Review: The Duke Who Didn't

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The Duke Who Didn't The Duke Who Didn't by Courtney Milan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Delightful romance involving childhood friends, hidden identities, loving families, and one of the best "Black Moment" scenes I've ever run across. "Posh Jim" is the half-Chinese duke who hides his identity so he can spend time in Wedgeford, the village where he's accepted by the assorted residents who don't fit in with typical British communities. But the villagers don't realize "Jim" is the duke who owns the property they're squatting on, and he wants to put off the day of reckoning as long as he can.

Chloe is a loving daughter who wants her beloved father's umami "secret sauce" to succeed and sweep the marketplace, shaking up the bland cuisine. She has lists and check-marks and the man she's loved since she was a little girl is only a distraction, especially when he asks her to make a list to help him find the perfect wife.

Courtney Milan brings her own voice to the tale, which combined with her talent for unforgettable characters makes this a must-read for her fans, and ideally will help bring her to new fans searching for non-European characters in historical romance.

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