Bask - Shop now
Kindle Unlimited
Unlimited reading. Over 4 million titles. Learn more
Read for Free
OR
$3.99 with 79 percent savings
Print List Price: $19.24

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.

Audiobook Price: $15.72

Save: $8.23 (52%)

You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Emma Hart
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Big Duke Energy: A Grumpy/Sunshine Standalone Romantic Comedy Kindle Edition

by Emma Hart (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 1,084 ratings
When bestselling romance author Ellie Aarons finds herself with chronic writer’s block, she’s pretty sure all she needs is a change of scenery. A beautiful lakeside cottage with her cat seems like a good idea.
She’s wrong. She needs more than a change of scenery—she needs a muse.
Which is why it’s so irritating that she’s drawn to the enigmatic but grumpy Duke of Windermere who owns the estate she’s staying on.
They don’t get along—not in the slightest. They could not be more different, which is why it’s so irritating that Max seems to be the muse she’s been looking for. No matter how hard she tries, she can’t help but picture him as the hero in her next book.
Oh, well. There’s really not a lot she can do about it. The muse wants what the muse wants.
Except Sir Winston Purrchill keeps exploring the goat barn, and Max’s delivery of him for the fiftieth time means he sees her manuscript open on her laptop.
He knows instantly that she’s writing about him. The story she’s written reflects their entire relationship until now, but that spicy scene?
That hasn’t happened. Yet.
Max is ready to compromise—he’ll give her the inspiration she needs for her novel, but she has to stop asking why he’s so against the relationship his grandmother desperately wants him to have.
With her deadline looming, Ellie has no other option but to agree.
She just hopes that she won’t do what her heroine is doing.
And fall in love with the duke.
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    520 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    October 23, 2022
  4. File size
    1.4 MB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details

From the Publisher

Illustrated image of a redheaded woman with the words, "She needs a muse."
Illustrated image with black haired man reading "She's found him."

Illustration of a cat and the text "I inspired Sir Winston Purrchill," humourous review

Illustrated image with the tropes "grumpy/sunshine" and "enemies to lovers" written

illustration with books and a fake quote from the author's husband

Lady Love
Dating the Duke
The Accidental Countess
Right Number, Wrong Girl
Big Duke Energy
Buying Options
Buying Options
Buying Options
Buying Options
Buying Options
Customer Reviews
4.1 out of 5 stars 872
4.3 out of 5 stars 723
4.4 out of 5 stars 722
4.4 out of 5 stars 1,071
4.4 out of 5 stars 1,084
Price $3.99 $3.99 $3.99 $3.99 $3.99
Trope Enemies to Lovers, Grumpy/Sunshine Single Dad, Forced Proximity Marriage of Convenience Mistaken Identity, Forced Proximity Grumpy/Sunshine, Enemies to Lovers
Aristocrat Hero ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Meddling Seniors ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Emma Hart is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author with over thirty novels to her name. She prides herself on her realistic, snarky smut and comebacks that would make anyone blush. A mother, wife, and lover of wine, she enjoys rescuing wild baby hedgehogs in her free time.

Shakira Shute is a trained actress and voiceover artist with a background in theater. An alumna of the internationally acclaimed National Youth Theatre, she is able to perform character voices and multiple accents.

Will Watt is a British voiceover artist and audiobook narrator with a talent for believable characters, intelligent delivery, and writing about himself in the third person.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BK9Q9L2Q
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ (October 23, 2022)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 23, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.4 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 520 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ B0BK39TBB9
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 1,084 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Emma Hart

Emma Hart

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

New York Times & USA Today bestselling author, Emma Hart, has written more than seventy romance novels in the last decade. She loves writing snarky, swoony romcoms with a side of chaos, occasionally venturing into romantic mysteries. Which are exactly the same as her romcoms, just with a dead body or two. That’s the reason for her questionable Internet history—at least that’s the story she’s sticking to.

