Miss Ridley and the Duke

Dazzling Debutantes, Book 1

De: C. N. Jarrett

Narrado por: Stephanie Cannon, Alex Wyndham

Annabel rides through the night to seek help from the duke. Can a marriage born from necessity become true love?

In this sweet historical romance, a sheltered baron's daughter and a distinguished duke enter into a marriage of convenience, but his hidden secret threatens to unravel everything.

She needs to escape…

When Miss Annabel Ridley finds out her fiancé has been unfaithful, she knows she has to call off the wedding. But with her father and everyone else against her, she's running out of options. Desperate, she turns to the Duke of Halmesbury, hoping he'll help her break free from the betrothal before it's too late.

He's ready to start over…

Widower Philip Markham is finally ready to find a new wife, someone bold enough to avoid repeating the mistakes of his past. When a beautiful young woman unexpectedly shows up in his study, pleading for help to end her engagement to a man he loathes, he offers her a surprising proposal—a marriage of convenience that could benefit them both. But if she agrees, he's determined to keep his past a secret, afraid it might shatter any chance they have at love.

Miss Ridley and the Duke is the delightful first book in the Dazzling Debutantes series of sweet Regency romance books. If you enjoy honorable heroes, spirited heroines, and heartfelt journeys toward love, then you will be enchanted by Jarrett's charming novel. It can be enjoyed as a standalone book.

Tropes include: closed-door after marriage; marriage of convenience; runaway bride; rescuing the damsel in distress; betrayal by the betrothed; opposites attract; forbidden love/scandal.

©2024 C. N. Jarrett (P)2025 Podium Audio

Alex Wyndham’s performance was the only reason to finish this book.

Alex Wyndham did his usual fantastic performance. The female narrator was positively painful to listen to. The story itself was mildly interesting.

Alex made this book tolerable

I think there was a whole chapter where the Duke talked about how he wasn't in love. Saying the same thing a bunch of different ways. I feel asleep listening to it otherwise I would have tried to get my money back

Found a new author to listen to

Full disclosure: although I liked the sound of this book when I read the description, the fact that Alex Wyndham narrated the book was a big factor in my decision to purchase it. He is hands-down my favorite narrator although I have some other favorites as well. I liked the book, but did find it to have perhaps a little too much angst and introspection on the part of the two main characters. But I pushed through and finished the book. Not sure if this is a new author? But if it is I think she has good potential - and I have already purchased the next book in the series.