Sweet little read about mistaken identity and falling in love. A good hour's diversion. ( )

I didn’t like the pacing of this book, though that’s possibly because it’s a novella. Also I listened to the audiobook and wasn’t crazy about the narrator. ( )

The Duchess of Love (A Prequel) by Sally MacKenzie (Audiobook)
Narrated by: Abby Craden
Series: Duchess of Love book 0.5

4 Stars - This was a super short, sweet story. Venus and Drew had a wonderfully fun “meet-cute”, along with great chemistry. The writing was easy and humourous, which makes me hope the rest of the series will be equally as good. The summary for this story did a good job in drawing me in.

The narrator did a fine job. Had a variety of voices for characters. I would listen to her again.

~ Paragraphs and Petticoats ~
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I have to say I pretty much laughed through this entire story. I'm glad I "met" the Duke and Duchess in Lord Ned's story (Bedding Lord Ned). Having seen how strong their love still is, it was fun to learn how it all began. From their meeting in the pond to the garden party this was lots of fun.

Venus is afflicted with a family of bookworms. Both her parents and her sister think nothing of getting completely lost in their studies. Venus is smart, too, but she's much more of a people person. She hates the idea that her beautiful sister could end up and old maid, so when she hears that the Duke and his cousin are coming she plans to introduce him to her sister. While doing her plotting she is drawn to the pond where she spent many happy hours and decides to take advantage of the solitude and go swimming. She's shocked to encounter an equally naked man who claims to be the duke's cousin. In spite of her innocence Venus has no problem looking him over and deciding she likes what she sees. He also makes her feel rather strange, but she likes it. Being a pretty forthright person she tells Drew about her plan and asks for his assistance. I really loved seeing all her planning and maneuvering. She doesn't have a mean bone in her body and I loved how what she did was supposed to make people happy. I liked the way that she went to Drew when she heard what those women said and really let him have it. It was really funny to see him try to get a word in edgewise as he tried to explain. I loved the ending and seeing how she is just what Drew needs.

Drew became the Duke at the age of thirteen. He is so sick of the way people treat him just because of his rank, and how no one seems to be interested in him for himself. When he is mistaken for his cousin by the housekeeper, he convinces Nigel to go along with it so he can have a break. Then, while taking a walk, he comes across Venus just as he's about to go for a swim. Their meeting is somewhat explosive and he is enchanted by her. But once he lies about who he is, he is stuck, because he doesn't want to admit his lie. When he and his cousin are pursued from London by two very determined women things really start to fall apart. I loved seeing Drew cope with her volatility and show her just how much she means to him, even in so short a time.

You know that a case of switching identities is going to have moments when you really wonder if it will all work out. I really understood Drew's desire to escape for a little while, but it sure got him in trouble with Venus. The scene at the garden party was both heartbreaking and funny. ( )

This is a cute, fun novella, which carries on this author's seeming preoccupation with nudity. (Her first series is called Naked Nobility). The hero and heroine first meet one another while unclothed at a secluded country pond. A quick romance ensues, and the happy duke and duchess become the parents of three sons whose stories make up the upcoming new series. ( )