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Dukes' Club #1
Once Upon a Duke
What a Widow Wants:
Everything is going swimmingly for Kathryn Darrell. She's got an annuity of a hundred thousand a year, her lecherous-heart breaking husband has had the good graces to pop off, and best of all, she has her freedom-- Something she has every intention of reveling in to the fullest. And who better to revel with than Ryder Blake, the infamous Duke of Darkwell?
A Duke's Desire:
Ryder Blake, Duke of Darkwell, known as the Duke of Debauchery, is certain he will never love again. His heart lies buried with his wife and he has vowed to never give more than his body to a woman. But when Kathryn shows up on his doorstep, quite literally, demanding he show her the ways of London, he finds that his heart longs to love once again.
Everything is going swimmingly for Kathryn Darrell. She's got an annuity of a hundred thousand a year, her lecherous-heart breaking husband has had the good graces to pop off, and best of all, she has her freedom-- Something she has every intention of reveling in to the fullest. And who better to revel with than Ryder Blake, the infamous Duke of Darkwell?
A Duke's Desire:
Ryder Blake, Duke of Darkwell, known as the Duke of Debauchery, is certain he will never love again. His heart lies buried with his wife and he has vowed to never give more than his body to a woman. But when Kathryn shows up on his doorstep, quite literally, demanding he show her the ways of London, he finds that his heart longs to love once again.
220 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 5, 2014
858 people are currently reading
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July 25, 2016
And another one that made me want to bang my head against the wall. I'm wondering by now if I'm not experiencing a HR overkill.
First, a short summary of the plot, if it can be called a plot. We have our hero Ryder, Duke of Whatever, mourning the death of his beloved wife. He loved her so much that he never wears anything but black apart from a silk (or satin?) cream colored band around his wrist. Years have passed and he's gone down the road of so many HR heroes, debauchery and drinking. And, of course, he shags his way through London society. But he will never, ever, ever, ever, ever fall in love again and never, ever, ever, ever, ever marry again.
Enter our heroine, Kathryn, finally a wealthy widow after living in a loveless marriage to a rake and finally free to explore her sexuality, as her husband never paid her as much attention as to the legions of mistresses he had had. And who else better for the job then the Duke of Whatever. So one night she goes to him and offers herself on a plate. 'Take me, debauch me, give me pleasure.' By the way, this happens in the first five pages. Talk about getting to the point.
Heroines who seek sexual fulfillment because they're spinsters, wallflowers, neglected widows is a popular trope. And I wouldn't presume to know how historically accurate it is. Hell, I hope they had fun. We know how women's sexuality was restricted. And there are lots of good Historical Romances who explore this trope quite masterfully.
Not this one, though. For a man who has had dozens of affairs after his beloved wife's death, you'd assume it would take someone special to get him out of his mourning. Whatever he sees in Kathryn, though, remains a secret. Unlike some reviewers, I understand insta-lust, aka insta-sexual attraction. If only it had remained at that. No, to Ryder, Kathryn is special within the first 5 minutes of their acquaintance. Some sort of insta-feeling along with his insta-lust, not insta-love, but hey, who am I to be picky. I re-read the passage just to be sure I hadn't missed anything, but believe me, there was no indication as to why she was special. Did she say anything witty? No. Did she do anything out of the ordinary? No. Apparently, he's used to women coming to his place, offering themselves to him. She looks innocent, not a virgin, but innocent enough for him to not have sex with her. But he obliges her, nonetheless, and gives her her first orgasm. So I, as the reader, am to believe she's special, simply because the hero says so. And that's the frustrating part of the book. We're being told, not shown. The portrayal of the characters falls flat, in fact, the characters end up being shallow to a point where I wanted to give up. All emotional soul searching happens with the secondary characters of the book (who have their own books, by the looks of it). There isn't much interaction between the MC's, apart from 'I want you, I want to bed you, let me pleasure you.' It was yet another book where the sex seems to take centre stage. It's as if the author tries to copy the sexual tension that a writer like Elizabeth Hoyt can create, but without the emotional depth, the character development, the falling in love with the characters. After about a third of the book, and that's when I'm being really generous here, I couldn't care less about Ryder and Kathryn.
To give this overall shallowness an example: After their more or less forced marriage, we're being told how their relationship is developing. From Kathryn's point of view. What Ryder does, how he showers her with gifts, etc...until the following line.
Anyway, back to the plot. After their first encounter he throws her out because she's too good to be used like a 'harlot'. She doesn't like it and pursues him over the next couple of weeks. Mind you, all the while we're being told how much he wants her, how much he wants to smash every man's face who shows any interest in her, etc... One night they end up having sex in a public place, and, oh horror, are literally caught in the act. She's ruined, the ton not happy, they shag again, ladida, he marries her, they shag some more. I was already skimming through the sex scenes. They were meaningless. Last obstacle for their HEA, he won't let go of his dead wife. She's hurt, leaves him, he suddenly can't live without her, tells her he loves her and the end.
I know I'm probably ranting right now. After all, I could have DNF'ed the book after 30% which I didn't. I guess it's because I do appreciate the work an author puts into her/his book, only to see it being a missed opportunity. Another Romance that is as shallow as the genre in general is constantly perceived, whereas I know how brilliant it can be.
First, a short summary of the plot, if it can be called a plot. We have our hero Ryder, Duke of Whatever, mourning the death of his beloved wife. He loved her so much that he never wears anything but black apart from a silk (or satin?) cream colored band around his wrist. Years have passed and he's gone down the road of so many HR heroes, debauchery and drinking. And, of course, he shags his way through London society. But he will never, ever, ever, ever, ever fall in love again and never, ever, ever, ever, ever marry again.
Enter our heroine, Kathryn, finally a wealthy widow after living in a loveless marriage to a rake and finally free to explore her sexuality, as her husband never paid her as much attention as to the legions of mistresses he had had. And who else better for the job then the Duke of Whatever. So one night she goes to him and offers herself on a plate. 'Take me, debauch me, give me pleasure.' By the way, this happens in the first five pages. Talk about getting to the point.
Heroines who seek sexual fulfillment because they're spinsters, wallflowers, neglected widows is a popular trope. And I wouldn't presume to know how historically accurate it is. Hell, I hope they had fun. We know how women's sexuality was restricted. And there are lots of good Historical Romances who explore this trope quite masterfully.
Not this one, though. For a man who has had dozens of affairs after his beloved wife's death, you'd assume it would take someone special to get him out of his mourning. Whatever he sees in Kathryn, though, remains a secret. Unlike some reviewers, I understand insta-lust, aka insta-sexual attraction. If only it had remained at that. No, to Ryder, Kathryn is special within the first 5 minutes of their acquaintance. Some sort of insta-feeling along with his insta-lust, not insta-love, but hey, who am I to be picky. I re-read the passage just to be sure I hadn't missed anything, but believe me, there was no indication as to why she was special. Did she say anything witty? No. Did she do anything out of the ordinary? No. Apparently, he's used to women coming to his place, offering themselves to him. She looks innocent, not a virgin, but innocent enough for him to not have sex with her. But he obliges her, nonetheless, and gives her her first orgasm. So I, as the reader, am to believe she's special, simply because the hero says so. And that's the frustrating part of the book. We're being told, not shown. The portrayal of the characters falls flat, in fact, the characters end up being shallow to a point where I wanted to give up. All emotional soul searching happens with the secondary characters of the book (who have their own books, by the looks of it). There isn't much interaction between the MC's, apart from 'I want you, I want to bed you, let me pleasure you.' It was yet another book where the sex seems to take centre stage. It's as if the author tries to copy the sexual tension that a writer like Elizabeth Hoyt can create, but without the emotional depth, the character development, the falling in love with the characters. After about a third of the book, and that's when I'm being really generous here, I couldn't care less about Ryder and Kathryn.
