Thank you to Kate Bateman and St. Martin's Press for the eARC.

Honestly, I really enjoy Kate Bateman's books. She manages to give you romance with a plot and intriguing characters. But this one fell short.

The overall story lacked the same plot depth as her other work. The investigation was relatively weak, and the second part of the plot was wrapped up without fuss (and without the reader experiencing it at all). I'm used to a spicy cabernet from Kate Bateman, and I felt cheated by light rose.

There were also far more errors in this book (spelling, grammar). The biggest one was where they discussed their first meeting early in the book, then discussed it again at the end...as if the first conversation hadn't happened. It was an important part, so that should probably be fixed before publication.

I'm not sure where to publish this review since there's no Goodreads listing for this book, but a second set of eyes before going out into the world would benefit this story, along with some additional heft to the plot.

Kate Bateman is back with a new series and it may be her best bet. If you are a fan of Miss Scarlett and the Duke, you will love these new characters who are private investigators. The balance of mystery and romance was spot on and the story was fun and original. I can't wait to read more!

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the ARC

Kate Bateman is a comfort author for me and I was so excited to see a new series from her this year! And man, did this book, deliver. It has all the things I love in a story with Kate’s signature “idiots in love that don’t know what to do about it”. Super cool widowed FMC that runs an investigation agency with her besties? Check. Surly new Duke that finds out he’s nobility now and isn’t pleased about it? Check check. A shared kiss at a scandalous party that leads to a marriage of convenience? You got it.

Tess and Justin have phenomenal chemistry and it’s evident from their first time together on page. They’re so sweet together and when they finally get *together* it’s worth the wait! The investigation plot was well balanced with the romance (even though it was a bit of a stretch in believability) and I enjoyed it! Investigation plots aren’t always my favorite, but this one was just bananas enough to work for me.

Excellent start to a new series and can’t WAIT for Daisy and Ellie to get their stories!

4.5 ⭐️

I enjoyed Second Duke's the Charm for all that it brought to the table, and I foresee myself recommending it to our historical romance readers (even if it has more spice than they're used to). I really appreciated the way Tess and Justin grew as a couple throughout the entire book, and I also thoroughly enjoyed the female friendship that was present throughout solving the mystery.

I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series once it's published!


Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my opinion and review of the book.

“Second Duke’s the Charm” written by Kate Bateman is a charming beginning to her new series. The prologue gives us a glimpse of the unfortunate episode of Tess’ first marriage. Tess was forced into a marriage with the Duke of Wansford, a decrepit old man, old enough to be her grandfather. It’s not a spoiler alert to mention Tess became a widow before she was truly a wife. The only one who benefited from the marriage was Tess’ father, who pocketed a wad of cash. During the two years it took to find the next in line to the title, Tess improved the estate, increased the coffers, she improved her relationship with the tenants and the staff, she redecorated, updating the country house and the city manor house. She earned respect. Tess was driven to help people, so Tess and her two best friends, Daisy and Ellie, opened an investigation office, their focus was discreetly helping woman no matter their place in society. I liked this character, she was smart, caring, a go getter. She used her position as a widow to make improvements. The new duke was Justin Thornton. He was a self made merchant. He was rich and handsome. He didn’t want the duchy, but since it was his duty, he took up the reins. Justin assumed the dowager duchess was the same age as the former duke. He was a shocked to discover he was already acquainted with the lovely young woman. He was also surprised to learn the improvements to the estate, the increase in estate income, and the overall well-being of the dukedom was due to Tess’ endeavors. He was falling under Tess’ spell of beauty and brains, quick wit, and passion. Tess was equally enamored with Justin, appreciating his fine qualities. I enjoyed the plot of this story, I never lost interest and found it hard to put down at times. The banter between the two was witty and funny. The passion between Tess and Justin was steamy, scorching, and went both ways. Justin was determined to return to his business interests after three months allowing both of them to lead separate lives. However, Justin realized Tess was a one of a kind woman. At every turn Justin was discovering more facets of Tess’ endearing character. The inclusion of Daisy and Ellie added to the strength of the story and underscored the importance of friendship. I definitely recommend “Second Duke’s the Charm” by Kate Bateman. I will definitely keep an eye out for the next in the series. I received an ARC from NetGallery, my thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.25/5 stars
2.5/5 spice

First time author for me, and I wasn't disappointed. Steamy, romantic, and eventful, I really enjoyed reading this book.

Tropes:
Marriage of convenience
Strangers to lovers
Secret identity
Businessman turned Duke
Widow FMC
Secret businesswoman
Insta-lust
He falls first
Dual POV

This one had a lot of fun elements that had me giggling and gasping. I loved how logical Justin was about love because you just know that he's going to be the first one to fall. I was just waiting for him to get over himself, and it was adorable when he realized how hard he had fallen. I also loved Tess, who was able to stand on her own two feet and be so successful running the duchy and a business. She was inspiring and very easy to like. The trio of friends was also a great thing to see, and I hope to read about their adventures soon, too.

Overall, an entertaining and steamy historical romance. Highly recommend for fans of the marriage of convenience trope.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is such a fun, entertaining read.
Tess is forced by her father to marry an old duke. The duke passes away on their wedding night leaving her a virgin widow.
She has an encounter with Justin at a club. She later finds out that he is the new duke.
Justin makes a proposal of a marriage of convenience to keep the matchmaking mammas at bay.
I loved the chemistry between Justin and Tess so much!
There was mystery and humor throughout the story that kept you wanting more.
I also loved the secondary characters and can't wait for their stories.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I don’t think Kate Bateman’s books get enough hype! I really enjoyed this!

Tess is facing her wedding night with her much older husband when he falls over dead. Tess is able to get her freedom while the next Duke is searched for after a series of misfortunate accidents. She and her friends start a detective agency and in particular help other women. Then the next Duke is found and they end up agreeing on a marriage of convenience. It turns out they met at a party and were intimate prior to finding out he was the new Duke. They have obvious chemistry and it’s clear they care for each other.

I loved the adventures Tess and her friends go on for their agency. I loved how strong and independent Tess was. I really liked Justin and how smitten he was with Tess. I can’t wait for more books in this series!

Kate Bateman's Second Duke's the Charm is so so so good. I very much loved her writing it transported me into this historical regency world she made and I was enjoying every word. Does not hurt at all that we get to meet a rich grumpy Duke.

Three brilliant, young ladies run an exclusive investigating agency of King & Co. without there being a ‘King’ to lead them - it is fantastic! This new series by Kate Batemen will keep you intrigued to find out how these women will outsmart everyone around them, including a new husband. Tess, Ellie and Daisy are adorable. Their witty conversations and observations will keep you turning the page to see what will happen next.

This first in the new series Her Majesty’s Rebels actually has Her Majesty asking for help. Tess, the dowager duchess and new duchess, falls in love with the new duke, Justin Thornton but she is unsure if she should trust him with their secret. Although handsome, gentlemanly, and a bit short of understanding love, Justin falls for her before he even knows what hit him.

Justin steps right into their investigation thinking he is saving his marriage. I loved it. I loved that he goes along with her ‘innocence’ as she is learning from him. This is a great romance and I cannot wait to see what Bateman has in store for Ellie and Daisy!

I read this entire book in one sitting with a smile on my face the whole time. That is so rare! The characters are so appealing and their reactions to various situations are often totally unexpected. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one in this new series!

Second Duke’s the Charm is the latest from hit or miss for me author Kate Bateman. This one was solidly in the middle, it wasn’t a miss but I struggled thru it and was a bit bored.

Tess is a widow whose husband died on their wedding night so she is still a virgin. Two years later Justin inherits the Dukedom that Tess has been managing. In order to keep the peace, they decide for a marriage of convenience, too bad they have lots of chemistry.

