What do you think?
Rate this book
Dangerous Noblemen #1
The Duke of Devastation
Elsie Hulbourne is satisfied with her life as the vicarage spinster, keeping house for her father and seeing to the needs of his parishioners. The only place she has ever found romance is between the covers of a novel and she likes it that way.
Edmund Thatchley, Duke of Castlemore, earned his reputation as The Duke of Devastation by pursuing a relentless campaign of revenge against those who wronged him and his family. Merciless determination to achieve his goals has brought him wealth and power but it just might cause him to lose what he desires most of all.
When Elsie's and Castlemore's paths intersect, a blossoming attraction offers hope for a better life until revenge and betrayal threaten to destroy them both. Can they overcome the destruction wrought by resentment to find forgiveness, peace, and most of all, love?
Fans of Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer and the Bridgerton series will adore this charming romance set in the popular Regency period.
Edmund Thatchley, Duke of Castlemore, earned his reputation as The Duke of Devastation by pursuing a relentless campaign of revenge against those who wronged him and his family. Merciless determination to achieve his goals has brought him wealth and power but it just might cause him to lose what he desires most of all.
When Elsie's and Castlemore's paths intersect, a blossoming attraction offers hope for a better life until revenge and betrayal threaten to destroy them both. Can they overcome the destruction wrought by resentment to find forgiveness, peace, and most of all, love?
Fans of Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer and the Bridgerton series will adore this charming romance set in the popular Regency period.
- GenresRomanceHistorical
261 pages, Paperback
Published February 27, 2023
26 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 14, 2023
Utterly delightful
If this was a debut novel, I CANNOT WAIT for Michelle's next stories. Beauty and the Beast. Massive failings. Beautiful redemption. Forgiveness. Alllll the good stuff.
If this was a debut novel, I CANNOT WAIT for Michelle's next stories. Beauty and the Beast. Massive failings. Beautiful redemption. Forgiveness. Alllll the good stuff.
September 4, 2023
Charming, Well-told Regency and a Great Beginning to a new series by a new author
This is the first by Michelle Mignone, and she is off to a great start. It’s a winning tale of an unlikely hero and a modest, virtuous heroine. The Regency-set story moves along at a good clip with entertaining dialog and a complex plot. I really enjoyed it.
Elsie Hulbourne, a 25-year-old spinster, keeps house for her father, the vicar, and sees to the needs of his parishioners. Her sister, Maria, is beautiful and married to a wonderful man. But for Elsie, the only place she has ever found romance is between the covers of a romance novel. The chapters cleverly begin with a scene from her latest indulgence, A Secret Romance with a Rake.
Meantime, Edmund Thatchley, Duke of Castlemore, dubbed The Duke of Devastation, relentlessly pursues his campaign of revenge against those who wronged him and his family. And now he had Elsie’s family in his sights for a sin committed long ago.
Despite their initial attraction, his revenge and betrayal threaten to destroy both their happiness. Castlemore discovers late he wants Elsie for his own and now must find a way.
The author will keep you turning pages with quips and barbs and endearing characters. Frequent changes in point of view presented a challenge initially but I got used to it. I would definitely want to read more by this author.
This is the first by Michelle Mignone, and she is off to a great start. It’s a winning tale of an unlikely hero and a modest, virtuous heroine. The Regency-set story moves along at a good clip with entertaining dialog and a complex plot. I really enjoyed it.
Elsie Hulbourne, a 25-year-old spinster, keeps house for her father, the vicar, and sees to the needs of his parishioners. Her sister, Maria, is beautiful and married to a wonderful man. But for Elsie, the only place she has ever found romance is between the covers of a romance novel. The chapters cleverly begin with a scene from her latest indulgence, A Secret Romance with a Rake.
Meantime, Edmund Thatchley, Duke of Castlemore, dubbed The Duke of Devastation, relentlessly pursues his campaign of revenge against those who wronged him and his family. And now he had Elsie’s family in his sights for a sin committed long ago.
Despite their initial attraction, his revenge and betrayal threaten to destroy both their happiness. Castlemore discovers late he wants Elsie for his own and now must find a way.
The author will keep you turning pages with quips and barbs and endearing characters. Frequent changes in point of view presented a challenge initially but I got used to it. I would definitely want to read more by this author.
March 19, 2023
I've struggled to find consistently good Regency romance books after Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer - often the quality just isn't there in the writing, story or characters. It's led me to rarely pick one up these days.
This book has got great writing, with a tongue in cheek "story in story" poking fun at itself and the genre's cliches, while holding up as a great novel in itself. I loved Elsie's modern mindset, yet actions still in keeping with the times it's set in. The Duke at times frustrated me (as he was meant to!), But the obstacles and trials in the story felt much more real and believable, making the ending even more satisfying. A Regency romance worth reading!
