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Thanks to @avonbooks for an advance copy of The Return of the Duke by Lorraine Heath, out July 26th! I actually read book one, Scoundrel of My Heart, after book two, which worked out well since The Return of the Duke takes place where Scoundrel left off. Marcus and Esme both have their reasons for wanting to uncover who is behind the plot to assassinate Queen Victoria. Reluctant to admit their attraction to each other or even to trust one another, they agree to team up with unexpected consequences. This book is full of surprises, so I don’t want to say too much and risk giving anything away, but I will say this: buckle up, because this book is full of spies, conspiracies, and secrets! This book was like the grown up Nancy Drew mystery I didn’t know I needed. As the eldest child and the one set to inherit everything before his father’s treason turns his family’s life upside down, Marcus understandably has the hardest time of all his siblings in coming to terms with what has happened and moving past it. I really liked how Heath took the time to delve into this: it definitely shapes Scoundrel of My Heart, but Griff makes it pretty clear that he’s interested in moving forward, not dwelling on the past, where Marcus needs to understand it in order to get beyond it. Esme is such a fun character, and she reminded me a lot of Alexia from the Parasol Protectorate series, which is one of my all time faves! While I can’t say they edged out Kathryn and Griff for my favorite couple (I have such a soft spot for them!) I read Marcus and Esme’s story cover to cover in a day and really enjoyed this conclusion to the Once Upon a Dukedom series! I already have more Lorraine Heath novels lined up on my TBR. CW: sexual content ID: I’m holding a kindle displaying the ebook cover of The Return of the Duke. There is a wood floor in the background. via Instagram https://instagr.am/p/Cf6rnJwLHJ3/