How to Marry a Duke by Vicky Dreiling

Tristan, the Duke of Shelbourne and Tessa Mansfield's book

How to Marry a Duke (How to book 1)

by Vicky Dreiling

Book Blurb: 

Tristan, the Duke of Shelbourne is a man with a mission: find a wife he can tolerate as long as they both shall live. Love is not necessary - nor desired. But how to choose a dizzying array of wealthy-yet-witless candidates? Hire London's infamously prim and proper matchmaker. Then pretend she's not the most captivating woman he's ever met...

Helping a devilish Duke create a contest to pick his perfect mate is the kind of challenge Tessa Mansfield relishes. Her methods may be scandalous, but she's determined to find the  notorious bachelor more than a wife - - she'll bring him true love. Yet when Tessa watches the women vie for the Duke's affections, she longs to win his heart herself. And after a stolen kiss confirms Tristan's desire, Tessa knows she has broken a matchmaker's number one rule: never fall in love with the groom. 

What a highly entertaining feel good historical romance. I loved it! I adore historical romances and I haven't read a really good one in a while. I was going through withdrawal and Vicky Dreiling took care of that with How to Marry a Duke

The premise of the story resembled a historical "The Bachelor" episode. I was just waiting for the Duke to day, "Will you accept this rose?" Although I am not a "The Bachelor" fan, How to Marry a Duke was excellent. The Duke's courtships to the witless giggling chits were really just an interesting distraction to bring our heroine Tessa and our hero Tristan together. The formula worked perfectly.

Tessa and Tristan were fun to read together. I felt their immediate chemistry and I simply adored Tessa's humour, wit and intelligence. When you mix together that bundle of positives with a handsome, loyal Duke, you get entertaining banter and the reader becomes an avid page turner. (as I did) 

I cannot believe that How to Marry a Duke is Vicky Dreling's debut novel. What a treat to add a new author to my auto buy list so quickly. I loved her writing style. 

The story has many secondary characters that are integral to the main characters and story line. These supporting cast members were able to hold my full attention and I tuned right into their antics. 

Hawk, the Duke's best friend provided the majority of the comic relief and it was delivered skillfully and not over done. He is a character you want to know more about. I am not sure what woman would read How to Marry a Duke and not end up with a crush on Hawk. 

Tristan's mother the Dowager Duchess is an excellent combination of what I would imagine a lady of that rank to behave, yet there were some lovely mother and son moments.   

I would also like to make a mention of the villain Richard. Whenever a blackguard is introduced and I despise him, I know that he was a great villain.  He was well played and well portrayed. 


I smiled a lot in How to Marry a Duke. It was refreshing and not intense. I was so thankful after getting to know Tessa in this story that the author didn't go and write her doing something careless near the end when she had to make some critical decisions. 


I would love to read the next book in this series as it is Hawk. I absolutely love when a main male character is amusing and sexy. It is a hard combination to write so I am very curious indeed. 
I will re-read How to Marry a Duke again and again. I loved it!


Teasers - funeral for a fan, best carriage ride scene ever, waving a white handkerchief in surrender, sheep or horse?