Any Duchess Will Do is book 4 in Tessa Dare's Spindle Cove series. This is a series of standalones, but I think that it is best if you read them all and in order so that you can understand get context for the behavior of some of the secondary characters in the story.
Here is the publisher's summary" "Griffin York, the Duke of Halford, has no desire to wed this season--or any season--but his diabolical mother abducts him to "Spinster Cove" and insists he select a bride from the ladies in residence. Griff decides to teach her a lesson that will end the marriage debate forever. He chooses the serving girl.
Overworked and struggling, Pauline Simms doesn't dream about dukes. All she wants is to hang up her barmaid apron and open a bookshop. That dream becomes a possibility when an arrogant, sinfully attractive duke offers her a small fortune for a week's employment. Her duties are simple: submit to his mother's "duchess training"... and fail miserably.
But in London, Pauline isn't a miserable failure. She's a brave, quick-witted, beguiling failure--a woman who ignites Griff's desire and soothes the darkness in his soul. Keeping Pauline by his side won't be easy. Even if Society could accept a serving girl duchess--can a roguish duke convince a serving girl to trust him with her heart?"
Griffin and Pauline both stole my heart. They are such good people-- both of them. Griffin has been raised a duke, but he has a heart of gold that has known some heartbreaking loss. He has carried his burden all by himself and is afraid to share it with anyone. Pauline, with her kind, guileless heart shows him that love doesn't always have to hurt.
Pauline lives a simple life. She has simple dreams fueled by her love of books...they are her escape from a life that has not given her much in the way whimsy. When she accepts Griff's offer, she does so with a mind to use the promised boon to fulfill her lifelong passion and open a book store in Spindle Cove. She also wants to provide for her younger sister who has a very loving heart but some cognitive challenges. She doesn't expect to find that the man who was born with the title of "duke" will make her feel like she is a duchess in her own right.
This book was spectacular. It is the best of the series, in my opinion.
There are some scenes in this story that will make your want to read them over and over and over again.
You definitely get the feeling that these two were born in the wrong time. Society's strictures make it difficult for them to pursue the love that grows organically between them in a way that it deserves.
This story takes us on their journey to decide whether they have the courage of their convictions. I couldn't wait to see if they could let go of what they know to follow their hearts!
Tessa Dare is a real words smith! I also listened to the audio version of this and it was superb!
Read the whole series, honestly it is all good. But if you have to choose just one, THIS would be my recommendation!
