An Unfamiliar Duke by Sian Ann Bessey

An Unfamiliar Duke
by Sian Ann Bessey

ISBN-13: 9781524419912
Paperback: 290 pages
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Released: May 16th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
At eleven years of age, Rosalind Ainsworth was convinced that Sebastian Lumley, the future Duke of Kelbrook, wanted nothing to do with her. 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 both are willing to do their best to make their marriage work. After a quick wedding, the new couple relocates to Finley Park, where their acquaintanceship slowly blossoms into affection. But Sebastian’s time consuming work in his private workshop threatens their fledgling relationship. When Rosalind’s life is placed in jeopardy because of that work, Sebastian finds himself forced to choose between the man he has pledged to help and the woman he has come to love.


My Review:
An Unfamiliar Duke is a romance set in 1782 in England. Sebastian and Rosalind were betrothed at birth and didn't gain a positive impression of each other when they met as children. Sebastian still doesn't like social events and idle chatter (though he loves numbers and talking with inventors). However, he realized that he ought to do a little courting to get to know his bride before they married. Both agreed to have patience with each other's mistakes, and they did make mistakes as two people learning to join their lives together. They were willing to recognize and admit to mistakes and gave forgiveness when needed. Rosalind even tried to think of a good trait or action by Sebastian for every misstep he made so she wouldn't focus only on the negative.

Sebastian and Rosalind were thoughtful, kind, likable characters who reacted realistically to events. I cared about what happened to them. They found shared interests and came to appreciate and love each other. Some historical details were woven into the story, mainly about inventions, clothing, and manners. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable story.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.