I am a major fan of the film While You Were Sleeping, so it was fun seeing the little Easter eggs to that throughout the story, specifically the man in the coma being named Peter and his sister Jacqueline going by Jack.

I found Cordelia UNBEARABLE. Obviously she was needed for the fiancee mix-up to be plausible, but I thiught she was super annoying the entire time. Adelaide was fine, if not a little foul-mouthed for her station.

The plot took a little too long to get going, but it worked out in the end. Honestly, the conflict was probably more believeably resolved than the original film, because there were solutions and societal expectations that better lend themselves to a quick engagement or marriage of convenience. There were conversations about the lack-of-pressures of being a second son, and how surprisingly well-educated a woman could be despite her status. Also Rhett and Adelaide were actually very well suited for each other; they both loved languages and travel (like Florence, maybe?) but are being held back by familial/work expectations. And they’re finally able to be free to travel together.

All in all, fun.

This closed door historical romance inspired by the 90s romcom movie, While You Were Sleeping, is a fun time for folks who are nostalgic for retellings set in historical settings. *however* if historical accuracy is important to you I don’t think this is the title for you. I’m not usually a stickler for that but the heroine constantly swearing really took me out (and I personally love a sweary heroine!) A pleasant time but not sure it was entirely for me

Ahh the yearning and the lusting and the LEANING! It's all here in this historical rom-com reimagining of the movie "While You Were Sleeping." I both read an ARC e-book AND listened to the audiobook via Hoopla. Audiobook narrator was phenomenal. It felt like I was watching a movie, loved it.

Ladies maid Adelaide "Della" has her hands full with the entitled daughter of a duke, Cordelia who has just left her groom at the altar and needs to go into hiding from society. A comedy of errors leads Della to don Cordelia's wedding dress, save the life of Rhett (a charismatic rake), and assume Cordelia's identity after another dukely suitor (Rhett's brother) ends up unconscious in her cottage. Both Della and Rhett are smitten with each other but can't be together until the Duke, Peter, awakes and she can clear up this mess.

The premise is a little complicated with so many dukes/relations etc. and could've probably been simplified. I had to take off one star because I was primed for an open-door love scene on the wedding night and didn't get it. I felt like there should've been another chapter between 31 and 32. Also, why didn't Uncle Frank or spoiled awful Cordelia get any karmic retribution? It was SO CLOSE to a five!

Thank you to Forever for the free book. These opinions are my own.

As you can guess from the title, While the Duke Was Sleeping plays off the movie, While You Were Sleeping. But I found this to improve upon it. And of course, it turned it into a historical rom-com.

This book has a bit of everything: a hilarious meet cute, identity swapping and mistaken identity, amazing family antics, questions about who can be trusted, and best of all, some really strong character arcs.

It was such fun to read, and it makes me quite excited for Samara Parish's next book. This is the first in a series, England's Sweethearts.

I am so in love with this book. Samara Parish is a new-to-me author and I'm hooked. What a talented writer. She took the old rom-com of "While you were sleeping" and gave it a special historical romance twist. So much fun!
Our story takes place after a runaway convinces her maid to change places with her. She was proposed to by the Duke of Strafford. Problem is he is now in a coma. She needs her maid to pretend to be her and sneak in and get a letter that can change everything. Adelaide is a speaks what she thinks kinda gal. Now enter the unconscious Duke's brother, the handsome Brett. As you can imagine things get a little crazy. Adelaide and Brett can't fight their attraction.
You are going to love this story. Parish has created some outstanding characters. I Love the wit, action and the passion, all creating the perfect adventure. A million stars. Enjoy the adventure.

In While the Duke Was Sleeping, Samara Parish starts out a new series. I assume it’s going to be focussed on a Duke’s family of siblings featuring 90s romcom inspiration.

As an Edwardian take on the movie While You Were Sleeping, we are in introduced to Adelaide Rose Bourne, whom after her mistress skips out on her nuptials find herself impersonating her after accidentally her next fiancé unconscious.

