Review: Any Duchess Will Do by Tessa Dare

Any Duchess Will Do by Tessa Dare

Book Four of the Spindle Cove series

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: May 28, 2013

Rating: 4 stars

Source: eARC from Edelweiss

***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***

Summary (from Goodreads):

What’s a duke to do, when the girl who’s perfectly wrong becomes the woman he can’t live without?

Griffin York, the Duke of Halford, has no desire to wed this season—or any season—but his diabolical mother abducts him to “Spinster Cove” and insists he select a bride from the ladies in residence. Griff decides to teach her a lesson that will end the marriage debate forever. He chooses the serving girl.

Overworked and struggling, Pauline Simms doesn't dream about dukes. All she wants is to hang up her barmaid apron and open a bookshop. That dream becomes a possibility when an arrogant, sinfully attractive duke offers her a small fortune for a week’s employment. Her duties are simple: submit to his mother’s “duchess training”… and fail miserably.

But in London, Pauline isn't a miserable failure. She’s a brave, quick-witted, beguiling failure—a woman who ignites Griff’s desire and soothes the darkness in his soul. Keeping Pauline by his side won’t be easy. Even if Society could accept a serving girl duchess—can a roguish duke convince a serving girl to trust him with her heart?

What I Liked:

Before I start, let me just say that I have not read the previous Spindle Cove novels or novellas, except Beauty and the Blacksmith (Book 3.5).

I liked this historical romance novel! I tend to like most of the ones I read, because I am extremely selective with these. Eventually, they can just start to sound the same. So I try to limit the ones that I read, and only read the ones that sound somewhat unique, or the ones that are by authors with which I am familiar.

Griffin is not your typical duke, or high-ranked member of society. He suffered a great deal about a year before our story starts, and this plagues him throughout the story. As readers, we don't see understand what it is until very late in the story, which is fantastic, because usually I can figure things out pretty quickly. Not so with Griffin.

It's always good to like your alpha males, right? Griffin is an awesome hero of the story, and I really liked following his train of thought. He was a lot more interesting than Pauline (sorry, Pauline!). And he is definitely a charmer, when he wants to be.

Pauline is a heroine with a good deal of depth. I liked this about her, because it really straightened out Griffin's mother at times. Pauline did her best to understand Griffin, and empathize, and work with him and for him. She has a kind heart, but she is a also a strong woman.

I love that Ms. Dare included Daniella, a "simple" (autism-like condition). It made the women of Spindle Cove seem awful, compared to Pauline (not that Pauline is anything like them), and it made Pauline all the more likable.

Griffin and Pauline together. BOOM. Their relationship is so sweet, and yet, they can make it rain. I love the scene in the library, but not just for naughty reasons. Same with the one at the orphanage. There is where we get a peak at Griffin's past. And it's there that we see Griffin and Pauline hold up each other.

The plot was very Cinderella-esque. I know you might think, oh, then I know exactly what will happen! Well, not really. Because what you think will happen did not happen.

The ending was good. Ish. Keep reading below - you will see why I am "eh" about the ending. But, there was no love triangle, no major plot holes, nothing that made me mad. This book was truly a good one!

What I Did Not Like:

Like I said before, I thought the ending was good. Ish. It wasn't your traditional, perfect ending, but I am glad everything still went well for Griffin and Pauline. I just cannot understand Pauline sometimes.

Would I Recommend It:

Despite the slight discomfort with the ending, I enjoyed this book! It's definitely a fantastic historical romance book, and I think most historical romance fans will love this book. DEFINITELY read this one if you love the Spindle Cove series and Tessa Dare!

Rating:

4 stars. Go read it! You will enjoy this cute and humorous historical romance novel.

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