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If the Duke Demands

(Capturing the Carlisles #1)

Anna Harrington (Goodreads Author)

3.85 · Rating details · 1,844 ratings · 341 reviews

A LESSON IN SEDUCTION . . .

Miranda Hodgkins has only ever wanted one thing: to marry Robert Carlisle. And she simply can't wait a moment longer. During the Carlisle family masquerade ball, Miranda boldly sneaks into his bedchamber with seduction on her mind. Soon she's swept into rock-hard arms for the most breathtaking kiss of her life. But when the masks come off, she's ...more

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Mass Market Paperback, 330 pages

Published February 28th 2017 by Forever

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· 1,844 ratings · 341 reviews

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Mar 13, 2017 Khanh, first of her name, mother of bunnies rated it did not like it

Why the fuck is the average rating for this book like 4.3 when I spent 75% of the book wanting to bash the stuffings out of the main love interest with a rusty one-pointed morning star?

But ugh. Since everyone loves it, allow me to present MY version of it.

If The Duke Demands - Khanh's Version

*Main Characters*
Trent: duke, main love interest. Stodgy and with a stick in his ass bigger than the Washington Monument

Miranda: an orphan who runs an orphanage, in case the author hasn't made her life tragi ...more

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Mar 02, 2017 Jo rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: gr2017

What is worse than reading a most anticipated book and hating it from the beginning? Loving a book until the half mark and then having it go up in flames.

SPOILERS AHEAD

What is worse than reading a most anticipated book and hating it from the beginning? Loving a book until the half mark and then having it go up in flames.

SPOILERS AHEAD

Okay, let’s start with what I loved:
✔ I love the mistaken identity trope, being in love with the wrong brother/friend and then realising it’s been the other one for you all along.
✔ Watching Miranda and Sebastian slowly fall for each other, noticing things they suddenly find attractive that they never noticed before.
✔ The unconventional Miranda in the beginning, who was energetic, caring and impulsive. I really liked her.
✔ Sebastian in the first half, who couldn’t stay away from Miranda, who only noticed her and no one else.
✔ The character growth was excellent in the first half.

Now the bad from the second-half that totally blindsided me and enraged me:
✖ All the character growth from the first half being smashed to smithereens in the second half.
✖ Sebastian kissing another woman with tongue (after he kissed Miranda several times), but it’s okay because he didn’t feel anything while kissing this woman. I mean how else is he going to tell whether he’s attracted to her if he doesn’t kiss her??!! And then he kisses Miranda soon after this.
✖ Sebastian continuously telling Miranda that she is wrong for him, that she would never be the perfect duchess he needs and pushing her away all the time because of this.
✖ When Miranda offers herself to him because she’s hoping it would prove to him that her feelings for him has changed and that he feels the same, Sebastian asks her whether she’s sure because if they do have sex she’ll be ruined and he can’t offer her marriage. Because he’s a real gentleman like that.
✖ Then of course after the amazing sex he realises he can’t let her go, so she can be his mistress. Right???
✖ And when his brothers find out about him and Miranda, he assures them that he isn’t going to marry her, and that she has no say in whom he chooses to be his duchess.
✖ Sebastian not realising on his own that he’s been an idiot all along, but needing his mother to show him the light. Because he’s not a thirty-year old grown man, who should be mature enough to realise his mistakes.
✖ Miranda's devolution into a complete doormat when she forgives him because he said he was sorry and she was better than him, and bla bla bla.

To say I was disappointed and angry with this book would be an understatement. I really loved the first half and the writing was so awesome and I was totally on cloud nine. Until I realised the light at the end of the tunnel was in fact a freight train.

...more

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Feb 01, 2021 Jessica rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-romance, different-social-class, favorite-of-2021

The lesson I learned from reading this? ALWAYS LISTEN TO LISA'S RECS. She told me to read this months ago, but I just got to listening to the audiobook and this is by far a new favorite historical romance!!

