Book Review: The Once and Future Duchess by Sophia Nash

The Once and Future Duchess by Sophia Nash
Publication date: May 27, 2014
Publisher: Avon
Series: Royal Entourage #4
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~~Reviewed by Lisa~~

Isabelle Tremont, Duchess of March, is a Duchess in her own right due to the death of her father not having had any male heirs. She is eighteen and has taken on the many responsibilities of the fifth largest duchy in the country with intelligence, courage, determination and a strong sense of duty. For someone so young she has many things about the world figured out; the biggest that passion is a rare gift that takes courage to embrace, it completes your life and everyone deserves it! She always has a bright and cheerful disposition and outlook on life despite feeling rejected by her mother, who abandoned her and her father, and her father for being disappointed that she was a girl not a boy. 

James Fitzroy, Duke of Candover is 31 and struggles with always doing the right thing. He was a friend of Isabelle’s father and had great faith in her ability to do her father proud. He has no desire to marry and sees it as a duty to the duchy, but one that he is not in a rush to fulfill. He would rather be out in the world exploring and discovering new things, not responsible for the many people that he is.

After James rejects Isabelle she takes things into her own hands and sparks jealousy and possessiveness in James. They are good together and for each other, but James keeps throwing up barriers. Isabelle’s feisty attitude is charming and has me cheering for her. The grace that Isabelle exhibits for one so young is heartwarming! Once James decides to put aside a deathbed promise he comes through with one heart-melting grand gesture that leaves no room for second guessing where he stands.

Calliope, Isabelle’s cousin-companion is priceless. She is outspoken, stubborn and has a sense of humor. She adds giggles and keeps James on his toes. The Duke of Sussex and Amelia Primrose’s secondary story is charming. The running bacon issues had me laughing out loud several times. This is the fourth in the Royal Entourage series and the loose ends are tied up brilliantly and questions answered. I have read the first two books and mysteries were settled in a believable way. I enjoyed the book and Ms Nash continues to be on my author’s to watch list!

*Review copy complimentary of the publisher via Netgalley; yes it’s an honest review

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