Her Runaway Duke by Ellie St. Clair

 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Beyond the Beastly Gaze

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a reclusive Duke with a war-torn visage and a missing eye is simply a hero waiting for the right woman to stumble into his shrubbery. In this charming Regency reimagining of a classic, our "Beast" is a man more scarred by the cruel whispers of the ton than by the actual battles he survived. When he finds the runaway Sienna lost in his woods, he does the only logical thing a brooding nobleman can do: he brings her home and installs her as a servant.

The story moves with a wonderful sense of purpose, never lingering too long in the drafty corridors before another spark of chemistry flies. Sienna is a refreshing heroine who possesses the rare ability to look past a jagged scar and a missing eye to see the man beneath the trauma. Watching her navigate his shadowy estate is a delight; she brings a warmth to the halls that even the most expensive beeswax candles couldn't manage.

It is, as they say, a tale as old as time, yet it feels remarkably fresh in this setting. The pacing is perfectly balanced, capturing the quiet tension of their isolation while moving briskly toward a heartfelt conclusion. If you’re looking for a story where love proves to be the ultimate physician for a shattered soul, this read is a most worthy addition to your library.