In the beginning, Miranda is in love with Robert, a boy from the family she basically grew up with. She's the daughter of farmers, though, so she's low class. She decides it's finally time to seduce Robert as a gorgeous stranger by wearing a mask and showing up in his bedroom. That way, he wi ...more

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Jul 01, 2021 Lacey (laceybooklovers) rated it really liked it

Shelves: adult, historical-romance, hrreadathon, listened-to-audio

Gotta love a historical that starts off with the heroine accidentally kissing the wrong brother 😂

This was adorable! We’ve got a clash of the classes type of historical romance with a duke hero falling for his tenant farmer’s daughter. The beginning was hilarious with the mistaken identity. The romance is sweet, though Sebastian is frustrating when he gets so into his head that he HAS to marry someone proper and not a farmer’s daughter. He also absolutely could’ve groveled more at the end - Miran ...more

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Aug 17, 2020 Lisa (Remarkablylisa) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-romance-i-own, absolutely-i-will-recommend-this-to, august-2020

THIS BOOK IS SO FREAKING GOOD AND YOU GUYS NEED TO READ IT. GRUMPY AND MISS SUNSHINE TROPE PLUS HERO HELPS HEROINE SEDUCE HIS YOUNGER BROTHER BUT FALLS IN LOVE WITH HER INSTEAD. HE DOESN'T WANT HER CAUSE HER STATUS IS NOT THE SAME AS HIS DUKE TITLE AND HE STRUGGLES WITH IT. I CRIED SO MANY TIMES. PICK IT UP. ...more

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Mar 25, 2022 Crystal Cook rated it liked it

Shelves: read-in-2022

Full review in next week's vlog ...more

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Feb 17, 2017 Sissy's Romance Book Review rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc-author-publisher, series, arc-netgalley, 5-star, first-book-in-a-series, 100-stars, hero-slow-to-come-around, 2017-read

'If the Duke Demands' by Anna Harrington is book One in the "Capturing the Carlisles" series. This is the story of Miranda and Sebastian. Miranda thinks she is in love with Robert, who is Sebastian brother. Miranda has known Sebastian and his family since she was young girl. Which to Miranda it makes them think of her as a young girl still. But she is 21 years old and she wants Robert to notice her as a women. But Robert is looking to court someone else so Miranda tries to sneak into his room at ...more

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Feb 15, 2017 Phoenix77 rated it it was ok

Shelves: historical-romance

Meh...

Due to some back-room shenanigans the pressure is off of me to deliver a concise, structured review for this story. Instead, I’ll share my rather plain spoken thoughts.

description

This entire story can be summed up in one word: Melodramatic. The character issues are overdone, the feelings they feel are all over the top and the scenes never seem natural. Even if I could get over the soap-opera feel of the story it was difficult to find a character that I enjoyed with the exception of the hero’s mother. Perhaps I’m getting too cynical towards superficial romantic stories. Oh well, let’s proceed.

Eldest son Sebastian Carlisle, who’s rather happy being a wastrel and man-whore, suddenly inherits a dukedom from his morally upright father. Weighted down by overwhelming guilt that he was absent from home (i.e. having snuggle time with his paramour du jour) when his father passed away, our new duke reforms his life to become the most upstanding example of a peer that London has ever seen. Flash forward two years and Sebastian has settled into a new lifestyle of abstaining from any enjoyable activities to focus on his title. His two younger brothers have also slightly transformed themselves from misfits into responsible adults (more or less) and middle brother Robert is even ready to settle down and start a family.

This news doesn’t thrill childhood friend Miranda Hodgkins who has always been in love with Robert from afar but never quite grabbed his notice. At a party held at the Carlisle home, Miranda decides to force Robert to finally see she’s no longer a little girl (she now has woman parts!) by hiding out in his bedroom in a slinky dress and praying that he’ll fall prostrate at her feet in love. Unfortunately this frequent visitor to the Carlisle estate accidentally picks the wrong room (she forgot her map at home?) and instead is almost compromised by Sebastian! Do they both admit it was a mistake and go their separate ways? No, because that would end the story in a logical manner. Instead Sebastian meets with Miranda the next day to propose a strange arrangement where she’ll try to help him find a “proper” woman to marry and he’ll try to help her chances with Robert.

