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Heart's Temptation #6
Darling Duke
An untamable hellion
Lady Boadicea Harrington is a scandal waiting to happen. She's too outspoken, too opinionated, and far too much of a flirt to ever land a good match. But that doesn't concern her. The last of her sisters on the marriage mart, she isn't about to settle down. In fact, she doesn't plan to marry at all. If only she could tone down her wild streak and force herself to behave...
A rigidly proper man
The Duke of Bainbridge is one of the most powerful men in England, so frigid that it's rumored his own wife committed suicide to escape him. When Spencer learns his madcap younger brother is pursuing the unsuitable Lady Boadicea, he's determined to put an end to their ill-advised flirtation. But his best intentions go awry when he discovers his own baffling inability to resist her.
Ice meets fire
Spencer never meant to so thoroughly compromise her that he's duty-bound to wed her. Bo certainly never intended to enjoy being in his arms or to find him so wickedly tempting. Can her passionate fire prove enough to melt his icy heart, or are they forever doomed to a cold marriage of convenience?
Lady Boadicea Harrington is a scandal waiting to happen. She's too outspoken, too opinionated, and far too much of a flirt to ever land a good match. But that doesn't concern her. The last of her sisters on the marriage mart, she isn't about to settle down. In fact, she doesn't plan to marry at all. If only she could tone down her wild streak and force herself to behave...
A rigidly proper man
The Duke of Bainbridge is one of the most powerful men in England, so frigid that it's rumored his own wife committed suicide to escape him. When Spencer learns his madcap younger brother is pursuing the unsuitable Lady Boadicea, he's determined to put an end to their ill-advised flirtation. But his best intentions go awry when he discovers his own baffling inability to resist her.
Ice meets fire
Spencer never meant to so thoroughly compromise her that he's duty-bound to wed her. Bo certainly never intended to enjoy being in his arms or to find him so wickedly tempting. Can her passionate fire prove enough to melt his icy heart, or are they forever doomed to a cold marriage of convenience?
313 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 20, 2018
1799 people are currently reading
561 people want to read
About the author
Scarlett Scott
121 books1,563 followersUSA TODAY bestselling author Scarlett Scott writes steamy Victorian and Regency historical romances with strong, intelligent heroines and sexy alpha heroes. She lives in Pennsylvania and Maryland with her Canadian husband, their adorable identical twins, a demanding diva dog, and one zany cat.
For Scarlett's latest releases, exclusive excerpts, contests and more, visit her website, http://www.scarlettscottauthor.com
For Scarlett's latest releases, exclusive excerpts, contests and more, visit her website, http://www.scarlettscottauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
July 20, 2018
Sexy characters with fantastic steamy chemistry.
A passionate enemies to lovers romance.
A non rakish and decent hero !
A feisty, hellion, smart mouthed and independent minded heroine.
A marriage of convenience that leads to love.
The above are just some of the reasons why I enjoyed this novel so much. It's set in the Victorian era and begins in 1884. What grabbed me immediately about this story was the fact that it caught my attention from the very first line and kept up with the hot and steamy momentum. The very first paragraph was intriguing:
OF ALL THE CHITS IN ENGLAND his nonsensical brother could have gone lovesick over, Lady Boadicea Harrington was, indisputably, the most unsuitable. Spencer had never been more certain of it than the moment he caught her in his library with a bawdy book in her hand.
Scarlett Scott. Darling Duke (Heart's Temptation Book 6) (Kindle Locations 62-64). Scarlett Scott. Kindle Edition.
Lady Boadicea ( hereafter referred to as Bo ) is the heroine who aggravates and enraptures the H simultaneously. Bo comes from an eccentric family that's known for being a little bit scandalous but they're still accepted by the Ton because her father's a wealthy Earl. The heroine is very unconventional because she's not the passive and modest type of Victorian young lady. She believes in the Women's Suffrage Movement, loves to wear sexy gowns that enhance her figure, steals bawdy/smutty, banned books from her older brother's bedroom because she wants to know what sex is all about and nobody is willing to tell her. She also speaks her mind but she's not rude or vulgar or mean to anyone. Above all things, she doesn't act like a timid shy debutante when in the company of men. She likes to flirt but she doesn't allow men to touch her or take liberties. I think she was a woman who was ahead of her time and she can't stand the H because she thinks he's judgemental, stuffy and boring. She's never met him before because he doesn't spend time in London. It's only when she arrives at his mother's house party that she meets him for the first time. On her very first day, she hides in the library to read a bawdy sex novel ( the publisher of which has been imprisoned for daring to print such lewd stuff during the Victorian era. Lol. ) and the H walks in on her. He doesn't like her because she's too opinionated and overtly sexy and because his younger brother Harry is obsessed with her.
