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The Duke And Miss Denny
Determined not to be frowned upon by society, Miss Denny attempts to escape the Duke of Ashland's attentions because of their differences in rank, but the duke is enraptured by her and vows to win her over by proving his love.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 1998
About the author
Joy Reed
34 books6 followersI have been reading Regency romances since I was in my teens and actually wrote my first one--a truly dreadful effort--when I was about sixteen. But since I chose to pursue an education and career in a different field (automotive technology, with minors in French and business administration), that early effort gathered dust for many years. It wasn't until after the birth of my daughter that I had the time and inclination to take up writing again. I enjoy writing and enjoy even more hearing from readers of my books. I work hard to make my Regencies accurate in period detail as well as entertaining in content.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 20, 2016
This delightful Regency romance is comparable to eating a sugar cookie soon after it is baked. It is sweet on the top. There is chewiness and texture in the middle. And the bottom -ending- is smooth, warm and satisfying.
Judith Denny has come to London to visit her elder sister, Fanny, 'Lady Spicer'. Fanny has her own plans; she intends to sponsor her sibling's 'coming out' with various new clothes and parties. She attempts to teach her the 'dos and don'ts' to become acceptable in society; many endeavors that Judith finds contradictable and suspicious.
At the same time, Judith soon learns, Fanny is trying to cover up her troubled marriage. Daughters of a country rector, they were raised to be sympathetic and kind to others but Fanny has been affected by the ton. She has become haughty and judgmental and Judith fears this is affecting her marriage with her husband, Sir Geoffrey.
Within a short time, Judith meets James Montfort, the Duke of Ashland. Initially, while trying to follow her sister's direction, she snubs him. After realizing the error of her ways, she apologizes and soon gets along well with this most unusual man. Though Miss Denny is eleven years younger than James she is more mature than women twice her age. In turn, he finds 'Judy' refreshing and begins to pursue her.
This is a gentle romance with main characters that actually put some thought into their conversations with each other. Though titled, handsome and rich, Ashland is the 'poorer' of the two and he knows it. All the riches in the world are not any good if you are not happy. He not only loves this woman; he needs her to make his life complete.
The last few chapters string the story along; I would have liked a quicker resolution. But if you are looking for a light historical romance -kissing only- try THE DUKE AND MISS DENNY.
Judith Denny has come to London to visit her elder sister, Fanny, 'Lady Spicer'. Fanny has her own plans; she intends to sponsor her sibling's 'coming out' with various new clothes and parties. She attempts to teach her the 'dos and don'ts' to become acceptable in society; many endeavors that Judith finds contradictable and suspicious.
At the same time, Judith soon learns, Fanny is trying to cover up her troubled marriage. Daughters of a country rector, they were raised to be sympathetic and kind to others but Fanny has been affected by the ton. She has become haughty and judgmental and Judith fears this is affecting her marriage with her husband, Sir Geoffrey.
Within a short time, Judith meets James Montfort, the Duke of Ashland. Initially, while trying to follow her sister's direction, she snubs him. After realizing the error of her ways, she apologizes and soon gets along well with this most unusual man. Though Miss Denny is eleven years younger than James she is more mature than women twice her age. In turn, he finds 'Judy' refreshing and begins to pursue her.
This is a gentle romance with main characters that actually put some thought into their conversations with each other. Though titled, handsome and rich, Ashland is the 'poorer' of the two and he knows it. All the riches in the world are not any good if you are not happy. He not only loves this woman; he needs her to make his life complete.
The last few chapters string the story along; I would have liked a quicker resolution. But if you are looking for a light historical romance -kissing only- try THE DUKE AND MISS DENNY.
June 27, 2025
A favourite re-read of mine. Instead of inexplicably falling for someone who's nasty to them for most of the book, this hero & heroine are pleasant all the way through. Judith Denny & James Montfort, Duke of Ashland, are delightful characters & I wish there were more like them.
October 24, 2012
I thought this was a charming story. I admit, when I received the book in the mail the cover kind of turned me off. It looked a little too “old fashioned” and I put off reading it for quite a while. I’m trying to work through my stack of regencies though (since my Kindle is still broken) and so I decided to give this one a try. I was pleasantly surprised when I got sucked into the story pretty early on. This was a sweet regency, pretty conflict free, but still entertaining. Our main couple, James (the Duke) and Judy (the country nobody) were a very likable couple. They hit it off right away and have good chemistry and a nice friendship.
