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School for Dukes #3
One Fine Duke
Ready.
Raised in the countryside by her overprotective uncle, Miss Mina Penny's dream of a triumphant London season is finally here. She determined her perfect match long ago: Rafe Bentley, the wickedest rake of them all. There's only one very large, very unyielding obstacle: Rafe's brother Andrew, the reclusive Duke of Thorndon.
Aim.
This was supposed to be simple. Duke goes to London. Duke selects suitable bride. Love match? Not a chance. But when Drew meets Mina, she complicates everything. How can a lady armed with such beauty and brains fall for his irresponsible degenerate of a brother? Drew vows to save her from heartbreak and ruin, no matter the cost.
Desire!
But Mina is no damsel in distress. She's daring, intuitive, passionate...and halfway to melting Drew's cold heart. And although Mina thought she knew exactly what she wanted, one breathtakingly seductive kiss from Drew changes everything. Now Mina must decide between long-held dreams and dangerous new desires. Could her true destiny lie in the arms of a duke?
Raised in the countryside by her overprotective uncle, Miss Mina Penny's dream of a triumphant London season is finally here. She determined her perfect match long ago: Rafe Bentley, the wickedest rake of them all. There's only one very large, very unyielding obstacle: Rafe's brother Andrew, the reclusive Duke of Thorndon.
Aim.
This was supposed to be simple. Duke goes to London. Duke selects suitable bride. Love match? Not a chance. But when Drew meets Mina, she complicates everything. How can a lady armed with such beauty and brains fall for his irresponsible degenerate of a brother? Drew vows to save her from heartbreak and ruin, no matter the cost.
Desire!
But Mina is no damsel in distress. She's daring, intuitive, passionate...and halfway to melting Drew's cold heart. And although Mina thought she knew exactly what she wanted, one breathtakingly seductive kiss from Drew changes everything. Now Mina must decide between long-held dreams and dangerous new desires. Could her true destiny lie in the arms of a duke?
384 pages, ebook
First published July 23, 2019
About the author
Lenora Bell
20 books1,320 followersLenora Bell is a USA Today bestselling, award-winning author of historical romances with Avon Books. A teacher with an MFA in Creative Writing, Lenora has lived and worked on five continents. She's currently fixing up a big old building in small town Alaska with her carpenter husband and two tiger-striped rescue kitties (#RomancingTheRenovation). She loves hearing from readers! Join her Facebook Reader Group for exclusive excerpts, giveaways and news: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Lenor...
Learn more at www.LenoraBell.com
Learn more at www.LenoraBell.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 249 reviews
July 8, 2019
***4 Stars***
Mina Penny longs for adventure. Raised in the English countryside she longs for the hustle and bustle of London and to become a sophisticated, worldly wise woman. She is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve her goal, even if that means turning away a proposal from a Duke.
Andrew, Duke of Thorndon, loves the country and detests London. He only comes to the city because he receives an ominous note threatening the safety of his youngest sister due to his wastrel brother Rafe. He might as well get a wife while in Town and is intrigued by Mina who goes to great lengths to show how incompatible they would be.
I enjoyed the story of Andrew and Mina. It was full of adventure and laughs. I admired Mina’s spunk and her abilities. It was interesting to see how their romance developed. They have some internal and external conflicts to get over and Mina definitely gets her adventure. Steaminess (not sure if that is a word...lol) abounds in this novel but it definitely fits into the book and the relationship between these characters. I have to read the other books in the series.
Recommend this one....
Mina Penny longs for adventure. Raised in the English countryside she longs for the hustle and bustle of London and to become a sophisticated, worldly wise woman. She is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve her goal, even if that means turning away a proposal from a Duke.
Andrew, Duke of Thorndon, loves the country and detests London. He only comes to the city because he receives an ominous note threatening the safety of his youngest sister due to his wastrel brother Rafe. He might as well get a wife while in Town and is intrigued by Mina who goes to great lengths to show how incompatible they would be.
I enjoyed the story of Andrew and Mina. It was full of adventure and laughs. I admired Mina’s spunk and her abilities. It was interesting to see how their romance developed. They have some internal and external conflicts to get over and Mina definitely gets her adventure. Steaminess (not sure if that is a word...lol) abounds in this novel but it definitely fits into the book and the relationship between these characters. I have to read the other books in the series.
Recommend this one....
September 3, 2022
✨Erotic Accoutrements✨
This was super cute!!! There was epilogue sex which was fun and the cover plays a part in the book which is always a thoughtful bonus. The narrator was great and it was a light, steamy, fun read! I’ll be going back to read the rest in the series. I love Lenora's writing and I LOVED seeing Beatrice and her bawdy bookclub. The main couple was great and so filled with love.
Lenora does sexy time so well. Drew fell first here, but I beat them both I was a swooning mess. Fantasies were fulfilled and my heart is full and many other things were filled. This book really demonstrated what a good, meaningful sex/intimate scene can do for character/relationship development. Their bedroom conversation was just so superb. They both needed each other desperately and the depth of their love was expertly conveyed. The sex took their relationship to another level for me.
When Drew pleasured himself in the window with a captivated audience I SCREAMED. When Mina told Drew to prove that he used to be a rake and he kept thinking "I've still got it" I CRIED. When we got a steamy bathtub scene I THREW UP. When he had a dream about pleasuring her in a field of daisies (look at the COVER) I was DISTRESSED. Any form of commanded masturbation I am DISTRAUGHT. And we got epilogue sex I am a damsel in DISTRESS.
👏Standing ovation is given to the demon sex chair.👏
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶.5/5
CWs: kidnapping trauma, death of parents
This was super cute!!! There was epilogue sex which was fun and the cover plays a part in the book which is always a thoughtful bonus. The narrator was great and it was a light, steamy, fun read! I’ll be going back to read the rest in the series. I love Lenora's writing and I LOVED seeing Beatrice and her bawdy bookclub. The main couple was great and so filled with love.
Lenora does sexy time so well. Drew fell first here, but I beat them both I was a swooning mess. Fantasies were fulfilled and my heart is full and many other things were filled. This book really demonstrated what a good, meaningful sex/intimate scene can do for character/relationship development. Their bedroom conversation was just so superb. They both needed each other desperately and the depth of their love was expertly conveyed. The sex took their relationship to another level for me.
When Drew pleasured himself in the window with a captivated audience I SCREAMED. When Mina told Drew to prove that he used to be a rake and he kept thinking "I've still got it" I CRIED. When we got a steamy bathtub scene I THREW UP. When he had a dream about pleasuring her in a field of daisies (look at the COVER) I was DISTRESSED. Any form of commanded masturbation I am DISTRAUGHT. And we got epilogue sex I am a damsel in DISTRESS.
👏Standing ovation is given to the demon sex chair.👏
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶.5/5
CWs: kidnapping trauma, death of parents
September 16, 2021
Another winner! A reclusive, tormented Duke, a strong-willed, fearless heroine, plenty of wit, banter and steamy moments and one of the most hilarious scenes I’ve ever read involving a chair.
I’m not exactly what you’d term a hardcore historical reader but this series has been a delight from start to finish.
I’m not exactly what you’d term a hardcore historical reader but this series has been a delight from start to finish.
July 19, 2019
I fell in love with Lenora Bell's writing when I read her Disgraceful Dukes series. I had no idea she had a new series out, so I jumped at the chance to read One Fine Duke!
Mina Penny knows she must find herself a husband, and one of the Dukes her uncle picks out for her is not happening. Mina longs for a life of adventure and espionage, so she knows only a rakish man will give her what she wants. But when Mina ends up dancing with the brother of the man she has set her eyes on, the man her Uncle chose for her, Mina does everything to make herself as undesirable as possible. Too bad that only makes the Duke of Thorndon that much more interested...