To give this overall shallowness an example: After their more or less forced marriage, we're being told how their relationship is developing. From Kathryn's point of view. What Ryder does, how he showers her with gifts, etc...until the following line.
But most overwhelming of all, Ryder wouldn't let her pay a penny. She tried, lord knew she had, but at the mere mention of it, he lifted ablack brow and silenced on the subject.Again, I re-read this passage, in case I'd missed anything. So that's the most overwhelming part of their relationship. Nice.
Anyway, back to the plot. After their first encounter he throws her out because she's too good to be used like a 'harlot'. She doesn't like it and pursues him over the next couple of weeks. Mind you, all the while we're being told how much he wants her, how much he wants to smash every man's face who shows any interest in her, etc... One night they end up having sex in a public place, and, oh horror, are literally caught in the act. She's ruined, the ton not happy, they shag again, ladida, he marries her, they shag some more. I was already skimming through the sex scenes. They were meaningless. Last obstacle for their HEA, he won't let go of his dead wife. She's hurt, leaves him, he suddenly can't live without her, tells her he loves her and the end.
I know I'm probably ranting right now. After all, I could have DNF'ed the book after 30% which I didn't. I guess it's because I do appreciate the work an author puts into her/his book, only to see it being a missed opportunity. Another Romance that is as shallow as the genre in general is constantly perceived, whereas I know how brilliant it can be.
November 12, 2014
A delectable & tremendous naughty Duke, an independent woman searching to make her vajayjay scream & soon NEKKIDNESS brings the pesky emotion called LOVE!
Mrs. Kathryn Darrell is finally having it all with mega bucks aplenty, a glorious townhouse, her BFF "never saw a closet I didn't want to get naughty in" Imogene, London Society at her diamond encrusted slippers & totally freedom from her worthless hubby, as he did her the greatest FAVORS by kicking the bucket! So the first thing on her "YES, FREEDOM!" list is getting ecstasy for her girlie parts with NO LOVE attached & the Duke of Debauchery is her HAPPY ENDING ticket, but she has to get past the butler of hostility!
All of Europe's gossip rags call the Duke of Darkwell, Ryder (great descriptive name) Blake, the Duke of Debauchery or the Duke of Death (professor of Dueling 101), but in fact he is just a widow who built a choking world of depressing guilt & life sucking regrets! His wears all black with a ivory ribbon on his wrist to his pedestal-held dead wife, that he only takes it off when he opens his breeches to slam into another empty female vessel, drinks any liquor to dull his pain & lives in a world of self imposed darkness! Only his BF & fellow member of their Duke's Club Jack Eversleigh, the Duke of Hunt, willing drags him into the land of the living!
Kathryn makes her biggest move of independence as she knocks on the Duke's door, hears noises that only come from asylums & makes a dash around the mean butler, but he is a worthy protector of his master, she demands entry, so he states to the closed Duke's door that His Grace next sacrifice is awaiting & HELLO Kathryn's entry to the den of Debauchery is granted! Ryder & Kathryn eyeball one another, she sees him as delicious, he sees her as plain & really gray, but has dazzling gray eyes! He gets her NEKKID vajayjay it's first taste of total satisfaction, but his heart begins to feel emotions, so being apart of the male species, he BANISHES her with a No Wham, Certain No Bam, Go Away Ma'am!
So Kathryn began her Duke Hunt, as Imogene make battle plans with the help of a handsome footman, a blindfold, a closet, to get the "come to mama" Duke's itinerary & Kathryn STALKING starts at the Countess of Naughtiness party! So we have a more 1 scandalous party, the "can even make a grandma's panties wet" Duke of Hunt, an opera with live smelly animals, a matchmaking Mrs. B, huge NEKKID male parts mating with dipping girlie parts, a candle holding tripping actor, their DebaucheryRus in public, a ridiculous kaleidoscope of feathers, a Devil Dance, the wannabe member of the Duke's Club, the bejeweled, harem crazed & Pirate obsessed Duke of Ashton, a waltz dazzling German Count, duke against duke fist fights & an EPIC SCANDAL that rocks all of London to make Kathryn flee to the continent or make a love match! Can the Duke of Darkness shed his doom & gloom for Kathryn? Will Kathryn be allowed to bring light into his self imposed darkness? Can either open their hearts & allow love to heal them? Will saying "I do" help or hurt these 2 crazy kids? But most importantly, who is the next the Duke to fall? Hunt or Ashton?
This is my 1st romance by Eva Devon & I have to say I am HOOKED to her hilariousness galore, delicious UNDIES SCORCHING & heart wrenching emotional rollercoaster ride! Kathryn was a typical deb (before marriage) of her day believing in love, but her hubby destroyed that emotion from her heart. Kathryn wasn't a typical lady of her time with fierce independence, nothing is off her sexual menu & willing to make & embrace her own personal SCANDAL & the messier the better! Ms. Devon made her a strong heroine willing to grab life by its balls & go for 1 hell of a ride! Now I have always had a secret love affair for dukes, with all their power, strong will determination & extreme yumminess, but they all hide that little boy's heart looking for true love of a female! Ms. Devon doesn't disappoint with her Duke of Debauchery, Ryder & his name just says it all! Ryder was an orphaned at a young age & his bromance with Hunt really helped them both with their loneliness, but Ryder found his 1st female love from his wife, who he put upon a epic pedestal! Only another female like Kathryn could pack that pedestal with C4 & blow it to kingdom come! Ms. Devon had to super graded A flawed h/h & she spins their pasts together, adds PULL THE FIRE ALARM scenes into the mix (because great sex helps those evil EMOTIONS to break free), uses a wrecking ball to demolish the walls around their scarred hearts, LOVE free flowed to confuse them, ripped apart their hearts, start the rebuilding process & finally some healing commences! I absolutely adored her cast of kooky, sex starved, unique & cuddly characters, but I want more Eva Devon right (stomping my feet) NOW! She made me hot everywhere, learned that female clothing of the 1700s was super unfriendly to spontaneous sex, made me cry really UGLY (use all my TMNT tissues), change my thoughts about closets forever, made the tale go down paths that surprised me & added more fuel to my continue Duke obsessions, so Mr. Devon EARNS my top score of 5 fingers up & 10 toes for her romance of UNEXPECTED!
NetGalley ARC given for my honest review.
Mrs. Kathryn Darrell is finally having it all with mega bucks aplenty, a glorious townhouse, her BFF "never saw a closet I didn't want to get naughty in" Imogene, London Society at her diamond encrusted slippers & totally freedom from her worthless hubby, as he did her the greatest FAVORS by kicking the bucket! So the first thing on her "YES, FREEDOM!" list is getting ecstasy for her girlie parts with NO LOVE attached & the Duke of Debauchery is her HAPPY ENDING ticket, but she has to get past the butler of hostility!
