BOTM 2 - Feb 2024 - The Duchess Hunt

[Susan]

BOTM 2 – February 2024 – The Duchess Hunt

Discussion thread for the second BOTM for February 2024. Please remember to use the spoiler tags when necessary! (Please see 'some html is ok' for instructions.)


Join us in reading this HR that features the theme Women at Work. Happy reading!


The Duchess Hunt by Lorraine Heath

Synopsis:

Hugh Brinsley-Norton, the Duke of Kingsland, is in need of a duchess. However, restoring the dukedom—left in ruins by his father—to its former glory demands all his time, with little room for sentiment. He places an advert encouraging the single ladies of the ton to write why they should be the one chosen, and leaves it to his efficient secretary to select his future wife.

If there exists a more unpleasant task in the world than deciding who is to marry the man you love, Penelope Pettypeace certainly can’t imagine what it might be. Still, she is determined to find the perfect bride for her clueless, yet ruthlessly charming employer.

But when an anonymous note threatens to reveal truths best hidden, Kingsland has no choice but to confront the danger with Penelope at his side. Beguiled by the strong-willed, courageous beauty, he realizes he’s willing to risk everything, including his heart, to keep her safe within his arms. Could it be the duchess he’s hunting for has been in front of him all along?

[Oleander]

I plan to read this one come February.

[Lauren]

Can this book be read as a standalone?

[Susan]

I read a review that suggested that it can be read as a standalone because the author recovers the previous story, the H and h already know each other from the previous book. I read #1 in 2022 but can not recall it in much detail. I did give it 4 stars. I will definitely be reading this come Feb.

[Lauren]

Thanks Susan!

[Lauren]

I just started reading this book today.

[Merry]

I also started the book today am up to chapter 2.

[Lauren]

I'm on chapter 2 as well. I'm glad to see that the MC already has an attraction to each other

[Mariana]

I also want to read this one, but I plan to read BOTM 1 first this month.

[Merry]

Just started chapter 5 and nothing much to write about. Still mainly laying character history and the mystery of Pettpeaces background.

[Lauren]

I'm halfway through, and Pettypeace's past is still a mystery.

[Merry]

I am approx 1/3 and my problem is not much is happening. Her office was just moved.

[Lauren]

The book starts getting interesting 55%. in. Until then, I was bored

[Merry]

Chapter 13 the story really starts to pick. Chapter 14. Out of ALL the now you know what I did things......that was not on my list.

[Lauren]

I finished this morning. Maybe it was my mood, but I was just bored. I liked the story and characters, but the pacing was slow.

[Merry]

So many have loved this book, I am with Lauren on this one. I did enjoy the second half of the book.

[Jan]

I think I might give this one a miss. I might try out the other two BOTMs, but I do seem to have plenty to read at the moment anyway.

[Susan]

I agree about the glacial pace. I am 45% in - and so far it is just 2 very nice but boring people lusting after each other. I cannot wait to get to 55%!!

[Lauren]

lol

[Merry]

The set-up was 100 pages too long.

[Susan]

Well it finished with a bang. The last third made the first two thirds worthwhile.
I agree Merry - the set up was 100 pages too long.
Great epologue

[Merry]

Susan, I agree the ending was so good. The epilogue was everything I could hope for.

[Peaktopeak]

Merry said: Out of ALL the now you know what I did things......that was not on my list.

LOL I am totally with you on that one! Unexpected!

I liked this one although I agree on the pacing. I read the first in the series for continuity and was pleased to find I liked Hugh in that story too.

Probably a little too 21st century, but I wasn't sure resolving the employer / employee relationship got enough attention. But I think Pettypeace was probably fine with it.

Loved the epilogue - that really left me with a nice feeling!

[Merry]

Peaktopeak, I agree if the pacing had been better, I would have enjoyed it more. All the action happened in the second half.
It is hard to find books that aren't too 21th century.

[Tina Miles]

It you like low steam, historically accurate books you could try Jayne Davis, Karen Odden and Gail Eastwood. They write excellent quality, historically accurate books, closed door.

[Merry]

Tina, I have read 3 books by Odden. Will look into the others thank you

[Juliet]

Tina Miles wrote: "It you like low steam, historically accurate books you could try Jayne Davis, Karen Odden and Gail Eastwood. They write excellent quality, historically accurate books, closed door."

Thanks, Tina!

[Tina Miles]

Awesome, I hope you like them. All three of them are more serious HR writers I find.
Jayne and Gail wrote a book ‘Writing Regency England’ and I beta read a couple chapters of it. Learned a lot!

[Mariana]

I read this as a standalone. It was okay. I felt a little frustrated with both of them - the Duke because he couldn't see what literally everyone else who knew him could and Miss Pettypeace because she couldn't trust Hugh with her secret even though she knew him to be trustworthy.

[Merry]

Mariana, I did also and agree with you!