When this book started, I absolutely loved Mina's character and how headstrong she was. She was a woman who knew what she wanted and did what she had to to go after it. I loved when Drew and Mina met and the banter that started right away. They were perfect for each other in the ways that they pushed each other to be their better selves and go after what they wanted.
While this was a romance, there was so much more to the story. I loved how there was a whole world of spies and how Mina had so many cool skills like cracking codes and designing weapons. This definitely picked up the last 100 pages with lots of action and secret espionage. The romance was slow burn with all of this going on, but it was so worth the wait!
If you're a fan of historical romance and haven't picked up a Lenora Bell book yet, what are you doing!? Her books are full of swoon-worthy heroes and strong, bold heroines. Her plots are so engaging and I never want to put her books down.
Mina Penny knows she must find herself a husband, and one of the Dukes her uncle picks out for her is not happening. Mina longs for a life of adventure and espionage, so she knows only a rakish man will give her what she wants. But when Mina ends up dancing with the brother of the man she has set her eyes on, the man her Uncle chose for her, Mina does everything to make herself as undesirable as possible. Too bad that only makes the Duke of Thorndon that much more interested...
When this book started, I absolutely loved Mina's character and how headstrong she was. She was a woman who knew what she wanted and did what she had to to go after it. I loved when Drew and Mina met and the banter that started right away. They were perfect for each other in the ways that they pushed each other to be their better selves and go after what they wanted.
While this was a romance, there was so much more to the story. I loved how there was a whole world of spies and how Mina had so many cool skills like cracking codes and designing weapons. This definitely picked up the last 100 pages with lots of action and secret espionage. The romance was slow burn with all of this going on, but it was so worth the wait!
If you're a fan of historical romance and haven't picked up a Lenora Bell book yet, what are you doing!? Her books are full of swoon-worthy heroes and strong, bold heroines. Her plots are so engaging and I never want to put her books down.
July 23, 2021
Reseña completa: https://masromance.blogspot.com/2021/...
En realidad son 3.5
Es complicado. Por un lado, el estilo me ha gustado, la novela engancha y cuenta con todos los puntos necesarios para que pueda gustar a toda lectora de romántica
el duque tiene un pasado que le pesa y del que saldrá con la ayuda de la protagonista. Es algo que no resulta original, pero la metáfora de las cerraduras me ha parecido estupenda.
ella se sale de lo usual, totalmente. Y, sobre todo al principio, hay varias cosas que me han dejado bastante perpleja, y eso me ha hecho bajarle una estrella. Son formas de actuar que, quizás puedan resultar veraces, pero me han parecido más propias de una joven de otra época
Seguramente, al igual que otras autoras, sacrifica esa rectitud, por decirlo de alguna forma, en el comportamiento para conseguir más diversión en sus escenas. Quizás estoy siendo demasiado tiquismiquis con este tema
El tema del pasado de él me ha gustado, pero se podría haber desarrollado más
En general ha sido una novela de lo más entretenida y, casi seguro que me voy a animar con algún otro título de la autora porque me ha resultado una lectura muy fresca y, desde luego, las escenas hot son geniales, sin llegar a ser una novela erótica, esta pareja no toma rodeos
Si he tardado tanto es porque en vacaciones casi no tengo tiempo de leer, y que sea en inglés también ralentiza mi lectura
En realidad son 3.5
Es complicado. Por un lado, el estilo me ha gustado, la novela engancha y cuenta con todos los puntos necesarios para que pueda gustar a toda lectora de romántica
el duque tiene un pasado que le pesa y del que saldrá con la ayuda de la protagonista. Es algo que no resulta original, pero la metáfora de las cerraduras me ha parecido estupenda.
ella se sale de lo usual, totalmente. Y, sobre todo al principio, hay varias cosas que me han dejado bastante perpleja, y eso me ha hecho bajarle una estrella. Son formas de actuar que, quizás puedan resultar veraces, pero me han parecido más propias de una joven de otra época
Seguramente, al igual que otras autoras, sacrifica esa rectitud, por decirlo de alguna forma, en el comportamiento para conseguir más diversión en sus escenas. Quizás estoy siendo demasiado tiquismiquis con este tema
El tema del pasado de él me ha gustado, pero se podría haber desarrollado más
En general ha sido una novela de lo más entretenida y, casi seguro que me voy a animar con algún otro título de la autora porque me ha resultado una lectura muy fresca y, desde luego, las escenas hot son geniales, sin llegar a ser una novela erótica, esta pareja no toma rodeos
Si he tardado tanto es porque en vacaciones casi no tengo tiempo de leer, y que sea en inglés también ralentiza mi lectura
November 23, 2021
Lenora Bell does not disappoint.
June 23, 2019
This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from Avon in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
One Fine Duke is the third book in Lenora Bell’s latest series “School For Dukes”. This book took me so long to read, and to be honest I was very close to DNF and I can’t believe I am saying that for a Lenora Bell novel because I have really adored her work in the past. But this book was a story that I couldn’t stay fully invested in the story and I think the heroine rubbed me the wrong way at times. Trust me I wanted to really love her but I just couldn’t get behind her in many ways. I believe another aspect I was struggling with a bit was the theme of “spies” in this book. I have read many spy themed romances and I feel like the espionage element was downplayed and I would have liked a bit more balanced focused on this element. The story itself seemed fragmented at times and trust me I don’t mean to be critical of this story or this author in any way but I do need to share my honest opinion of the story.
The story itself surrounds a heroine who has been sheltered all of her life and wants some adventure and quite frankly she is bored and wants excitement and I feel like her character although I understood her good intentions, was a bit frivolous at times. She wanted to be a spy because her parents were spies but her character really bothered me because of how careless she could be and never thought of the dangers she put herself and others in and just viewed it as exciting even though her parents were killed because of their espionage activities.
The hero was so swoony and I loved seeing his character in this story. He is quite the opposite of our heroine. He suffered some trauma has a teenager and now is more reclusive and he is still haunted by his past. He definitely is the reason and the common sense that Mina needs and she brings a fresh breath of fresh air to Drew’s life. In many ways their personalities compliment each other quite perfectly. Their love story was sassy, eye opening and packed with energy. It isn’t my favorite my this author in any way, but its a solid story that many fans of Regency Romance will fall in love with. SPLENDID!
One Fine Duke is the third book in Lenora Bell’s latest series “School For Dukes”. This book took me so long to read, and to be honest I was very close to DNF and I can’t believe I am saying that for a Lenora Bell novel because I have really adored her work in the past. But this book was a story that I couldn’t stay fully invested in the story and I think the heroine rubbed me the wrong way at times. Trust me I wanted to really love her but I just couldn’t get behind her in many ways. I believe another aspect I was struggling with a bit was the theme of “spies” in this book. I have read many spy themed romances and I feel like the espionage element was downplayed and I would have liked a bit more balanced focused on this element. The story itself seemed fragmented at times and trust me I don’t mean to be critical of this story or this author in any way but I do need to share my honest opinion of the story.
The story itself surrounds a heroine who has been sheltered all of her life and wants some adventure and quite frankly she is bored and wants excitement and I feel like her character although I understood her good intentions, was a bit frivolous at times. She wanted to be a spy because her parents were spies but her character really bothered me because of how careless she could be and never thought of the dangers she put herself and others in and just viewed it as exciting even though her parents were killed because of their espionage activities.