The H is Spencer, the Duke of Bainbridge and he's a 32 yr old widower who has been celibate ever since his wife killed herself a few years ago. Spencer is a very tortured and troubled H but he is dignified and proud; he doesn't allow his troubles and depression to make him into a manwhore ( unlike the conventional type of alpha male heroes ). He's a sexy, handsome and virile duke who hadn't been in love with his late wife Millicent but had only married her in his early 20's because his father had felt she was suitable. It had been a marriage born out of duty but he had grown to care for her but their marriage deteriorated soon after she gave birth to a stillborn baby boy. Millicent fell into a deep depression and started to experience periods of mania that soon turned to insanity. The H did all in his power ( based on the current medical expertise at the time ) to help her but she continued to spiral into a dangerous manic insanity. She was hospitalized a few times but as soon as she was released, she would begin to show signs of her mental illness again. She started to blame the H for her baby's death and began to sleep around with lots of men ( including servants ). The H knew she wasn't in her right mind because she kept acting like a crazy person and she stopped taking care of her hygiene and her physical appearance. Spencer hated being made into a cuckold but he was still faithful to his wedding vows even though he knew the marriage was over. It takes a strong man to be so sensitive ! Anyway, Millicent ended up shooting herself in the head right in front of the H. After her death, he was led to believe ( by her doctors ) that it was the pregnancy and the stillborn baby that had changed her from a demure and faithful loving wife into an emotionally unstable and dangerous woman. Spencer then decided to never remarry and confined himself to his rural estate. He decided that his younger brother would be his heir.
This is the H, Spencer:
This is the heroine, Boadicea:
The celibate H is blown away when he gets up close to the heroine in the library. He's not been tempted to touch a woman in years and yet he finds himself tempted by this impertinent but beautiful hoyden:
But he wouldn’t think of the gown now. Nor her perfectly shaped mouth with the tiny beauty mark offset to the right like a planet in orbit around a blazing sun. And he most certainly would not contemplate the sudden snug fit of his trousers as the scent of her, jasmine and lily of the valley, hit him with the force of a blow to the gut. Dear God. He could not possibly be aroused by such a creature. No. He was not.
Scarlett Scott. Darling Duke (Heart's Temptation Book 6) (Kindle Locations 72-75). Scarlett Scott. Kindle Edition.
This novel was HOT ! Bo was also shocked at the way her senses were responding to this annoying and rude man. She might have been a bit of a flirt but she'd never felt this kind of chemistry in her life before and she suddenly understood exactly what all the sex scenes in her secret bawdy novels were all about. The dialogue between these MC's was great ! They insulted each other but it was done in a witty manner and the sexual tension was always like a time bomb just waiting to detonate. They end up having an erotic make out session right there in the library and were unfortunate to be discovered, in the act, by the H's mother and her gossipy friend. The dowager is appalled because she doesn't want her precious first born to marry a feisty hellion like Bo but her gossipy best friend refuses to shut her big mouth. This forces the MC's in a marriage of convenience that neither one wants but each is forced to accept because the alternative would be scandalous to both families. I felt sorry for the H's brother Harry because he's madly in love with Bo, even though she thinks of him as only a good friend. The dowager duchess acts like a vindictive bitch on super evil pills. She makes snide comments about the heroine's family background and ensures that each course on the wedding menu has fish. She did this because the heroine is unable to eat fish. What kind of a person does mad shit like that to a bride on her wedding day ?
They end up having a hot, sex filled honeymoon but the H continues to practise the "pull out" or withdrawal method each time they make love because he doesn't want to risk conceiving a child again. This is where the first crack in their relationship appears. They both fall in love with each other but he's afraid of embracing his marital happiness because of his past trauma with his late wife. He starts to alienate himself from her after they return from their honeymoon and his mother's bitchy nastiness makes the heroine pack up and go to London to stay with her best friend Clara. It's only when Bo leaves him that Spencer finally breaks down and confesses his true feelings to his brother:
“I love her so bloody much I ache with it. She is all I can think about, all I want, everything I need.” Once he uttered it aloud, he felt as if a great weight had been lifted from his chest.
“Then go to her,” Harry advised quietly. “Tell her. She needs to know. You both deserve to be happy.”
Scarlett Scott. Darling Duke (Heart's Temptation Book 6) (Kindle Locations 4009-4012). Scarlett Scott. Kindle Edition.
I liked this a lot because there was lots of hot sexy scenes, MC's who were faithful to each other, no OW or OM drama and some minor storylines ( Millicent's post partum mental illness and the heroine's interest in the Women's Suffrage Movement ) that were interesting. In the epilogue, the H is shown in the nursery, with the MC's infant daughter and the pregnant heroine has just arrived home from a women's suffrage meeting:
“Your mama has finally returned from her speech, little princess,” Spencer murmured. “She is determined that you will have the right to vote when you are old enough.”
Scarlett Scott. Darling Duke (Heart's Temptation Book 6) (Kindle Location 4288-4289). Scarlett Scott. Kindle Edition.
I liked both characters in this novel but I have a special extra fondness for the H, in spite of the few assholish things he did and said to Bo. It's because of the dignified manner in which he dealt with his late wife's illness and the fact that he didn't spiral out into a manwhore after her suicide. And, he also let go of his fears about having kids and became a better parent than this smart little dog ! Lol.
OK, so I needed to insert a cute doggy gif in here somewhere....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2020
Very enjoyable read.
