A new favorite author for me! I couldn't put it down. Wow!
In this adventure we find Caroline Hastings. After her husband left her so fast after the wedding she has hidden sadness and the pain by running things at home. Nine years have gone by and suddenly he has returned. Julian, the Duke of Hastings has stayed away for years. After a surprising disappointment he left to bury himself in his work for the government. He has worked as a top-secret code-breaker. Now trouble and danger is close to home, too close. And now he needs his wife's help to catch a killer. Will the danger bring them closer together?
I love the way Kendrick writes. There is never a dull moment. She creates an amazing story that you become so involved in you forget you aren't actually part of the story. Her characters are so dynamic. And the story is packed with intrigue, danger, action, chemistry along with amazing romance and passion. I love the wit and those wonderful conversations that add to the story. With such depth to the story you don't want it to ever end. I can't wait to read more by her. Enjoy this adventure. Wow I sure did!

The Wayward Duke is a second chance romance that is a cross between Pride and Prejudice, and Never Blow a Kiss. You have the MMC who is your buttoned up, aloof Duke who estranged his wife (don't worry-there's a useful and realistic reason/miscommunication that brews this tension and is revealed at the end). Then he gets a work assignment that basically forces him to enlist the help of his estranged wife.

Their chemistry is evident and the yearning written throughout is what sells it. Also, the adventure of the assignment is fun to read.

A downside to reading this for me (and this may not be the case for others), is that it felt like the world building was lacking. I had a bunch of questions regarding the *why* behind a lot of stuff that didn't quite seem believable at face value.

*3.5 stars

I really loved this one. I loved the few past scenes how we saw Julian the Duke and Caroline facing a scandal because of her father how they came to be. They started out as friends and there was a third friend Grace but it had a bit of tangled hearts. The 8 year separation between Julian and Caroline on the reason was so tragic on just how it all just spiraled. I loved the spy aspect on Julian and Caroline being elite decoders to try to unveil where the next doomed event is to take place. I just loved the Julian and Carolines scenes. So much tension and angst. I look forward to more of Katrina's work! I can't wait.

I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Good book. I found it to be fast faced and witty. I enjoyed the main characters and their dialogue. Good descriptions. A must read!

Book 4 in the Private Arrangements Series

I've wanted to read Caroline's story since reading book 1 in the series, and it didn't disappoint! I was intrigued by the story of her estranged marriage, and loved how clever she was. Like the other books in the series, there are some darker themes and intrigue, but the love story is well done with lots of good banter and a believable second chance romance.

Katrina Kendrick's Private Arrangements is a really fun historical romance series, and the latest installment, The Wayward Duke, is excellent.

In the earlier books, we've met Caroline, Duchess of Hastings. She's an artist and society matron who's been separated from the Duke of Hastings for 8 years. At the start of the book, her estranged husband Julian shows up at her home. He's back in town and wants to stay at the townhouse until he leaves for a trip in a few weeks. Caroline agrees, but only if Julian agrees to play the dutiful husband in public. The couple are forced to face their past, work through what went wrong, and decide how they can move forward, all while trying to foil a plot to kill various aristocrats, including Julian.

I really enjoyed this book. I love a good marriage in crisis story, and this fits the bill perfectly. Julian and Caroline are both decent people, and neither of them did anything terrible, but the circumstances that caused their rift are very sad and they have to work through things together. The murder plot adds some urgency to their reunion, as there's the chance of neither of them surviving long enough to truly reunite. Both Julian and Caroline can break codes, which is why the government seeks Julian's help in uncovering the plot. I really like this as a plot device to bring the couple together because it portrays them as equals working together.

I also liked that Caroline has not been sitting at home, pining for Julian. She's a talented artist (forced to exhibit her work under a male pseudonym because Victorian England), and she's created her own network of friends and a life without her husband.

Eight years apart...

Julian and Caroline have been apart for eight years after she sent him away.
He's kept his vow to stay away until she summons for him. Which she didn't but as he's between assignments, he returns. Caroline had a lot to work through and she's moving on in her own way. These two still care for each other, but they have issues to work through and they work on steaming things up. There's more plots afoot they need to sort out as well.

