An Unfamiliar Duke

Georgian Gentleman, Book 4

By: Sian Ann Bessey

Narrated by: Noah Wall

At eleven years of age, Rosalind Ainsworth was convinced that Sebastian Lumley, the future Duke of Kelbrook, was the most odious young man she’d ever met. And ten years later, after having had no contact with the nobleman in the intervening time, her opinion of him has not changed. Unfortunately, neither has the marriage contract their fathers signed soon after her birth.

As Rosalind’s twenty-first birthday and the appointed wedding day approaches, Sebastian makes a rare appearance in London. His first meeting with Rosalind since childhood goes less than perfectly, but Sebastian has a compelling reason for honoring their marriage contract—a reason outlined in a document kept behind his workshop’s locked door.

After a quick wedding, the new couple relocates to Finley Park, where their acquaintanceship slowly blossoms into affection. But when Sebastian’s secretive work threatens their fledgling relationship and Rosalind’s life is placed in jeopardy, Sebastian finds himself forced to choose between the man he has pledged to help and the woman he has come to love.

©2022 Covenant Communications, Inc. (P)2022 Covenant Communications, Inc.

just a sweet clean romance

this is the book to read when it feels like nothing is right in the world. This is a "feel good" book.
I LOVE this book.
I kept waiting for the characters to be stupid. So many authors base their story on a character's stupidity, rush to the wrong conclusion, and lack of communication. contrived, forced stupidity. Honestly, I am rather tired of stupid. I admit, I was waiting for that in this book. thank goodness I was disappointed in that expectation. SAB does a wonderful job of making her characters quirky but honest. insecure but smart. open but loyal. So good to see healthy relationships grow and progress.
The ending action sounded way too familiar with a previous book, but it was still very good.

Delightful and sweetly romantic

This was a delightful marriage of convenience story. Rosalind and Sebastian were betrothed as infants and had only met briefly when Sebastian was 14 years old and Rosalind was 11. As typical of a boy that age he had no time for her. 10 years later on the cusp of her 21st birthday, Rosalind knows that she will soon be expected to marry the young man she has not seen in all the years since.

Sebastian is known as who keeps to himself and does not engage in social gatherings. In truth he is much more interested in engineering projects and the many inventions breaking upon the world at that time. However, in order to be able to continue in this thing, he must marry, both out of honor in light of the betrayal contract, but also because much of his inheritance is tied up in a trust based upon the fulfillment of their marriage.

There was a brief meet, cute where neither knew the other, which was kind of a nice way to segue into their new acquaintance. Shortly after when their official second meeting happens, both are somewhat pleasantly surprised with the other.

I love that this was a slow but sweet romance without any major disruptions. It grew quickly, but naturally as a newly married couple. There were a few difficulties to overcome as each came to know the other, as well as a true villain thrown in for a period of time, but ultimately the romance was endearing and believable and life-changing for both of them.

I both listened on Audible and read through my Kindle and highly recommend both versions.

A Wonderful book that I throughly loved

This book is nothing short of fantastic! I loved the storyline and the main characters were very real. I especially loved learning a little bit of four different inventions that took place in this time era.

Fun escapism

Are these stories predictable? Yes, but it makes them no less fun. I really enjoy the historical aspects and descriptions of the settings in which they take place. This is 3rd book & I am off to the 4th this minute! The best part is the stories are sweet & clean. The language is lovely & well set to the period, it’s so irritating when so called historical novels are filled with modern slang or phrases. Throws the reader right out of the bubble.

nice

So nice to have a smart/thinking female role! lately most female characters have been raving idiots! so refreshing!

Wonderful story

So far I have been on cloud nine reading this series of books. Thank you!

A sweet romance with twists

Both the author and the narrator are fairly new to me, but I've found their works very fine indeed. I've read 4 of the books in this series and have been impressed with the story telling, the characters and the witty repartee....oh and the romance. Sian and Nora, keep up the good work and i'll keep listening.

Not as exciting as the other books in this series

This was kind of a letdown after listening to the other books in the Georgian Gentleman series. The only excitement in the story came near the end. I enjoyed the other books much more.

Love Bessey stories

Another excellent collaboration between Bessey and Wall. Wish I'd started with Book 4 first then Book 1. No matter. Is a series, but can be read independently.

Thoroughly Enjoyable

This is a book 📘 that I kept thinking about and looked forward to when I would be able to continue listening to the story. I enjoyed learning a little bit about the race for inventions during this time period. Thank you for a well written story to enjoy. 📘