All of Europe's gossip rags call the Duke of Darkwell, Ryder (great descriptive name) Blake, the Duke of Debauchery or the Duke of Death (professor of Dueling 101), but in fact he is just a widow who built a choking world of depressing guilt & life sucking regrets! His wears all black with a ivory ribbon on his wrist to his pedestal-held dead wife, that he only takes it off when he opens his breeches to slam into another empty female vessel, drinks any liquor to dull his pain & lives in a world of self imposed darkness! Only his BF & fellow member of their Duke's Club Jack Eversleigh, the Duke of Hunt, willing drags him into the land of the living!
Kathryn makes her biggest move of independence as she knocks on the Duke's door, hears noises that only come from asylums & makes a dash around the mean butler, but he is a worthy protector of his master, she demands entry, so he states to the closed Duke's door that His Grace next sacrifice is awaiting & HELLO Kathryn's entry to the den of Debauchery is granted! Ryder & Kathryn eyeball one another, she sees him as delicious, he sees her as plain & really gray, but has dazzling gray eyes! He gets her NEKKID vajayjay it's first taste of total satisfaction, but his heart begins to feel emotions, so being apart of the male species, he BANISHES her with a No Wham, Certain No Bam, Go Away Ma'am!
So Kathryn began her Duke Hunt, as Imogene make battle plans with the help of a handsome footman, a blindfold, a closet, to get the "come to mama" Duke's itinerary & Kathryn STALKING starts at the Countess of Naughtiness party! So we have a more 1 scandalous party, the "can even make a grandma's panties wet" Duke of Hunt, an opera with live smelly animals, a matchmaking Mrs. B, huge NEKKID male parts mating with dipping girlie parts, a candle holding tripping actor, their DebaucheryRus in public, a ridiculous kaleidoscope of feathers, a Devil Dance, the wannabe member of the Duke's Club, the bejeweled, harem crazed & Pirate obsessed Duke of Ashton, a waltz dazzling German Count, duke against duke fist fights & an EPIC SCANDAL that rocks all of London to make Kathryn flee to the continent or make a love match! Can the Duke of Darkness shed his doom & gloom for Kathryn? Will Kathryn be allowed to bring light into his self imposed darkness? Can either open their hearts & allow love to heal them? Will saying "I do" help or hurt these 2 crazy kids? But most importantly, who is the next the Duke to fall? Hunt or Ashton?
This is my 1st romance by Eva Devon & I have to say I am HOOKED to her hilariousness galore, delicious UNDIES SCORCHING & heart wrenching emotional rollercoaster ride! Kathryn was a typical deb (before marriage) of her day believing in love, but her hubby destroyed that emotion from her heart. Kathryn wasn't a typical lady of her time with fierce independence, nothing is off her sexual menu & willing to make & embrace her own personal SCANDAL & the messier the better! Ms. Devon made her a strong heroine willing to grab life by its balls & go for 1 hell of a ride! Now I have always had a secret love affair for dukes, with all their power, strong will determination & extreme yumminess, but they all hide that little boy's heart looking for true love of a female! Ms. Devon doesn't disappoint with her Duke of Debauchery, Ryder & his name just says it all! Ryder was an orphaned at a young age & his bromance with Hunt really helped them both with their loneliness, but Ryder found his 1st female love from his wife, who he put upon a epic pedestal! Only another female like Kathryn could pack that pedestal with C4 & blow it to kingdom come! Ms. Devon had to super graded A flawed h/h & she spins their pasts together, adds PULL THE FIRE ALARM scenes into the mix (because great sex helps those evil EMOTIONS to break free), uses a wrecking ball to demolish the walls around their scarred hearts, LOVE free flowed to confuse them, ripped apart their hearts, start the rebuilding process & finally some healing commences! I absolutely adored her cast of kooky, sex starved, unique & cuddly characters, but I want more Eva Devon right (stomping my feet) NOW! She made me hot everywhere, learned that female clothing of the 1700s was super unfriendly to spontaneous sex, made me cry really UGLY (use all my TMNT tissues), change my thoughts about closets forever, made the tale go down paths that surprised me & added more fuel to my continue Duke obsessions, so Mr. Devon EARNS my top score of 5 fingers up & 10 toes for her romance of UNEXPECTED!
NetGalley ARC given for my honest review.
October 12, 2014
PRE-RELEASE REVIEW
Expected publication date: July 7th 2014 by Bard Publications
ONCE UPON A DUKE
Eva Devon gives us a wickedly delicious and sparkling cocktail, with just a hint of bitters.
Method
Add a large measure of Ryder Blake, the eleventh Duke of Darkwell…
a man with a reputation as the Duke of Debauchery and a tendency to act irrationally at times; a widower who has sworn never to let another woman into his heart.
Add an equal measure of Kathryn Darrell…
an independent-minded widow determined to experience true passion and pleasure for the first time.
Stir well then add
a dash of Jack Eversleigh, Duke of Hunt, Ryder’s incorrigible best friend…
always ready with a mocking quip and a saucy innuendo; has been known to sing My Wild Irish Rose while waving a peacock feather fan.
and
a dash of Imogen Cavendish , Kathryn’s rather scandalous best friend…
always ready with some juicy gossip and rather fond of handsome footmen and dark closets.
mix in
a soupçon of Grieves, Ryders’s rickety, bushy eye-browed butler
a large splash of scandalous goings on at risqué parties and heaven forbid…even at the Opera House!
copious amounts of witty dialogue and hilarious situations
a generous amount of smouldering love scenes
and finally add
a splash of angst
shake well
FOR A SIGH-WORTHY HAPPY ENDING
REVIEW RATING: 5/5 STARS
A special thank you to Eva Devon for sending me a copy of this book in return for an honest review. I loved every page.
NOTE: EVA DEVON ALSO WRITES AS MÁIRE CLAREMONT
This review is also posted on my Rakes and Rascals blog:
http://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com/...
Expected publication date: July 7th 2014 by Bard Publications
ONCE UPON A DUKE
Eva Devon gives us a wickedly delicious and sparkling cocktail, with just a hint of bitters.
Method
Add a large measure of Ryder Blake, the eleventh Duke of Darkwell…
a man with a reputation as the Duke of Debauchery and a tendency to act irrationally at times; a widower who has sworn never to let another woman into his heart.
Add an equal measure of Kathryn Darrell…
an independent-minded widow determined to experience true passion and pleasure for the first time.
Stir well then add
a dash of Jack Eversleigh, Duke of Hunt, Ryder’s incorrigible best friend…
always ready with a mocking quip and a saucy innuendo; has been known to sing My Wild Irish Rose while waving a peacock feather fan.
and
a dash of Imogen Cavendish , Kathryn’s rather scandalous best friend…
always ready with some juicy gossip and rather fond of handsome footmen and dark closets.
mix in
a soupçon of Grieves, Ryders’s rickety, bushy eye-browed butler
a large splash of scandalous goings on at risqué parties and heaven forbid…even at the Opera House!
copious amounts of witty dialogue and hilarious situations
a generous amount of smouldering love scenes
and finally add
a splash of angst
shake well
FOR A SIGH-WORTHY HAPPY ENDING
REVIEW RATING: 5/5 STARS
A special thank you to Eva Devon for sending me a copy of this book in return for an honest review. I loved every page.
NOTE: EVA DEVON ALSO WRITES AS MÁIRE CLAREMONT
This review is also posted on my Rakes and Rascals blog:
http://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com/...
