REVIEW: Anyone But a Duke by Betina Krahn

Anyone But a Duke by Betina Krahn is the third and final book in the Sin and Sensibility series. The series is based on four American sisters and their adventures to find a husband in London. The book was fine as a stand-alone, although I think it would have been better if I had read the entire series in order. It was a face paced book with plenty of drama, mystery, humor, and action.

Sarah Bumgarten attended the final ball of the season, where she is publically rejected by the Earl of Kelling. Her mother had wanted her to marry a titled gentleman, but after being rejected Sarah was ready to leave London and all of society. She was known as a bluestocking and eccentric due to her healing and love for animals. She decided to go to her brother-in-laws estates, Betancourt, since her sister, Daisy, and brother-in-law where in America. Daisy had married Ashton Graham, who was the younger brother of the Duke of Meridian. She had been at Betancourt for several months and she had arranged for repairs and improvement to the estate during her time there. The staff and townspeople welcomed her and her knowledge of medicine and referred to her as “the duchess” due to them confusing her with Daisy. Sarah was a strong, independent women who had taken control and improved Betancourt when no one else would.

Arthur Graham, the previous duke, had left England five years ago after Daisy decided to marry Ashton instead of Arthur. According to Arthur’s request, the title and property was supposed to revert over to Ashton if he hadn’t returned after five years. When Arthur returns and is shot, he is taken to Betancourt so Sarah could help him. After his true identity is revealed, the tenant farmers start getting robbed and homes start getting burned down. He is uncertain if he still has the title or if it had passed to Ashton, but someone needed to assume the responsibilities of the Duke of Meridian. He had run away from his responsibilities years before and when he had tried to return, fate seemed to work against him. Now Arthur must take his place as the duke and be responsible for the estates and the tenants.

The book had a good plot, was interesting to read but the story didn’t seem believable. Estates having no one responsible for them for five years and then a single female (with no companion) arrives and takes control? I think that would be very unusual during this time in history. Overall I enjoyed reading the book and reading the author’s notes on the research she did on medical technology during this time in history. I was very surprised and interested in learning what technology was actually available then.

Book Info:

Publication: November 26th 2019 | Zebra Books | Sin and Sensibility #3

The youngest of four spirited American sisters, Sarah Bumgarten has studiously avoided her mother’s attempts to find her a titled husband among London’s aristocracy. Now, after an earl’s very public rejection, it seems her ideal mate will be anyone but a duke, a marquis, a baron, or a viscount…

Thankfully, there are no noblemen in sight at Betancourt, the country estate where Sarah takes refuge. Its rightful owner, the Duke of Meridian, sibling to Sarah’s brother-in-law, has been absent for years. Accompanied by her bevy of beloved animals, Sarah delights in refurbishing the once-grand property. But even a self-assured frontier heiress needs help when greedy tenants are threatened by her presence…

Out of nowhere, a stranger jumps into the fray when ruffians attack. Nothing about “Art,” the roguish interloper—now recuperating in the ducal bedchamber—smacks of nobility, with his brazen sensuality, worldly knowledge, and deeply seductive voice. Yet could he be the errant duke? If so, Sarah soon realizes this homecoming promises to be filled with unexpected challenges and passionate possibilities…