Library Journal - Audio
03/01/2022
The first in Carlyle's (Nothing Compares to the Duke) latest historical romance series stars a reluctant duke and an independent spinster. When Will Hart grudgingly goes on a holiday planned by his sisters, the last person he expects to see is the beautiful mystery woman who witnessed the end of his engagement. Madeline Ravenwood is focused on three things: her inherited gardening business, developing a rose variety fit for a princess, and co-leading the town's Royal Visit Committee. As their paths cross, they realize what they really want in their lives. Listeners are treated to an entertaining production that showcases Karen Cass's skills. Believably voicing the characters, regardless of origin, gender, or age, she pulls listeners into Will and Madeline's world, capturing not only Madeline's independent spirit and Will's changes in attitude, but also the quirks of the various townspeople and members of the ton alike. VERDICT Recommended for fans of Carlyle's previous books, many of which are also performed by Cass.—Amanda L. S. Murphy
From the Publisher
"The first in Carlyle’s new Love on Holiday series is catnip for lovers of small-town love stories, with engaging character development and a driven heroine. The beautiful Cornish scenery and botanical details are grace notes on a slightly spicy but mostly sweet story, and readers will look forward to future vacations in the series. A charming Victorian romance by the sea." — Kirkus Reviews
"With its charming Cornish setting, lively writing enhanced by a blithe sense of wit, and a memorable cast of characters, Duke Gone Rogue, which kicks off Carlyle’s Victorian-set Love on Holiday series, blossoms into an absolute delight." — Booklist
“Christy Carlyle is a historical romance lover’s dream.” — Tessa Dare, New York Times bestselling author
"Carlyle spins an engrossing Victorian romance... With this story of two damaged people helping each other find their way back to the light, Carlyle offers readers a charming diversion that holds extra weight thanks to her characters’ tragic pasts." — Entertainment Weekly
“Carlyle’s first Duke’s Den novel is a seductive mid-19th-century romance that crosses classes and other boundaries with aplomb. Fans of historical romance will adore these characters and eagerly anticipate the next installment in the series.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Christy Carlyle writes poignant, genuine characters who will melt your heart and keep you turning pages long past your bedtime. A Duke Changes Everything is a beautifully written tale I couldn’t put down.” — Kelly Bowen, New York Times bestselling author
Praise for Anything But a Duke: —
“Carlyle inventively incorporates a Victorian riff on the concept of Shark Tank as well as the hero’s hunt for his own past into the engaging plot of the second quirkily different and splendidly sexy addition to her Duke’s Den series.” — Booklist
Kelly Bowen
Christy Carlyle writes poignant, genuine characters who will melt your heart and keep you turning pages long past your bedtime. A Duke Changes Everything is a beautifully written tale I couldn’t put down.
Tessa Dare
Christy Carlyle is a historical romance lover’s dream.
Booklist
Carlyle inventively incorporates a Victorian riff on the concept of Shark Tank as well as the hero’s hunt for his own past into the engaging plot of the second quirkily different and splendidly sexy addition to her Duke’s Den series.
Entertainment Weekly
"Carlyle spins an engrossing Victorian romance... With this story of two damaged people helping each other find their way back to the light, Carlyle offers readers a charming diversion that holds extra weight thanks to her characters’ tragic pasts."
Booklist
"With its charming Cornish setting, lively writing enhanced by a blithe sense of wit, and a memorable cast of characters, Duke Gone Rogue, which kicks off Carlyle’s Victorian-set Love on Holiday series, blossoms into an absolute delight."
Kirkus Reviews
2021-09-29
A spinster with a green thumb snags a duke with overgrown gardens.
Out in Cornwall, in the small shore town of Haven Cove, the Royal Visit Committee is hard at work. Princess Beatrice is coming to town in two weeks, and no one is more excited than committee co-leader Madeline Ravenwood, who runs her late parents’ nursery and almost a dozen other committees in town. She’s created a hybrid rose in honor of the princess for a botanical exhibition, and a royal approval could finally turn her business around. Also en route to Haven Cove: Will Hart, Duke of Ashmore, who has been ordered to relax in his family’s dilapidated Cornwall estate by his sisters. Exhausted from months of patching up the scandals and schemes his late father unleashed on their family name, he has avoided the Cornwall house for too long because of its notorious reputation and has no idea about the royal visit. When Maddie realizes the duke is in town, however, she visits and tries to convince him to stay and to take care of the estate, if only for the good of the town. He eventually agrees if, in exchange, Maddie will show him her favorite places in Cornwall. The agreement is for platonic relaxation only, of course, but both look forward to the trips more than they should. Even though she is a spinster and he must marry a perfect noblewoman to restore the Ashmore name, their attraction blossoms after a passionate kiss on their first boat ride and continues to bloom. Maddie has sworn only to marry for love, if at all, and Will has to return to London eventually, but as the royal visit draws closer, both find they don’t want their time together to end. The first in Carlyle’s new Love on Holiday series is catnip for lovers of small-town love stories, with engaging character development and a driven heroine. The beautiful Cornish scenery and botanical details are grace notes on a slightly spicy but mostly sweet story, and readers will look forward to future vacations in the series.
A charming Victorian romance by the sea.
