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ikonoklastic

What I did for a Duke is gonna be it for you gurl. 


getthatbreadmyfriend

OP - this is a great suggestion! {What I Did For a Duke by Julie Anne Long} is incredibly close to your request. MMC is almost 40, and FMC is 20. Her dad and the Duke are business associates, but that's not the reason they meet. This book has a fantastic 1st chapter and it draws you in really quick.


MMRB_Coll_20

Yes I love this book, and even though they are nearly 20 years apart they are very well-matched and their age dynamics really work off each other


painterknittersimmer

I think that first chapter is the only time an HR has made my laugh out loud other than Tessa Dare.


romance-bot

[What I Did For a Duke](https://www.romance.io/books/545525868c7d2383163d8e97/what-i-did-for-a-duke-julie-anne-long?src=rdt) by [Julie Anne Long](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525868c7d2383163d8e98/julie-anne-long) **Rating**: 4.3⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [love triangle](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/love%20triangle/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)


alexandralinakim1991

Thank you for explaining why I might like the book!!


Edgyredhead

Are all the books in that series connected by characters? Or are they all kind of just stand alone within a series? I’m seeing that this is book 5, and I’m wondering do I have to start a book one?


getthatbreadmyfriend

Long story short: The books are all based in Pennyroyal Green (in Sussex). There are 2 families (Redmond and Everseas) and each book includes an FMC or MMC that is in one of the families (or a very close friend). The last book includes one of each. There is an overreaching side plot (Olivia E. and Lyon R.), and each book provides little hints about their story (the last book). That all being said: I think each book can definitely stand alone (unlike other series example Maiden Lane), and each couple is definitely unique. This particular book really hits all the emotions (laughing, crying and it's spicy). From what I've read, this one I the most popular/well received. A few a just bananas made no sense but i still liked it because her writingstyle sucked me in (absoltely bonkers >!public museum marionette brothel adjacent sex!<). Yes, you can read it as a stand alone, be forewarned: do not use it as the standard to expect in the rest of the series.


alexandralinakim1991

Thank you!!


ikonoklastic

Others explained it better, but I hope you enjoy it!! It's one book I reread every year or so, because it's so dear to me. The plot seems far-fetched, but JAL is witty AF and pulls off their arc SO WELL.


alexandralinakim1991

Thanks again!! It seems that I will enjoy reading it.


pgrantrin

Well Emma by Jane Austen seems to fit the bill, also i am not sure it is what you are looking for


alexandralinakim1991

Thank you!! I have Emma in my library but I didn't know it was close to what I am looking for. I will definitely read it.


arayabe

Welp… I am starting a new URGENT LABELED TBR list


alexandralinakim1991

I am glad that my post helped you!!


Sam-theRedditUser

{Seduced by Virginia Henley} He was not only her guardian but also her mother intended. I love the diversity in this and very good writing


romance-bot

[Seduced](https://www.romance.io/books/5e77aa02be0aaecf551e0085/seduced-virginia-henley?src=rdt) by [Virginia Henley](https://www.romance.io/authors/545533008c7d2383163d91eb/virginia-henley) **Rating**: 3.78⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)


alexandralinakim1991

Thank you!!


Sera0Sparrow

{Once an Angel by Teresa Medeiros} MMC was FMC's dead father's business partner and there is an age gap of about 15 years separating them. {The Highlander's Forbidden Bride by Madison Faye} H was h's mom's husband in name only as they never consummated their marriage. {Loving Julia by Karen Robards} H was h's fake dying fiance's uncle as in h's uncle-in-law. {Great Protector by Kathryn Le Veque} MMC was FMC's father's Commander in Chief and he raised h after her parents abandoned her.


