How to Lose a Duke in Ten Days (An American Heiress In London #2) by Laura Lee Guhrke

Historical Romance

From Goodreads:

They had a deal...

From the moment she met the devil-may-care Duke of Margrave, Edie knew he could change her life. And when he agreed to her outrageous proposal of a marriage of convenience, she was transformed from ruined American heiress to English duchess. Five years later, she's delighted with their arrangement, especially since her husband is living on another continent.

But deals are made to be broken...

By marrying an heiress, Stuart was able to pay his family's enormous debts, and Edie's terms that he leave England forever seemed a small price to pay. But when a brush with death impels him home, he decides it's time for a real marriage with his luscious American bride, and he proposes a bold new bargain: ten days to win her willing kiss. But is ten days enough to win her heart?

If you read book one in the series you know that Edie was not upset that her husband left for Africa one month after the wedding.  In fact that was the deal.  They would marry, she would use her money to save his estate and he would leave for Africa to stay for good.

Edie is busy and seems to be happy.  She never wants a man in her life.  She never wants to return to America.  Marriage for her is a shield.  Stuart wanted the adventure he found in Africa until he is almost killed.  Then he wants to come home to his wife, have a normal marriage and start a family.  There is only one problem with that.  He must convince Edie.  That is where the title and the problem come in.  That is not what Edie wants. 

I loved Edie.  She has made a life for herself but is just realizing how lonely she really is.  She has to work to overcome something in her past to move on to the future.

Stuart is just the person to help.  He has always been attracted to her but left without ever saying so.  He is just what she needs.  He is kind and willing to work for the kind of marriage he wants.

This is a well-written book with a great plot.  I loved how everything unfolded.  There was time to get to know the characters and how they felt.  The tension between them was there and it helped move the story and keep my attention. It also deals with a very difficult subject (rape) and how it affects the woman in a very touching and realistic manner.  I am looking forward to more of the same in the next book in the series.

Avon published How to Lose A Dukein Ten Days by Laura Lee Guhrke in 2014.

I received an ARC of How to Lose A Duke in Ten Days from Edelweiss.