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3.5 

The Duke Gets Desperate

By Diana Quincy
The Duke Gets Desperate by Diana Quincy digital book - Fable

Publisher Description

Diana Quincy returns with a steamy affair between an Arab-American woman who inherits a run-down castle in the English countryside and the duke who asserts the castle is his, in the first book in a brand-new Victorian historical romance series.

Anthony Cary, Duke of Strickland, inherits his spendthrift father’s title and can finally restore the family castle to its former glory. But at the reading of the will, Strick is stunned to learn that his father has secretly disentailed him, leaving the family manor—home to twelve generations of dukes—to Strick’s American stepmother. Everyone knows Strick detests the dowager duchess, and when she dies mysteriously, damning rumors start to surface. 

When Raya Darwish unexpectedly inherits her glamorous late cousin’s castle in the English countryside, she clashes with the charismatic young duke who insists the castle is rightfully his. The estate is practically bankrupt, so she must find a way to work with the duke in order to save both of their futures.

The two cannot stand each other, but mutual disdain soon gives way to desire. When questions arise about how her cousin died, Raya cannot help wondering if Strick’s sudden unbridled passion for her is part of a scheme to get his castle back...  

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The Duke Gets Desperate Reviews

3.5
“My god did these two needed to communicate waaaay more than they actually did. I found myself on multiple occasions thinking a single conversation could have avoided a looot of these issues. I loved the depth we got into Raya’s character, her family and her feelings on her brothers betrayal and how that impacted her work ethic, I grew fond of her drive and seeing her business mind work but also feeling the sad emotions of her losing her cousin with her instead of just reading about it. But on the flip side Anthony (btw we didn’t get is name until like 173 pages in I think) lacked a lot of that same depth, he felt like an upset white man who didn’t get something handed to him and made complaining about it his personality instead of actively seeking ways to get his land back? Raya was literally the one who suggested him buying the property from her to which he didn’t even come up with ways to get the money, she suggested he sell his forges, she suggested he include his antiques in the tour, he brought nothing to the table. To be fair Raya carried this book because even the chemistry lacked, Anthony had to honour her and propose after a compromising situation and suddenly he has these “intense” feelings for her and it wasn’t convincing, it was written as if it should feel like a natural progression but it just felt like a whiplash moment, there was no clear turning point from hate to lust to love. Also maybe it was the Tiffany Effect but some language and speech patterns didn’t feel like it would've been in 1880s vocabulary.”
Beaming Face with Smiling Eyes“The Duke also has a dirty mouth, and the banter between him and Raya is delicious! I enjoyed their story as well as how strong willed Raya was.”
“I reeeally wanted to like this book. The initial premise was very good yet the execution, oof. I don’t begrudge a business woman FMC but she truly was enticed almost solely by anything that turned a profit. Meanwhile I don’t mind a rakey MMC who is hot for his lady but he was so gross and inappropriate. Not to mention that the author uses such modern language like “she looked so f*cking sexy that he wanted to stick his 🍆 straight in her 🐱”. Let’s just say none of it was sexy to say the least. There’s also one part where she’s clearly sad and he initiates sex because she had previously agreed to it and I using aforementioned language and she begins to cry. We are supposed to find it sexy that he stops and holds her but she was clearly not wanting from the get go”

About Diana Quincy

Bestselling author Diana Quincy is an award-winning former television journalist who decided to make up stories where a happy ending is always guaranteed. Her books have been included on “Best of” lists in Library Journal, Kirkus and The Washington Post

As a U.S. Foreign Service brat, Diana grew up all over the world, but is now happily settled in Virginia with her family. When not bent over her laptop, Diana reads, practices yoga and plots her next travel adventure.

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