Can you say Contrived? I knew you could…

So, as you can imagine, Miranda and Sebastian find themselves together more often than not to discuss how their scheme is working and they both start experiencing FEELINGS for each other. That would be great and fit nicely into a sweet, wall-papery romance story except that Sebastian’s guilt is a lot stronger than his new warm fuzzy emotions for Miranda. He will only marry a woman who will be the perfect duchess; someone who is poised, has the right connections, and will flawlessly handle the pressures of society. In other words, the antithesis of a chatty, exuberant country girl who’s only exposure to London is when she’s brought out for a season on Sebastian’s dime. Miranda falls for Sebastian as she works to show him how wonderful life can be if you stop living for your responsibilities and he loves her for how happy she makes him. Then that pesky GUILT comes out again and Sebastian does something so unforgivable that I barely kept myself from throwing my e-reader in disgust. Dick move Sebastian!

If the Duke Demands was a rather mediocre romance that starts out like the standard rom-com stories that I normally love but devolved into a mess of frustrating characters and strained moments. It only picks up when the only true adult in the whole story, Sebastian’s mother, has a long hard talk with her son. It’s a shame when I’m rooting for the Mom to step in a clean things up rather than those darn kids falling in love.

Le sigh…

**I received a copy of this book via the Publisher and NetGalley for a free and honest review.*** ...more

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Jun 18, 2017 ᴥ Irena ᴥ rated it did not like it

Shelves: historical-romance

I am usually very careful when it comes to reading reviews for the books I haven't read yet. This is one of the books I should have read ALL the spoilers I could get. It would have saved me a lot of time.
Let me be clear, I don't mind feminine heroines. In fact, I like them. I don't mind them making mistakes either or being silly or stupid over a man (we can't all be all-knowing-no-man-can-make-me-crazy women). It happens in real life and people get over it and move on. I don't mind the hero bein ...more

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Sep 08, 2020 niteskycs added it

Shelves: historical, dnf

honestly, miranda and sebastian just bored me to tears. the whole i had a crush on your brother but accidentally kissed you trope in hr never does it for me.

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Jan 29, 2017 Barbara Rogers rated it it was amazing

Shelves: netgalley

Oh! My! Goodness! I absolutely, positively LOVED this book. Anna Harrington has done it again with the first book in a new series. We first met the Carlisle brothers in Harrington's book - How I Married A Marquess - whose heroine was Josie Carlisle.

This book is steamy, angsty, funny, loving -- what more could you ask for!!! I stayed up all night and read it straight through -- just couldn't put it down. I LOVED the banter between Sebastian and Miranda (Rose)!

Sebastian Carlisle is the Duke of Tr Oh! My! Goodness! I absolutely, positively LOVED this book. Anna Harrington has done it again with the first book in a new series. We first met the Carlisle brothers in Harrington's book - How I Married A Marquess - whose heroine was Josie Carlisle.

This book is steamy, angsty, funny, loving -- what more could you ask for!!! I stayed up all night and read it straight through -- just couldn't put it down. I LOVED the banter between Sebastian and Miranda (Rose)!

Sebastian Carlisle is the Duke of Trent. He ascended to the title upon the death of his father about two years prior and he carries a lot of guilt because he feels that he never measured up in his fathers eyes AND he was in a place and activity (when his father died) that his father would have strongly disapproved. That one event has colored everything he's done since he's become the duke. He's lost all joy in his life and adheres only to duty -- and that is duty as he THINKS his father would have wanted it to be. You really like Sebastian from the beginning -- you just can't help it. You sometimes think he's a complete idiot, but extreme guilt can sometimes make you act like a complete idiot.

Miranda Hodgkins grew up with the Carlisles and was close friends with Josie even though their social status is very, very, very different. Miranda was orphaned at a young age and then came to live with her aunt and uncle who were childless. They treated her well, but since they had no children they had no idea how to cope with her. So -- she spent as much time with the Carlisles as she could because they were such a close, caring, loving family. Miranda's aunt and uncle were tenant farmers on the Carlisle estate. Miranda always feels she has to help everyone because she was so young and couldn't help her parents when they had the fever. However -- she's jubilant and loves life with her whole being.

Miranda THINKS she's in love with Robert (Sebastian's brother) and decides to make a play for him because she's fearful he's going to court another woman. She makes a huge OOPS and ends up in Sebastian's bedroom. Luckily - they both discover her mistake before things go too far.

