How to Love a Duke in Ten Days (Devil You Know, #1)

by Kerrigan Byrne

[stacey_is_sassy]

Listening enhanced my love for this story...

I was so excited when I realised that How To Love a Duke in Ten Days was going to be available in audio. I'm a huge Kerrigan Byrne fan and her previously released, Victorian Rebels series is not available in Australia (YET...please be yet). My listening experience was everything I hoped for and more.

The characters came to life for me and I loved stepping into their world and hearing them. Derek Perkins is a master at his craft and is one of my very favourite male narrators. His clear and precise voice is enhanced by his talent with accents and characterisations. In my head, I often apologise to Mr Perkins that such a classically sounding narrator has to say the "F" word aloud and narrate intimate scenes. It almost seems out of character to his voice. The best way to describe it is trying to imagine Mr Darcy swearing (of course I'm thinking Colin Firth's). Now, I'm not saying he shouldn't say those words, though, because I loved hearing Piers' frustration...and naughty thoughts.

I loved reading this story and I loved listening too. I'm so glad I have my very first Kerrigan Byrne historical romance on audible and I am sure it will be regularly re-read/listened to. That is until the Victorian Rebels comes to Australia... HINT... HINT... PRETTY PLEASE WITH SUGAR ON THE TOP!! (sorry for shouting)

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Holy Friggerroly…that was bloody AWESOME!!

I saw a post on Twitter the other day that made me a little sad. No book or author was mentioned but a reviewer was disheartened and ready to give up reviewing after she’d been targeted and harassed because of a negative review. That bothered me, but then, I was also upset by a comment that was further down in the post. Another reviewer was complaining about all the OTT fangirling reviews.

Hmmm…

Now, how am I going to convince you to read this awesome story that is my absolute favourite from Kerrigan Byrne (since her last release) without sounding OTT fangirling? Well, friends and fellow readers, I just can’t. Sorry, you’ll just have to grin and bear my fangirling tendencies because I LOVE THIS AUTHOR and I LOVE HER HISTORICAL ROMANCES!!

Seriously, Kerrigan Byrne can do no wrong in my eyes. Well, maybe she could do wrong if I knew her in real life, but writing-wise, she is a BLOODY MASTER at her craft. How to Love a Duke in Ten Days was amazing and kept me enthralled from start to finish. As soon as this story loaded up on my Kindle, I HAD to start. I squirmed with glee at the turn of the first page and sighed in contentment with every page turned after that. Ms Byrne’s words…worlds…characters are my happy place and I’m sad to say goodbye at the end.

I absolutely love Kerrigan Byrne’s ability to capture my attention at the beginning with a scene that was thought-provoking and a little heartbreaking. This author sucks you in by showing us the heroine at her most vulnerable. We then get to see her survive, grow and eventually conquer the demons that made her vulnerable. To be honest, that squirmy, uncomfortable, icky feeling she leaves me with is something I look forward to. Isn’t that weird? I guess the appeal is in knowing that this character WILL win in the end. If that win is just in love, then I’m fairly satisfied. If that win also happens to be from conquering a fear or getting past a barrier, then I’m ecstatic.

When I met Alexandra and her Red Rogue friends Cecilia and Francesca, I knew that I was meeting new friends. When I met Piers, the hero, I knew I was meeting my next favourite HERO!!! This man made my heart flutter. Big, broody and bossy…just the way I love them. So, on meeting him I was fluttery, by the end, I was swooning, sighing and squirming with delight. He’d fallen and he’d fallen hard…I love it when the hero falls hard for his heroine.

How to Love a Duke in Ten Days left me extremely satisfied, but I can admit that at times it was hard to read. Alexandra had a horrible thing happen to her at a young and vulnerable age. If she hadn’t had the support and love from her two friends, there’s a good chance she may not have survived. While the journey was a little rocky at times, I was never in any doubt that Piers and Alexandra would work through their problems together. I knew that Piers would be thoughtful and understanding. He cared about Alexandra's feelings and while Piers knew it left him vulnerable, showed her how much she meant to him.

Yes, I have written a very positive review, but I know this book will not be for everyone. For starters, if you’re not a fan of sexy stories, this is probably not for you. If a wee bit of mystery, a touch of angst and a smidge of secrets, lies and betrayals make you run for the hills, then maybe avoid this one. How to Love a Duke in Ten Days does touch on some sensitive issues but I never felt overwhelmed and thought the author handled it very well.

From the first page to the last, I was captivated. Piers and Alexandra’s love story was exactly what I’m looking for in my historical romance reads. I smiled, sighed, sniffled and squirmed throughout this story and I loved every minute of it. If you haven’t read a Kerrigan Byrne historical romance yet, this start to The Devil You Know series would be a fantastic introduction. But be warned…once you start, you won’t be able to stop.

Stacey is Sassy, received an advanced copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.