The Duke by Kerrigan Byrne Review

The Duke by Kerrigan Byrne Review

⭐️⭐️⭐️

       This was the first title I've read by Kerrigan Byrne. It won't be my last, but I do need some recovery time and some lighter fare before I tackle another novel this serious.

        Once upon a time, Imogen Pritchard was a young woman forced to work for an unscrupulous man by night to pay her deceased father's debts and a nurse by day to support herself, her mother, and sister. One of those nights was spent comforting a soldier right after he lost his entire family and before he left for war.

         Collin Talmage, Duke of Trenwyth, has never forgotten his night spent with a prostitute named Ginny and has spent years searching for her. He's returned from war a broken and angry man and directs some of that anger at his new neighbor, Imogen. That is, until he realizes that Imogen is in danger and he doesn't want anyone else protecting her.

         I really liked Imogen and thought she was a strong heroine. I don't particularly remember any TSTL moments from her. I liked that she did what she had to to take care of herself and her family. I did, however, miss what was so bright and happy about her, as Cole put it. She didn't seem to me to be any happier than he was.

         That thought brings me to Cole and how incredibly dark the story was. I love a hero with a dark past that is trying to overcome it but Cole and the entire story were so incredibly dark. I'm going to need to read two or three lighter stories just to get past it. So I was definitely invested in the story and their feelings, which is always a good thing.

          Honestly, I felt like there wasn't much in the way of an actual romance here (hence the three stars). Usually when I finish a romance I can think of at least a few instances when the romance began to blossom and I love those moments. I didn't get that with this book. They meet in the beginning, they don't like each other for part of the book, and then suddenly they love each other and it's HEA. Makes the HEA harder to believe.

         Reading this made me kick myself for giving The Highwayman to the library without actually reading it first, but I need to read something more fun before picking up another from this series.

                                                                  -Reader