Along Came a Duke audiobook

Tenía mil años que no leía romance histórico y ya necesitaba mi dosis.Y que más que una historia de una solterona con un DUQUE, si leyeron bien un duque es my weakness.Tabitha sabe que prefiere quedarse solterona a perder su libertad con un hombre y más si es un canalla, sin vergüenza, aunque muy atractivo como el duque de Preston. Pero recibe la noticia que es la heredera de una fortuna y para poder cobrarla se tiene que casar con el hombre que dispuso su tío y ella prefiere casarse cobrar la herencia que ser siempre la sirvienta de sus tíos y sin sueldo.Preston se entera de esto y no está dispuesto que Tabby se case con un hombre que sólo quiere su dinero y que en el proceso va a cambiar su esencia libre y hará todo lo imposible para impedir esa boda aunque pierda su corazón.La verdad es que al principio se me hizo muy lento, pero conforme avanza mejora muchísimo, me gustaron mucho los protagonistas y su humor, la tensión sexual que tenían y me hubiera encantado que tuviera más escenas spicy, más besos.De igual manera me gustó, no es el mejor de la autora y puede que siga con la serie.

This is the first book I've read by Elizabeth Boyle and there's no doubt that I'll be coming back for more - I'm absolutely thrilled to have discovered an author who can match Julia Quinn in terms of keeping me up late at night thinking, "just another few pages..." When Tabitha Timmons is pronounced an heiress, she immediately sees it as her golden opportunity to escape the care of her overbearing aunt and uncle who have been enjoying her company as their personal maid. There's a catch though - in order to inherit, she must marry before she reaches her majority, and not just any man, but a certain Mr. Barkworth to be exact - or at least, this is what everyone tells her.A problem presents itself however in the form of the most dashing and most ruggedly handsome Duke of Preston (sigh) who soon has Tabitha feeling weak in her knees and, more to the point, becomes determined to save her from marrying a man whom he believes to be completely wrong for her (not because he thinks he's right for her of course - no, no, not at all - just because...LOL)Packed with humor, Boyle had me grinning all the way through, and I must add that her writing style is most inspiring - this lady has TALENT! A most excellent read for those of you who are especially fond of smart/fun banter between the characters, because this book is full of that!

Ya saben que soy fiel seguidora de este género y que por regla general soy muy exigente con estas historias. Y desde hace un tiempo, todas las novelas que había leído de este género no terminaban de gustarme por una u otra cosa.Así que la pesimista de mí, pensé que me iba a pasar lo mismo con este libro. Que iba a tener algo que hiciera que no me gustara del todo, pero gran error el mío, pues este libro ha logrado regresarme la fe en este género.- ¿Por qué sonríes? - le preguntó Tabitha. Preston bajó la mirada hacia ella y le contó la verdad.- Estoy pensando en cómo sacarte de aquí.- No seas escandaloso - lo regañó, pero a él le pareció que no le disgustaba la idea.- Escandaloso sería pedirte que te escaparas conmigo esta noche. Le susurró Preston, pero decidió no hacerlo...por muy tentador que fuera pedirle que se escabullera en la noche con él.Por un lado tenemos a Tabitha, la respetable hija de un vicario que vive en un pueblo “maldito” donde todas las jóvenes están condenadas a quedarse solteras puesto que si se casan, la maldición dice que se volverán locas y puede que hasta lleguen a matar a sus esposos. Tabitha y sus amigas están conformes con esto y ninguna tiene planes de boda en su cabeza. En especial Tabitha, quien la sirvienta gratuita de sus terribles tíos, los cuales han sido sus tutores desde la muerte de su padre.Pero para sorpresa de Tabitha, un tío del que nunca ha escuchado, le deja una gran herencia pero para acceder a ella, debe de casarse con un noble al que su tío ha seleccionado para ella.Y por el otro lado, tenemos a Preston, un duque que se ha dedicado a crear una pavorosa fama y a jugar con la alta sociedad de Londres como si se tratará de su circo personal.Preston no siempre fue así, antaño era un amado hijo y hermano que vivía en una gran y acogedora familia feliz, pero las fiebres se llevaron a su familia entera, dejándolo solo en el mundo.Un día, el camino de Preston y Tabitha se cruzan y al principio ambos sienten un fuerte rechazo el uno por el otro, pero tras una extraña cena secreta, ambos se dan cuenta que se entienden el uno al otro mejor que nadie en el mundo. Y para asombro de Preston, no puede evitar pensar una y otra vez en la remilgada hija del vicario y cuando se entera que esta va a casarse, su yo mezquino no puede evitar salir a la luz y solo le pone las cosas más difíciles a Tabby.Preston miró el cabello alborotado de Tabitha, sus labios hinchados, los ojos entornados con una expresión de dicha y pensó que no había ninguna duda sobre lo que había ocurrido entre los dos.No tienen ni idea de lo mucho que disfrute de la personalidad de Tabitha y Preston.Ella que ha crecido en un pueblito y siendo casi casi la sirvienta, no tiene miedo de poner a Preston en su lugar de una forma bastante majadera y por su parte Preston es tan arrogante, mezquino y canalla, que sí, me fue imposible no prendarme a él y morir de risa cuando su mezquindad salía a luz. Yo pensé que solo iba hacer un dandi más que se cree todo poderoso, pero Preston tiene muchas facetas, las cuales disfrute todas y cada una de ellas. Pero Tabby y Preston no son los únicos personajes dignos de mención, pues también están los tíos gemelos de Preston, los cuales solo son más grandes que él por unos meses y los cuales me han encantado.También están los mejores amigos de Tabby y Preston, Harriet Hathaway y el Conde Roxley, quienes al aparecer traen una historia entre ellos (historia que obviamente muero de ganas de leer) y los cuales son parte fundamental en la relación de Tabby y Preston.Y por si eso fuese poco, tengo que hacer una mención honorifica para el señor Muggins, el adorable perro de Tabby quien siente una terrible aversión por las plumas y que también será parte de la alianza entre su dueña y Preston.Así que con sus personajes fuertes y divertidos, y una pluma muy ligera, Elizabeth Boyle me ha enamorado nuevamente del género romántico histórico.

