I enjoyed reading, The Duke's Only Desire. It was refreshing to read about a man that loves a lady so deeply and ask for nothing in return. Also very inspiring. Sophie is someone that is easy to love, She is not afraid to get her hands dirty in the dirt or helping others.

This historical romance is part of a series that revolves around a group of friends, so it's easy to read them separately. The hero this time is badly scarred and has shut himself away until someone from his past needs him to step forward. Our heroine was betrothed as child, but the man died, so she is free to marry who she chooses.
Her life is about to be turned upside down. There is danger and adventure ahead for her as well as a very emotional time. The story kept me interested all the way through. The characters are strong, and loving with a lot of history between them. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
Good fun.

I loved Sophie and Shay. The storyline of how they loved each other from afar over the years was excellent. He was afraid to really love her and she was going to show him that it was safe to do so. He wasn't really a bad guy deep down at all, he just needed Sophie to help him explore his feelings and memories.

This almost was a five star book until the last quarter of it. I think it amounted to unnecessary drama and confusion.

Thank you to netgalley for the book. Opinions are my own.

This has been an amazing series so far and if anything this romance is even more enticing as Shay and Lady Sophie battle with their desires while searching out the truth about the death of Shay's brother. The suspense that winds its way through the plot keeps one on tenterhooks, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Fortunately, Shay has friends who are closer than brothers to him, and with their help more than one plot is uncovered, finally bringing about justice for a vile perpetrator, while Shay and Sophie get exactly what they deserve. I love the main characters in this novel, the attraction that grew into friendship over a number of years, and the connection that held them together in spite of the horrifying death of Shay's brother. I received a copy of this well-written and suspenseful novel as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

His brother's intended...

They are so star crossed. Shay and Sophie fell in love ten years ago, but Sophie was his elder brother's intended. They tragedy struck over and over for both Shay and Sophie. He inherited the title but there was suspicion around him. Sophie finally starts to move on a decade later, only for Shay to swoop in and puts the marriage contract into play, Can these two heal the wounds?
Recommend.

A completely engaging story of two people who have faced one challenge after another and have been given a second/third opportunity. Sophie and Shay have known each other for years and written to each other for years. Events took place that caused them to stop writing until about five years had passed. The story is high intensity, twists, turns, villain and steam. Fast paced, amazing and one you won't want to put down. I loved Sophia's strength, forthrightness and determination to find peace and happiness. Shay is one of those people that comes across hard but is truly a teddy bear underneath.

let me atart by saying that i thoroughly enjoyed this book. the angst and relationship building along with their past and the combined yearning made this book phenomenal, i absolutely loved that sophie didnt allow shay to pull away. it was refreshing to see her fight for their happiness.

Anna Harrington delivers an emotional and fast-paced historical romance in The Duke's Only Desire, weaving together love, loss, and redemption. Sophie and Shay’s journey is filled with heartbreak, longing, and undeniable passion. Their childhood connection, torn apart by tragedy and guilt, adds interest to their reunion. That's especially true when Shay unexpectedly claims her hand in marriage.

I loved Sophie’s strength and determination. She refuses to let Shay push her away, fighting for their marriage and proving time and again that he is worthy of love. Shay, burdened by guilt and scars both inside and out, is a brooding yet honorable hero. Their chemistry is undeniable. The added layer of suspense, with a villain threatening their happiness, kept the tension high and made their bond even stronger. Harrington balances romance and intrigue beautifully, making this more than just a love story. If you enjoy second-chance romances with emotionally complex characters and a touch of danger, this is a great pick!

This is the third instalment in Anna Harrington’s Dukes of Darkness series, but can be read as a standalone.

The Duke’s Only Desire follows the story of Shay and Sophie, who fell in love when they were younger but Sophie was promised to Shay’s brother. This is a period marriage of convenience story and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Sophie was such a strong character, she knew what she wanted and treated everyone with such kindness and respect, regardless of their status. Shay carried so much guilt and shame, and really thought of himself as beast undeserving of love. Sophie never gave up on Shay and showed him what he really was. I was rooting for them the entire time I was reading!

This was another hit, and I can’t wait to see what Anna Harrington comes out with next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

This captivating tale of second-chance romance and historical fiction will enthrall readers who delight in stories of redemption and resilience. The tumultuous love story of Sophie and Shay, a couple tragically separated by circumstance and the whims of fate, tugs at the heartstrings as they navigate a world that seems determined to keep them apart. Yet, amidst the heartache and trials, a glimmer of hope emerges, offering them an unexpected opportunity to rediscover their love and mend the wounds of the past.

As fans of historical fiction delve into the rich tapestry of the era, they will be transported to a time where societal expectations and historical events shape the lives of the protagonists. The intricacies of the historical setting add depth and complexity to the narrative, highlighting the challenges and triumphs that Sophie and Shay face as they strive to find their way back to each other. The evocative descriptions and meticulous research will immerse readers in the sights, sounds, and social dynamics of the period, making the story all the more vivid and compelling.

The themes of redemption and second chances resonate throughout the novel, reminding readers that even in the darkest of times, hope can prevail. As Sophie and Shay confront their past mistakes and seek forgiveness, they embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth. Their resilience in the face of adversity inspires readers to believe in the power of love and the possibility of healing.

The captivating prose and well-developed characters will draw readers into the story, making them invested in the outcome of Sophie and Shay's relationship. The emotional depth and authenticity of their experiences will resonate with fans of romance, who will find themselves rooting for the couple to overcome the obstacles that stand in their way. The novel's exploration of love, loss, and redemption will stay with readers long after they turn the final page, leaving them with a renewed appreciation for the enduring power of the human spirit.

