Sandy M’s review of Duke Most Wanted (Heiress Brides Trilogy, Book 3) by Celeste Bradley
Historical Romance released by St. Martin’s 29 Apr 08

I have thoroughly enjoyed this trilogy. Three cousins vying for the fortune an ancestor has left for one of them if she can rise above her competitors to marry a duke. This is Sophie’s story, the homliest of the cousins, the clumsiest, the one who knows she doesn’t have a chance to win the inheritance, a man to love, let alone a duke. Really?

We met Graham in Book 2, The Duke Next Door, when he and Sophie became friends. Both are happy with the relationship as far as the other knows. Graham is the rake about town – the fourth son of a duke – so he dallies with the ladies and gambles every chance he gets. When he’s had enough of the hell raising for a while, he seeks out Sophie, his one friend who gives him peace just by being there. He has no intention of marrying, so he keeps up his bawdy ways until the news arrives that changes everything in his life, including his relationship with Sophie. Even though the news is sad, it’s sadder to know that Graham is the only one of his family with any brains, compassion, and any other human emotion. Now he must marry and quickly, but trying to find a rich wife who is also interesting is nearly impossible. Until he meets Sofia.

Finally deciding to take her destiny in her own hands, Sophie goes to the premiere dressmaker who promised he can make her beautiful. Being beautiful, she learns, is not just being dressed in the finest silk, it is also a person’s bearing, her light from within, her confidence in herself. Soon she is one of the women she’s tired being envious of and she moves on with her plan of seduction.

To Sophie’s delight, “Sofia” garners attention the likes of which she’s never experienced before, and when Gray (Graham) takes notice, when he finally kisses her, touches her, Sophie has her man and can also help him save his dukedom, which he has no way of knowing. And it’s Gray who walks away. He has to choose duty over love and he does so time and again.

I was looking forward to this book to see who finally wins the competition. I thought I had it figured out. Ms Bradley showed me! She throws a humdinger at you right in the middle of the happily ever after! My goodness, never saw that one coming. But eventually the three beauties pull together as the family they never were before and, when they get done, all is right with the world.

This is a fun, light-hearted trilogy with each having their own hurt and heartache to overcome. I believe The Duke Next Door is my favorite. Calder had the most hurdles to jump to get the happiness he deserves. But all three are quite lively and you breathe that soft of satisifaction when you read the last page.

Grade: A

     Summary:

     Sophie Blake’s grandfather willed his fortune to the first of his granddaughters to marry a duke. Since her cousin, Deirdre, will seal the deal any day now, the quiet, bookish Sophie can sit back and enjoy her time with the only man she truly adores: Graham. No matter that the part charmer, part scoundrel has absolutely no designs on her! Sophie is content to engage Graham in lively conversation, beat him at cards. . .and probe at the darkness hiding behind his rakish smile.

     Then Graham unexpectedly gains a title, an estate in near ruins and a mountain of debt. If there is any chance of survival he must find a rich wife—quickly. As his hunt for a bride begins, Sophie realizes that she isn’t even in the running. Suddenly no longer content to be a wallflower, Sophie gets a stunning make-over and becomes the belle of the ball. Lots of heads are turning…including Graham’s. But this beauty has secrets of her own. Will she be his salvation or seal his fate?

     Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: