The Unexpected Duchess By Valerie Bowman Apr 2026

The story highlights a core friendship between three distinct women: the scholarly intellectual, the delicate beauty, and the witty Lucy.

by Valerie Bowman is the witty and romantic debut of the Playful Brides series , set in Regency England. Inspired by Edmond Rostand’s classic play Cyrano de Bergerac , the novel subverts traditional romance tropes with a spirited "battle of wits". Plot Overview The Unexpected Duchess by Valerie Bowman

Lady Lucy Upton is a "vivacious" and opinionated heroine with a unique appearance—mismatched blue and hazel eyes and unruly curly hair. The story highlights a core friendship between three

Lucy hides behind a hedgerow to feed Cassandra discouraging lines, only to find herself invigorated by the "Duke of Decisive," who proves to be her intellectual match. the delicate beauty