Book Review: THE DUKE’S WRITER

Sometimes, on a cool autumn’s evening, what we need is light-hearted romance with a happy ending!

The book title, THE DUKE’S WRITER, is what first hooked me.

All of those years ago, writing was an activity shared by all. Letter-writing was an art, and most people kept some form of diary. We don’t see these things as much anymore, which is a shame.

THE DUKE’S WRITER is a tale of two writers. Our female protagonist, Lady Maeve Felton, comes from a family that is struggling financially. They count on her to marry well, hoping she can make a match that will settle their debts.

Maeve wants nothing but to write. Her favorite place is the writing bureau; she fills pages with stories from her heart. She wishes to see her work in print, but the publishing industry at that time was not a place for women.

Maeve is sent to London in hopes of finding a suitable match. She brings along her friend Chloe, a daring young lady who takes risks for herself and Maeve.

Chloe knows of Maeve’s dream to be a writer; she will push for that dream when Maeve is afraid to.

In London, Marquess Benjamin Lestenmeer is a bachelor, though he has no shortage of ladies at his tail. None of them strike him as worth a thought; he knows that they care for little but climbing up in society.

Benjamin’s interests are literary. In his library, he finds refuge from the chaos of the outside world. He also attends meetings with a literary society, where writers of different backgrounds gather to share work and ideas.

A humorous first encounter make Maeve and Benjamin acquaintances. Being friends with Maeve’s brother, with whom she is staying, there are many opportunities for Benjamin to drop in for conversation.

During one of these chats, he mentions the literary society—and regrets it. This society is for gentlemen only; he cannot bring Maeve, no matter how he wishes to.

Maeve’s interest is piqued. A literary society! What writer does not dream of such a thing? With Chloe, she concocts a plan to attend these meetings without the others suspecting she’s a woman.

Posing as a shy male writer, she dons a suit sewn by Chloe to one of their meetings. She brings her notebook. When her work is read aloud, it’s so well received that she’s soon in popular demand.

Maeve, in her male writer form, has entered higher circles.

It is a precarious plan. How long can she maintain this charade—especially when Lord Lestermeer begins to take interest in her? Can she fool him forever?

Will Maeve have to choose between writing and love?

This book is for lovers of happy endings. It features a female MC who wants more from life than is offered to her, a best friend who is supportive to a fault, and a transformation of almost Cinderella proportions.

If you need a quick read to bide chillier days, or want a Happily Ever After, try THE DUKE’S WRITER.