Everybody in the Carlisle family loves Miranda, but they all think of her as an additional sibling and their mother thinks of her as another daughter. Sebastian's mother has begun to recover somewhat from the loss of her husband and Sebastian will do anything to help her in doing that. So, when she wants to give Miranda a season in London, he agrees to it. He and Miranda make a pact. He'll help her with Robert and she'll help him with his 'duchess hunt' since he's announced his intention to wed before August. Well -- you can imagine the close proximity they will have in London -- and the attraction is already there. They fight it, of course, but they can't win and we all know it.

I can't wait for the next book. I sort of thought it would be Robert's story since he was sort of courting someone throughout this book, but -- the preview of the next book included with this one shows that the next one will be about Quinton. The preview of it sounds really good too!!!!

"I requested and received this book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."
...more

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Jul 05, 2021 Tammy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: release-2017

Our heroine Miranda is in love with the Dukes brother Robert, and decides she’s going to seduce him. Only she goes into the wrong bedroom - it’s Sebastian the Duke of Trent’s room, Robert’s older brother. Sparks fly between both until Sebastian removes Miranda’s mask and sees it’s his siblings childhood playmate from years back now a beautiful woman. I loved Miranda and Sebastian’s story! So much fun. Highly recommend it!

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Dec 06, 2021 Aksa rated it really liked it

Shelves: love-next-door, headstrong-heroine, rakish-hero, heart-stealing, historical-romance

It has been so Long since I last read a historical. Romance that it felt like homecoming when I read this book.❤❤❤. This book was hyped by my friends

And it was really good. I liked the way Miranda's character was created. Full of life who makes every person around her smile. Energetic yet responsible. And a magnet for the disasters. She was an orphan and next door lived 3 handsome brothers. One of them she rarely saw who was an heir and she loved the 2nd brother but the 2nd brother treated her l ...more

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Dec 15, 2021 Antonella rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-romance, different-class

enjoyable & I like the writing..will read more books by this author

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Jan 19, 2017 Didi rated it liked it

Shelves: historical-medieval-time-travel, series, new-to-me-author, arc-netgalley-edelweiss, romance

This is a mix of childhood friends to lovers, love for the wrong brother, and the Cinderella story. If you have read many historical romance before, you're familiar with this formula: Common girl fell in love with an aristocrat, said aristocrat loved her back but need to find suitable wife from peer, etc etc; or variation of such. That's the gist of the story here.

Though first in a series, If the Duke Demands connected with earlier series of the author's with couple of characters from that seri ...more

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Jun 24, 2021 Christy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: book-series, read-in-2021, audiobook, romance, historical-romance

I've seen this book make the rounds on Youtube recently and I've been wanting to read it. Why you ask? The cover... it's stunning. Something about the light blues and yellows on it has totally captivated my eyes and made me want to read it that much more every time I've seen it.

I thought this was really good. Miranda is in love with Robert Carlisle. She has been around his wealthy and powerful family most of her life after coming to live with her Aunt & Uncle after her parent's death. She has g ...more

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Jul 03, 2021 RachelReadsandSings rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I was LOVING this for about the first 70% or so. The premise was so fun and I really enjoyed Sebastian and Miranda together. Then, Sebastian started being an ass and eventually broke the heroine’s heart. I personally think what he did was pretty unforgivable, plus he didn’t grovel nearly enough IMO in order for Miranda to forgive him. Miranda deserved better.

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Jan 16, 2022 Tori - Novel Life rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-romance, different-social-classes

5 Stars

Once again I don’t know why I waited so long to read this book!! Miranda and Sebastian has such great chemistry that you see from page one!! This story is so good!!

