I received this book for free from Greys Promotions in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Vengeance. Preston Seaton, the Duke of Grandhampton will bring down the man who killed his brother through any means necessary. So when Lord Neville Beckett auctions off his daughter’s hand in marriage to pay his debts, Preston makes a bid Beckett can’t refuse—evidence of murder.

Dreaming of a career as an artist, Penelope welcomes her future as a spinster. So when her father accepts the proposal of a man who despises her, she longs to flee. But she cannot abandon her poor, old father to his destruction. Moving into the powerful duke’s huge mansion, she wonders if she will ever escape this cold, dark prison.

Convinced Penelope played his brother for a fool and got him killed, Preston has no intention of losing his heart. But the sunny artist is soon filling his home with light and joy. Could a forced marriage forged from hatred ever lead to true happiness? And can Preston forgive himself for desiring the only woman his brother ever loved?

Next to Contemporary Romance, I really love Historical Romance novels. But I haven’t been able to read a lot of them lately. So when I got the opportunity to read and review ‘All Duke and Bothered’, I was really excited. This is my first book by this author.

In ‘All Duke and Bothered’ we read the story of Preston Seaton, the Duke of Grandhampton. Preston has only recently become a duke, after his brother died after being assaulted. Preston is determined to get revenge on his brother death, and the best way to make the guy who is responsible pay is to marry his daughter. Preston has seen Penelope Beckett when she was a friend to his late brother. He was always sure she was after his fortune, and he made sure his brother knew his thoughts about her. But now his brother is gone, and Penelope will be his wife. It will be the perfect revenge. What Preston didn’t plan on, was getting to know Penelope and realizing she is not who he thought she was.

‘All Duke and Bothered’ was an enjoyable read. The two main characters Preston and Penelope have a lot of prejudice about each other. They get married because Preston forces Penelope into it, and they are both sure they won’t be happy ever again. But when they slowly get to know each other better, they both realize there opinion about each other isn’t based on facts. And they grow closer and closer. I enjoyed reading their story, and seeing how their love developed.

The whole reason why they married, and the fact there feelings changed so drastically felt a bit much at times. But it fitted the genre and the characters. I especially loved Penelope’s character. She loved painting and was determined to keep on practicing her hobby to get better. Even though she lived in a time where woman weren’t really allowed to paint, she had accepted her fate of becoming a spinster just so she could continue her passion. She was one tough character.

And the best part? The fact that Preston was so passionate about Penelope being able to paint, even when they got married. I loved those moments when Penelope was immerged in her paintings. And although I wished Preston wasn’t so keen on revenge a lot of the time, his character had a lot of charm and I enjoyed reading about him.

‘All Duke and Bothered’ was a fun read. And I especially loved being in this era again. In the end of the book we get a hint about the next book in the series, and I definitely hope to read that one too.

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About Mariah Stone

When time travel romance writer Mariah Stone isn't busy writing strong modern women falling back through time into the arms of hot Vikings, Highlanders, and pirates, she chases after her toddler and spends romantic nights on North Sea with her husband. Mariah speaks six languages, loves Outlander, sushi and Thai food, and runs a local writer's group.

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I received this ARC through Grey’s Promotions.

Maureen Bakker

Maureen is a mom, wife, nurse, and Ravenclaw living in the Netherlands. She spends her days juggling mom-life, reading, blogging, planning date nights with her husband and working as a nurse. Maureen also is a big Anglophile, loves cooking, Gilmore Girls, Bridgerton and Harry Potter.. Always!  Facebook | Instagram