Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A Sure Duke by Christi Caldwell Narrator: Tim Campbell
Series: The McQuoids of Mayfair #1
Published by Brilliance Audio on January 9, 2024
Genres: Historical Romance
Length: 8 hours, 4 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible
For a proper lady of the ton and the improper lord she’s mad for, love becomes an adventure in a rapturous and romantic romp by USA Today bestselling author Christi Caldwell. Alexandra Bradbury and Dallin McQuoid are neighbors who couldn’t be more different. She’s prim, mindful, and skittish of social improprieties. Dallin is slightly scandalous, boisterously charming, and unbothered by gossip. On an unexpected night of magic forged under the stars, they discover what they do have in common. Could theirs be a rare love match that might last forever?
But everything changes in a a death in the Bradbury family, financial ruin, and Alexandra’s betrothal to a wickedly wealthy marquess. Alexandra is expected to do what’s best for her family, regardless of her heart. Until another crisis arises, and the dutiful daughter must embark on a journey with the waggish lord across the street to prevent a catastrophe for both of their families. Along the road, will their stars finally align?
A Sure Duke is the third book in The McQuoid’s of Mayfair series following the siblings of a pretty unconventional family of the ton as they find their matches. You do not have to have read the previous books in the series to enjoy this one. So far we’ve had one sibling accidentally left behind Home Alone style. Another who thought she was stealing away on her brother’s ship only to find herself on the wrong one and now it is time for the Eldest brother’s story. Dallin McQuoid wasn’t really interested in marrying, that is until he had a magical night on the rooftop looking at the stars with his beautiful and apparently brilliant neighbor, Alexandra. They are completely different in everyway but that night was magic. Unfortunately Alexandra’s father dies and it will be a year before they meet again.
Alexandra had dreams, ones that revolved around Dillan McQuoid and her coming out. But they are dashed when her mother informs her there is no money. Alexandra’s Uncle has already procured her match to another man, one of great character and breeding but definitely not a man interesting in wooing his new bride to be. To him she is a business transaction and next they meet will be at the alter. Alexandra may be sad she is basically being sold to save her family, but she will do it.
One problem. Her sister has run off to Gretna Green to elope with a McQuoid cousin, if that happens the scandal will rock Alexandra’s family and put all of their futures in jeopardy if her engagement ends up broken because of it. The only difficulty is Dillan is off to fetch his cousin before he makes a terrible mistake as well and their paths will be entwined until they catch up to the couple.
This is a fun story of two people trying to stay apart when they desperately want to be together. Alexandra is far too proud to tell Dillan about her families finances and Dillan is convinced all she was looking for was a title. As they travel the chemistry and banter between them is a lot of fun. Alexandra is not one to cow down to any and her pride rears its head more than once. Dillan, always felt trapped by his title and just wanted to travel and see the world. That was until he found an entire world in another person. This is romantic and cute with some fun characters in it.
My one complaint is that the ending felt really abrupt. I wish there would have been an epilogue or at least a little more to the last chapter before we were just done. But I’m sure we will get to see them again in future stories. Other than that this is a fun read for when you are just looking for that guaranteed Happily Ever After.
Narration:
Timothy Campbell is a strong narrator and has over 100 titles to his name, most see to me in the Historical Romance category. His voice for all the characters carried well, I enjoyed Dillan’s voice the most but he did great even with the female characters. I enjoyed his portrayal of the story and you could tell he felt really comfortable with all the character voices. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Tim Campbell
Tim Campbell is an award winning actor and singer who lives in Los Angeles, CA. He works primarily in audiobook narration and voice over and has narrated hundreds of titles spanning almost every genre. He has won or been nominated for almost every major award in the audiobook industry, including most recently a 2018 Audie, a 2019 Audie (nom), a 2019 Voice Arts Award, and several Independent Audiobook and Audiofile Magazine Earphones awards.
He lived and trained in the UK and Germany, narrates as both an American and a Brit, and has studied performance diction in German, Italian, French, Spanish and Japanese, and Latin. He specializes in accents, dialects, and character work and holds three degrees in theater and music as well as graduating from the esteemed two year Great Books Colloquium of Pepperdine University.
In his other, musical life, Tim sings regularly with the LA Master Chorale, Los Angeles Opera, and in studio sessions for TV and Film. Highlights include principal ensemble in Candide at LA Opera, Courfeyrac in Les Miserables at Fresno Grand Opera, Jud in Oklahoma with Cabrillo Music Theater, and Anthony in Sweeney Todd with Pacific Opera Project and singing on the soundtrack for Star Wars IX: The Rise of Skywalker and films such as Creed 2, Venom, and many others.
About Christi Caldwell
USA TODAY Bestselling author CHRISTI CALDWELL blames Judith McNaught’s “Whitney, My Love!” for luring her into the world of historical romance. While sitting in her graduate school apartment at the University of Connecticut, Christi decided to set aside her notes and pick up her laptop to try her hand at romance. She believes the most perfect heroes and heroines have imperfections, and she rather enjoys torturing them before crafting them a well deserved happily ever after!
Christi makes her home in southern Connecticut where she spends her time writing her own enchanting historical romances, chasing around her feisty seven-year-old son and caring for her twin princesses in training!
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Great review Robin and I don’t like abrupt endings either
Thanks Debbie. I really enjoy that last payoff chapter that we usually get
I thought The Duke Alone was really cute. I’ll have to check this third one out. 😀
Reading that I didn’t think I’d enjoy the books about the rest of the family as much as I have. I liked the last one too on a ship. It had some great funny moments.
Not really my genre, but I’m glad it was good for you. 🙂
HR is always a good easy read for me. Sometimes a pallet cleanser.
Interestingly enough, I don’t think that I have ever listened to a historical romance. I should. This sounds like a fun one even with the abrupt ending.
Haha…they can be really fun and easy to get all the important facts while listening.
Awww Christi Caldwell is fun!
Sounds like a fun romance! I have enjoyed the couple of Christi Caldwell books I have read, but I’m not familiar with this particular series.
Love your description of the other books too, I haven’t heard of these that I remember them, but they sound good! Great review!