Review: Amelia Grey's LOVE, THE DUKE

 

LOVE, THE DUKE
Historical Romance

 

 

 

AUTHOR:
Amelia Grey

RELEASE DATE:
April 01, 2025

PUBLISHER:
St. Martin’s Paperback

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9781250850461

RATING:
4

AUTHOR LINK:
https://ameliagrey.com/

 

 

Miss Ophelia Stowe is a vicar’s sister. When a religious artifact is stolen from her late brother’s vicarage, she intends to recover it. Ophelia’s search brings her to London and to the Duke of Hurstbourne’s door. The infuriating man refuses to help her search the tone for the missing relic. He instead offers a marriage of convenience to rein in Ophelia’s reckless pursuit. Can Ophelia find the chalice before the new vicar takes over?

Drake Kingsley, Duke of Hurstbourne, receives a letter from a friend, asking him to marry his sister. He declines, only to have the woman show up at his home in disguise asking for help. Hurst cannot ignore his growing attraction to the headstrong beauty. He also knows he needs to rein in her reckless search for the stolen artifact. Can Hurst convince Ophelia to follow his strategy on locating the chalice? Or will her recklessness rub off on him?

I could not really connect with Ophelia like I did with Fredericka and Edwina. There were times when she simply irritated me.  I understand Ophelia’s reasons for searching for the stolen artifact. She did not want her late brother’s good name tarnished. I respect and admire that sentiment. However, it felt like Ophelia refused to listen to reason. It was either her way or no way at all.

There were moments when Hurst’s high-handedness made me want to throttle him. He could have been more sympathetic and understanding towards Ophelia’s need to preserve her brother’s reputation. I get that his tumultuous past with his father colored his views on how things should be done. I wish that he and Ophelia could have compromised on the search for the stolen chalice. It would have made for a more enjoyable read than the two butting heads at every angle.

LOVE, THE DUKE is the third and final book in Amelia Grey’s historical romance series, SAY I DO. The story can standalone. The heroes from the previous two books (Wyatt and Rick) make occasional appearances throughout the story. I wish their ladies (Fredericka and Edwina) had a more prominent role. I feel they would have easily championed Ophelia’s endeavor and forced Hurst’s hand into helping her. It would have made the story more fun and entertaining.