The hero was so swoony and I loved seeing his character in this story. He is quite the opposite of our heroine. He suffered some trauma has a teenager and now is more reclusive and he is still haunted by his past. He definitely is the reason and the common sense that Mina needs and she brings a fresh breath of fresh air to Drew’s life. In many ways their personalities compliment each other quite perfectly. Their love story was sassy, eye opening and packed with energy. It isn’t my favorite my this author in any way, but its a solid story that many fans of Regency Romance will fall in love with. SPLENDID!
July 26, 2019
This was my first book from Lenora Bell and it definitely won't be my last! I adored Mina, Drew, and their story. Mina is headstrong young woman who wants the freedom and adventure she never had growing up under her overprotective uncle. Drew suffers from PTSD from when he was kidnapped and held for ransom as a boy, so he lives in seclusion in the country. They couldn't want more different things in life, but somehow, these two just click together. One Fine Duke is sweet, sexy, hilarious at times (Mina gets trapped in a sex chair!) and overall a fun historical romance everyone should read.
February 20, 2021
2021 review: so in 2020 I gave this a 2 stars but after reading two of Lenora's books I wanted to give this one another go. Sadly, it only boosted 1 star in my ratings and it wasn't for me. It felt too zany and too loosey goosey with no solid foundation. The characters existed and things happened for comedic effect. So it's not my fave.
May 7, 2020
3.5 STARS
Mina Penny longs for adventure and to live the life her parents did as spies. Raised in the English countryside she hungers for the shine and energy of London, order to achieve her goals she has decided that Rafe, a rake and the younger brother of Andrew, the Duke of Thorndon, would be the ideal husband.
Andrew, the Duke of Thorndon, loves the country but with his sister under threat, thanks to whatever his brother is involved in, he find himself in the one place he had no wish to be - London. What he does not expect is to meet and be utterly fascinated by Mina. The unconventional encounters between the two certainly entertained. The espionage/spy element of the tale needed more depth and energy.
There were times that Mina irked me a little, but luckily not too much and only early on in the book.
Mina Penny longs for adventure and to live the life her parents did as spies. Raised in the English countryside she hungers for the shine and energy of London, order to achieve her goals she has decided that Rafe, a rake and the younger brother of Andrew, the Duke of Thorndon, would be the ideal husband.
Andrew, the Duke of Thorndon, loves the country but with his sister under threat, thanks to whatever his brother is involved in, he find himself in the one place he had no wish to be - London. What he does not expect is to meet and be utterly fascinated by Mina. The unconventional encounters between the two certainly entertained. The espionage/spy element of the tale needed more depth and energy.
There were times that Mina irked me a little, but luckily not too much and only early on in the book.
August 31, 2021
has one of the funniest scenes in the whole series
I can still laugh remembering that part with the chair..
enjoyed this series very much.. it is very feelgood and fun..
I can still laugh remembering that part with the chair..
enjoyed this series very much.. it is very feelgood and fun..
July 19, 2019
Series: School for Dukes #3
Publication Date: 7/23/19
Number of Pages: 384
** 4.5 Stars **
I read this fast-paced, fun, steamy book in one sitting – and the pages just flew by. I loved the humor and found myself chuckling on numerous occasions during my reading. It is well-written, well-plotted with interesting characters and scenarios.
Miss Wilhelmina (Mina) Penny has been chafing from the overprotective, restrictive, lonely existence she has lived since being orphaned. Her guardian (and uncle) is Sir Malcolm Penny, England’s spymaster. Mina’s parents were spies, as a matter of fact, she comes from a long line of spies and she desperately wants to follow in their footsteps. Her uncle has kept her under heavy guard on his estate, Sutton Hall, but she’s made good use of her time there – to spy on the spymaster. She’s learned all about his operation as well as how to pick locks, decode messages and has developed a real affinity for mechanical devices.
Finally, Mina has persuaded her uncle to provide her a season in London and she plans to take full advantage of it. She wants excitement and independence – freedom. Her plan is simple. She’ll find Lord Rafe Bentley and make him a proposal (literally) that he can’t refuse. Rafe is the biggest, most debauched rake in the ton as well as one of her uncle’s spies who is currently in disgrace. If he marries her and they become partners, she’ll share all of her knowledge of her uncle’s operations with him and get him back in her uncle’s good graces. Well – that was the plan – then – there was a kiss from someone else and well …
Andrew (Drew) Bentley, Duke of Thorndon and Rafe’s reclusive brother is NOT in London by choice. He received a blackmail letter at his estate in Cornwall and it said that if he didn’t pay, his sister, Beatrice, would be kidnapped. It also stated that they knew what Rafe had done. Talk about anger and frustration! While he’s in London to deal with Rafe and the blackmailer, he might as well find himself a bride. He shouldn’t have a problem finding some amenable debutante who could stand the wilds of Cornwall since he has absolutely no intention of ever living in London.
Drew suffered an extremely traumatic event when he was fifteen and he has had to deal with the ramifications of that ever since. He panics at certain scents, enclosed spaces and crowds – so he lives exclusively on his country estate in Cornwall where his days are orderly and repetitive. No surprises.
When Drew dances with Mina at her first ball, the sparks fly – but not in the way you think. She does all in her power to send him fleeing -- too bad that her actions have the opposite effect. She isn’t looking to be a duchess, she’s looking to be a spy and Drew won’t get her there. Yet, in a gardening shed later that evening, he kisses her and sparks really do fly. That can’t change her mind though.
I loved both Drew and Mina and could see where and why each of them felt as they did. I could also see that they were a perfect match for each other. Each’s strengths bolstered the other’s weaknesses. Drew didn’t at all match what Mina thought he’d be – he was actually supportive and caring.
So, why didn’t I give it 5-stars? Well – I just thought the villain was overcome entirely too easily. I also thought Mina held on to the ‘I won’t marry Drew’ thing way too long. I also felt a little like I was left hanging with the information on Drew’s traumatic event. I would have liked to see the reason his father refused to pay – was it because he was a cold-hearted jerk or was there some mix-up, didn’t he love Drew. There was a vague reason given, but – I couldn’t understand why that would be the reason. Another thing is that I thought Mina was much too promiscuous for a young woman who had led such a sheltered life - even if she did overhear many crass things from her uncle's visitors.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read and hope you will as well.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Publication Date: 7/23/19
Number of Pages: 384
** 4.5 Stars **
I read this fast-paced, fun, steamy book in one sitting – and the pages just flew by. I loved the humor and found myself chuckling on numerous occasions during my reading. It is well-written, well-plotted with interesting characters and scenarios.
Miss Wilhelmina (Mina) Penny has been chafing from the overprotective, restrictive, lonely existence she has lived since being orphaned. Her guardian (and uncle) is Sir Malcolm Penny, England’s spymaster. Mina’s parents were spies, as a matter of fact, she comes from a long line of spies and she desperately wants to follow in their footsteps. Her uncle has kept her under heavy guard on his estate, Sutton Hall, but she’s made good use of her time there – to spy on the spymaster. She’s learned all about his operation as well as how to pick locks, decode messages and has developed a real affinity for mechanical devices.
Finally, Mina has persuaded her uncle to provide her a season in London and she plans to take full advantage of it. She wants excitement and independence – freedom. Her plan is simple. She’ll find Lord Rafe Bentley and make him a proposal (literally) that he can’t refuse. Rafe is the biggest, most debauched rake in the ton as well as one of her uncle’s spies who is currently in disgrace. If he marries her and they become partners, she’ll share all of her knowledge of her uncle’s operations with him and get him back in her uncle’s good graces. Well – that was the plan – then – there was a kiss from someone else and well …
Andrew (Drew) Bentley, Duke of Thorndon and Rafe’s reclusive brother is NOT in London by choice. He received a blackmail letter at his estate in Cornwall and it said that if he didn’t pay, his sister, Beatrice, would be kidnapped. It also stated that they knew what Rafe had done. Talk about anger and frustration! While he’s in London to deal with Rafe and the blackmailer, he might as well find himself a bride. He shouldn’t have a problem finding some amenable debutante who could stand the wilds of Cornwall since he has absolutely no intention of ever living in London.
