable to both. Love has no place in this bargain, but passion in abundance is a given. Unfortunately, the omissions and lies and a nasty thing called jealousy invades their passion filled nights and blows up this perfect arrangement only to make both realize that love and trust are two very precious things not to be taken lightly.

My thanks to the Publisher and the Author for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.

Sometimes to be enjoyable, a historical romance doesn't need to be exceptional. It just needs to be a little fun and a little different. Second Duke's the Charm is basically that. It wasn't a perfect book, but it did feature a secret mission from Queen Charlotte, a lively group of female friends, a handsome man who's cynical about love, and a few murder attempts.

Tess Townsend was married off to the Duke of Wansford, only to be lucky enough to have him die on their wedding night before anything could even happen. These days, she uses her money and influence to run an investigation agency with her two best friends. The only problem is that the distant heir to the dukedom has finally been tracked down, and while she fears whoever he is might displace her or try to shut down the agency, it's almost worse - he's hot and he's proposing a marriage of convenience between the two of them. To Justin Thornton, it seems like a perfectly reasonable deal. Until, of course, feelings get involved.

Tess and Justin are a strong central couple with good chemistry, and I do love a marriage of convenience plot. But to me, the most fun elements were the investigation bits, when Tess and her friends were sneaking around balls and gardens to find answers about a blackmailing scheme. Meanwhile, the murder attempts on Justin's life added an extra level of action - at least until the extremely underwhelming reveal of who was behind them.

Basically, this book was fun, if nothing special, and it made for a great travel read!

3.75/5

I really feel that Kate Bateman can do no wrong in a book. Every one I read I enjoy, and Second Duke's the Charm is no different. She is a phenomenal writer. The plot, while slightly predictable, was very good. I loved how this was a marriage of connivence; it's one of my favorite tropes. I love Tess's group of friends and cannot wait for their stories! If you are a Kate Bateman fan, this one will not disappoint!

Every time I pick up a Kate Bateman romance novel, I know it’s going to be a terrific ride, and the first in her newest series was no exception. I’m never going to be mad about a marriage of convenience romance, or a hero who insists over and over again that he’s not at risk of catching feelings, because he gets proven wrong every time and it’s satisfying every time. Bateman’s romances are hilarious and engaging, not to mention steamy to boot, and they always get me hooked in for the next one. The ultimate resolution could have used a little more fleshing-out — as well as the culmination of the assassination attempts — but overall a very strong intro to this new series. More of the ladies and their investigative business as well, please — and is the next book going to be about the real Mr. King showing up?

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this edition from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this ebook and this is my freely given opinion.

This is book 1 of a new series by Kate Bateman, Her Majesty's Rebels. In this story, Tess Townsend is a young debutante who was just forced into wedding the aged, lecherous Duke of Wansford, by her uncaring and indebted father. However, her sentence was stayed on her wedding night, when her husband keels over before he can consummate marriage, much to the young bride's shock and relief. Tess had been prepared to fight rather than submit to the disgusting blandishments of her unwanted husband, and hiding to help her were her two best friends. Instead, they were now faced with the disgustingly naked corpse of the old duke.

But they quickly suss out the advantages of Tess's situation - all the advantages of the title of Duchess without an old Duke to deal with, and the freedoms of widowhood, so long as they manage the situation, and safeguard Tess before her father can get her under his thumb again.

A couple of years pass by and Tess has gained support and stature in Society, as the respectable widowed Duchess of Wansford, and dedicated herself to learning how to manage the dukedom while the search was on for the heir. She has gained the respect and support of those under the care of the estates by actually learning to manage it successfully. And in secret, she and her friends have successfully started and run and investigative agency.

But Tess does feel something is lacking. She is trapped in her position because she cannot let her circumstances come to light, or her position in the Ton threatened, so she cannot take a lover, or marry again for love. But to get a taste of what she is missing, she and her friends attend a house party/masquerade noted for it's licentiousness. There, in disguise, Tess engages the passionate attentions of handsome stranger.

Justin Thornton, a successful Bristol merchant, who is heavily invested in the trade between Canada and Britain, has just learned that through a series of unfortunate events in the extended family, that he is now the newest heir to the Dukedom. Irritated by his unwanted inheritance, and suffering a sense of ennui he cannot shake, he decides to accept an invitation to a friend's house party. There, his interest fixates on an mysterious beauty in scarlet red, and they engage in a passionate tryst, that is unfortunately interrupted.

