The Duke I Once Knew: Unlikely Duchesses

Olivia Drake

Dec 2018 · Unlikely Duchesses Book 1 · Sold by St. Martin's Paperbacks

About this ebook

When two childhood sweethearts find themselves together after years apart, does their romance have a chance to be rekindled now that he’s a duke and she’s a governess? Olivia Drake’s new Unlikely Duchesses series begins with The Duke I Once Knew, where first love is always the sweetest...

For years, Abigail Linton devoted herself to caring for her parents and her siblings’ children. Now, eager to create a life of her own, Abby seizes upon a position as a governess on a neighboring estate. Unfortunately, her absentee employer is Maxwell Bryce, the Duke of Rothwell, the notorious rake who once broke her youthful heart. But since he hasn’t set foot on his estate for fifteen years, Abby assumes she’ll never have to lay eyes on him ever again. Then, from out of nowhere, Max appears. He is stunned to come face to face with the girl next door he fell for years ago—before he went away, and she stopped writing to him. . .even though Abby swears that he is the one who left her without a word. Could it be that this spirited, witty spinster has won Max’s heart all over again—and that they may have a second chance at love?


Olivia Drake’s novels are:

“Lush.”—Fresh Fiction


“Compelling...filled with intrigue.”—Affaire de Coeur

“Skillful...readers will rejoice.”—RT Book Reviews

Ratings and reviews

I just adore second chances at love. Abigail "Abby" Linton and Maxwell Bryce, the Duke of Rothwell, were once best friends when they were school aged kids. When Max's mom passed away and his dad sent him away, they agreed to keep in touch through letters until they were both of age and could marry. What neither of them knew was that the letters that each of them wrote never made it to the other, so they both thought the other didn't want them anymore. Abby spent most of prime years taking care of her ailing mom. With both parents gone, and nearing 30, Abby decides she has to get out from under her siblings demands and take control of her own life. When she learns that Max's little sister is in need of a governess, she jumps at the chance. After all it has been 15 years since Max left. Abby gets the job and imagine her surprise when Max shows up at Rothwell Court! Yep, fireworks are still there....too bad Max showed up with another woman and his group of friends! As these two dance around their real feelings, the truth of what really happened 15 years ago comes to light. It takes a great leap of faith for these two to get their happy ending that they should have had years ago. I just adored this book. Abby and Max were two young people when they met and their feelings for each other never really died as much as they tried to forget the other. I just love when love and happiness win out in the end. I really enjoyed all the other characters in the story also. Between Abby's crazy family, Lady Gwendolyn and Max's aunt Lady Hester, there is a lot of fun, entertaining craziness going on. Read this book, you will not be sorry!

4.5/5 I loved reading Abby and Max’s amazing story in The Duke I Once Knew by Olivia Drake, book 1 in her Unlikely Duchess series. Youngest child, Abigail Linton spent years devoting herself to caring for her aging parents as well as the children of her siblings. As her siblings debate who she will help next, Abby decides to make her own life; taking on a position as a governess on the neighboring Rothwell estate. When she was younger she befriended Maxwell Bryce, the son of the Duke of Rothwell, her teen heart falling for him; until he left, breaking her heart. Having never returned, Abby expects that Max has forgotten her and she had no worries of running into the infamous rake. Unexpectedly arriving at his estate, Max is irate to find Abby as his sister’s new governess. He does not understand why Abby is also angry since she rejected him all those years ago. He finds that he is still attracted to her and suspects she feels the same. Maybe, they do have a second at love. Despite the chemistry and desire these two shared, they both must overcome the jaded advice given to them by their parents as teens before letting go of the past and sharing a future of love. Ms. Drake wrote an emotionally rich and moving story filled with sexual chemistry, fun dialogue, and endearing characters that are not to be missed. I highly recommend The Duke I Once Knew to other readers. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

I loved Abby's need for independence. Max was self-absorbed in a way, but he realized how his life affected those around him. With plenty of misunderstandings and assumptions, I did not want to stop reading. My heart and emotions were pulled into this story. I highly recommend this story. I received an ARC of this story through Netgalley, and this is my unsolicited review.

About the author

Olivia Drake is a New York Times bestselling author who lives in Texas. Her novels have won critical acclaim and numerous industry awards, including the prestigious RITA. Olivia is the author of Scandal of the Year, Never Trust a Rogue, and If the Slipper Fits among others.