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July 14, 2015
Rich widow Kathryn Darrell has had enough of being hidden in the country. With her philandering husband now dead she decides to hie to London & enjoy her freedom & experiencing life - even if she happens to shock the ton a little. And who better to do this with than the Duke of Darkwell, often written about in her beloved tabloids as the Duke of Debauchery.
Ryder Blake, Duke of Darkwell, has buried his heart with his 1st wife. Determined to never love again he gives his body & enjoyment to every woman he beds but only beds those who understand there will be no future. It's a life that has earned him the tabloid title of the Duke of Debauchery & has many women clamoring for his bed & attempts to win his heart.
When a beautiful widow shows on his doorstep wanting a night of passion Ryder realizes this is a woman who deserves more than 1 night of passion & tries to send her on her way. When he refuses he provides part of what she wants. So why can't he stop thinking about her?
Frustrated with the Duke of Darkwell for not giving her more than a little taste of what passion can be between a man & a woman, Kathryn decides to seduce the infamous Duke.
An inopportune encounter at the opera, the ton's censure & the former Duchess of Darkwell all play key moments in an exciting story of lost love, seduction, feelings of betrayal & a chance to love again.
A wonderfully written story by Eva Devon which will have you screaming at the stubbornness of the characters, crying, laughing & sighing all while keeping you captivated until the end.
Ryder Blake, Duke of Darkwell, has buried his heart with his 1st wife. Determined to never love again he gives his body & enjoyment to every woman he beds but only beds those who understand there will be no future. It's a life that has earned him the tabloid title of the Duke of Debauchery & has many women clamoring for his bed & attempts to win his heart.
When a beautiful widow shows on his doorstep wanting a night of passion Ryder realizes this is a woman who deserves more than 1 night of passion & tries to send her on her way. When he refuses he provides part of what she wants. So why can't he stop thinking about her?
Frustrated with the Duke of Darkwell for not giving her more than a little taste of what passion can be between a man & a woman, Kathryn decides to seduce the infamous Duke.
An inopportune encounter at the opera, the ton's censure & the former Duchess of Darkwell all play key moments in an exciting story of lost love, seduction, feelings of betrayal & a chance to love again.
A wonderfully written story by Eva Devon which will have you screaming at the stubbornness of the characters, crying, laughing & sighing all while keeping you captivated until the end.
July 21, 2014
I have had the privilege of reading an Advanced Reader's Copy of 'Once Upon A Duke', A Duke’s Club Novel by Eva Devon. I don't usually write reviews with the understanding that everyone's opinion is different based on how and what as we interpret the storytelling, but, I wanted Miss Eva Devon to know what I thought of her novel and her story. I enjoyed reading this story immensely, the introduction page was a welcoming change, the heroine determine to the core. The dialogue refreshing, and the bantering between characters engaging...ah, yes, the characters, unique and yet, I felt as if I belonged to this special group of friends, with their camaraderie, their bonding, as a brotherhood. I was hoping as I read throughout the novel, that later there would be stories written about these friends, these secondary characters. As I read, I found myself giggling here and there, page after page, smiling at the antics of Kathryn Darrell, well, I'll tell you all, I found myself smiling at all of their antics. I can't recall reading from any other novels the scenes and settings depicted and described within this novel. The emotions, ah, every emotion possible was experienced, I cried, I laughed. I felt the characters emotions so heartedly. Their inadequencies, their strengths and all that it encompassed. I look forward to reading the next in this series!...Here are my five words that I wrote while reading...Enchanting, Relentless, Despair, Vivid and Vigorous
July 7, 2014
Holy Smokes, this was a laugh out loud read and I loved it. Ms. Devon takes a look at the other side of the Ton. The side where the rules can be bent a little. Kathryn (Kate) Darrell is a widow that was left in the country while her husband made a spectacle of himself in London. When he dies, Kate goes to London to take control of her life and experience things she had been missing out on while in the country. Kate decides Ryder Blake the Duke of Darkwell will be the perfect person to help her experience what she has been missing. Ryder is a lonely sad widower that misses his wife everyday and believes he deserves not to live a happy life. When Kate seeks out Ryder sparks ignite and the chase begins. I love the dialogue between Kate and Ryder. There are moments that are truly laugh out and chemistry between Kate and Ryder is fantastic. This is a great love story where rules are broken and the characters are enjoying every minute. Also, the cast of characters are amazing and I hope they each get their own books.
*received ARC copy for an honest review**
*received ARC copy for an honest review**
August 31, 2014
Absolutely delightful. This book begins with a bang with the heroine dashing through the hero's house and ends with a poignant, sweet declaration of love. In between is an absolutely dashing set of circumstances that are fun, fresh, and extremely sexy. Truly unforgettable.
April 17, 2016
I absolutely adored this story. Such a good read. Couldn't put it down.
Made a dull day brighter!
Made a dull day brighter!
January 6, 2018
Hysterical, this book is a regency book but it’s as though Bridget Jones herself was sent back in time. A must read!!! Think MC club these boys are so bad!!
July 9, 2014
Originally Reviewed For: Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy
Three dangerous Dukes caught up in their own world. Each must face their darkest nightmares and decide if they truly do want to walk once again in the night. That is the basic premise of Eva Devon's Duke's Club Series. A not so unique concept and yet that's the challenge an author must face. Take something that has been done before and claim it as one's own. Ms. Devon adds twists and turns and likable characters to her own personal dance.
Kathryn Darrell was a rich man's daughter, a very rich mans but when she married for "love" her father turned away, knowing that she was barely besotted and her useless husband wasn't attracted at all. But Kathryn paid.. and paid.. and paid. First with her money, then with her pride. Barely besotted turned to barely a wife, ignored and left in the country while her husband spent her money in town. Worse he spent her money on other women. Forced to remain a "proper" wife. Trapped. Until his death and suddenly Kathryn is free. Free to be an independent woman. Wanting to discover all the treats the ton has to offer. Dark and mysterious and full of sensual delights. And she has the perfect man to teach her. A man who doesn't want any attachments.. perfect. Only sensual delights aren't everything and Kathryn has way more to learn than she can imagine.
Ryder Blake, Duke of Darkwell, known as the Duke of Debauchery gave his heart once. And to his mind he failed her. Now he's a widower insistent upon remaining loyal to the wife he lost. Well, loyal at heart not body. In body, he is willing to debauch just about any woman. Any woman except the surprisingly sweet Kathryn Darrell. While he can't want her body he finds he wants more. Only to have Kathryn he has to let go of the past. A challenge to be sure.
When disaster strikes these two must make choices.. Kathryn has to decide just what it is she really wants and Ryder has to release that life is for the living.
A good book.. it caught my attention but there were times it lost it. At times it was a bit stilted and it seemed that Ms. Devon tried just too hard to make all the pieces fit. Which was a shame because the story could have flowed wonderfully.
It's hard to explain. I liked the book and I wanted to love it but there was a slight misstep in the story.
That being said, I look forward to the next two books.. I think there is true promise to this series. So yes, I recommend it.
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of Once Upon A Duke, provided by netgalley
Three dangerous Dukes caught up in their own world. Each must face their darkest nightmares and decide if they truly do want to walk once again in the night. That is the basic premise of Eva Devon's Duke's Club Series. A not so unique concept and yet that's the challenge an author must face. Take something that has been done before and claim it as one's own. Ms. Devon adds twists and turns and likable characters to her own personal dance.
Kathryn Darrell was a rich man's daughter, a very rich mans but when she married for "love" her father turned away, knowing that she was barely besotted and her useless husband wasn't attracted at all. But Kathryn paid.. and paid.. and paid. First with her money, then with her pride. Barely besotted turned to barely a wife, ignored and left in the country while her husband spent her money in town. Worse he spent her money on other women. Forced to remain a "proper" wife. Trapped. Until his death and suddenly Kathryn is free. Free to be an independent woman. Wanting to discover all the treats the ton has to offer. Dark and mysterious and full of sensual delights. And she has the perfect man to teach her. A man who doesn't want any attachments.. perfect. Only sensual delights aren't everything and Kathryn has way more to learn than she can imagine.
Ryder Blake, Duke of Darkwell, known as the Duke of Debauchery gave his heart once. And to his mind he failed her. Now he's a widower insistent upon remaining loyal to the wife he lost. Well, loyal at heart not body. In body, he is willing to debauch just about any woman. Any woman except the surprisingly sweet Kathryn Darrell. While he can't want her body he finds he wants more. Only to have Kathryn he has to let go of the past. A challenge to be sure.
When disaster strikes these two must make choices.. Kathryn has to decide just what it is she really wants and Ryder has to release that life is for the living.
A good book.. it caught my attention but there were times it lost it. At times it was a bit stilted and it seemed that Ms. Devon tried just too hard to make all the pieces fit. Which was a shame because the story could have flowed wonderfully.
It's hard to explain. I liked the book and I wanted to love it but there was a slight misstep in the story.
That being said, I look forward to the next two books.. I think there is true promise to this series. So yes, I recommend it.
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of Once Upon A Duke, provided by netgalley
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November 16, 2018DNF @ 55%
Mrs. Kathryn Darrell is finally free. Her bastard of a husband is dead and she's free to come to London and finally live. She also cannot wait to experience true passion so she sets her sights on the most unattainable of bachelors, Ryder Blake, Duke of Darkwell.
Put that way, the story sounds interesting, right? Humorous, intriguing, passionate, romantic.
It could've been all that if it weren't for the hero. The man was an ass. An ass who had no idea what he really wanted. An ass that, if you ask me, didn't really love his first wife (it sounded more like gratitude for her sticking with him when his parents died), yet he truly mourned her and blamed himself...And then turned it into an art form. If he didn't let go of her, he didn't have to make an effort and everybody saw him as some sort of tortured figure.
While in truth, he was just an obnoxious asshole who had no idea what he truly wanted and once he discovered it, he chickened out and turned into an even bigger asshole.
You don't want her, fine. Keep clear, not make jealous scenes all over town. Pick a lane and stick to it.
The heroine, mind you, was no better. She also refused to fall in love, because she's been an idiot before and believed her first husband actually loved her, while he loved only her money. But she ended up falling for the aforementioned jerk anyway. She knew what he was like, he repeatedly rebuffed her, yet she kept at it. What the hell? If the guy is an ass, you steer clear, but I guess she just wanted to be the one who won him in the end, the one who changed him in the end.
I didn't feel the love between these two. He was a project for her, she was a fascination for him. End of story. This wasn't a romance, this was a forced-angst-filled slightly sexy story that focused too much on the hero's issues, making him come across as a petulant teenager.
I persevered over the half mark because I kept hoping it would get better. Half-way through, the guy was still a petulant ass, the heroine suddenly developed tender feelings for him (inexplicable and out of the blue, if you ask me), so I threw in the towel.
...And then I took a peek at the end and wanted to slap the woman until her head fell off. No, thank you.
Mrs. Kathryn Darrell is finally free. Her bastard of a husband is dead and she's free to come to London and finally live. She also cannot wait to experience true passion so she sets her sights on the most unattainable of bachelors, Ryder Blake, Duke of Darkwell.
Put that way, the story sounds interesting, right? Humorous, intriguing, passionate, romantic.
It could've been all that if it weren't for the hero. The man was an ass. An ass who had no idea what he really wanted. An ass that, if you ask me, didn't really love his first wife (it sounded more like gratitude for her sticking with him when his parents died), yet he truly mourned her and blamed himself...And then turned it into an art form. If he didn't let go of her, he didn't have to make an effort and everybody saw him as some sort of tortured figure.
While in truth, he was just an obnoxious asshole who had no idea what he truly wanted and once he discovered it, he chickened out and turned into an even bigger asshole.
You don't want her, fine. Keep clear, not make jealous scenes all over town. Pick a lane and stick to it.
The heroine, mind you, was no better. She also refused to fall in love, because she's been an idiot before and believed her first husband actually loved her, while he loved only her money. But she ended up falling for the aforementioned jerk anyway. She knew what he was like, he repeatedly rebuffed her, yet she kept at it. What the hell? If the guy is an ass, you steer clear, but I guess she just wanted to be the one who won him in the end, the one who changed him in the end.
I didn't feel the love between these two. He was a project for her, she was a fascination for him. End of story. This wasn't a romance, this was a forced-angst-filled slightly sexy story that focused too much on the hero's issues, making him come across as a petulant teenager.
I persevered over the half mark because I kept hoping it would get better. Half-way through, the guy was still a petulant ass, the heroine suddenly developed tender feelings for him (inexplicable and out of the blue, if you ask me), so I threw in the towel.
...And then I took a peek at the end and wanted to slap the woman until her head fell off. No, thank you.
February 22, 2016
i have really started to love Eva Devon stories , I have read 3 of her other stores. I read book 2 first but it doesnt matter. I was so drawn to this book. I dreaded finishing it and waiting for book 3. Loved the spirit of kathryn. 2 peope getting together for different reasons. Her father was a very rich Merchent and once her Husband passed away she had more money than she knew what to do with . So she goes to London and makes an appointmoent with the duke , but using a males name .
They come together when Kathryn sought to learn the reason for her late husband's frequent absences from home - the places he spent his time looking for pleasure away from her. She wanted to enjoy a passionate freedom for the first time in h her life. She is bold, intelligent, sassy and looking for adventure, which makes her an amusing heroine. Ryder Blake, the eleventh Duke of Darkwell, has been asked by Kathryn to teach her in pleasure. He was intrigued but initially refuses her. The ensuing journey is filled with humor, heart tugs and hope. Ryder's dedication to his dead wife is admirable and I can only imagine how hard it would be to let go. Kathryn was married the first time for Love but it came to nothing when her husband kept on leaving her for London for fun at games and women, as typical of the Ton back then . Wifes were treated a certain way so the Lords had misstress They get get caught out in the hall of the opera. buy it to see what happends next misstress. He is a duke who shows no signs of marrying, though he would have been pressured to produce an heir. The young lady quickly becomes popular at balls, and if the duke wants to see more of her he'll have to work for her attention. Cue the scandal of the season, and we get a look at an upper class debauched party.
Imorgan loves closets and that is where they learn the dukes timeschedule.
