Love Letters From a Duke

July 30, 2007
A young society dame with a flair for matchmaking does whatever it takes to ensure her eclectic family's well-being in Boyle's latest Regency romance. After four years of corresponding with her nearly betrothed, the beautiful and resourceful Miss Felicity Langley is poised finally to meet Aubrey, the newly titled duke of Hollingsworth—and gain the wealth to take care of her family's financial woes. What Felicity doesn't know is that her pen pal all along has actually been Aubrey's scheming, ruthless grandfather; the real Aubrey, meanwhile, has been serving as an army captain under the name Thatcher, having denounced his inheritance a dozen years before. Returning to Sussex, Aubrey learns of the duke's arrangement with Felicity and decides to break all ties with her. But when he meets her, as Thatcher, setting off immediate sparks, both face a secret dilemma: Aubrey torn between taking a stand and giving in to love, and Felicity between overwhelming passion and the long-distance relationship she believes will save her family. A terrific crew of supporting characters keep afloat the mistaken-identity plot, making this a full, satisfying read with emotion and laughs throughout.

Starred review from September 15, 2007
Felicity Langley has every intention of marrying a duke, and she knows exactly who the best candidate is: Winston Thomas Michael Aubrey Sterling, the Marquess of Standon and heir to the Duke of Hollindrake. The two spent four years exchanging notes, but what Felicity doesnt know is that ever since the Marquess of Standon disavowed his aristocratic future and joined the British army as Captain Thatcher, his letters are being written by his grandfather, the current Duke of Hollindrake. After the war ends, Thatcher reluctantly returns home, where his first duty as the new Duke of Hollindrake is to let Felicity know he has no intention of marrying her; but when he turns up at her doorstep, Felicity mistakes him for her new footman. Before he can get a word in edgewise, Thatcher is not only swept up in Felicitys plans but also wondering if he really wants to break his engagement to the infuriating, intriguing, and totally irresistible Felicity. With its endearing characters, deliciously sexy romance, and barbed wit, RITA Awardwinning Boyles latest expertly fashioned Regency historical is superb.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)