I liked that Judy was practical and didn’t let all the glamour of the Duke’s lifestyle overcome her sensibilities. I liked that while they obviously loved each other, she really took the time to think about what it would be like to be married and make sure they were a good match for each other. I liked that James was patient with her, but still pursued her and really wasn’t going to take no for an answer. I liked that he threw a house party for her so she could see his home and get a better idea of what it would be like to be his wife. So many times in these stories the couples meet, fall instantly in love and marry right away. They rarely give any thought to what happens after the wedding and what a marriage would be like in reality. So, again, I liked that James and Judy took the time to talk things through and while still being romantic, were practical about their future.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read with likable characters. I’ll look forward to reading more of Ms. Reed’s books.
Content: Clean. I can’t think of any bad content
I liked that Judy was practical and didn’t let all the glamour of the Duke’s lifestyle overcome her sensibilities. I liked that while they obviously loved each other, she really took the time to think about what it would be like to be married and make sure they were a good match for each other. I liked that James was patient with her, but still pursued her and really wasn’t going to take no for an answer. I liked that he threw a house party for her so she could see his home and get a better idea of what it would be like to be his wife. So many times in these stories the couples meet, fall instantly in love and marry right away. They rarely give any thought to what happens after the wedding and what a marriage would be like in reality. So, again, I liked that James and Judy took the time to talk things through and while still being romantic, were practical about their future.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read with likable characters. I’ll look forward to reading more of Ms. Reed’s books.
Content: Clean. I can’t think of any bad content
February 17, 2019
Absolutely enchanting. This was my first Joy Reed book and I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet romance with main characters who actually manage to communicate with each other. I may try more books by this author.
March 3, 2017
4.55 stars - mild pg13
Sweet, slow, gentle, delightful, funny, sometimes witty regency romance. Love the H and h; both are sensible, honest, direct, refreshing. First interaction between the two is hilarious. A genuine respect and friendship develops and grows to love. They have great chemistry; not sexual chemistry, but a deep understanding or "knowing" of the other's true self. H's declaration in the conservatory is yummy; I love that he can see past her reservations and into her heart. Secondary characters were well written and sometimes comical. There was a brief blip where the heroine went shades of melodramatic, self-sacrificing, stupid girl, but it turned out to be mild and fairly easy to get past.
Sweet, slow, gentle, delightful, funny, sometimes witty regency romance. Love the H and h; both are sensible, honest, direct, refreshing. First interaction between the two is hilarious. A genuine respect and friendship develops and grows to love. They have great chemistry; not sexual chemistry, but a deep understanding or "knowing" of the other's true self. H's declaration in the conservatory is yummy; I love that he can see past her reservations and into her heart. Secondary characters were well written and sometimes comical. There was a brief blip where the heroine went shades of melodramatic, self-sacrificing, stupid girl, but it turned out to be mild and fairly easy to get past.
February 4, 2018
I grabbed a copy after author Lucy Parker mentioned on Twitter that this is a comfort read for her. Much like probably some of my own comfort reads, it’s merely a pretty good Regency to the typical bystander.
Which is not to say Lucy is wrong in the least.
We all interact with books in our own moment in place and time, and I can absolutely believe something in here struck her as magical.
I’m glad. And now I’m off to share it with someone else, in hopes it will hit that magical place for them.
Which is not to say Lucy is wrong in the least.
We all interact with books in our own moment in place and time, and I can absolutely believe something in here struck her as magical.
I’m glad. And now I’m off to share it with someone else, in hopes it will hit that magical place for them.
November 14, 2013
Miss Judith Denny has come to keep her older sister company in London. She senses something is not quite right with her sister's marriage and she might be able to mediate and fix things. Judith's sister stages a big come out for Judith, something which the practical vicar's daughter does not want. Lady Fanny Spicer offers all sorts of advice for her little sister and when Judy takes that advice a bit too much to heart, she ends up accidentally snubbing a Duke! The Duke of Ashland is astonished at being snubbed by a nobody when he was merely trying to be helpful. He's determined to meet this girl and find out why she snubbed him. When Judith realizes her mistake, she apologizes in her plain spoken manner and quickly endears herself to Ashland. He loses his heart to his new friend and he is determined to make her his wife. That is, if their meddling relatives don't interfere! Judith has doubts about becoming a Countess and makes up her mind to refuse Ashland, should he offer, though it will break her heart. She hadn't counted on the depths of his feeling or his determination, however. What should she do? This is a nice, quiet little romance. Nothing much happens except a lot of talking. It gets bogged down a bit with Judy's self-sacrificing act which goes on a bit long. What happens after that is exactly what I would have suggested. I liked the details in that part of the book more than the beginning and I felt that part should have come earlier and ended sooner. It dragged on a bit too long because it got weighted down with details and Fanny's subplot. The story won't keep you guessing but it will please lovers of sweet romances. I really liked Judy. She's very kind and caring but not obnoxiously good. I like the way she speaks her mind and makes her own decisions. Ashland is an average hero. He's bored with Society, tired of being hunted by matchmaking Mamas and their daughters and enjoys the fresh breath of air Miss Denny breathes into his life.