This seems all well and good, assuming he will wake up shortly… But that is not the case, and it turns out that the unconscious Duke happens to be the brother of the man Adelaide met and had a flirtation with on their recent escape from the original nuptials!

Now she finds herself impersonating a lady, immersed in the bosom of the Duke’s family as his erstwhile fiancé and trying to resist the attraction and charmed of the irresistible black sheep of the family, Rhett Montgomery!

This book took me a little while to get into because the startup and the premise is so outlandish, but once I did, I really enjoyed the characters in the family dynamic within the Duke’s household. It was definitely a place where I could see Adelaide wanting to become part of, but just with the other guy! I usually don’t love a comedy of errors, but this was so eccentric that I couldn’t help but fall in love with the whole crew.

I hope there are more books in the series because I enjoy Samara‘s writing and I can’t wait to see what kind of hijinks some of these other characters find themselves in!

Thanks to Forever Romance for my review copy.

I might age myself here but I loved the movie "While You Were Sleeping" so I knew I would enjoy this book.
After her mistress fled her wedding, Adelaide Rosebourne is now posing as her as they hide out from her family. But things have gotten complicated. She has a new fiance and he's in a coma.

Now she must wait for him to wake up and hopefully convince him to retract the proposal.

Rhett Montgomery knows two things: He is not prepared to take over the dukedom and the woman who claims to be his brother's fiance is not who she says she is. No debutante swears so fiercely or kisses with such recklessness. As he seeks more information about Della, he'll try his best not to fall for her charms.

Thanks so much to the author and Forever Publishing for this ARC to review.

While the Duke Was Sleeping by Samara Parish was FUN. (!!!! Like SO MUCH fun !!!) It was a rollicking good time. I adored Della immediately. The woman has the biggest potty mouth of any HR character I've come across lately. She was hilarious. She was also very smart, witty, charming and a practical problem solver (unless her lady, Cordelia, was involved. Then any common sense went right out the window and into the Thames, literally, which is what gets Della into a giant, stinking mess. Again, quite literally.). Her first meeting with our MMC Rhett is one I'll be long to forget bc it was very original. Rhett himself isn't the most appealing character when we first meet him, but when we see him seeing Della for the first time, I changed my mind. We see the beginnings of a larger change into the man we know he can be. The two of them fit together perfectly.

The author did a great job with the sexual tension and banter throughout the book. Personally I want more actual conjugating the verb in my romance (IYKWIM) and was let down by the lack of igniting the build-up created so expertly, and watching it explode. But I have no regrets reading this book and really want to know what happens next with allllll the side characters!

Thank you @readforeverpub for the eARC and the finished copy!

A runaway bride convinces her maid to change places. A duke proposes marriage to a convenient bride. An accident leaves him unconscious. His brother, a rogue who roams the continent with no responsibilities, returns to his family. It's complicated when love forces everything to fall out of control. An interesting plot with frustration and angst. Very mild descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

While I haven't watched it in quite a while, While You Were Sleeping, is one of my favorite movies, which is what attracted me to the title and book. How delightful to find a new author who transfers her wit to paper and pen (or computer) to write a historical (1893) RomCom. From a young age until his death when she was 16, Adelaide's scoundrel of a father schlepped her from one town to another. Then she supported herself by writing travelogues. Her dream is to have a home, with a room lined with bookcases. So when she is offered the position to be maid for Lady Cordelia Highwater, daughter of the Duke of Thirwhestle, at a higher salary, she accepts, despite the fact that Cordelia is a spoiled brat. The brat is supposed to be marrying the Duke of Hornsmouth, but does a runner and convinces Adelaide to aid her- with a reward of enough money to buy her dream. Since their coloring is similar, Cordelia convinces Adelaide to switch dresses with her, which results in a comedy of errors, the Duke of Strafford in a coma, mistaken identities and Adelaide falling for the duke's younger brother Everette. All in all, it is a romping adventure, with excellent character development and those characters are a riot.

