Valerie Bowman

The Playful Brides novels are: “Wholly satisfying.”—USA Today “Smart and sensual.”—RT Book Reviews “Delicious.” —Kirkus Reviews A lady with a love potion. A Duke who takes it by mistake. Romance and mischief ensues when plans go awry in No Other Duke But You by Valerie Bowman. 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?

No Other Duke But You

Rajyeshwari Bhattacharya

Out of the entire series, this one's the best book

Lover of Romance 

This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from St. Martin's Paperbacks in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

No Other Duke But You is the most recent installment in the Playful Brides series by Valerie Bowman. I have read the majority of the books in this series and I have had such a blast with these books. This author is HIGHLY underrated and when it comes to witty regency romance, she is one of my favorites to read. She has such a sharp wit that she puts into her stories. I wouldn't say that this book is my favorite of the series, however, it was a delightful page turner that had me hooked from the start.

No Other Duke But You begins with a friendship that we see between Thomas, the Duke of Huntley, and Lady Delilah. These two have been friends since they were young and really "get" each other. Thomas has been secretly in love with Delilah though but Delilah has NO clue. She is really blonde in this manner because most of their friends know how much Thomas is in love with Delilah but she is blind to it. Probably due to the friendship that she feels for Thomas. Delilah is a co owner to a matchmaking business but after making all the matches she wants to get married but is in no rush. But when her mother gives her an ultimatum she sets her eye on the most renowned Duke, who is gorgeous and charming and a man who every woman wants. But now Delilah wants him and what begins as a innocent endeavor begins into a mess of complicated relationships and where love comes to one when you least expect it.

So this book was CRAZY but delightfully so!!! I honestly never saw the development of this story and how it grows and boy it is kinda ridiculous in what happens to the characters that come into play in this story. I really liked both of the main characters, and even though Delilah is a bit clueless I understood it because Thomas hides his feelings for her really well. I did enjoy seeing their chemistry grow and so many sweet heartfelt moments that we see develop between them that happens before and after the first kiss which is where their relationship really shows the change in their dynamic. I did like how Thomas' friends become matchmakers themselves (and their stories are all in previous books) so it was fun to see some of my old favorites again and see them get Thomas and Delilah together.

Overall I found this book to be such a charming story that lifted my spirits and left me with all of those happy feels!!!

Sheena

Rating: ★★★★✬ (4.5/5 Stars)
Title: No Other Duke But You
Author(s): Valerie Bowman
Character(s): 
― Delilah Montebank: 22 years old, Brunette, Brown Eyed
― Thomas Hobbs: 27 years old, Black, Blue Eyed
Setting: London, England
Tag(s): Romance, Contemporary 
Content Rating: R
POV: Third Person
Smexy Level: Hot
Favorite Quote(s): 
― “Think about it, Delilah. Is it so mad, really? You and I? We’ve been friends for an age. Why not us? Why can’t we be in love?”
― “I think I’ve always loved you. Only I didn’t realize what love felt like until now.”
Overall Opinion:
When I picked up this book, I was expecting a cheesy historical romance novel filled with a dull plot and even worst characters but needless to say Valerie Bowman blew me out of the water with this one. I was was immediately drawn to the historic element and the unconventional leads. The plot was an epic match-making mess and as a reader, I couldn't help but root for Thomas and his endeavors to make Delilah discovered they were perfect for one another. Overall an enjoyable read that will provide any reader a dose of history and a friends turn lovers match making romance that will leave them swooning for more.

Jolie

Lady Delilah’s mother has issued her an ultimatum. She must get engaged by her next birthday. If she isn’t, Delilah will be forced to marry her mother’s suitor’s son. Delilah sets her sights on the most eligible bachelor in Society. But she doesn’t know that her best friend, Lord Thomas Hobbs, Duke of Huntley, has his sights set on her. When Delilah buys a love potion to give to the duke, things go sideways. Will Delilah get the duke she wants? Or will she let the duke she needs slip out of her fingers?

The plot for No Other Duke But You was simple. Delilah had to marry within two months or get married to someone her mother picked out. This is a storyline that I have seen used over and over again. The author was able to freshen it up with memorable characters. Which I loved!!

The other major plotline was an interesting one. Thomas wanted Delilah to realize that she loved him. So, he decided to woo her. He also decided that she was going to use the potion on him. It was interesting to me because I hadn’t seen this done with a man before. So, it was interesting to see what a guy would have to go through to make the object of his affection fall for him. I liked it.

I loved Delilah. I connected with her on a personal level. I am that type of girl who drops food on my clothes, stumbles when I walk, and always says the wrong thing at the wrong time. I could see myself being besties with her. Her love of French, animals, Shakespeare, and pink roses were made a focal point in the book. What I didn’t like was her lack of self-esteem. Her interactions with that woman who birthed her (I refuse to call her a mother) hurt my heart.

I loved Thomas too. He couldn’t have been more perfect for Delilah. I could tell how he felt about her before this book. Ladies, listen up. How Thomas treated Delilah is how every woman should be treated. He loved her, faults and all. He supported her, even when she told him that she was trying to land a husband by her birthday. Of course, Thomas did have his issues. But, his issues were not the focus of the book. The author made it a point of letting the readers know that he turned himself around.

Delilah’s mother, I couldn’t stand. I have never disliked a fictional character more than I hated her. Everything she said to Delilah was disgusting. All I have to say is karma is a bitch, and she got hers at the end of the book.

I also would like to mention Lord Hilton’s son, Clarence. I felt terrible for him. It seemed like he was being used by his father like Delilah was being used by her mother. The couple of scenes he was in, I got a strong depression vibe from him. I mean, he stayed locked up in the house all day, with no personal interactions (other than the servants). His actions at the dinner only furthered that opinion.

No Other Duke But You was a perfect fit in the historical romance genre. The author did a fantastic job of keeping within the era it takes place. From the way the characters dressed to how they talked, it was a fit.

I loved that this book was a friend to lover romance. I liked that the author had the male in love with the female, instead of the other way around. It made for a refreshing read.

The sexual tension and chemistry were kept on the back burner until the middle of the book. The sparks started when Thomas and Delilah kissed. It stayed at sparks until they made out at the park. Then the sparks turned into flames.

I liked that the author had Delilah and Thomas’s sexual experiences towards the end of the book. If it had happened sooner, I fell that it would have taken away from the plotline. So, it was perfect the way it happened.

What I also liked was that Thomas was a virgin. I haven’t read a book where the main characters were both virgins. It made the sex scenes more poignant and sweet.

The end of No Other Duke But You was nothing short of amazing. I can’t get into what happened. All I will say is that it couldn’t be written better. I had tears in my eyes the entire last chapter, and my tears fell during the epilogue. All the storylines were wrapped up. There was no lag in the storylines. There were no dropped characters.

As I mentioned above, I cried during the epilogue. I cried because of what Cade said. I cried because this might be the ending of this series. I cried because I was an emotional mess after the last couple of chapters.

I would give No Other Duke But You an Adult rating. There is sex. There is no language. There is mild violence. I would recommend that no one under the age of 21 read this book.

I would reread No Other Duke But You. I would recommend this book to family and friends.

**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**

I would like to thank the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review No Other Duke But You.

All opinions stated in this review of No Other Duke But You are mine.

Have you read No Other Duke But You?

What are your thoughts?

Friends to lovers romances?

Like them or not?

Let me know!!