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How the Duke Was Won
(The Disgraceful Dukes #1)
by
The pleasure of your company is requested at Warbury Park. Four lovely ladies will arrive… but only one can become a duchess.
James, the scandalously uncivilized Duke of Harland, requires a bride with a spotless reputation for a strictly business arrangement. Lust is prohibited and love is out of the question.
Four ladies. Three days. What could go wrong?
She is not like the ...more
James, the scandalously uncivilized Duke of Harland, requires a bride with a spotless reputation for a strictly business arrangement. Lust is prohibited and love is out of the question.
Four ladies. Three days. What could go wrong?
She is not like the ...more
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Community Reviews
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Start your review of How the Duke Was Won (The Disgraceful Dukes, #1)
If you've looked this title up at Amazon and seen all the "puff" from really good authors like Courtney Milan, Sarah MacLean and Lorraine Heath, you could be forgiven for thinking this is a good book. I know the marketing people are out to sell books, but having people like that endorse duds like this can't but tarnish them just a bit for their fans.
I gave it a D at AAR.
I was only a few pages into reading this début novel from Lenora Bell when I had to ask myself why I’d requested a review copy ...more
I gave it a D at AAR.
I was only a few pages into reading this début novel from Lenora Bell when I had to ask myself why I’d requested a review copy ...more
Buddy read with the fantastic Emma!
How the Duke Was Won wasn't able to win us over, I'm afraid, because both my pal Emma and I ended up rating this book two stars. (By the way, if you want to read her review, you can just click here.)
Emma and I agreed that there were certain elements in the story that seemed farfetched, contradictory, and just downright unnecessary.
For example:
1. Charlene's mother was operating a bawdy house or a brothel. And yet, it was stated that:
How the Duke Was Won wasn't able to win us over, I'm afraid, because both my pal Emma and I ended up rating this book two stars. (By the way, if you want to read her review, you can just click here.)
Emma and I agreed that there were certain elements in the story that seemed farfetched, contradictory, and just downright unnecessary.
For example:
1. Charlene's mother was operating a bawdy house or a brothel. And yet, it was stated that:
Lulu [Charlene's sister]...more
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🎃 Read for the Unapologetic Romance Readers Halloween 2017 Reading Challenge for the category of: a romance with a masquerade/costume party 🎃
This is a Nenia and Sarah BR brought to you by Kindle Clean Out Club Productions. Tired of hoarding ebooks and not reading them? Now, in 200-550 easy steps, you can! No, but seriously, if it weren't for this forum, I'd be way more behind on my to-read list. It is The Best. If your Kindle is also ...more
5 STARS
I enjoyed this book so much! From the moment I read the blurb I knew this book would be fun! And I wasn't wrong, the plot was so good and once I started I couldn't put it down! How The Duke Was Won is a refreshing, funny, sweet, fast paced and sexy story!
I loved the plot and how the story developed with Charlene pretending to be her half sister Dorothea! And James doing whatever he could to resist her. But Charlene's personality was so amazing that no one could resist her!
James is irre ...more
I enjoyed this book so much! From the moment I read the blurb I knew this book would be fun! And I wasn't wrong, the plot was so good and once I started I couldn't put it down! How The Duke Was Won is a refreshing, funny, sweet, fast paced and sexy story!
I loved the plot and how the story developed with Charlene pretending to be her half sister Dorothea! And James doing whatever he could to resist her. But Charlene's personality was so amazing that no one could resist her!
James is irre ...more
This is my debut romance novel and the "book of my heart." It's very loosely inspired by the classic tale of CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (with a dash of The Bachelor and a sprinkle of Cinderella). If you read closely you'll catch some subtle nods to the classic tales. For example, my heroine's name is Charlene Beckett (get it?) and her duke is obsessed with creating the perfect drinking chocolate and he needs an heir to his fortune.
I hope you have as much fun reading this book as I had wri ...more
I hope you have as much fun reading this book as I had wri ...more
What is wrong with me???
I keep reading one ridiculous historical/hysterical romance after another. At least the projectile vomiting of verbiage was somewhat toned down (comparatively) in this one, it still had the same stock characters/caricatures populating it with a story arc reminiscent of the "Perils of Pauline."
And AGAIN with the plot-holes!! There I was, propped up on the sofa with a dog snoring away on either side of me reading, and I daggum nearly broke my NECK with the plot holes!!!
Oh ...more
I keep reading one ridiculous historical/hysterical romance after another. At least the projectile vomiting of verbiage was somewhat toned down (comparatively) in this one, it still had the same stock characters/caricatures populating it with a story arc reminiscent of the "Perils of Pauline."
And AGAIN with the plot-holes!! There I was, propped up on the sofa with a dog snoring away on either side of me reading, and I daggum nearly broke my NECK with the plot holes!!!
