It Had to Be a Duke
A Novel
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4.4 • 85 Ratings
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- $6.99
Publisher Description
USA Today bestselling author Vivienne Lorret launches a new series with a sparkling romance about a spinster, a duke, and a fake engagement that blurs the lines between enemies and lovers…
Verity Hartley always tells the truth. Well, mostly. However, when her snooty neighbor returns to their small hamlet to brag about having a grand Season, a plethora of ballgowns, and so many suitors that she cannot possibly decide which one to marry, Verity tells a lie. She claims to be betrothed. To a duke. Who happens to be her family’s sworn enemy. But what are the odds that he would ever learn of this one, little, harmless falsehood?
Magnus Warring, the Duke of Longhurst, is on the precipice of marrying an heiress to save his estate from financial ruin. At least, he was. Until he hears an unbelievable rumor that he is already betrothed. To the daughter of a liar, cheat, and swindler! Needing to protect his reputation, he hunts down the culprit. And when he finds the untamed beguiler, she has the audacity to ask him to lie for her. To pretend to be her fiancé!
One week, that’s all Verity needs. Then Magnus can return to his life. But nothing is ever that simple. Sometimes it doesn’t take that long to fall in love, even with the enemy.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Lorret (Never Seduce a Duke) launches the Liar's Club series with a scintillating fake fiancé romance in Regency England. Verity Hartley is a spinster "teetering on the abyss of six and twenty." For the most part, she's accepted her fate, but when her obnoxious neighbor gloats about having numerous suitors vying for her hand, Verity blurts out a lie to shut her up; she says she's engaged to Magnus Warring, the fifth Duke of Longhurst. He's the most impressive man she can think of on the spot, and though their families are old enemies, she believes her deceit to be harmless. Magnus, for his part, is in London, desperately trying to marry an heiress to bolster the dukedom's flagging coffers. After his potential betrothal is jeopardized when whispers of Verity's lie spread to London, he heads to the country to confront her—but instead ends up begrudgingly agreeing to participate in her deception for a week. As the unlikely pair fake an engagement, their witty verbal sparring gives way to intense chemistry that they try and fail to resist. ("I would appreciate it if you wouldn't curse every time you've finished kissing me." "Me? You're the one who started it this time.") But given the complicated history between their families and Magnus's need to marry for money, does their romance stand a chance? With big emotions, sensual love scenes, and endearing protagonists, this is sure to win hearts.
Customer Reviews
It had to be a duke
Good story. Well-developed characters and well edited. Long but by no means tedious; an enjoyable read
The truth
A great story , interesting characters , twists and turns , and a happily ever after!
Crazy, fun situations
We’ve all lied when we’re not having a good day, right? As did Verity Hartley who thought “It Had to be a Duke” she entangled in a fake engagement in Vivienne Lorret’s first book of her newest The Liar’s Club series!
The book starts off crazy, hilarious, and strong! And, we get more crazy, laugh out loud moments throughout the book especially when Verity and Magnus Warring, the Duke of Longhurst, are bantering.
I enjoyed Lorret’s choice to involve an ex-family friend in her ruse because of Verity’s nemesis, which helps reveal and mend the past. I love the wholesome familial and friendship aspect of the book, plus the suspense aspect to uncover past scandal details.
The story does get a little wild considering who Verity’s new friend in town is. The connection is not ideal however I appreciate that both have different feelings for the third party.
What I really appreciate in this book is Lorret’s plot twists and giving each main character time for further reflection and growth. Then the book makes an amazing, unexpected full circle with the duke’s grand and public gesture!
If you want to read about ex-family friends who have no verbal sparring filter towards each other yet find themselves in compromising positions, then I highly recommend this book!
Thank you to Net Galley, Avon Books, and Harper Voyager US for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.