Review: Absolutely LOVED it.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 20, 2014
CAROLINE AND THE DUKE: A REGENCY SHORT STORY runs 23 pages minus front- and back-matter.  This short is rich with themes of second-chances (first love), romantic love in an era with much of the aristocracy married without it, and trust.  The book is set in December, but doesn't have overbearing themes of Christmas/holidays and could be enjoyed at any time of year.I found the interaction between Caroline, a widow, and Sutbridge (the Duke she's loved for 10 years, throughout her travesty of a marriage) to be deliciously romantic.  The touches, the shared glances, the longing that has weathered 10 years, her marriage to another and two sons she bore to that husband.  I found John (the Duke, Sutbridge)'s capitulation to Caro's terms to be well-motivated and highly believable.  The secondary character, Julia (the duke's sister and Caro's longtime friend) adds delightful dimension to this short story with truly very few characters.  Julia meddles a bit, shows her displeasure with Caro's actions, urges this pair together, as it's finally their opportunity for love.I thought Caroline's motivations for wanting an affair in her widowhood to be well-motivated, her fears and hesitancy to shackle herself with another husband completely believable.  I found it endearing that John/ Sutbridge had dalliances, certainly, but had never married....because Caroline was the only woman he wanted to take to wife.This short story had a captivating blend of dialogue, rich setting of a Season,  a past between the characters, and their hopeful future.  I'm definitely interested in reading more by Sabrina Darby.  Kudos to the author!Sensuality Level: PG-13 (not overly graphic, but highly sensual)Language: PGHighly recommended to fans of Regency Romantic shorts and novellas.