The Rigid Duke (Matchmaking Chronicles) Paperback – 12 Jan. 2023

I enjoyed this story. It is well-written. Juno is a widow who is acting as a companion to help a young lady find a husband, preferably a Duke. Dare is a Duke Who does not like social events. During a house party, he realises that he has no feelings towards the young lady but finds her companion very interesting. As feelings develop between Juno and Dare, there is a mental battle to decide the future. Could a Duke marry a Companion? Could a companion risk giving up her role for an uncertain future? Read on and enjoy.

A steamy story. I liked this story. Juno’s character was good , I liked the way she would drop a swear word in private, and seemed so practical about things. I will try the next in the series.

Found the main characters to be warm and friendly. Found the story very good was unable to put it down. Thoroughly recommend to fellow historical readers

I have to admit that I was initially a little worried that this would end up being a bit of a “love triangle” situation as Juno, as Lady Marina’s refinement tutor, is playing matchmaker to her and the Duke at the house party because they both don’t like parties or people so everyone thought they’d make a perfect match. Thankfully, there was none of that mess here because it was clear from the beginning that the Duke was basically besotted by Juno and Marina had zero interest in him. I appreciated that this was a low drama and low angst romance and although there was still the “third act conflict” that sees them go their separate ways, they also very quickly come to their senses so it’s resolved almost immediately.I really liked Juno’s character and her openness about searching out and having multiple lovers as a widow, and her boldness in (eventually) making the first move! It’s not often we see heroines in HR be so sexually open, and not in a negative way either, and I found it refreshing. She was an extremely loyal ray of sunshine and it was easy to root for her. In contrast, the Rigid Duke or Dare, as he’s known to the people he likes, was the epitome of a grumpy H. He’s surly, intimidating, and hardly ever smiled—except in the presence of Juno, of course. Though he eventually cracks around Juno, there’s very little depth to his character and I found that a pity because usually the grumpy ones have some kind of painful backstory where we learn what made them that way, but Dare doesn’t get that and that’s just the way he is? They do have great chemistry though and could hardly keep their hands off each other; plus this Duke liked it a little dirty, which led to some pretty steamy scenes 🥵 This definitely ended up being more sex than plot and y’know, that’s totally okay—so if you’re looking for a historical romance that’s fast-moving and steamy, you’ll probably want to check this out! That said, this was a little too insta-love for me. Bearing in mind that the whole house party took place over the course of several days totalling (I think) one week, this surely was more insta-lust than love? But if you’re looking for a HEA, have no fear because you get one here!Other than Juno and Dare, there are a few supporting characters who make several appearances but I particularly liked the house party’s host, Lady Cosford, who also had a similarly sunny disposition to Juno and who became a good friend to her. I honestly would’ve loved to get to know her more but sadly, I found the supporting characters to be very flat! Overall though, this was a fun and easy read that I finished in one sitting but certainly not my favourite of Burke’s books.

Another triumph from Darcy Burke. Juno is just instantly lovable and genuine and Dare is wonderful and clearly in need of the love of the right woman. I love stories like this, where it’s focused on the couple journey to find the HEA. No need for serious bad guys, their story is more than enough LOVED LOVED LOVED and a joy to read!Can’t wait for the next one xxx

This is Book 1 of the Matchmaking Chronicles called THE RIGID DUKE. Its title sets the scene for the unfolding romance. Juno Langton is engaged to be more than a companion to Lady Marina. She is employed to refine her behaviour to ensure she manages to at least speak in company in order to make a good match. Whilst Marina makes progress in developing social skills at home where she feels comfortable with Juno being thrown into a house party makes her regress to her quiet, shy persona. Worse still Marina's mother is determined to match her daughter with the Duke of Warrington. He is, as the title suggest, a rigid gentleman who has poor social skills himself. Juno finds she has to act as a go between the two of them to ensure they interact at all. The Duke is focused on his need to marry and is disappointed that his hopes of finding a bride at the house party is not going to be fulfilled at least not by Marina. Dare and Juno however are opposites and as everyone knows opposites attract. Darcy Burke is a good author who delivers with engaging likeable characters. She ramps up the intrigue with a matchmaking hostess and other witty subsidiary characters. This story heralds a great beginning to her new series. I love Darcy's work and this came up to her usual standard. I look forward to the next in the series.I voluntarily read and provided an honest review of an advanced copy of this book from the author.

I absolutely loved this book. Darcy's writing style is great. And so refreshing! I don't know how to explain but it is regency without trying hard? I am looking forward to reading her other books and so glad I found her as I was starting to despair as I could not find new writers I liked. On to the next one!!