Sebastian and Miranda decide to help each other during the London season and slowly they start to have feelings for each other. Problem? Different social classes. Sebastian is looking for something to be the perfect duchess no matter it might costs his happiness. My heart just breaks for Miranda and Sebastian but the ending was ...more

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Feb 06, 2018 Ivy H rated it liked it

Shelves: hero-was-a-stubborn-asshole, pathetic-ow, hero-and-heroine-are-neighbours, heroine-lacking-common-sense, sexy-hot-hero, hero-is-heroine-s-only-lover, sweet-passive-heroine, virginal-heroine, feisty-funny-heroine, hero-behaves-like-a-cunt

Miranda, the heroine, is the poor village girl who has a genteel background and that gives her access to the uppity but kind and gregarious family of Sebastian, the Duke of Trent. She's an orphan and lives with her relatives in the village, where she also runs an orphanage. I liked Miranda, even though she has one too many TSTL moments in this novel. She has the monster of an infatuation with the H's rakish younger brother Robert but the latter is more interested in another woman called Diana an Miranda, the heroine, is the poor village girl who has a genteel background and that gives her access to the uppity but kind and gregarious family of Sebastian, the Duke of Trent. She's an orphan and lives with her relatives in the village, where she also runs an orphanage. I liked Miranda, even though she has one too many TSTL moments in this novel. She has the monster of an infatuation with the H's rakish younger brother Robert but the latter is more interested in another woman called Diana and only thinks of Miranda in a sisterly, platonic manner. The clueless heroine devises a plan where she's gonna be a regency era Mata Hari and seduce Robert by dressing up in a courtesan's outfit and lying in wait for him in his bedroom. This girl's really got a lot of guts for a regency era village virgin. However, her seduction plans take a different turn when she ends up hiding in the H's bedroom. The H Sebastian sees the masked sexy redheaded seductress on his bed and his dick activates at the thought of some free sex. Sebastian has the same body type and height as Robert, the room is dark and Miranda is also horny so there's this major make out session that ends when the MC's recognize each other.

The novel then takes a somewhat bizarre turn because Sebastian agrees to help Miranda in her efforts to catch his brother Robert and she, in turn, is supposed to help him find a suitable wife for himself. This part made me laugh at how ridiculous the plan was because Miranda is just a village girl who has never been to London and knows nobody in the Ton. How on earth does Sebastian expect her to help him find his ideal duchess ? But I suspended my cynical disbelief and continued to read the story because I really have a soft spot for regency era duke H's and Sebastian is one sexy guy ! Sebastian's mother, the dowager duchess, then decides to sponsor Miranda's first London season and that's when the story line is hastened up a lot. The bulk of the novel is set during the London social season and Miranda tries her best ( which isn't much actually ) to keep her part of the bargain by scoping out all the hoity toity single simpering misses of the Ton. There are a couple of really annoying debutantes that Sebastian seems to be considering as his future bride, but none of them are able to set his breeches ablaze with lust; the only one who is able to do that is Miranda.

Sebastian's snobby stuffiness grows wearisome at times because he seemed far too obsessed with acquiring a "suitable" society bride and refuses to see that sweet and lovely Miranda is ideal for the job. Miranda also denies her own lustful yearnings for Sebastian and deludes herself into thinking that Robert is still her dream man. Things heat up because the MC's lips and other body parts keep coming into regularly scheduled contact and they eventually end up having spontaneous animalistic hot sex. This is where the story line annoyed me a lot ! After they consummate their relationship, both refuse to consider that they can actually have a meaningful connection with each other. Sebastian was the more aggravating of the two because he keeps having sex with Miranda while knowing and stating that he will not marry her. This attitude was really F up, especially when his own mother had taken a maternal attitude towards Miranda. He had basically "ruined" Miranda's chances for a marriage to anybody and he didn't seem to care too much because she wasn't suitable duchess material. Miranda was an even bigger idiot because she got herself so addicted to Sebastian's hot bod that she was willing to settle for a temporary sexual relationship. That's a really long way from being the former village virgin ingenue she had been...

Things come to a dramatic climax after Sebastian's brothers see Miranda leaving his bedroom in the morning and know that the MC's have been banging each other. Sebastian acts like a total asshole by shouting ( and Miranda is unfortunate enough to hear this ) that he has no intention of marrying Miranda. This humiliation is what finally brings the dummy heroine down to earth from her orgasmic highs. It's a little too late in the day for the heroine to grow some pride but she manages to acknowledge her stupidity and does behave in a very dignified and mature manner. She is no longer willing to be the hot duke's convenient booty call while he searches for his aristocratic duchess. It's only after Miranda dumps him, that Sebastian realizes finally that she is the love of his life. It certainly took him long enough and he does grovel and apologize for being a selfish asshole and tells her that he hasn't been able to even think of wanting another woman since the night he found her waiting in his bedroom. I liked this book, even though parts of it annoyed me and I cheered at the end when the pretty and endearing village girl got to be the duchess ! ...more