Drew suffered an extremely traumatic event when he was fifteen and he has had to deal with the ramifications of that ever since. He panics at certain scents, enclosed spaces and crowds – so he lives exclusively on his country estate in Cornwall where his days are orderly and repetitive. No surprises.
When Drew dances with Mina at her first ball, the sparks fly – but not in the way you think. She does all in her power to send him fleeing -- too bad that her actions have the opposite effect. She isn’t looking to be a duchess, she’s looking to be a spy and Drew won’t get her there. Yet, in a gardening shed later that evening, he kisses her and sparks really do fly. That can’t change her mind though.
I loved both Drew and Mina and could see where and why each of them felt as they did. I could also see that they were a perfect match for each other. Each’s strengths bolstered the other’s weaknesses. Drew didn’t at all match what Mina thought he’d be – he was actually supportive and caring.
So, why didn’t I give it 5-stars? Well – I just thought the villain was overcome entirely too easily. I also thought Mina held on to the ‘I won’t marry Drew’ thing way too long. I also felt a little like I was left hanging with the information on Drew’s traumatic event. I would have liked to see the reason his father refused to pay – was it because he was a cold-hearted jerk or was there some mix-up, didn’t he love Drew. There was a vague reason given, but – I couldn’t understand why that would be the reason. Another thing is that I thought Mina was much too promiscuous for a young woman who had led such a sheltered life - even if she did overhear many crass things from her uncle's visitors.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read and hope you will as well.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 23, 2019
Finally !
I have read a book by Mrs Lenora Bell, as I say, too many talented authors and so few hours in a day. I probably might have an other book lost somewhere on my kindle shelves, but there nothing better for me than a new release to get an opportunity to read an author’s work. And I just loved this book.
It was a witty, clever, full of actions and wicked read, from the beginning I was entranced, impossible to put it why I finished it in a day.
Despite it being the third installment in a series, I never felt lost, after checking, the characters from the previous books are just some names quoted in the background plot of this one.
Now what about Mina and Drew, I just adored them. Whatever they told themselves they can’t be together, they can’t fall for the other because it is the total opposite of what they are looking for, they can’t stand to be apart, they need to be close, they are bonded by something larger than themselves, love.
They were shaped by their past, Mina / Miss Wilhelmina Penny is certain she must become a spy to continue the legacy of her mother. And sure, she has a knack to decipher coded messages and create weapons. And more, she wants to get her own choices, to be free to do as she wants with nobody to tell her she can’t or cage her in a golden goal. Why she sets in motion a course of action but everything was disrupted when a duke, The Duke she wants to avoid gets himself meddled in her scheme. Soon they are saddled together.
Andrew Bentley, Duke of Thorndon retreated from society some years ago but he is now back to London because of a threat on his sister. The kidnapping he suffered as a teenager of fifteen left lasting scars in his soul. Since he can’t stand to let his wall down, to relinquish power over him to another, why he refuses to get involved emotionally. And Mina is everything he is not looking for in a bride, she is solar, she attracts light and shines.
« “You could never melt into the shadows, Miss Penny. You’re a scene stealer. A wave maker. A hurricane. A thief of hearts.” »
So when they find themselves roped together, they work in unison, listening to the other, never letting one out of the plot.
Sure, they both have secret motives but they try to stay closer to the truth.
But slowly each will breach in the other’s heart and at a time, they will share what they kept hidden.
So, even when they were not so certain any more that once their mission will be over they will be able to get their separate ways, they stay together and fight hand in hand.
« He was the logical one, the cool-headed one, and she led with her emotions, but together they could solve any puzzle, any code. »
But their greatest challenge was not love, even when they denied themselves to recognize their sentiments for another for more than a deep attraction, they were in love. No, it was their fear to give power over themselves to another that bridled them to acknowledge their love and accept someone else’s.
« In that moment she discovered three very important things: (1) she didn’t like being shot at, because she preferred to be alive; (2) she didn’t want to shoot anyone else, because she didn’t want blood on her hands; and (3) she loved Drew. »
« “I love you, Mina Penny, because you unlocked me and discovered a hidden chamber in my heart. I can never go back to the darkness. And I will never stop loving you.” »
It was a beautifully witty fast paced tale about acceptance and surrender to something more grand, love. An amazing story about sharing another’s burden and supporting one’s dreams.
I was provided an advance copy by Edelweiss and the publisher HarperCollins, but I purchased my own copy. This is my unbiased and true opinion.
I have read a book by Mrs Lenora Bell, as I say, too many talented authors and so few hours in a day. I probably might have an other book lost somewhere on my kindle shelves, but there nothing better for me than a new release to get an opportunity to read an author’s work. And I just loved this book.
It was a witty, clever, full of actions and wicked read, from the beginning I was entranced, impossible to put it why I finished it in a day.
Despite it being the third installment in a series, I never felt lost, after checking, the characters from the previous books are just some names quoted in the background plot of this one.
Now what about Mina and Drew, I just adored them. Whatever they told themselves they can’t be together, they can’t fall for the other because it is the total opposite of what they are looking for, they can’t stand to be apart, they need to be close, they are bonded by something larger than themselves, love.
They were shaped by their past, Mina / Miss Wilhelmina Penny is certain she must become a spy to continue the legacy of her mother. And sure, she has a knack to decipher coded messages and create weapons. And more, she wants to get her own choices, to be free to do as she wants with nobody to tell her she can’t or cage her in a golden goal. Why she sets in motion a course of action but everything was disrupted when a duke, The Duke she wants to avoid gets himself meddled in her scheme. Soon they are saddled together.
Andrew Bentley, Duke of Thorndon retreated from society some years ago but he is now back to London because of a threat on his sister. The kidnapping he suffered as a teenager of fifteen left lasting scars in his soul. Since he can’t stand to let his wall down, to relinquish power over him to another, why he refuses to get involved emotionally. And Mina is everything he is not looking for in a bride, she is solar, she attracts light and shines.
« “You could never melt into the shadows, Miss Penny. You’re a scene stealer. A wave maker. A hurricane. A thief of hearts.” »
So when they find themselves roped together, they work in unison, listening to the other, never letting one out of the plot.
Sure, they both have secret motives but they try to stay closer to the truth.
But slowly each will breach in the other’s heart and at a time, they will share what they kept hidden.
So, even when they were not so certain any more that once their mission will be over they will be able to get their separate ways, they stay together and fight hand in hand.
« He was the logical one, the cool-headed one, and she led with her emotions, but together they could solve any puzzle, any code. »
But their greatest challenge was not love, even when they denied themselves to recognize their sentiments for another for more than a deep attraction, they were in love. No, it was their fear to give power over themselves to another that bridled them to acknowledge their love and accept someone else’s.
« In that moment she discovered three very important things: (1) she didn’t like being shot at, because she preferred to be alive; (2) she didn’t want to shoot anyone else, because she didn’t want blood on her hands; and (3) she loved Drew. »
« “I love you, Mina Penny, because you unlocked me and discovered a hidden chamber in my heart. I can never go back to the darkness. And I will never stop loving you.” »
It was a beautifully witty fast paced tale about acceptance and surrender to something more grand, love. An amazing story about sharing another’s burden and supporting one’s dreams.