Staid stuffy Duke who when his icy heart is melted...wow!!!
Outspoken,outrageous,sparkling,and independent heroine who enjoys "smutty" books,she is the heat that melts the icy Duke!
Amazing sex scenes ,and just the right amount of angst that was caused by the mad deceased wife of said Duke.
Lovely epilogue!
Staid stuffy Duke who when his icy heart is melted...wow!!!
Outspoken,outrageous,sparkling,and independent heroine who enjoys "smutty" books,she is the heat that melts the icy Duke!
Amazing sex scenes ,and just the right amount of angst that was caused by the mad deceased wife of said Duke.
Lovely epilogue!
November 6, 2021
This took forever to read.
Instead of being swept up in their romance, I just wanted to finish the book and read something with more soul.
It's like a romance formula done with style but also repetition and very little introspection. The characters could have been interesting, but nothing happens and they don't fill the void with character building.
The entire second half of the story is filled with sex. The first half is everyone just spinning their wheels.
I wanted there to be more to hash out with his brother, who loved Bo first, but it's all just swept away in a brief conversation. And how was his family so ignorant of his first wife, Millicent's visit to an asylum? It bugged me that the author would leave such gaping holes in an already threadbare plot.
I wanted there to be more interesting interactions with his mother, but she remained a charicature.
I thought it might have played better if Millicent's demise was more of a mystery, but you get told all about her pretty early on.
It was just tedious. Like the author took the easy road every time.
The ingredients were there for an interesting but simple story, and the writing was good, but the story remained dull. I felt like the author wasn't really interested in her characters.
Safety is fine
Meh
I think her early books with the cheating husbands and ridiculous OWs were more entertaining...
Instead of being swept up in their romance, I just wanted to finish the book and read something with more soul.
It's like a romance formula done with style but also repetition and very little introspection. The characters could have been interesting, but nothing happens and they don't fill the void with character building.
The entire second half of the story is filled with sex. The first half is everyone just spinning their wheels.
I wanted there to be more to hash out with his brother, who loved Bo first, but it's all just swept away in a brief conversation. And how was his family so ignorant of his first wife, Millicent's visit to an asylum? It bugged me that the author would leave such gaping holes in an already threadbare plot.
I wanted there to be more interesting interactions with his mother, but she remained a charicature.
I thought it might have played better if Millicent's demise was more of a mystery, but you get told all about her pretty early on.
It was just tedious. Like the author took the easy road every time.
The ingredients were there for an interesting but simple story, and the writing was good, but the story remained dull. I felt like the author wasn't really interested in her characters.
Safety is fine
Meh
I think her early books with the cheating husbands and ridiculous OWs were more entertaining...
August 11, 2020
Lady Boadicea's forwardness and prurient curiousity is bound to lead her into trouble one day. Trouble came in the formidable form of the Duke of Bainbridge. He is stern and rigid to her vivacity and impulsiveness. She can't help but provoke his ire. She also provokes him in other ways. They meet in an explosive kiss and a fair bit more except they suddenly find themselves not quite alone. Compromised and forced to wed reluctantly, they have nothing in common except for their undeniable sexual attraction. Is it enough for a happy marriage? Well, it is definitely enough to fill half the pages of this book, as they enthusiastically proceed to act out as many Kama Sutra positions as possible. There's some fun bantering in there, but overall, I got bored by all the sex. For a bold and outspoken girl, Bo was surprisingly ineffective and docile as a duchess, allowing her mean-spirited mother-in-law to chase her out of her marital home with fishy dishes and her sharp tongue. Spencer too was whiny and self-pitying towards the end rather than taking decisive action.
She surprised him by a touch, butterfly-light and fleeting, on his jaw. Just a flutter of her fingers and then gone. But bloody hell, he felt it like a brand. This girl made too free with his person.
Her corset was too bloody tight, her mother-in-law detested her, her new brother-in-law continued to send her lovelorn glances when he thought no one else watched, her husband still seemingly disapproved of her, and she was famished with nothing but thirteen courses of fish to eat.
She surprised him by a touch, butterfly-light and fleeting, on his jaw. Just a flutter of her fingers and then gone. But bloody hell, he felt it like a brand. This girl made too free with his person.
Her corset was too bloody tight, her mother-in-law detested her, her new brother-in-law continued to send her lovelorn glances when he thought no one else watched, her husband still seemingly disapproved of her, and she was famished with nothing but thirteen courses of fish to eat.
September 24, 2020
This is a book I had read 7 chapters a few months ago and paused and I don't even remember why. But after reading one of Scarlett Scott books I decided to finish this one. It was nice, but I felt like it was a copy and paste kind of book. The nuances were all the same in both books. I will read a novella from her to see if all her books are basically the same with just different couples and backgrounds... nevertheless it was nice.
June 4, 2019
3.5 Pleasantly Surprised Stars
I found myself happily absorbed by the banter and sexual tension between Spencer, the Duke Bainbridge and Lady Boadicea (aka. Lady Bo) Harrington. Initially the Duke’s cold demeanour and apparent disdain for Lady Bo was a mite off putting, and had me thinking ‘oh no’, luckily the initial misgivings I had were replaced with a delighted smile and amusement as I watched the two clash and sizzle.