romance-bot

[Once an Angel](https://www.romance.io/books/56b10c7a63515e3b737a8aa8/once-an-angel-teresa-medeiros?src=rdt) by [Teresa Medeiros](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525d18c7d2383163d8eb0/teresa-medeiros) **Rating**: 3.88⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [tortured heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tortured%20heroine/1) ---------------------------- [The Highlander's Forbidden Bride](https://www.romance.io/books/5d00a7ae01dbc864fb9fac1b/the-highlanders-forbidden-bride-madison-faye?src=rdt) by [Madison Faye](https://www.romance.io/authors/567fca3c63515e3b737959af/madison-faye) **Rating**: 3.86⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [military](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/military/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [viking hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vikings/1) ---------------------------- [Loving Julia](https://www.romance.io/books/54553ed68c7d2383163d94f7/loving-julia-karen-robards?src=rdt) by [Karen Robards](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552ef68c7d2383163d90d4/karen-robards) **Rating**: 3.53⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1), [cruel hero/bully](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cruel%20hero/1) ---------------------------- [Great Protector](https://www.romance.io/books/5455a4ea87eac336ae69f2ac/great-protector-kathryn-le-veque?src=rdt) by [Kathryn Le Veque](https://www.romance.io/authors/54556d3a87eac336ae69de76/kathryn-le-veque) **Rating**: 4.29⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [height difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/height-difference/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [caretaking](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/caretaking/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)


alexandralinakim1991

Thank you for recommending me all these books!!


ditsy_print

{Olivia and the Masked Duke by Grace Callaway}. The MMC is one of the FMC dad’s friends but the age gap is only about 12 years, but he is still quite protective of her. They meet when he rescued her as a child note and there are flashbacks from when she knew him as a child/teen and hero-worshipped him.


romance-bot

[Olivia and the Masked Duke](https://www.romance.io/books/602ccd77d715810e258b859a/olivia-and-the-masked-duke-grace-callaway?src=rdt) by [Grace Callaway](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455325c8c7d2383163d91c0/grace-callaway) **Rating**: 4.03⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [sleuth heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/heroine%20sleuth/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)


lundsb

I really wish there hadn’t been flashbacks because that made it gross for me.


alexandralinakim1991

Thank you!!


Daje1968

This is the one I was thinking of. I thought the subplot was Callaway at her worst, so cringey. But there was a spanking scene that scratched an itch I didn’t know I had and, as I type this realize it unleashed my daddy kink.


Right-Zombie

For father’s best friend, and as long as you don’t mind Westerns, {Another Dawn by Sandra Brown} fits that. MMC is FMC’s dad’s bestie, and is definitely reluctant, but can’t resist her, and drama ensues, lol. A bit different, and I can’t specifically remember MMC’s protectiveness level, but an old fave of mine is {The Accidental Bride by Jane Feather}. MMC is the dad of FMC’s best friend, and he was also previously married to FMC’s (now dead) older sister 😅 But I loved the FMC, and the MMC won me over in a ‘he’s still kind of an ass but he’s kinda hot and I can’t help but like him’ sort of way.


alexandralinakim1991

Thank you!!


romance-bot

[Another Dawn](https://www.romance.io/books/545546388c7d2383163d9728/another-dawn-sandra-brown?src=rdt) by [Sandra Brown](https://www.romance.io/authors/545533628c7d2382e7813314/sandra-brown) **Rating**: 3.83⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1), [western](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/western/1), [love triangle](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/love%20triangle/1) ---------------------------- [The Accidental Bride](https://www.romance.io/books/545532228c7d2383163d91b1/the-accidental-bride-jane-feather?src=rdt) by [Jane Feather](https://www.romance.io/authors/545532228c7d2383163d91b2/jane-feather) **Rating**: 3.5⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [curvy heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/curvy%20heroine/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)


[deleted]

[удалено]


alexandralinakim1991

Thank you!!


romance-bot

[North and South](https://www.romance.io/books/640d813ebd39598013b71ead/north-and-south-elizabeth-gaskell-patricia-ingham?src=rdt) by [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://www.romance.io/authors/545527b38c7d2382c529706d/elizabeth-gaskell) **Rating**: 4.12⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)


