Guest Review: The Way to a Duke’s Heart – Caroline Linden

Charles de Lacey, Lord Gresham, is running out of time, running from his responsibilities, and running from love.

Destined to be a duke, Charles de Lacey has led a life of decadent pleasure, free of any care for propriety or responsibility. It comes as a terrible shock to learn that he might be stripped of everything, thanks to his father’s scandalous past. He has no choice but to find the blackmailer who would ruin him—and his only link to the villain is a woman who may be part of the plot…

To save his fortune and title, he vows he’ll stop at nothing—in fact, he’s all too eager to unravel the beautiful, tart-tongued Tessa Neville. She intrigues him and tempts him like no other lady ever has. With only his heart to guide him, and keenly aware that his entire future is at stake, Charles must decide: is she the woman of his dreams, or an enemy in disguise?

Series:  The Truth About the Duke #3
Release Date:  August 28, 2012
Publisher:  Avon Books
Source:  Edelweiss
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Reviewer’s Thoughts:

Tessa a woman with a head for business in a time when women were shunned from such things.  Tessa becomes her brothers adviser on what to invest in. Trying to make herself useful, and not seem as a burden.

Charlie, a rake that enjoys all pleasures he receives from his title, and that of being an heir to a Dukedom. Jumping from one fancy to the next. Till his world is turned upside down.

Tessa and Charlie meet in Bath, Tessa to learn more about the canals her brother might be investing in, and Charlie to track down the man that is blackmailing his family.

Tessa dislikes Charlie upon first sight, viewing all men like as users. Charlie is fascinated by Tessa wanting to make like and truest him, not really knowing what draws him to her.
As the get to know each their lives start entwining themselves.

The interactions of the character were well written. I really enjoyed  the relationship between Tessa and Eugenie, a widowed cousin that traveled with Tessa. The caring and companionship they both shared was sweet and very touching. There wasn’t much interaction, between Tessa, her brother and sister. Thought when Tessa’s sister Louise was involved she was bossy, over dramatic, and obsessed with launching her self in to society. Louise also expected Tessa to use her connection to Charlie to better her own standing. Even Tessa had no real desire have anything to do with society, preferring business and numbers. 

The attraction between Tessa and Charlie jumped off the page. They both seemed to become a big part of each other lives very quickly. Neither used to feeling an intense need and longing for another person. The passion was strong, I could feel their want for one another pretty much leaping of the page.

I give The Way to a Duke’s heart five cocktails!