We loved this book. It's a whimsical, lighthearted romp that doesn't skimp on the sexual tension. If your favorite Historical Romances are low-angst and high-fun, this is a perfect series starter.⁠40-Word Summaries⁠Laine: Preston's been told he must marry to repair his scandalous reputation, which is complicated by his infatuation with a vicar's daughter. When she's betrothed to an idiot because her family hates her and wants her money, continued ruination is necessary.⁠⁠⁠Meg: Tabitha inherits a fortune, but only by marrying an awful (though good looking) boor. Can she get him to cry off? Maybe if he (view spoiler)[surprises her in the footman’s closet with the hottest duke in town (hide spoiler)] he’ll do just that.⁠www.linktr.ee/plottrysts

Fun book, with a slight Cinderella theme. Tabitha is a vicar's daughter who, upon the death of her father, was taken in by her aunt and uncle. They didn't want her, but she was part of the deal that enabled her uncle to take over the vicar's position. Tabitha has spent the last several years as her relatives' servant. That all changes when she is left a huge fortune - as long as she marries the man her late uncle picked for her, a paragon of virtue named Mr. Barkworth. Tabitha is informed of this on the same day she told an insufferable and rakish Mr. Preston that she had no wish ever to get married. Her relatives quickly have her on the road to London and the promise of a speedy marriage.Mr. Preston, who is actually the Duke of Preston, met Tabitha when he and his friend Roxley had an accident while participating in a bet. Preston has quite the reputation for reckless behavior, and this is just one more example. His latest antics have caused him to be shunned by society, and his aunt and uncle to try to convince him to mend his ways.From the moment that Preston and Tabitha meet, there are sparks between them. Tabitha is a spirited young woman who has had a hard time of it but accepts it and moves on. I loved the first meeting between her and Preston, where she has no trouble pushing back against his arrogance. For his part, Preston is amused by her and finds himself unable to forget her. A chance encounter on the road has them sharing a private dinner. I loved this scene as Preston teases Tabitha and she gives as good as she gets. We also get some insight into the past that affects Preston's behavior as an adult. Tabitha knows that she isn't being wise, but there is something about Preston that she can't resist.Their next encounter is two weeks later. Preston hasn't been able to forget Tabitha. He is stunned when they meet again, and he learns of her upcoming betrothal. He is dismayed by what he sees as her relatives' attempts to turn her into another "Bath miss" and is determined to save her from such a fate. I loved his appearance at the same function that night. His outrageous behavior is great fun to watch as he pokes at the so stuffy Barksworth. I loved seeing Preston's protectiveness as he tries to save Tabitha from a miserable marriage without realizing why he feels so strongly about it. In spite of his rakish reputation, there is a very sweet side to him also. I loved the scene with the bluebells. Tabitha can't help but compare the two men, and each encounter makes it more obvious which she would rather be with. The tension picks up when Preston learns the details of the betrothal and becomes determined to save Tabitha. His methods are effective in one way, but she isn't in the clear quite yet. There is still excitement to come as Preston finally realizes why he's so protective of Tabitha. The final scenes are great fun as both Preston and Tabitha do what they must to get the future they want.I liked Tabitha from the start. She is feisty and independent even while stuck with her miserable aunt and uncle. I enjoyed her quick wit as she traded barbs with Preston over dinner and again in London. I would have liked to see her stand up to Barksworth and her relatives a bit sooner, but she did come through in the end.I wasn't as sure about Preston at first. He came across as spoiled and uncaring, especially when it came to the bet that started the book. I ached for him as his past was revealed and felt that maybe there was some hope for him after all. Tabitha's effect on him was huge as she inspired him to change.I also enjoyed the supporting characters. Preston's friend Roxley is a terrific friend and is there to support him when he's most needed. I had to laugh at his fear of his Aunt Essex and the lengths he took to avoid her. I'm looking forward to seeing his story. Preston's aunt was quite a force to be reckoned with, and I really enjoyed seeing her try to save him from himself. I'm also looking forward to seeing how Preston's uncle deals with the results of the prank that Preston and Roxley have played on him. I also liked Tabitha's friends, Harry and Daphne. Harry is forthright, and some of the things she says and does are pretty amusing. There is a history between her and Roxley, and I look forward to finding out more about it. I wasn't sure about Daphne at first because of her support of Barksworth, and her dislike of Preston. As that seems to be the result of some kind of family feud, I have a feeling that she has some surprises in store for her.

