
- Title: The Duke’s Runaway Bride
- Author: Jenni Fletcher
- Publisher: Harlequin/Mills & Boon
- Publication Date: 18th February 2021
Copy received from publisher and blog tour organiser for review purposes.
Description:
From shopkeeper…
To Duke’s wife
When Beatrix, Duchess of Howden, writes to her estranged husband offering a divorce, she’s stunned when he arrives on her doorstep with a different proposition: a six-week marriage trial! Quinton Roxbury seems cold and inscrutable, but Beatrix gradually realises his rough exterior hides a heavy burden. As their connection deepens, dare she trust him with her own scandalous past and risk the marriage she never knew she wanted?
My Thoughts:
I was so intrigued from the outset with this book … the notion that the Duchess of Howden was writing to her estranged husband to offer divorce, and wanting to live a quiet life doing what she loves most … That had me curious and I really wanted to know more about this character and her life. As it turns out, Beatrix is a lovely character, one who has been hurt and has learned that she must shield herself, build walls to protect herself from events from the past in the hopes that she will not be exploited, hurt or cheated. All well and good until you realise she’s married to a Duke who wants to save his family and his home. Quinton Roxbury is under pressure from those around him, he is the head of the family and in the public eye, he wants to do what’s right for everyone.
A surprising proposition leads to Beatrix and Quinton giving their marriage a chance and it leads to suprising consequences for the entire Roxbury clan. Secrets are unearthed, truths learned and bonds strenghthen as Beatrix touches the lives of everyone around her.
The development of the relationship between Beatrix and Quinton is wonderful to watch unfold, seeing how they interact with each other and other characters because of the influence of the other really changes the characters. Learning about Beatrix and her life before her marriage is fascinating, her reasons for wanting to keep her past hidden make her such an endearing character, her need for self-preservation is admirable. And I loved getting to know each of the Roxbury clan, even the ever so frightening dowager …
The details woven into the narrative really bring the settings alive and make this such an enjoyable read, it felt like Jenni Fletcher had really taken a great deal of time and care to ensure that readers felt transported to the settings of her book and would experience them through the eyes of her characters.
I will definitely be looking out for more books from this author!
Purchase Links
Amazon UK https://amzn.to/2HP64em
Amazon. com https://amzn.to/35A0gPb
WHSmith https://bit.ly/36BUpsc
Author Bio –
Jenni Fletcher was born in Scotland and now lives in Yorkshire where she writes historical romance novels ranging from the Roman to late Victorian eras. She studied English at Cambridge and Hull and has been nominated for 4 RoNA awards, winning for Short Romantic Fiction in 2020. She teaches Creative Writing at a university in the north of England and her favourite hobbies are baking and, of course, reading.
Social media links:
https://www.facebook.com/JenniFletcherAuthor
https://twitter.com/JenniAuthor