⭐️⭐️⭐️ we have a new series by Bateman centering on three women who run an investigative agency that helps women get out of difficult situations. Love the premise and Tess and her friends.

However, the chemistry between Justin (the new duke) and Tess (the dowager duchess) was flat. I found myself skimming the book as I was told vs. shown how things unfolded throughout the book.

It was still a good book, but not my favorite of Bateman’s. That being said, I’m looking forward to the rest of the series and reading about Daisy and Ellie’s stories.

4.25 ⭐️

I'm dipping my toes back into historical romance and this was the perfect way to dive back in. I don't have much to compare to, however, I am over the moon with the chemistry between the main characters. Tess, the Dowager Duchess of Wansford, is trying to experience her independence after the (unfortunate) death of her husband. She owns an investigative agency giving her something to focus on with her best friends. While working on a specific case, Tess is in disguise and has a chance encounter with Justin Thornton, the ne Duke of Wansford.

They meet again in London after their steamy encounter and strike an agreement to marry each other despite knowing nothing about each other. The two are charming, passionate and endearing in their interactions. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery, jealousy and will definitely be continuing the series.

Marriage of convenience
Witty banter
Hidden/mistaken identity
Secret Virgin
Intelligent FMC
Mystery & intrigue

Thank you so much to NetGalley & St Martin's Press for the eARC of Second Duke's the Charm by Kate Bateman.

This is the first of a new series, Her Majesty's Rebels, and I think it is off to a great start. The series is about three women who run London's most exclusive investigative agency. Tess' father sold her into marriage to a lecherous old duke, but to her good fortune, the old man died on their wedding night. Now Tess is the wealthy Dowager Duchess of Wansford and she gets to enjoy her independence. She enjoys investigating crimes against women with her two best friends Daisy and Ellie. Tess goes undercover on a case to a masked party to uncover who is blackmailing the Queen and she meets Justin, who by chance finds himself the new Duke of Wansford. They meet by chance again at a ball, and since Justin needs a wife, and Tess could use the protection of continuing as the Duchess, they strike up a deal to marry. Love doesn't enter into this union, until it ultimately does, but plenty of drama ensues in the interim before these two are able to reach their happy conclusion.
A highly entertaining and enjoyable story. The characters were well-crafted and interesting and I enjoyed following their story. I am looking forward to continuing the series.
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and St. Martin's Press and am leaving my voluntary review.

I loved this book!! It was fabulous and well done. The characters were on point and I thought the plot was well developed. I would recommend this book to others.

I loved that we got a spunky heroine who knew her own mind an wasn't a damsel in distress. And a hero who loves that she's her own woman even if that hadn't been normal for the time.

Another great Kate Bateman book and an excellent start to a new series. I loved the plot and the witty aspects. The investigative agency is very interesting
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Justin Thornton is a successful businessman, owner of Thornton Shipping & Trading in Bristol. Tess Townsend was bought by the old Duke of Wansford to pay off her father's debts. Fortunately, the duke died on their wedding night. After two years, the new Duke is found. It's none other than Justin. He doesn't want it. What use is a title? Meeting Tess throws him into lust, but he wants marriage not a mistress. The astute businessman makes a business deal to Tess she can't turn down, even though she wants to marry for love. The attraction between Tess and Justin sizzles, but Tess's secret will test Justin's trust. VERY HOT!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of the book from NetGalley.

The first in Bateman's new Her Majesty's Rebels series was my favorite I've read of her's so far! I love a good marriage of convenience trope and this one worked so well. I also really loved the secret work that Tess and her friends do and I'm already looking forward to getting their stories next!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love a good marriage of convenience, and this had the fun twist of a previous physical connection between the main characters as well. Their dynamic was well-developed and I enjoyed the women-run investigation agency. Can't wait for more in the series!

I found the book to be a simple story that seems to follow the romance formula. I found it to be a bit primitive, however. I prefer the books I read to be more literary, so although it wasn't for me, I can see how someone who likes a romance book with tropes they can trust would like this. This is the first Kate Bateman book I've read, but reading this one feels like I've read them all.

Kate Bateman is a romance author that hits the mark all the time. I could hardly put down Tess and Justin's story. This book had me hooked from the start and was thoroughly enjoyable. It does not disappoint.

I adored Tess and Justin's story! It was so much fun watching these two navigate their new marriage and decide what they truly needed in their life.

