A Duke by Default

New Yorker Portia Hobbs takes an apprenticeship at an armory in Scotland, determined to prove herself after years of career-hopping and self-doubt. Her new boss, Tavish McKenzie, runs a traditional sword-making business while supporting his local Edinburgh community. As Portia applies her social media expertise to modernize the armory's operations, she uncovers information about Tavish's heritage that could change his life. Their professional relationship grows complicated as attraction builds between them, forcing both to confront their personal obstacles. The story follows Portia's journey of self-discovery as she grapples with ADHD, family expectations, and finding her place in the world. Against the backdrop of Scottish culture and craftsmanship, she learns to forge her own path while helping Tavish face his past. This contemporary romance explores themes of identity, belonging, and the courage to redefine oneself. Through its examination of neurodiversity and class dynamics, the novel highlights how people can find strength in their perceived weaknesses.

Readers appreciate the neurodivergent representation, with many relating to Portia's ADHD diagnosis journey. The romance between Portia and Tavish develops naturally, with their relationship grounded in mutual growth and support. Fans highlight the Edinburgh setting, sword-making details, and exploration of Scottish politics. Several reviews note the strong character development as Portia gains confidence and self-acceptance. Common criticisms include a slow start to the romance and some readers finding Portia initially unlikeable. A few reviews mention the political subplot feels disconnected from the main story. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (14,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (500+ ratings) BookPage: 4.5/5 Sample reader comments: "The ADHD rep hit so close to home" - Goodreads reviewer "Takes time to warm up to Portia but worth the journey" - Amazon reviewer "Perfect balance of romance and character growth" - Barnes & Noble review

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🔸 A Duke by Default tackles the subject of adult ADHD diagnosis, with protagonist Portia discovering her neurodivergence while in Scotland - reflecting author Alyssa Cole's own journey of being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. 🔸 The book's Edinburgh setting features a real-life historical occupation: the Queen's Armourer, though Cole reimagined the position for modern times with her hero Tavish running a sword-making school. 🔸 This novel is part of the "Reluctant Royals" series, which deliberately subverts traditional romance tropes by featuring diverse characters and modern interpretations of royal romance storylines. 🔸 The author conducted extensive research on Scottish sword-making traditions and even took blacksmithing classes to accurately portray the technical aspects of blade crafting in the novel. 🔸 The book won the 2019 Romance Writers of America RITA Award for Best Contemporary Romance: Long, marking a significant achievement as one of few winners featuring protagonists of color.