The Duke’s Secret Cinderella
Eva Devon
Entangled – Amara
February 21, 2023
Adult Romance, Retelling
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About the Book:
Charlotte Browne could just kick herself. What on earth possessed her to tell the Duke of Rockford that she is a lady? But something about the duke's handsomeness and kind intelligence makes Charlotte blurt out the teeniest, tiniest falsehood. Now it's too late to admit she's just plain Charlotte of no particular importance—with cinder-stained hands, a wretched stepfather, and no prospects for marriage...
Rafe Dorchester, Duke of Rockford, has done what every self-respecting duke must do—avoid marriage at all costs. But the only thing stronger than the duke is his mother. When she lays down the highest ultimatum, he'll need to find a duchess. Immediately. Only, when he calls on a potential bride, he instead finds the pert, fresh-faced Lady Charlotte. Rafe was warned to never mix the business of marriage with pleasure, but when it comes to her...oh, business would be a splendid pleasure.
One passionate, illicit kiss sends Charlotte fleeing, leaving only a delicate blue ribbon behind. For Rafe can never discover her secret, or it will ruin her beloved sister's chance at marriage. But the duke knows that when you've found the one person that ignites you, body and soul, nothing can keep you away.
My Review:
The Duke's Secret Cinderella was a fascinating fairytale retelling. The story has a twist in that their isn't a wicked stepmother. Charlotte has a wicket stepfather. He's actually more than just wicked. He's cruel, heartless, and power- and money-hungry. As such, he's pulled Charlotte out of polite society and banished her to the servant's quarters, all while his children maintain their stations within the ton.
When Charlotte is downtown trying to free one of the servant's from horrific conditions in the debtors' prison, she is accosted by a street person. A handsome gentleman intervenes and even assists Charlotte in securing the release of the servant. Upon the rescue, Charlotte learns she's been aided by none other than the Duke of Rockford. What ensues is a tale of deceit, maltreatment, and unspeakable behavior. This is also a tale, however, of love, chemistry, and revelations.
The path Charlotte and Rafe travel is a bumpy one. Charlotte tells Rafe a small white lie which, throughout the book, escalates. The lie, and its snowball effect, opens the door for Charlotte's stepfather to twist and misconstrue her tales into something more beneficial to him rather than her or others involved. The ending, while epic, is also sad and maddening. Justice is served but, as in real life, it doesn't take away the pain and loss.
The Duke's Secret Cinderella was fun, eye-opening, and a fantastic retelling. I enjoyed the characters, even the bad ones, because they had a part to play in making this story so good. The twists, turns, and ending were surprising and I didn't see them coming. The author wrote a wonderful historical romance as the Cinderella fairytale re-imagined. I really enjoyed this book.
I was provided a paperback of this book to read.
My Rating:
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