Second Duke's the Charm is author Kate Bateman's newest series, Her Majesty's Rebels. I always enjoy Ms Bateman's books as they are fast, witty and steamy, exactly what a romance novel should be!

In the beginning book of the series, Tess Townsend is forced to marry a much much older man to help pay off her family's debts. On their wedding night, an answer to her prayers happens and the old man drops over dead, leaving Tess a newly widowed Dowager Duchess and a virgin. As Tess and her 2 best friends begin to investigate something for the Queen, Tess is forced to work with Justin Thornton, the new Duke and shipping tycoon. Sparks fly and Tess and Justin must give in to the sparks or risk everything for love.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for my review and honest opinions.

This was my first Kate Bateman, and there was a heck of a lot I loved about it! The setup was just delicious, and it’s hard not to love a marriage of convenience. The sexy bits were sexy, and I enjoyed a lot of the historical and cultural details: the truffle hunting, and the grand gesture scene was great too.

However, there were again a few typical-of-the-genre things in here that gnawed at me. There’s one scene in particular with an awful drunken oaf, and he’s the only character in the whole book who’s portrayed as fat. There’s also quite a bit of overly gendered language, including too much emphasis on cock size for my taste. These are things I’m just growing less willing to put up with in romance as time goes on.

Kate Bateman is one of my favorite historical romance authors. This book series follows a group of women who own an investigative agency. They are investigating a case on the request of the Queen. Tess enters into a marriage of convenience with the second Duke after the old Duke drops dead in her bedchamber on their wedding night.. I enjoyed the mix of romance and mystery. I really liked Tess and Justin and look forward to the rest of the series. I would recommend this to anyone especially if you enjoy your historical romance with a bit of mystery.

I have been provided with a review copy of Second Duke's the Charm from NetGalley for an impartial review. I just absolutely had so much fun getting to go along on these characters journey. I was just swept away and I just absolutely can’t get enough of this series or its wonderful characters. This author just has a way of drawing you in with her wonderful stories and you just can’t get enough of them. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

I love Kate Bateman's books and this one started off strong. How Justin and Tess met was fun and interesting and then he recognized her at a ball but was shocked to discover she was the Dowager Duchess of his new acquired dukedom. A dukedom he's quite annoyed with due to matchmaking mamas and all the duties associated with it. So, why not a marriage of convenience. Of course best paid plans and all that. The 2nd half became a little irritating because of Justin's doubts and how they didn't talk to each other about the secrets each of them kept, including a Tess' business although the ending was great.

Thank you to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing a eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I received a new phone and did not realize my kindle address changed. I thought I sent this to my kindle, but oops... too late to send it to the correct address.

Thank you for a chance to read and review though.

It is still a. book I plan on getting.

Kate Bateman is one of my go to historical romance authors and man does she deliver. I loved this one and am so excited to be into a new series of hers. As for this couple in particular, I adored them! I wish the heroine wouldn't have kept her secrets for so long, but that is really may only qualm!

Tess Townsend is the Dowager Duchess of Wanaford after her husband died on their wedding night. But noone except her best friends knows that she's a virgin. And she runs an investigative agency with them now😆⁣
Justin Thornton is now the new Duke of Wansford, after the multiple accidental deaths of the previous ones😂 and he's the one that Tess meets at a masquerade party at the beginning of the book. Justin needs a wife and he has a proposal for her that'd save him a lot of trouble and let her be the duchess too - a marriage of convenience(with benefits of course😂). ⁣
But, the thing is Justin thinks that Tess is way more experienced than she is actually 😂 and he also suspects that someone might be trying to kill him(talk about trust issues smh). And at the same time, Tess wants to keep her hard-earned independence while investigating a new case for the Queen. You can see where this is going right?😂⁣
⁣
Anyway this was such a fun read with excellent characters! Justin fell hard for Tess the moment he laid eyes on her but the man just won't admit it because he doesn't believe in love haha😂 it doesn't stop him from proposing to her though 😂 And I really admired Tess and her friends! They were so much fun and Tess was funny, intelligent and passionate! I love the development of the relationship between Tess and Justin too! I don't think I need to talk about the steam but the chemistry between them was excellent. There's a small mystery subplot but it's not the focus here. The ending was pretty funny and great too and now I'm excited to read the next book in the series!