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  • A Duke in Shining Armour

  • Difficult Dukes, Book 1
  • By: Loretta Chase
  • Narrated by: Kate Reading
  • Length: 11 hrs and 12 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (67 ratings)
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A Duke in Shining Armour cover art

A Duke in Shining Armour

By: Loretta Chase
Narrated by: Kate Reading
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Summary

Surely something so temptingly wrong can’t be so deliciously right? 

A Runaway Bride....

Bookish, brainy Lady Olympia Hightower should be elated she's marrying the ‘catch' of several London seasons. Her large spendthrift family certainly is! And yet, Olympia finds herself sneaking out the chapel window, in a mad attempt to escape her glorious future as a duchess.

A Duke in Pursuit....

Virtue was never a virtue for Hugh Philemon Ancaster, Seventh Duke of Ripley, but even he can see his duty as best man requires him to recapture the fleeing bride, and return her to the bridegroom. But with every one of Olympia’s clever turns, he’s finding it harder to give her up.

A Matchmakers Dream....

©2017 Loretta Chase (P)2021 W F Howes

Critic reviews

"Overflowing with Chase’s signature wit and laugh-out-loud humor.” (Romantic Times)

"One of the finest romance authors of all time." (Julia Quinn)

What listeners say about A Duke in Shining Armour

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

I have a few of her other books so I knew what to expect in terms of historical accuracy when it comes to events, language or customs. Her books are usually light entertaining fluff, and they help my mind relax when I'm not in the mood to think about anything heavy. So I think my expectations are fairly realistic and I can ignore a fair few faults in the story line or the characters, as long as there some redeeming qualities there.

But the trouble with this book is that I couldn't find much to like about the two main protagonists, Olivia especially. She was a coward, and a hypocrite, and incredibly selfish from the beginning to the end. I can honestly say I haven't found one thing to like about her. Ripley wasn't much better but as least he showed he had some remorse about hurting his friend. Cheating is not something that I condone in real life so maybe I'm subjective, but I can't warm up much to characters who not only cheat, but do so with their fiancé's best friend/said best friend's fiancée. And the whole thing doesn't even make sense, she's running away from her wedding with a wastrel only to sleep with his friend who, is not only a wastrel, but a cheat as well. Smart move there lady. And Ripley, cheating on his life long friend for a woman he practically met a few hours before? Who needs enemies when they have friends like these right?

But the worst thing was the way everyone was blaming Ashmond for what happened. He gets jilted at the altar, his best friend runs away with his fiancée, he is publicly humiliated, yet it's his fault because Olivia couldn't find her spine if she looked for it with a magnifying glass?

In short, the whole plot had more holes in it than my colander and the main characters were unlikeable and had no redeeming qualities (with the exception of Ashmond, who had more honour in his pinkie than the other two put together). The only saving grace here is the narrator, who did a wonderful job and made the book bearable.







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16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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A complete romantic romp

A rarity in that the narrator matched the exquisite humour and romance of an excellently written tale with utterly likeable character.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Dull

Just no depth. I realised I’m just not in to this genre. My mistake I guess.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Delightful

Thoroughly enjoyed this delightful story. First time I have read anything by this author, I will certainly read more. My only gripe is with the fact that Americans seem to have lost the words ‘fits’ and ‘fitted’ and replaced them with ‘fit’ an occurrence that grates dreadfully on my ears, especially when the book is narrated in an English accent.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Really enjoyable

I loved the hero and heroine and their banter. Good story very well narrated. Worth keeping.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Brilliant!

Great story, well written with a fast moving plot, I couldn't wait to get to the end! It reminded me of a Georgette Heyer novel - a Recency classic at it's best!!!!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Laughter lines

Fabulous fabulous I laughed so many times I had to keep turning back ! Narrated brilliantly can’t wait to listen to the following books

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fabulous

A fabulous period drama. Wonderfully written and beautifully descriptive. A laugh out loud book, not for the Tube, as you may get some strange sideways glances! Loved everything about it. Just starting her next novel.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another win from Loretta Chase

From the moment I was introduced to Loretta Chase I have enjoyed her work.
I felt like the story in this book started off well but then had a section where I almost felt like skipping.
While the ending is using clear with most books in this genre early on I really enjoyed the story and have listened to this book at least 3 times at this stage.

Performance:
Kate Reading is one of the best narrators for audiobooks. She has a way of bringing the characters to life. Unlike some other narrators there is not a big difference between the volume of the character voice and the narrator voice. There are some narrators where the difference is so noticeable it feels like the volume is at least 1-2 levels higher making it difficult to listen to.

The story stands on its own and could be read as a single novel outside of being the first in the series without missing anything.

Once I had finished this book I went and bought the second straight away. I can't wait for the 3rd to come out.
Would definitely recommend

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Entertaining

Pleasant book well read and amusing dialogue. Thought the runaway bride showed just the right amount of spirit -

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