She lives on a smallholding in North Wales with her husband and their two children, a clowder of very fluffy cats, one giant German Shepherd, and an undisclosed number of chickens and ducks. Don’t ask her to count them. She will not, thank you very much.

When she’s not writing or chasing ducks in her pyjamas, you can find her creating cosy gaming content for her Youtube channel and live streaming on Twitch.

Find her online:

Youtube: https://emmahart.pub/youtube

Twitch: https://emmahart.pub/twitch

Facebook: https://emmahart.pub/Facebook

Instagram: https://emmahart.pub/Instagram

Tiktok: https://emmahart.pub/TikTok

Twitter: https://emmahart.pub/Twitter

Website: https://emmahart.pub/site

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
1,084 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find this book to be a super fun read with well-developed characters, and they appreciate its humor, with one customer noting it's full of puns. Moreover, the wit receives positive feedback, with one review highlighting the quick and charming dialogue. However, the storyline receives mixed reactions, with one customer mentioning it started slow.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more

11 customers mention "Readability"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be an amazing and super fun read, with one customer noting it made them think and feel.

"...This read was incredibly fun...." Read more

"...A great contrast between aristocrats and commoners. Interesting insights into a writer’s thought process." Read more

"This was that an amazing read the main characters and supporting characters or ridiculously hilariously, even the four-legged characters!..." Read more

"Ellie and the Duke is a very entertaining and hilarious book. I loved the humor...." Read more

9 customers mention "Character development"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the characters in the book, with one mentioning they use excellent grammar and another noting the inclusion of four-legged characters.

"...While their interactions were humorous and charismatic, there is an underlying tension that just sizzles between the two...." Read more

"This was that an amazing read the main characters and supporting characters or ridiculously hilariously, even the four-legged characters!..." Read more

"Pro: a couple side characters are interesting...." Read more

"...is hilarious, there are some serious moments, and some decent character growth. Overall would recommend and read again." Read more

9 customers mention "Humor"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book hilarious, with one mentioning it's a wonderful story full of puns.

"...While their interactions were humorous and charismatic, there is an underlying tension that just sizzles between the two...." Read more

"A wonderful story full of puns, quirky people and animals. A great contrast between aristocrats and commoners...." Read more

"...amazing read the main characters and supporting characters or ridiculously hilariously, even the four-legged characters!..." Read more

"...But once the story picked up, it proved to be quite the funny novel...." Read more

3 customers mention "Wit"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the wit of the book, with one mentioning the charming banter and another noting the quick, witty dialogue.

"...Their banter was charming, and the shenanigans around the estate, especially with the quirky animals and dear Esme (the dowager duchess), were..." Read more

"...Pro: arguments and banter were fun and didn't get too ugly. Con: the opening conflict was not as severe as the reaction to it...." Read more

"...The dialog was witty and quick...." Read more

9 customers mention "Storyline"6 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed reactions to the storyline of the book, with one customer appreciating its incorporation of an Inception-like premise, while another finds it repetitive.

"...This was a fantastic grumpy/sunshine romance that incorporated an Inception-like premise...." Read more

"...It’s just an overall good story. I highly recommend it." Read more

"...Overall, I enjoyed the characters and it was a nice story. I might read another book by this author sometime." Read more

"It was cute loved the storyline and the length. I thought the way she described herself was atrocious...." Read more