Oh ...more
May 18, 2016
Magdalena aka A Bookaholic Swede
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-2016
I think I have finally figured out what kind of historical romance work for me: rom-com just like with movies. Well, in this case, it's a historical rom-com (a his-rom-com?). Anyway, How the Duke Was Won turned out to be quite good just because it was so bloody funny now and then. I quite liked the part of the book when the four ladies and their mothers (or three ladies and their mother, and Charlene and her half-sister's mother) tried to win the Duke's favour and at the same time attacking each
...more
Add another to the dnf pile.This book was hard to believe from the moment I started it but I plodded on untill I just couldn't take it any more,wasted 88 pages of utter unbelievable nonsense. 1Star for the 88 pages read.
...more
Favorite Quote: "I'm going to kiss you," he breathed in her ear. "You have exactly three seconds to leave. I advise you to leave."
He waited a moment. "Please leave."
(She doesn't leave...there could be hot kissing that follows)
Debut author alert! Adorable book alert!
With his brother and father dead, James has found himself with the title of duke - title he never wanted. As a young adult, escaping London for world travel, he eventually lands in Trinidad and discovers a passion for cocoa beans. Aft ...more
He waited a moment. "Please leave."
(She doesn't leave...there could be hot kissing that follows)
Debut author alert! Adorable book alert!
With his brother and father dead, James has found himself with the title of duke - title he never wanted. As a young adult, escaping London for world travel, he eventually lands in Trinidad and discovers a passion for cocoa beans. Aft ...more
Oct 18, 2017
Sarah (needs a break from reviewing)
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fiction-romance,
library-books
THIS REVIEW IS SPOILERS ONLY!!!!
I read this as part of my, and Nenia's , plan to clean out our Kindles (except that I actually borrowed this from the library just so that I could take part in another BR, I love BRs).
23/10 - This was very 'Regency Bachelor' in plot. The hero, James, Duke of Harland, needs to marry because he's unexpectedly become the duke, rather than the spare he was born as, and the duke can't be wife or heirless. He can't decide which of four eligible ladies to choose - ...more
I read this as part of my, and Nenia's , plan to clean out our Kindles (except that I actually borrowed this from the library just so that I could take part in another BR, I love BRs).
23/10 - This was very 'Regency Bachelor' in plot. The hero, James, Duke of Harland, needs to marry because he's unexpectedly become the duke, rather than the spare he was born as, and the duke can't be wife or heirless. He can't decide which of four eligible ladies to choose - ...more
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
Summary
James, the Duke of Harland needs to find a bride so that he can have a mother for his illegitimate daughter and return back across to America and what he believes to be his home. So he comes up with a plan, for a party involving four potential debutantes that will be all proper and what he needs. He never planned on one of those women being someone he can't resist. Charlene is shocked with a member of nobili ...more
Summary
James, the Duke of Harland needs to find a bride so that he can have a mother for his illegitimate daughter and return back across to America and what he believes to be his home. So he comes up with a plan, for a party involving four potential debutantes that will be all proper and what he needs. He never planned on one of those women being someone he can't resist. Charlene is shocked with a member of nobili ...more
A must read everyone!!!!❤❤❤❤
Be still my heart. Don't break my record of not swooning!!
When I read the synopsis of this book first. I couldn't tear into this book fast enough.
I feel like squealing. This book was so so sooooo damn good. From very first sentence I was completely hooked to the book.
His Disgrace
The duke of Harland was nothing short of a beast. He was the exiled second son who liked to explore jungle and loved to make hot chocolate. He never ever wanted to return to the place where ...more
Be still my heart. Don't break my record of not swooning!!
When I read the synopsis of this book first. I couldn't tear into this book fast enough.
I feel like squealing. This book was so so sooooo damn good. From very first sentence I was completely hooked to the book.
His Disgrace
The duke of Harland was nothing short of a beast. He was the exiled second son who liked to explore jungle and loved to make hot chocolate. He never ever wanted to return to the place where ...more
Aug 12, 2019
✨ Gramy ✨
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
c-romance-historical-england,
c-romance-steamy
..
** Contains mature themes **
This was the introductory installation of the series. The Disgraceful Dukes Regency series is a debut by Lenora Bell. It was definitely an escapist's delight in entertainment. The quick pace and pleasingly captivating combination of sensual romance, delightfully unconventional characters, and humorous banter provides the tale with an overwhelming success
James, the scandalously uncivilized Duke of Harland, requires a bride with a spotless reputation for a strictly ...more
** Contains mature themes **
This was the introductory installation of the series. The Disgraceful Dukes Regency series is a debut by Lenora Bell. It was definitely an escapist's delight in entertainment. The quick pace and pleasingly captivating combination of sensual romance, delightfully unconventional characters, and humorous banter provides the tale with an overwhelming success
James, the scandalously uncivilized Duke of Harland, requires a bride with a spotless reputation for a strictly ...more
4.5 stars
This was an amazing historical read. Think "The Bachelor" set during historical times with cravats, corsets and bonnets.