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The same day that the very respectable vicar's daughter Miss Tabitha Timmons tells the insufferable, yet horribly alluring Mr Preston that she has no need to get married, she finds herself unexpectedly engaged to a gentleman she has never met. But she can't get the enticing Mr Preston and the feelings he evokes in her out of her mind and another chance encounter that ends with a wager and a kiss leaves not only Tabitha's head spinning.This is my first Elizabeth Boyle read, but it won't be my last as I am already impatiently awaiting the next book in this series! For me, this had everything I love about a light hearted historical romance; a spunky heroine not afraid to speak her mind; a cute dog; witty and fun dialogue that had me grinning and a hero I can daydream about.After that glowing praise it may seem strange that I didn't give the book a higher rating, but the reason for this is that Preston, the hero of the book, took me some time to warm to. At the beginning I found Preston to be childish and thoughtless but as the book went on he grew on me. I think it was a combination of his charm, which shines through the pages, and Ms Boyle adding some maturity to his character as the book progresses, making him seem less like a delinquant boy and more like a mischevious man, something that was far more attractive.What I also like about this book, was although it wasn't a particularly steamy and there was never any long graphic sex scenes, it had instead a build of sexual chemistry and connection between the Tabitha and Preston. Although, in true romance style, they hadn't seen eachother all that often they seemed like old friends and I always felt like they belonged to one another.I really enjoyed this book, if you are looking for fun, light hearted and romantic read, something akin to Julia Quinn, then you should pick this book up. 

1st read by Boyle and I was thoroughly entertained all the way to the end. I had many laugh out loud moments. Boyle's had me clamoring for more. Preston has me enchanted and Tabby is a jewel full of non lady like qualities for the ton. Which has me loving her all the more. Now her relations earned the dubious pleasure of being despised.

Vikki’s MusingsIt has been a while since I have read a book by Elizabeth Boyle. I am so glad I picked Along Came a Duke to re-enter Ms. Boyle’s amazing writing world. I thoroughly enjoyed being transported back to Regency England in this wonderful story. Elizabeth Boyle does not disappoint!This is a fast-paced romance from start to finish. In fact, while listening to it, I had a difficult time stopping to take care of mundane tasks. This book has a sweetly developing love story, yet Ms. Boyle kept it going with excellent sexual tension, one of the things I love most about historical romances.Tabitha Timmons is a wonderful heroine. With just the right amount of spunky kid rolled into the waif character arch. While this starts out as a Cinderella story, it is much more than that. I loved the heroine’s lively spirit and saucy tongue when dealing with the bad boy duke.At first, I didn’t think I would like the Duke of Preston’s character. He is a bit brash in the beginning and Ms. Boyle paints his character as an uncaring, notorious rake to such a point that he is no longer received by polite society. As the story unfolds, his back story pulled at my heart, and had me misty-eyed for the sad young boy he must have been. His need to always have company when he dines shows his vulnerable side.Since I listened to the audio version, I want to mention the narration by Susan Duerden. She does an outstanding job giving all the characters distinctive voices, from the heroine to the servants. It was easy to figure out who was speaking. Unfortunately, I struggled while listening to the narrative portion of the book. Ms. Duerden has a bit of a sing-song tone to her voice. However, that is not present during the dialogue.I always love a traditional Regency romance with the added benefit of the slow burn of sexual tension building to the actually love scene. If you enjoy historical romances, then Along Came a Duke is sure to please. I know I found it completely satisfying. Happy reading!