BOOKWORM REVIEW: Big Duke Energy by Emma Hart
5 out of 5 stars
BOOKWORM REVIEW: Big Duke Energy by Emma Hart
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5SPICE: 🔥🔥🔥This was a fantastic grumpy/sunshine romance that incorporated an Inception-like premise.Bestselling romantic author Ellie Aarons cannot seem to shake her writer's block, so when her bestie recommended taking a working vacation away from London, she takes a chance at a nice stone lakeside cottage on the Windermere estate.Unfortunately, the current young Duke of Windermere had a disposition that is diametrically opposite his own peaceful land. He is broody and grumpy; if a dark cloud were human, he would be it. He always has a frown on his face, especially when it comes to Ellie and her precocious cat who is the second coming of Houdini.Can Ellie get her goal of finishing her latest book and finding some peace without shoving the Duke into the lake? Or is the Duke's constant frown a mask to something more?This read was incredibly fun. I definitely enjoyed the life-imitating-art (or is it the other way around) play around Ellie's livelihood and the process around it. The connection between her and Max was spot-on; I love, love, love the enemies-to-friends-to-lovers arc. Their banter was charming, and the shenanigans around the estate, especially with the quirky animals and dear Esme (the dowager duchess), were comedy gold.While their interactions were humorous and charismatic, there is an underlying tension that just sizzles between the two. There is nothing more satisfying than the main character trying so hard to maintain control only to be wound up and around by that one person they cannot shake, and when they finally give in, holy moly, I need a fan and a tall glass of water.This book is a standalone, but there are references to some of Emma Hart's past books. We also meet Fred, Earl of Coventry, who will be featured in the next installment in Hart's aristocratic universe.
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

  • Filipino Bookworm
    5.0 out of 5 stars BOOKWORM REVIEW: Big Duke Energy by Emma Hart
    Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
    SPICE: 🔥🔥🔥

    This was a fantastic grumpy/sunshine romance that incorporated an Inception-like premise.

    Bestselling romantic author Ellie Aarons cannot seem to shake her writer's block, so when her bestie recommended taking a working vacation away from London, she takes a chance at a nice stone lakeside cottage on the Windermere estate.

    Unfortunately, the current young Duke of Windermere had a disposition that is diametrically opposite his own peaceful land. He is broody and grumpy; if a dark cloud were human, he would be it. He always has a frown on his face, especially when it comes to Ellie and her precocious cat who is the second coming of Houdini.

    Can Ellie get her goal of finishing her latest book and finding some peace without shoving the Duke into the lake? Or is the Duke's constant frown a mask to something more?

    This read was incredibly fun. I definitely enjoyed the life-imitating-art (or is it the other way around) play around Ellie's livelihood and the process around it. The connection between her and Max was spot-on; I love, love, love the enemies-to-friends-to-lovers arc. Their banter was charming, and the shenanigans around the estate, especially with the quirky animals and dear Esme (the dowager duchess), were comedy gold.

    While their interactions were humorous and charismatic, there is an underlying tension that just sizzles between the two. There is nothing more satisfying than the main character trying so hard to maintain control only to be wound up and around by that one person they cannot shake, and when they finally give in, holy moly, I need a fan and a tall glass of water.

    This book is a standalone, but there are references to some of Emma Hart's past books. We also meet Fred, Earl of Coventry, who will be featured in the next installment in Hart's aristocratic universe.
    Customer image
    Filipino Bookworm
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    BOOKWORM REVIEW: Big Duke Energy by Emma Hart

    Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2022
    RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
    SPICE: 🔥🔥🔥

    This was a fantastic grumpy/sunshine romance that incorporated an Inception-like premise.

    Bestselling romantic author Ellie Aarons cannot seem to shake her writer's block, so when her bestie recommended taking a working vacation away from London, she takes a chance at a nice stone lakeside cottage on the Windermere estate.

    Unfortunately, the current young Duke of Windermere had a disposition that is diametrically opposite his own peaceful land. He is broody and grumpy; if a dark cloud were human, he would be it. He always has a frown on his face, especially when it comes to Ellie and her precocious cat who is the second coming of Houdini.

    Can Ellie get her goal of finishing her latest book and finding some peace without shoving the Duke into the lake? Or is the Duke's constant frown a mask to something more?

    This read was incredibly fun. I definitely enjoyed the life-imitating-art (or is it the other way around) play around Ellie's livelihood and the process around it. The connection between her and Max was spot-on; I love, love, love the enemies-to-friends-to-lovers arc. Their banter was charming, and the shenanigans around the estate, especially with the quirky animals and dear Esme (the dowager duchess), were comedy gold.

