The story you are looking for is Dukes Prefer Blondes by Loretta Chase, the fourth and final book in her popular Dressmakers series. Set in 1830s London, it follows the unconventional romance between a high-society beauty and a logic-driven barrister. Plot Summary

Lady Clara Fairfax is the "ton's" most adored heiress, but she is exhausted by constant marriage proposals from men who only value her breathtaking looks. Desperate to find a greater purpose, she involves herself in charitable work.

When a child she cares for falls into trouble, she seeks out Oliver "Raven" Radford, a brilliant but incredibly abrasive barrister known for handling difficult cases. Though Radford has recently and unexpectedly found himself in line for a dukedom, he has no interest in fashionable society or the "ornamental" Lady Clara.

Despite their clashing personalities—his cold logic versus her headstrong passion—the two are forced to work together. Their partnership deepens through several adventures, including: Dukes Prefer Blondes (The Dressmakers, #4) by Loretta Chase

Dukes Prefer Blondes is the fourth and final book in Loretta Chase’s popular The Dressmakers Series. While the original EPUB edition was released in late 2015, interest in "new" versions typically refers to recent reissues or high-quality digital formats available on platforms like Kobo and eBooks.com. Plot Overview

The Protagonists: The story centers on Lady Clara Fairfax, a stunningly beautiful heiress tired of being viewed as a mere "ornament," and Oliver Radford, a brilliant, blunt, and socially awkward barrister.

The Conflict: Clara enlists Oliver’s help to find a missing child from a charity school, leading the logical, duty-bound barrister into the messy world of emotions and high society.

Key Themes: Features a "battle of wits," a marriage of convenience, and a sharp, witty dialogue that subverts traditional regency tropes. Characters & Dynamics Dukes Prefer Blondes by Loretta Chase

The Historical Accuracy

Loretta Chase is a former academic. She footnotes her novels (literally—there is a bibliography). In Dukes Prefer Blondes, the legal procedures are accurate to the 1820s, the fashion is painstakingly described, and the social rules are never broken without consequence. This is not "wallpaper historical" romance; this is history with heart.

C. The Dialogue

Chase writes banter that crackles. Example:

“You are the most infuriating woman in London.”
“And you are the most arrogant man. We match.”

The Heroine: Lady Clara Fairfax

Clara is not your typical wallflower or hoyden. She is a woman who understands the "marriage market" as a transactional system. She is blonde, beautiful, and knows it—but she hates that people assume she is stupid because of it. Her arc is about reclaiming her agency. When she says, "Dukes prefer blondes," she is being sarcastic, acknowledging that men only see her hair, not her mind.

1. Version 1.2 (The "New" 2023/2024 Edition)

Publishers often update digital files. The "12" may indicate version 1.2 of the EPUB. Avon Books (HarperCollins), the publisher, has recently reissued several of Loretta Chase’s backlist titles with:

  • New cover art (featuring more diverse and historically accurate illustration styles).
  • Updated text (minor corrections, typo fixes, and updated author’s notes).
  • Enhanced typesetting for modern e-readers (better font handling, table of contents navigation).

If you see "12 new," it likely means the 12th edition or a 2024 remastered version released in Q1/Q2 of the year.

Beware of Piracy

Sites offering free "loretta chase dukes prefer blondes epub 12 new" via torrent or unverified blogs often distribute outdated files (version 1.0 from 2015) laced with malware. The "new" version is only reliably found on authorized retailer sites. The price is typically $7.99–$9.99 USD.

Decoding the Search: "Epub 12 New"

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