from Loretta Chase’s New York Times and USA Today bestselling Dressmakers
series, finally gets her own happily ever after!
so…exciting. Can society’s most adored heiress and London’s most difficult
bachelor fall victim to their own unruly desires?
marriage proposals from men who can’t see beyond her (admittedly breathtaking)
looks are starting to get on Lady Clara Fairfax’s nerves. Desperate to be
something more than ornamental, she escapes to her favorite charity. When a
child goes missing, she turns to Oliver Radford—a handsome, brilliant,
excessively conceited barrister.
unexpectedly found himself in line to inherit a dukedom, Radford needs a bride
who can navigate the Society he’s never been part of. If he can find one
without having to set foot in a ballroom, so much the better. Clara—blonde,
blue-eyed, and he must admit, not entirely bereft of brains—will do. As long as
he can woo her, wed her—and not, like every other sapskull in London, lose his
head over her…
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My Review:
Oliver Radford (nicknamed Raven) and Lady Clara Fairfax knew each other as children, their last encounter with each other was well over a decade ago. On that auspicious occasion, Raven’s older cousin was pummeling him, and Clara came to his rescue. This incident caused Clara to have a slight chip in one of her teeth, a charming imperfection in her otherwise flawless beauty. Currently, Raven is a top barrister, and Clara has come to seek his help . She works with helping underprivileged children find respectable employment, and one of the young boys has disappeared, possibly taken by one of the criminal gangs. As it turns out, Raven is on the hit list of the same gang, and he agrees to help.
Raven and Clara both remember each other and that childhood incident. As adults, their stations in life are very far apart – although he is second in line to inherit a dukedom, he is working class, and is not nobility. Clara is a lady, and is expected to marry no less than a duke. Yet, Raven appreciates Clara’s intelligence as well as her beauty. His brash personality appeals to her, as she likes his needling instead of the fawning she’s accustomed to. This unlikely pair enjoys the time they spend together, and soon the barbs and slings become kisses and caresses. Despite the odds against them, they decide to marry. Clara’s father refuses his offer, and the clever barrister threatens to sue for breach of promise unless he is given the opportunity to state his case in a mock “trial.”
What a wonderful book and characters Loretta Chase has penned! Despite all their sniping and zingers, you can just feel the love Clara and Raven have for each other, even though neither admits that it’s love right away. Their attraction is steamy, and they are each committed to doing what will be best for the other. I love both of these intelligent, caring, witty, and determined people. Their love story, along with their commitment to making their worlds mesh, while just trying to stay alive made for an outstanding read. I love the subtle humor and strongly felt (though unspoken until late in the game) love, and I’m happy to recommend Dukes Prefer Blondes for your reading pleasure!
rosesareblue.net 
Great review! Thank you for hosting!
Crystal, Tasty Book Tours
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