No Other Duke But You: A Playful Brides Novel

Valerie Bowman

Apr 2019 · Playful Brides Book 11 · Sold by St. Martin's Paperbacks

About this ebook

Bestselling author Valerie Bowman sets the stage in Regency England for her Playful Brides series, where couples' misadventures on the way to the altar are witty, romantic romps based on some of the world's most beloved plays. The eleventh book in the series, No Other Duke But You, is inspired by William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

SINGLE LADY SEEKS DUKE

Lady Delilah Montebank has her marital sights set on the Duke of Branville. There’s just one problem: he barely knows she exists. But no matter, she’s got a plan to win him over with her charm, her wit—and perhaps the love potion she has in her possession wouldn’t hurt her cause...

Lord Thomas Hobbs, Duke of Huntley, thinks his best friend Delilah’s quest to become a duchess is ridiculous. He’s always said he’d rather give up all the brandy in London than commit to one person for life. Besides, he knows that Delilah’s love potion can’t possibly win over Branville...since she accidentally gave it to him instead. But perhaps this is the excuse he needs to show her he’s always loved her...

Delilah can’t believe she gave the potion to the wrong duke. Then again, Delilah could do a lot worse than win the hand of her handsome best friend. Could it be that the right duke has been before her eyes all along?


The Playful Brides novels are:
“Wholly satisfying.”—USA Today
“Smart and sensual.”—RT Book Reviews
“Delicious.” —Kirkus Reviews

Ratings and reviews

Delilah and Thomas are best friends in No Other Duke but You by Valerie Bowman, book eleven, and the final book in her Playful Brides series, uses Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream as a play put on by the story’s characters as well as part of the plot. Delilah Montebank is a spirited young lady who is constantly belittled and berated by her mother, undermining her confidence. Her mother has given Delilah an ultimatum to obtain an offer of marriage by her birthday or her mother will marry her off to the unpleasant heir to an earldom and son of the man mother is hoping to marry. Delilah is unconventional and lacks social graces, but she has a heart of gold as well as good intentions. To counter her mother’s threat she unfortunately blurts out that she has set her sights on the catch of the season, the Duke of Branville. Since Delilah and her friend Lady Lucy Hunt have been successfully matchmaking for many of their friends she firmly believes that getting this match should not be a problem. Thomas Hobbs, the Duke of Huntley, has been Delilah’s best male friend for many years. He has kept himself off the market as the only woman he wants, and secretly loves, is Delilah. Thomas has taken care of his family holdings, his mother and sisters since the death of his father. One major obligation Thomas still has is to arrange a marriage for his overbearing, egotistical older sister Lavina. Thomas agrees to help Delilah only if she and Lucy will find a match for his sister. He might agree to help Delilah find another man but he will work behind the scenes to find a way for Delilah to see him as her perfect match and believe that he is her one, true love. After all, who but Thomas understands Delilah and accepts her as she is. While all of this is all happening, Delilah and her friends are trying to put on a play, for charity. Knowing that Delilah’s mother would totally disapprove of such behavior, even for charity, this group of friends needs to accomplish all in secret. Like the play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, there are plans being made for romance and matchmaking that follows much of the play. People make plans for their perfect match only to ensnare the wrong person. There is even a love potion, mirroring the one in the play. It is a comedy of errors, to borrow the title of another Shakespeare’s plays. The adventures are humorous, laugh out loud funny, and yet sometime heartbreaking. Ms. Bowman wrote a charming, clever, entertaining and amusing story that is not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with humorous escapades, amusing banter, sexual chemistry and endearing characters giving Delilah and Thomas true love, happiness, and a future together. I highly recommend No Other Duke but You to other readers. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

I’ve read many of the titles in this series, although not the last handful, and it doesn’t mean you can’t pick up this series at any point. Bowman’s ability to set the world and create characters that are easily introduced and develop before your eyes helps the reader to quickly see what is going on and pulls you in. Here we have childhood friends Delilah and Thomas: perfectly suited to one another and utterly in synch. The only problem with this is Thomas’ inability to tell Delilah just how he feels, and her inability to see what EVERYONE else does – that they are actually in love with one another and the two are perfectly suited. And it is easy for readers to see it too – he’s everything that Delilah claims to want – but she’s obsessed with another, far less perfect for her man – and that’s all she can see. While she’s been busy with her matchmaking, Delilah hasn’t really focused on her own wish to marry, but with her mother pushing an ultimatum forward, Delilah has to move and move now, just to get what she thinks she wants. A mis-sent potion, plenty of twists, some ridiculous conclusions and Thomas finally finding the words and the courage to speak up and tell Delilah exactly how he feels – and…. Oh this was fun – characters popping in and out repeatedly, hijinks, communication and miscommunication, tons of twists, turns and lots of laughs – all as hearts throb for Thomas in the hopes that Delilah will see sense, and wondering just how blatantly he has to dance in front of her for her to see him as he is – perfect for her and not just as a friend who can (and does) often anticipate her every desire. This book manages to bring all of the good things in friends to lovers romance stories and blended it with the sense and feel of a Regency romance that doesn’t fall into the ‘damsel in distress’ trap – but allows us to see the true match that is between them. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Lady Delilah Montebank hasn't been concerned with finding herself a match...she has been too busy matching up other people for marriage with her best friend Lucy Hunt, Duchess of Claringdon. When her mother informs her that if she does not find a match by the end of the season, she will wed Lord Hilton's hideous son, Clarence. Determined to prove her mother wrong, Delilah sets her sights on the Duke of Branville. Too bad Delilah's best friend, Lord Thomas Hobbs, Duke of Huntley has other thoughts on the matter. He has secretly been in love with his best friend for years and Thomas is going to do whatever he can to get Delilah to fall in love with him! Oh this was such a great friends to lovers historical romance! I just adored Delilah and Thomas. They were both a little quirky in their own ways but I just loved it! It was obvious they belonged together and it was such a fun ride waiting for them to get there. I loved reading about Thomas hobby...who knew the start of photography went that far back! Overall I just loved this story and its great characters. I highly recommend this!

About the author

Valerie Bowman grew up in Illinois with six sisters (she’s number seven) and a huge supply of historical romance novels. After a cold and snowy stint earning a degree in English with a minor in history at Smith College, she moved to Florida the first chance she got. Valerie now lives in Jacksonville with her family including her mini-schnauzers, Huckleberry and Violet. When she’s not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS.