Book Review: Dukes to the Left of Me, Princes to the Right

Book Details:
Title: Dukes to the Left of Me, Princes to the Right 
(The Impossible Bachelors Bk 2)
Author: Kieran Kramer
2010, St Martin's
ISBN: 978-0-312-37402-0
Genre: Historical Romance


Summary:
Most women would not be pleased to be labeled a spinster. But Lady Poppy Smith-Barnes isn't most women. In fact, Poppy has invented an imaginary fiance, the Duke of Drummond, to deter unwanted suitors. A very useful fellow, this duke, until the real Drummond turns up and uses Poppy's ploy to trap her in a betrothal.


A good spy flies below the radar. Which is why being named one of the Prince Regent's "Impossible Bachelors" is so inconvenient for Nicholas Staunton. Every society female will be out to ensnare him. Nicholas needs a fiancee - and Poppy's ruse is the answer. How could he have known she'd be a brazen, sensual siren with an irresistible taste for adventure? Now nothing less will do than to convince his fiery Poppy to revoke her spinster status ... for good.


My Review:
Well, the only reason I even read this second book in the series was because I got the first one, When Harry Met Molly, and this one at the same time. I'd heard such amazing reviews on the first one, that I was SURE I'd like it. Book One fell a little short for me though, the story was just too ridiculous for me to stomach completely. I am happy to report that I enjoyed this one MUCH more.


Poppy is determined to marry ONLY for love. She is even part of a Spinster Club with her two best friends and spinster aunt. She thinks that the Russian Prince she met in St. Petersburg is the only man she can ever love. But then 6 years later, he and his sister come to England and they are both pompous and conceited. Hmm....


Then there is the Duke of Drummond. He is an Impossible Bachelor. He doesn't want to marry either. He's working for The Service (a secret government agency), dealing with his younger brother who is gambling away their money, and decrepit properties. The Service informs him that he MUST marry to continue getting jobs.


The two main characters are fun, lively and have great chemistry. I appreciated that they weren't stupid or too naive. They were both convinced that they could never love the other one, but were going along with this ruse because they had too. Then as time went on they became friends. 


The secondary characters were good too - Mr Groop, from The Service, Aunt Charlotte, the Spinster and the Russian prince and princess with her corgi's. Made for a very interesting book and I wasn't sure how it was all to be resolved in the end.


Congratulations to Ms. Kramer - I will be picking up the next book in the series, Cloudy with a Chance of Marriage.