    While their interactions were humorous and charismatic, there is an underlying tension that just sizzles between the two. There is nothing more satisfying than the main character trying so hard to maintain control only to be wound up and around by that one person they cannot shake, and when they finally give in, holy moly, I need a fan and a tall glass of water.

    This book is a standalone, but there are references to some of Emma Hart's past books. We also meet Fred, Earl of Coventry, who will be featured in the next installment in Hart's aristocratic universe.
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    4 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • S. J. Cooper
    4.0 out of 5 stars 4 Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2023
    Read with Kindle Unlimited

    This was my first book by Emma Hart. I enjoyed it! There are other books that I've liked more than this one, but I still found it to be worthy of four stars.

    I loved the idea of a modern-day duke and a romance novelist falling in love. This is definitely a grumpy/sunshine trope, though Ellie is often grumpy and sullen herself. She's much more friendly than Max is, though. He holds everyone at arms length and pushes Ellie away from day one.

    He's got valid reasons for being cold, BUT at the same time, it's a little extreme. The entire plot of the story depends on his resistance to love and relationships. He's attracted to Ellie from the beginning and vice versa, but he insists on a casual sexual relationship. They're basically friends with benefits while both falling in love and trying to deny it.

    He offers to help her with her book when he learns that her hero is based on him. This part was cool, and it drew them closer together. He was open with her and a willing participant whenever she asked for his help. He even took her places that he knew she'd find inspiration from all on his own.

    They finally bang 60% in. It's a good sex scene, well written and explicity detailed.

    There's an oral scene a few chapters later where he goes down on her in the goat barn after shoveling goat poo. This scene kinda grossed me out a little bit because even though he didn't directly touch any goat poop, they were actively shoveling it and touching tools that were regularly used in the barn. Max did not wash his hands or face before touching her naked private parts, and I couldn't help but think that something may have transferred to his person, and then he inadvertently put it on or in her privates. In real life, no one smart would do this without making their partner wash their hands at a minimum. I felt like they should have waited until going back to either of their houses and to clean up before doing that.

    There is a third sex scene that was nicely placed. It was medium in length and detailed. It also moved other aspects of their relationship along as well, not just the physical part, so I liked that.

    With the book being 456 pages long, I expected at least one more sexy scene, most likely after they officially declared love to one another, but there wasn't. I did feel the book was a bit too long. There was a lot that could have been shaved down. There's a whole conversation Ellie has with her best friend Meg about people I'd never heard them talk about before. It took up several pages, and I couldn't figure out why I was supposed to care about these people. Stuff like that could have been left out. The entire part with her brother running away from his partner when he was proposed to could have been left out. It didn't add to the story, so I didn't see the point of it.

    I loved her cat, Sir Winston Purchill. He was a fun addition and actually used to bring them closer together, so I was down for that!

    As a whole, I really liked it. I loved how Max came to his own realization about what he really wanted in his future and that he needed therapy. He made the big effort to keep Ellie in his life after he pushed her away over and over, and I was glad he did, versus her begging him to open up.

    Even though there were some things I would have changed, I still enjoyed it and would read more by Emma Hart in the future!
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Grant Mould
    5.0 out of 5 stars Big Duke Energy
    Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    A wonderful story full of puns, quirky people and animals. A great contrast between aristocrats and commoners. Interesting insights into a writer’s thought process.
    Helpful
     Report
  • K Hill
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, Fun, Fun!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This was that an amazing read the main characters and supporting characters or ridiculously hilariously, even the four-legged characters! If you want a good laugh, and a good vibe, this is the book to read, and to share with your book club! I will be recommending this book to family and friends. Thank you, Emma heart for this wonderfully , entertaining book. Loved every minute.💜
    Helpful
     Report
  • KC
    3.0 out of 5 stars Too Much Mary Sue
    Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Pro: a couple side characters are interesting.
    Con: some were written in and felt like their purpose in the story was edited out, meant to check a box, or incomplete.
    Pro: arguments and banter were fun and didn't get too ugly.
    Con: the opening conflict was not as severe as the reaction to it.
    Pro: there were a couple steamy scenes.
    Con: one of which occurred just after feces was dealt with and hand (or any) washing did not occur.
    Pro: emotional work and self awareness are addressed.
    Con: only at the end.
    Pro: author wrote what she knew.
    Con: author wrote a meta Mary Sue novel where her avatar was also writing about a writer entering a romantic relationship.
    Pro: the editing process was somewhat explained.
    Con: the book had typos.

