The Duke Heist (The Wild Wynchesters, #1)

by Erica Ridley

A NYT bestselling author kicks off a new Regency series of "irresistible romance and a family of delightful scoundrels" as a woman looking to recover a stolen painting accidentally kidnaps a duke instead. (Eloisa James)

Chloe Wynchester is completely forgettable -- a curse that gives her the ability to blend into any crowd. When the only father she's ever known makes a dying wish for his adopted family of orphans to recover a missing painting, she's the first one her siblings turn to for stealing it back. No one expects that in doing so, she'll also abduct a handsome duke.

Lawrence Gosling, the Duke of Faircliffe, is tortured by his father's mistakes. To repair his estate's ruined reputation, he must wed a highborn heiress. Yet when he finds himself in a carriage being driven hell-for-leather down the cobblestone streets of London by a beautiful woman who refuses to heed his commands, he fears his heart is hers. But how can he sacrifice his family's legacy to follow true love?

"Erica Ridley is a delight!" --Julia Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of the Bridgerton series

• ISBN10: 1538719525
• ISBN13: 9781538719527
• Publish Date: 11 March 2021 (first published 9 February 2021)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Forever
• Format: Paperback (A-Format (178x111 mm))
• Pages: 352
• Language: English

Reviews

[Angie]

The Duke Heist takes the found family trope a step further. The six Wynchester siblings are orphans taken in by the wealthy and eccentric Baron Vanderbean. Nearly two decades later, the baron is gone but his adopted children remain in his home, closer than ever. Of course, this unconventional family is looked down upon. Not just because of their origins, but the way they move around in society, righting wrongs of the ton rather than attending balls and fancy dinners. Which now includes their mission to steal back a painting that the current duke of Fairchilde's father stole from them!

I had a lot of fun reading The Duke Heist. Chloe accidentally kidnapping Lawrence was quite funny, and their resulting deal provided a lot of entertainment. She wants to get close to him by pretending that she needs lessons from him on how to act in society in order to snag a husband. In reality, she just wants access to his home to find her family's painting. However, things do drag on for too long, once the big drama unfolds. Lawrence already learned that Chloe and her family are not what they seem, and yet he refuses to even entertain the idea that she could be his savior. In his mind, there's no way she has the money he wants and the love that he needs. I feel like he would have at least listened to her the first time, rather than cutting her off.