After getting her taste of intimacy and passion, Tess and her friends return to London where their services are engaged secretly by a member of the Royal family to seek out and stymie a blackmailer before an indiscretion comes to light publicly and causes them embarrassment. As part of their investigation, they are to connect with the blackmailer, who will be seeking a woman in a red dress at a Tonnish ball. Justin makes his entry into Society at that same ball, and when he sees Tess, he recognizes her as his beauty in scarlet... and also a girl he remembers having a deep infatuation with from afar several years previously - but knowing he never had a chance because of her popularity and beauty, he set those thoughts aside long ago.

Then he is further surprised to find out she is the widowed Duchess of Wansford. He quickly recovers though and forges a plan that would get him what he wants - Tess in his bed, someone to manage the Duchy he does not want to deal with, and an avoidance of the social whirl and Marriage Mart. He offers Tess a marriage of convenience... except they get to live together for 3 months and he gets to indulge with her in a passionate affair before they part ways. He has a rule of not letting relationships last beyond three months so as not to have to deal with messy emotions and attachments. Tess is shocked and stunned, but ultimately agrees.

I quite enjoyed the girl power dynamic of Tess and her friends. They have a fun friend dynamic, and funny dialogue, and I love their partnership.


"Real life is clearly a badly stuffed sausage" Ellie grinned. "I should put that in a sampler."

"It's one of those unwritten laws. Like the fact that the week before you get your monthly courses , you have to force yourself not to stab everyone with a letter opener because they're being so irritating."
"We do all have a 'stabby week,'" Tess agreed.


I mostly liked the romance between Justin and Tess. He had that long ago infatuation with Tess, which she never knew apart, because his admiration was from afar, and he never met her. But all that coupled with their mysterious hidden identity meeting at the house party, marriage of convenience but with hot-sex, and her hidden virginity... but he believes her to be an experienced seductress thing... well it's all over the top. But I do enjoy the bits of lighthearted teasing and humorous dialogue that Bateman intersperses in the story, and ultimately I do like the MMC and FMC and am willing to believe in their story. Especially considering he is ultimately harboring a romantic in hiding; and especially one who saves puppies from ponds while cuddling them in his own shirt...

What is there not to love about a handsome, sexy man who cuddles puppies?

4 stars out of 5

Kate Bateman has quickly become one of my go-to authors for brilliantly written and intriguing historical romance, so even though I don't normally enjoy the 'widow trope', I took a chance on this story. Fortunately, the heroine is widowed in the very first chapter and there is definitely no love lost between the duchess and her duke, so I was able to dive into the story and follow along easily.

I really loved the beginning half of this novel; the friendship between Tess, Ellie, and Daisy was so amazing as they truly supported and loved each other. I also loved the buildup and sexual tension between Tess and Justin as they muddle through their growing attraction for each other in the face of their marital arrangement. However, I do feel as though it got a bit repetitive towards the end as I waited for the resolution of Tess's investigation and for her relationship with Justin to finally evolve into a true love match. Overall, this was another fantastic story by Kate, and I look forward to Ellie and Daisy's books🖤

Tropes: marriage of convenience, secret identity, self-made hero, widow heroine, newly inherited Dukedom, lessons in seduction, she falls first/he falls harder, girl gang, STEAMY🔥

A gorgeous, sexy man with a smirk who loves maple syrup and puppies? Yes, please. Not to mention he gives a new meaning to bath beads… Sigh.

Kate Bateman’s first book in a new series is about three female friends who run King & Co., London’s most exclusive investigative agency. The book, which revolves around Tess and Justin, is a tale of love, passion, and intrigue.

Tess Townsend is a beautiful woman who was forced into a loveless marriage by her father. However, fortune smiles on her when her repulsive husband dies on their wedding night, leaving her with a title and her virginity intact. Enter Justin Thornton, a shipping magnate with an aversion to love, never expected to inherit a dukedom with a widowed Duchess included. But when he attends a masked house party and kisses Scarlet aka Tess, he realizes later that she is the Duchess and proposes a marriage of convenience that will benefit them both. Tess will get to keep her title and own her own business, while Justin can secure his position in society and continue his life as before. However, what starts as a business arrangement soon turns into something more.