I was provided an advance copy by Edelweiss and the publisher HarperCollins, but I purchased my own copy. This is my unbiased and true opinion.
August 18, 2019
4.5 stars rounded to 5.
I loved most of this story! I dove right in and found it just hilarious, sexy and fun right from the beginning. Mina has been sheltered her whole life by her uncle, but she desperately dreams of adventure like her spy parents. Drew suffers from his past and has retreated to his Cornwall estate to work with turnips and sheep. I was worried this book would be extremely action filled and spy centered (similar to the last book in the series) which really isn't my thing. But, I just loved it. It had enough action and plot to move the story along yet was still focused on the tension, feelings, and relationship building.
This story had so much humor and fun in the beginning. A book that can have me grinning like a fool while reading it, I just adore that. Their relationship was so sweet the way it developed. I really wanted them to be together. I felt like I got to know their characters and spent time in both their heads to know what they were feeling.
Lenora Bell writes heroines that really go after what they want. I like that they aren't your usual shaking virgin with no idea about their bodies. They are curious virgins that can't wait to explore. (Not that she writes only virgins, this book was though) Her scenes are detailed and steamy. Shes an author that is quickly becoming a favorite to try.
My only complaint comes at the end of the book. I just did NOT understand the whole delay to marriage thing. And the fact that Mina lets it go 2 weeks is just absurd to me. I loved Drew so much at this point that I felt like Mina lost major points with me for acting like that. Haha. But seriously enjoyed this book overall. It was a book that every time I had to stop I was thinking about getting back to it. So excited to put the kids to bed so I could continue reading. I highly recommend.
I loved most of this story! I dove right in and found it just hilarious, sexy and fun right from the beginning. Mina has been sheltered her whole life by her uncle, but she desperately dreams of adventure like her spy parents. Drew suffers from his past and has retreated to his Cornwall estate to work with turnips and sheep. I was worried this book would be extremely action filled and spy centered (similar to the last book in the series) which really isn't my thing. But, I just loved it. It had enough action and plot to move the story along yet was still focused on the tension, feelings, and relationship building.
This story had so much humor and fun in the beginning. A book that can have me grinning like a fool while reading it, I just adore that. Their relationship was so sweet the way it developed. I really wanted them to be together. I felt like I got to know their characters and spent time in both their heads to know what they were feeling.
Lenora Bell writes heroines that really go after what they want. I like that they aren't your usual shaking virgin with no idea about their bodies. They are curious virgins that can't wait to explore. (Not that she writes only virgins, this book was though) Her scenes are detailed and steamy. Shes an author that is quickly becoming a favorite to try.
My only complaint comes at the end of the book. I just did NOT understand the whole delay to marriage thing. And the fact that Mina lets it go 2 weeks is just absurd to me. I loved Drew so much at this point that I felt like Mina lost major points with me for acting like that. Haha. But seriously enjoyed this book overall. It was a book that every time I had to stop I was thinking about getting back to it. So excited to put the kids to bed so I could continue reading. I highly recommend.
July 28, 2019
1.5 stars. This was all desire and no romance for me. I didn't understand the motivations of either character (and felt they kept changing), didn't think the leads were a good fit, and thought the spy/thrilled backplot was silly and predictable. I'm bummed. I think Lenora Bell is not my cup of tea - there is too much telling instead of showing and she relies on the attraction element to a point where it becomes the sole focus of the plot.
January 4, 2020
RTC..
Shelved as 'dnf'
June 25, 2019Read 12 chapters
I've been a fan of Lenora Bell's, and I'll continue to be I have no doubt. However, sadly, One Fine Duke isn't working for me. It's trying for comedy, I believe, but it's missing the mark a bit, largely due to the hero's past trauma. Rather than being madcap and humorous, it's coming off as thoroughly ridiculous and implausible. I think this one will work for you if the voice and humor click, but they didn't for me.
I've been a fan of Lenora Bell's, and I'll continue to be I have no doubt. However, sadly, One Fine Duke isn't working for me. It's trying for comedy, I believe, but it's missing the mark a bit, largely due to the hero's past trauma. Rather than being madcap and humorous, it's coming off as thoroughly ridiculous and implausible. I think this one will work for you if the voice and humor click, but they didn't for me.
November 14, 2022
4.5 stars Mina and Drew.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2022
DNF at 30%
This is my second Lenora Bell book and I kept telling myself not to make the same mistake. But the premise of this book seemed interesting. I'm always in for Duke's falling in love besides themselves and chaotic heroines who disrupt their world. I should have stopped myself.
Three words: Just have sex.
Within two minutes of meeting all they want to do is have sex with each other. He undresses her with his eyes, she holds him at gunpoint and demands him to undresses. She sees him masturbating, he sees her undressing. WITHIN THE FIRST FEW CHAPTERS.
Look I'm all into the power of lust, but if I want to read 90% content about unfulfilled desires and sex, I'll read porn! You know I can, right?
If we try to look beyond the soft porn (which is extremely difficult) I found the characters very vapid and full of themselves. There was hint at a darker past for Drew and Mina was an orphan so definitely more conflict were to come. But, I couldn't have cared less.
Mina's whole character was so surreal that I constantly was felt wide-eyed with disbelief. Is she even from two centuries ago? I mean girls today have better common sense. I don't know if it's the fact that I am getting older. Maybe if I was 20, I could relate to her.... oh please!! My 12 year old cousin would make a better wannabe-spy than her! She is so blah. And Drew was a basically a horndog for the little of what I read. It was pathetic.
I mean, in EVERY book Dukes are attracted to ladies who insult them?? Don't you think the regency mammas would have figured this out? I refuse to believe that the society in general was dumb as hell back then. Even the simpering debutantes have character! They could be simpering and silent because of their own fears and restrictions. But, who knows about their inner dreams and talents? I hate it when the author assumes that only 'quirky' females can be attention-worthy and those who conform to rules are basic. That's stereotyping and a 'pick me' behaviour projected on paper. Grow up please.
It's a universal truth that many HR are not historically accurate, but at what cost? This book is garbage dressed in a ball gown. As you can see I am not at any loss with words to describe my utter disgust with this book. So, I shall not continue.
At the end all I want to tell Drew and Mina is: Just have sex and be done with it
This is my second Lenora Bell book and I kept telling myself not to make the same mistake. But the premise of this book seemed interesting. I'm always in for Duke's falling in love besides themselves and chaotic heroines who disrupt their world. I should have stopped myself.
Three words: Just have sex.
Within two minutes of meeting all they want to do is have sex with each other. He undresses her with his eyes, she holds him at gunpoint and demands him to undresses. She sees him masturbating, he sees her undressing. WITHIN THE FIRST FEW CHAPTERS.
Look I'm all into the power of lust, but if I want to read 90% content about unfulfilled desires and sex, I'll read porn! You know I can, right?
If we try to look beyond the soft porn (which is extremely difficult) I found the characters very vapid and full of themselves. There was hint at a darker past for Drew and Mina was an orphan so definitely more conflict were to come. But, I couldn't have cared less.
Mina's whole character was so surreal that I constantly was felt wide-eyed with disbelief. Is she even from two centuries ago? I mean girls today have better common sense. I don't know if it's the fact that I am getting older. Maybe if I was 20, I could relate to her.... oh please!! My 12 year old cousin would make a better wannabe-spy than her! She is so blah. And Drew was a basically a horndog for the little of what I read. It was pathetic.