The Duke may think she is an inappropriate hoyden, far too outspoken and bold, and Lady Bo may see him as icily reserved, staid and proper - but one kiss changes everything, and even as they clash the passion between the two bursts, refusing to be leashed.
Lady Bo was a rocking historical heroine, I loved her fire, wit and resolve. She may not be a conventional Lady (for the time in which she resides), but she’s all the more charming for it.
I did wish a little that there had been some sort of pivotal scene with the Duke’s mother, , but oh well. Also, there were little moments where I wasn’t keen on some of the dialogue and this isn’t a historical romance novel that focuses on worldbuilding, but still it was a fun/easy romp, one that I will be re-reading sooner or later.
I found myself happily absorbed by the banter and sexual tension between Spencer, the Duke Bainbridge and Lady Boadicea (aka. Lady Bo) Harrington. Initially the Duke’s cold demeanour and apparent disdain for Lady Bo was a mite off putting, and had me thinking ‘oh no’, luckily the initial misgivings I had were replaced with a delighted smile and amusement as I watched the two clash and sizzle.
The Duke may think she is an inappropriate hoyden, far too outspoken and bold, and Lady Bo may see him as icily reserved, staid and proper - but one kiss changes everything, and even as they clash the passion between the two bursts, refusing to be leashed.
Lady Bo was a rocking historical heroine, I loved her fire, wit and resolve. She may not be a conventional Lady (for the time in which she resides), but she’s all the more charming for it.
I did wish a little that there had been some sort of pivotal scene with the Duke’s mother, , but oh well. Also, there were little moments where I wasn’t keen on some of the dialogue and this isn’t a historical romance novel that focuses on worldbuilding, but still it was a fun/easy romp, one that I will be re-reading sooner or later.
October 21, 2023
I was underwhelmed and wished that more had been done with the characters and plot. It pretty much moved from one love scene to the next. Took me awhile to getting around to writing a review and I find I don’t remember much about this one, which says a lot in and of itself.
February 22, 2020
More erotica than romance but the angst at the end was satisfying enough to give 3,5 stars.
February 8, 2021
Enjoyably steamy regency romance that I wished was a little bit longer. The first half of the book is a delectable rinse and repeat of Spencer and Bo finding themselves alone together, Spencer calling Bo a tart, and Bo rising to the challenge. Spencer would be contemptuous about Bo's reading tastes or conversation, but Bo knew he wasn't. She would have confident clapbacks to him but would also simply purr right back to him. Bo was a refreshing heroine and when she tells Spencer to "oh, do shut up" before she promptly kisses him in the first opening pages, it cements the pace of the novel.
Spencer is what I call the "Proper Duke" in that he fits the ducal brand of aloof leadership where he acts with the knowledge that he is representing his title and ancestral lineage. Meanwhile, Bo is the heroine who is not contained or prim - "perfect" - but herself, meaning that she will speak up, even if it's not conventional or expected of her.
One of the sexiest things I found about their dynamic was Spencer's pet name of Bo, "princess." Idk but it made me like Spencer because it showed he could be a flirt, that he could be familiar with Bo to create a deeper intimacy, and not be as aloof as he appears to the outside world.
And when they were on their honeymoon and Bo realized she could fall in love with Spencer, seeing him smile and laugh with her as they enjoyed their horseback ride?? So good.
Because another thing that makes me automatically squee, besides pet names, is when sad heroes crack a smile. I live for that moment in any romance novel featuring a frozen hero where he naturally smiles or laughs, and the heroine is like, um I love you??
The only thing was that I wished there was a bit more of a side plotline to wrap up or either a bigger separation before they have their HEA because it felt like things were resolved quite easily:
Spencer is what I call the "Proper Duke" in that he fits the ducal brand of aloof leadership where he acts with the knowledge that he is representing his title and ancestral lineage. Meanwhile, Bo is the heroine who is not contained or prim - "perfect" - but herself, meaning that she will speak up, even if it's not conventional or expected of her.
One of the sexiest things I found about their dynamic was Spencer's pet name of Bo, "princess." Idk but it made me like Spencer because it showed he could be a flirt, that he could be familiar with Bo to create a deeper intimacy, and not be as aloof as he appears to the outside world.
And when they were on their honeymoon and Bo realized she could fall in love with Spencer, seeing him smile and laugh with her as they enjoyed their horseback ride?? So good.
Because another thing that makes me automatically squee, besides pet names, is when sad heroes crack a smile. I live for that moment in any romance novel featuring a frozen hero where he naturally smiles or laughs, and the heroine is like, um I love you??
The only thing was that I wished there was a bit more of a side plotline to wrap up or either a bigger separation before they have their HEA because it felt like things were resolved quite easily:
October 22, 2018
Loved this book.