September 30, 2015
I was able to locate this little gem off a recommended review and it turned out that it was an exceptionally well written. It was succinctly written, Miss Denny was a delight of a heroine. In fact, she was a change from normal tempestuous heroines, being steady, diplomatic, and even obedient (in a sense). This would be the only book I would say that the resolution of their romance could have been stretched out for a little bit longer. Instead, it was resolved quickly, and then the bit at the end where her sister's marriage, and whether Miss Denny could fit in as a duchess went on for far too long.
May 14, 2013
I liked this book. I appreciated how the author had the Heroine and hero (H&h) know that they liked each other from the start. There were no irritating "misunderstandings" like there are in so many of these type of novels. I also liked how the author made the H be a regular young woman - NOT a stunning beauty. I hate those stunning beauties.
Good read, very clean - just a few kisses. I plan on giving it to my young teen dds to read. I also will look for other novels by Joy Reed.
Good read, very clean - just a few kisses. I plan on giving it to my young teen dds to read. I also will look for other novels by Joy Reed.
August 6, 2016
What a charming story. I loved H/h interactions- straightforward, honest and delightful. No villains nor big misunderstandings here, just a warm character driven story. Thank you Linda for your great review that prompted me to put the book on the top of my TBR pile.
February 13, 2018
Judith Denny goes to London for the season. She stays with her sister, Lady Spicer, who tries to teach Judith how to behave in society. Judith lapses from time to time into her normal persona and thus attracts the attentions of the Duke of Ashland.
This was a sweet story, although entirely lacking in conflict or indeed plot of any kind. I wasn't quite sure why Judith felt unworthy of Ashland's affections, especially as her sister had married so well, but they got there in the end.
This was a sweet story, although entirely lacking in conflict or indeed plot of any kind. I wasn't quite sure why Judith felt unworthy of Ashland's affections, especially as her sister had married so well, but they got there in the end.
September 25, 2023
Really 3 1/2 stars. On the one hand this is very simple--the characters behave rationally and communicate--but it has undeniable charm. But I'm not especially likely to seek out more books by the author.
February 13, 2014
The story was very sweet and I liked the Duke very much. He already knew what he felt for the heroine halfway through the book and worked at courting her. Judith Denny was very honest and witty and they had great chemistry.
The writing felt very historical and my mind kept on imagining movies of Pride&Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma and other regency era films that I've watched before.
I wished that there would more of an epilogue of how the ton welcomed Judith in their society as a duchess and what happened after they were married.
The writing felt very historical and my mind kept on imagining movies of Pride&Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma and other regency era films that I've watched before.
I wished that there would more of an epilogue of how the ton welcomed Judith in their society as a duchess and what happened after they were married.
July 8, 2016
2.5
MEH. Again the story of the last remaining pretty, sensible yet refreshing woman in the entire universe courted by the handsome, sensible, caring, honest, intelligent, whateveryounameit duke. Had to skip and skip and skip. The plot itself was okay, but terrible characterization with some silly dialogues here and there.
MEH. Again the story of the last remaining pretty, sensible yet refreshing woman in the entire universe courted by the handsome, sensible, caring, honest, intelligent, whateveryounameit duke. Had to skip and skip and skip. The plot itself was okay, but terrible characterization with some silly dialogues here and there.
June 15, 2023
Very sweet old-fashioned character-driven story, a nice break from books where everyone is hard/wet/throbbing all the time. Would probably be a 5-star read for me if Miss Denny's sister weren't so annoying.
September 29, 2021
A very well written smart female character in this story gets 4stars!
Read this again by taking it to work and reading it again. I really like this book and will probably keep it around for another read down the road!
Read this again by taking it to work and reading it again. I really like this book and will probably keep it around for another read down the road!
September 25, 2009
Regency
January 15, 2013
Cute story, but was really drawn out
August 17, 2020
Lovely
Absolutely loved this book when I read it years ago. Hopefully the rest of her Regency romances will be available on kindle soon as well.
Absolutely loved this book when I read it years ago. Hopefully the rest of her Regency romances will be available on kindle soon as well.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews