Title: A Duke in Shining Armor
Author: Loretta Chase
Series: Difficult Dukes #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Regency romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2017

This was one of those few stories that I almost put in the DNF pile, but then decided to plod along. Normally, even if I do this, I find that I regret just not stopping. That was not the case with A Duke in Shining Armor. Once I got past that hurdle, about a third of the way through, I actually started to fall in love with this story. Not only did I find that the storyline picked up pace, but I also started to really and truly connect with the characters. It was at this point that I realised I wanted to know what was going to happen. And I really, really wanted a happily ever after for the main characters.

A Duke in Shining Armor was a fun historical romance with all of the typical social morales and expectations. It didn’t necessarily detour too far from the genre’s conventions, but I loved how well Chase slotted into this. There’s a reason I like regency / historical romances, and I love that Chase ticked all of my boxes for this genre. She was also able to use this lens to really highlight the difference in societal expectations for men and women. Although women may have more choice and freedom in the world today (at least where I’m from), but there is still a stark difference between the different pathways. Chase was able to not only reflect on today’s difference in expectations and societal norms, but also those of the past. And she did this so seamlessly that I kind of didn’t realise it was happening until I turned the final page. Potent, beautiful and gifted.

Although it took me a little while to engage with the storyline of A Duke in Shining Armor, I did love Olympia from pretty much the beginning. It takes a lot of courage to run out on a wedding in this day and age, so the fact that she does this in a regency romance? It was already going to show a very different character. Then, there’s the fact that she is fiery and independent, initially it seems to be due to alcohol, but it quickly becomes apparent that this is how she is. Plus, she is completely loyal and loving to her family. I love how much of a backbone she has and how willing she is to stand on her own two feet to do the right thing. I also love how truly exasperated she gets with the males of her species – because, honestly, who hasn’t been there before?

Where I immediately took to Olympia, Ripley was more “alright”. And possibly why it took me a little longer to warm to the romance. Probably because he wasn’t any of the things that I really enjoy in a literary man. Plus, he took a little too much joy in messing with his friends, without really thinking through the consequences. Honestly, most of the conflict throughout this story was simply because Ripley and his two best friends just refuse to actually think through the consequences of their decision making. But, ultimately, he decides on Olympia (eventually), and this made all of the mehness of his character kind of okay. It was, at least, enough for me to want to know what happens to his two best friends next.

Image source: Booktopia