Another review lost on my Kindle even though I saved it. So frustrating. I am not going to rewrite it because it was too long but believe me This book is a keeper. The sex scenes were not and romantic. Lady Bo is one of the best heroines ever. This was such a great book. I hope the writer continues with her faithful heroes so I can continue to read her. This book was just amazing. A debutante reading a bawdy book in a library with steamy results. The Hero is amazing also except around The 80% Mark and he just was an a$$! Perfect ending and epilogue though and it is going on my favorite shelf. It will be a re-read for sure. Such a great story. Very different too.
Another review lost on my Kindle even though I saved it. So frustrating. I am not going to rewrite it because it was too long but believe me This book is a keeper. The sex scenes were not and romantic. Lady Bo is one of the best heroines ever. This was such a great book. I hope the writer continues with her faithful heroes so I can continue to read her. This book was just amazing. A debutante reading a bawdy book in a library with steamy results. The Hero is amazing also except around The 80% Mark and he just was an a$$! Perfect ending and epilogue though and it is going on my favorite shelf. It will be a re-read for sure. Such a great story. Very different too.
August 25, 2023
I've always loved this book, and I think I always will. Spencer's experience is a gut punch.
October 19, 2021
Ok I finished the book, and ended up enjoying the last bit of it. I really don’t enjoy books where the hero and heroine are fighting nonstop and then having passionate hate sex. It’s for some people but it’s not for me. This author apparently enjoys asshole heroes who are redeemed, but imo this guy needed to grovel a little harder. I really liked the last 30% of the book - just wish I felt that way sooner. Loved Bo, she’s definitely someone I like, but I stand by my initial opinions. Don’t read this if you’re genuinely interested in feminism. This hero is very traditional, very throw over the shoulder type. I don’t like it when books masquerade as progressive when the hero behaves a type of way. Also the smut definitely made me bump it to four stars- I like it when books have a lot of sex cause there’s none of that in my personal life 😂😂😂
Update just need to add an extra thought- why are ultra feminist heroines always paired with horrible, asshole males that want to control their entire lives?? Like what the fuck is that about? This isn’t the first book I’ve read with this trope and it’s honestly disgusting. It’s like the author genuinely believes women need to go back to the time where we’re supposed to accept and have patience for men who are controlling, abusive pieces of shit. What is the point of making the heroine a suffragette when the hero speaks to her like she’s dirt??? And everytime she says something that may offend him or trigger him she gets all apologetic . Like miss girl you don’t owe him a single apology.
So I’m 25% through and I dislike the hero. He’s so hypocritical, and as forward and outspoken the heroine is, she’s yet to call him out for it. He calls her a hussy and a tart and says she’s improper yet he’s very attracted to her and it takes two to tangle, AND he read her smutty book .
I can’t stand hypocrites, and I think if he doesn’t wake the fuck up and stop this childish behavior within the next 25% of the book I’m gonna dnf. Enemies to lovers is good when the characters have working brains. He’s currently a piece of shit, so this isn’t working out for me
Update just need to add an extra thought- why are ultra feminist heroines always paired with horrible, asshole males that want to control their entire lives?? Like what the fuck is that about? This isn’t the first book I’ve read with this trope and it’s honestly disgusting. It’s like the author genuinely believes women need to go back to the time where we’re supposed to accept and have patience for men who are controlling, abusive pieces of shit. What is the point of making the heroine a suffragette when the hero speaks to her like she’s dirt??? And everytime she says something that may offend him or trigger him she gets all apologetic . Like miss girl you don’t owe him a single apology.
So I’m 25% through and I dislike the hero. He’s so hypocritical, and as forward and outspoken the heroine is, she’s yet to call him out for it. He calls her a hussy and a tart and says she’s improper yet he’s very attracted to her and it takes two to tangle, AND he read her smutty book .
I can’t stand hypocrites, and I think if he doesn’t wake the fuck up and stop this childish behavior within the next 25% of the book I’m gonna dnf. Enemies to lovers is good when the characters have working brains. He’s currently a piece of shit, so this isn’t working out for me
June 15, 2020
WOW SCORCHING HOT!! GREAT ROMANCE!!
I love stories that tell how a couple falls in love against all odds. I like to see them work together to overcome there problems and Darling Duke gave me that. I like that the herione Boadicea Harrington was young just 20. She was very intelligent and very passionate in her marriage bed.
Spencer Marlow the Duke of Bainbridge, previous wife committed suicide after there son was born dead. She went insane. As we know now some women go into deep depression after child birth. She shots herself in the head right in from of Spencer. This changes is life. He can't get the sight of Millicent putting the gun to her head and killing herself.
Spencer and Boadicea are caught in a compromising poisition in his library. They are forced to wed. They can't keep there hands off each other so they wed withing two weeks.
This is a pretty erotic romantic love story. It is very well written. I liked both H/H. I wasn't sure at first about Spencer. He cursed to much. But when you realize all he has suffered you begin to understand his anguish. He turns around quickly. They both get there HEA
Great Face Paced Read!! Now I have to go back an read them in order of the series. I thought this was a stand alone.
I love stories that tell how a couple falls in love against all odds. I like to see them work together to overcome there problems and Darling Duke gave me that. I like that the herione Boadicea Harrington was young just 20. She was very intelligent and very passionate in her marriage bed.