    It's not a bad book but it isn't good. There's a point where our protagonist champions the romance genre against its common criticisms but failed to supply a ready example with this book. There were some missed opportunities here and so much false zaniness that it prevented suspension of disbelief. I did not hate it but I can't recommend it.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Sara Garrett
    5.0 out of 5 stars Witty, hilarious…PERFECTION!
    Reviewed in Australia on May 5, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Big Duke Energy is one of the funniest romantic comedies I’ve ever read!

    Emma Hart never fails to have me laughing out loud while reading and she certainly didn’t fail this time! The banter between Max and Ellie is simply hilarious.

    The secondary characters of Esme, Meg and of course we can’t forget Sir Winston Purrchill, Ellie’s cat. Oh my goodness did that cat steal the show on multiple occasions with this Houdini escapades. I am not a cat person and the interactions between Ellie and Winston had me in stitches more often than not. Esme, Max’s grandmother, is another character that I loved and could not get enough of. Her meddlesome ways were legendary and definitely befitting of a Dowager Duchess, haha. She may be nearly 80 but she certainly is VERY young at heart.

    I loved how realistic Emma makes her books and how we get a unique look, even if it’s only from the outside, of when an author gets writer’s block. The description of the scenes makes you believe you’re right there with the characters as they have their squabbles and conversations.

    There is so much that I love about this story that I could just keep going on and on but it wouldn’t be fun to ruin the magic and experience for other readers. So, to put it simply, I flipping LOVED this book from beginning to end! I highly recommend everyone who needs a good laugh or who just genuinely loves romantic comedies to go and read this NOW!
    Report
  • Prajakta
    5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful
    Reviewed in India on March 16, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Set in the beautiful Lake District, it's hard to not fall in love with the characters, animals, the village, and the countryside.

    The writer inside the book writing a book about a writer (it sounds confusing, but it's pulled off so well), makes the whole story very interesting and genuine.

    Ellie is really a girl with a golden heart, who's not just loving, but talented, respectful, fun-loving, and brave. She knows when she has crossed a line, and isn't afraid to apologise. She recognises her feelings and emotions, but doesn't wallow in self-pity. She is one of the most amazing characters that I've read.

    Max is a duke, slightly entitled, overbearing, grumpy, but patient and a gentleman at heart. The way he tolerates his grandmother's shenanigans proves that below all that hard exterior, is a man capable of selfless love. His world shifts when Ellie enters it, making him learn a few things not just about love, but about himself too. He realises the need to break out of his past a little late. But when he does, he eagerly takes steps that will help him be a better person.

    And then their sexy banter is some of the most genuine, impromptu, quick-witted talk I've read. It was so much fun.

    So were all the animals and their names... Sir Winston Purrchill, Vincent van Goat... 😁 Inspiring!
    Report
  • Emma Hughes
    5.0 out of 5 stars excellent read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 12, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I couldn’t put it down as I couldn’t wait to see how it ended. Characters you fall for
    Report
  • Avid Reader
    5.0 out of 5 stars You have to read this book!
    Reviewed in Canada on March 9, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Funny, sexy and I couldn't put it down. You will love the quirky characters and very hot Duke. The writer in this book was so funny and her cat's personality added so much to the story. You must get this book. I'll look for more stories by this author.
    Report
  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great characters, great story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 8, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent story line with incredibly likeable characters. I particularly liked the grandmother, who was fabulous. Both the main characters are very likeable too, plus all the side characters are very funny and will make you smile.
    Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report