#Review: THE WORST DUKE IN THE WORLD by Lisa Berne

 

2.5 of 5 stars

 

Anthony Farr, the Duke of Radcliffe. suffered through a miserable marriage until the untimely death of his wife. While he should feel saddened, he just felt free. The only good thing to happen was the birth of his beloved son Wakefield. Anthony has vowed never ever to marry again. His walls begin to come down a bit when he meets Miss Jane Kent, a long-lost relative to his neighbors, the Penhallows. Jane cannot believe how her life has turned around from being dirt poor to finding out that she has a family. She is thrilled when her great grandmother welcomes her with open arms. When Jane meets their neighbor, the Duke of Radcliffe, she is taken with his unassuming ways. Little does she realize that the duke has no plans to ever marry again.

I've not read Ms. Berne's books before and I doubt I will read any more books. Her style of writing does not appeal to me. Her sentences run on and on and on and while the dialogue was lighthearted, it became quite silly after a while. I wasn't a fan of either Anthony or Jane. Anthony was quite immature in my opinion while Jane was young and had more of a connection with 8 year old Wakefield than she did with the duke. Also, there was the question of Lady Margaret, Anthony's sister, and why he put up with her shrewish behavior on a constant basis. Was there not a dower house she could have lived in? Sadly, not much happens in this book until the last couple of chapters. I did enjoy the epilogue as it wrapped up quite a few of the issues.

I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.