Reviewed by Priya Mathew for Readers' Favorite

Angela E. Johnson’s The Duke I Despise starts with a moment that is accidental but fateful. At a stuffy Mayfair ball, a sudden blackout throws Miss Juliana Astley straight into the arms of Lucian Montrose, the Duke of Windsor. He is amused and is fascinated by her refusal to swoon. She also feels an instant attraction, but any feeling of romance is quickly dispelled when she overhears the duke’s uncle insist Lucian must marry someone from the peerage, like Lady Beatrice Collings. Determined to protect her dignity, Juliana vows to avoid the duke altogether. But fate seems to have other plans. Lucian and his friends make a wager about her. A gentleman’s bet to steal a kiss. When she finds out, Juliana decides to play a game of her own to create public sabotage for the duke. As they play this game of cat and mouse, sparks fly and irritation slowly blossoms to something more complicated.

Angela E. Johnson writes with genuine wit and charm. The conversational style made the story easy to sink into. I loved the conversations between Lucian and his friends, but more so the ones between Lucian and Juliana. It often felt like a friendly duel fought with words and smiles instead of swords. The characters show definite growth throughout the story arc. At the start of the story, Lucian is trapped by his Uncle Henry’s rigid expectations, while Juliana fights the stigma of being a wealthy commoner. As the story progresses, we see him transform from a complacent heir to a fierce, independent man. Juliana takes her time but gradually grows more certain of her worth. The story moves at a steady pace, with romance simmering rather than boiling, with touches of humor. The scene involving the runaway hens at the parish workhouse had me in stitches. At its core, The Duke I Despise wrestles with the dilemma of reputation against authenticity. If you are looking for a Regency romance with a slow burn and brilliant humor, this is your perfect weekend read.