Griffin York, Duke of Halford and a notorious rake, is kidnapped by his own mother and dragged to Spindle Cove with the decree to pick out a suitable bride. Upon spying barmaid Pauline Simms, Griffin is certain he can foil his mother by choosing the LEAST suitable girl ever despite his instant attraction to Pauline's spirit. Pauline agrees to be an abysmal failure in order to secure a future for herself and her sister, but both Pauline and Griffin underestimate the power of a mother on a mission and the fact they are clearly meant for one another.

SO GOOD. Just when I would think the book would take a classicly trope-y turn, Tessa Dare would shock me in the best way. Definitely give this one a go if you love your romance with emotion, humor, and intelligence.

2021 - Pauline is an eternal fav, as is Griff. I love seeing a reformed rake and bad boy getting toppled by his own feeeeelings. Also, the relationship developed between Pauline and Griff's mother, the dowager duchess, is so endearing. Dare could have easily made the dowager a villain, but instead gives us a woman who is eager to be a mother-in-law and to connect with her own son. She can clearly see Pauline is *the one* for Griff, even if he is a dunderhead and cannot himself yet. Love it.