Charlene Beckett, a cast-aside illegitimate daughter of an Earl is desperately seeking ways to divert her sure-path as a courtesan and the one way is to find a different career i.e. open up a boarding home for teens seeking refuge and teaching them life skills. She needs to settle her debts with a perverted duke, pay for her little sister's art apprentice and find a go ...more
This was an amazing historical read. Think "The Bachelor" set during historical times with cravats, corsets and bonnets.
Charlene Beckett, a cast-aside illegitimate daughter of an Earl is desperately seeking ways to divert her sure-path as a courtesan and the one way is to find a different career i.e. open up a boarding home for teens seeking refuge and teaching them life skills. She needs to settle her debts with a perverted duke, pay for her little sister's art apprentice and find a go ...more
4,5⭐
utterly delightful!!
utterly delightful!!
I moderately enjoyed this book, but in the end skimmed through. I thought it became a bit trite and too perfect towards the end. Main characters: Philanthropic, heart-of-gold heroine who knows jujitsu and grew up in a "bawdy" house. Philanthropic, abolitionist chocolate-making Duke with an illegitimate Trinidadian daughter. This sounds pretty good, but the characters didn't really break many molds for me. The plot-muppet daughter exists to be adorable and make the heroine look like a paragon, th
...more
✨Sexual Chocolate!✨
This could easily be a five star book from me but the only issue was that she was gonna let him marry Dorothea!!! Without telling him!! I mean if he wouldn’t have been able to tell the difference then he equally wouldn’t deserve her, but he did!!
I really liked the cocoa angle and the hot chocolate got STEAMY y’all. Cocoa butter was rubbed in ✨places✨and shit got real.
This book had a great sense of humor and I liked the gaggle of potential brides a lot better than I thought I ...more
This could easily be a five star book from me but the only issue was that she was gonna let him marry Dorothea!!! Without telling him!! I mean if he wouldn’t have been able to tell the difference then he equally wouldn’t deserve her, but he did!!
I really liked the cocoa angle and the hot chocolate got STEAMY y’all. Cocoa butter was rubbed in ✨places✨and shit got real.
This book had a great sense of humor and I liked the gaggle of potential brides a lot better than I thought I ...more
(Tropes: Mistake Identity / Disguise, Class Difference)
I’ve come to realise looking through my HR reading history, I tend to stick with all the same authors, and so I have decided to try several new ones; Lenora Bell seemed to be a good idea.
*****
“Four ladies. Three days. How bad can it be?”
*****
The premise that a man gathers a bunch of single women at his home to choose a wife is a bit farfetched, but I decided to go with it. It was a different time, and it’s not like it would happen nowaday ...more
I’ve come to realise looking through my HR reading history, I tend to stick with all the same authors, and so I have decided to try several new ones; Lenora Bell seemed to be a good idea.
*****
“Four ladies. Three days. How bad can it be?”
*****
The premise that a man gathers a bunch of single women at his home to choose a wife is a bit farfetched, but I decided to go with it. It was a different time, and it’s not like it would happen nowaday ...more
James, the Duke of Harland needs to find a bride so that he can have a mother for his illegitimate daughter and return to America and what he believes to be his home. Charlene Beckett is shocked when a member of nobility offers her much needed money, if Charlene pretends to be her legitimate half-sister and ensnare a Duke. James and Charlene both have their goals, what neither counted on was the attraction they would feel for one another.
I hated how judgemental the ladies were when it came to t ...more
I hated how judgemental the ladies were when it came to t ...more
I REALLY wanted to love this book but I just didn't. Maybe I shouldn't have read this straight after Lorraine Heath's new book, who knows. I thought it was way too silly and I understand that this is fiction and you have suspend reality a bit but it was just way too unrealistic for the times. When I read a Historical Romance book even though it's fiction I want it to be written so that I'm almost transported back to how things were then.
...more
3.5*
It was a good debut novel. I liked most of it, though there were some scenes with purple prose and the heroine and hero deserved some smacks over their heads.
It was a good debut novel. I liked most of it, though there were some scenes with purple prose and the heroine and hero deserved some smacks over their heads.
Outstanding!
Lenora Bell pens a fascinating story with ease. The progression of this plot was very natural, but never predictable. James and Charlene are fascinating characters, I was hanging on their every word. As a plea and a note to secondary characters, Alice was my favorite, I’d love to see her HEA. Maybe while she's trying everything not to seduce the hero but he ends up falling in love with her anyways. Would't that be a perfect story for her?
