A Duchess a Day (Awakened by a Kiss, 1)

This book is just... so good. Like a perfectly ripe, crisp apple. First of all, that cover is FIRE. It's got just enough Snow White looking elements to draw me in and go "oooh, this this a historical romance Snow White retelling?" I LOVE all the little Snow White elements in this book, each and everyone one tickled me with laughter.

The chemistry between Helena and Declan is... *fans self* WHEW. He's hired to make sure she makes it to the altar with the duke she's betrothed to, as she's proven to be something of a runner. I LIVE for the sparks between them from moment one, and they've got that perfect sort of chemistry where there are major sparks but also this deep current of connection and warmth and familiarity. Their banter is amazing because they're so totally on the same page. I did get a little bored of their capers to track down the seven potential replacement duchesses to hopefully take Helena's place, but am glad I kept going because THAT ENDING. OH. MY. GOSH. I have a spoiler-free review policy and I've never been more frustrated about it because I so desperately want to flap my hands excitedly while talking about the glorious genius of that ending. I can't even.

This is the first book in the Awakened by a Kiss series, and can be read as a stand alone. I'm really excited to see what sort of twist she brings to the next books in the series, which are supposed to be twists on Tinkerbell from Peter Pan and one of the stepsisters from Cinderella! Yes please!!

A Duchess a Day has one of the most gorgeous, whimsical covers! This historical romance is a spin on the classic fairy tale, Snow White. It’s a bodyguard romance between “the Hunstman” and Lady Helena but with twists on the classic fairy tale! All the nods to Snow White were a lot of fun and make for a delightful, light-hearted read.

Lady Helena Lark is the daughter of an Earl who is reluctantly betrothed to a Duke. Helena really doesn’t want to get married. Being controlled & having to leave her precious forest and apple orchard behind is her worst nightmare, so for the past 5 years she has tried everything to get out of the engagement: feigning sickness, feigning madness, applied to be a nun, declared herself too old, then too young, declared herself disagreeable in every way, and ran away (5 times). But her parents’ great wealth, influence, and the fact that her family’s property neighbors the Duke’s & would greatly assist his mining operation seem to absolve her every time.

Her fiancé is a 33-year-old man-child whose uncle controls every aspect of his life. At the beginning of the story, the Duke’s Uncle goes to Newgate Prison to hire a bodyguard for Helena. Declan Shaw (aka “the Huntsman”)
is a mercenary who is locked up for a crime he didn’t commit. And the only way out of it is to become the bodyguard to Helena, ensuring her safety and that she doesn’t bolt before the wedding. But Helena has the perfect plan to rid herself of the Duke, she will find the perfect future-Duchess for him...who of course will not be Helena and she’ll get the Duke to jilt her before the wedding. She enlists Declan to help her find suitable replacements for the Duke, and she & Declan start to fall for one another while adventuring together on this “find a different Duchess” mission.

I will say the romance was very insta-lovey (which can be ok) but I didn’t feel the connection between Declan & Helena as much as I wanted. While it wasn’t a new fav, it was definitely a fun, whimsical historical romance with a fairy tale spin that I think others might enjoy.

I’m a sucker for a retelling of a classic fairytale and Charis Michaels did just that and more. I was so invested in these characters. Even Lusk who you hated was intriguing. Helena was a fantastic heroine that was “relentless” and Declan was dreamy and protective. But what I loved was that in the end a woman saved them all! So good! So clever!

Michaels adds several twists in the narrative that were unexpected and fun. A satisfying read from start to finish! I will read everything this author writes!

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I loved this so much. Highly recommend

I really enjoyed this! I liked that it was a reversal where the H was from the lower class and the h was a lady. I really enjoyed the fact that there was no big misunderstandings or problem for these two and that from the start, it was these two against the world. I did not see the reveal at the end coming (although I kept trying to figure it out, I was wrong). Overall, great read!

>Book Review – A Duchess a Day
>I am an independent reviewer. This book is the 1st in the Awakened by a Kiss series and ends in an HEA. This book is a loose retelling of Snow White. The “Huntsman”, Declan is released from prison in order to watch a young girl and make sure she doesn’t run out on her arrange marriage. If he doesn’t do his job, Declan will return to prison and his family will suffer. When Declan meets Helena, he is surprised by how nice she is and how disgusting her fiancé is. Once they decide to work together, their banter is really fun.
>The machinations to get other women to flirt with the fiancé were fun. I love the fact that the hot Declan had to wear lemon yellow livery! I wish there was a scene at the end of the book showing how Helena’s parents took her news regarding Declan.
>This story is appropriate for an adult audience. I am giving this book 4 stars.

The first scene between the hero, Declan and the heroine, Helena had me smiling and their antics with the Duke of Lusk definitely had me giggling. Helena is so smart and brilliant, I adored her right from the beginning of the book. The scene with Helena searching for the list on Declan had me laughing out loud. The humor in this book was so unexpected and so welcome this year.

This story is a play on Snow White and the Huntsman with her white gown, red apples and his name, “Huntsman” but the author has written such a wonderful spin on the fairytale.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*

Lady Helena Lark, an heiress with a plan, has spent years trying to escape her betrothal and pending wedding to the drunk and dull Duke of Lusk, Bradley Gridleston. She’s evaded, refused, and even ran away—more than a handful of times. When her family’s patience runs out, they pack her off to London to walk down the aisle but Helena has another idea—find a more suitable bride to take her place, even if she must look for a replacement duchess every day (which later to be revealed as a Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs reference) that prompts an unlikely alliance with Declan Shaw, better known as “The Huntsman,” who is a mercenary who can pick and choose his clientele. After his last job, escorting a young noblewoman, Knightly Snow, to France, landed him in jail under false accusations, he wants nothing to do with aristocrats or women but the law isn’t done with him, and if he agrees to babysit a duke’s errant fiancé, the payout could make his legal troubles go away.

When their polar opposite worlds collide, Declan realizes that containing his new client is only slightly harder than keeping his hands off her while Helena senses an ally in her handsome new bodyguard and solicits his help. Together they must escape the forces that oppose them and fight for the fairy-tale love they desire, leaving readers with a strong lasting impression.

Embarking on this read, I am shook. This was waaaaaay better than I had originally expected and to think I wasn’t going to request this ARC on Netgalley but thank goodness I ignored my stupid thoughts and took the plunge.

Helena was hands down one of the best heroines I have read in a historical romance in a very long long time! She oozes confidence, was playful and forward with Declan, and remained true to herself throughout the novel. Declan and Helena had a great balance in their romance. There wasn’t any winey, woe me moments and they took a realistic approach to their bubbling relationship (pros/cons) and made it work. They complimented each other so well despite their backgrounds and I instantly fell in love with these characters and that also included the sides Knightly (she’s a riot!) and Lusk (more so after Knightly resurfaces).

I sincerely hope the next installment to the series, ‘When You Wish Upon a Duke’, features Knightly and Lusk. The Duke truly did awakened by a kiss before doing a 180 when she came out of hiding. He was no longer dull, boring, drunk and a pushover when it came to his uncle. I really need more of this couple now and I would be utterly devastated if we don’t get to see more of them in the future. My fingers are crossed!