Review: Five Star Read!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 10, 2014
Summation Of The BookThe Duke Of Manchester is seeking a bride. One who acts accordingly, behaves and who he deems worthy for the title of Duchess.Penelope Clayton - a socially awkward botanist who never intends to marry. However forced to participate in the society season under the full judgement of the Ton by her Guardian. She fears she will never fit in with the Ton as she has been posing as a botanist and shuns marriage as well.The Duchess takes Penelope under her wing for the Season, giving her a makeover much to the anguish of Drake, the very formal Duke. Turning the "ugly duckling" into a beautiful swan so to speak, Penelope is the total opposite of poised. Clumsy at nearly every turn, how will she fair during the Season in society? Will Drake find his version of the "perfect Duchess"?Thoughts On The BookThis book had so many emotions - happiness, love, loss, mourning and moving on. Penelope and Drake together were a powerhouse read that pulled on the heart strings throughout the book. Even the rest of the characters in the book were an enchanting read - The Duchess, Marion, Mary, Abigail, Sybil and Sarah as well as many more.The Duke's Quandary was such a beautiful read. From the well written, stately characters that are part of higher society, but still down to earth and the not so stately characters, and the trials and tribulations those characters faced throughout the story.The moment their characters meet at the Manchester Estate the fun definitely begins. The scenes at their first meeting were a hilarious read with the anguish that Drake's character endured watching Penelope trying to act accordingly, but inadvertently having some sort of a mishap."She swallowed several times and leaned forward to place her cup on the low table in front of her, but instead set it on the edge. Drake watched it teeter there, sweat breaking out on his brow. The girl was a walking disaster."Further into the book there were so many heart warming moments between the characters. Drake would always come to Penelope's defence. He was drawn to the innocent and naive Penelope. He may give off the impression of an exceptionally serious Duke, but one who has a heart of gold.An absolute joy to read this book. I could not offer enough praise to the Author for writing such phenomenal characters and in such detail, believable scenarios with real feelings within those scenes. The road that these characters set upon is one road that will change them all.If you want an AA+ read then The Duke's Quandary fits that bill - it is a must read!Five Star Read!*ARC received for an honest review.