I was gifted with an Advanced Reader's Copy from NetGalley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.

While the Duke was Sleeping by Samara Parish
England’s Sweethearts series #1. Historical romance.
Adelaide Rosebourne agrees to impersonate Lady Cordelia after she runs out on her wedding and blames it on Adelaide. They want to travel to the continent but woman aren’t welcome on any of the ships at port, Adelaide finds a small town on the map where she thinks they should be able to lie low. But Cordelia doesn’t truly understand the staying hidden concept and signs the rental agreement with her real name. Not more than three days later, Adelaide returns to the cottage with supplies to find a Duke knocked out on the floor and Cordelia upset that he’s decided they will be married and he’s already sent the announcements. The Duke’s not dead but he’s not waking up either. And here comes the family. Adelaide takes on the role again of the betrothed trying to find a way out for them. Finding Rhett Montgomery is part of the family and already being attracted to him makes the whole deception that much harder.

Oh, getting flung into a dirty Thames sounds so nasty. I’m so grateful that I live when and where the rivers are a resource and mostly cleaned up.
The take-off’s from the movie were fun to track and see what was similar and how it played out. The science to try to wake up the Duke, or just keep him alive was interesting and smart and I understand Adelaide having that knowledge but had to wonder how Frank knew some of it.
Captivating and delightful.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley. I also purchased an audiobook copy.

I haven’t read a ton of Samara Parish’s books, but this one was so much fun. While you were sleeping is a top-tier romcom and this histrom version of it lives up to the reputation. Mistaken identity books always stress me out, so Rhett being suspicious of Adelaide from the start was a perfect touch for me. The romance and chemistry were so well done, and the supporting cast of Rhett’s sisters were great. I’d love to see them in another book.

I did think there was already enough going on in this book that the addition of the conniving uncle at the end just felt unnecessary. For me, he didn’t add anything to the story, which was already so strong.

This is such a fun while “While You Were Sleeping” recency rewrite. It got a little slow in the middle but picked back up by the end. The main characters were both so obviously perfect for one another, it was almost frustrating that they wouldn’t just admit it to the other. I loved all the small moments that alluded to the movie.

This is such a fun book if you’re looking for a historical romance that gives off the vibes of an old favorite.

3.5 stars

Thank you Forever for the eARC!!

If you’re a fan of the movie While You Were Sleeping then you’ll probably also like this book. The initial premise of this book is a little convoluted with Adelaide taking Cordelia’s place onto separate, unrelated occasions. But once you get into the main storyline it’s easy to follow.
I really liked the relationship between Adelaide and Rhett. They seemed like two characters who just really understood each other and I loved how drawn to each other they were. There was so much pining and forbidden love which really built up the tension.
This was a fun lighthearted book with great banter and really fun characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC!

I loved this fabulous historical retelling of the 90s rom-com While You Were Sleeping! (I am also DYING that the next book will be based on You've Got Mail!) The book is simply fun, and doesn't try to be anything other than what it is. It's got all the tropes, banter, and predictability that makes historical romance such a joyful escape. This is the first book I've read by this author, and will not be last. I love that she is from Australia as we don't often see HR coming from that part of the world. I've already got her entire backlist on my TBR and can't wait to work through it.

What I loved:

+ Della, her red hair, fiery spirit, independence, and self-reliance
+ Rhett, what's not to love about a handsome, misunderstood second son who just needs someone to believe in him
+ The chemistry between Rhett and Della was fantastic, and their meet cute on the dock was hilarious. I could SMELL them. Hahahahaha.
+ I love a slow burn that really does make the characters work for it, with lots of mutual pining
+ The humor was on point, and I found myself cracking up multiple times. When Della roped Rhett into trying to make Peter walk? I was deceased.
+ The way that the story stayed true to the overall plotline of the movie, but felt completely original at the same time
+ Rhett's entire family and their relationships. I wouldn't be opposed to reading Peter's HEA, is all I'm saying.
+ Low spice until the last chapter, so I would feel comfortable recommending it to my followers who prefer closed door to low spice and advise them they can just skip the final chapter without missing out on any of the story.

