Veena’s review of Ten Things I Hate about the Duke (Difficult Dukes, Book 2) by Loretta Chase
Historical Romance published by Avon 01 Dec 20 

Clearly from the title, we know that our protagonists don’t start out as lovers or even friends. Cassandra is brash, outspoken, and doesn’t really care for society, but she does love her sweet, beautiful sister. Her father finds the perfect punishment for her by curtailing her sister’s season until Cassandra tows the line.  This gives readers a taste for the deliciousness that is set to unfold for their reading pleasures during this story.

In comes the drunk and dissolute Duke of Ashmont, who’s worked hard to court a bride, only to be left at the altar while his best friend elopes with her.  Drunk from drowning his sorrows, he wanders out into the road and causes an accident that leaves Cassandra’s rig damaged and her groom injured. She demands that Ashmont fix things and get her groom the medical attention and care he needs. This encounter might become the saving of the self-indulgent duke who has forgotten some unforgettable moments from his youth when he championed Cassandra.

The story turns into a delightful romp where the duke tries to restore Cassandra’s reputation by proposing marriage, only to have a teapot thrown at his head for his troubles. Determined, he works out a point system and really begins to listen to Cassandra and takes the time to figure out what makes her tick. Cassandra, of course, remembers him well as the boy who first showed her the constellations and came to her rescue when she was bullied. She mourns the loss of the individual that he once was, and that is a question the author never answers in her book.

The story is vintage Ms. Chase and a fun read.

Grade: B

Summary:

This time, who’s taming whom…

Cassandra Pomfret holds strong opinions she isn’t shy about voicing. But her extremely plain speaking has caused an uproar, and her exasperated father, hoping a husband will rein her in, has ruled that her beloved sister can’t marry until Cassandra does.

Now, thanks to a certain wild-living nobleman, the last shreds of Cassandra’s reputation are about to disintegrate, taking her sister’s future and her family’s good name along with them.

The Duke of Ashmont’s looks make women swoon. His character flaws are beyond counting. He’s lost a perfectly good bride through his own carelessness. He nearly killed one of his two best friends. Still, troublemaker that he is, he knows that damaging a lady’s good name isn’t sporting.

The only way to right the wrong is to marry her…and hope she doesn’t smother him in his sleep on their wedding night.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: