JIn Cole’s rollicking second Reluctant Royals contemporary (after A Princess in Theory), Portia Hobbs leaves New York for Scotland and a sword-making apprenticeship, determined to recreate herself and her life. VERDICT Portia is a sharp, mature protagonist whose quest for self-improvement will resonate with readers (as will her issues with comparing herself to others)-and who can resist a cranky Scot? Cole's star continues to rise, and readers will be eager for more.Ĭopyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission. Portia drags Tavish and the armory into the 21st century with her social media savvy, and Tavish helps Portia discover that she's not the hot mess she always thought she was. While the attraction is instant, Portia has sworn off men as part of her quest to get her life together, making Tav off limits. Portia Hobbs has the internship of a lifetime-apprenticing as a swordmaker at a Scottish estate, under the tutelage of gruff yet sexy Tavish MacKenzie. 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.įorging 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? Tavish McKenzie doesn't need a rich, spoiled American telling him how to run his armory.even if she is infuriatingly good at it. Turns out she excels at aggravating her gruff silver fox boss.when she's not having inappropriate fantasies about his sexy Scottish burr.

An apprenticeship with a struggling swordmaker in Scotland is a chance to use her expertise and discover what she's capable of. New York City socialite and perpetual hot mess Portia Hobbs is tired of disappointing her family, friends, and-most importantly-herself. An NPR Best Book of the Year - A Bookish Favorite Book of the Year - A Bookpage Best Romance of the YearĪward-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.

Alyssa cole a duke by default