Duke of Madness
Sisterhood of Secrets #1
Jennifer Monroe
★★★☆☆
A duke searching for luck.
A woman looking for love.
And a romance of two opposites that definitely attract.
After watching his parents’ marriage collapse, Matthew Colburn, 5th duke of Elmhurst, has outright dismissed the notion of love. After all, if he is destined to become as mad as his father had been why make any prospective bride suffer? Delving into work to avoid the reality of his future, Matthew focuses on an ever-growing empire, all due to the luck he gleans from a family heirloom – a simple gold pocket watch.
Miss Julia Wallace does not believe in luck, nor any other such absurdities. Fate and personal strength drive what happens in life. Unless one considers her father, who is determined to choose her husband whether love is included or not. When a reclusive man known as the Duke of Madness comes to her school, Julia is immediately taken by his handsomeness. And when she foolishly collides into his broad chest, he does more than take her breath away — until he accuses her of theft.
Matthew is horrified to learn the very trinket that gives him such wonderful good fortune is missing. He has no doubt that the beautiful young woman used her alluring smile to distract him while picking his pocket. With an important upcoming party and his lucky watch missing, Matthew is at a loss as to what to do. The headmistress of the school insists her pupil is no thief, but rather a woman with a great deal of luck in her own right. Julia will accompany him to the party as a replacement for his missing watch — as his new lucky charm.
As the two become better acquainted Julia sees not a duke who is on the verge of madness but rather a man who is lost. And Matthew begins to believe love may have a place in his life after all – though he cannot help but think that it may take more than just luck to bring them together.
A woman looking for love.
And a romance of two opposites that definitely attract.
After watching his parents’ marriage collapse, Matthew Colburn, 5th duke of Elmhurst, has outright dismissed the notion of love. After all, if he is destined to become as mad as his father had been why make any prospective bride suffer? Delving into work to avoid the reality of his future, Matthew focuses on an ever-growing empire, all due to the luck he gleans from a family heirloom – a simple gold pocket watch.
Miss Julia Wallace does not believe in luck, nor any other such absurdities. Fate and personal strength drive what happens in life. Unless one considers her father, who is determined to choose her husband whether love is included or not. When a reclusive man known as the Duke of Madness comes to her school, Julia is immediately taken by his handsomeness. And when she foolishly collides into his broad chest, he does more than take her breath away — until he accuses her of theft.
Matthew is horrified to learn the very trinket that gives him such wonderful good fortune is missing. He has no doubt that the beautiful young woman used her alluring smile to distract him while picking his pocket. With an important upcoming party and his lucky watch missing, Matthew is at a loss as to what to do. The headmistress of the school insists her pupil is no thief, but rather a woman with a great deal of luck in her own right. Julia will accompany him to the party as a replacement for his missing watch — as his new lucky charm.
As the two become better acquainted Julia sees not a duke who is on the verge of madness but rather a man who is lost. And Matthew begins to believe love may have a place in his life after all – though he cannot help but think that it may take more than just luck to bring them together.
The Plot
Matthew Colburn, the Duke of Elmhurst will never marry for fear his wife will go through the agony his mother did watching his father become mad and then die. Until he bumps into Julia and he can’t stop thinking about her. Fate intervenes when he accuses her of stealing his pocket watch and through some meddling by her teacher, she agrees to provide the Duke with some luck with his business dealings. But spending time together brings them closer and feelings of attraction start to develop. While Julia embraces the love, Matthew keeps holding back because of his fears, fears his awful uncle is fanning the flames of! They must overcome his uncles meddling, Julia’s jealousy and her parents wishes to make it work! The plot was very well executed and a creative way to bring to opposite people together. The story held my interest with the uncle and Lady Dyer’s trying to dominate Matthew, but it was also very frustrating to see Matthew just believe everything everyone told him and also for Julia to see it, but not speak up! But I still was hooked, finished the book, and am looking forward to the nest in the series!
After several moments of silence, Julia whispered, “If this night is a dream, I never wish to awaken.” Giving her hand a gentle squeeze, he said, “I can assure you that this night is no dream. This is our eternity.”
The Heroine
Julia is a leader for many of girls at her school. She is a smart, no nonsense girl, who looks after the others. She underestimates her worth because her father verbally abuses her and her mother. She is very afraid that she will end up in a marriage like her parents where she becomes meek and fearful. Through Matthew, she realizes there is hope for love and respect in a marriage.
The Hero
Matthew is a troubled man after having watched his father become mad before he died. He is certain that is his fate as well. His horrible uncle made sure of that! At first it bothered me that he had no backbone as I don’t care for meek men, but I see the value in the changes he went through to be the man Julia deserved, to stand up for himself.
The Steam
This was a clean, non-steamy book.
Stand Out Moment
Ugh, I hate to say it, but when he broke off the engagement with Julia. I will admit I cried, ugly cried. But I also cried when he came after her…
Who Would Like This
Anyone looking for a clean, sweet romance between two unlikely people.
“Each day we are apart,” he continued, “I find myself lost and searching for the happiness that I’ve come to realize only exists when I’m with you. Without you, my hopes and dreams disappear, closing up like a white daisy after dark.”
Final Thoughts
I did enjoy this book; it was well written and defining hit the sweet romance mark for me, but I usually like more passion, even if it’s not physically displayed, between my hero & heroine.
Tropes
Virgin Heroine, Titled hero, Tortured character, Friends to lovers, Blackmail, Opposites attract, Bluestocking Heroine
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