First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author, or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?
- Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
- Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
- Finally… reveal the book!
First Lines:
“I’m afraid that settles it.” Having come to the end of the letter she had been reading, Lady Marleigh brandished it in a rather warlike fashion. “we’ll have to intervene.”
Do you recognize the lines?
Here’s a hint:
It’s a 2022 historical romance.
Still not sure? Here’s another hint:
It’s written by Alexis Hall.
The First Lines Friday book is:
A Lady for a Duke
About the Book:
Title: A Lady for a Duke
Author: Alexis Hall
Page Length: 480
Publication Date: May 24, 2022
Publisher: Forever
Synopsis: A lush, sweeping queer historical romance from the bestselling author of Boyfriend Material—perfect for fans of Netflix’s Bridgerton, Evie Dunmore, and Manda Collins!
When Viola Carroll was presumed dead at Waterloo she took the opportunity to live, at last, as herself. But freedom does not come without a price, and Viola paid for hers with the loss of her wealth, her title, and her closest companion, Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood.
Only when their families reconnect, years after the war, does Viola learn how deep that loss truly was. Shattered without her, Gracewood has retreated so far into grief that Viola barely recognises her old friend in the lonely, brooding man he has become.
As Viola strives to bring Gracewood back to himself, fresh desires give new names to old feelings. Feelings that would have been impossible once and may be impossible still, but which Viola cannot deny. Even if they cost her everything, all over again.
Have you read A Lady for a Duke? What do you think of the first lines? Comment below!
Ooh, this one is on my TBR! I can’t wait to read it 😃
Maybe we can buddy read!
They are good lines!
Oooh well now i’m definitely intrigued! Great first lines.