Readers, who challenged Tessa Dare to a book off? Because let me tell you, she put pen to paper and brought it! Oh my goodness! She rocked it in Any Duchess Will Do. I am a HUGE fan of the Spindle Cove Series and this one was stellar! This is a book you will want to read this summer. See why in my review below.
Pauline Simms is a serving girl in Spindle Cove. She is all things sassy with a keen mind. She is the daughter of a farmer and older sister to Daniela, a woman who has some challenges. Pauline has big dreams of working hard and opening a lending library in Spindle Cove, getting Daniela and herself out from underneath her bully of a father. When a grumpy duke wonders in and points to Pauline and says, “I pick her” her whole world is turned upside down and the chance of owning her lending library may be more of a reality than realized, but what will she give up to have her wildest dreams come true?
Surly, Griffin Eliot York, 8th duke of Halford has been drugged and taken to Spindle Cove to find a wife. Griff has no need or want for a wife. He wants to live his remaining days alone (he has a painful secret). However, the duchess (his mother) has other plans and wants grandchildren. She demands Griffin to pick any woman and she will train her to be the next duchess of Halford.
Griff strikes a deal with Pauline, if she goes along with plan for the duchess to put her in ‘duchess training’ and utterly fails, she will earn 1000 pounds. That is enough money to start her lending library and take care of Daniela. It’s an easy offer, essentially be yourself for a week, get some new gowns, eat fine food and at the end go home with 1000 pounds. How hard could it be? Add in a handsome duke hiding behind an emotional wall and a duchess that is hiding behind a hardshell, what could go wrong? Can both Pauline and Griff part ways after a week discovering that fate intervenes at the most inopportune of times?
One word for Any Duchess Will Do…S-P-E-C-T-A-C-U-L-A-R! This story is Tessa Dares best to date. I was laughing out loud within the first few pages and kept laughing throughout the story.
“A duchess might contemplate all manner of cutting remarks and frustrated oaths. But even in the face of extreme annoyance, she stifles such ejaculations.” “My,” Miss Simms said, wide-eyed. “I do hope dukes aren’t held to the same standard. Can’t be healthy for a man, always stifling his ejaculations.” -Pg 59 Any Duchess Will Do
Pauline’s fiery personality and Griff’s sarcastic point of view leaves them both perfectly match for awesome word duals. With the fire between them there is great passion and wonderful sweet tender moments. Oh and duchess is fabulous. This book is really about being true to yourself and own who you are. There will always be people out there that do not understand you or want and that’s ok, as long as you are happy with yourself, there is no reason to change for anyone. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about this book, it is just that great. The Spindle Cove series is wonderful and this book just makes it irresistible. I would highly recommend this series and book.
A Week to be Wicked was previously my favorite of this series, but it now comes in at a close second to Any Duchess Will Do.
Spindle Cove Series:
You can purchase Tessa Dare’s book on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
Reach out to Tessa via her website or Facebook.
-Romance Reader Girl
Romance Reader Girl 
Great review, Lindsey! This is a book you just can’t help rhapsodising about. That’s one of my favourite quotes. I nearly choked when I read it. A Week to be Wicked was my favourite as well but it had to slip to second place after reading this one. I’m so disappointed that Tessa has no immediate plans to write any more in the Spindle Cove series but she hasn’t ruled out more books in the future.
Thanks Carol!
I had to read it twice. I was laughing so hard that my husband was looking at me, so I read it to him and he laughed. It was great! Yes, A Week to be Wicked slipped to second, which was no easy feat, but how could it not? This book was just awesome!
Oh…What about Charlotte? She needs her story. I would assume that would be the next one.
Lindsey, this is what Tessa said in the recent Q&A go Goodreads about Spindle Lane:
“Any Duchess Will Do is the last planned full-length Spindle Cove book, as you mention. Right now I’m working on the first book for a new series that will begin next year. However, I have a feeling I will be revisiting Spindle Cove and some of the characters in the future. I can’t promise yet exactly when and how, but it’s definitely something I will be looking for chances to do”
and answering a question about Charlotte specifically:
“Several readers have asked me about Charlotte. I loved writing her character and would be thrilled to revisit her someday, but she’s just 16! I feel like she’s too young to have her romance just yet. So I’m holding on to her for now, but hopefully someday. “
Thanks for the info!
Well, that’s encouraging.That does make sense that since Charlotte is so young, but can’t she just write the book as if five years has past?
I loved that line. Tweeted.
Great writing!!
Thanks, Ella 🙂