A Duke by Default: Reluctant Royals

Award-winning author Cole continues her new series with the story of a woman on a quest to be the heroine of her own story and the duke in shining armor she rescues along the way. Original. n nAn NPR Best Book of the Year - A Bookish Favorite Book of the Year - A Bookpage Best Romance of the Yearn nAward-winning author Alyssa Cole's Reluctant Royals series continues with a woman on a quest to be the heroine of her own story and the duke in shining armor she rescues along the way...n nNew York City socialite and perpetual hot mess Portia Hobbs is tired of disappointing her family, friends, and--most importantly--herself. An apprenticeship with a struggling swordmaker in Scotland is a chance to use her expertise and discover what she's capable of. Turns out she excels at aggravating her gruff silver fox boss...when she's not having inappropriate fantasies about his sexy Scottish burr.n nTavish McKenzie doesn't need a rich, spoiled American telling him how to run his armory...even if she is infuriatingly good at it. Tav tries to rebuff his apprentice--and his attraction to her--but when Portia accidentally discovers that he's the secret son of a duke, rough-around-the-edges Tav becomes her newest makeover project. n nForging metal into weapons and armor is one thing, but when desire burns out of control and the media spotlight gets too hot to bear, can a commoner turned duke and his posh apprentice find lasting love?n