However, a dark cloud hangs over their friendship. James’s father, the Duke of Ashbrook, has recklessly gambled away the family’s fortune—including a significant portion of Theo’s own inheritance, which is under his care. Forced to cover up his crime, the duke blackmails his son into proposing to Theo. The proposal itself is deeply romantic, and the pair begin to discover that their long-standing friendship is blossoming into something deeper and more passionate. The first part of the book lovingly details their sweet and believable transition from friends to lovers, a slow-burn romance that has readers swooning.
Readers have been equally enthusiastic. On , the book holds a solid rating, with many calling it “one of the best reads of the season” and “definitely among my top favorite James books”. One reviewer wrote that the novel “made me smile, laugh, cry, and swoon” and praised its “intriguing mix of friends‑to‑lovers and marriage of convenience”. the ugly duchess eloisa james vk