Synopsis
She’s about to make a beast of a bargain in this clever and deliciously engaging fairytale twist, from USA Today bestselling author Eva Devon…All of London gossips about the Duke of Montrose. A recluse. Inflicted with a terrible disease. A gargoyle with a terrible temper. But he’s also the most important patron of the centuries-old book shop that belongs to Miss Elizabeth Sharpe’s family. Now she’s been charged with delivering books to the Gargoyle of London herself—or risk their shop falling into ruin. But surely a duke can’t be that ghastly…
Garrett Maximilian doesn’t give a tinker’s damn what society says about him. Most of them are sycophants, bowing and scraping in his presence. But not this proud, redheaded spitfire of a woman standing before him. In fact, nothing makes him feel more alive than Miss Elizabeth tartly criticizing his books. Perhaps he just needs a plan to keep her close…
The duke’s glower doesn’t terrify Elizabeth as much as it fascinates her. And worse, he looks at her with a dark hunger that should make her shake with fear—not desire. But Elizabeth’s father has sinister plans in store for his daughter…and this beastly duke might be her only salvation.
Review
It's a fast-paced and engaging historical romance. It's one of those books that is impossible to put down, so I'm glad it's not a long novel. It has two of the most remarkable characters I have come across in historical fiction and the story itself is interesting and captivating.
The Duke of Montrose is a beastly man. He is serious, direct, blunt to the point of rude, and has a temper that makes most men shake in their boots. People scurry before him and he is used to getting his way. That is until one shopkeeper decides to defy him by defying tradition. Now, he has no other choice but to visit the bookshop and decide Mr. Sharpe's fate.
Elizabeth Sharpe runs the bookshop owned by her family. Her father hasn't been able to take care of it, or anything for that matter, since her mother's death. But being a shopkeeper is no hardship for her. She loves books and this is where she truly belongs. The only duty his father still retains is taking books to the Duke's residence every week. She is only now learning that he hasn't been doing it and now the Duke is angry. If he decided to take away the patronage, their shop won't survive.
What will happen when the Duke meets the bookseller? Read to find out.
Overall, a brilliantly written novel that will keep readers entertained. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and would recommend it to my fellow readers. Especially, the fans of Pride and Prejudice and Beauty and the Beast would enjoy this story.
P.S. I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley.