The Duke of Ice by Darcy Burke

Nicholas Bateman, the Duke of Kilve has isolated himself since the death of his wife and infant son.  His best friend, Simon, Duke of Romsey has received an invitation to a house party.  They want the two Untouchable Dukes - Ice and Ruin to attend.  Simon convinces Nick to attend the party.

Lady Violet Pendelton always attends her dear friend's house parties.  She is stunned when her first love, her true love appears at the party.  Violet met Nick when he was a Mister and she was a Miss.  They fell madly in love and were planning to get married when her parents made her marry a Viscount.  Since that time, Nick has seen a lot of death in his immediate family and believes he is cursed.  Violet is shocked that the open, laughing young man she once knew is now the Duke of Ice.

As the house party progresses, Violet slowly starts to draw Nick out of his frozen shell.  He even goes to Bath, where she lives, to renew their relationship.  But when tragedy strikes Violet, Nick pulls away.  He even proposes marriage to one of the young debutants from the house party - a young woman he knows he won't fall in love with.  Will Violet find herself the jilted party?  Can Nick and Violet finally have their HEA?

This book is an emotional rollercoaster.  I thought Violet was an amazing heroine.  She was a strong woman that survived a terrible marriage and the loss of several pregnancies.  Nick, on the other hand, was ice cold and quite honestly didn't deserve Violet.  Yes, he lost his brother during the war, his wife through childbirth, his infant son did not survive and his uncle who raised him passed away before Nick could return home from war.

 After the house party, Nick visits Violet at her home in Bath to try and rekindle their past.  He wants her, but won't marry her because he believes anyone he loves is cursed to die.  Nick even proposes to one of the debutants from the house party because he knows he won't love her. 

There were a lot of times I was screaming at Violet to just move on from Nick.  Simon, the Duke of Ruin was perfect for her.  But no, Violet had to have the Duke of Ice. 

I loved the second chance at love plot.  Once I started reading the book, I was hooked.  I couldn't put it down.  It was an amazing book.  I just wish Nick was less of a jerk and frozen block of ice.  I can not wait until Simon gets his much deserved HEA!!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you.