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Feb 21, 2017 Dianne rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 1-in-series, arc-read, netgalley, historical-romance, own

The Carlisle boys knew her as a child, she was like a little sister, but Miranda is all grown up now and she wants Robert Carlisle to see her as a woman, not the little girl she used to be. What better way to show him than to creep into his chambers in an alluring costume and seduce the man of her dreams? But even the best laid plans can go awry, but Miranda NEVER expected to enter the wrong chamber and find herself being kissed by the Duke of Trent, Robert’s older brother, Sebastian. Can you sa ...more

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Nov 02, 2018 Lindsay rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 5stars, scrbd, historical-romance, audiobook, read-in-2018

4.5 stars

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Apr 21, 2019 Irma *Irma The Book Whisperer* rated it it was amazing

Her shoulders slumped dejectedly. "But those are all acceptable ordinary topics for conversation."

"There's your problem." His gaze took a deliberate roam over her, drinking her in from the lace-edged hem of her pale green dress and matching velvet pelisse all the way up to her cheeks, which warmed of their own accord. He murmured, "You're not an ordinary woman."

Her lips parted slightly at his soft words, and once again, she found herself not knowing how to take him. Was he insulting her or compl ...more

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Jan 22, 2017 Dot Salvagin rated it it was amazing

Humorous….no ….it is absolutely hysterical at times. There is sexual tension, hijinks and confusion all adding up to a delightful read. Sebastian knows that the orphaned ward of his tenant farmer, Miranda, is not the woman of society standing that he needs for his Duchess but he can’t seem to help himself in his obsessive lusting after her. Miranda, wants Robert but there is something compelling her toward Sebastian. This is a fun book that is witty without being silly and dramatic without ever ...more

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Feb 06, 2017 Shannon rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2017

This is the first book in many months that I struggled to put down. I started this book around 10:30 or 11 pm, thinking I would just read a chapter or two before I went to sleep... before I knew it 4 am rolled around and I begrudgingly (after having reached 50% of the book), went to sleep.

Check out my full review on my blog For the Love of Words." ...more

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Jan 14, 2017 Juliana Philippa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: published-21st-century, published-2010s, hr-heroine-unusual-odd, published-2017, romance-series-book-1, 4-to-5-stars, hr-childhood-history, ebook-digital-copy, 2017-reads, hr-sizzling-chemistry

Her eyes widened as an idea struck her. Sebastian's heart skipped in warning. Whenever Miranda got that look on her face, trouble always followed.

Bottom Line. This is my first book by Anna Harrington and I will definitely read her again. I really enjoyed If the Duke Demands and it ended up being a one-sitting read for me. I loved the leading characters (for almost the entire book), the chemistry was sizzling, the writing was good, and the relationship development was really enjoyable.

Summary ...more

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Feb 28, 2017 Mandi rated it liked it

Shelves: historical

Sebastian’s family was granted a title and vast land and wealth when a former Earl committed treason. All of a sudden, Sebastian and his two younger brothers had a future responsiblity. When Sebastian’s father dies falling off a horse, Sebastian becomes a duke and his days of being irresponsible are over. His two younger brothers however keep the party alive and going, much to Sebastian’s frustration. He feels guilt over the fact he was partying the night his father died, so he makes it his miss Sebastian’s family was granted a title and vast land and wealth when a former Earl committed treason. All of a sudden, Sebastian and his two younger brothers had a future responsiblity. When Sebastian’s father dies falling off a horse, Sebastian becomes a duke and his days of being irresponsible are over. His two younger brothers however keep the party alive and going, much to Sebastian’s frustration. He feels guilt over the fact he was partying the night his father died, so he makes it his mission to be everything his dad would have wanted him to be. That means finding a wife and producing an heir – and he wants to find the best one, forgetting about passion or love.

“We’ll use the season to conduct a logical, well-reasoned search for a duchess.”

Robert and Quinn looked at each other, then howled with laughter.