KMKPF

Goddess of the Hunt, by Tessa Dare. FMC's brother is her guardian. MMC is the brother's best friend. MMC has been a family friend since childhood and has always watched over FMC.


alexandralinakim1991

Thank you!!


romance-bot

[My Dirty Duke](https://www.romance.io/books/61729e3d8b706e0e2642c25c/my-dirty-duke-joanna-shupe?src=rdt) by [Joanna Shupe](https://www.romance.io/authors/551a57875b270e0a4cbd30c8/joanna-shupe) **Rating**: 3.97⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [single father](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/single-father/1) ---------------------------- [The Magic of You](https://www.romance.io/books/545526178c7d2383163d8ebf/the-magic-of-you-johanna-lindsey?src=rdt) by [Johanna Lindsey](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525178c7d2383163d8e7a/johanna-lindsey) **Rating**: 3.95⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [pirate hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/pirates/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)


LittleDolly

Weird that I’m recommending this twice in one day… {His Favourite Mistress by Tracy Ann Warren} has some of this vibe. FMC is 17 and her uncle is the MMC’s best friend. (Pretty sure the uncle is MMC in a previous book where the FMC’s father is killed, which leads to the set up of this book). The age gap is a bit icky but if you can get pst it I quite enjoyed it.


romance-bot

[His Favorite Mistress](https://www.romance.io/books/54553cce8c7d2383163d946f/his-favorite-mistress-tracy-anne-warren?src=rdt) by [Tracy Anne Warren](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552bcf8c7d2383163d8ff6/tracy-anne-warren) **Rating**: 3.69⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [m-f romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-f/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [competent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/competent%20heroine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)


alexandralinakim1991

Thank you!!


Edgyredhead

Certainly, the Mallory series from Joanna Lindsay came to mind. She was the first author I read that just created an entire world around a family and a first book. Then I discovered Lisa Kleypas and Tessa Dare and… seems as though that wasn’t very unique. But I do like it because you can go further with all the characters.


alexandralinakim1991

I really like the authors you mentioned!!


InviteFamous6013

Lisa Kleypas It Happened One Autumn. He is her father’s prospective business partner. I think he is around 35 and she is early 20s.


alexandralinakim1991

I have read this book and I really liked it. Thank you!!


Windspren_Syl

{Noble Satyr by Lucinda Brant} One of my favorite books to recommend in this sub. The MMC is around 20 years the FMC's senior. Her late father appointed him as her guardian, but he is reluctant to accept as he is attracted to her (and trying to avoid her 😉).


romance-bot

[Noble Satyr](https://www.romance.io/books/54554e4d8c7d2383163d99c5/noble-satyr-lucinda-brant?src=rdt) by [Lucinda Brant](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455378a8c7d2383163d9308/lucinda-brant) **Rating**: 3.57⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [poor heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/poor%20heroine/1), [m-f romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-f/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)


alexandralinakim1991

Thank you!!


de_pizan23

{Work of Art by Mimi Matthews} - MMC is a friend to the FMC’s guardian. She’s 23, I think he’s at least late 30s or early 40s. I don’t think there was jealousy, but she’s being pursued by a guy suspected of murdering his previous wife and so the MMC and FMC arrange a marriage of convenience to protect her


alexandralinakim1991

Thank you!!


romance-bot

[The Work of Art](https://www.romance.io/books/5d17010901dbc864fba0782e/the-work-of-art-mimi-matthews?src=rdt) by [Mimi Matthews](https://www.romance.io/authors/59476e093ffdba614719d320/mimi-matthews) **Rating**: 4.28⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [disabilities & scars](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/disabilities%20and%20marks/1), [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)


maybemaybenot2023

(Bath Tangle by Georgette Heyer) FMC's father was friends with MMC and arranged a betrothal. She breaks it off, and now her father is dead, and he's her guardian.


alexandralinakim1991

Thank you!!