While the Duke Was Sleeping
Author: Samara Parish
Reviewer: Jen
Rating: B
What I’m Talking About:
Adelaide is lady’s maid to Lady Cordelia, daughter of a duke and betrothed to Duke of Hornsmouth. When Cordelia decides to run out on her wedding, she drags Adelaide along, and soon the pair are hiding out in a small village waiting for the dust to settle. However, the Duke of Stratford discovers Cordelia and tells her she will be his wife. In an attempt to flee, Cordelia knocks out the duke, and following a string of silly circumstances, Adelaide finds herself pretending to be Cordelia. Waiting for the duke to regain consciousness, Adelaide must continue her charade living with his family, including Rhett, the man who sets Adelaide on fire.
While the Duke Was Sleeping is a delightful homage to the 1995 movie While You Were Sleeping. Pretending to be the fiancée of a man in a coma, Adelaide falls in love with this younger brother, Rhett. Overall this is a fun story. At times it is silly but not outrageous. I love Adelaide and Rhett. Their chemistry is wonderful; they truly are each other’s other half. They have an immediate connection that only grows as each opens to the other. She gives him truths that she’s never shared with anyone else. She’s honest with Rhett, despite lying about who she is. And I love how Adelaide helps Rhett realizes his own worth and encourages him to believe in himself and his opinions.
The supporting cast is a hoot. Rhett’s sisters are full of life and energy, often talking over one another and scheming to make sure Adelaide stays. While the story and romance are completely standalone, I was left with questions about trouble-making Uncle Frank and his relationship with one of Rhett’s sisters. I also disliked Cordelia immensely for much of the book. She’s a whiny bully, but probably written appropriately for her rank and position in society. I did find it odd that Cordelia was left off page for much of the book, after establishing that she cannot/will not do anything for herself. Readers are left wondering why she ran from marriage, and I’d love another book to find out!
While the Duke Was Sleeping is a fun historical romance that is best enjoyed if you don’t take it too seriously.
My Rating: B
Jen
About the Book:
When Adelaide Rosebourne must impersonate her mistress for a few days, it doesn’t seem like it’ll be a difficult task, even if her mistress’s supposed fiancé is in a coma. All she has to do is wait until he wakes up and then convince him to retract the proposal—thereby securing a tidy reward. What she doesn’t count on is the arrival of the duke’s brother and his damned inconvenient interest in her affairs. But does it really matter? She’ll be gone before he finds out the truth.
Rhett Montgomery knows two things—that he is woefully unprepared to take over the dukedom, and that the woman who claims to be his brother’s betrothed is not who she says she is. No debutante swears so fiercely or kisses with such recklessness. Investigating is what any good brother would do, isn’t it? As long as he doesn’t start falling for her charms as well.
Release Date: February 25, 2025
Publisher: Forever
Series: England’s Sweethearts #1
Genre: Historical Romance, rom-com
Format(s): paperback (336 pages), e-book, audiobook
Book Source: Publisher / NetGalley
Purchase Info:
Amazon (affiliate link)