The Captive Duke by Grace Burrowes – [Review]

Book Information

Book Title: The Captive Duke

Author: Grace Burrowes

Summary:

“A dazzling Regency romance from New York Times bestselling author Grace Burrowes. Christian Severn, Duke of Mercia, nearly lost his will to live after coming home from brutal fighting in France. That is, until Gillian, Countess of Windmere, shows him that he still has plenty to look forward to.

Captured and tortured by the French, Christian Severn knew he’d left a part of himself behind, even after he returned home to England. But even his estate is no comfort to him, when he has to take back the reins of his life while mourning the death of his wife and son. It’s not until his late wife’s relation, Gillian, Countess of Windmere, pointedly reminds him that he still has a daughter, that he realizes he still has much to live for, and that he can forever be the duke both Gilly and his daughter need…

As Gillian pushes, prods, and drags Christian back from the brink and works tirelessly to discover what happened to Christian’s young daughter, that led to her refusal to speak to anyone, she and Christian spend more and more time together trying to heal the little girl and build a safe and happy life for her. Gillian proves at every turn that she’s a true lady, but can their new love survive, when she finally unearths Margaret’s terrible secret?”

According to GoodReads

Length: 447 pages

Genre: Historical Romance; Historical Fiction; Regency

Series: The Captive Duke #1

Spice Level (If applicable): 4 / 5

Overall Rating: 8.2 / 10

What’s the Buzz about this book?

I have many emotions about this book. The topic was heavy; focusing on two damaged individuals working together and separately to heal themselves. Christian Severn was captured and tortured by the French and has a tormented soul and body when he returns home to a lonely child. He is lost to his mind and his darkness when a whirlwind of a woman appears in his life. Gillian, the widowed Countess of Greendale, and his late wife’s cousin, is a bright ray of sunshine and uses a refreshing lack of societal niceties that shock and pleases Christian.

Gillian convinces Christian to return to his family seat and his surviving child, Lucy. She is not talking and Gillian is certain that Lucy needs her father. In turn, Christian convinces Gillian to remain at his house, to help him and to help his daughter.

Oh my, I enjoyed the romance between Christian and Gillian. They are argumentative but it never ends up being loud voices, they kiss each other all the time, and even share a domestic lifestyle before they even share a bed. We find out that Christan and Gillian both have their own visual and hidden traumas that impact their ability to function and share another romantic relationship.

As a romance, there is a happy ending. Christian chooses to get his revenge only for Gillian to appear and help solve the mystery of why he was captured. Gillian helps to resolve the problem of someone trying to kill her and ends up happy with Christian.

Favourite Quote(s):

” Will four trunks be enough?” He popped a section of orange into his mouth. They could spare her a farm wagon, should she need it. He’d drive the thing himself.”
Page 172

Spoilers Bee-ware!

You have been swarmed. Reading past this post means that you understand that you might spoil the book for yourself.

Stats + Facts:

Total Chapters: 20

8 oranges are shared between Christian and Gillian. The first orange is shared on page 40

First kiss on page 89.

Love slowly builds in the Captive Duke, with Christian and Gillian working diligently to heal each other and create a strong foundation. Christian first brings love up (mentally) on page 327 and Gillian on page 350.

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