⭐⭐⭐⭐ Was I hooked by that book? Yes. Tess and Justin engaged in a charming dance of avoidance and attraction that could only lead to one inevitable conclusion.

The wedding-night death of her much older husband left Tess Townsend the Dowager Duchess of Wansford, and still a virgin. Now she and her two best friends investigate London’s most scandalous crimes, and while Tess longs to experience physical pleasure for herself, she can’t risk losing her treasured independence. Cynical shipping magnate Justin Thornton never expected to inherit a dukedom, but he’ll do his duty. When the ravishing woman he kissed at a party turns out to be the Dowager Duchess, Justin sees an obvious solution: a marriage of convenience that will suit them both. But the passion that sparks between them is anything but convenient. As Tess works on a new case at the request of Queen Charlotte, her increasingly suspicious behavior makes Justin question her motives, and her past. The infuriating woman clearly can’t be trusted, but Justin doesn’t believe in love, so there’s absolutely no danger of him falling for his own wife… is there?

MY THOUGHTS

I just love that Justin proposed a marriage of convenience to Tess because he needed a duchess and also because he found her irresistible. As if the two were mutually exclusive, but he was lucky enough to find both in one woman. And so Tess found herself in a situation where she was trying to hang on to her secrets and Justin was equally determined not to fall in love with his captivating wife.

Kate Bateman consistently creates interesting, strong FMCs with stubborn ideas of their own, and wonderful men who stand by their sides and support them in their wild endeavors. This duke and duchess certainly didn’t disappoint, and Tess’s friends seemed equally fascinating. Justin and Tess were an excellent match in intellect and wits that was clearly communicated through the engaging writing style.

I can highly recommend this book if you like a steamy historical romance with some intrigue and drama. This is the first book in a new series and I cannot wait to read more.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Were you hooked by that book? Let me know in the comments below.

Genre: Historical Romance
Published: December 26, 2023
Sensuality Rating: Warm
Series: Her Majesty’s Rebels
Tropes: Marriage of Convenience, Secret Virgin