Miss Wick and the Duke Dilemma by Violet Marsh book review

Eoin Aucourte, newly titled Duke of Foxglen, seeks to find the mother and sister who were taken from him in childhood after his grandfather’s death. His only lead is the Black Sheep Coffeehouse in Covent Garden, run by Hannah Wick—the sharp-witted daughter of a man exiled decades earlier by the Aucourte family and later driven to piracy. Hannah agrees to help Eoin, but not from kindness: she plans to use the search to gather evidence to ruin the family that stole her family’s land. To get close, she pretends to be Eoin’s mistress and uses the coffeehouse’s gossip network, her own daring, and a cast of loyal cousins and friends (and a loud parrot and protective gosling) to pry secrets from the duke’s scheming relatives. As clues mount, the pair face threats to their safety, betrayals within the household, and a tangled mystery surrounding Eoin’s missing kin. Hannah’s revenge plot falters as Eoin’s quiet kindness and integrity expose her growing feelings, forcing both to reckon with whether justice or vengeance is deserved. 

I've really been enjoying this series! Historical romance readers will appreciate this book for its lively fusion of period atmosphere, enemies-to-lovers tension, and a mystery that propels the plot beyond mere courtship. The setting—mid-18th-century London focused around an unconventional coffeehouse—gives access to multiple social tiers, creating rich class conflict and fun scenes in seedy taverns, drawing rooms, and shadowy backstreets. Hannah’s fiery, modern-feeling independence and Eoin’s restrained decency create a satisfying opposites-attract dynamic: her sharp scheming and his moral steadiness play well against the emotional stakes of family betrayal and redemption. Fans of regency-adjacent romcoms will enjoy the witty banter, staged “mistress” ruse, and gradual conversion of physical attraction into mutual respect. The added mystery, occasional peril, and quirky animal companions keep pacing brisk and inject variety for readers who like their historical love stories with suspense, humor, and a clear emotional payoff.