A Sure Duke (The McQuoids of Mayfair)

Oh...what a fantastic story! Loved every minute! Please tell me that you will write about the rest of this amazing family McQuoids...They are such great fun! We need more! So happy for Dallin and so many laughs with Alexandra's scene in the pub - hilarious! A must read!

4 starsI enjoyed the first novella in this series, which I think was Myrtle's book. This story is about Dallin McQuoid and Alexandra Bradbury. Alex's family doesn't like the McQuoid's. Alex goes over to the McQuoid's house when they have ostensibly all left to find out what they have been doing on the roof. She meets Dallin and finds out that he's Ok and they star gaze together. Her father dies and Alex's mother manipulates her into becoming engaged to the heir of a Duke. Dallin hasn't been in touch for almost a year and Alex thinks he's forgotten about her. Dallin begins to think she's just money grabbing. Alex's sister and Dallin's cousin elopes and Alex realising that this could seriously jeopodise all her sacrifices dashes after them. The book then becomes a bit of a road trip. I would assume the fiance is going to be useful in other stories. I've read other books of this author but IMO her sentences seem to have become more complicated. It wasn't a bad story but it could have all fizzled out if the two protaganists had had a good heart to heart.I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Haven’t read the book yet

The last book in this series was great. This one wasn’t. Wishy washy characters and storyline. Really no substance. It’s such a shame that Christi Caldwell is now so hit and miss. Quantity over quality I feel.

A Sure Duke is the third book in Christi Caldwell’s the McQuoids of Mayfair series and it is a great addition to the series. It can be read as a standalone although the entire series is delightful.Lady Alexandra Bradbury has lived opposite the boisterous McQuoid family all her life but she has never been permitted to mingle with the scandalous family by her very proper parents. Raised to be a dutiful daughter she is secretly fascinated by the antics of the family – especially when they gather on the rooftop. One night uncharacteristically acting on a dare Alexandra sneaks into their house and up to the rooftop and meets Dallin McQuoid, the heir.Dallin McQuoid is enchanted by the outwardly prim Lady Alexandra and the glimpses of the daring woman she could be. After spending a magical night in conversation discovering all the things they have in common, Alexandra and Dallin dream of a possible future with each other.Until tragedy strikes and Alexandra is forced into mourning for a year. Circumstances force Alexandra to discard her wishes and sacrifice her happiness for her family. When they meet again a year later, Dallin cannot see the lady that enchanted him under the stars – just an uptight Bradbury that holds his family in disdain.When an unexpected crises involving their families forces them on a journey across the country – will it be an opportunity for the star crossed lovers to finally unite?I really liked this story. Alexandra and Dallin were well-matched leads and we really rooted for them to reach their happy ever after. Alexandra was prepared to sacrifice herself for the good of the family and although it was frustrating that she didn’t tell Dallin why she had to marry someone else we can understand why she didn’t. Dallin also didn’t ask her to explain what he overheard but also was understandable since nothing had ever been declared between themselves. I loved that the road trip gave them an opportunity to know each other better and overcome their misunderstandings.The side characters are all really interesting and although I have not read the other two books in the series I definitely want to go back and read through them. I would have liked an epilogue but overall this is an enjoyable story with likeable leads.I received an advanced review copy from Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I loved Alexandra and Dallin and definitely recommend this to all.

This rips your heart out and then puts it back together - more than once! Beautifully written this is a romance that'll put you through the wringer - passion, misconceptions, high angst and an overwhelmingly need to do the right thing even if it's wrong! Happy reading - you'll love this. 💕💞💘❤🔥

one of the best declarations in her loooooong bibliography and ermagerd the despair bit at 70% omnomnomnom...this isn't the place to start with caldwell but buy this when you're at least up to date with the mcquoids because this is gorgeous! caldwell at her most caldwellian!

An entertaining love at first site type of situation where their first meeting id very romantic but then life gets in the way. I always like a good road trip too so that forced proximity is added to the mix. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.Share your review!

