This book started so well with a really unusual and interesting premise and immediately likeable characters. I was interested in learning about Gwen and her past and Percy was unpretentious and kind - but unfortunately as the plot developed I found it to be too unrealistic for me to believe. I know that many readers like stories to be spiced up but the idea that the hero and heroine could be encouraged to be alone together so often to the point of Gwen being able to hide Percy in her room overnight was ridiculous, The fast resolution of what happened between Gwen and Percy’s brother and his family’s forgiveness and instant acceptance of her as the daughter of a publican pushed it too far for me. A shame as it was a good set up and the author has a nice writing style.

Least Likely To Win A Duke is set in an academy for wallflowers. While the concept seems contemporary, the idea of hiding away troublesome young women fits well with Regency society and the need for women to conform. The female characters are complex and easy to like. Percy, the new Duke, is constrained by his familial and societal expectations, making it harder to empathise with him. The story is a good balance of humour, poignancy, passion, and romance. I like the concept, the characters and the romance in this story.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Not my favourite by this author. While the story had it's entertaining moments and the idea itself is good. However, I felt that it dragged on more than it should have and was getting very fed up of the constant not suitable for a duchess message from Percy. The only reason for this was because his brother told him a duchess should be blonde etc. The angst felt forced until the end when there was perhaps a genuine reason for concern. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review

Miss Gwendoline Knox, or Gwen, as she known, was sent to Wallflower Academy by her mother. She has a terrible secret and is there to blend into the background and not to be noticed.

She's no intention of marrying for fear of her shameful secret emerging. That is until she bumps, quite literally, into Percy Devereux, Duke of Knaresby, and tells him to watch where he's going.

I just loved this storyline of two different classes, who shouldn't be together. Towards the end, a few twists in the storyline had me open jawed. I wasn't expecting that! Loved this from cover to cover.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Mills and Boon. I am happy to give an honest, unbiased review.

This is a fairly entertaining historical romance and I did enjoy it, although I do question the historical authenticity of much of the plotting and characterisation. I do understand that writers need to make their books attractive to modern audiences and so all female protagonists have to be feisty, independent, intelligent woman who challenge the status quo. However, I do feel there is a danger of re-writing history to bring the women of the past up to,date with the culture of the 21st century - and thereby diminishing the very real problems that women faced two hundred years ago.

Nonetheless- this is avery well written and the author has created engaging and interesting characters.

I really enjoyed this historical romance novel by Emily E.K Murdoch.
I was hooked from the very first page. The story was easy to follow and enjoyable and the characters were likeable. It had just a hint of spice, sometimes too much can take away the story but it was spot on. A very enjoyable read that I highly recommend.
❤️ Thank you to netgalley, Mills and Boon Insiders and the author for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Great read. A home for wallflowers to find a husband only the wit and sarcasm show that not all labelled wallflowers are indeed thus! Some great banter from the women, pushing at the boundaries of convention and testing the limits of society. A bit of a drip in Percy the Duke, although he does redeem himself just in time. Perhaps Gwen is too forgiving, however a strong read and perfect for a lazy afternoon on the sofa.