The Duke’s Holiday by Maggie Fenton (Regency Romp Trology #1)
Released: April 2015
Historical Romance
Montlake

Reviewed by Mandi

I recently saw this book favorably reviewed at Dear Author and it made me realize it’s been awhile since I’ve sat down and giggled through a historical romance. This is a really fun book. The duke of Montford is a very serious, intense, dour duke. He takes his responsibilities very seriously, running a pristine estate and always doing his duty for his country. He is also very particular about the way his life and house is run. He likes everything in its place. His office desk must have his papers in proper order with not an edge of paper out of place. His books are alphabetized. His clothes are hung in his closet to perfection. He’s OCD and doesn’t care. 200 years ago, a contract was signed, giving a Montford property to the Honeywell family, for as long as a male Honeywell was alive. This property includes a castle and a popular brewery. Montford has always been upset his family lost this property, and finds the Honeywell family his biggest nemisis, even if they don’t know it. But finally one day, Montford receives notice the last of the male Honeywells has died – and Montford now wants to reclaim his property. But if he thinks the recently deceased Honeywell was his biggest nemesis, he has yet to meet his daughter.

Astrid Honeywell has been running her crumbling estate this entire year after her father passed away. She knew Montford would be waiting to take away her property as soon as he heard her dad died, so she waited as long as she could to tell him. She not only cares for the estate, but for her sisters and aunt too. Astrid is not your typical lady. She wears trousers, she chases pigs, she doesn’t ride side-saddle. She has never learned to pour tea properly. When Montford rides out to Astrid’s house, his OCD tendencies go into full panic. First, the castle is actually crooked, leaning over to one side. Montford has barely recovered from that non-symmetrical heart-attack when he meets Astrid and realizes she has mismatched-colored eyes. This is only the beginning of exasperating things Montford will encounter.

“But your Grace,” he said in a whisper, as if afraid of being overheard by the carriage walls, “I don’t think they bathe this far north.”

Montford bit back a retort to this ridiculous statement, but it was a ridiculous statement that reflected Montford’s own fears. Who knew what dreadful fate awaited them at Rylestone Hall? Outside privies? Garderobes? He shuddered.

This is a really fun read. As soon as you meet Astrid and her wild siblings and her crazy ways – you know where this book is headed. You know Montford is going to have one headache after another and it’s so much fun to watch him try not to combust with the need to straighten everything in Astrid’s house.  I immediately fell in love with Astrid. She has a lot of responsibility in taking care of her sisters and the estate and trying to keep everyone happy. But I also like that she isn’t perfect. Her sister Alice at one point points out that Astrid’s lack of decorum and lack of seriously trying to get a husband to help them out by not losing the property, is an actual burden. Alice blames Astrid for her shocking behavior which means lack of suitors. I like that this was brought up- it’s one thing to be an over the top heroine and silly, but to bring in the mature side of it, was a nice addition.

Speaking of silly moments, we get a lot. Astrid at one points hides the estate book in her underwear because she doesn’t want Montford to read it.

She sat up quickly, lifted her skirts, and shoved the book into her drawers.

The duke froze.

He stared at her as if he’d been hit by a load of bricks. Or every book in the library. At once.

At length, he seemed to find his voice. “You didn’t just…” It wavered on the last word.

She laid her hands over her lap protectively. “Oh, I did.” She arched her brow challengingly because she couldn’t help herself.

His jaw snapped shut, his lips thinned to a hard line, and his eyes narrowed.

Beyond the silliness, Montford and Astrid have a very sexy romance develop. At first Montford can’t believe he is lusting after a freckled heroine who has red unruly hair – but he becomes quite fond of her. She pushes his buttons, makes him think and stretches the boundaries of what he is comfortable with.

And there is also the time Montford gets drunk. Really, really drunk.

He arrived at the edge of her bosom and buried his head there. Her pulse leapt as she waited for what he would do next. But he didn’t move for the longest time, his full weight pressing her against the wall. His arms fell from her shoulders, and he sighed into her bosom. The garden around them was quiet, still. All she could hear was the steady sound of his breathing and her pulse thundering in her ears.

After a minute or so passed, she grew uncomfortable and a little cold, her inner heat fading.

What was he doing down there?

A sound ripped from the back of his throat. It took her a moment to comprehend what it was. When she did, she completely cold.

A snore.

The cad! The utter cad! He’d kissed her senseless, then buried his head in her breasts and fallen asleep!

“Oh, you…you beast!” she cried, shoving him away from her.

He didn’t wake up. He just slowly crumpled to the ground like a folding accordion and continued to snore with his cheek mashed up against the garden wall.

Lots of smiles reading this one. Looking forward to book two.

Rating: B

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