TITLE: Never Seduce a Duke
SERIES: The Mating Habits of Scoundrels #5
AUTHOR: Vivienne Lorret
RATING:
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TITLE: The Duke's Accidental Bride
SERIES:
AUTHOR: Eva Devon
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TITLE: Ten Rules for Marrying a Duke
SERIES:
AUTHOR: Michelle McLean
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TITLE: My Kind of Earl
SERIES: The Mating Habits of Scoundrels #2
AUTHOR: Vivienne Lorret
RATING:
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TITLE: The Duchess Hunt
SERIES: Once Upon a Dukedom #2
AUTHOR: Lorraine Heath
RATING:
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TITLE: Valued by the Viscount
SERIES: Second Sons of London #6
AUTHOR: Alexa Aston
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Vanessa suffered through an abusive first marriage and desperately wants a family and someone to love her. Reed is ready to settle down to start a family and wants a mature wife to fall in love with. Spending the week together at a house party is sure to bring them together and revive Vanessa's confidence and trust.
TITLE: Secrets of a Summer Night
SERIES: The Wallflowers #1
AUTHOR: Lisa Kleypas
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The Debutante Dares #1
by Charlie Lane
A redheaded bluestocking in desperate need of a wealthy husband.
A handsome duke looking for the perfect duchess.
And a dare that shows that opposites may not only attract but can be so much more.
Lady Tabitha Hampton has the memory of an elephant. Her sharp brain locks everything away tight as a trunk in an attic. But this talent fails to help the twenty-seven-year-old bluestocking attract the attention of a single wealthy suitor. And she needs one. With three sisters of marriageable age, a sickly father, and a series of bad investments draining their dowries, Tabitha’s marriage could save or ruin her entire family.
The Duke of Collingford needs a wife, but not just any one will do. Arthur’s future duchess must be perfect in every way—fair of face, impeccable manners, with enough social influence to impact his parliamentary projects. When he joins the whirl of the London season, the duke finds an insufferable, redheaded wallflower instead.
Tabitha insists she can be the perfect duchess, if he’ll only give her the chance. Arthur agrees to test her abilities, but she tests his control. And one taste of her lips is enough to make him embrace chaos.
Opposites may attract, but can they cooperate? Or will they lose everything, including their hearts
A handsome duke looking for the perfect duchess.
And a dare that shows that opposites may not only attract but can be so much more.
Lady Tabitha Hampton has the memory of an elephant. Her sharp brain locks everything away tight as a trunk in an attic. But this talent fails to help the twenty-seven-year-old bluestocking attract the attention of a single wealthy suitor. And she needs one. With three sisters of marriageable age, a sickly father, and a series of bad investments draining their dowries, Tabitha’s marriage could save or ruin her entire family.
The Duke of Collingford needs a wife, but not just any one will do. Arthur’s future duchess must be perfect in every way—fair of face, impeccable manners, with enough social influence to impact his parliamentary projects. When he joins the whirl of the London season, the duke finds an insufferable, redheaded wallflower instead.
Tabitha insists she can be the perfect duchess, if he’ll only give her the chance. Arthur agrees to test her abilities, but she tests his control. And one taste of her lips is enough to make him embrace chaos.
Opposites may attract, but can they cooperate? Or will they lose everything, including their hearts
The Plot
This was an enjoyable book...I felt like it was a bit ridiculous at times and I was frustrated by some of the holes left at the end of the book, but overall it was a nice, quick read. What started out as a dare, softened and changed both Tabitha and Arthur for the better. I really enjoyed seeing the changes take place, especially in Arthur, and eventually see them realize they will be a great Duke and Duchess because they care for others and for each other.
The Heroine
Tabitha Hampton is a very smart girl who has a photographic memory. She basically runs her family household since her mother died and her father is sick. She takes care of her little sisters too. After an investment she made goes wrong and she loses a lot of their money, she is desperate to finally marry...someone rich who can help her family and ensure her sister can afford a Season and get married as well. But Tabitha is older and many men are scared off when they find out about her eccentric mind and her inability to hold her tongue at times. But she is determined to help her family so she convinces Arthur to give her a chance to prove she can be the perfect duchess for him.
The Hero
Arthur is a bit of a stick in the mud. He father died when he was young and he was raised by his mother, uncle and grandmother, all of whom still hold great power over him. He is determined to marry the perfect woman to be his Duchess because, in order to get his beloved childhood home, his whole family needs to approve of his future wife. His Uncle is very controlling and disapproving of Arthur which has left him with needs to be the perfect Duke with ridiculous tasks. Thankfully, Tabitha came along, got through his façade and was able to help him see that "perfection" is not necessary and you'll be happier once you set that mantle aside.
The Steam
The steam was okay; I loved that their first time together was in a romantic, meadow setting.