Buy the book to see if he gets over his wife. Also do they tie the knot because of the scandal. Does she make him open his eyes and who are the other 2 dukes in the club
They come together when Kathryn sought to learn the reason for her late husband's frequent absences from home - the places he spent his time looking for pleasure away from her. She wanted to enjoy a passionate freedom for the first time in h her life. She is bold, intelligent, sassy and looking for adventure, which makes her an amusing heroine. Ryder Blake, the eleventh Duke of Darkwell, has been asked by Kathryn to teach her in pleasure. He was intrigued but initially refuses her. The ensuing journey is filled with humor, heart tugs and hope. Ryder's dedication to his dead wife is admirable and I can only imagine how hard it would be to let go. Kathryn was married the first time for Love but it came to nothing when her husband kept on leaving her for London for fun at games and women, as typical of the Ton back then . Wifes were treated a certain way so the Lords had misstress They get get caught out in the hall of the opera. buy it to see what happends next misstress. He is a duke who shows no signs of marrying, though he would have been pressured to produce an heir. The young lady quickly becomes popular at balls, and if the duke wants to see more of her he'll have to work for her attention. Cue the scandal of the season, and we get a look at an upper class debauched party.
Imorgan loves closets and that is where they learn the dukes timeschedule.
Buy the book to see if he gets over his wife. Also do they tie the knot because of the scandal. Does she make him open his eyes and who are the other 2 dukes in the club
August 10, 2014
Kathryn Darrell is a country widow who endeared much in her marriage. Now that she has been widowed for a time, it is time to reclaim her freedom and possibly cause the biggest scandal London has witnessed. She sets out to seek the expertise of the infamous Lord of Debauchery who is also known as the Duke of Death. Once she has set her mind to do something....she will do it.
Ryder Blake, the eleventh Duke of Darkwell, also known as the Duke of Debauchery and Lord of Death has been dealing with his own serious issues. While he deals with his demons, he also has numerous dealings with women who seek him out. His one rule is that he will never surrender his heart for he does not have one to give.
This was given to me as a gift, so I did not know what to think when I received it. Well...I loved it. These two characters were very strong and flawed because of their past circumstances. There is alot of wittiness amongst all of the characters in this great story. There was a lot of very descriptive passion, which I love in the books I read.
I had never read anything from this author, Eva Devon, she is now on my TBR List. I hope she does Hunt's story next. Her leading men are sexy as heck.
If this is the type of book you are into, then you are in for a real treat.
Ryder Blake, the eleventh Duke of Darkwell, also known as the Duke of Debauchery and Lord of Death has been dealing with his own serious issues. While he deals with his demons, he also has numerous dealings with women who seek him out. His one rule is that he will never surrender his heart for he does not have one to give.
This was given to me as a gift, so I did not know what to think when I received it. Well...I loved it. These two characters were very strong and flawed because of their past circumstances. There is alot of wittiness amongst all of the characters in this great story. There was a lot of very descriptive passion, which I love in the books I read.
I had never read anything from this author, Eva Devon, she is now on my TBR List. I hope she does Hunt's story next. Her leading men are sexy as heck.
If this is the type of book you are into, then you are in for a real treat.
July 23, 2017
I really liked the idea of a woman out to please herself and damn society, but the plot and execution of this novel is not very good.
What I love about romance novels is watching the two fall in love - the behind the eyes thoughts and perceptions. This novel has none of that. You have absolutely no idea what each sees in the other, and why they are going SO far out of their way to be with each other, to the point where they become the scandals of London. Why does he want his woman, and is willing to leave off mourning his late wife for her? We don't know. Why does she HAVE to have just this one guy to get sexual experience with, when sex parties seem to happen every other chapter somewhere? No idea. We have no insight into their developing relationship, it just suddenly is there after they romp a few times.
The writing is not subtle with the plot, it doesn't develop naturally. The dialogue isn't romantic or sexy, just the sex scenes are given detail (which are good though, which helps the book). I guess this book felt inbetween - not romantic enough for romance, and too convoluted in plot and plain spoken to be erotica.
What I love about romance novels is watching the two fall in love - the behind the eyes thoughts and perceptions. This novel has none of that. You have absolutely no idea what each sees in the other, and why they are going SO far out of their way to be with each other, to the point where they become the scandals of London. Why does he want his woman, and is willing to leave off mourning his late wife for her? We don't know. Why does she HAVE to have just this one guy to get sexual experience with, when sex parties seem to happen every other chapter somewhere? No idea. We have no insight into their developing relationship, it just suddenly is there after they romp a few times.
The writing is not subtle with the plot, it doesn't develop naturally. The dialogue isn't romantic or sexy, just the sex scenes are given detail (which are good though, which helps the book). I guess this book felt inbetween - not romantic enough for romance, and too convoluted in plot and plain spoken to be erotica.
August 13, 2014
Ryder Blake, the eleventh Duke of Darkwell is better known as the Duke of Debauchery. He can pleasure a woman’s body and he can never get away his heart. He has so much guilty in his heart that he cannot allow himself to love another. It would be a betrayal of his first wife’s memory.
Kathryn Darrell is recent widow who was shunned away in the country and not allow experiencing any bliss of any kind. Kate wants one night of an uttermost pleasure. Well, she gets more than what she bargain for. They try to fight the attraction for each other meanwhile, they both tried to overcome the Ton’s strict rules governing their sexual behavior. I love the optimism and humor from Mrs. Darrell. There are very few stories that seized every emotion possible.
Overall, the story was sweet, frustrating, engaging and facetious. I can’t wait to read more books from Eva Devon. I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley for an honest review.
Kathryn Darrell is recent widow who was shunned away in the country and not allow experiencing any bliss of any kind. Kate wants one night of an uttermost pleasure. Well, she gets more than what she bargain for. They try to fight the attraction for each other meanwhile, they both tried to overcome the Ton’s strict rules governing their sexual behavior. I love the optimism and humor from Mrs. Darrell. There are very few stories that seized every emotion possible.
Overall, the story was sweet, frustrating, engaging and facetious. I can’t wait to read more books from Eva Devon. I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley for an honest review.
July 1, 2014
This story is positively the most scandalous historical romance ever. I absolutely loved it. For a historical romance it was fantastic you normally expect these to be a bit slow to get into and you find that the storyline drags at some bits but that really wasnt the case with this novel as soon as you pick the book up you cant seem to put it down. I read this book over 2 days and it really was worth the read . The main characters are fantastic and so different then what you expect put of this type of book. I absolutely loved the dukes and there antics. I wasnt sure what I thought of the main lead female Kate until i started to really read more about her. She is such a strong female lead and its Fantastic for that time era. Women were ment to be repressed and always obey the men. So this was such a freshing read. Its will worth the read . I for one can not wait until the next novel comes out.
December 19, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Hot, hot! It was fun to see how completely a lady can be compromised and the consequences she has to deal with. Love the tortured hero. Actually cried toward the end but won't tell you where because the journey is worth it.
November 20, 2022
2.5 meh...
February 20, 2020
Completely nonsensical but such fun :-) Loved it!
August 23, 2017
ANGST. THIS DEFINITELY HAD IT, BUT ALSO THE KIND THAT DOESN'T LEAVE YOU SATISFIED DESPITE THE HAPPY ENDING.
The worst kind of love, is when the one you love can't let go of a past love. That can be one of the most painful feeling in the world...and that's why I feel horribly sorry for the heroine yet I commend her bravery and courage to love all the same.
