This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from St. Martin's Paperbacks in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

How To Love A Duke In Ten Days is the first book in this authors NEWEST series...yep you heard me she has a new series and it starts out with a bang. Just like "The Highwayman" it starts off fresh, gritty and real and I am all for it and it worked for me in so many ways. There is so much that I admire about this author here and this book surprised me. I am not sure why I was so shocked it delighted me so much here, but it really did and in ways I wasn't expecting. Just fair warning there are some darker elements included in the story so this story might not work for everyone because of those elements such as abuse and rape.

Our delightful story starts off with a friendship that is formed between three women. Lady Alexandra along with two other women while at a school is sexually assaulted by the headmaster and in trying to defend herself, the headmaster ended up dead and Alexandra along with her two friends covered up the evidence and have kept it a secret for over ten years. But Alexandra still suffers from the trauma and focuses on her archaelogical and traveling work instead of the memories that haunt her. She is called upon for her friend Francesca who is betrothed and to marry the Duke of Redmayne, but in a turn of events she finds herself offering herself up to Piers instead when there is a threat against all those she loves.

Their match is one of a marriage of convenience but there are sparks between them when they kiss and Alexandra hopes that chemistry builds and that she can finally find some peace from the nightmares of the past. But with her life in danger and those she loves, she needs the money and power that protects her by being the Duchess of Redmayne. But Piers is unlike any man she has ever known and he makes her feel safe and cherished in a way she has never experienced. But when her enemy follows them on their honeymoon, their lives are threatened when the danger escalates....can they find a way to defeat their enemy or will their enemy defeat them....

This was truly a magnificent book and honestly I am really struggling to write this review in such a way that gives this book the right justice that it truly deserves. Because this book was breathtaking in all that it contains and there are really no words to display my love for this book. Because once again Kerrigan Byrne has wowed me in such a way that humbles me.  Now there are two major factors that I guarantee you will fall for....the friendship in this trio of ladies and the romance between Pier and Alexandra. Now first lets discuss this friendship. I just love seeing any friendships in romance whether they are male or female focused...it doesn't matter because both are beautiful to see in any story. We see the tight bond that these three have. They each have a painful secret and the way they first come together for Alexandra and protect her and risk their own lives and reputations for her was so heartfelt. To have that type of bond of friendship is rare and we see how their bond is cemented throughout the story.

Now for the actual romance between Piers and Alexandra. Both of them have trauma's or some form of abuse they both have suffered. Piers was pretty abused by his mother and suffered a attack from a jaguar in the jungle on his travels and is scarred because of it. Of course, our heroine has suffered from being sexually assaulted and what her family has suffered financially but has still maintained her goals and dreams and the way she sacrifices herself for her friends is such a beautiful tribute to the friendship. But I also believe for Alexandra that when there is a kissing scene between herself and Piers she felt something she hadn't felt before and desired more. There is something that see in each other from the very beginning and even though Alexandra knows having to share sex with Piers will be a challenge, she is willing to do what it takes to protect those she loves and I truly admired her courage and core of strength to do that. We see from their relationship that it does get rocky at times, and yes Piers has NO clue what she has suffered so I really felt bad for him. Because in many ways he is completely in the dark about what Alexandra is suffering. You as the reader understand why this is happening but at the same time wanting Alexandra to come clean with the truth. But Piers is no idiot and boy I wanted to cheer for him in how he learns the truth because he is my HERO. His life hasn't been easy for him either and I just truly adored the way these two connect and truly accept each other without judgment.

Overall I found How To Love A Duke In Tend Days to be a emotionally raw packed love story that delivers in sensuality, thrills of adventure and true intimacy that is deep and awe filled!! A sensual gem to hold close to your heart!