I enjoyed Tess’s friends running a detective agency, the spice was totally spicy which I enjoyed, and I liked Justin for his groveling. But the plot was slow and I really couldn’tell you too much about it besides I enjoyed the virgin role play.

Wow. For my first Kate Bateman, I was blown away with everything I’ve been missing in my historical romance reading. I say FIRST Kate Bateman, because this definitely will not be my last.

This book has everything I love in a romance: -solid best friends who are just as lovely as the heroine,
-A++ banter between the hero and heroine, -beautifully intimate and super sexy love scenes, -an original plot (which let’s be honest, is really hard to do!),
-a hero who says what he wants and then acts on it
-top notch chemistry

Need I say more? When we first meet Tess, her husband, the Duke of Wansford, has just dropped dead on their wedding night, no less. If Tess is to reap the benefits of maintaining her status as Duchess of Wansford, it’s important to keep up the appearance that she was intimate with her husband. And of course she’s curious about physical intimacy, so what better way to educate herself than to attend a masquerade? Tess never expects to meet someone as exciting as Justin Thornton at the masquerade. When she encounters him again and he assumes (wrongly so) that she is a woman who takes her pleasures as she wants, it makes sense to enter into a marriage of pleasurable convenience. This book was so good and had the best dialogue. The friends openly discuss sex and ask all the questions you would expect of an accidental virgin. I can’t wait to see if Daisy gets her own story—she always had the best one-liners (so many highlighted sections in my e-reader!). To add to this, there’s a secondary plotline involving stolen love letters from Princess Charlotte, and the three friends have a Charlie’s Angels style agency that helps her get them back. If you like female empowerment written into your romance, I’d highly suggest Second Duke’s the Charm. Trust me, this isn’t one you want to miss! I received an advanced copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Forced to marry a very old duke, Tess is thrilled when he drops dead on their wedding night. She is now free to live life as a widow. She and her friends start an agency to help women out of difficult situations. Sparks fly when she meets Justin and he offers her a marriage of convenience. Can they deny their love for one another? I received an ARC from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my honest review.

A new Kate Bateman historical romance series featuring three brilliant woman who run London's most exclusive investigative agency ? Sign me up!! On Tess's wedding night to a much older man (it was a forced marriage in which her father sold her, she was 19 and the duke was about 70+), he suddenly dies and Tess still remains a virgin... but now she has become the Dowager Duchess of Wansford and has set up an investigative agency with her two best friends. Tess knows she can't risk another marriage or getting caught in a scandal with a lover but she wants to experience it just once... so when she goes to a party in a mask the last thing she expects is to share a steamy make out session with the very man who has become the new Duke of Wansford and has come to inspect the home that she lives in. Justin Thornton never expected to inherit a dukedom, but he'll do his duty. In order to get one last hurrah out before he is announced as a duke and swarmed by all the ladies of London he decides to go to a party to find someone to sleep with... but he finds himself wholly captivated by the stunning woman he kisses. Yet when they both meet again he immediately recognizes her as the woman of his fantasy, the woman he's had a crush on since he first saw her all the years ago. Justin isn't looking for love, he doesn't want anything to do with it, however physical lust? He's all for. So when he finds out that Tess is the Duchess to the home he is meant to take he offers her a new deal: a marriage of convenience in which they both sleep with each other for three months and in return she'll maintain her freedom and he'll pay her and allow her to continue doing as she pleases as he just wants everyone to leave him alone when they find out he's married. What started off as just physical lust turns into something more as Justin begins to fall for his mysterious new wife and can't seem to stay away from her. This was an overall cute read and I adore Kate Bateman books, it just kind of fell a bit flat at the end and I was wishing there was more groveling on Justin's part after the big breakup. I actually really loved Tess, my gripe was with Justin. He kind of just irritated me and I was hoping as the book went on I'd like him better, but it wasn't the case unfortunately. I am so interested in the next two books as Tess's two friends are adorable and I am so excited to read this new series that has a touch of mystery and investigation!

*Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Paperbacks for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

This was so much fun! I loved the characters communication most of the time. Tess and her friends were cute as could be. I liked that throughout the book there was also an element of mystery. This was my first historical romance and it may have convinced me to start picking up more of them!

A lively tale that lightens up the page.

Nineteen year old Tess Townsend had been married against her will to a lecherous and decrepit man old enough to be her father, if not her grandfather. Fortunately for her, as the bridegroom came to consummate the marriage he suffered a heart attack and died.
This left Tess as the Duchess of Wansford, still a virgin, and unwilling to trade her freedom for marriage. She’s involved in a detective agency, King & Co., that helps women to right wrongs that have been inflicted upon them. Word of her and her companions has spread by word of mouth. Even Queen Charlotte has asked for their assistance.
Looking for a night of pleasure (not too much) Tess attends a masquerade in a scarlet dress. She attracts the attention of a gorgeous man who kisses her ruthlessly.
Imagine her alarm when the stranger turns out to be Justin Thornton (Thorn), the new Duke of Wansford. They meet at a ball when Tess is wearing that dress!
Justin’s looking for a wife to ease his life, whom he’ll leave after three months to attend his various business interests. To Thorn this seems an ideal plan. No having debutants thrust upon him. A wife dangling on his arm will give him access to important dinners that he is not invited to as a bachelor. This access will increase his business acumen.
Thorn doesn’t believe in love. Or rather he doesn’t want it. When he decides to cut corners and proposes that Tess be his wife, (and lover—oops!) well things take a decided turn.
Of course things don’t run smoothly. Well that’s a given!
A rather delightfully delicious read. I’m looking forward to the next in the series.

A St. Martin’s Press ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Off to a wonderful start on this new series. Has it all, stubborn handsome Justin with the Midas Touch. And beautiful Tess, whose father basically sold her to an ancient Duke. Which now causes her to have secrets, but also the freedom of widowhood. This lasted two years and now the Duke heir had been found. Will it change life as Tess knows it? It certainly does when Justin the new Duke makes an offer that is hard to refuse.
Be forewarned, there are some steamy scenes. The pacing and storyline was spot on. Can’t wait to read the next book. Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #SecondDukestheCharm

The characters hit the ground running. First, let me say I love the idea of three women taking charge of their lives and opening an investigative agency. I am sure it was not easy in Regency times for women to take control of their lives. Anyway, back to the story. For the first half or so of the book I really loved it. The witty banter, the dancing around, and the sexiness was off the charts. Then it kind of just flattened off but at the end it picked up again. I have read all of Kate’s books and have loved them all. This is not saying this book was not up to par because it definitely is, it is just that it fell a little short (in the middle) for me. I cannot wait to read about the other women’s lives and am hoping for some pairings but we will see.

Tess Townsend is forced by her father to marry the old and repulsive Duke of Wansford. On her wedding night, the Duke dies and leaves Tess a the Dowager Duchess of Wansford with her virginity still intact. Tess is able to live a life of freedom in high society. She and her two best friends investigate the scandalous crimes committed in London under a false pseudonym. While Tess wishes to experience pleasure for herself, she can’t risk losing her independence.

Shipping magnate, Justin Thornton, never expected to inherit a dukedom, but when he kisses a mysterious masked woman at a house party, who happens to be Tess, he has a brilliant idea: a marriage of convenience.

The attraction between them is undeniable. As Tess works a new case for the Queen, her suspicious behavior causes Justin to question her motives and her past. Justin has sworn that he will never love, so falling for his wife shouldn’t be a problem, right?

I enjoyed everything about this. Both Tess and Justin are infuriating at times, but their chemistry is just so good. Their banter is fun and sweet. We also love it when the man who swears his won’t love his marriage of convenience wife, immediately falls in love with said wife. I loved the group of women working together to take down criminals and blackmailers. The storyline is fast paced and intriguing with mystery and disaster that dares to tear the couple apart. Highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a free digital copy of this book. This is my honest review. Publication date: December 26, 2023.