Her Beastly Duke: A Historical Regency Romance Novel (Dukes of Distinction Book 3)
She doesn’t belong in my world, he told himself, but her presence refused to be ignored…
Desperate to escape an arranged marriage, Clara Pembroke seeks refuge in the quiet countryside, only to cross paths with the infamous Duke of Walmore. Scarred by war and shadowed by scandal, Oliver Moore lives in isolation, content to be the monster the world believes him to be. Until Clara, with her quiet strength and fearless heart, begins to see the man beneath the legend.
As their connection deepens, desire kindles into something far more dangerous, hope. But when long-buried secrets rise and trust begins to fracture, love may not be enough to save them.
Two hearts, one haunting past, and a chance at a love neither dared dream…
Discover the story “Her Beastly Duke” a tender, captivating Regency romance novel of over 75,000 words with no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a sweet, satisfying ending that will leave you swooning. Do not lose the chance to add it in your library.
Available now!
Also Free with Kindle Unlimited!
Customer Reviews
B***a
lovely live story
Although the story line was predictable I fully enjoyed the characters. I let the story unfold and was appreciative of the ending.May 25, 2025
L*****7
Darkness into Light
Clara escaped with her maid to her Aunts house in the country, and was delighted at how free she felt. Clara’s parents had been actively trying to push her into marriage with a titled nobleman which interested Clara not a whit. Clara’s country relatives were kind an loving and had their own country version of the social season, which at first made Clara nervous. Then she met the neighboring Duke that everyone called the beast after he had been caught acting strangely during storms. Oliver was certainly different, but with his war scarred face was obviously just reliving the war. He was certainly kind to Clara, if a little awkward. This was a sweet and clean romance that was well written, and the odd characters were treated kindly by the author. Four stars.May 23, 2025
A*************r
Her Beastly duke
This was a wonderful book. She is a wonderful author once you start you can’t put it down full of emotion thank you sorry the review was lateMay 5, 2025
E******e
Clean love story
This is the love story of Clara and Oliver. This is an emotional story with characters that have issues from family and trauma from the war. Clara helps Oliver heal and they find their HEA. A clean love story. Very good read.May 1, 2025
KB
Engaging read.
Captivating story. Well written characters with delightful conflicts.April 28, 2025
W******2
Clean Sweet Romance
I love how the author handled PTSD with Oliver and Clara learning what she wants that is different from her family’s wants. Easy, clean story.April 26, 2025
G**.
amazing
I loved how the author adressed the PTSD issue, it’s just cruel not to care about what damage fighting in a war inflicts to a soul. Clara and Oliver are such wonderful characters, I just wanted them to find healing and happiness together right from the start.April 25, 2025
G**********y
Absolutely loved this book
I truly enjoyed reading this book. I liked the story and character development and it was hard to put the book down. The struggles were presented well and overcoming them seemed very realistic.April 25, 2025
A**********n
Nice
Cool thanks for the readApril 25, 2025
D***.
Excellent story
What a fabulous book! I enjoyed this story so much. Clara & Oliver were so cute together. It was such a tender & sweet relationship born out of love & humility.April 25, 2025
L*********d
What great read!
Two troubled people meet and overcome many obstacles to save each other. Clara has run away to avoid an arranged marriage. Oliver is tormented by wounds and memories of the war with Napoleon. Can they find happiness?April 25, 2025
D******s
Good Read
I like this writer and how she stands for daughters in the Victorian Era and how they win in the end.April 25, 2025
r**e
Her Beastly Duke
Sweet regency romance, I really enjoyed reading Oliver’s and Clara’s love story. Good storyline and interesting and engaging characters. I received an Advanced ARC, and I am giving my voluntary review.April 25, 2025
Jo
Great characters
A clean, moving story filled with many issues that faced people at that time. Oliver has returned from war and must deal with everyday life. Clara is struggling to find the life she wants not the one her family is demanding. Well written with outstanding characters.April 25, 2025
M******e
Great book with strong characters.
