How to Forget a Duke

Oh how I love a story that starts with a ‘forbidden’ promise: the matchmakers of the Bourne Matrimonial Agency have a rule –NO falling in love with the clientele – even one as lusciously intriguing as Crispin, Duke of Rydstrom, now a client in need of a wife with a large dowry and no desire to share space, air or even a residence with him. Curious as to the why, and sure that there is something major (and potentially devastating) that he is hiding, unwilling to answer some of the most ‘basic’ personal questions, Jacinda decides more investigation is needed and hies off to his estates to ‘uncover’ the truth. Unwilling and unwelcoming to the invasion of his privacy, Crispin wants to keep himself to himself. The need for money is self-evident – as his home is always in need of repair, and aside from money issues – there is a huge secret that he’s determined to conceal. His gruff and grumbling manner does keep all but the most determined at bay, yet it doesn’t stop Jacinda. Catching her ‘snooping’ in his study, the two find themselves at odds – her determination to protect the agency’s reputation and her client, him from being ‘overly scrutinized’ should something hint to the secret. With a flash of skirts, she’s left – carrying a name, the biggest clue to the secret. When he chases her down – he finds her gone, until she turns up bruised and bedraggled on his doorstep, with no memory and an edict from the doctor to rest and recover. Even with her amnesia, Jacinda’s natural curiosity and penchant for spying has her investigating Crispin, even as the two are drawing closer. She’s smitten, he’s smitten – and things couldn’t be more perilous for them both. She’s all kinds of wrong , and despite the fact that he wants her beyond all reason – he’s got to keep things moving along on his carefully designated path. She’s frustratingly unwilling to rest and recover – all to his dismay and delight – the latter he’s convinced will lead to no good. Of course, with her memory loss, while he’s still gruff and a bit out of his depth, his real, caring personality shows, and it’s not long before the two are finding themselves in love. Heated arguments lead to passion, and the ultimate reveals – where both share secrets and finally give in to the inevitable. Now, with his aunt, the Duchess of Holliford appeased with the marriage and half in love with Jacinda herself becomes a patron of the sisters’ agency – things are starting to look up. A lovely start to a new series with three clever and determined sisters making their way in the world to the best of their abilities. Full of laughter, passion and some characters that fairly leap off the page in their need to be understood and cheered on – this new series from Lorret is sure to please many this summer. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Great

How to Forget a Duke is the first in an excellent new series by Vivienne Lorret called Misadventures in Matchmaking. Who doesn't love an opposites attract, enemies to lovers Regency romance? (Answer: Nobody. And if they don't, they're wrong.) Jacinda is wonderfully wild, messy, impulsive, fiercely intelligent, and also has a big heart and enough curiosity to kill a cat. Jacinda is that best friend you wind up sitting in jail with going "Well that was fun, but maybe we shouldn't have done it..." In contract, Rydstrom divides his life into equally balanced quadrants (and seems to have some mild OCD...) and is quite stern and businesslike. There is a place for everything and everything in its place and he's not quite sure what to do with Jacinda, who is a veritable whirlwind. While they seem like total opposites on the surface, they both have hearts of gold and are fiercely protective of those they love. I love the back and forth between Jacinda and Rydstrom, and the slow unfolding of their romantic relationship. Lorret does an amazing job of working the amnesia plotline in a way that's enjoyable and that doesn't venture into soap opera territory. While trying to remember who she is, I feel like Jacinda goes through some personal growth that really hits home when she finally regains her memories. The chapters after her memories return just gutted me, and that's all I'll say about that because I don't want to spoil it for anyone. Literally the only thing I hated in this book Rydstrom calling Jacinda "Darling." It just came off as weird and awkward and kind of gross for some unknown-but-felt-in-my-gut reason. I'm seeing some reviews saying Jacinda is an annoying heroine, and while I can see how some people might feel that way, I really like her. She's got spunk, she's got moxie. Maybe it just means I'M an annoying character too! ;) I definitely look forward to reading the next book in the Misadventures in Matchmaking series, about Jacinda's younger sister Briar and titled Ten Kisses to Scandal.

Jacinda Bourne, age 23, works with her uncle and sisters at the Bourne Matrimonial Agency. Her uncle is the figurehead for the business, but she and her sisters, Ainsley and Briar, do the work. They assist people with finding someone to marry. Crispin Montague, the fifth Duke of Rydstrom, age 28, has recently visited the Agency searching for a wife. But upon investigation, it has been found that Crispin has lied and is nearly penniless. Deciding to check into the situation herself, Jacinda slips into Crispin’s home early one morning hoping to learn more about his finances. Her search uncovers a letter written to him saying that Sybil awaits his return. Who is Sybil? When Crispin catches her in his office, she tries to talk her way out of it. She confronts him with the fact that she knows he has no money and needs a bride with a large dowry. His aunt, Lady Hortense, the Duchess of Holliford, will gift him some money if she approves of the bride he chooses. Unknown to Crispin, the Duchess is the Bourne sisters' benefactress and they rely on her support. Jacinda is determined to learn more about Crispin and this person, Sybil. If the Agency can make a true match for the Duke, they should get a lot of business. Her sisters are against Jacinda’s unconventional ways of getting information on people, but she stubbornly persists and decides to head to Crispin’s home in Sussex to find answers. An accident robs her of her memory and lands her in Crispin’s home where she meets Sybil. She must remain there for a period of time while she heals from her injuries and, hopefully, regains her memory. Being constantly around Crispin finds them at odds, but also attracted to one another. Is there a way that this couple can find love? I was quite intrigued by the plot of this book and couldn’t wait to read it. It started off well but when Jacinda broke into Crispin’s home, it started going downhill for me. Jacinda is a total dingbat and Crispin’s patience with her is amazing because he should have thrown her into the sea. I guess that’s rather harsh but there are a number of things in this book that are hard to believe. This is the first book I have read by this author and even though I am disappointed by this book, I will try to read more of her books in the future. Copy provided by Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and honest review.