Tess is a strong and independent woman who has faced numerous challenges in her life. She is not afraid to take risks and is willing to fight for what she wants. Justin, on the other hand, is a man of power and influence who is used to getting what he wants. However, as he gets to know Tess, he realizes that there is more to life than just business and that maybe he has a heart after all.

Add in Tess’s closest friends and business partners, the intelligent and reasonable Ellie Law, and the straight-talking and naughty Daisy Hamilton and the entertainment is complete. I can’t wait to read their stories.

This delightful story is a perfect balance of sweet and spicy leaving readers feeling satisfied and eager for more. Bateman has created a world that is both captivating and intriguing. The romance between Tess and Justin is heartwarming, and the premise surrounding King & Co.’s mission to help unfortunate women is compelling. If you are looking for a good historical romance, this one is worth checking out.

Thank you to Ms. Bateman for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

Pretty much everything about “Second Duke’s the Charm” by Kate Bateman bothered me. I will say I loved the opening plot device – young, virginal Tess is married off to an old Duke only to have him die on her wedding night.

I also like a marriage of convenience. But I don’t need to hear multiple times that neither party will fall in love. They will bang like strangers and then live their separate lives, there will be no feelings, love is silly and inconvenient, and yeah, I get it, we’ve all read this trope before.

I usually enjoy historical romance with a bit of mystery. But, when three young women run an investigative business pretending to be a man, and then their client is the highest authority in the land, I begin to eye-roll.
I keep rolling my eyes when Tess pretends to have vast sexual experience for no good reason. I get the initial need to claim consummation, but then why continue to lie, especially to your husband?

I then cause permanent damage to my eyes, rolling them so hard during the three friends’ discussions of the sexual activities of one of the young women (who will no doubt get their own book), and the criminal law assistance / sexual interest of the other friend, and their very modern chatting throughout the first third of this book. I don’t want to read Sex In The Victorian English City.

As a grumpy aside, I also strongly dislike shortform names with no acknowledgement the birth name is probably something else. Tess was most likely Theresa or even Tessa, but not in this story.

There is a murder subplot that is randomly inserted and then resolved in the blink of an eye (MMC: “oh, it was X trying to kill me, I took care of it.”).

The big conflict between Tess and her man (the new Duke) also happens so fast, in public (!), and secrets are strangely spit out, and it’s all not good.

I will say I loved the honeymoon period in the ducal home, and thought it was the most moving, authentic part of this book. It was also the part that was most like a true historical romance.

If you prefer faux-historical, pick this up. This just was not for me when there are so many wonderful historical romance authors to choose. 2.5/5

Kate is becoming a favorite HR author for me. She knocks this one out of the park! It was just what I needed and can’t wait for the rest of this series.

Strong female leads
Hot about to be Duke
London and Country side
Some twists and turns
The ladies investigation work
Marriage of Convenience

So I’m finding I’m a sucker for marriage of convenience and here you add in a business man that is NOT going to fall in love- sign me up! Bateman nails it! Perfect for these two. Love that he was a business man before becoming a Duke- which he did not want. Loved the puppy and horse scenes so much!! Swoon!!

Another new series from Kate Bateman and I think this one will be great fun.

Second Duke's a Charm starts with a wild wedding night, but not for the reasons you might think. Said wedding night leaves Tess a widow and a Dukedom in search of a Duke. Two years later, Justin is discovered to be that long lost heir. When he finds Tess as the duchess and he himself needs to marry. He proposes she keep her position, this time as HIS wife. They are both attracted to each other, so what could go wrong?

There are of course many other delightful details, but that's the gist of it.

Justin and Tess were quite the pair and their chemistry is there, right from the first forbidden meeting. However, my main disconnect is that we took so long getting them to the altar and then after only a week or two... they are completely in love? I don't know, I was missing a few steps.

This was a fast paced and fun Historical Romance and I think many will find it quite "charming". Pardon the pun. I was just hoping for a bit more than purely physical chemistry.

4 stars
2.5 on the spice scale

Second Duke’s the Charm by Kate Bateman was a delightful read with layer upon layer of storylines and personalities. There were so many stories told and woven together.

