A Scot to the Heart: Desperately Seeking Duke

Caroline Linden

Jun 2021 · Desperately Seeking Duke Book 2 · Sold by HarperCollins

About this eBook

The second book in the clever, sexy Desperately Seeking Duke series from USA Today bestselling and RITA award–winning author Caroline Linden.

An Officer and a Scotsman

Captain Andrew St. James always knew he came from a noble family, but his branch grew far from the wealth and status. Nothing shocks him more than learning that he now stands as heir presumptive to his distant cousin the Duke of Carlyle. There is much for Drew to learn and adjust to—but first he goes home to Edinburgh, to tell his mother and three sisters of their startling good fortune.

A Lady and a Temptress

Ilsa Ramsay yearns for some adventure and fun, not another husband. When she discovers the handsome soldier who sweeps her off her feet for a rollicking dance is her friend’s brother, soon to be an English duke, she tells herself he’s not for her, no matter how tempting he is. But one impulsive kiss, then another, and another… says otherwise.

An Irresistible Attraction

Drew means to marry a respectable, dignified Englishwoman—a very proper future duchess. The spirited Ilsa is none of that. Still, when she’s caught in a dangerous scandal, he leaps to her aid without hesitation. And neither family duty nor future obligation can make them ignore what’s in both their hearts.

Ratings and reviews

I enjoyed this book. If I'm brutally honest here that was really all do to the characters, which I truly loved. I thought Drew and Ilsa were amazing. Skillfully crafted layers and connections made them and the secondary characters incredibly easy to bond with and fall for. The chemistry between this couple burned brightly and I as the reader found it as impossible to resist as the main characters themselves did. The romance, friendship and the familial relationships are strong and compelling and I found myself consumed by them. For the most part I found the story fun and quite delightful. This is my frank, freely posted review.

Having met Captain Andrew St James in the first book of the series, I was delighted to read his story. I found the first half of the plot enjoyable and Drew did not disappoint me. His meeting with the seemingly wild Ilsa Ramsay boded well for the future until her family got in the way. Ilsa brought humor to the story, but her inability to stand up for herself disappointed me. As a series of crimes take place, making Drew's own family victims of a thief, it upends all Ilsa's expectations for the future. Drew's steadfastness in the face of incriminating evidence makes him a real hero, but I was unsettled by the eventual outcome of this novel. It is nevertheless well written and I loved the descriptions of Scotland, bringing back memories of my travels in the area. I received a copy of this novel as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Due to his distant cousin's untimely death, Scotsman Drew is shocked to discover that he's the heir to a dukedom. His first order of business is to tell his family. HIs second is to resign from the army. And his third is to find a proper English wife to help him fulfill his responsibilities. But when he meets merry widow Ilsa, his sister's best friend in Edinburgh, he's smitten. Could she be the wife he needs? Or could her family's scandal endanger his freedom, and even his life? I loved this book. Drew and Ilsa were interesting characters individually and adorable as a couple. The romance developed naturally and organically, with a strong attraction that grew into love and respect. The scandal didn't really hit until the second half of the book, testing the couple's devotion. This is, unbelievably, my first Caroline Linden book. Now I can't wait read through her backlist. While this novel stands alone, you might enjoy the series more if you read it in order. The first book, ABOUT A ROGUE, is just as much fun. Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

About the author

Caroline Linden knew from an early age she was a reader, not a writer. She earned a math degree from Harvard University and wrote computer code before turning to fiction. Her books have won the Daphne du Maurier Award, the NJRW Golden Leaf Award, and RWA’s RITA® Award, and have been translated into seventeen languages around the world. She lives in New England with her family. Find her online at www.CarolineLinden.com.