How to Lose a Duke in Ten Days: An American Heiress in London

Stuart, the Duke of Margrave, is in trouble. His family is deep in debt, and he longs to go back to Africa to explore. Edie, a woman whose reputation has been sullied by a misunderstood incident of sexual assault, proposes to him with a dowry so large, it’s enough to sustain his family and household. And she says she will marry him if he leaves for Africa and never returns.

After five years in Africa, Stuart does return, disabled with a leg wound after being mauled by a lion. Edie has settled in, more than happy to run his household by herself. Will Stuart be able to win her over? Will Edie ever open her heart to him?

How To Lose A Duke in Ten Days was a quick read with a happy ending. It was interesting to see how a story set in the 1800s handled Edie’s situation as a victim of sexual assault. Some of the themes of trauma and rape were offset with scenes that were humorously tender. As a reader, I couldn’t decide if this was relieving or disturbing. Usually romance novels are a treat for me. The themes in this one made me pause.