This is Tess’s story, along with Justin, the second duke she is involved with after her elderly husband, whom he succeeds, dies on their wedding night. What a romp we’re taken on as they get to know each other better, and their attraction grows even though none of it is in Justin’s plans of love ’em and leave ’em, especially since he only marries Tess not to have to be on the marriage mart and be waylaid by mother’s of daughters needing a match. Or are there other reasons that need to be ferreted out?

The story has a good flow and intersperses the storylines to keep our interest. There are several twists and turns in the story and several unexpected happenings. Some unsavory characters and danger are included to keep us on our toes as we get more vested in the story. We learn about Tess and Justin a little at a time, including their friendships and business dealings, especially since Tess has a good head on her shoulders regarding the estate and its tenants.

This is the first book in a new series, Her Majesty’s Rebels, and I can’t wait for more. There is some closure and an unexpected happily ever after in the offing. There are some loose ends, primarily related to Tess’s two best friends and the business they share—incognito, of course. The title is spot on, and once again, Ms. Bateman has a winner.

Second Duke’s the Charm is a historical romance set in Regency England with the ton, expectations, and an unlikely romance filled with love. Pull up a chair, sit back, and relax as we’re taken on a merry ride with unexpected twists and turns.

I rated the book 4.5 stars but rounded to 5 stars here and on other sites.

*Title: Second Duke's the Charm

*Release date: 12/26/23  read: 12/20/23

*Author: Kate Bateman- 1st time read author

*Format: e-ARC. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC💜! I voluntarily give an honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.

*Setting: London 1814

*Genre:  Historical Romance, Women's Fiction

*Tropes: marriage of convenience, secret identity, opposites attract, age gap, investigation agency

*Look out for: virgin h, attempted murder

*Synopsis:  Tess, 19, is forced into marriage with the 72 year old Duke of Wansford. She doesn't want to consummate the marriage, and somehow her wish comes true. Her husband dies right before the deed is done. Widowed, she is granted independence and starts an investigation agency with her BFFs Ellie and Daisy. Justin Thornton has his own shipping company but is notified he has inherited the dukedom of Wansford. Tess and Justin met at a masked party as strangers, and again when he claims his title. They decide to enter into a marriage of convenience for three months, but will it become a love match?

*Characters

* Tess Townsend- now 21, works at King & Co. agency. Her mother is deceased since she was a baby. Her father put her on house arrest a week before the wedding to keep her from running away. He made some bad investments and had a loan with the Mad King George. He dies right after she is widowed.

* Justin Thornton-now 30, into shipping and trading. Inherits title from Duke of Wansford reluctantly. He doesn't believe in love but proposes a marriage contract to Tess.

* Eleanor Law/Ellie-Tess's bff, works with her. Her father Sir Edward Law is a top lawyer and Lord Chief Justice.

* Lady Dorothea Hamilton/Daisy-Tess's bff, works at the agency too. Her real father is an Italian count her mother had an affair with but officially he's the Duke of Dalkeith.

* Anne Marie- Justin's ex-girlfriend who breaks up with him saying he has no heart.

*Review: I really enjoyed the Queen Charlotte cameo. Her granddaughter Charlotte had an epistolary affair but is now is getting married to someone else. Whoever has the letters plans to blackmail the crown. The Queen hires "Mr. King" to find the rogue and get the letters back. Justin and Tess create a pretty thorough marriage contract about sex, children, and finances. The lines blur and both fight their feelings because they put a time limit on their arrangement. Justin groveled pretty well with a Fool For Love . I hope her 2 BFF's get their stories told.

*Rating:  4/5 ✨

*Spice level- 4/5 🌶️

Second Duke's the Charm is the first book in the Her Majesty's Rebels series by Kate Bateman. I've enjoyed Bateman's writing style in the past, and this time was no different. I look forward to the rest of the series.

A historical romance with a marriage of convenience, wit, banter, secrets, murder attempts, and delicious steam. I absolutely adored our FMC Tess and her best friends, who secretly run a detective agency for women wronged. Tess is fierce, passionate and strong-willed. Unfortunately I didn't love the MMC quite as much as her. Justin was kind of obnoxious but he did win me over by the end.


3.5 rounded to 4