The Duke I Once Knew
Book 1 in the “Unlikely Duchesses” series
January 2019
ISBN 978-1-250-17437-6
When two childhood sweethearts find themselves together after years apart, does their romance have a chance to be rekindled now that he’s a duke and she’s a governess? Olivia Drake’s new Unlikely Duchesses series begins with The Duke I Once Knew, where first love is always the sweetest…
For years, Abigail Linton devoted herself to caring for her parents and her siblings’ children. Now, eager to create a life of her own, Abby seizes upon a position as a governess on a neighboring estate. Unfortunately, her absentee employer is Maxwell Bryce, the Duke of Rothwell, the notorious rake who once broke her youthful heart. But since he hasn’t set foot on his estate for fifteen years, Abby assumes she’ll never have to lay eyes on him ever again. Then, from out of nowhere, Max appears. He is stunned to come face to face with the girl next door he fell for years ago—before he went away, and she stopped writing to him. . .even though Abby swears that he is the one who left her without a word. Could it be that this spirited, witty spinster has won Max’s heart all over again—and that they may have a second chance at love?
“This first entry in Drake’s new ‘Unlikely Duchesses’ Regency series skillfully combines the classic tropes of unrequited love and enemies-to-lovers to produce a heart-melting story of forgiveness and second chances.” -Booklist
“THE DUKE I ONCE KNEW is an enormously enchanting story … Absolutely sizzling and sparkling!” -Romance Junkie, 5 stars
“Scintillating historical romance series launch … endearing and sumptuous … the novel immerses readers in a beautifully developed world.” -Publishers Weekly