Spencer Marlow the Duke of Bainbridge, previous wife committed suicide after there son was born dead. She went insane. As we know now some women go into deep depression after child birth. She shots herself in the head right in from of Spencer. This changes is life. He can't get the sight of Millicent putting the gun to her head and killing herself.
Spencer and Boadicea are caught in a compromising poisition in his library. They are forced to wed. They can't keep there hands off each other so they wed withing two weeks.
This is a pretty erotic romantic love story. It is very well written. I liked both H/H. I wasn't sure at first about Spencer. He cursed to much. But when you realize all he has suffered you begin to understand his anguish. He turns around quickly. They both get there HEA
Great Face Paced Read!! Now I have to go back an read them in order of the series. I thought this was a stand alone.
September 24, 2023
4 stars
This is how you write predictable tropes and keep your readers hooked - feisty female who melted whenever the hero came near but didn’t become a walkover; broken hero with dead wife who wasn’t the only woman he could ever love, and constantly saying so; side characters from a previous story that stayed in the background, where they belonged; hints as to future stories that remained to be developed in their own books; requisite mean girls/women whose antics were dropped in to enhance the story and not become the main focus; jealous, possessive, H/H without being stalker.
Solid entertaining read and added to my again list.
This is how you write predictable tropes and keep your readers hooked - feisty female who melted whenever the hero came near but didn’t become a walkover; broken hero with dead wife who wasn’t the only woman he could ever love, and constantly saying so; side characters from a previous story that stayed in the background, where they belonged; hints as to future stories that remained to be developed in their own books; requisite mean girls/women whose antics were dropped in to enhance the story and not become the main focus; jealous, possessive, H/H without being stalker.
Solid entertaining read and added to my again list.
June 30, 2018
4.5
Another solid effort! This book started fast, then twisted and turned. RTC.......
Another solid effort! This book started fast, then twisted and turned. RTC.......
July 16, 2018
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋💋
From the first word I loved this book , the intoxicating banter between the two main characters is wonderful especially when we first meet them , and they each other, in the library.
Their relationship is explosive and so spellbinding it’s addictive reading.
These two surely can’t come out of this as a normal , loving couple .
Or can they ?
I recommend this book , it’s sexy and loving with so much need from both parties , throw in a rushed marriage and a brother of the groom in love with the bride,) and you have one of the most funny , but beautiful books you could wish to read .
Very well written and loved every page .
I received an advance copy of this book and chose to submit a review
August 1, 2018
Bold and outrageous heroine!
A heroine who is bold and outspoken, a lot unconventional (she steals bawdy, outlawed books (erotica) from her brother's stash to read), and speaks her mind even though what's on her mind isn't always conventional. She is pretty much an open book. I really liked her spunkiness. Our Hero, on the other hand, has withdrawn from society. He has built a wall of ice around himself and is seen as cold and unfeeling. He had a traumatic experience in his past that is revealed in bits and pieces throughout the story. It is inevitable that they clash at their first meeting. He despises her boldness yet he is drawn to the fire in her.
The interactions between these two are entertaining, sometimes funny and always firey! It is fast paced and our hero and heroine move from anger to passion in the blink of an eye and it is so well written that it's believable. There is a lot of "he is so handsome" and "she is so beautiful" which I normally don't care for (usually iterated in third person), but in this case it is only our hero and heroine talking or thinking about each other and since they are both fighting an extreme attraction to the other, it stands to reason that one would find the other attractive. There is more sex in this book than would normally be found in a historical but considering our lady's penchant for bawdy books it kind of fits. It was really an enjoyable read. If you like your historicals with a bit of bite to it i highly recommend this one!
A heroine who is bold and outspoken, a lot unconventional (she steals bawdy, outlawed books (erotica) from her brother's stash to read), and speaks her mind even though what's on her mind isn't always conventional. She is pretty much an open book. I really liked her spunkiness. Our Hero, on the other hand, has withdrawn from society. He has built a wall of ice around himself and is seen as cold and unfeeling. He had a traumatic experience in his past that is revealed in bits and pieces throughout the story. It is inevitable that they clash at their first meeting. He despises her boldness yet he is drawn to the fire in her.
The interactions between these two are entertaining, sometimes funny and always firey! It is fast paced and our hero and heroine move from anger to passion in the blink of an eye and it is so well written that it's believable. There is a lot of "he is so handsome" and "she is so beautiful" which I normally don't care for (usually iterated in third person), but in this case it is only our hero and heroine talking or thinking about each other and since they are both fighting an extreme attraction to the other, it stands to reason that one would find the other attractive. There is more sex in this book than would normally be found in a historical but considering our lady's penchant for bawdy books it kind of fits. It was really an enjoyable read. If you like your historicals with a bit of bite to it i highly recommend this one!
