Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare [Review]

Romancing the Duke (Castles Ever After #1) by Tessa Dare
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: September 1, 2014

Castles Ever After
1. Romancing the Duke - Paperback | Kindle
2. Say Yes to the Marquess

Tessa Dare
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

In the first in Tessa Dare's captivating Castles Ever After series, a mysterious fortress is the setting for an unlikely love . . .

As the daughter of a famed author, Isolde Ophelia Goodnight grew up on tales of brave knights and fair maidens. She never doubted romance would be in her future, too. The storybooks offered endless possibilities.

And as she grew older, Izzy crossed them off. One by one by one.

Ugly duckling turned swan?
Abducted by handsome highwayman?
Rescued from drudgery by charming prince?
No, no, and… Heh.

Now Izzy’s given up yearning for romance. She’ll settle for a roof over her head. What fairy tales are left over for an impoverished twenty-six year-old woman who’s never even been kissed?

This one.

Thoughts on Romancing the Duke: I liiiiiked this one. I just... I don't know. I got a kick out of how surly Ransom was. I liked how he described Izzy's hair as "hungry" and octopus-like (probably not as amusing for her, but MAN that was a great visual!). I liked how she liked hearing him curse first thing in the morning (and his brutally honest explanation for why he did). I JUST LIKED IT ALL!

Anyway. Ransom. He was definitely surly. With good reason, mind you. Who wouldn't be all persnickety over a gently bred young woman showing up at his castle and upsetting his careful routine? Yeah. Ransom doesn't take that well. Good thing Izzy isn't one to back down or this book wouldn't have been nearly as entertaining.

And Izzy does fight for what she wants. She might think it's the castle and a roof over her head, but it's so much more than that. She's fighting be be heard and to be loved for herself, not as the child in a storybook. She's fighting to find herself amidst the fantasy the books have woven about her childhood.

She's also fighting for a heart-pumping, knee-weakening first kiss. She just doesn't know it yet.

As always, Tessa Dare's characters are a delight (it turns out I, like Izzy, also have a weakness for a man in well-worn boots) and the romance is swoon-worthy. Bring on the surly heroes, I say. They make delicious main characters!