THE DUKE NEXT DOOR
The Heiress Brides - Book Two
Celeste Bradley
St. Martin's
ISBN 9780312939694
April 2008
Historical Romance

The late Sir Hamish Pickering willed his significant fortune to the female descendant who could marry a duke. A generation has passed without success and now the challenge falls to three granddaughters, cousins Phoebe, Deirdre and Sophie. Phoebe is the dutiful vicar's daughter who gave up her chance to win the fortune by choosing true love over life as a marchioness. Deirdre is the polished society belle mentored by an overbearing and cruel stepmother. Bookish and plain Sophie feels she has no hope to win a duke or the Pickering money and has come to London simply for the adventure.

When her cousin Phoebe broke her engagement to the Marquis of Brookhaven, Deirdre believed that a prayer had been answered but only if she was willing to act quickly to secure Calder for herself.
Winning the Pickering fortune paled in comparison to being the wife of a man she has loved for so long! She is determined to make Calder love her despite the secret he has hidden: a neglected daughter from a disastrous marriage which resulted in the death of the first Marchioness of Brookhaven under scandalous circumstances. Forced into the role of stepmother, Deirdre rebels while forming an uneasy alliance with young Lady Margaret (Meggie).

Dubbed by the scandal sheets as the Beast of Brookhaven, Calder, retreats to the safety of his factories. Order and efficiency may soothe the failings in his personal life, but only temporarily. Yet
when he gazes upon Deirdre he is completely enthralled by her dangerous beauty. Will this union end as badly as before? Not if he can bloody well help it...

THE DUKE NEXT DOOR is the second installment of the wildly entertaining Heiress Brides trilogy. As amazing as the first book (DESPERATELY SEEKING A DUKE) is, THE DUKE NEXT DOOR tops it! Calder is another wounded hero who has endured much suffering and has secreted himself away behind walls, keeping himself at a distance from those who love him and seemingly incapable of love himself. The parallels to Beauty and The Beast did not go unnoticed by this reviewer. Unable to control Deirdre and Meggie, Calder seeks refuge in that which he can control, his efficient factories, the source of great pride and accomplishment. Deirdre is as damaged, vulnerable and as lonely as her husband, but she also displays great courage and persistence as she fights to win Calder's heart, not only for herself, but for little Meggie.

THE DUKE NEXT DOOR is not only fun and sexy but relentlessly pulls at the heartstrings. Ms. Bradley has set the bar quite high with this one! The Heiress Brides trilogy concludes with DUKE MOST WANTED, sure to be another keeper.

To fully experience these magical stories, readers should make every effort to acquire all three of the books and read them in order. Very highly recommended!

Reviewed by Melissa Fowler
Rating 4 1/2