One Duke Down

Poppy works hard to support her family and their fishing business but gets the surprise of her life when she sees a near dead man on her beach. Shes’s shocked even further when he claims to be a Duke. Andrew Keane , the Duke of Hawking, was floundering through life until he meets Poppy, but something about her strikes a cord. He enlists her help in discovering who is out to kill him, leading them on a series of adventures that have them falling for each other. This is not your typical “Cinderella”-like story with a poor girl, rich boy troupe. Poppy is strong, physically and mentally, and in the beginning especially she’s the lead “investigator” into the near death incident. Also, Keane has a soft side, with a nobleness that one may not expect, leading to a balanced relationship as he supports her strength, while silently supporting her. The book also diverges from your typical historical romance with quite a bit of steaminess between the two leads and lots of humor that’s nice and refreshing. Those familiar with these Bellehaven Bay Belles, will be happy to see familiar faces, but there’s a bunch of new charming characters, yes I’m talking about you Diggs. 5 stars and a nice quick read. I voluntarily read and reviewed an arc copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

What a gem of a historical romance with a delightful, strong heroine and earnest, passionate hero. I gobbled this up on one sitting because the rapport between the main characters and pace was so compelling.

Poppy, a fisherman's daughter, finds an unconscious man, who calls himself Keane, with a headwound on the beach one morning while hauling in her fishing nets. She doesn't initially believe his claims that he's a Duke, but agrees to give him shelter in a little cabin while he recovers from his injury and tries to figure out who attacked him and threw him into the ocean. Poppy assists in Keane's sleuthing and they grow close along the way to a stunning reveal of his attacker.

The storytelling here is tight, but detailed. There are several subplots and the romantic one is so delightful that when Poppy and Keane finally get together, you are pleasantly surprised that there's still about 100 pages to go in the story.

This is the second book in a series and while this story stands alone, Poppy's friend Hazel's role makes you want to circle back to the first book to read her story.

I don't think I've ever commented on a cover in a review, but this one is beautifully done and fits the characters.

Late last year I picked up Anna Bennett’s Girls Before Earls romance and fell in love with the way she writes both her leads, settings and supporting characters. Poppy was just a stand out in book one that when I found out she was getting her own book, your honor, I was very excited.

I am so happy to be able to share my advance review of this soft and cosy strangers to friends to lovers romance between a proud fisherman’s daughter and a duke who washes right up on her beach.

As always a huge heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Paperbacks for the advance copy, mostly spoiler free thoughts below are my own, enjoy!

First things first, THIS COVER though?! How insanely gorgeous is the styling, art direction layout and the SMILES?!?!? Look at how stinking happy they are just to hold and look at each other. Publishers, take note: more of this please.

I feel like it’s no secret that I loved this book and I have a suspicion that it’s going to be a stand out for folks in 2023. It was equal parts, soft and tender, with lots of personality, kindness, and the steadfastness that I love in a historical when the guy is deep in his feelings and you know that they aren’t going to change.

Poppy is an excellent self realized heroine to cast opposite Keane and readers are going to fall head over heels for the insanely swoony moments these two share. For example…

As they are leaving a masquerade ball:

She faced Keane and found him staring at her strangely.
“Did the mask leave a mark?” she asked, skimming her fingertips beneath her eyes.
“No, no.” He looked away quickly, as though embarrassed.
“What is it then?”
He shook his head. “I was just thinking that while you looked lovely in your costume, I missed your freckles. I missed your face."



When they are on the beach and he’s trying to explain how much he loves her the way she is (knowing her lower society status):

“It’s the easiest choice I shall ever make,” he said solemnly. “I choose this moment. I’d choose it over a hundred portraits, over a thousand other happy memories. I choose now… with you.”


The plot, pacing, and low-angst was exactly what I was looking for and Anna did not disappoint at all! I loved watching Keane love Poppy for who she was (both for her brain and her heart), and seeing the two of them just defend the sh*t out of each other to small minded idiots at every turn was like reading a hug. I loved it. Also the daily questions, my goodness be still my heart.

If you’re wondering about potential lack of bedroom stuff, don’t! The steaminess was present and sweet, with a few fully open door scenes which added to the tenderness that kept growing and blossoming between them through each chapter. Are you convinced you need to pre-order this already?

One Duke Down is a delight of a historical romance and reminded me why I love this sub-genre so damn much.

I am beyond certain that folks will fall in love with both Poppy, Keane, and will be eagerly awaiting Kitty’s book (who do we think is her nemesis?!). What more can I say than you need to add this to your TBR, pre-order it, ask your library to order it in, and or grab it when it hits shelves Jan 24th 2023.

I LOVED this story. The characters were fantastic, the story was engaging, the writing was gorgeous. Overall, it was quite charming. Also, that cover! Stunning!

One Duke Down follows the story of Poppy, the daughter of a fisher in a small seaside town, who is home in place of her wayward brother to help their widowed father keep his fishing business afloat as he heals from illness. One day, she finds a handsome man washed ashore on her beach, who claims to be a duke and that someone attacked him and attempted to murder him. Keane clearly being in need of help, Poppy agrees to help him in exchange for a fee and secrecy. Keane and Poppy set out on an entertaining and emotional adventure from Poppy's small seaside town to London masquerade balls and horse races and further, to discover the mystery of who wanted Keane dead and what passional Poppy and Keane might share between their friendship.

