Portia Hobbs has decided to make some major changes in her life. She's done drinking, done coasting through jobs, and most of all, she's done with men. To make sure her new lifestyle sticks, she applies and is accepted to be a sword maker's apprentice in Scotland, as well as tackle the social media and marketing of the armory's seriously outdated website. She's feeling optimistic about sticking to her new plan until she meets Tavish McKenzie, her new boss, who also happens to be older, gruffer, and hotter than she expected.

Tavish keeps Portia at a distance the moment she arrives. On the one hand, he expects the spoiled American socialite to find the hard work involved with running the armory unbearable, but on the other, he finds Portia irresistible. On top of that, Portia proves she has great ideas to keep the armory relevant, and she's willing to learn all she can about the history behind Tavish's life's work.

But when Portia's research uncovers that Tavish is actually the son of a Duke, Tavish realizes Portia's knowledge of high society parties and social rules are the only thing to keep him afloat in his newfound aristocratic title. Portia and Tavish start spending almost every waking moment together, and while their attraction grows, neither is willing, or ready, to submit to their feelings.

Once again, Alyssa Cole's signature witty and heartwarming writing style shines throughout A DUKE BY DEFAULT. This latest novel in the Reluctant Royals series is a true delight. Portia and Tavish start out as polar opposites but have more in common than they think. They both need each other, and watching them come to this realization and subsequently watching them fall in love was charming, as well as super sexy! It was so much fun to check in on characters from A PRINCESS IN THEORY, meet new side characters in Scotland, and get an enticing look at the couple coming in the next Reluctant Royals book. Cole continues to grow as an author, and her joy in writing about these characters comes through loud and clear. Highly recommended, and looking forward to many more books by Alyssa Cole!

Book Summary

Award-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…

New 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.

Tavish 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.

Forging 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?