Never Seduce a Duke

by Duchess Bethany, November 01, 2022

TITLE: Never Seduce a Duke
SERIES: The Mating Habits of Scoundrels #5
AUTHOR: Vivienne Lorret
RATING: 
STEAM: 

THE SYNOPSIS

After being jilted, Margaret Stredwick has sworn off men and marriage. What she needs is a holiday. But a detour along the way takes a surprising turn that leads Meg to him. And soon she starts to wonder if she should indulge in one grand flirtation before she's firmly on the shelf.

The instant Lucien Ambrose, Duke of Merleton, finds a strange woman touring the halls of his ancient estate, he knows the minx is up to something. So, when a family heirloom is stolen, it's clear who the culprit is. She may tempt him beyond reason, but he isn't about to let her get away, even if he has to chase her across the continent.

Meg never imagined that anyone would mistake her for a notorious thief, known for seducing men to distraction. It's the most thrilling thing ever! She eagerly plays along. . . until she finds herself falling in love with a man who has no idea who she really is. And by the time she returns to her ordinary life, she discovers that her grand flirtation won't be a secret for long. Apparently, she brought home an unexpected souvenir...


THE REVIEW

Lucien Ambrose, Duke of Merleton is a scientist who has devoted his life to unlocking the secrets of an ancient recipe book passed down since the time of King Arthur. The recipes, if made correctly, gave King Arthur’s knight’s strength, courage and other qualities that made them the renown knights they were. Lucien is very smart and socially awkward.

Margaret Stredwick is the wallflower sister to the Marquess of Hullworth has had a very average life until she was jilted and devoted herself to becoming a spinster. When Meg and her sister-in-laws aunts head out on a holiday to the continent, they make a stop at the Duke of Merleton’s estate, under the aunts pretense of touring the beautiful property. They sweet talk their way into the house for a tour and as they are escaping after stealing a recipe from the cooks cookbook, Meg is caught by the Duke himself. When the Duke realizes that the precious recipe book is missing from his vault, he is convinced Meg stole it and follows her to France. He is convinced she is Lady Avalon, who is known for seducing men and stealing precious items from them! And so begins an interesting game of cat and mouse where Meg has no idea about the real reason Lucien is so interested in her! 

This book took a while to take hold for me. I was excited for the unique storyline but I found it frustrating at times. But the second half of the book felt like a completely different story and made the pace pick up for me again. The plot twist was a complete surprise to me! Overall, cute couple and happy ending, even if it did waiver a bit for me. 


TROPES

Historical Romance, Orphaned Hero, Orphaned Heroine, Titled Hero, Secret Identity, Enemies to Lovers, Starchy Hero, Titled Hero, Aggressive Heroine, Virgin Heroine, Wallflower Heroine, Sunshine/Grump, Forced Proximity, Secret Baby, Second Chance, Fated Mates, Secrets & Lies, Four Star, Three Flame, Road Trip Trope, Scientist Hero, Byronic/Brooding Hero



HistoricalRomance, OrphanedHero, OrphanedHeroine, TitledHero, SecretIdentity, EnemiestoLovers, StarchyHero, TitledHero, AggressiveHeroine, VirginHeroine, WallflowerHeroine, Sunshine/Grump, ForcedProximity, SecretBaby, FatedMates, SecretsandLies, FourStar, ThreeFlame, RoadTripTrope, ScientistHero, byronichero
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