The Cruel Duke’s Unbound Heart: A Historical Regency Romance Novel (Teatime Vows Book 1)
Betrayed, scorned, and shunned, Daniel never believed love could be kind again…
After scandal drives Daniel, Duke of Durness, into solitude, a favour to a friend draws him back into society, as chaperone to the lively Lady Lillian and her sister. Amidst glittering balls and whispered gossip, a spark ignites between Daniel and Lillian, offering him a chance at redemption and love.
But danger stirs. His former fiancée, Lady Margaret, returns with venom in her smile and blackmail in her grasp. She’s determined to reclaim what she lost, even if it means ruining innocent lives.
As reputations hang in the balance and passion deepens, Daniel and Lillian must risk everything to defy the past and fight for a love worth protecting.
Can love bloom in the ruins of betrayal? Or will the shadows of scandal destroy them both?
Love bold characters and a story that keeps you hooked? This Historical Romance has it all, heartfelt moments, unexpected twists, and a love story you won’t forget. Think slow-burn tension, emotional depth, and a truly satisfying happily ever after.
No cheating. No cliffhangers. Just pure romantic payoff.
Read it now, free with Kindle Unlimited!
Customer Reviews
R*******a
Great no spice romance. Suitable for adults and even a hopeless teen romantic!
I genuinely loved this book. it was a nice change of pace for me because it was an easy read romance. each character had their own unique personality and inner turmoil, and yet they found each other becoming friends first and them quickly and unsuspectingly falling in love. also, I really loved the fact that it was a no spice romance, so I can totally let my tween daughter read it as well as her friends! don’t get me wrong, I love spice in a book, but it was really great to read a sweet romance without it! And even though this is a romance, there was also DRAMA and some extreme manipulation!!! It’s definitely a summer romance that you must read!!!May 21, 2025
R*****a
This is a story of betrayal and redemption, leading to love
Two young women are to go to the season, one it being her last chance and her younger sister for her debut; but then their brother is called away on business. He asks his friend, a duke, who was betrayed by his betrothed and has withdrawn from society to chaperone his sisters. The Duke was helped significantly by the brother at the time of his disgrace, so he consents. It turns out to be more difficult than he thought and he runs into his prior betrothed who ruined his character to marry another. Unexpected attraction between the eldest sister and duke, along with his former betrothed still causing trouble. This was a wonderful read and kept you wondering how it would end. It did not disappoint and there was an extended epilogue. I highly recommend this book.May 20, 2025
M**V
A Deceiving Person/A Decision…
The Duke has been humiliated & so retreats to the country. But Andrew chooses him to help in a situation & he does so even as he feels very uncomfortable. And being around Lady Lillian has given him much to think about as his heart is turning. But is her heart turning also??May 6, 2025
M***e
Could read again and again
From the first page to the last this story holds your attention and brings you into the story. Characters you will cheer for love and hateMay 5, 2025
C**********k
I really enjoyed this!!!
I took my time reading this book and just enjoying it. I loved the characters and the storyline, and thought the book was very well written. Also, an added bonus was I did not see any typos which is a pleasant change from other books and authors I follow where there are so many typos. It takes the attention off the book when I see a typo, so I am glad this one did not have them. Great book overall!!!May 5, 2025
C***n
A good clean read
A new author for me, but I will happily read more of her writing. This was a well-written book with developed character and plot lines that I enjoyed. She wrote about the Duke, who was betrayed by the love of his life and had trouble falling in love again. There was also a near spinster and her sister who are having trouble finding love. In the midst of this, there was a conniving woman, some supportive best friends, and lots of emotion.May 4, 2025
P*********************e
Great story…I highly recommend
Thoroughly enjoyed this story. Loved the characters and the plot twists and turn were perfect.May 3, 2025
B***Y
Well done
Good story, and good ending. I was disappointed some because the ending did not cover what became of the person who caused all the trouble throughout the storyMay 2, 2025
r**e
Excellent
Well written, full of emotions, drama, society, passion, love, betrayal, lies and twists. Daniel is a Duke who left society 3 years ago due to the lies spread about him. When asked for his help, his friends needs someone to chaperone his 2 sisters to London for the season. He really doesn’t want to but will do his friend this favor. Daniel meets Lady Lillian and Lady Emily and together they attend different balls and the rest of the social rounds. Everything goes well until he runs into his ex, the one who started the rumors and lies about him. She again starts to cause trouble for them. He now has 2 strong ladies to help him get thru her troubles. Together they get their happily ever after. The characters both bad and good are on an emotional journey and insecurities. There are so many reactions for every interactions between them all. Would recommend to everyone. I received this story and leave this unbiased, honest review.May 2, 2025
V******a
Love Looks Beyond Aesthetics
As I read this story, I continually appreciated the non-spicy romance storyline. I felt as if Little Houses On the Prairie, Little Women, and Pride and Prejudice enmeshed into a new story. The romance tension was ever present, the social interactions were believable, and the heartache was realistic. I would say this a grumpy-to-sunshine (MMC) and a pure-of-heart (FMC) romance. Duke Daniel Durness who is the MMC perpetuates his broken heart by living a reclusive lifestyle after Lady Margaret not only thwarts his proposal but also ruins his reputation and social standing by spreading lies. Daniel reluctantly accepts his friend’s request to escort his sisters Ladies Lillian and Emily to The Season in London. Daniel warns the family that the women will not be received warmly because the Ton have ostracized him from social activities. Lady Lillian (FMC) takes on the role as chaperone for his sister, in hopes, Lady Emily will discover love and become engaged. Lillian also hopes Duke Durness will take on the chaperone role for her, so she can secure a husband and not be a spinster. Lillian is a people-pleaser who needs to find her voice. She devotes herself to others, even if it means sacrificing her desires. Dan is a well developed character who undergoes a beautiful evolution throughout the narrative. Lillian also evolves, yet I feel it wasn’t as detailed as Dan’s. The supporting characters are also well written and used for dialogue purposes, so readers are shown what is happening, not told. I appreciate this writing technique. I offer a clap of applause to the writer. I truly appreciate the historical inclusion of dance cards.April 30, 2025
A**a
Delightful
This Novel was a delightful afternoon read. The author did a wonderful job in making me feel the dark deep emotions of the Duke who endured the cruel, manipulative and false gossip of the ton. The softness and good natured Lillian was such a breath of fresh air after what he went through that it made sense for him to fall for her. The pacing was good for this book and I enjoyed the dialogue quite well. I look forward to the author releasing more stories. *I received this book as an ARC*April 29, 2025
G**********y
Good story
I enjoyed the storyline and characters. Had a hard time putting the book downApril 27, 2025
G**.
