This time out, we have Duke Most Wanted (St. Martin's) from Celeste Bradley, the final book in her 'Heiress Brides' trilogy. The last cousin, Sophie Blake isn't really interested in snagging a duke for a husband, but she does have a male friend whose company she enjoys very much while she's in London for the Season. But then Lord Graham Cavendish, her very close friend, suddenly becomes a duke after the unexpected deaths of his father and brothers. Suddenly, every woman in London is after him, and Graham has to marry someone with money to put the family estate back in the black. And, just as suddenly, Sophie has a reason to want to marry her own duke. But plain, awkward Sophie needs a makeover first. Then Sophie is just as in-demand as Graham at all the Society events, and Graham doesn't like it. The money manager is still trying to make sure the large amount of money Sophie's grandfather has invested for the granddaughter who marries a duke first stays out of the hands of all three granddaughters, which, in this case means he'll court Sophie himself. As with the previous two in the series, this one is a light read good for whiling away a rainy spring afternoon. Even with the twist late in the story, this one doesn't hold much in the way of surprises. Graham is a typical male, unable to see what's in front of his nose until someone else wants it, too. Sophie has his best interests at heart when she makes her own decision during the course of the story, rather than her own, which is nice, considering the secret she's keeping. I enjoyed this one, but didn't find it a keeper either. I'm sure Bradley fans will disagree and love this one madly. I'm giving it three of Cupid's five arrows.
Until next time, happy reading!