3.5/5⭐️
If you enjoy a quick read with PLENTY of excitement, from both spice AND espionage plots, you will LOVE this book!

Caroline is an artist who is moving on after heartbreak as best she can, which of course involves painting nudes. But one day, Julian, her estranged husband, comes back to town, and the two of them must attempt to be civil to keeps the tongues of the ton from wagging. Julian and Caroline are skilled code breakers, and quickly they become embroiled in a mission that might end their lives before they're able to fully realize how much they still love each other!

I REALLY enjoyed book two of this series: Private Arrangements, so when I saw that the paperback was coming out for book four, I requested the ARC immediately! This story is darker than I tend to enjoy. I found the first third of this book to be a bit formulaic and rushed, but after that things improved overall. I never quite felt that we got to know the characters, who seemingly hid themselves not just from each other, but from the reader. There are copious amounts of spice, which, in my opinion, stunted the overall plot. But the writing is good. The spy-related scenes are top notch! And there were some romantic moments that touched my heart.

I'm looking forward to reading more Katrina Kendrick in the future, as well as delving into her backlist to finish up this series!!

Trigger warnings: miscarriage, depression, death of a friend, shooting, blood, explosives, peril, fighting

I'd like to thank Bloomsbury USA and Aria for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

There were many things I liked about this book; first of all the romance. Julian and Carolyn were combustible,it’s a wonder that they stayed away from each other for 8 years. Secondly the code breaking, mystery and bombings kept the story exciting. Third, there was a wonderful happily ever after. 4 stars.

Eight years ago, tragedy and grief tore the newlyweds, Julian and Caroline, the Duke and Duchess of Hastings apart and has kept them apart for all these years. Caroline was almost crushed by the loss she suffered and that led to the rift with Julian, but eventually she found her way alone, she has good friends and a successful career as a painter, but she never stopped loving Julian or wondering “what if”. So, when Julian shows up at her residence and informs her that he will be residing with her until he leaves for Italy in a month. She is both annoyed and thrilled at the prospect. She agrees but has conditions; they must present a united front to society, and they will have to share a room. He agrees and slowly they begin to heal the rift that has kept them apart, they even work together on a mission for the Home Office. It is clear that their love never died, but they have hurt each other, and it will take time for them to completely heal. Time they may not have if a madman bent on destroying the Duke of Hastings is successful.

Julian never stopped loving Caroline, but when she sent him away all those years ago, he left and vowed not to return until she asked him to. It is a vow he has kept for eight long years, but when circumstances arise that leave him temporarily homeless, he decides to take his chances with his duchess. As they begin to heal their marriage, he is contacted by an agent of the Home Office with a request for his skill at cryptography and he enlists Caroline to help him decode the message. They figure out that a terrorist is planning attacks on the aristocracy, and Julian even has a suspect in mind, and with Caroline’s help, he is sure they will find him. Their relationship seems to be back on track, but when the terrorist attacks escalate and they are caught in the aftermath, it is clear that their enemy is out for blood and Julian will stop have to stop him before he ends any chance for a true HEA with Caroline.

I have been waiting for Caroline and Julian’s story for a very long time, and I am happy to say that it was well worth the wait! This story is a classic second-chance romance with a bit of angst, loss, grief, intrigue, action, wonderful characters, forgiveness, healing, very steamy love scenes, a true soulmate type love and finally a lovely HEA including an epilogue. I think this was the best installment of the series and definitely a book I would read again. As much as I loved this story, I was disappointed that Caroline never actually said “I love you” to Julian – instead she gives him a Hans Solo “I know” response to his declaration. I would absolutely recommend this is a lovely story of healing, forgiveness and a second chance at love to all romance readers, especially those who enjoy a bit of intrigue and lots of steam in their romances. This is the fourth book in the series, and could be read as a standalone title, but I would recommend reading the series in order for the best reader experience.

4.5 stars

NOTE:  This story contains elements that might be upsetting for some readers, I would suggest checking the Content & Trigger Warnings before starting this book

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

If you like historical romance, this is a solid one. Marriage in crisis/second chance romance with a side of spycraft and cryptography, I think it will appeal to people who like a short, sweet HistRom that doesn't break any barriers.