An emotional story! Seamus has so much pain. Sophie has been used as a pawn for most of her life. Both of their ran away from their marriages. This truly a deep, emotional story the you won't want to put down!

I love Anna Harrington’s writing, and I loved Shay and Sophie. The plot is a little wild and could have been too dramatic is anyone else’s hands, but the characters make you love them. For once I understood why a regency hero was holding himself at arm’s length from the world and from love. And Sophie is everything you could want in a histrom heroine- smart, brave, kind, and not okay with living a life that makes her or her husband miserable. They’d do anything for each other, and it was lovely to watch them grow together instead of trying to fix everything but their connection.

When Sophie was twelve, her grandmother contracted her to eventually marry the Duke of Malvern. When the duke dies in a fire the night before the wedding, Sophie considers herself free of the contract. On the night of her engagement ball to another man, Shay, now the duke, shows up to claim her. He is now the Duke of Malvern and considers the marriage contract valid. Scarred from the fire that killed his brother, Shay wants to save her from an unhappy marriage. The two had been writing each other for 10 years as Shay was fighting in the wars so they already had a connection. Their happiness is achieved early in the story so much of the book is the happily married couple thwarting the evil uncle who wants to take the Dukedom for himself. I enjoyed the first two books more than this one, but I recommend the series and am looking forward to the next book.

An enticing and enjoyable romance and a second chance at love. Sophie and Shay are wonderful characters, their connection is strong and their story and love is deserving in every way.

Thank you NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for an ARC of this novel. All opinions are honest and my own.

Wow! Anna Harrington does it again!

This gives you everything you want in a historical romance. Not only do we get a truly Tortured hero (I’m talking tortured with a capital T), but we also get steam, villains, and a plot that keeps you turning the pages long after you should be asleep.

This is the third book in The Dukes of Darkness series - however each focuses on a different couple and can be read as standalone. We do get some cameos from previous (and future) main characters, and I’m so excited to read the next book in this series… and fully prepared for Harrington to rip my heart out with it.

PUB DATE: February 21, 2025

SUGGESTED SNACK PAIRING: breakfast - particularly toast with marmalade, hot chocolate, eggs, bacon and strawberries

“A small breakfast tray had been delivered while she had been soaking, filled with her favorites, too-toast with marmalade, a pot of chocolate, eggs, bacon...someone had even managed to find a handful of precious strawberries in the middle of winter.”

Triggers: sexual content, fire, death, burns/injury detail, kidnapping, sexism, talk of war (off page, in the past)

Rating: 3.25 stars

In this book, we follow Lady Sophie Winter and Shay Douglass, who were in love but torn apart by her engagement to his brother, who died in a tragic fire. Years later, Shay returns to enforce their marriage contract, forcing Sophie to marry the man she once loved but now resents. Once married, they must confront their shared past to find healing—and maybe a second chance at love.

This was my first book by this author, and it was a pleasant surprise. The writing flowed naturally, and I found myself so hooked that I read 74% of the book in one day. The characters felt real, their conversations were genuine, and the love they shared was palpable—I was practically inside the story with them.
My only issue was the last 30%, which led me to lower my rating. Those 80 pages were chaotic and felt rushed. The third-act conflict didn’t work for me; it was both entertaining and overly dramatic at the same time. However, this didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the book.
In the end, this was a heartwarming story with an amazing couple who took yearning to the next level. I can’t wait to see more of these characters, so I’ll be rushing to read the first two books in the series.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Lady Sophie Winter and Seamus Douglass met when she was only twelve. When she was contracted for marriage to his older brother John, and, as a second son, Shay had been destined for a soldier's life. Then a tragic fire changed everything. Shay retreated to his isolated estate a scarred and broken man, determined to live out the rest of his days in self-exile and never see Sophie again. Five years after the fire & on the night that Sophie plans to announce her engagement, Shay returns to enforce the old marriage contract that weds her to the Duke of Malvern...to him.
The third book in the series & it’s easily read on its own. I loved both Shay & Sophie & loved their rocky journey to a HEA, there’s plenty of angst but throughout it all their love is constant even if he fights it. I loved the chemistry between them & how their relationship grew & deepened. A very well written book with strong characters, a well paced story, some adventure & danger, I thoroughly enjoyed it
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

*second chance romance
*Beauty and the Beast

This one was mostly great - really good writing, likeable MC’s, showed - didn’t tell, chemistry between the leads, kept my interest and kept me turning the pages.

The second half didn’t enthrall me as much as the first half, but I still enjoyed this one. This was my first time reading Ms Harrington; I will absolutely read more of her work 🙂



Thank you to Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC

After a tragedy befalls John Douglass that garners minimal sympathy from the reader, we learn that the substantial scars his brother bares run far deeper emotionally than physically. He and the reader are tormented by his love for his brother’s contracted fiance and the self-inflicted sentence he imposes upon himself. Throw in an Uncle conniving for the kingdom for his own offspring and we have all the tension that one can imagine down to the final chapter. The fiery passion that evolves between the Duke and Duchess is only matched by the fire of the reader to turn the pages as the passion unfolds. Great plot!

Anna does it again. This time it is done subtlety, yes, that is what I said. The love story was slow and grew over time. Can beauty tame the beast – oh yes, she can despite his constant attempts to allow her freedom to leave him. What? Why would she do that, she was strong and would not allow him to drive her away. Sophie was a strong person and I was rooting for her the entire time. There is suspense that we are along for the journey to Shay and Sophie’s HEA.