Review: One Fine Duke

One Fine Duke by Lenora Bell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"One Fine Duke" is the first book I've ever read by Lenora Bell, but it certainly won't be the last. I have heard good things about Ms. Bell's writing before and, based on how much I enjoyed this book, I wish I had picked one up sooner.

Many of the previous stories I've read that featured espionage plots were dark and filled with angst, but this one managed to be rather light and funny, and it was a lot of fun to read. I especially enjoyed the scene when Drew, the hero, happened upon Mina, the heroine, in a garden shed during a ball thrown by his mother. I laughed out loud when Mina pulled her pistol on Drew[pulled her pistol on Drew (hide spoiler)]. Mina and Drew's banter in that scene and throughout the book was quite amusing.

Drew and Mina were both well-developed, endearing characters, and they really seemed to bring out the best in each other. Even though he initially came across as reserved and even a little bit boring, underneath it all Drew was actually very sweet, not to mention rakishly handsome and seductive. I appreciated that he recognized Mina's intelligence and skills and didn't try to forbid her from participating in the espionage work that she loved. As for Mina, she was feisty and independent, but also kind and loving. She helped Drew overcome the scars of his past and realize that he could have a happy future that included more than just the development of new agricultural practices in the isolation of Cornwall.

I haven't read the previous books in this series, but this book stood very well on its own and I didn't feel lost at all. I plan to go back and read the previous books now, however, and also look forward to reading whatever Ms. Bell plans to write next!

*ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

View all my reviews