This book has got great writing, with a tongue in cheek "story in story" poking fun at itself and the genre's cliches, while holding up as a great novel in itself. I loved Elsie's modern mindset, yet actions still in keeping with the times it's set in. The Duke at times frustrated me (as he was meant to!), But the obstacles and trials in the story felt much more real and believable, making the ending even more satisfying. A Regency romance worth reading!
April 5, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyable
This lovely story has all that one might hope for from a historical romance. It had a slow build (possibly more because I only had time read half a chapter every day or so for the first half) but I’m so glad I persisted as my patience paid off and I found myself reading the last half in one sitting. Because I couldn’t put it down.
I enjoyed reading Elsie’s character and the titular Duke was just what I look for in a hero; handsome, a bit flawed and somewhat baffled about being in love with our heroine. There was a very engaging friends-to enemies-to lovers plot and a lovely happily ever after.
This lovely story has all that one might hope for from a historical romance. It had a slow build (possibly more because I only had time read half a chapter every day or so for the first half) but I’m so glad I persisted as my patience paid off and I found myself reading the last half in one sitting. Because I couldn’t put it down.
I enjoyed reading Elsie’s character and the titular Duke was just what I look for in a hero; handsome, a bit flawed and somewhat baffled about being in love with our heroine. There was a very engaging friends-to enemies-to lovers plot and a lovely happily ever after.
October 23, 2024
I love-hate the story. I loved it, then I hated it. It made me so mad. I still might hate parts—if you read it, you’ll know which parts—but it is very well written. Some bits are quitr clever. Some bits made me teary. But what I love most is how many different seemingly innocuous parts of the story were all wrapped up so nicely in the end. Every single thread of the story tied up in a bow. Ugh, so good.
December 7, 2023
Loved it. Michelle has embraced all things regency in the writing of this book, not just the setting and social customs, but also the language she has chosen to write in. She has bravely used Austen's style of Omniscient POV with a narrative voice that pops between characters. This of course is a major no-no with modern writing, but in this context, it works.
Great work. Look forward to more.
Great work. Look forward to more.
Read
October 22, 2024A fun book with a string witty voice.
I enjoyed the book. It has a strong plot and a fun friendship turned to more. The witty commentary on the small community in Shropshire and the larger foibles of London kept things interesting and funny.
For as strong as 90% of the book was I found the grovel and grand gesture to be somewhat weak. Still worth the read.
I enjoyed the book. It has a strong plot and a fun friendship turned to more. The witty commentary on the small community in Shropshire and the larger foibles of London kept things interesting and funny.
For as strong as 90% of the book was I found the grovel and grand gesture to be somewhat weak. Still worth the read.
July 9, 2023
A very cleverly written book- loved the descriptions!
This book was a great read- insightful, well-developed characters, and especially witty. I love reading books set in this time period and I enjoyed it immensely.
This book was a great read- insightful, well-developed characters, and especially witty. I love reading books set in this time period and I enjoyed it immensely.
September 7, 2023
A devastatingly good read
Romance and revenge, such a a wonderful combination in this book. I opened it and my day was lost in this engrossing story, I couldn't put it down. Giving Bridgerton vibes but with more depth and scandal.
Romance and revenge, such a a wonderful combination in this book. I opened it and my day was lost in this engrossing story, I couldn't put it down. Giving Bridgerton vibes but with more depth and scandal.
October 29, 2023
I enjoyed this book. Clever use of language and word play.
Strong characters and an intriguing plot with humour.
I had never read an historical romance before and
now I will be more open to reading others.
For lovers of this genre I highly recommend this book.
Strong characters and an intriguing plot with humour.
I had never read an historical romance before and
now I will be more open to reading others.
For lovers of this genre I highly recommend this book.
May 4, 2024
I loved this book. The story was beautiful and well written.
August 23, 2024
A most enjoyable read. A disgraceful Duke finds happiness with a disgraced preacher's daughter. A preacher.whose disgracefuless was caused by the Duke himself. A delightful read.
March 15, 2025
Fabulous read if you love historical romance
August 16, 2024
very clever and most amusing
A perfect regency romp - the Duke of Devastation takes surprising turns and the dear reader is suitably amused by the wry and pointed observations
A perfect regency romp - the Duke of Devastation takes surprising turns and the dear reader is suitably amused by the wry and pointed observations
January 20, 2025
Loved this book
Engaging, witty, entertaining, and fast moving, clean romance. Who could believe a “Duke of Devastation” could be so changed by a humble vicar’s daughter?
Engaging, witty, entertaining, and fast moving, clean romance. Who could believe a “Duke of Devastation” could be so changed by a humble vicar’s daughter?
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews