Duke by Default

An NPR Best Book of the Year - A Bookish Favorite Book of the Year - A Bookpage Best Romance of the YearAward-winning author Alyssa Coles 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 wayNew York City socialite and perpetual hot mess Portia Hobbs is tired of disappointing her family, friends, andmost importantlyherself. An apprenticeship with a struggling swordmaker in Scotland is a chance to use her expertise and discover what shes capable of. Turns out she excels at aggravating her gruff silver fox bosswhen shes not having inappropriate fantasies about his sexy Scottish burr.Tavish McKenzie doesnt need a rich, spoiled American telling him how to run his armoryeven if she is infuriatingly good at it. Tav tries to rebuff his apprenticeand his attraction to herbut when Portia accidentally discovers that hes 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?