5 of 5 starsThis was a delightful story of enemies to lovers, and Ms. Barnes weaves a wonderful story of mishaps and accidents. Callum, the Duke of Stratton, has always been regarded as honorable and unflappable, that is, until he's in the company of Lady Emily Brooke. Then, he becomes a babbling and clumsy idiot. He's either stepped on her toes, spilled wine on her, or, worst of all, ripped her dress, all because he becomes so flustered around her. So, he did the only thing he could and has avoided her for six years.
The one person Lady Emily wished to avoid was the Duke of Stratton because every time they'd been in the same room together in the past, something horrible always happened, but when she ran into him while walking her dog, she was surprised to see a young boy with him. Come to find out Peter was now his ward after losing his parents, and her little dog has done the one thing that Callum hasn't been able to do--put a smile on Peter's face. Thus began a tentative truce in their relationship.
I really loved how the powerful Duke of Stratton could be reduced to a nervous wreck, and it was fun to watch him change and grow in Emily's company. He was taken by surprise that the more time he spent with Emily, the more he wanted. When she began to show interest in him, he wanted to be more than her friend. When she suggests a fake courtship, he agrees, and that's when things spiral out of control. The whole plot around the three dukes writing a book was quite inventive, but it also led to a series of misunderstandings that threatened to cost Stratton Emily's affection before they finally got their happily ever after.
I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.
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