July 5, 2018
I liked the character of Lady Boadicea, she wasn’t at all conventional for a lady of that era. She was forthright, bold and passionate . But she was exactly the right match for Spencer, Duke of Bainbridge. I did feel for Spencer with all the trials of his past, not to mention his shrew of a mother. This was an engrossing read as Spencer struggling with his emotions. I would love to see his brother Harry have his story as well as Lady Alexandra! I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 16, 2020
THIS HAD EVERYTHING I USUALLY ENJOY IN A HISTORICAL ROMANCE. IN OTHER WORDS, IT WAS CLICHE, BUT I STILL ENJOYED IT NONETHELESS. ALTHOUGH I GUESS I WASN'T FEELING IT MUCH TO WARRANT IT A 4 STARS.
SPENCER is haunted by the ghost of his past - his dead wife and stillborn child, resulting in him becoming a shell, a man who retreats into himself and treats everyone coldly. No, he never loved his wife. It was a marriage of convenience but losing his family broke something in him. 3 years of abstinence later and he meets the wild, unfettered Bo who pushes all his buttons wrong yet they are intensely attracted to each other. Spencer and Bo's pairing was a classic. You'll find NO wrong with it because they are the epitome of total opposites attract. Spencer's stubborn for sure. I liked the pacing of how they fell in love, how they gave gifts with each other in mind. It showed that they cared and thought about each other often.
BO is a daring, unparalleled beauty who lives voraciously without a heed for rules. Which explains how she's found by Spencer in his library during the house party with her reading a smutty book. I have to point out there were some usage of modern culture in the story that didn't quite sit right with me, but I can overlook it since it didn't detract from the setting all too much. The attraction and passion was heavy in this one, I think it's the heaviest I have read from Scarlett Scott - NOT that I'm complaining. Bo's not a meek character and she has backbone enough to pursue what she wants. She's willing to help Spencer overcome his Demons, and she definitely wants to give their marriage a chance after they've been forced to wed.
OVERALL what saved the story from being 'death by passion' were the little moments where the author showed us that BO and Spencer wasn't just about sex. If there weren't those little presents, the bawdy book and the horse riding sessions, I would have DNF this book right away. Insta-love isn't up my alley, and this one was cutting it close.
SPENCER is haunted by the ghost of his past - his dead wife and stillborn child, resulting in him becoming a shell, a man who retreats into himself and treats everyone coldly. No, he never loved his wife. It was a marriage of convenience but losing his family broke something in him. 3 years of abstinence later and he meets the wild, unfettered Bo who pushes all his buttons wrong yet they are intensely attracted to each other. Spencer and Bo's pairing was a classic. You'll find NO wrong with it because they are the epitome of total opposites attract. Spencer's stubborn for sure. I liked the pacing of how they fell in love, how they gave gifts with each other in mind. It showed that they cared and thought about each other often.
BO is a daring, unparalleled beauty who lives voraciously without a heed for rules. Which explains how she's found by Spencer in his library during the house party with her reading a smutty book. I have to point out there were some usage of modern culture in the story that didn't quite sit right with me, but I can overlook it since it didn't detract from the setting all too much. The attraction and passion was heavy in this one, I think it's the heaviest I have read from Scarlett Scott - NOT that I'm complaining. Bo's not a meek character and she has backbone enough to pursue what she wants. She's willing to help Spencer overcome his Demons, and she definitely wants to give their marriage a chance after they've been forced to wed.
OVERALL what saved the story from being 'death by passion' were the little moments where the author showed us that BO and Spencer wasn't just about sex. If there weren't those little presents, the bawdy book and the horse riding sessions, I would have DNF this book right away. Insta-love isn't up my alley, and this one was cutting it close.
July 7, 2018
Darling Duke by Scarlett Scott is book Six in the Heart's Temptation series. This is the story of Lady Boadicea Harrington and Spencer, The Duke of Bainbridge. I have read the previous book (and loved it!) but feel this can be a standalone book if you choose to do so.
Bo really lets nothing much old her back from speaking her mind or doing what she wants to do...and has been really good at staying on line between creating a scandal. But when Spencer confronted her about seeing his brother Henry then going on about her 'reading materials'. Then he turned and tried to 'blackmail' her into leaving his brother alone and he would give the book back. But she ended up doing him one better by trying to take the book.
But needless to say things lead them to be caught which is now leads to what neither of them wanted.
This book hooked you in from the start! We have were opposites attract with the stiff Duke who is rumored to have killed his wife and the out spoken and emotional heroine.
Another great read by Ms. Scott! Loved it!
Bo really lets nothing much old her back from speaking her mind or doing what she wants to do...and has been really good at staying on line between creating a scandal. But when Spencer confronted her about seeing his brother Henry then going on about her 'reading materials'. Then he turned and tried to 'blackmail' her into leaving his brother alone and he would give the book back. But she ended up doing him one better by trying to take the book.
But needless to say things lead them to be caught which is now leads to what neither of them wanted.
This book hooked you in from the start! We have were opposites attract with the stiff Duke who is rumored to have killed his wife and the out spoken and emotional heroine.
Another great read by Ms. Scott! Loved it!
