The Duke Not Taken: A Historical Romance

by Julia London

Overview

“London’s second Royal Match Victorian romance sparkles by pairing a rebellious princess with a reclusive duke…The witty repartee between Amelia and Joshua propels the novel forward while revealing the complex depths of the characters. Readers won’t want to put this down.”—Publishers Weekly on The Duke Not Taken

Impossible. Infuriating. Intoxicating.

Ever since her sister became queen two years ago, Amelia Ivanosen, Princess of Wesloria, has been flirting and skirting scandal—just barely. Before she does anything too outlandish, she is sent to England and Lila Alexander, illustrious matchmaker to the ton, is recruited. Respectably ensconced at the country estate of a family friend, Amelia is introduced to many eligible bachelors, but…there is no spark. There never seems to be unless the man is completely wrong for her.

Next door lives Joshua Parker, Duke of Marley, who is grumpy and reclusive—for good reason. His first wife died in childbirth. When Marley is dragged by a friend to his neighbor’s soiree, he and Amelia instantly dislike each other. Their banter is snarky and heated. He’s a stuck-up smarty-pants; she’s a self-involved, annoying princess.

Sparks fly when they’re together—fireworks actually—but they loathe each other. Really. So why can’t they stop thinking about each other?

A Royal Match

Book 1: Last Duke Standing
Book 2: The Duke Not Taken

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781335498205
Publisher:	Hqn
Publication date:	09/27/2022
Series:	A Royal Match , #2
Edition description:	Original
Pages:	368
Sales rank:	83,360
Product dimensions:	4.70(w) x 6.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Julia London is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over fifty novels of historical and contemporary romance. She is the recipient of the RT Bookclub Award for Best Historical Romance and a six-time finalist for the prestigious RITA award. She lives in Austin, Texas. Find her at www.julialondon.com.

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Editorial Reviews

07/18/2022

London’s second Royal Match Victorian romance (after Last Duke Standing) sparkles by pairing a rebellious princess with a reclusive duke. Princess Amelia of the fictional Wesloria responds to her incurable boredom by acting out and kissing footmen. Her scandalous behavior leaves her parents determined to marry her off. They ship Amelia away to spend the summer husband-hunting at the English country home of Beckett Hawke, Earl of Iddesleigh, and his wife. Amelia’s first encounter with the Becketts’ neighbor Joshua Parker, Duke of Marley, is when he almost collides with her coach on horseback, leading her to dub him the Grim Reaper. When they meet again—and Amelia learns his true identity—it’s no less disastrous. Too bad professional matchmaker Lila Aleksander believes they’d be a perfect match. Joshua is uninterested in marriage following the death of his first wife and infant, but as he and Amelia are forced together, he comes to appreciate her candor, which others label as rudeness, just as she learns to enjoy their talks—and their scorching stolen kisses. The witty repartee between Amelia and Joshua propels the novel forward while revealing the complex depths of the characters. Readers won’t want to put this down. Agent: Jenny Bent, Bent Agency (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

The deliciously clever epistolatory bantering between the book’s protagonists provides many moments of pure reading joy while London’s flair for creating engaging characters and her Austenesque sense of wit guarantee historical romance readers will be lining up for the latest in her Royal Match series.”—Booklist on The Duke Not Taken

“London’s second Royal Match Victorian romance sparkles by pairing a rebellious princess with a reclusive duke…The witty repartee between Amelia and Joshua propels the novel forward while revealing the complex depths of the characters. Readers won’t want to put this down.”—Publishers Weekly on The Duke Not Taken

"An eminently appealing pair of protagonists, a winsome cast of secondary characters…and an amusing plot enriched by an abundance of sharp wit and buoyed by romantic chemistry that is both sweet and sexy."—Booklist on Last Duke Standing

"With an engaging premise and great characters, Last Duke Standing is an enjoyable read." —Romance Reviews Today

"London’s prolific talent for historical romance shines through in her witty, engaging characters who provide an insightful view into the intrigue and subterfuge involved in ensuring the survival of a monarchy. Readers will be thrilled."—Publishers Weekly on Last Duke Standing

“Secrets, scandals and steamy chemistry—this paperback escape has it all!”—Women's World on The Princess Plan

"Charming, witty, and warm. This is perfect historical romance."—Sarah Morgan, USA Today bestselling author on The Princess Plan

"It completely charmed me...The chemistry is so delicious. I simply didn't want to put it down."—Nicola Cornick, USA Today bestselling author on The Princess Plan

“Warm, witty and decidedly wicked—great entertainment.”—Stephanie Laurens, #1 New York Times bestselling author, on Hard-Hearted Highlander

"Charming... A fun, touching 'prince meets real girl' Victorian fairy-tale romance."—Kirkus on The Princess Plan

"London's observations of gender roles are keen, and her protagonists are eminently likable in their dogged pursuit of their own goals despite societal expectations and political pressures."—Publishers Weekly on The Princess Plan

From the Publisher