How to Capture a Duke

Matchmaking for Wallflowers, Book 1

By: Bianca Blythe

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Length: 8 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Fiona Amberly is more intrigued by the Roman ruins near her manor house than she is by balls. When her dying grandmother worries about Fiona's future, Fiona stammers that she's secretly engaged. Soon she finds herself promising that she will introduce her husband-to-be by Christmas.

Percival Carmichael, new Duke of Alfriston, is in a hurry. He's off to propose to London's most eligible debutante. After nearly dying at Waterloo, he's vowed to spend the rest of his life living up to the ton's expectations.

When Fiona tries to warn a passing coach about a tree in the road, the driver mistakes her for a highwaywoman. Evidently he's not used to seeing women attired in clothes only suitable for archaeology, waving knives. After the driver flees, Fiona decides she may as well borrow the handsome passenger....

©2016 Bianca Blythe (P)2016 Bianca Blythe

AN ENTERTAINING READ

I very much enjoyed this book. Although I read the second and third books of the series first, it didn't hinder the story at all. The author, Bianca Blythe was new to me but hopefully, it won't be the last of me enjoying her books.
I was already familiar with the characters from the other books but enjoyed their in depth development. It tied them all together and explained so much more. There is some humor in the premise of how the main characters meet as well as the anguish until the characteristic fariry tale happy ending of a historical romance (That I love). If you haven't read any I would recommend reading them in order and do highly recommend the series.
This was my first audio book. I wasn't sure I would like it, but it was actually handy, with my Bluetooth I could listen while I did my stable chores making the morning fly by and finishing my book so much sooner, although I was sad to finish so soon!

Lovely

A very nice book. Loved the characters and how our girl overcame the issues she had. Liked the narration, the different characters came through perfectly.

reasonably good story, poor recording

This was an enjoyable story, if somewhat over dramatic. However, the most annoying part is the numerous segments in which the recording skipped and jumped like a scratched record.

Disappointing

Percival was very annoying letting everyone think for him. I liked the heroine , but both were portrayed as weak. The narrator’s voice of males sounded all the same making it hard to tell who was speaking . I would not recommend this book.

Okay story, Okay narration.

So this story was just okay. The characters were okay not the best not the worst. The romance portion seemed a bit forced to me. The chemistry was meh.

The story line and plot were a bit far fetched and juvenile. There was plenty of dialogue throughout the book so that was good.

As for the narration it was okay. Roslyn Landor uses her reading voice for the men's voices which is somewhat annoying. She does a great job with the female voices. Otherwise her narrations are just meh to me.

Promising Beginning

Any additional comments?

The story has interesting and unique elements. The way the H/H meet, the interest in archeology, the 'fake fiancé " story etc. The characters are complex and have interesting background stories. The lead man is handicapped, the details about his physical and emotional struggles add richness and interest. So overall this is a promising beginning to a good series.

I do think some of the writing indicates that the author, Bianca Blythe, is fairly new at this. But I think she has a promising future and I would love to read the next book in the series. Overall good beginning!

Narration-Rosalyn Landor is the master of historical romance! Perfection! She adds a lot to the story, without her the rating would be lower.

Story: 3.5 stars
Relationship/sex: actually quite cute, interesting and loving characters. Few hot sex scenes.
Nattation: 5 stars-Masterful
Technical difficulties: chapter 25 of the book skips every few seconds. Audible was notified.
Overall:3.5-4 stars, worth the time, and a promising beginning to an interesting series

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher through Audiobook Boom in return for my unbiased review.

A New-to-me author

Misconceptions and desperation turns a shy blue stocking into a Highway woman when she kidnaps a Duke. This sometimes funny often heartbreaking story is a fabulous twist on a historical romance! How to Capture a Duke by Bianca Blythe was a great introduction to a New-to-me author.

Recording skips for two chapters

Enjoyed the story, but chapters 25 and 26 skipped to the point you missed a lot of content. It drive me crazy.

Made up lovers never materialize as planned

Any additional comments?

All Fiona wants to do is dig up artifacts but everyone expects her to marry and act normal. She will go to any lengths to avoid that, so she makes up a pretend fiancé who she plans to pretend kill off later. She finds a man but he is not so keen on the idea. He intends to propose to a lady in London and he is in a hurry to get there with the jewels he is to present to her. Fiona interferes with his plan because she has promised to bring her pretend fiancé to the Christmas Ball to prove that he is real. There is quite a struggle between them regarding their conflicting plans. There is a very funny part where the locals become involved in the struggle.

The reader is excellent, as usual. Rosalyn Landor is at the top of the list of best performers of audible books. She is amazing with all voices.

Pretty good story here!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If someone were looking for a historical romantic than this would be a good choice.

This was an alright story. One thing that really annoyed me were all the lies that fell out of Fiona’s mouth, prior to Percival ‘coming around.’ I contemplated stopping the story there and I’m not really sure why. I guess I just felt bad for Percival or maybe it was because it seemed the kidnapping scene was overly long or something. Needless to say, I’m glad I continued on.

What does Rosalyn Landor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I've never listened to Rosalyn Landor narrator before. Needless to say, she did a superb job!

It was around chapter 23 when I started having issues with the audiobook itself. During this time there were times when the narration would stop and then start back up at a different point in the story, typically a several seconds ahead. I wasn’t sure if this was happening because of the phone I was using, the audiobook version I was given, or something else. Either way, it was really annoying. Strangely, by chapter 26 the narration/audiobook went back to normal.