OUR HERO is in deep, dark mourning for the wife he lost years ago, holding onto a memento of her on his wrist in the form of her white ribbon. His first love, if you please. Blaming himself (which was quite silly because she caught the pox and died...not something anyone could help with at that era) for not protecting her, he wallows in his unhappy graveyard of memories, unwilling to let ghosts rest. When a woman comes barging into his home, and wants to be seduced by him...he's willing for the first few minutes until her innocence shines through...and he sends her away instead. Now, she's like a fire in his blood...someone he wants but cannot have. Ironically, to not tarnish his dead wife's memory, he only sleeps with women he despises. Honestly, this Duke is a masochist upon himself. I can't say that I truly liked him despite his demons, because it hurt too much to be the recipient of his attentions and then spurned for a dead woman. Even though he has a deep conscience of what he does...it still bothers me that he was being a tad irresponsible for going into the marriage with our heroine halfheartedly and allows their relationship to deteriorate just because he was afraid and stubborn to let the past go.
OUR HEROINE is a brave country mouse who suffered in the hands of her dead husband, locked away in the hills and having never known passion. Oh yes, she's not a virgin but her husband believed that a wife must be a paragon of virtue, and technically a saint. He can slake his lust like a vile pig on his mistress but never his wife. Another man with sadistic tendencies. Now that she's free from him, she wants to live real passion and who better than the sinful Duke? But, she never expects an attraction beyond lust and finds herself pursuing him to get what she wants. Alas, it was a tough journey for her to make the man fall for her and chase her till the ends of the earth. I do wish she made him worked harder for it.
OVERALL while I enjoyed the angst...I can't help but wonder if the ending could have turned out a little more smoother. I'm the type of reader who likes a good vengeance with the wind that ends in a mutually good note. They reconciled at the end, GOOD for them! But, as a reader....it still leaves you wishing for something more solid...and an ending that soothes your angst away.
The worst kind of love, is when the one you love can't let go of a past love. That can be one of the most painful feeling in the world...and that's why I feel horribly sorry for the heroine yet I commend her bravery and courage to love all the same.
OUR HERO is in deep, dark mourning for the wife he lost years ago, holding onto a memento of her on his wrist in the form of her white ribbon. His first love, if you please. Blaming himself (which was quite silly because she caught the pox and died...not something anyone could help with at that era) for not protecting her, he wallows in his unhappy graveyard of memories, unwilling to let ghosts rest. When a woman comes barging into his home, and wants to be seduced by him...he's willing for the first few minutes until her innocence shines through...and he sends her away instead. Now, she's like a fire in his blood...someone he wants but cannot have. Ironically, to not tarnish his dead wife's memory, he only sleeps with women he despises. Honestly, this Duke is a masochist upon himself. I can't say that I truly liked him despite his demons, because it hurt too much to be the recipient of his attentions and then spurned for a dead woman. Even though he has a deep conscience of what he does...it still bothers me that he was being a tad irresponsible for going into the marriage with our heroine halfheartedly and allows their relationship to deteriorate just because he was afraid and stubborn to let the past go.
OUR HEROINE is a brave country mouse who suffered in the hands of her dead husband, locked away in the hills and having never known passion. Oh yes, she's not a virgin but her husband believed that a wife must be a paragon of virtue, and technically a saint. He can slake his lust like a vile pig on his mistress but never his wife. Another man with sadistic tendencies. Now that she's free from him, she wants to live real passion and who better than the sinful Duke? But, she never expects an attraction beyond lust and finds herself pursuing him to get what she wants. Alas, it was a tough journey for her to make the man fall for her and chase her till the ends of the earth. I do wish she made him worked harder for it.
OVERALL while I enjoyed the angst...I can't help but wonder if the ending could have turned out a little more smoother. I'm the type of reader who likes a good vengeance with the wind that ends in a mutually good note. They reconciled at the end, GOOD for them! But, as a reader....it still leaves you wishing for something more solid...and an ending that soothes your angst away.
September 15, 2014
Kathryn is a widow who was locked out in the country by her husband and her father. Now that they are dead, she is going to London. She wants to know what it feels like to go to heaven in a mans arms and she has the perfect candidate for the job. Ryder Duke of Darkwell. Only problem is he is not in the mood to help her out. Ryder's wife was killed by small pox & he blames himself. He has vowed to never love or marry again. He wears her ribbon on his wrist to remind. Yet they are caught at the opera in a compromising position and the ton cuts her out. She felt the scandal would blow over but it has not. Little does she know that Ryder has fought with the Duke of Ashton over her. All the comes to a head while Kathryn & Immogen are out riding in the park. It seems that the Countess & all the rest of the ton wants her run out. But Ryder comes to the rescue. He tells them that the next person who disparages his future wife, he will destroy. Soon after a wedding is arranged. Kathryn is in love but she must protect her heart. Ryder spoils her rotten for the first month. Then everything changes. The depression is back and Kathryn doesn't know how to help him. He won't talk to her. The last straw was while making lover, Kathryn touched the ribbon. He jumps back like he is scalded. In the end, he calls her Jane. She leaves. He goes on a drinking binge. He best friend Hugh tells him unless he decides to live, he won't be back to see him. He is utterly alone. He realizes it is time to say good bye to his wife. After visiting Jane's grave site, he gets dressed to go find his wife. She is at a party. Men keep asking her to dance & she keeps saying no. The place goes quiet. Standing there is her husband & he is not wearing black. He walks up to her & asks if she would join him for a walk. Once they reach the middle by the fountain, she sits while he tells her all about Jane. He tells her he loves her. Then he gets down on one knee & asks her to marry him. Not because they have to but because he loves her. YES.
Can't wait for the next book in the series.
Can't wait for the next book in the series.
July 14, 2014
This story approaches the Ton from the top down. We have a Duke who is wracked with guilt and feels unworthy of love. Then we have Kathryn Darrell who has been tucked away in the country by an unsavory husband who had thankfully died in a duel.
They come together when Kathryn sought to learn the reason for her late husband's frequent absences from home - the places he spent his time looking for pleasure away from her. She wanted to enjoy a passionate freedom for the first time in her life. She is bold, intelligent, sassy and looking for adventure, which makes her an amusing heroine. Ryder Blake, the eleventh Duke of Darkwell, has been asked by Kathryn to teach her in pleasure. He was intrigued but initially refuses her. The ensuing journey is filled with humor, heart tugs and hope. Ryder's dedication to his dead wife is admirable and I can only imagine how hard it would be to let go, this emotion and struggle is portrayed beautifully. The care and compassion shown through Kathryn is touching. The fact that Ryder understands and acknowledges Kathryn’s need for independence made me love him more. I loved these characters and was cheering at the end. This is a wonderful, fun, and well written story. I am looking forward to more from Ms. Devon
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
They come together when Kathryn sought to learn the reason for her late husband's frequent absences from home - the places he spent his time looking for pleasure away from her. She wanted to enjoy a passionate freedom for the first time in her life. She is bold, intelligent, sassy and looking for adventure, which makes her an amusing heroine. Ryder Blake, the eleventh Duke of Darkwell, has been asked by Kathryn to teach her in pleasure. He was intrigued but initially refuses her. The ensuing journey is filled with humor, heart tugs and hope. Ryder's dedication to his dead wife is admirable and I can only imagine how hard it would be to let go, this emotion and struggle is portrayed beautifully. The care and compassion shown through Kathryn is touching. The fact that Ryder understands and acknowledges Kathryn’s need for independence made me love him more. I loved these characters and was cheering at the end. This is a wonderful, fun, and well written story. I am looking forward to more from Ms. Devon
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
September 3, 2014
This saucy romp features a young woman who was kept as token wife by an older man, who has now died. She's tired of rusticating in the country and wants to see London and enter Society. With a hundred thousand pounds a year, why not?
