ABOUT THE BOOK

Brooding Duke. Notorious rake. Driven by grief. Forcing his enemy’s daughter into marriage for revenge. About to lose his heart.

Vengeance. Preston Seaton, the Duke of Grandhampton will bring down the man who killed his brother through any means necessary. So when Lord Neville Beckett auctions off his daughter’s hand in marriage to pay his debts, Preston makes a bid Beckett can’t refuse—evidence of murder. 

Dreaming of a career as an artist, Penelope welcomes her future as a spinster. So when her father accepts the proposal of a man who despises her, she longs to flee. But she cannot abandon her poor, old father to his destruction. Moving into the powerful duke’s huge mansion, she wonders if she will ever escape this cold, dark prison.

Convinced Penelope played his brother for a fool and got him killed, Preston has no intention of losing his heart. But the sunny artist is soon filling his home with light and joy. Could a forced marriage forged from hatred ever lead to true happiness? And can Preston forgive himself for desiring the only woman his brother ever loved?

MY REVIEW

My first Mariah Stone novel is romantic, captivating, and has a shocking ending. She has an eye for detail and beauty as she describes the beautiful English cityscapes and countryside. 

All Duke and Bothered is told in first-person dual perspectives by Preston Seaton, the Duke of Grandhampton, and The Honorable Penelope Beckett, daughter of a Baron. The story of revenge follows the Duke ruining the man who is responsible for his beloved brother’s death. The ruination involves leveraging the Duke’s enemy’s gambling debt to obtain her daughter’s hand in marriage. 

The marriage is doomed to fail with Preston’s stubborn pride and rush to judgment and Penelope’s yearning to be free to pursue her painting career. However, the heart knows as Preston sees the kind and compassionate woman who befriended his dead brother as he fights his feelings for the one person he’s supposed to hate. And Penelope slowly uncovers the vulnerable and lonely man beneath his brooding and angry exterior. As the feelings grow, Preston’s secrets pull them apart. In the end, he has to choose between love for Penelope or revenge on her father. Will Preston’s pride overrule his happiness?

Penelope’s passion for art is infectious and refreshing for the era. Even after being ridiculed by her father that women are not raised to paint, she insists on doing what she loves. Her unfortunate circumstances with Preston would break most women, but she accepts her fate and gathers her strength to become a respectable Duchess worthy of her title. 

Preston’s deep-seated pain from his childhood and the death of his brother has made him distrustful of others leaving him unhappy and lonely most of his life. However, Penelope changes his life. I loved how Preston surprised Penelope by inviting her favorite artists to work with her on her paintings. When his secrets are revealed it’s heartbreaking and everything is lost. But, with the advice of his lovely family and a memorable grand gesture, everyone lives happily ever after. Not to mention an exciting surprise that changes everything.

If you adore beautiful English scenery with engaging characters who overcome their differences with one seductive kiss at a time, please give this book a try. I can’t wait to read more from this author!

Thank you to Ms. Stone for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

Dukes and Secrets Series

1. All Duke and Bothered (2023)
2. Her Rake Fiance (2024)
3. Project Duke (2024)
4. Betting Against The Scoundrel (2024)

BUY THE BOOK

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amazon Top 100 bestselling author Mariah Stone pens historical and time travel romance featuring regency dukes, tenacious Vikings, and fierce Highlanders, all captivated by strong-willed women. In her downtime, Mariah raises two adorable kids and enjoys romantic North Sea escapes with her husband. A multilingual Outlander and Bridgerton fan, she relishes sushi, Thai food, and runs a local writer’s group. Subscribe to her newsletter for a free time travel book today!

Follow Mariah on her website, Goodreads, Amazon, Facebook, Facebook Group, Instagram, TikTok, Bookbub, Pinterest, Verve Romance, and Newsletter.

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