The Duchess Hunt

I have to admit that I'm a bit on the fence about this book. Mostly I liked it. It's slow burning and I thought there was a certain feeling of cuteness to this couple's romance. Plus, I genuinely liked King and Penelope. There were just certain aspects of the story that left me unsatisfied. Despite that, I felt this was a good read. I am posting an independent, impartial review.

4.5-5 Stars! Great book! This book had me smiling & crying at times. This is book 2 in the ‘Once Upon a Dukedom’ series & can be read as a standalone. King/Heath & Penelope/Pettypeace were both lovable main characters & I was completely invested in their story. Both have secrets that could destroy their reputations but thankfully this story had a very HEA ending! I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it! Lorraine Heath ALWAYS hits the mark for me. Such an outstanding author! *I received this book at no charge from NetGalley & I voluntarily left this review.*

Penelope Pettypeace is duchess material Hands down, Penelope Pettypeace has been my favorite heroine this year. A well crafted enigma, Penelope Pettypeace is a self made woman who has reinvented herself as the duke's secretary. In reality, they have been living as a married couple without the marriage nor the benefits for eight years. They have breakfast together, share their thoughts and ideas, she runs all his many estates while he travels. He even has a mistress (which i normally hate and i did NOT like that after he touches her hand, he scurries off to his mistress as he's so worked up. It takes his mistress, who i amazingly did like, to kick him to the curb). Meanwhile, Penelope takes care of her self in the carriage. She rocks. I loved her. She has ensured that she does not need to be reliant on anyone for her security and wellbeing through her intelligence and hard work. On the other hand, I did like King, the duke. but for someone who is supposed to be brilliant, he isn't bright enough to see the treasure right in front of him, as he tasks Pettypeace to find his wife for him. Meanwhile, he's having the slowest awakening to his attraction to Pettypeace and the mystery that she presents. So he.'s got some shame and Penelope has a secret (like her identity). We also meet the Chessmen. Including King, they are the four friends he trusts the most, named for chess pieces: Rook, Knight and Bishop. I anticipate their stories. Its going to be great. Nicely set up for future books. Well crafted, intelligent, funny, great characters and the longest, slowest burn, ever. Eight years, people! I did so love The Duchess Hunt and I highly recommend it.