ARC REVIEW The Illegitimate Duke by Sophie Barnes

Diamonds in the Rough #3, The third and last of the Matthew siblings but not the last of the series. Don't worry each book can be read as a stand alone but it's nice if you have read the others. Juliette was the sickly one growing up after the death of their other sister they protected Juliette. Stuck in the house most of the time she had nothing to do but read, she grew to have a thirst for knowledge, particularly medicine, health, and the human body so when typhus broke out in her old neighborhood she knew right away what she wanted to do with her money. Juliette didn't just want to give St Agatha's Hospital her money and walk away she wanted to be able to have a say so on how her money was spent. Florian was content at being a doctor and the second born son but then his uncle gets elevated to Duke and names Florian as his heir and suddenly Florian is the most eligible bachelor in the country. As if the typhus epidemic wasn't bad enough and old enemy has shown his face again and this time his target is Florian.

Falling in love with Juliette was never part of the plan he feels like he's not good enough for her and the secret he's kept from everyone and the fact that he has received threats against those he loves keeps him from fully committing to her, no matter how much he may want to or how good she feels in his arms. Juliette is tired of being treated like she's made of glass, she knows she is made of sturdier things she can handle whatever problem that may come her way and convincing Florian that they are meant for each other just maybe the hardest thing ever. But when those threats come to fruition Florian will do anything to keep Juliette safe.

Overall, a fantastic read. I absolutely adore Juliette. Sophie Barnes is a great writer, the active setting transports you in time and I never have problems visualizing the story in my head with her books. The characters are strong willed and so caring the story draws you in and for me the heartfelt story and the character you end up really caring for made the whole book very much a fantastic read.