Caffeinated Reviewer | The Duke’s Bargain by Megan Walker
13th May
Sophia Rose is here with a review of the historical romance novel, The Duke’s Bargain by Megan Walker. This is a standalone romance featuring characters from some of her previous stories. It’s a romance filled with fireworks and redemption.
The Duke’s Bargain
by Megan Walker
Genres: Historical Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm *affiliate
Rating: 
Heat Level: 
Ruined by scandal, Georgiana bargains with a duke to regain her place in Society. But their pretend friendship sparks real love, risking reputations, duty, and unexpected happily-ever-afters.
Eight months after a stolen kiss ruined her reputation, Miss Georgiana Wood is a recluse, cast out of Society without any hope of ever finding a suitable match. Longing for redemption, she never expects her salvation to arrive in the form of a handsome, temperamental duke.
After a failed bargain left the Duke of Marlow without a promised wife and heir, he must face courtship a final time. He plans to entice his future bride with a priceless family heirloom—one now in the possession of Miss Wood, who agrees to return it if he takes her on three outings in London during the Season to restore her reputation.
As the pair navigate Society’s expectations and whispered gossip, Marlow begins to see Georgiana as an ally and a friend. Her wit and courage, grace and allure far exceed that of the eligible ladies he intended to court, and soon, he’d do almost anything to secure her happiness.
As Marlow wrestles with duty and desire, Georgiana begins to hope that she could be loved for who she truly is. When hearts are tested, truth and secrets revealed, will love be enough to risk it all?
Sophia Rose’s Review
She needs his help restoring her to London Society and he needs the heirloom she has in her possession to achieve the dutiful, proper marriage befitting a duke’s status. Megan Walker returns to her Proper Romance regency world with a romance full of fireworks and redemption.
The Duke’s Bargain is a standalone story- and I did fine reading it as such-, but I learned after I started reading that both characters were introduced in previous Megan Walker standalones. I got that feeling readers know when its obvious that the character has a backstory that had to have been introduced in a previous book. Though I haven’t read them… yet, I discovered that Georgiana was busy getting kissed and her reputation ruined in Lakeshire Park and the Duke of Marlow got jilted at the alter in Miss Newbury’s List.
And, so, Georgiana loves matching wits and witticisms and social activities that come with being about in Society and, more than anything she wants her reputation restored so she can return to that glittering world. Fortunately, she has a bargaining tool to make a certain infuriated duke go along with her plan. Three outings on his arm to high society exclusive functions ought to do the trick.
The Duke of Marlow is angry. He wants to make a proper match, have his heir and do what’s expected of him, but the lady he chose embarrassed him nearly at the altar, no less. Now, he must start again and he knows that a certain family heirloom will entice the right sort. And, the female who has it will only part with it on conditions.
Circling one another warily, Georgiana and Marlow set out to keep their bargain, but somewhere along the way, the hostility eases and they become friends. As things progress, it becomes more, but they are determined to stay the original course. Even though…, but there are secrets and risks if they go there.
I kept seeing Megan Walker’s Regency era releases and they always looked good, but I finally had the chance to grab this one. I loved the interplay between these two and loved that up front, it is obvious that they are two flawed people, both bright, but made mistakes. Georgiana is not a black-hearted villain by any stretch, but she certainly isn’t dissuaded by some sketchy motives and choices. She has a road to redemption in this one and fortunately, Marlow is her match. They have both put up solid walls of protection that don’t allow people to see their real selves, but eventually, they both show each other what is beyond the walls and that was lovely.
I blew through this one fast. It pulled me in and the pages flew by. I liked seeing this pair together among Society and the reactions they got and their reaction to each other.
The Duke’s Bargain turned out to be a steal of a deal of a read and I recommend it to other sweet Regency Romance lovers- though, go for those earlier releases to get the bigger picture first.
About Megan Walker
Megan Walker was raised on a berry farm in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, where her imagination took her to times past and worlds away. While earning her degree in Early Childhood Education, she married her one true love and started a family. But her imaginings of Regency England wouldn’t leave her alone, so she picked up a pen. And the rest is history. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband and three children.
Stay Caffeinated!
Never miss a post by adding Caffeinated to your Inbox
About Sophia Rose
Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat.