This is the 2nd story in a series but remains a fantastic standalone.

I loved these characters. Even side characters were fleshed out, but Poppy and Keane were particularly engaging and endearing. Poppy's independence and strong-willed spirit were a delight. She knew she could handle anything that came her way, and truly stood for herself and her family. She had her struggles with getting what she really wanted out of life and her opinions of nobility to overcome. I loved Keane and his charmingly roguish personality. He had such a great character development from a man who resigns himself to being considered rakish and unworthy, to revealing himself as a good man who can and will do better. I found it interesting that Poppy needed to reevaluate how she looked at others, while Keane needed to reevaluate how he viewed himself.

The writing was also gorgeous. I highlighted so many passages that stuck out as touching and well-composed. The dialogue was also superb. It was very easy to read for hours on end without losing interest. I was very interested in following the mystery and finding out the truth of all the matters that came up - because nothing was ever as it first seemed!

If you like your historical romance charming and steamy with a dash if mystery that doesn't overshadow the couple, this book is for you!

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing an ARC for an honest review.

Watch for this gem on January 24th, 2023!

ONE DUKE DOWN is a dazzling and dangerous story starring a dashing duke who is found on a beach tangled in a fishing net and is severely injured. Poppy Summers, a pretty pearl of a girl is out fishing to feed her family. She takes care of her ailing widowed father, because her brother is currently working in London. As she nears shore, she spies a large unconscious man on the beach tangled in her net. After he comes to, she finds out his name is Keane and he is incredibly a duke. Keane believes that someone tried to kill him, but is sketchy as to who or why.

Andrew Keane, the Duke of Hawking, is having a hard time convincing his ravishing, red-haired, rescuer that he is indeed a duke. He came to Bellehaven Bay to leave his mundane life in London. Regrettably, he finds out someone intends to kill him and he is determined to find the dastardly devil. He asks Poppy to help him and hide him somewhere, so his attacker assumes he perished. Poppy is aghast at his generous offer to pay her for her services while he recovers. She accepts, reasoning that it will help with her bills and her dad's medicines. However, time spent with Poppy while Keane heals and gains his strength back, he develops feelings for the feisty, cagey lady.

Poppy's past fueled her mistrust in people of society and Keane is undoubtedly a duke. To her dismay, Keane's gallant and gentle ways win her heart. Although, it will take a lot for Poppy to let him into her life. Keane implores her to help him find his murderer. Poppy helps as much as she can, but her life is with her father. As Poppy and Keane get closer to unraveling the mystery, their attraction towards one another heats up. Does Poppy give her heart to Keane? Will they find who is out to banish him?

ONE DUKE DOWN is a twisty, sparkly, rousing romance. An injured duke and a strong fisherman’s daughter fortuitously meet on a windswept wet shore. Sparks fly and love blossoms. Ms. Bennet crafts crispy characters with warmth, heart and soul. However, there is one out for blood and Keane asks for Poppy's help. The interactions between Poppy and Keane are exquisite and melted my heart. The author perfectly blends suspense, friends, family, steamy romance and more into a stellar story. This story is addictive and hard to resist!

✨“Have I mentioned how beautiful you look today?”✨

If you love low angst, absolutely SMITTEN from first sight heroes, and multiple sex scenes may present my most recent personality trait book because I SWEAR it’s one of the cutest things I've read in so long. No third act breakup! Mysterious murder attempts! Hiding a duke in a shack on the beach and you're the only one who knows he's there! Making love to said duke in said shack and on said beach!

One Duke Down was one of the best books I’ve read this year. From the stunning cover to the charming characters, this book will have you smiling like an absolute fool. You’ll be smiling while idling at red lights, standing in line at the DMV, and at the dentist getting critiqued on your flossing abilities. I already can’t wait for my audiobook reread because it’s going to be even better!

This first read had me so cautious because I thought the low angst was going to be snatched away due to a fight or misunderstanding. I was hiding in the shrubbery, using a mirror to peer around corners because I couldn’t trust that a book could be THAT perfect. But I’m so happy to report that it can, in fact, be that perfect and all that is good in the world.

There were so many quotes that were just utterly romantic and so sweet. Keane and Poppy listened to each other and actually gave the relationship their faith and trust. There were so many opportunities for one to walk away, get scared of change, or believe the worst in the other but they were always so rational about it!!

There was a scene where Poppy expressed how Keane could understand her head but not her heart because they were of different social classes. He took that to heart and really tried to understand her world and what she held dear. At the end of the book, these thoughts come back full circle and he does something so meaningful for her and I truly had to take a moment for myself.

That’s all I’m going to say because I don’t want to spoil anything else but just pay attention to how they communicate and understand each other because this book was written for hopeless romantics and people who want to stare at large bodies of water to feel things.

If you loved Kate Bateman’s most recent series or How to Be a Wallflower by Eloisa James, I think this book was meant for you. Top it all off with his refrain of “have I mentioned how beautiful you look today?” and I lost my entire mind.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️.25*/5

*There were around four explicit scenes with a few different locations and positions! He was blindfolded during one scene and there was a glorious bathtub moment. He was down so bad for her and honestly that bumped the spice scale up a notch.

Thanks so much to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own 🧡

This was a very refreshing low angst romance! I was enthralled the entire time reading. I just love finding truly romantic stories and that’s exactly what I got. Definitely recommend for the low angst lovers!