For me, there were a few things that made this particularly "meh," but a lot of them are personal preference rather than specific criticisms of the book. For example, Julian and Caroline are the main characters of this book; for me, those are family members who would NEVER be in bed with each other! I also dislike the gratuitous violence on the parts of the "heroes" in spy romances; I personally do not believe that shooting someone in the kneecap will lead to them giving you helpful information to find a terrorist...

I really like Kendrick's books in general, which is another reason why I might have felt extra let down - I was anticipating this read so its falling flat was a real "whomp, whomp." I think it would work for other readers, though! 3.5 stars rounded to 4.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

This was an emotional story between childhood friends to lovers who are married and been living estranged for almost the entirety of their marriage.

It’s a dual timeline for the first third of the book before switching back to the present for the remainder of the story. Detailing their life prior to marriage and the events leading up to their estrangement help paint the picture of what has caused their marriage to be on the rocks. It also helps setup things they enjoy doing together that plays a role in their reconciliation and the secondary plot.

Because of Julian spending his time away from London occasionally deciphering coded messages, he gets roped in helping the Home Office. But it’s Caroline who is actually the better decoder as she’s the one who’s able to figure them out.

I enjoyed having a FMC that’s incredibly smart and skilled. While she’s in the background more than her husband, she knows how to use the position of power she does have and is supported with a spouse that is proud of those attributes and makes her be included.

The romance and the spy work was well balanced. Slowly working on healing their past hurts, saying what had long been left unsaid all mixed in with solving the messages and working together while not always knowing where they stand.

There are five encounters plus other scenes that are shorter and less descriptive that I didn’t count. They both have a lot of pent up passion and emotions that leads to explosive scenes. Caroline is a painter so there’s a few nude painting scenes, along with some wonderful dirty talk and “good girl”. I enjoyed the possessive hero and a few mentions of “my wife” as well.

The Wayward Duke is the fourth book in the Private Arrangements series. It can be read as a standalone. There’s one part that references the MC in a previous book but still having not read that one, it didn’t detract from the story.

Content waning contains spoilers.

I received an advance reader copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

CW: references to FMC pregnancy loss (off page) and part of what caused their estrangement.

This book is all sensual tension without much plot. I’m sure others will enjoy it, but it’s not for me.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

After years of separation, the Duke and Duchess of Hastings are back under one roof. Burying himself in work as a top-secret government code-breaker, Julian's latest assignment ensnares him in a lethal plot, leaving him no choice but to enlist the help of his estranged wife, Caroline.

This is the fourth book in the Private Arrangements series. It works well as a standalone, though book two's hero makes a small appearance and there are brief mentions of other characters.

I was really excited to see that Kendrick was releasing a new book and this one did not disappoint! The book starts with a few time jumps between present and past, as the couple has been apart for about eight years. The story successfully reeled me in, and I wanted to know more about their history and what could have kept them apart so long. There's loads of spice with characters that are definitely making up for lost time, and the secondary storyline kept building with plenty of intrigue. I would recommend this to anyone who loved Anna Harrington's Lords of the Armory and Sarah MacLean's Bombshell.

Tropes: Second Chance/Marriage in Crisis, Compromised, Spy/Govt Work

Steam: 5

Trigger Warning: Loss

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

I requested this book from NetGalley knowing nothing of Katrina Kendrick's work (neither the previous books in this series nor the fantasy books she has written as Elizabeth May) but drawn in by the beautiful cover and an adventurous marriage-in-trouble plotline. I can be kind of picky when it comes to sentence structure, word use, etc, and lately it seems like everything I read that isn't from an author I already love really misses the mark. But Kendrick's writing? NOT SO!

The highlight of this book for me was definitely Kendrick's way with words. She writes excellent dialogue, witty and sexy, and I enjoyed the banter between Caroline and Julian. I especially enjoyed the scenes of them codebreaking together, and Julian's dirty letters written in code.

