Schooling The Duke by Christi Caldwell

Schooling the Duke by Christi Caldwell
on January 2, 2026

Book 1 in a brand-new Regency series by Christi Caldwell! There once was a gypsy & rsquo;s pendant said to bring its wearer the heart of a duke. Some found love and others--heart ache. In this passionate series, clever, once-wounded, twice-wary women will find their chance at happily ever after & hellip;and maybe even, the heart of a duke!Schooling the DukeA lady betrayed:Finishing school instructor, Mrs. Rowena Bryant is hated by her students, revered by the headmistress, and absolutely determined to maintain her financial security. Deceived years ago by the only man she'd ever given her heart to, Rowena relies on no one but herself & mdash;that is the best way to keep her most scandalous secret. A soldier turned duke:When Graham Linford returned from war on the cusp of death, he discovered he'd been betrayed by the woman he loved. From that moment, Graham shaped himself into an unfeeling nobleman, refusing to ever suffer the agony of betrayal again. Now a duke, Graham is determined no one will ever discover the touch of madness that has haunted him since battle. Lovers reunited:When Graham finds himself named guardian to a young lady, the woman sent as a companion to his ward is none other than Rowena Bryant. With every moment spent together, their passion reignites, and the walls they've built to keep one another out begin to crumble. But when their dark past tests them again will true love be enough to repair their damaged hearts?

Schooling the Duke is book one in The Heart of a Scandal Series by Christi Caldwell. However, there is a book that comes before this one called In Need of a Knight. Although it is unnecessary to read In Need of a Knight first, it does make for a richer reading experience. 

I have to say that Caldwell’s books just get better and better. I was entranced by this one and have read it in one day. Laundry and meals have suffered because I couldn’t put it down. Caldwell writes such complex stories and yet they flow so well. This is a second chance romance. Graham and Rowena are complicated characters, each with their own past hurts. Caldwell has spun a tale filled with heart ache and suspense. I enjoyed the villain but wished that she’d gotten her proper comeuppance. Unfortunately she didn’t, and that was really the only plot point that I wished could have been rounded out better. Overall, this book is a remarkable read and Caldwell is one of my favorite authors.