Sebastian scowled at them.

Miranda is an orphaned tenant of Sebastian’s family and grew up alongside all three brothers. They played outside as kids and got into fun trouble. Miranda has always had a crush on the middle brother, Robert, but he still sees her as a “kid sister.” To prove she is now a woman, she dons a mask and a flimsy dress and hides inside his room one night, ready to give him the surprise of his life. But when Sebastian walks in and starts fondling her, the fun stops immediately. She had the wrong room (oops) and the wrong brother (double oops). Sebastian is just as shocked as she is, and quickly scurries her out of his room. But he can’t for get the way she felt under him and she can’t forget his kisses.

When Sebastian’s mother invites Miranda to London with her family to sponsor her for the season, Sebastian and Miranda both awkwardly arrive. Miranda still has her heart set on Robert, even though he is fond of someone else, and Sebastian is determined to find a respectable peer to be his bride…but these two have a connection.

This is a cute historical although predictable at every turn. The guiding force running Sebastian’s life is to make up for the fact that he was not around when his father died. The guilt eats at him, so he is determined to do everything “right” to make up for that night. He has his eyes set on marrying a titled woman to be his duchess, not a orphan who gets herself into trouble all the time. From the start though, Sebastian has feelings for Miranda. They go together really nicely in this book. They have good chemistry as Sebastian is somewhat an alpha duke and Miranda is energetic, and a little flighty at times. He finds her antics amusing and she finds his body damn sexy.

But – no matter how much in love Sebastian falls, he refuses to marry Miranda. He warns if they sleep together, she will be ruined with no husband because she does not fit the mold he wants for a wife. Yet he still goes back to her, time and time again. At least he is upfront and honest about it, but knowing his mother was the one in the beginning to warn him to marry for love, not title – it takes his mother at the end to convince him to marry Miranda. The story went along at a fine pace, but a predictable pace. You could tell when they were going to get more physical, then have a fight, then get even closer etc..

It’s cute though – I liked both Sebastian and Miranda. I’ll read about another brother.

Grade: B- ...more

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Feb 26, 2017 Cyndi Becker rated it it was amazing

There's nothing that soothes this readers soul more than a regency romance. Since I don't read them near as often as I used to (once it was all I read), I'm absolutely gleeful when I find a new to me author. In this case Anna Harrington has risen to the top. It took no more than the first chapter to hook me and If the Duke Demands ranks as one of my favorites. For one thing, it was a unputdownable read. I started in the late morning and finished mid afternoon. Secondly, more than once I bawled m There's nothing that soothes this readers soul more than a regency romance. Since I don't read them near as often as I used to (once it was all I read), I'm absolutely gleeful when I find a new to me author. In this case Anna Harrington has risen to the top. It took no more than the first chapter to hook me and If the Duke Demands ranks as one of my favorites. For one thing, it was a unputdownable read. I started in the late morning and finished mid afternoon. Secondly, more than once I bawled my eyes out. This story has all the elements of a romance read that I crave; unrequited love, an endearing heroine, a slightly reformed rake, and well the list goes on and on.

The story opens in the countryside and with Miranda, our heroine, suffering from a lapse good judgement. As the ward of a tenant and neighbor to the Carlisles, she been around the family most of her life. It's not a huge surprise when they offer to gift and host her debut season on the ton. But the events that transpire are all about the deal she's made with Sebastian Carlisle, the Duke of Trent.

Miranda is one of the most delightful characters I've ever come across. Her "exuberant" personality and generous nature makes her a standout, one of the seasons most talked about debutantes. Her goal is simply to obtain Robert Carlisles' attention. Sebastian is spending the season helping Miranda gain Roberts' favor and finding a suitable duchess. His dilemma is that he soon finds his own growing affection for this spirited young women and it transforms who he is.

It's no huge surprise where the story-line goes but it's Anna Harrington's story-telling that makes this read a grande romance. As Miranda learns about the social rules of the 'ton their alliance turns into friendship, and the growing connection between "Lord Panther" and "Lady Rose" becomes palpable. We get the story from both of their perspectives and while I enjoy witnessing Sebastian trying to apply reasoning to his ducal duty and his feelings for Miranda, it's being in Miranda's head that is breathtaking. She's sweet, charming and witty and doing her best to understand the rules while remaining true to herself.

