The Duchess Hunt (House of Trent #1) by Jennifer Haymore
Historical Romance
June 25, 2013
Forever

Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote: “My reputation has no importance when it comes to you…”

Sarah Osborne is the daughter of the Hawkins family gardener. Having been raised and educated with the Hawkins children, she straddles a very fine line in the family. Not their equal as head chambermaid, but held in higher regards than the average servant. She has loved Simon since she was a child. He rescued her from a mishap with a blackberry bush and he became her knight in shining armor. Sarah had no idea Simon felt the same until they shared a passionate kiss but then Simon fled to London the next day and she has not seen him since.

Simon Hawkins has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders. Having held the title of Duke since a young man, he has weathered scandals, rumors, and innuendos concerning his family for years. His main goal now is to bring respectability to the House of Trent. Summoned home when his mother suddenly disappears, he is unsure whether she let of her own accord or through nefarious means. This brings him back into Sarah’s life and he is unhappy to see that his feelings for her have not faded. He stayed away from the family estate for years, ashamed for what he saw as taking advantage of Sarah. He knows he and Sarah have no real chance at a true relationship but his heart doesn’t care.

With his mother’s disappearance in mind, Simon decides to move his sister, Lady Esme and Sarah to London for safety reasons. The move puts Simon and Sarah into closer contact and their passion for one another only burns brighter. Their already doomed love affair is further tested by a very determined debutante and papa who sees Simon as her way to become a Duchess and uses any means necessary to achieve their goals. As Simon struggles to maintain status quo and do the right thing by his family and Sarah, the choice is suddenly taken from him and he finds himself hurting them all.

The Duchess Hunt is a Cinderella-esque story that tells of the forbidden love story between a duke and a servant. As these two destined soulmates navigate the shark filled waters of the ton and its social rules,  I was astounded by the poise and depth of emotion Ms. Haymore is able to impart into their story. I admit to being wary to how Ms. Haymore would pull this off. Dukes do not marry servants. Dally, maybe, but never marry. Complex and seductive, Haymore gently peels apart the layers of their feelings, expectations, social obligations to being us the true hearts of Sarah and Simon.

Sarah and Simon are honorable strong individuals who despite their respective stations in life, truly love one another. Sarah’s strength is especially noticeable as we watch her very realistic mannerisms and emotions. Though Sarah is well aware of her station in life, she is not one to settle on what is expected of her. She knows who and what she wants and while she may never get it, she won’t accept second place from or for anyone. She has a quiet boldness to her that made her a heroine worthy of a Duke.

Simon is just as wonderful as we get an intimate look at his true emotions and the agonizing choices forced on him. His wants and needs war with his unbending honor, yet he’s not so embroiled in society’s rules that he isn’t willing to bend or break a few when needed-especially when it comes to the woman he loves. His love for his family is heartwarming as are the sacrifices he makes for their happiness.

I loved how Ms Haymore didn’t allow Sarah and Simon an easy HEA;  it’s quite dramatic in its unfolding. The sexual and emotional tension keep you on edge and becomes almost unbearable as Haymore introduces even more angst and hard decisions that test our protagonists and their resolves. The mystery behind the Duchess’s disappearance is ripe with intrigue and speculation. It blends seamlessly with the romance and brings us a deeper understanding of the House of Trent and it’s inhabitants. I did wish we would have gone little more deeper into the mystery and the reasons behind it as I felt we really didn’t learn much once the book ended.

The secondary cast of characters add delightful depth and balance to the story. Ms. Hayward crafts them each with such vivid individuality that each begs have their very own story told. The Hawkins family is delightful in their love and camaraderie. We learn so much about them as a family unit and as individuals. Luke’s story is next and I am anxious to divulge deeper into his secrets.

The ending brings us a predictable outcome but the journey there was anything but. The mystery is ongoing so don’t expect a resolution in that storyline. I suspect it will continue to the end of the series; each book giving us more clues and insights into the Duchess, her deceased husband, and the problems festering in the House of Trent. I look forward to more of the series and will continue to keep Ms. Haymore on my list of must read historical romance authors.

Rating: B

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