A wonderful romantic and sensitive story of two star crossed lovers who have to decide to put their love before the duty towards their families. Beautiful Lady Alexandra Bradbury is the eldest of 3 girls of the Marquess of Queensbury. She and her sisters always wondered about their neighbor the Earl and Countess of Abington, the McQuoid Family, whose many children and extended family always gather on the roof. Pushed by her sisters to investigate while the McQuoids are away, Alexandra is shocked to be discovered by Lord Dallin McQuoid, the furture earl. Dallin has been a student of astronomy with various telescopes on their roof. Their family is not in the same social set as the Bradburys - sticklers for society's rules. On that magical night, Alexandra is thrilled to learn about the stars and Dallin's desire to travel like his younger brother and see the world. But being the heir, put restrictions on his wishes. She understands as her duty is to marry well and cannot experience the wonders of travel. Each was surprised about how wrong their preconceived idea of the other was totaly false. Alexandra asks Dallin to attend her come out ball in the spring and he promses to dance a waltz with her. Bur that night, her world collaspsed. Upon returning home, her father died suddenly but the real disaster was he literally left his wife and 3 daughters penniless - no dowries. There will be no come out ball after their mourning period is over. Instead a match is made with the Duke of Talbert's son and heir Marquess of Wingrave. The Duke's family despises the McQuoids since his daughter failed to make a match with the Duke of Roxburghe's son - who married Dallin sister instead (Book 2 of this series). When Alexandra meets Wingrave, she is stunned by his cold, indifferent and rude attitude and can only see misery in her future. But once wed, he will supply dowries for her two younger sisters and see to her mother as well. But another disaster looms when her younger sister Cora elopes with Dallin's cousin, Brone Smith, to Greta Green. With no other choice, she plans to follow them and stop the wedding. The wrath of the duke would crush the McQuoids and leave Alexandra's family penniless. Along the dangerous road, she experiences terrible weather, highwayman, coach accident where her driver was hurt - and Dallin - who is also after the pair. Dallin thinks that the beautiful Alexandra he met on the roof was not the true lady who he sees as materialistic, title grabbing and selfish. But Alexandra still sees the charming man who thinks of her as a person, not a possession. She also sees an angry man who cannot understand why she is marrying Wingrave except for his title. Alexandra is too proud to explain her changed circumstances since she is the sacrificial lamb for her family. As Aleandra accepts Dallin's company in rushing towards Scotland to save her sister and family, she again experiences the magic of that night under the stars. Dallin as much as he wants to hate her, is drawn to the glimpses of her kindness and gentleness. Can they overcome the adversities fate set up for them and choose to be united in a love that will last forever? A very special romance of facing the future alone fulfulling duty or together with the greatest treasure life can offer!! Touches your heart!!

The book was great. Don't want to give anything away. So, if you like a good historical romance novel then this is a book for you. It is not an erotica-type book. The lovemaking is done in a very tasteful manner. The reason for my 4 stars 🌟 is the ending was too abrupt in my opinion. I believe there needs to be an epilogue to tie up the ending since to me it ended so abruptly without letting the readers know what happened with the treats that Duke Talbert made and follow up with Alexandria & Dallin. 📖

Dallin and Alexandrias story was such a joy to read. The McQuiods family never disappoints. Love the back and forth between them.

Lady Alexandra Bradbury is sure to be the Diamond of her first season. A beautiful young woman, offspring to a respected Marquess with perfect deportment and manners she’s absolutely flawless and has only broken the rules once as she trespassed on their neighbors’ home to see what attracted the family men to their rooftop at least once a month. But after the death of her father leaves the family in financial ruin, she must agree to a betrothal before even having that coveted season.A rebellious sister will set Alexandra on a perilous journey to stop what might thwart the marriage that’s to save her family and an accident will put her in the path of Dallin McQuoid, Viscount Chrichton, the man she once thought could be the one to make her dreams come true.This is a slow burn romance with some good moments, but I didn’t like it as much as the previous books in the series. I felt it a bit flat and some incongruence across the story kept it as an OK read for me. IMO, it might have worked better as a shorter story, but that’s just it.3 stars

Contains sexual contentThe content is easily skipped and thankfully it took up a very small amount.Both characters are likeable. The hero is kind and noble. He's just the type of man you'd want your daughter to marry and love.In my reviews, I always deduct a star for steamy content. I would have stopped reading but it was late in the book and I was very invested.I look forward to reading about Lord Wingate. I wonder who he'll end up with.