There was just something in this story that captured my heart. While I found tears steaming my face quite a few times, I also felt the joy of young love and hope. And Miranda's spirited take on most all things left me giggling too. I cannot recommend this 5 star read enough.

* I received a gift copy of this book in exchange for an honest review* ...more

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Oct 06, 2016 Anna's Herding Cats rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical, 2017-pick-your-genre, known-each-other-forever, duke, for-review, 2017-blog-books, 2017-hcbs, 2017-new-to-me, 2017, virgin

Reviewed for herding cats & burning soup.
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2kG62cb

Goodness. Anna Harrington knows how to write a sassy romance that simply charms. Wonderful heroines. Lickable heroes. And romance that'll make a girl swoon. If The Duke Demands? Total reader-girl catnip.

Sooo. Miranda has decided she needs to snag her a Carlisle brother and right quick. The best way to do that? Sneak into his room late at night and seduce that bad boy. Only problem...she kinda sneaks into the wrong brothers ro ...more

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Apr 09, 2017 Candace rated it it was amazing

Miranda Hodgkins is the orphan daughter of the Duke of Trent's tenets. The one thing she wants most of all is the love of Robert Carlisle, the Duke of Trent's brother. Miranda sneaks into Robert's room to seduce him. They are both wearing masks because of the masquerade ball. When she utters Robert's name, the masked gentleman rips off their masks. Miranda is in the wrong bedroom. She is with Sebastian Carlisle, the Duke of Trent.

They agree to help each other out. Miranda will help Sebastian fi ...more

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Apr 03, 2017 Ilka rated it it was ok

Recommends it for: Anyone with insomnia.

Recommended to Ilka by: Don't remember

Shelves: it-was-hard-but-i-finished, i-have-really-low-expetations, i-m-disappointed, supposedly-perfect-girl, supposedly-perfect-guy, man-slut-redemption, i-really-wanted-to-like-this, obvious-results-are-obvious, obvious-stuff-are-obvious, full-of-annoying-people

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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About Anna Harrington

Anna Harrington

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I fell in love with historical romances and all things Regency—and especially all those dashing Regency heroes—while living in England, where I spent most of my time studying the Romantic poets, reading Jane Austen, and getting lost all over the English countryside.

When I read my first Regency romance in 2012, I was hooked and longed to create my own independent and spirited heroines and dashing h I fell in love with historical romances and all things Regency—and especially all those dashing Regency heroes—while living in England, where I spent most of my time studying the Romantic poets, reading Jane Austen, and getting lost all over the English countryside.

When I read my first Regency romance in 2012, I was hooked and longed to create my own independent and spirited heroines and dashing heroes. The best part of writing historical romances is falling into history—to live in the world of Regency England through my characters, with dazzling balls, beautiful dresses, and gorgeous houses that I would otherwise never be able to experience. I love the period’s rich history and find that all those rules of etiquette and propriety can be worked to the heroine’s advantage…if she’s daring enough to seize her dreams.

In addition to earning my degrees in the U.S., I have studied theatre in London, Mexican history in Guadalajara, and Spanish in Ecuador. I am an avid traveler and have enjoyed visiting schools and volunteering with children's organizations in Peru, Ecuador, Thailand, and Mexico, and I have amassed thousands of photos I unleash on unsuspecting friends who dare to ask about my travels.

I love to be outdoors! I've been hiking in Alaska, the Andes, and the Alps, including one week spent dangling off the via ferrata in the Italian Dolomites, and I love whitewater rafting (when I don't fall in!). I earned my pilot’s license at Chicago Midway (To all the controllers in Chicago Center—I greatly apologize for every problem I caused for you and Southwest Airlines), and it is my dream to one-day fly in a hot-air balloon over Africa.

I adore all things chocolate, shamelessly dive into ice cream of any flavor, and guzzle Kona coffee by the gallon. A Doctor Who fanatic (everyone says my house is bigger on the inside), I am a terrible cook who hopes to one day use my oven for something other than shoe storage. When I'm not writing, I like to spend my time trying not to kill the innocent rose bushes in my garden.
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