I will definitely be recommending this one!

This had a very promising start but I ended up setting it aside at 44%. I liked the very chaotic meeting of our hero and heroine (they both save each other's lives and make them more miserable simultaneously). Also liked the confusion about the heroine's identity (she's a maid pretending to be her mistress) and the hero's large, boisterous family. However, the way the "While you were sleeping" part of the storyline was executed didn't work for me.

Meh. I don’t care for either MC and the FMC reads like a modern heroine. There are other modernisms I’m not a huge fan of reading in a historical too.

While the Duke Was Sleeping is a fun historical romance by Samara Parish and the first book in the England's Sweethearts series.

This book was inspired by the movie While You Were Sleeping, which is on my list of favorite holiday movies *and* favorite rom-coms, so I had to pick it up.

I ended up finishing this book in two sittings, including staying up too late one night to finish it. It was such a fun and refreshing read! Unlike the movie, our heroine meets the hero prior to the duke falling into a coma, and I really liked that change.

I was absolutely here for the chemistry between our leads, even though she was supposedly engaged to his brother. There isn't really a lot of steam here, there are a few kissing scenes and one quick steamy scene as part of the epilogue. But instead of that, we get our MCs being vulnerable with each other in other ways.

Just like in the movie that inspired the book, I fell in love with the eponymous duke's family, and I hope that further books in this series will follow them. I don't often like second-chance romances, but I'm really hype for the book for Rhett's twin, Meg.

This historical take on a modern day romantic comedy was a delight to read! Here we have an insta-love beginning that, somehow, leads to an adventure of 'mistaken' identity that really was no mistake at all.

The chemistry between the MC's is instant, even if it got off to a pretty stinky start. Quickly drawn to each other and unable to forget each other even as they accepted never getting to see the other again. As fate would have it, their paths would indeed cross again and in the most unexpected place! The Dukes bedroom!

Join them in the Dukes bedroom while he peacefully sleeps and misses all of the shenanigans of not only Rhett and Della as they try to avoid crossing every line imaginable, but also the brothers 3 sisters. You will fast fall in love with them and the chaos the 5 siblings cause from the moment they walk in the door. As a member of a big family, I laughed out loud as scenes played out exactly as it would here.

An awesome time in what will, hopefully, become a long series. I am ready to read the 2nd book! I'll just wait over....here!

Huge thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the eArc. All opinions are my own.

I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and am leaving my review voluntarily.

I immediately knew I was going to DNF this book when I got to the second chapter. This chapter was written from Rhett’s POV and I absolutely hated him. He was so full of himself that it physically made me cringe. He is also a complete womanizer. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes I love a good book with a womanizer for an MMC and then he turns soft for the girl but ugh the way that Rhett was talking about women, it kinda just disgusted me. Here are some of his highlights:

- “Married women, especially those who were shackled to old men, were more fun."

- “He’d wooed women in France and Spain, Germany and Italy, even as far away as Russia.”

- “Her red hair…could be Scottish or Irish. Her delicate features could be French. Her body stance and wild gestures reminded him of Mediterranean women.” (this does NOT give me a good description of this woman)

Not to mention that they start kissing in the second chapter as well? Like where is the tension? The build-up? There is none. It doesn’t exist. And in historical romances, we all know that if you are seen with a guy alone, let alone kissing him in a dingy bar bathroom, you are ruined for life and need to marry him. I couldn’t believe that that had happened and we just breezed by it.

Despite the second chapter, I continued the book and tried to give it the benefit of the doubt. I read 3-4 more chapters before I called it quits for good. The book was incredibly unrealistic for the time period and written fairly poorly. And yes, I have read another book by Samara Parish and I rated it fairly high so it’s not a problem specifically with the author, just how this book is.

If you are looking for a historical romance with an FMC that doesn’t care about society’s rules, then this might be for you. It just wasn’t for me.