| Man-woman relationships -- Fiction. |
| Nobility -- Fiction. |
| Aristocracy (Social class) -- Fiction. |
| England -- Social life and customs -- 19th century -- Fiction. |
| Romance fiction. |
| Historical fiction. |
| Regency fiction. |
Available:*
Collection | Call Number | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Paperbacks | BOWMAN | Searching... Unknown |
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Summary
Summary
Bestselling author Valerie Bowman sets the stage in Regency England for her Playful Brides series, where couples' misadventures on the way to the altar are witty, romantic romps based on some of the world's most beloved plays. The eleventh book in the series, No Other Duke But You , is inspired by William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream .
SINGLE LADY SEEKS DUKE
Lady Delilah Montebank has her marital sights set on the Duke of Branville. There's just one problem: he barely knows she exists. But no matter, she's got a plan to win him over with her charm, her wit--and perhaps the love potion she has in her possession wouldn't hurt her cause...
Lord Thomas Hobbs , Duke of Huntley, thinks his best friend Delilah's quest to become a duchess is ridiculous. He's always said he'd rather give up all the brandy in London than commit to one person for life. Besides, he knows that Delilah's love potion can't possibly win over Branville...since she accidentally gave it to him instead. But perhaps this is the excuse he needs to show her he's always loved her...
Delilah can't believe she gave the potion to the wrong duke. Then again, Delilah could do a lot worse than win the hand of her handsome best friend. Could it be that the right duke has been before her eyes all along?
The Playful Brides novels are :
"Wholly satisfying."-- USA Today
"Smart and sensual." --RT Book Reviews
"Delicious." -- Kirkus Reviews
Author Notes
Valerie Bowman grew up in Illinois with six sisters (she's number seven) and a huge supply of historical romance novels. After a cold and snowy stint earning a degree in English with a minor in history at Smith College, she moved to Florida the first chance she got. Valerie now lives in Jacksonville with her family including her mini-schnauzers, Huckleberry and Violet. When she's not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS.
Topic:
| Aristocrats |
| Friendship |
| Quests |
| Unexpected love |
Reviews (3)
Publisher's Weekly Review
Bowman's witty 11th Playful Brides Regency (after Mr. Hunt, I Presume) highlights how love can develop between two close friends. Lady Delilah Montebank is best friends with Thomas Hobbs, Duke of Huntley. Delilah's mother will force her to marry Clarence Hilton, heir to an earldom, if she doesn't secure a better offer of marriage by her birthday in just over a month. A desperate Delilah sets her sights on the Duke of Branville. Though Delilah has always enjoyed her friendship with Thomas, she is confused when the play they are in together calls for them to kiss, and the kiss ignites romantic sparks. Still hoping to marry Branville, Delilah purchases a love potion to make him fall in love with her, but accidentally sprinkles the potion on Thomas instead. When Thomas formally offers to court Delilah, she fears it's only because of the potion and foists him off, unwilling to trick him into marriage. He must convince her his interest is real. Regency fans will adore this charming tale and its cast of memorable characters. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
Longtime friends get the nudge they need from a magical love potion in this kooky and playful historical romance.After six seasons, Delilah Montebank needs a husband. With her mother growing increasingly frustrated by Delilah's constant attempts to make matches for her friends while neglecting her duty to secure a betrothal herself, the clock is ticking. Either Delilah finds someone to marry or her mother will pick a husband for her. But as Delilah sets her sights on London's most eligible bachelor, the Duke of Branville, she realizes extra help is required. Her solution: a love potion. Delilah's best friend, Lord Thomas Hobbs, doesn't believe in love potions, but when Delilah accidentally sprinkles the potion on him, he knows it's the perfect excuse to finally act on his feelings for her. He's always loved her, but as Delilah begins to fall for her friend, she worries about what will happen to the two of them when her potion finally wears off. And even if Delilah and Thomas can make a go of their relationship, they'll still have to earn her mother's blessing. A comedy of errors, the romance between Delilah and Thomas, along with all the background shenanigans, pushes this novel into the territory of the ridiculous. There isn't much emotional depth, though there are still feel-good moments that make the courtship lean more toward sweet rather than sizzling. This book is part of the Playful Brides series, which boasts more than 10 installments, and much of the character development appears to rely on history established in previous books. With runaway squirrels, Shakespearean plays produced in secret, and numerous clumsy misunderstandings, this is cotton candy in book form: light and whimsical but not enough to fill you up.Cute and kitschy but emotionally unsatisfying. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Lady Delilah Montebank has spent the last five seasons successfully playing matchmaker for all of her friends, but now her mother has given her an ultimatum: find a husband for herself or Delilah's mother will do it for her. Participating in a charity production of A Midsummer Night's Dream put on by friends allows Delilah the opportunity to interact with a wide range of prospective husbands, including the Duke of Branville, the most sought-after bachelor in the ton. Thomas Hobbs, the Duke of Huntley, thinks Delilah's romantic pursuit of Branville is ridiculous, especially since Thomas has been harboring a tendre for Delilah for years. But how can Thomas convince Delilah that he is the right duke for her? Bowman puts her own clever spin on the popular friends-to-lovers trope while at the same time effectively channeling the magical whimsy and dreamy romantic confusion of Shakespeare's popular play in the latest fun and frothy addition to her Playful Brides series.--John Charles Copyright 2019 Booklist