What to Do With a Duke

Spinster House Series #1

By: Sally MacKenzie

Narrated by: Beverley A. Crick

Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

Miss Isabelle Catherine Hutting would rather be lounging in the library than circling the ballroom in search of a husband any day. So when Cat hears that the town's infamous Spinster House is open for a new resident, she jumps at the chance to put all this marriage business behind her. But first she must make arrangements with her prospective landlord, Marcus, the duke of Hart - the most handsome man she's ever seen and the only man who's ever impressed her in the least. With her wit, independent spirit, and great beauty, Marcus can't help but be stirred by Cat. It's terribly unfortunate that he's not looking to marry, given the centuries-old curse that left his family with the Spinster House to begin with. No duke shall live to see his heir's birth. But is there a chance the curse could be broken - in true fairy-tale fashion - by an act of true love?

©2015 Sally MacKenzie (P)2015 Tantor

Very enjoyable.

STORY: Sally MacKenzie romances are typically enjoyable. The hero in this one is rather morose, and I think perhaps it wasn't SM'S best. But I could see the characters and the feelings they inspired... a good sign of an enjoyable HEA historical romance.

NARRATOR: With the exception of one characters AWFUL accent this was a very good performance by Beverley Crick. Her voices are each distinguishable with both male and female, young and old. HOWEVER!, she is incapable of doing a Scottish brogue... pitifully incapable. Fortunately being a minor player in this tale the affront to my poor ears was limited. He sounded like a Scott raised in India who occasionally was getting hit in the groin. BAD BAD BAD!

HEAT FACTOR: A gentle simmer and a final flare... very well written.

Cat makes you wanna punch her in the face 😤

I almost couldn’t stand her character during the 1st half of the book. Her inner thoughts are her only redeeming quality. Also the fact for her number of siblings and country life. But really ‘right fist, her face’.

Great fun, once again!

A few old nemeses in the background, but lots of new, fun secondary characters. Plot moves along well, just as previous novels by this author, and there are a barrelful of laughs. Narrator does a fine job of differentiating characters as well as the unspoken mutterings.

Spinster want-a-be....not

The story got a little repetitive like most romance novels. So you could skip about 3 chapters in the middle and not miss much. Otherwise, this was an ok story.

Cute and saucy!

I fully enjoyed this book! The characters were endearing and engaging, the plot had a few original twists and the narrator delightful to listen to!
Light-hearted and fully enjoyable!

This should have been 5 stars

Any additional comments?

I absolutely adored this book. I've been on a romance hiatus for months now so it was nice to find a book in the historical romance genre that I enjoyed. Of course there were some of the same cliches as there are in all romance books. The characters were fantastic. I enjoyed their courtship. Secondary characters all brought life to the book, I love the twins and Poppy (the cat). This should have been a 5 star read but I'm taking .5 OFF because of the cliffhanger ending!!! I can't believe it. Mrs. MacKenzie left us hanging as if we were nerds trying to give a prom king a hi-five!

4.5 stars for the story
4 stars for the narration

Awesome Narration!

second time, perhaps even third time listening to this one. i re-read when my aydible allowance runs out....
i love anything Beverly Crick narrates, she has a special gift for bringing any book and its people within more to life through her intricate characterizations. her giggle is the BEST... SO CUTE.
these are great books, a goid series, going on to the next one now.

very cute story! with an amazing cat!

Sally MacKenzie is a wonderful Author! Ms. Crick does a wonderful job with narration too. A must read in my book!

All’s well that end’s well

And this story ends well. It is a very sweet story with a very modern premise and conundrum. What to do. What to do. Being a modern woman I, of course, want Cat to get her ultimate dream … to get her independence and write. But life is not always cooperative with timing. But Cat does come to a decision about her timing and life which is very modern for the times. The Duke is a little more staid and behind her thinking but he does get his own way this time so he is happy. And he no longer has deal with a Curse - always the way to go. Narration was good;

FANTASTIC

My first Sally MacKenzie book and all I can say is WOW!!! Clever writing, funny lines and engaging storyline. The characters came alive and each were so completely believable (and some even adorable) that as the book progressed, I found it hard not to feel invested. I absolutely can not wait to read the next book.