Review: The Reluctant Duchess by Sharon Cullen

Release: November 10th 2015
Series: n/a
Publisher: Loveswept
Source: From Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Genre: Regency Romance (Historical)
Rating: 1 Star
Website: http://sharoncullen.net/books/the-reluctant-duchess/

Lady Sara Emerson was jolted out of her dull provincial life by her cousin’s murder. Now that the killer seems to be targeting her, Sara seeks help from the man who was once her cousin’s fiancé, Gabriel Ferguson, Duke of Rossmoyne. With his towering frame and fiery personality, Ross cuts an intimidating figure. Living under his protection, however, has its own hazards—like the sudden urge Sara feels to take their relationship in new, exquisitely inappropriate directions.
Dazzled by the social graces of his betrothed, Ross never noticed her shy, blushing cousin. Looking at Sara now, though, he’s drawn to her lovely eyes and calm disposition. Funny how a year away from the hustle and bustle of the ton changes a man. But Ross has no intention of allowing a woman to interfere with his plan to return overseas. He will simply capture the murderer and set sail once again. The problem is, with her beguiling lips and heavenly touch, Sara makes him never want to leave home—or his bed—again.

My take on this regency romance...

Regency romance is and has been my go-to genre whenever I'm stuck in a book rut so-to-speak. There is just something about that era that is fascinating to me. chivalry is definitely not dead in the regency time period and I love it! 

This book on the other hand was a DNF. I made it to roughly 45% then unfortunately had to put it down. I really really wanted to love this book. The plot is there, tons of mystery. Sara is trying to find out who murdered her cousin Meredith. The writing just fell flat and uninteresting.

As much as I wanted to I just could not immerse myself into this story. Everything was there but flat, emotionless. Have you ever been really hungry and tried to eat a satisfying meal while you have a cold, then the food ends up being tasteless and bland? Well that was this book for me. One thing I think this book was missing was humor. Ahh, I wanted to care for the characters but just couldn't! 

I really cannot recommend this one. But I'm sure there are readers out there that will love this book. The Goodreads rating for this one is a 3.95 which is pretty good.