Tropes
Historical Romance, Regency Era, Season/Marriage Mart, Ton Society, Beta/Cinnamon Roll Hero, Politician Hero, Starchy Hero, Titled Hero, Bluestocking Heroine, Spinster Heroine, Virgin Heroine, Wallflower Heroine, Outdoor Steam, Marriage of Convenience/Arranged Marriage, Dare or Bet
HistoricalRomance, RegencyEra, Season/MarriageMart, TonSociety, Beta/CinnamonrollHero, PoliticianHero, StarchyHero, TitledHero, BluestockingHeroine, SpinsterHeroine, VirginHeroine, WallflowerHeroine, OutdoorSteam, MarriageofConvenience/ArrangedMarriage, DareorBet
TITLE: How the Wallflower was Won
SERIES: Last Chance Scoundrels #2
AUTHOR: Eva Leigh
RATING:
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TITLE: Her Lessons in Persuation
SERIES: School for Scoundrels #1
AUTHOR: Megan Frampton
RATING:
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The Scandalous Vixen
The Duchess Society #2
Tracy Sumner
Helena Astley, Lady Hell to the ton, has plans. To control her father’s shipping business, to live her way, by her rules. Her plan is going remarkably well until one ill-advised kiss invites the duke she doesn’t want but cannot resist into her life. Hardnosed Roan Darlington, Duke of Leighton, cares little for society or finding a duchess. The only person ever to challenge him is the incorrigible, infuriating Helena Astley. The one woman he’s never been able to forget.
When they’re caught in a ruinous situation, Roan offers her an alternative. A sham engagement she can break off after Christmas. As they discover a world of forbidden pleasure, Helena must decide if she can relinquish a heart she vowed to withhold from the only man powerful enough to seize it. And Roan must decide if falling madly, passionately in love is worth the risk.
The Hero
Roan Darlington, Duke of Leighton was handed the dukedom at the age of 21, suddenly and out of the blue. He was not happy about the inheritance, but came to recognize his duty. He and his sister Pippa were forced out of their simple life, to one they were I’ll prepared for.
"He spread his palm across her lower back to steady her, taking subtle possession. “You see, my darling heiress, I seek a kiss that says everything. The kiss to end all kisses. The kiss of the century. Why run the race if you’re not trying to win? That’s my rule. Or rather, my quest. That we don’t limit ourselves.” With his free hand, Roan cradled her jaw, tilting her head until her gaze pierced his. She stilled with the effort, like a feather coming to rest on a feather coverlet. “I want to show you that the heat we generate is enough to make anyone, even you, believe in the power of desire. What we do with it is up to us, I suppose.”
The Heroine
Helena Astley is the only daughter of a shipping giant, who gave her the company when he died, making her an instant outcast in society but incredibly wealthy! She is smart, witty and an amazing business woman. Her mother having died when she was little, she is lonely and has no friends outside of work relationships.
The Plot
Roan has been pining after Helena for over a decade. He would watch her by the seashore and try to gather the nerve to speak to her. When he finally did, he botched the whole thing and ruined any chance he had with her.
Now, it’s 10 years later and, although they still harbor strong feelings for each other, they are rude to each other and bicker every time they meet. But, when the opportunity presents itself, Roan invites Helena, and her newly discovered half sister, to his country house for the Christmastide so that her sister and his sister can get lessons from the Duchess Society. He offers to pretend a courtship with Helena so that he can help put aside rumors he accidentally when he punched a man for insulting her and save her from scandal.
Helena and her sister arrive at Roan’s house and she starts to see a side of him that she didn’t expect, a caring and responsible side. But when he dares her to a kiss, that simple kiss leads to more and they are caught in a compromising position. Thrust into a world she is I’ll prepared for, Roan must convince Helena that he wants and loves her and the rest will fall into place. And she needs to let her guard down and open her heart to the possibility of love and a family.
The Steam
A couple of very steamy scenes and lots of swooning! One particularly steamy scene on a pianoforte that leads to a compromising situation!
"You see, I’m not interested in half measures. From my friends, my colleagues, or my wife. No business agreements are going to carry us through. It’s love or nothing for me. You have mine, you always have, but I must have yours in return. Or I can’t do this, Hellie. I can’t.”
Final Thoughts
Once again, Ms. Sumner’s book gives me all the feels! Such a good book and, since, all three storylines in this series are so different, I know it is Tracy’s writing that can pull me into any romance she can put to paper!
Tropes
Regency Era, Historical Romance, House Party, Holiday Romance, Titled Hero, Spinster Heroine, Wallflower Heroine, Matchmaker Heroine, Independent Heroine, Working Heroine, Experienced Heroine, Angst Romance, Unrequited love, Second Chance Romance, Enemies to Lovers, Fake Relationship, Married in Scandal, Class Difference, Rake Hero, Sudden Nobility/Rags to Riches, Dare or Bet, Dirty Talk, Five Star, Four Flame