Her Beastly Duke was a fun read! It had strong characters that all dealt with their issues. Oliver had guilt from the war. Clara had to run away to avoid a match her parents arranged. Clara’s parents wanted to elevate their station by using her to marry a title. Keeps you going till the end.April 25, 2025
B****W
Clara and her Duke
I am an ARC reader for Ms Thorne and have read much of her work since becoming so. I can safely say this has been my favorite release since becoming acquainted with her work. ‘Her Beastly Duke’ had a real quality to it, especially how it characterizes PTSD and survivor’s guilt in the male protagonist. Oliver was both charming and tortured as a man returned from war and expected to resume his duties as “his grace.” I could easily see how the misunderstood Ton could sneer and fear this man whose rages won him the label of a beast especially as they were overblown by the salacious tongue waggers of old. I very much enjoyed Clara as well. She sensed, rather than believed the gossip around her, which made her an amiable heroine in my estimation. I loved the use of music to quiet his turbulent senses as it is a tool used today in many cases of PTSD. She was strong of character if a bit green to the standing up for herself to her parents. The addition of her extended family and their support of her was a truly nice touch to move the plot forward and really my only “gripe” as it were would be that Clara’s parents seemingly gave no thought to her opinions until they suddenly did! Too quick a change for me. I would have preferred at least a glimpse that Clara was overreaching in that opinion, something along the lines of a missed warmth about them so the audience wasn’t blindsided by their turn of favor. Anyway, just because I’m received my ARC copy for free should not sway your decision on this one. It is a sweet “beauty and the beast” build with a regency backdrop. A quick read that will leave you pleased and contemplative!April 25, 2025
C***********g
A Tale of Two Tormented Souls
Two souls looking for escape — one from an unwanted engagement, the other from the torments of battles fought long ago. How they meet and find refuge is a most riveting tale! One of the best told stories on today’s market. a MUST read!April 24, 2025
D******h
Oliver and Clara
“Her Beastly Duke” by Julia Thorne -This heartfelt Regency romance explores Oliver’s mental struggles after war experiences. Compassionate Clara soothes his pain, offering healing and hope despite societal pressures. The plot has emotional depth with a clean, engaging pace, even if historical accuracy wavers. A touching tale of love, inner battles, and the courage to choose one’s own path.April 23, 2025
S*H
A Sweet and Clean story
Oliver and Clara’s blooming love is complicated firstly, by her parents desire to arrange a marriage with someone else. Secondly, Oliver continues to struggle with the horrors of war now that he is home, feeling unworthy of being loved. One of my favorite aspects of this story centers on Oliver’s PTSD and how it affects his life. Clara’s understanding of some of his struggles, and her innate ability to know how best to calm him lead to some of the best moments in the book. There are some places throughout the story that suspend historical accuracy and realism, but overall, the basic underlying connection between Oliver and Clara is worth the read.April 20, 2025
S**************z
love well earned
Clara runs away from home to avoid a marriage to her aunts. She meets Oliver who has issues from being in the army. He can be very violent but Clara seems to be able to calm him. In the end they both fall in love and marry.April 19, 2025
J**********e
Brimming with love
Despite outer forces and inner turmoil, Oliver and Clara find and stay true to each other. This book is brimming with love. Superbly written, with realistic characters. PTSD is honestly addressed, underlining the terrors that war can, and often does, affect the lives of military men and women for the rest of their days. Thank you, Ms Thornes, from the widow of one such man.April 19, 2025
A*C
Another good one
First of all, I love that the author addressed mental issues from war. Secondly, wow, another page turner, clean , easy to read book. Pulls you in and doesn’t want to be put down. Well developed plot and characters. PTSD (not mentioned by name), war, loss, forced betrothal, running away, parents pushing , healing, falling in love, family helping, standing up for oneself, fighting feeling inadequate, finding one’s place,April 18, 2025
