Duke, Actually

Duke, Actually is a book that you will devour.

Unbeknownst to me, this was the second book in the series but despite that, I had no trouble jumping into this romance that has humour and a slow burn friends-to-lovers trope that was a smart, spicy and entertaining read. The story is set around Max, a rakish Baron and Dani, a university professor who has all but given up on love. These two have not seen eye-to-eye in the past, but now find themselves in close quarters as part of an upcoming royal wedding party.

What struck me the most about this book was the development of the friendship between Max and Dani. It was deliciously slow burn (usually not my forte but I loved it!). It's through this burgeoning bond that we learn about their complicated family dynamics and friendships that were introduced in the first book and continue on in this story.

Fans of popular romance movies (ie. Love Actually and Dirty Dancing) will rejoice in several references. This is a fun, sweet read but the ending felt a bit contrived with Dani's conflict and didn't ring true, going against the amazing communication that Max and Dani had had up until that point. 

Duke, Actually is a sweet with heat romance that you will devour in a sitting or two. It has a slight (without being cloying) Hallmark feel that balances romantic elements with great banter and a group of characters (main and secondary) who have depth. Don't miss this enjoyable and quick read.

My Rating: 4.5 stars

Author: Jenny Holiday

Genre: RomCom, Romance

Type and Source: Trade Paperback from public library

Series: #2 in the Princess for Christmas series

Publisher: Avon

First Published: Nov 16, 2021

Opening Lines: When Dani Martinez woke up on Friday 

the tenth of December, she thought, It's going to be a good day.

Book Description from GoodReads: USA Today bestselling author Jenny Holiday follows A Princess for Christmas with another delightful contemporary Christmas romance between a playboy baron and a woman who has said goodbye to love.

Maximillian von Hansburg, Baron of Laudon and heir to the Duke of Aquilla, is trapped. Under pressure from his domineering father, he must marry a suitable bride before he inherits a title that feels like a prison sentence. In New York to meet a prospective wife, he ditches his responsibilities and appears on Dani Martinez’s doorstep. He’s been intrigued by the no-nonsense professor since he met her at the Eldovian royal wedding and is determined to befriend her.

Newly single Dani is done with love—she even has a list entitled “Things I Will Never Again Do for a Man”—which is why she hits it off with notorious rake Max. He’s trying to escape relationships, and she’s resolved to avoid them at all costs. All they want from each other is friendship and a distraction from their messy lives.

As their bond begins to deepen, so does their attraction, until they end up in bed together. Falling in love was never part of the plan—Max’s family doesn’t see Dani as a perfect match, even as his heart tells him she’s the one, and Dani isn’t sure she can make it in Max’s world. Can they find the courage to live they life they desire, even if it means risking everything?