#Review: MOONSTONE DUKE by Meara Platt

 

5 of 5 stars

Ms. Platt is one of my favorite authors and her books are absolutely wonderful. "The Moonstone Duke" is the first book in a new series about the Killigrew sisters.

Cain St. Austell, the Duke of Malvern, has retreated from London to his country home in Moonstone Landing. He's trying to defeat the demons from the war that plague his mind by working alongside his tenants, hoping to exhaust himself so he can sleep at night. One day while out in the pasture, he meets Lady Henley Killigrew when she is injured on his property, and it is like being struck by lightning. He is immediately drawn to her inner sparkle and vows he'll make her his, but Lady Henley is known to be very cautious. Can Cain convince her that it's love at first sight?

This was a delightful story of a war veteran trying to tame his demons. Ms. Platt does a good job of not minimizing the trauma that the soldiers endured, and I was glad Cain wasn't all of a sudden relieved of his nightmares. Little did Cain realize it was Lady Henley who would be the key to healing his tortured mind. He'd never been affected by any other young lady like he was when he met Henley. When Cain learns of her family's plight, he offers to help her recover her funds which have been stolen by her evil cousin. Henley is reluctant to trust a man she just met, but there's something about the duke that pulls her closer. Against her better judgment, she agrees to accept Cain's offer. I loved this couple. They complemented each other so well--Henley was all goodness and kindness, while Cain resembled an angry bear. It was a good balance for both of them.

It's good to be a duke, and Cain works hard to make things right for Henley, her sisters, her cousin, and two spinster aunts. There is a good mystery in the story of how the current Earl of Stoke managed to steal from the young women. I loved seeing Cain and Henley grow closer and realize what they have is a once-in-a-lifetime romance. After a few more twists and turns, Cain and Henley finally get their HEA.

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