I mean, in EVERY book Dukes are attracted to ladies who insult them?? Don't you think the regency mammas would have figured this out? I refuse to believe that the society in general was dumb as hell back then. Even the simpering debutantes have character! They could be simpering and silent because of their own fears and restrictions. But, who knows about their inner dreams and talents? I hate it when the author assumes that only 'quirky' females can be attention-worthy and those who conform to rules are basic. That's stereotyping and a 'pick me' behaviour projected on paper. Grow up please.
It's a universal truth that many HR are not historically accurate, but at what cost? This book is garbage dressed in a ball gown. As you can see I am not at any loss with words to describe my utter disgust with this book. So, I shall not continue.
At the end all I want to tell Drew and Mina is: Just have sex and be done with it
April 23, 2022
I've read *four* 4-star books by this author, but this one is horrible, lol. I should have just DNFed it, but I hate abandoning books once I've started. It was sincerely kind of painful though. It was just a barrage of preposterousness. My eyes were trying to roll out of my head in order to escape, lol. The heroine, introduced in the previous book, was a crack shot and inventor of spy gear, determined from girlhood to become a spy. That had a fair amount of potential! But her marksmanship and inventing practically weren't touched on again!!! So all we were left with was her determination to become a spy. Fine. But, we quickly learn that she's entirely unworldly, unconsciously talks out loud to herself about potential secrets, cannot lie worth a damn, all her emotions are written transparently across her face, abhors violence, etc. etc. Basically the most ill-suited person ever to consider espionage. The hero is given an attempt at a traumatic backstory, but it sadly just made him seem like a weakling. (backstory circumstances and response ->) They both cling to these doomed preconceived notions (and others) past the point that any sane person would. The events as well push the bounds of believability. I just kept thinking 'In what world would that ever be reasonable?!'. *sigh* It's like the author brain stormed book ideas, but then never questioned or edited any of those concepts, just included them all. I won't swear off future books by Bell, (there were those 4 that I quite enjoyed) but I will be warrier in the future, and if it starts to seem terrible, I'll jump ship.
November 3, 2019
I just got bored??? The description of this didn't super cool out to me, but I liked the first two, so I checked this out. And it did have moments where I was more interested, enough that I kept reading, but . . . by the end I was very very bored.
July 22, 2019
4.5 stars rounded up
Wilhelmina “Mina” Penny has been sheltered for most of her life, she went to live with her uncle Malcolm Penny, who is a spy master, after the death of her parents (who were also spies). She longs to become a spy, but her uncle is very protective and refuses to train her for the field. So ever resourceful, Mina comes up with a new plan – she will convince Lord Rafe Bentley to marry her, he is a disgraced spy, she will help him restore his standing with her uncle in exchange for marriage, because she believes they will work well together and become an unstoppable spying team, much like her parents were. Easy, she just has to find Rafe an present her proposal.
Andrew “Drew” Bentley, the Duke of Thorndon has come to London from the wilds of Cornwall after he receives a letter threatening to kidnap his sister Beatrice because of Rafe’s antics. Having been kidnapped himself years ago, Drew would do anything to save his sister from that fate – even return to London.
As Mina prepares for the ball where she plans to confront Rafe, her uncle gives her advice on finding a husband – he has compiled a list of men that he would approve of and has given her information on them – he calls it the “Duke Dossier” – his number one pick happens to be Rafe’s brother, Drew! She doesn’t want to marry a duke, she wants adventure and intrigue – she does not want to be buried away in the country like she has been for years. She will appease her uncle and speak to Drew – but there is no way she is going to marry him – no matter how attractive and interesting his is – Really, it is not going to happen!!
Drew dances with Mina at his mother’s request and is intrigued by her – she is not fawning over him, in fact she is bordering on disrespectful. She makes it clear that she is not interested and they part ways. Later when a drop of wax triggers a panic attack and sends Drew out into the gardener’s shed, they meet again – this time she doesn’t realize he is there and she is changing into something more seductive to catch Rafe’s eye – Drew is mesmerized by her, but finally recalls himself and lets her know he is there before she completely embarrasses herself. Their paths cross again when she breaks into Rafe’s house and is surprised to catch Drew in a very private moment and then is caught by him in the study. When Rafe come in to find them, he incapacitates Drew and manages to escape before Drew can learn what he is up to. Mina is torn between following Rafe and caring for Drew, she chooses Drew and when he wakes, they form a partnership to figure out what Rafe is up to and finding the blackmailer threatening Drew’s family.
This was a fast-paced, fun story with wonderful characters and a little bit of everything going on in the story; there is intrigue, steamy love scenes, spies, villains, blackmail, action, adventure and a sweet HEA. I loved how well Mina & Drew worked together and the slow yet steady progress in their relationship, I thought the chemistry and compatibility between them was very well done and really sucked me into their story and forced me to become invested in their HEA - I did knock a ½ star off my rating because I personally didn’t care for the ending, Mina’s actions that late in the story just felt like added drama for drama’s sake and irked me. But overall I thought this was a fantastic read and would happily recommend it! It is the third book in the series, but it can absolutely be read as a stand-alone with no problem.
Wilhelmina “Mina” Penny has been sheltered for most of her life, she went to live with her uncle Malcolm Penny, who is a spy master, after the death of her parents (who were also spies). She longs to become a spy, but her uncle is very protective and refuses to train her for the field. So ever resourceful, Mina comes up with a new plan – she will convince Lord Rafe Bentley to marry her, he is a disgraced spy, she will help him restore his standing with her uncle in exchange for marriage, because she believes they will work well together and become an unstoppable spying team, much like her parents were. Easy, she just has to find Rafe an present her proposal.
Andrew “Drew” Bentley, the Duke of Thorndon has come to London from the wilds of Cornwall after he receives a letter threatening to kidnap his sister Beatrice because of Rafe’s antics. Having been kidnapped himself years ago, Drew would do anything to save his sister from that fate – even return to London.
As Mina prepares for the ball where she plans to confront Rafe, her uncle gives her advice on finding a husband – he has compiled a list of men that he would approve of and has given her information on them – he calls it the “Duke Dossier” – his number one pick happens to be Rafe’s brother, Drew! She doesn’t want to marry a duke, she wants adventure and intrigue – she does not want to be buried away in the country like she has been for years. She will appease her uncle and speak to Drew – but there is no way she is going to marry him – no matter how attractive and interesting his is – Really, it is not going to happen!!
Drew dances with Mina at his mother’s request and is intrigued by her – she is not fawning over him, in fact she is bordering on disrespectful. She makes it clear that she is not interested and they part ways. Later when a drop of wax triggers a panic attack and sends Drew out into the gardener’s shed, they meet again – this time she doesn’t realize he is there and she is changing into something more seductive to catch Rafe’s eye – Drew is mesmerized by her, but finally recalls himself and lets her know he is there before she completely embarrasses herself. Their paths cross again when she breaks into Rafe’s house and is surprised to catch Drew in a very private moment and then is caught by him in the study. When Rafe come in to find them, he incapacitates Drew and manages to escape before Drew can learn what he is up to. Mina is torn between following Rafe and caring for Drew, she chooses Drew and when he wakes, they form a partnership to figure out what Rafe is up to and finding the blackmailer threatening Drew’s family.
This was a fast-paced, fun story with wonderful characters and a little bit of everything going on in the story; there is intrigue, steamy love scenes, spies, villains, blackmail, action, adventure and a sweet HEA. I loved how well Mina & Drew worked together and the slow yet steady progress in their relationship, I thought the chemistry and compatibility between them was very well done and really sucked me into their story and forced me to become invested in their HEA - I did knock a ½ star off my rating because I personally didn’t care for the ending, Mina’s actions that late in the story just felt like added drama for drama’s sake and irked me. But overall I thought this was a fantastic read and would happily recommend it! It is the third book in the series, but it can absolutely be read as a stand-alone with no problem.