There were a couple things that didn't quite do it for me, though. The sex scenes were incredibly hot, and Kendrick does a great job of showing us how these characters still care for each other in intimate, non-sexual moments t00. But I'm a glutton for paragraphs of internal angst, and I wanted some more raw emotion. I liked the scenes with Gracie, but I wanted to know more about Julian's past with her through his eyes. Why did he feel so compelled to spend months tracking down her family in America instead of staying to help Caroline (with whom he was clearly besotted) work through her grief? And was he not writing letters back to her? I wanted Caroline to ask those questions! Gracie seemed very flat to me, and a more fleshed-out character would have helped me better understand the rift between Caroline and Julian. I also thought the plot structure was a little haywire, and I wish that the action in the terrorism plot had better mirrored the action in the romantic plot. And perhaps the emotional stakes just weren't high enough in the romantic plot. Kendrick is clearly talented, which is why I kept pushing even when I was trying to think of ways the plot could have been better structured.

Overall--really glad I read this book! I'm going to check out some of Kendrick's other work, and I'll be watching her in the future. She has a unique voice and boatloads of writing talent and creativity. I think she's only going to get better,

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Great romance with intrigue.
I loved this book for the emotions and the intense storyline. Caroline and Julian, the main characters, are complex, and the author gives them a beautiful depth. These characters really touched me. I liked the suspense and intrigue added to the romance. This subplot creates a unique and beautiful connection between the H and h. This book has just the right combination of steam, romance, and intrigue. I highly recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Katrina Kendrick’s "The Wayward Duke" delivers a blend of romance, intrigue, and emotional depth that will leave readers breathless. Part of the "Private Arrangements" series, this novel stands on its own as a tale of estranged love, second chances, and a high-stakes covert mission that forces its characters to face their deepest fears and desires.

Julian, Duke of Hastings, has spent the last nine years locked in an emotional and physical exile, while also working as a cryptographer for the Crown. His wife, Caroline, Duchess of Hastings, has maintained her perfect public image while privately grieving the breakdown of their once-passionate marriage. When Julian’s latest assignment ties directly to London’s aristocracy, he has no choice but to return home and seek Caroline’s help to solve a deadly mystery.

But their reunion is anything but simple. As their investigation takes them into both the high-society ballrooms and perilous underworld of London, the couple has to confront the tragedies that tore them apart. And the chemistry they still have.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

The long-awaited Duke and Duchess of Hastings story and what a wild ride it is. I absolutely love this series. Each book can stand on its own but believe me, you will want to read the entire series and I hope Katrina continues on with these fantastic stories. What I really liked about this book is that even though there is a misunderstanding (really a series of unfortunate events), it does not prevent Julian and Caroline from talking it out (after a few hot seconds). Communication is key to their relationship and fortunately it was also their saving grace. The story has intrigue which Caroline throws herself into completely (Julian approves), smexy times, fantastic dialog and nail-biting moments. Amazing!

This was an exceptional historical romance. A starchy duke? Check. An estranged wife? Check. Generally, I loved this book. I loved the tension, the enemies to lovers and overall a wonderful way to end my reading year!

The Duke and Duchess of Hastings have been estranged for nine years, with the Duke, Julian, disappearing abroad as a spy for Her Majesty and the Duchess, Caroline, throwing herself into her art. While is apartment is under construction during the Parliamentary session, Julian moves home to their Townhouse, and Caroline asks him to play the part of the dutiful husband during the Season to fend off the gossip and whispers from Society. They become closer as Julian enlists Caroline’s help with decoding a message from a dangerous terrorist, and it becomes clear that even though they’ve been apart, the heat between them is as hot as ever.

When I say I want a hero that will crawl across broken glass for the heroine, Julian is what I mean. I think every part of the book was so well done. The book is really hot, especially with Julian writing these explicit love notes for Caroline with exactly what he wants to do together. Typically for second-chance romances you also have to decide if you forgive the transgressor, but in this book I’m not sure either of them are really in-the-wrong. Readers may get frustrated and say that the issue is they just need to talk to each other, but you have to acknowledge that having a vulnerable conversation is really difficult, especially after a loss. This was my first book by Katrina Kendrick, but I’m ordering the rest of her backlist now!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.