The Unexpected Duchess Audiobook By Valerie Bowman cover art

The Unexpected Duchess

Playful Brides, Book 1

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The Unexpected Duchess

By: Valerie Bowman
Narrated by: Alison Larkin
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Lady Lucy Upton's tongue may be too sharp to attract suitors, but her heart is good, and when her painfully shy friend Cassandra needs help, she devises a brilliant scheme to help her discourage an unwanted suitor, the Duke of Claringdon. Lucy will hide behind the hedgerow and tell Cass just what to say to discourage the Duke of Claringdon...but it turns out that he's made of sterner stuff than either of them anticipated. And Lucy is shocked to discover that tangling with the tenacious man is the most fun she's had in ages. Lord Derek Hunt made a promise to his dying friend to marry the demure Cassandra, and for a man who wants nothing more than peace and quiet after the horrors of war, she'll make the perfect bride. If only the impudent Miss Upton will let him court the girl! Doing battle is the last thing on his mind, but bantering with Lucy behind the bushes is too tempting to resist. And the spoils of this war just may be true love.

©2014 Valerie Bowman (P)2014 Tantor Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Regency Regency Romance Romance Funny Heartfelt Witty Feel-Good
Amusing Dialogue • Witty Repartee • Charming Narration • Light-hearted Romance • Enjoyable Ending • Clever Protagonists
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I'm a huge fan of Valerie Bowman and have read or listened to all of her books. This is a great story but for me personally it was ruined by the narrator. While she is charming and well spoken her cadence was to fast and her voice made the characters sound very young and child like. I couldn't get into the story and had to stop half way through and get the book to read. I enjoyed the plot and story very much, just didn't enjoy the narrator.

Didn't enjoy the narrator

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Such fun touching read. I’m not a fan of comedic romance but I am a fan of funny witty repartee. This couple was infectious. Perfect. Great audio listen too.

Fun and touching

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I THINK the play it’s an adaptation of is Cyrano de Bergerac - possibly others. In any case it helps you survive the urge to yell at the heroine through this book and the next two to bear in mind that wildly ridiculous ploys and schemes are part and parcel of old plays.

I really did end up liking Lucy by the end of the book despite myself, and enjoyed the ending payoff quite a bit... then disliked her character during book two, and have waffled a bit from there on. The hero is deliciously smart though, and a good match for her.

Helps to know the series are all nods to plays hence “PLAYful brides”

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Lucy and Derrick provide fun, sharp, witty banter. Cass and Jane are wonderful friends. Garrett was a great cousin and friend.

Alison does the job of British and period diction with both males and females.

Great group of friends and sweet romances

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I've listened to all three books in this series, and I like this one the most. I enjoyed the bantering between the hero and the heroine. Their banters were so much fun to listen to that I couldn't help but smile several times. Both characters are strong-willed, clever, witty, and loyal. They are perfect for each other! The love scenes were pretty hot and steamy.

I felt that some parts toward the end of the book kind of dragged a little.

I really liked the narrator. I wish she had narrated the final book (Book 3) in this series. However, I didn't like that she made Lucy (the heroine in this book) sound a little older in Book 2. It would be a good idea to read/listen to the books in order, because Lucy and her friends appear in each book and a few references are made from each preceding book.

Loved this book!

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i love the chemistry and fire between these two and i cant wait to read the next

cute and sexy story!

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This is a light regency romance with amusing dialogue. If you are looking for something light then this is a good choice

Light regency romance

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This is a good book and I would have given it a 5 star review if it hadn’t drawn out so long in the end. Interesting characters & cute storyline. The narrator was okay but not my favorite.

Good

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I loved the romance that took place between Derek and Lucy. It was adorable! Their conversations and activities were a delight to read about. I highly recommend this light hearted romance.

Wonderfully adorable story that leaves a smile on your face

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Lucy and Derek rivalry was hilarious and Derek's and Lucy's
loyalty to their friends was sweet. Can't wait for Cassie story.

The characters

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