talk about polite
Reading this book I was thankful not to live in the Regency era, where so called polite society was all about reputation on the outside and scheming when you looked beneath the surface. I liked how Daniel and Jillian mastered all the threats and were rewarded for fighting for their love in the end.April 26, 2025
J*d
Good read!
Daniel, the Duke of Durness, had his heart broken once but vowed never again. That is until he had to chaperone Lady Lillian. No matter how hard he tried to keep her out of his heart, he failed. Then Lady Margaret, his former fiancée reappears and becomes a disaster in his life and Lillians. This is more than just a love story and definitely worth reading.April 26, 2025
B*****************n
Great story
EnjoyedApril 26, 2025
B****y
Clean Regency Romance
Elizabeth Everly, is a new author. Her book was engaging and enjoyable to read.April 26, 2025
K**e
Great entertaining read!
Enjoyable read! Entertaining and has great characters. A great read for a quiet afternoon.April 26, 2025
M******************a
Sweet and short but no less affecting
This is a satisfying historical romance filled with characters with integrity and honor. I love the lead characters, Lady Lillian and Duke of Durness. From the start, one can feel their attraction and how they belonged together. I was hoping for more pages of their interactions. But as the author has built an adequate foundation for their connection, then it is enough. The way Lady Lillian defended the Duke in his lowest time is commendable for a lady of quality. It is no wonder how the Duke fell hard for her, although he is rather slow in realizing it. The machinations of his old flame was enough to ruffle feathers; but it somehow helped Lillian and Durness come to their understanding at last and their need to reveal their feelings for each other. Truly an enjoyable read and highly recommended for those who have not much time for reading pleasure. And who can go wrong with a topping of an Extended Epilogue?April 26, 2025
Jo
New author
An opportunity to read a new author and it was a treat. This is a sweet, clean story related to a kind Duke, who was horribly treated. Lillian is also kind hearted with a steel backbone. She refuses to allow Daniel to be poorly treated. A lovely plot, with the negativity of gossip, mean spirited people and the need to heal thus moving forward. There are a few tweaks that maybe should be made but I look forward to reading more from this new talented writer. Everyone needs to start somewhere, I think she will grow quickly into this role of author with grace, dignity and excellent skills.April 26, 2025
M*****e
Good and wholesome
GreatApril 25, 2025
C***y
Even the faint of heart can change.
Elizabeth Everly is new to me but as a first time reader of her book A cruel Duke’s Unbound Heart was a FANTASTIC read and she is a major player to be reckoned with.April 25, 2025
B************i
Nice clean romance
I really enjoyed this book from a new author. It was a historical romance that had it all; love, friendship, a bit of nasty, some sadness, and great characters. I felt all the characters were well written and likeable. They were easy to relate to and each had different personalities. The book moved along good, no slow parts. It was a very good, sweet, clean, historical romance and I look forward to reading more books by the author.April 24, 2025
D******h
Clean Regency romance
“The Cruel Duke’s Unbound Heart” by Elizabeth Everly A heartfelt, clean Regency romance with charm, emotion, and well-drawn characters. I received a free copy of this book and am freely sharing my honest opinion. After years in exile, the Duke of Durness returns to society—haunted by betrayal and scandal. Tasked with chaperoning his friend’s sisters, he meets the kind yet strong Lady Lillian. That friend supported him when he really needed it. Old wounds clash with new hope as they face scheming foes and blooming love. I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to more from this author.April 24, 2025
J*******s
A step nearly in every paragraph
The writer of this novel constantly using the words step and steppingbegan to wear on my nerves and definitely pulled me away from the story. May I suggest she invest in a thesaurus and use it.April 22, 2025
W*******r
Not your usual love story
This was a great story, with an engaging backstory of how wounded the Duke, had been by Lady Margaret’s lies and those that supported her lies. He was a gentleman with a tender heart. He had a few friends who supported him but it was really only about 3. So he ran and hide from society for 3 years. Lady Lillian and her sister Lady Emily were sweet but also had a backbone of steel when needed. And they will need it when they encounter the fierce, I’m going to get him back, manipulative woman. Great romances for both sisters and I liked how it all ended.April 20, 2025
b***y
A definite must read book
The Duke of Durness must fulfill a dreaded task and return to London as a chaperone for his friend’s sisters. His friend is unable due to business affairs to take his sisters to London for the season so he asks his friend for help. The Duke is unable to refuse despite his reputation as a liar because his friend stood by him when he needed help. You will love this debut novel!!!!April 20, 2025