This is a brilliantly crafted first book in what promises to be an amazing series. All the characters are portrayed with great character. this is a steamy plot that will keep you enthralled from start to finish.

Mrs. Juno Langton is a young, beautiful and vivacious widow, who helps young ladies develop the skills and confidence to secure a favorable marriage. Lady Marina Wetherby is a shy, serious, quiet, bookish young lady who has no interest in securing a husband. Her mother conspired with her friend who is hosting a house party to match Marina with the Duke of Warrington "Dare". Dare is a loner, who despises society and people who court favor with him because of his title. He reluctantly agreed to this house party to please his mother and because he cannot bear society balls and the 'marriage mart'. What surprises him is the joyful personality of Juno, always with a smile, yet shrewd enough to see through Dare's walls he erected to protect himself. Try as he may, he cannot create a spark of any kind with Lady Marina, yet he is continually unwillingly drawn to Juno. She understands his rigid manner and is able to coax a smile, even a laugh from him. Even though Juno's grandfather is a baron, she married a schoolteacher against her family's wishes and is now alone in the world to fend for herself. An affair with a duke could ruin her professionally, yet she also is attracted to Dare. Will he allow Juno's sunny and honest nature to bring light and joy into his life? Will Juno take a chance on marriage again with such a rigid personality who just started to learn to bend?? A wonderful story of how life's greatest gift, love, challenges and overcomes all obstacles!!

A Darcy Burke book never disappoints, and this HEA is no exception. There's a house party, two singles (and a companion) and a relationship that isn't what the book originally suggests. Steamy and a pleasure to read, particularly when the heroine isn't a young, blushing virgin.

I really liked these characters. The interaction between Juno and Dare was really well written. Dare seemed to be a person who in this day and age might be on the autism spectrum. He wasn't comfortable around people and had to have a plan for everything. If his plans were disrupted that threw everything off for him just as he was never comfortable doing something spur of the moment. But as soon as he met Juno, who had this warm effervesant personality, he was drawn to her light. She just instinctively understood his quirks and eventually some of her personality rubbed off on him - if you will. I really enjoyed their interactions.I was suprised that right from the beginning, Juno spoke about finding comfort in the arms of a gentleman between jobs. This is not a common occurance among the female title characters in an historical romance. It's not that I had a problem with that but it just seemed a little surprising in the sense that, her survival (as in her continuing to have employment) was based on her reputation so the fact that she had engaged in several liasons outside marriage seemed a dangerously impractical to me. (ie, if she had been a widow whose husband had left her taken care of with a home and money, it wouldn't have mattered in the same way). Also, the fact that she and Dare had sex several times throughout the book, but no mention was made any attempt at birth control was also dangerously impractical Was she this way with her other paramours??? If so, she's lucky she didn't end up pregnant.Regardless, I enjoyed this story by Ms. Burke as much as I usually do.

🐝 The Rigid Duke 🐴Matchmaking Chronicles Book 1✒️ Darcy Burke🌟🌟🌟🌟Will her fears of abandonment hold her back …I liked instantly Dare, even if he is not the easiest person to appreciate, he is blunt, rough around the edge but he does not hide who he is nor lie. A man awkward in society, lost when he must mingle, in some way, he brushes the edges of the Asperger syndrome.After as a Duke he got more leniency, or so he believes. After until a peculiar companion, he had no qualm to say what he wants or not tell anything if it suited him. Yet for this woman, he rethinks his attitude, his words and even his deeds.Juno made a successful career all by herself, she has too with no backup, she only answers to her employers, no one holds her back. She loves forward from one post to another, enjoying her leisure time in between. She is a woman who embraces life, society and pleasure, happy to do her job well and with empathy for her charges. Except, I found she listened more to the promised extra bonus than to the incompatibility between her pupil and her potential suitor. Pushing them together and easily dismissing Dare as being the flawed party instead of grabbing he was like her student, ill at ease in company.I understood and felt Dare slowly falling for Juno, as she intrigues him, but she surprised me, one moment judging him rigid, scolding him for not trying enough then lusting after him, her change of heart was a more sudden and unexpected than Dare’s.4 stars𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 hot, onscreen foreplays and lovemaking scenes.

I wanted to read the romance that all the other reviewers had read. There was no charm or humour to this story instead I found the main characters rather wooden with no chemistry between them at all. Highly over rated and disappointing. I will not be reading another book from this author