A thoroughly delightful romance, TO MARRY THE DUKE, filled with sparkling characters and a love-driven plot, is sure to win readers’ hearts. 

Sophia Wilson, an American heiress, has come to London in search of a husband.  Her mother is determined to see her daughter marry well since the dowry accompanying her should buy just about any title.  Sophia has turned down many proposals because money aside, she wants to marry for love.  When the dangerous Duke of Wentworth, James Langdon, suddenly sets his attentions on her, Sophia is powerless to resist falling for the handsome Duke. 

James finds Sophia fascinating and cannot shirk his responsibilities as a Duke.  Her dowry indeed makes her even more irresistible and the thought that he could have her because he has the highest rank among his peers sends a course of relief through him.  He could have her if he wanted, and he wants her.  However, James is determined not to fall in love with his wife and assumes, incorrectly, that she will just quietly assume her role as Duchess and leave him alone. 

Sophia’s heart is broken when she discovers that James married her for her money and not love, like she had believed.  But if you think this American miss is going to quietly fade into the woodwork like Duchesses before her, think again.  Determined to win her husband’s love, Sophia slowly begins to weave her way into James’ heart.  James has tried to keep his wife a safe distance away from him, but his feelings for Sophia wear down his defenses. When she discovers the real James and his dark secrets, will she still love him? 

Pure romance, that’s what this is.  No evil bad guys trying to kill or frame someone.  No back and forth, wishy-washy feelings between the hero and heroine.  TO MARRY THE DUKE is about a strong willed heroine who gets her man to fall in love with her.  James, at first, seduces Sophia into thinking he really loves her, but he’s carefully guarding his heart against that very thing.  The real action begins when Sophia is confronted with the brutal truth of why James actually married her.  I found the progression of the “falling in love” by James to be real and understandable.  With the secondary characters lending themselves well to enhance the story, everything builds to a nice climactic moment that left me breathless.  MacLean has an easy writing style that doesn’t get bogged down with meddlesome trivia or tiresome plots.  TO MARRY THE DUKE will make your heart melt and no doubt put Julianne MacLean’s name on lists of authors to buy.