Review: The Duke I Once Knew

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

When two childhood sweethearts find themselves together after years apart, does their romance have a chance to be rekindled now that he’s a duke and she’s a governess? Olivia Drake’s new Unlikely Duchesses series begins with The Duke I Once Knew, where first love is always the sweetest…

For years, Abigail Linton devoted herself to caring for her parents and her siblings’ children. Now, eager to create a life of her own, Abby seizes upon a position as a governess on a neighboring estate. Unfortunately, her absentee employer is Maxwell Bryce, the Duke of Rothwell, the notorious rake who once broke her youthful heart. But since he hasn’t set foot on his estate for fifteen years, Abby assumes she’ll never have to lay eyes on him ever again. Then, from out of nowhere, Max appears. He is stunned to come face to face with the girl next door he fell for years ago—before he went away, and she stopped writing to him. . .even though Abby swears that he is the one who left her without a word. Could it be that this spirited, witty spinster has won Max’s heart all over again—and that they may have a second chance at love?

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

The Duke I Once Knew by Olivia Drake is a charming read. The emotional rollercoaster ride was what really made me love this book. The feelings between the characters and the ones the characters created-hooked me right into their world. Abby was a young woman in love with her friend next-door. He too loved her just as much. They had an argument right before his father took him away. There’s more to the now, Duke’s family history than Abby can imagine.

Her first love, Max, is back and things between are complicated. Things went wrong for them then…will it always be like that or can they patch things up? Their young love blossoms once more. Neither one can deny their attraction or love has faded. Irresistible charm, lust, love, and new beginnings are explored here. Friendship once turned into something more, something real, never died.

Here, Olivia Drake sucked me into this juicy detailed story. I laughed, I cried, and I fell in love right along with Abby and Max. Readers will find a good dose of humor and heat splashed upon these pages. Overall, I recommend this historical romance to all.