This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Reviewed by Jennifer Joyce
Gardener’s daughter Sarah Osborne has grown up alongside the wealthy Hawkins family after a chance encounter with the young Duke of Trent, Simon Hawkins. Now a maid within the household, Sarah finds herself fantasising about Simon. As a maid, she knows she will never be able to marry a duke, but her attraction grows when Simon returns to the house after a three-year absence. Simon’s mother, the Duchess of Trent, has disappeared and, with the help of his siblings, he intends to find her.
Before Simon left three years earlier, he and Sarah shared a passionate kiss and he assumed the time away would dampen his attraction to her. But, if anything, Simon desires Sarah more upon his return. He tries to resist temptation, knowing nothing could ever really happen between the pair. Though Sarah has grown up with Simon and his siblings, society will not see Sarah in the same way and a lowly maid could never marry a duke. However, Simon isn’t strong enough to battle his intense feelings, especially when he and Sarah, along with Simon’s younger sister, Esme, travel to London together in search of the Duchess.
From the start, I warmed to both Sarah and the Hawkins family, particularly the Duchess, who took young Sarah under her wing. Sarah’s father, the Hawkins’ gardener, is doing his best to bring up Sarah on his own after the death of his wife, but the Duchess takes a shine to Sarah and insists she be educated with her own children. The Duchess is warm and loving, so I was intrigued by her sudden and mysterious disappearance and hoped that she would be found safe and well.
As a main character, I really liked Sarah. She is strong yet knows her place in society and is fully aware of the futility of her feelings for Simon. I felt for her as she attempted to fit in with high society during her visit to London. Having grown up around the Hawkins siblings, she knows the rules, but is constantly afraid of being caught out as she temporarily rids herself of her maid status. I also liked Simon. As a duke, he has responsibilities and he is prepared to carry out his duties, but he can’t help falling for Sarah.The Duchess Hunt is a charming historical romance, with a host of likeable characters and an engaging storyline.
8/10
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