How to Forget a Duke

How to Forget a Duke (Misadventures in Matchmaking #1)
By Vivienne Lorret
Published May 29, 2018

Why I chose this book:
I came across this book some time ago on Goodreads, added it to my "Want to Read" shelf, and promptly forgot all about it. It popped up on Goodreads again, just being published, and when I read the synopsis I was still interested. Avon (HarperCollins Publishers) provided a review copy upon request.

Review

Regency-era England, matchmakers, amnesia, and forbidden love? How to Forget a Duke has it all. The Duke of Rydstrom employs the Bourne Matrimonial Agency to find him a wealthy bride, but Jacinda Bourne is hesitant to do so; she suspects that he is withholding vital information from the agency. When she ventures out of London to his estate to investigate, she meets with disaster. Washed up on the rocky shore and unable to remember anything, Jacinda must recuperate at the nearby estate of, you guessed it, the duke. Rydstrom doesn't want her there at first because he is indeed hiding something. But of course they fall in love. And of course they cannot marry. Don't worry, Lorret delivers a happy ending to readers.

I devoured this book. It was fun, funny, and just a bit exasperating (in a good way). There were several romance tropes in this novel, and they came together perfectly, making for an enjoyable ride. I wrote about why I read romance novels in a previous post, and I'd like to elaborate a bit on why I was interested in a book that used multiple plot devices common to the genre. It's for the same reason that I enjoy walking the same route through the same park and looking for the same animals. The park is a pleasant, relaxing environment to spend time in. I know the route I like. I'm always on the lookout for squirrels, ducks, and dogs. On top of that, I enjoy the different surprises along the way, like the giant hawk on the playscape or the trick bikers showing off. The familiar setting, path, and characters, combined with unexpected highlights are what make for a satisfying evening stroll ... or read.