If there’s one trope we romance readers love, it’s a story historical romance about a duke. Perhaps this is because in the Regency romance fantasy world, the duke is the figure with the most power (since most novels of this genre don’t incorporate the royal family). They also often have the most to lose, which makes their half of the story more daring.
I’ve been gobbling up historical romances about dukes recently, so I thought I’d share my top five in case you’re looking for the best historical romances about dukes.
5 Historical Romances About a Duke
One Dance With a Duke by Tessa Dare
Average Goodreads Rating: 3.87
Why I Think This is a Great Historical Romance
The heroine of One Dance With a Duke is a loving, smart, almost-spinster who isn’t afraid to speak her mind. Especially not to the Duke of Midnight, who has a fearsome reputation but actually just doesn’t like crowds. I love the mutual respect that instantly builds between these two as well as how much of their bond comes from caring for other people.
Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore
Average Goodreads Rating: 4.01
Why I Think This is a Great Historical Romance
This one is getting a lot of buzz, and it makes total sense! Set in the late nineteenth century, our heroine (somewhat reluctantly) joins the women’s suffrage movement while falling in love with the duke who has the power to give women the vote. I love seeing the tie-in of the sweeping political movements of the time with a love story.
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
Average Goodreads Rating: 4.05
Why I Think This is a Great Historical Romance
This is a classic set-up of a “friendly arrangement” gone wrong. Daphne, in modern terms, is tired of being friendzoned and wants the gents of London to view her as a potential wife. When the Duke of Hastings offers to pretend to court her, her stock on the marriage mart gets an instant boost. From his perspective, this means the ton mamas will stop chasing him around, but of course, his plans go awry when he realizes he loves Daphne.
In addition to the fun story, the novel is full of charming characters, mostly in the form of Daphne’s seven siblings and mother.
let me decide for you
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Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh
Average Goodreads Rating: 4.21
Why I Think This is a Great Historical Romance
I read this one several years ago, and I still think of the Duke of Bewcastle staring people down through his monocle. He is the definition of a cold duke, and the heroine is just about as warm as people can get. This one is primarily set outside of London at a house party, which is always a nice change of pace.
Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke’s Heart by Sarah MacLean
Average Goodreads Rating: 4.03
Why I Think This is a Great Historical Romance
Our heroine didn’t know she was an English lady until her Italian merchant papa died and she was shipped to London from Verona. It’s so fun to see the ton from an outsider’s perspective, especially as she tries to make sense of the many rules. The duke in this romance is very reserved and very image-conscious, but he is also endearing in how hard he tries to do the right thing.
Bonus: The Duchess Wager!
Average Goodreads rating: 4.25
My latest novel, The Duchess Wager, features the Duke of Harrodshire (better known as Fitz) as he bets his friends he won’t fall in love. Read the first three chapters free as an email subscriber, or buy the full book here!