- SYNOPSIS -
Not
all dukes are created equal. Most are upstanding members of Society.
And then there’s the trio known as Their Dis-Graces.
Hugh
Philemon Ancaster, seventh Duke of Ripley, will never win prizes for
virtue. But even he draws the line at running off with his best
friend’s bride. All he’s trying to do is recapture the slightly
inebriated Lady Olympia Hightower and return her to her intended
bridegroom.
For
reasons that elude her, bookish, bespectacled Olympia is supposed to
marry a gorgeous rake of a duke. The ton is
flabbergasted. Her family’s ecstatic. And Olympia? She’s climbing
out of a window, bent on a getaway. But tall, dark, and exasperating
Ripley is hot on her trail, determined to bring her back to his
friend. For once, the world-famous hellion is trying to do the
honorable thing.
So
why does Olympia have to make it so deliciously difficult for him . .
. ?
- MY THOUGHTS -
One
of the things that I adored most about this novel is that despite
what the title might suggest, the hero isn't always saving the day.
Ripley gets into some of his own scrapes, injuring himself multiple
times, and Olympia is actually the one who helps him resolve the
situation. On multiple occasions she stands up against bullies,
defending those that are weaker, and risking herself to do what's
right. And although some might say that running away from the alter
shows a certain cowardice, I think that in this situation it shows a
tremendous amount of courage. She knows that she doesn't feel what
she should for her fiance and takes off on her own, still in her
wedding gown and without a plan. She risks the censure of her family
and of society to do what she thinks is right. That takes real
bravery. I love that there's a sense of balance in this romance. Both
the hero and heroine save each other, as it should be.
I
know many people have problems with cheating in novels, or even just
the implication of it. I'm usually one of these people, as well.
Normally I would probably feel a bit icky about a romance where a guy
falls for his best friend's fiance, but somehow the author handled it
in a way where it didn't seem like the wrong thing to do. I think
maybe this was due to the fact that we don't really get to know
Olympia and Ashmont as a couple and we know that they aren't in love
with each other. They're marrying because it seemed like the right
thing to do and because of family pressure. And although Ripley is
constantly reminding himself and the reader that Olympia should be
off limits, he beats himself up about it so much and they just seem
to fit so well together that you actually end up encouraging him in
your head. Go get her, Ripley! Kiss the girl! So, if the idea of a
novel where a hero pursues his best friend's ex seems like a turn off
to you, you might actually be pleasantly surprised despite your
reservations.
Loretta
Chase did a wonderful job of creating characters you really want to
cheer on and a romance that I couldn't put down. I can't wait to see
what she has in store for us next in this series. If you love a historical romance with a rake trying his darnedest to reform and a
spunky heroine who is finally ready to break all the rules, A DUKE IN
SHINING ARMOR is definitely one to read.
Disclosure:
I received this book free in exchange for my honest review. All
thoughts and opinions shared are my own.
- LINKS TO PURCHASE -
Amazon | B & N | Kobo | Google Play
- ADD TO GOODREADS -
- AUTHOR INFO -
Loretta
Lynda Chekani was born in 1949, of Albanian ancestry. For her, the
trouble started when she learned to write in first grade. Before
then, she had been making up her own stories but now she knew how to
write them down to share. In her teenage years, she continue to write
letters, keep a journal, write poetry and even attempt the Great
American Novel (still unfinished). She attended New England public
schools, before she went off to college and earned an English degree
from Clark University.
After graduation, she worked a variety of jobs at Clark including a part-time teaching post. She was also moonlighting as a video scriptwriter. It was there that she met a video producer who inspired her to write novels and marry him. Under her married name, Loretta Chase, has been publishing historical romance novels since 1987. Her books have won many awards, including the Romance Writers of America RITA.
After graduation, she worked a variety of jobs at Clark including a part-time teaching post. She was also moonlighting as a video scriptwriter. It was there that she met a video producer who inspired her to write novels and marry him. Under her married name, Loretta Chase, has been publishing historical romance novels since 1987. Her books have won many awards, including the Romance Writers of America RITA.
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