The Duke’s Guide to Winning a Lady by Alexa Aston is the seventh book in the series called The Strongs of Shadowcrest. The Strongs of Shadowcrest are a family who sticks together and marries for love, both not always true for the titled families of the tonne. Each book in this series can be read as stand-alones, but together they share a story of love and hope for true love.
This particular novel focuses on Lady Effie and Malcolm (Lady Euphemia Strong and Malcolm Ware, the widowed Duke of Waterbury). Lady Euphemia is the youngest of the Strong women and definitely the most outspoken. She prefers the country to the city. She wears breeches at home, rides daily and helps Caleb run Shadowcrest with all the animals and tenants. She knows she only wants to marry for love. Her whole family might be originals, but she is the most of all. One of the first people she meets is Ada and they seem to be immediate bosom pals.
Malcolm married the woman his mother chose and her death in childbirth had him reassess what he wanted in a marriage. He decides to check over various women while helping his sister with her coming out (and override their snobbish mother). Interestingly, his sister’s new pal pays no attention to him and that is the woman he wants. In speaking with the men in Effie’s family he received a lot of guidance and decided to follow it.
Effie is not easily swayed, especially as she does not want to be a duchess! I loved the story and found myself cheering for them. I loved how they were all swoony for each other. The Duke’s Guide to Winning a Lady by Alexa Aston was a great read.