July 31, 2019
When his father died, Andrew became the new Duke of Thorndon and did the exact opposite of his hell-raiser brother. He retired from London society to live an orderly life in Cornwall and rumors says he became a recluse. But when his brother's behavior cause serious problems, Andrew have to come back to deal with it.
Girls want to marry Duke. That's usually how it goes. Well not for Miss Mina Penny. She find them too arrogant, vain and controlling, and after living her life, trying to be the perfect polite and gentle lady she's not, to please her uncle and guardian, she dreams of adventures and freedom. That's why she wants to marry Rafe Bentley, the most wickedest rake; she thinks he could offer that to her. But there's only four suitors her uncle would approve for her and they're all dukes. One of them is Rafe's brother, the Duke of Thorndon. Mina is not worried; Thorndon would never choose a bold and fearless woman like her to marry and she could never fall for a cold man like him. But when the search for his brother bring them together, Andrew is immediately drawn by her and curious to know why she's trying to make herself less appealing for him and Mina soon realize that the duke might be more interesting and passionated than she thinks. And there's definitively sparks between the lady with a taste for danger and the man who wants a safe life.
"You taste like caramelized sin." He should end this now but he wanted more. Just one more taste of her lips.
"But you know that we can't keep doing things. Not without consequences."
"I'm not one to follow orders, Your Grace. But you see" -she flashed a rakish grin- "taking orders from you in bed is my new favorite thing."
This book might have a more burlesque feel than the others, but Andrew and Mina's unconventional encounters and her unusual pastime made for a great entertainment. The way he felt for her, utterly head over heels and how she made him feel alive was a beautiful thing to read about. The intimate moments were also very hot and not ones I'm used to in HR. If you want a dose of espionage in your Historical and looking for a fun and adorably sweet romance, One Fine Duke is the book you need.
Girls want to marry Duke. That's usually how it goes. Well not for Miss Mina Penny. She find them too arrogant, vain and controlling, and after living her life, trying to be the perfect polite and gentle lady she's not, to please her uncle and guardian, she dreams of adventures and freedom. That's why she wants to marry Rafe Bentley, the most wickedest rake; she thinks he could offer that to her. But there's only four suitors her uncle would approve for her and they're all dukes. One of them is Rafe's brother, the Duke of Thorndon. Mina is not worried; Thorndon would never choose a bold and fearless woman like her to marry and she could never fall for a cold man like him. But when the search for his brother bring them together, Andrew is immediately drawn by her and curious to know why she's trying to make herself less appealing for him and Mina soon realize that the duke might be more interesting and passionated than she thinks. And there's definitively sparks between the lady with a taste for danger and the man who wants a safe life.
"You taste like caramelized sin." He should end this now but he wanted more. Just one more taste of her lips.
"But you know that we can't keep doing things. Not without consequences."
"I'm not one to follow orders, Your Grace. But you see" -she flashed a rakish grin- "taking orders from you in bed is my new favorite thing."
This book might have a more burlesque feel than the others, but Andrew and Mina's unconventional encounters and her unusual pastime made for a great entertainment. The way he felt for her, utterly head over heels and how she made him feel alive was a beautiful thing to read about. The intimate moments were also very hot and not ones I'm used to in HR. If you want a dose of espionage in your Historical and looking for a fun and adorably sweet romance, One Fine Duke is the book you need.
June 5, 2021
THIS WAS AMAZING!!!
June 28, 2022
I have read Lenora Bell’s Wallflowers Vs. Rogues series and have had her older books on my tbr for years. So I finally jumped into One Fine Duke and was delighted to see some familiar faces!
Mina is a headstrong heroine which I loved to see! She’s a bit of a code breaker and even designs her own weaponry. A skilled markswoman, she has her firearm on her for a few scenes in the book. Raised in the countryside, Mina cannot wait to escape and wants danger, adventure, and just to take risks. She worked as her Uncle’s secretary and wants a marriage of convenient with one of his spies…since she think that’ll help her achieve her dreams of avenging her parents’ death and a life in espionage like them. But her Uncle wants Mina married to a Duke. She meets Andrew, Duke of Thorndon, who has been pretty reclusive. He was kidnapped and held captive for 10 days when he was just a teen boy and has PTSD because of those events. While he likes to just stay at his country estate in Cornwall, he needs a bride.
I really liked Drew and Mina’s first meeting. She tries desperately to prove to him that she’s anti-countryside so a relationship between them will not be possible. But instead he actually finds her rudeness somehow refreshing, he likes that she challenges him, and just finds her brave to insult him. I loved seeing Lady Beatrice in this, she is Drew’s sister and has her own book, Love is a Rogue, which takes place after this. Drew and Mina find themselves kind of thrown together to solve a mystery, so Mina does get the adventure she was seeking and gets to put some of her spy craft training to use. The steam in this book was really good! They even explore his brother’s erotic play-chamber (filled with some BDSM furniture and sex toys) that they happen upon while searching for secret passageways.
“Consume me Drew, I’m yours.”
Overall, I’d say this romance was just okay for me. There was a lot going on with the espionage storyline which those type of stories just aren’t my fav to read about.
“Life wasn’t a dream. But it came pretty damn close when she was in his arms.”
Mina is a headstrong heroine which I loved to see! She’s a bit of a code breaker and even designs her own weaponry. A skilled markswoman, she has her firearm on her for a few scenes in the book. Raised in the countryside, Mina cannot wait to escape and wants danger, adventure, and just to take risks. She worked as her Uncle’s secretary and wants a marriage of convenient with one of his spies…since she think that’ll help her achieve her dreams of avenging her parents’ death and a life in espionage like them. But her Uncle wants Mina married to a Duke. She meets Andrew, Duke of Thorndon, who has been pretty reclusive. He was kidnapped and held captive for 10 days when he was just a teen boy and has PTSD because of those events. While he likes to just stay at his country estate in Cornwall, he needs a bride.
I really liked Drew and Mina’s first meeting. She tries desperately to prove to him that she’s anti-countryside so a relationship between them will not be possible. But instead he actually finds her rudeness somehow refreshing, he likes that she challenges him, and just finds her brave to insult him. I loved seeing Lady Beatrice in this, she is Drew’s sister and has her own book, Love is a Rogue, which takes place after this. Drew and Mina find themselves kind of thrown together to solve a mystery, so Mina does get the adventure she was seeking and gets to put some of her spy craft training to use. The steam in this book was really good! They even explore his brother’s erotic play-chamber (filled with some BDSM furniture and sex toys) that they happen upon while searching for secret passageways.
“Consume me Drew, I’m yours.”
Overall, I’d say this romance was just okay for me. There was a lot going on with the espionage storyline which those type of stories just aren’t my fav to read about.
“Life wasn’t a dream. But it came pretty damn close when she was in his arms.”
August 28, 2019
One Fine Duke has everything you’re looking for in a summer read. A heroine who wants freedom and adventure, and a reformed rake looking for a sturdy country bride with an interest in crop rotation. Wait, what? Don’t worry, it totally works.
Lady Wilhemina “Mina” Penny is the niece and ward of one of Britain’s greatest spymasters, which is not as exciting as it sounds. Sure, her uncle lets her build inventions and modify weapons for his agents (think Q from Bond), but all from the safety of the country. This poor provincial lass is NOT content to be caged and coddled. When her Uncle finally allows her a London season, she puts her plan in place. Propose a marriage of convenience to Lord Rafe, one of her Uncle’s spies, and become a brilliant, sophisticated secret agent just like her late mother. Her only problem? Lord Rafe’s super hot Duke brother.