I absolutely loved How the Duke Was Won. A ma ...more
I debated on giving this one a 4 or 3.5 stars so I'm going to go with 3.5 because this whole relationship is based on a lie. She's lying about her identity but ends up falling in love with him and is a coward to admit anything. Even to the point that he was about to marry her half sister after successfully pulling off the charade. I wanted him to be angry and have that angst about who is she really? She's lied to me. I can't trust her. Can I? I also was kind of bored throughout the first half of
...more
I read this in one sitting, staying up till 2 AM to finish it. It isn't a perfect debut but it's a gripping premise--the illegitimate half-sister of a lady poses as her sister to win a duke!--and the sexual tension is off the charts. I especially enjoyed that there were many historical references in this novel, from issues of child labor to slavery and labor laws explored relatively in-depth for a historical romance. I'd recommend this for anyone looking for a new historical romance author--I su
...more
I have not read a historical romance in the longest time and I honestly forgot how amazing and addicting they can be. There's just something magical about that time period and something incredibly irresistible about a rugged, dangerous duke in need of a wife…
After his father and brother die, James is now the Duke of Harland and must secure a wife so that he can return to his adventures abroad with his cocoa business. He invites four eligible women to his home in order to find a docile wife he ca ...more
After his father and brother die, James is now the Duke of Harland and must secure a wife so that he can return to his adventures abroad with his cocoa business. He invites four eligible women to his home in order to find a docile wife he ca ...more
Coffee Dates with How the Duke Was Won
First Date: James the Duke of Harland requires a bride of impeccable reputation to handle his estates and to protect those in his keep. Along with the aid of a friend, and his trusted butler, they select four eligible women and invite them and their mother’s for a three-day stay. One of those women is abroad and well a mama has to do what a mama’s has to do. Right? Charlene Beckett is the illegitimate daughter of an earl and a courtesan. The Earl's wife ...more
First Date: James the Duke of Harland requires a bride of impeccable reputation to handle his estates and to protect those in his keep. Along with the aid of a friend, and his trusted butler, they select four eligible women and invite them and their mother’s for a three-day stay. One of those women is abroad and well a mama has to do what a mama’s has to do. Right? Charlene Beckett is the illegitimate daughter of an earl and a courtesan. The Earl's wife ...more
Surprisingly an easy-feel good-hits the spot kind of read and I've learned that this is the debut novel of the author. I loved her writing style - she reminds me of Tessa Dare and she goes up on the list of the authors that I'll watch out for.
Thanks to Avon for the free eBook from RWA16! ...more
Thanks to Avon for the free eBook from RWA16! ...more
3.5 stars. Great characters, good plot twist and a fun book to read!
What a lovely and thoughtful historical romance this was! How the Duke Was Won wasn't a book on my radar, but when I came across it while browsing Goodreads, I immediately went ahead and purchased a copy. This was so much more than just a historical romance and I loved every minute of reading it.
James, Duke of Harland, is in immediate need of a respectable society lady as a wife. So what does he do? He sends out an invitation to four society ladies, with their mothers, to spend 3 days at his hou ...more
You would enjoy this book is you love drama in HR and don't get bothered by implausible scenerios.
I really wanted to like this one.
I love reading debut books, it's fun reading something from a new author and seeing different writing styles and characterizations. It's even better when the said debut author writes a masterpiece. It's hard to enjoy a debut novel when it seems as though the author has taken parts and pieces from all her favorite books and mashed them up together and hope for the b ...more
I really wanted to like this one.
I love reading debut books, it's fun reading something from a new author and seeing different writing styles and characterizations. It's even better when the said debut author writes a masterpiece. It's hard to enjoy a debut novel when it seems as though the author has taken parts and pieces from all her favorite books and mashed them up together and hope for the b ...more
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| Sinopsis en Español // Synopsis in Spanish | 1 | 4 | Oct 23, 2015 07:21AM |
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Lenora Bell is a USA Today bestselling, award-winning author of historical romances with Avon Books. A teacher with an MFA in Creative Writing, Lenora has lived and worked on five continents. She's currently fixing up a big old building in small town Alaska with her carpenter husband and two tiger-striped rescue kitties (#RomancingTheRenovation). She loves hearing from readers! Join her Facebook R
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The Disgraceful Dukes
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“Some contend that one ounce of cocoa contains as much nourishment as one pound of beef. man could subsist on chocolate alone if he had to.”
—
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“Every time he looked at me I felt like I was standing in a tree-lined avenue, and the branches had interlaced into a canopy above me, surrounding me. It was the kind of green that told the sun what color to be as it filtered through the leaves.” “Oh,”
—
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