Slightly suspect is why she heads straight to the house of a rake who enjoys the company of many women. Still, she does, determined to find if there is more to lovemaking than she's found so far. He is a duke who shows no signs of marrying, though he would have been pressured to produce an heir. The young lady quickly becomes popular at balls, and if the duke wants to see more of her he'll have to work for her attention. Cue the scandal of the season, and we get a look at an upper class debauched party.
Good fun for period romance lovers who want a story which goes further into erotica. I was a bit annoyed by finding many spelling mistakes such as 'broach' for 'brooch' but maybe those will be cleaned up for the next edition.
Slightly suspect is why she heads straight to the house of a rake who enjoys the company of many women. Still, she does, determined to find if there is more to lovemaking than she's found so far. He is a duke who shows no signs of marrying, though he would have been pressured to produce an heir. The young lady quickly becomes popular at balls, and if the duke wants to see more of her he'll have to work for her attention. Cue the scandal of the season, and we get a look at an upper class debauched party.
Good fun for period romance lovers who want a story which goes further into erotica. I was a bit annoyed by finding many spelling mistakes such as 'broach' for 'brooch' but maybe those will be cleaned up for the next edition.
April 26, 2015
Breathtaking!
Devon is a gifted author. I grieved for Ryder. His pain became a heartache for me. Our heroine, Kathryn, is a plucky widow, wanting to know the passion that was denied her by an adulterous fortune hunter. On her own again, Kate gets in serious trouble with the Ton, and, worse, loses her heart. Best friends, the Duke of Hunt and Imogene are delicious in their own right. Totally enjoyed reading this sexy, funny, slightly profane, sweet and amazing love story.
Devon is a gifted author. I grieved for Ryder. His pain became a heartache for me. Our heroine, Kathryn, is a plucky widow, wanting to know the passion that was denied her by an adulterous fortune hunter. On her own again, Kate gets in serious trouble with the Ton, and, worse, loses her heart. Best friends, the Duke of Hunt and Imogene are delicious in their own right. Totally enjoyed reading this sexy, funny, slightly profane, sweet and amazing love story.
July 14, 2014
This was indeed a quick read and I enjoyed this book. The character development was just detailed enough to give you some insight into their past. However, it was not enough to make you fall in love with characters. Secondary characters played a huge part in this book and I'm interested in reading their stories in future books. At this cost, I'd probably continue Ms. Devon's books.
July 15, 2014
Liked this story a lot.
Liked this story a lot.
Ryder and Kate's story was very good. Ryder hadn't gotten over his first wife's death and had to work hard to forgive himself even though he wasn't at fault. Kate just had a rotten husband and was afraid of loving someone at again. Lot's of scandalous behaviour by both always with each other.
Liked this story a lot.
Ryder and Kate's story was very good. Ryder hadn't gotten over his first wife's death and had to work hard to forgive himself even though he wasn't at fault. Kate just had a rotten husband and was afraid of loving someone at again. Lot's of scandalous behaviour by both always with each other.
August 6, 2014
**I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion**
This was a fabulous read and everything I could want in a historical romance set in England! I hope there will be more stories from this "new to me" author! The characters and storyline were so devilishly clever and deliciously written, I could hardly put it down. I loved this story and hope you will, too!
This was a fabulous read and everything I could want in a historical romance set in England! I hope there will be more stories from this "new to me" author! The characters and storyline were so devilishly clever and deliciously written, I could hardly put it down. I loved this story and hope you will, too!
July 22, 2014
This story was spicy, funny and I loved reading it! A few grammatical errors were sprinkled in, but I will check out other books by this author.
August 17, 2021
I really wanted to like this book. I was in the mood for something fairly light, short, and steamy. It didn't need to be deep, as long as it was enjoyable. Everything in this book starts off this way. There's plenty of humor, glamour, and sexy descriptions of high society in early 1800's England. The h is one of those freedom-seeking widows, bordering on TSTL, who seem to abound in Regency romances--quite unrealistically--but that didn't bother me. Her cousin is even more wanton, but I was prepared to just turn off my brain for a few hours and forget about the real world.
The problem here for me is the H. He's just not as fun as he's set up to be in the beginning. I would have liked someone a bit less broody and wrapped up in himself. Of course he has to be both a war veteran and a man who lost the wife he loved (although any kind of battle-related trauma is never explored). While his grieving is understandable, I felt a tendency as the plot proceeded to want to smack him to get him to stop having tantrums. His reasons for blaming himself for his wife's death aren't convincing. And by the end, his obsessive love for his late wife is actually reinforced. He never seems to truly let her go to move on, and I didn't believe he loved the h. She's impressed by all the material items he buys her, but he never really opens up to her.
The sex scenes are well written, and I don't have a problem with how many there are--honestly, this book is at its best when it's pure escapism. But there's a strange shift in tone in a chapter when the H and his friend attend a lavish sex-filled party hosted by a strange pirate (I was hearing Johnny Depp in my head every time he talked). I was a bit weary of descriptions of unclad women at this point. Then a parody is staged of the h's ruination at the theater, the H has a fit, and he and the pirate beat each other to bloody pulps. I wasn't sure if this was meant to be ridiculous, show the extent of H's guilt and anger issues, or ?. It was just a bit too over the top to take seriously, and slightly too dark to be funny.
I also have to mention that, while I think this author is a decent storyteller and can have a way with words, she needs to find a good editor. There were glaring spelling errors and lots of missing, or misused, commas.
Bottom line: When it's fun, it's a lot of fun, but it deflates like a balloon at the end.
Note: This is not a "sweet and clean" romance. There's PG rated language and explicit pre-marital sex.
The problem here for me is the H. He's just not as fun as he's set up to be in the beginning. I would have liked someone a bit less broody and wrapped up in himself. Of course he has to be both a war veteran and a man who lost the wife he loved (although any kind of battle-related trauma is never explored). While his grieving is understandable, I felt a tendency as the plot proceeded to want to smack him to get him to stop having tantrums. His reasons for blaming himself for his wife's death aren't convincing. And by the end, his obsessive love for his late wife is actually reinforced. He never seems to truly let her go to move on, and I didn't believe he loved the h. She's impressed by all the material items he buys her, but he never really opens up to her.
The sex scenes are well written, and I don't have a problem with how many there are--honestly, this book is at its best when it's pure escapism. But there's a strange shift in tone in a chapter when the H and his friend attend a lavish sex-filled party hosted by a strange pirate (I was hearing Johnny Depp in my head every time he talked). I was a bit weary of descriptions of unclad women at this point. Then a parody is staged of the h's ruination at the theater, the H has a fit, and he and the pirate beat each other to bloody pulps. I wasn't sure if this was meant to be ridiculous, show the extent of H's guilt and anger issues, or ?. It was just a bit too over the top to take seriously, and slightly too dark to be funny.
I also have to mention that, while I think this author is a decent storyteller and can have a way with words, she needs to find a good editor. There were glaring spelling errors and lots of missing, or misused, commas.
Bottom line: When it's fun, it's a lot of fun, but it deflates like a balloon at the end.
Note: This is not a "sweet and clean" romance. There's PG rated language and explicit pre-marital sex.
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