The American Duke

The Stafford Sisters, Book 2

By: G.L. Snodgrass

Narrated by: Diana Lyon

Miss Lydia Stafford had always dreamed of being swept off her feet by a man of sophistication and status. A Prince Charming. The last thing she ever expected was to find herself forced to marry a beast.

A rough life in the wild mountains of America had turned Lord Aaron Drake into a hard man. When family obligation force him to return to Britain, the new duke finds himself pulled back into a world that he had fought so hard to escape. A world of rules and expectations.

When the two are forced into a marriage, neither expect to find happiness, let alone love....

©2019 G.L. Snodgrass (P)2019 G.L. Snodgrass

Dukes, Damsels, and Disaster!

Lydia Stafford's looking for a prince -- not a beast -- among men.
Aaron Drake isn't looking at all, but society compels him to the ball.

She's the middle sister of a poor family (newly wed into a wealthy one) trying to find her footing.
He's recently returned home to England and a Dukedom he never expected.

The story is sweet, with a little heat. The side characters really stand out as fully fledged individuals. There's some wonderful moments between the hero and heroine like with the wasps, their forbidden "embrace" at a ball, and the wedding night. Some great angst too with their misunderstandings - though at times I wish Lydia was a little more direct and Aaron a little less dense. The narration speed is slow, but easily adjusted within the app and the narrator did a good job.

Overall I very much enjoyed it.

#2 of 3

While the 3 books in this delightful British Regency sexy romance series are linked, each presents a whole story. You will enjoy then at 100% if read in order, but at 95-98% out of sequence as you follow the story of 3 middle class women who love "up" the social hierarchy in affairs with Dukes and Earls. I am a big fan of J. Quinn, M. Balogh, E. James and Lm Kleypas and I am delighted to add this author. G.L. Snodgrass to my favorites in that book genre grouping.

Great Regency Romance

This was my first G.L. Snodgrass's book, and won't be my last. This is the second book in The Stafford Sisters Series, a Regency Romance. I haven't listened to the first book in the Series yet, but I would love to. Lydia and Aaron's story is beautiful. The supporting characters are great, and I would love to know more about them. Gray Wolf, Aaron's friend, is an intriguing character. Diana Lyon did a great job with the narration. I enjoyed it. Looking forward to listen to Duke in Disguise (Ann and Daniel's story) and A Very British Lord (Isobel and Lord Brookenham's story). I was given a free review copy of the audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Something a little different

Lydia Stafford is in the middle of her first season and on the hunt for her Prince Charming. She's looking for a kind man who caters to her every whim. Instead, she's drawn to the curt and rude new Duke, Aaron Drake. He's recently returned from a 10 year trip to the Americas and the harsh life has roughened him. He doesn't want or need a society miss but he and Lydia become the talk of the ton when he saves her life.

This romance had something a little different, I really liked Grey Wolf and Aaron's travels in America. The story is sweet and steamy at times. Lydia and Aaron have some sweet moments together. The narration was immersive but I did have to bump it up to 1.35 for it to be a normal pace. I requested a copy of the audiobook, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Great Book, Wonderful Storyline

I enjoyed this book. Great storyline. A bit different than the usual historical romance but still a great read. I like that even though our hero knows what is proper his recent past complicates some of his feelings and actions. My only suggestion is that the narrator speeds up a bit. She has a pleasant voice but reads too slowly.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Had the Potential to be amazing

The narration is pretty good even though American. However, the story was struggle love at best.


*tiny spoilers* Strarted off strong. They just assumed things about each other instead of talking to each other. She acted jealous over a deceased wife that she never even met and kept throwing it in face. It wasn't cute. Took away from the story. Just back and forth.

This is a promotional copy.

Wonderful love story. I read this loving

This is such a wonderful love story For a man to go from being an American trapper to finding out that your brothers have died and your farther is ill. Then going back to England and taking over the title and responsibilities it entails. Bring with him an American Indian that he calls brother. You will need this loving book to find out what happens in this wonderful book.
It is very well written. Her writing is well thought out and written. I need to get the rest of the series to be swept away again by the wonderful adventures to be had.
The narrator was very good and she brought the book alive. She made you feel everything. She took you to everywhere and had you feel as if you were there.

Good narrator, bad story

I tried SO HARD to like this. I love fake marriage stories, but this... nope. I'm sorry. The first 30% was interesting. I wanted to know about the relationship blooming between Lord Aaron and Miss Lydia, and I was intrigued to know what made the Duke so reluctant to go back to his family, but I got nothing. The two of them NEVER talk, they are both stubborn and unlikeable and nothing they did made sense for the time period they're from. After the 30% mark, we're left with a huge block of chapters that bring nothing to the story. I tried to care, but most of it was something like:

-Lydia wants to get closer to Aaron, but never tries to actually talk to her husband.
-Aaron doesn't want to force Lydia to like him, so he just grunts instead of speaking like a human being.
-Badly written sex scene (to the point of being embarrassing).
-Repeat.

I wouldn't mind that as much if the writing was compelling or if the scenes weren't almost exactly the same for more than half the book. Then again, this seems to be an unpopular opinion, since the book has such great reviews. I think people who don't mind their historical romance being historically inaccurate or prefer fast-paced writing to character development will enjoy it, but I usually find myself leaning toward the character-heavy stories and this didn't give that to me.

The narrator was good enough to make me not dnf the book, which says a lot.

I was given a free copy of this book. This hasn't influenced my opinion in any way.