Drew has reluctantly left the boring predictability of his Cornwall estates to come to London and deal with a blackmail attempt against his dissolute younger brother Rafe. He is also in London (even more reluctantly) to finally choose a wife. Those heirs don’t beget themselves, now do they? Far from wanting a love match, he wants a wife of convenience that will give him heirs but stay far away from his frozen heart.
Drew and Mina want drastically opposite things, but they just can’t keep their hands/mouths/orgasms to themselves. As they draw closer and closer while on the hunt for Rafe’s blackmailer, they each have to figure out who they really are, and what they really want. It’s steamy, empowering, and the perfect beach read!
*I received an advanced copy of this title from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Lady Wilhemina “Mina” Penny is the niece and ward of one of Britain’s greatest spymasters, which is not as exciting as it sounds. Sure, her uncle lets her build inventions and modify weapons for his agents (think Q from Bond), but all from the safety of the country. This poor provincial lass is NOT content to be caged and coddled. When her Uncle finally allows her a London season, she puts her plan in place. Propose a marriage of convenience to Lord Rafe, one of her Uncle’s spies, and become a brilliant, sophisticated secret agent just like her late mother. Her only problem? Lord Rafe’s super hot Duke brother.
Drew has reluctantly left the boring predictability of his Cornwall estates to come to London and deal with a blackmail attempt against his dissolute younger brother Rafe. He is also in London (even more reluctantly) to finally choose a wife. Those heirs don’t beget themselves, now do they? Far from wanting a love match, he wants a wife of convenience that will give him heirs but stay far away from his frozen heart.
Drew and Mina want drastically opposite things, but they just can’t keep their hands/mouths/orgasms to themselves. As they draw closer and closer while on the hunt for Rafe’s blackmailer, they each have to figure out who they really are, and what they really want. It’s steamy, empowering, and the perfect beach read!
*I received an advanced copy of this title from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
July 23, 2019
Oh wow, this book really took me by storm and is so well deserving of huge 5 stars! We first start off with a man running for his life bare naked down the streets of London, it is no other than rake Rafe the brother to the Duke of Thorndon who happens to be coming by in his carriage. Seeing his brother he scrambles him inside and they get to his townhouse and Drew (Thorndon) inquired about a letter he received regarding their sister. Rafe, of course, gets upset and off he goes, not revealing anything to Drew, he only informs him that he’d best be prepared for the upcoming ball as their mother is on the marriage hunt and with Drew, back in town she’s going to be trying to find him a match. Drew has lived the past five years in the countryside attending to their decrepit estate and trying to revitalize and found through farming he has been able to put to rest some of his past, a past that is now coming back to him in full force with the threat in the letter. He does desire marriage but he wants a calm lady who is good with her hands and isn’t afraid of farming, he definitely does not want a whiny girl.
We next meet Whilemena or otherwise known as Miss Mina Penny at her Uncle’s townhouse where she’s being prepared for the season. She truly does not desire marriage except to only one person and that is for a very specific reason, to be a spy and live a life of danger and adventure. That particular person happens to be Rafe, the Duke of Thorndon’s rakish brother. She’s met him several times at her uncle’s country estate and knows of his ventures in antiquities and also know the underlying darkness of those ventures and that he’s truly a spy. Coming from generations of spies, she too desires the same. However, at the ball thrown by Thorndon’s mother, it isn’t Rafe she dances with and soon begins to be very attracted to, but the boorish and reclusive Duke of Thorndon. As the story continues so many amazing and quite humorous things occur between the pair and whilst Mina still tries to be with Rafe and see her dream fulfilled it is Thorndon that soon captures her heart! Will she continue her dream of being a spy and marry Rafe or will she allow her heart to open up to country boy Thorndon and be a simple, yet very happy country miss?
Truly a remarkable read and I really fell in love with Drew and Penny and felt the pain they both have suffered in their younger lives, especially Drew. Ms. Bell is truly a phenomenal storyteller, she grabs the reader from the first page and does not let go, with scene after scene we are more drawn into the lives of her amazing characters and I truly can’t wait to see more from this series ahead.
We next meet Whilemena or otherwise known as Miss Mina Penny at her Uncle’s townhouse where she’s being prepared for the season. She truly does not desire marriage except to only one person and that is for a very specific reason, to be a spy and live a life of danger and adventure. That particular person happens to be Rafe, the Duke of Thorndon’s rakish brother. She’s met him several times at her uncle’s country estate and knows of his ventures in antiquities and also know the underlying darkness of those ventures and that he’s truly a spy. Coming from generations of spies, she too desires the same. However, at the ball thrown by Thorndon’s mother, it isn’t Rafe she dances with and soon begins to be very attracted to, but the boorish and reclusive Duke of Thorndon. As the story continues so many amazing and quite humorous things occur between the pair and whilst Mina still tries to be with Rafe and see her dream fulfilled it is Thorndon that soon captures her heart! Will she continue her dream of being a spy and marry Rafe or will she allow her heart to open up to country boy Thorndon and be a simple, yet very happy country miss?
Truly a remarkable read and I really fell in love with Drew and Penny and felt the pain they both have suffered in their younger lives, especially Drew. Ms. Bell is truly a phenomenal storyteller, she grabs the reader from the first page and does not let go, with scene after scene we are more drawn into the lives of her amazing characters and I truly can’t wait to see more from this series ahead.
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September 26, 2019Lenora Bell’s School for Dukes series continues to be a wild, hilarious, and fun ride. I’ve loved the first two installments, and this week I eagerly dove into the third. Miss Mina Penny is determined to prove to her spymaster uncle that she can handle a dangerous life of adventure and espionage, but he’s determined to see her quietly married off to a duke instead. Luckily for Mina, Drew (the Duke of Thorndon), has a brother in trouble and he needs her expertise in code-cracking and weaponry more than he knows. Together they team up to save Drew’s brother, and along the way find love. It’s an engaging romp filled with all of the escapades Mina hoped to get out of her first (and last!) London season. Fans of the series will love Bell’s latest! –Kelly (excerpted from Bookish's Staff Reads)
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July 1, 2019Categories
Regency Romance, Romance, Historical Fiction
Miniseries
School for Dukes (Book #3)
Regency Romance, Romance, Historical Fiction
Miniseries
School for Dukes (Book #3)
July 12, 2019
I received an ARC of this book to read through Edelweiss+ in exchange for a fair review. One Fine Duke by Lenora Bell is the 3rd book in her The School for Dukes Trilogy. It can be read as a standalone but I very much enjoyed the first two books and recommend reading them all. After her parents died Mis Wilhelmina Penny (Mina) came under the care of her Uncle who devastated by the loss of her parents and his wife and daughter has been very overprotective and now that she has a chance to have a London season she is going to do her best to enjoy it to the utmost, so she is quite dismayed when her Uncle tells her she must marry and suggests that the Duke of Thorndale is the man for her. When She meets Andrew (Drew) Bentley, Duke of Thorndale (who is by the way one fine Duke … sigh) she does her best to repulse him and inadvertently peaks his interest instead. Spies and blackmail, revenge, a scandalous red dress and an even more scandalous mechanical chair make this funny and steamy story a delight to read. I enjoyed it very much. Medium Steam. Publishing Date July 23, 2019 #edelweissplus #OneFineDuke #LenoraBell #AvonRomance #HarperCollinsCanada #harpercollinspublishers #AvonBooks #HistoricalRomanceBooks #Bookstagram
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