The Truth About Love and Dukes (Dear Lady Truelove, #1) by Laura Lee Guhrke Series: Dear Lady Truelove #1
Published by Avon on March 28th 2017
Genres: Historical
Pages: 384
Goodreads
“We love who we love, Henry. Love can’t bend to one’s will.”
FINAL DECISION: A cold, old-fashioned man and a woman who works publishing a newspaper. These two should be complete opposites, but instead is an unveiling of the true nature of the selves.
THE STORY: Henry, Duke of Torquil is determined to make “Lady Truelove” pay for advising his mother to go with her heart and marry a penniless artist. When he goes to confront the writer at the paper, he meets Irene Deverill, the publisher (and secretly Lady Truelove herself). When he demands that Irene fix the problem that she caused, the two are put into close contact. An attraction turns into an affair that threatens the lives each is seeking to lead.
OPINION: Can I be honest? Henry starts out the book being pretty much an arse about everything. Determined that his life go smoothly, he is arrogant, self-absorbed and a definite snob. Jerk is another name for him. But isn’t it good when he gets his comeuppance? Just you wait till the end of the book.
I am always impressed when an author can draw readers into a character such that an unsympathetic character can be understood and ultimately become a hero. Gurhke does such a good job here. Henry hides a sensitive soul under old-fashioned, rigid behavior.
Just what he needs is the unconventional vibrant Irene. A woman who has expanded her horizons (somewhat from necessity until she decided she liked it), Irene is a suffragist and a businesswoman. She is unconventional and believes deeply in love.
The romance between these two starts out slowly and it appears that they are doomed to be a mismatched. But as we get to know these two, we find out that they both are the caretakers of their families. As the superficial layers of the two are peeled away, it becomes clear that the two have more in common than they expected. That combined with an intense passion leaves them both with the question — what will they give up for love?
Another part of this book that I really like is that it sits on the edge between traditional and modern society. Taking place in the age of indoor plumbing and telephones, there is a real tension between the old ways and the new ones. The characters have to confront this reality again and again. It is a refreshing spot for a romance and I really enjoyed it.
WORTH MENTIONING: I wish we had learned more about Henry’s mother and her lover. Their story fascinated me as well.
CONNECTED BOOKS: THE TRUTH ABOUT DUKES is the first book in the Dear Lady Truelove series.
STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.