August 3, 2018
From the very first page, I was pulled into this story. Seriously, there were so many passages I bookmarked on my kindle app that I might as well have done the entire book! Such emotion that pulls at the heart and the back and forth between the hero and heroine held me captive to what would happen next. Lady Boadicea Harrington is not your typical debutante. She is not afraid to speak her mind and really has no censure on her thoughts. At a house party with her sister and brother in law, she comes in contact with Spencer, the Duke of Bainbridge and this is were the story begins. Spencer is truly an emotionally wounded soul that appears cannot be healed.
"The Duke of Bainbridge didn't grace a room with his presence. He owned it with his dark, smoldering elegance". That describes him perfectly and Bo was the perfect foil of light to his darkness.
I really cannot say enough about this book. I could not put it down once I started and I am still thinking about it since the last page was turned. Filled with angst, humor and an exciting romance, this story enforces what I love about historical romance..
"The Duke of Bainbridge didn't grace a room with his presence. He owned it with his dark, smoldering elegance". That describes him perfectly and Bo was the perfect foil of light to his darkness.
I really cannot say enough about this book. I could not put it down once I started and I am still thinking about it since the last page was turned. Filled with angst, humor and an exciting romance, this story enforces what I love about historical romance..
December 17, 2018
Autant la novella dans le recueil de Noël m’avait plus autant j’ai détesté le roman. Tout était là... le héros durement touché par le décès de sa précédente épouse (lié à une dépression postpartum non traitée) ,l’ héroïne fière forte et indépendante et un scandale dès le début... Le problème est que tout n’est qu’effleuré au bénéfice de scènes de sexe sans fin... Les sentiments se confondent avec le désir ... et l’héroïne fière, forte et indépendante est une dinde insupportable qui confond indépendance et caprice... bref ... ce n’est pas avec ça que je vais me relancer dans la lecture historique...
June 4, 2021
3.5 stars
It is a great book but I wasn't in the mood for such a book at the moment so it took me far too long to finish it as I lost interest in reading multiple times.
The story starts quite well but then it becomes very predictable as much of it is all about the couple's desire for each other which results in copious amount of coitus while they refuse to form any meaningful connection between them. There wasn't enough uniqueness to the scenes or characters to make me feel engaged or attached to them . So this isn't something I enjoyed reading much. Nor am I in a position to recommend it.
It is a great book but I wasn't in the mood for such a book at the moment so it took me far too long to finish it as I lost interest in reading multiple times.
The story starts quite well but then it becomes very predictable as much of it is all about the couple's desire for each other which results in copious amount of coitus while they refuse to form any meaningful connection between them. There wasn't enough uniqueness to the scenes or characters to make me feel engaged or attached to them . So this isn't something I enjoyed reading much. Nor am I in a position to recommend it.
January 10, 2024
Wow. The sexual tension between the two characters are sizzling
Yep. From the moment Lady Bo met Spencer, there was sparks and magnetic lust between them. It bloomed into an all-consuming love but, sadly, Spencer's past tried to suppress it. But I'm so glad that they finally got the HEA they deserved, especially Spencer. He needed the sex—I mean love, above anything else.
Love these two.
Yep. From the moment Lady Bo met Spencer, there was sparks and magnetic lust between them. It bloomed into an all-consuming love but, sadly, Spencer's past tried to suppress it. But I'm so glad that they finally got the HEA they deserved, especially Spencer. He needed the sex—I mean love, above anything else.
Love these two.
October 6, 2019
Great storyline. Excellent throughout! 5☆
April 27, 2025
75% spice 25% plot
August 14, 2018
Despite being the sixth installment in the series, it is not necessary to have read the previous installments to enjoy this one. Though they will certainly want to after reading it!
Bo is a lovable strong heroine with no interest in marrying while Spencer is a stuffy duke with no intention of getting involved with a woman such as her. The chemistry is immediate and fiery, making their interactions both amusing and delightful to read. Their chemistry and romance came naturally, making for a love to become invested in.
The story is deeper than two souls forced upon each other, however. There is depth to the characters as well as secrets waiting to be uncovered, and, though not original, the story was still interesting.
Overall, Darling Duke is lovely read.
Bo is a lovable strong heroine with no interest in marrying while Spencer is a stuffy duke with no intention of getting involved with a woman such as her. The chemistry is immediate and fiery, making their interactions both amusing and delightful to read. Their chemistry and romance came naturally, making for a love to become invested in.
The story is deeper than two souls forced upon each other, however. There is depth to the characters as well as secrets waiting to be uncovered, and, though not original, the story was still interesting.
Overall, Darling Duke is lovely read.
August 7, 2018
I enjoyed the story of a fiercely independent and quirky young woman, Lady Boadicea, and Lord Spencer, a rather stuffy Duke. The two inadvertently meet at a house party thrown by Spencer’s mother, when ‘Bo’ sneaks into the library of the home to read a rather naughty little book. Spencer is put out by Bo being in his space, but even more so by the thought that his younger brother is enthralled with the unacceptable young woman.
These two characters clash almost immediately in a war of words, but they are drawn to each other like nothing either has experienced in their pasts.
It’s that flame that draws them into an unexpected situation resulting in their eventual nuptials. It’s humorous, and hot! After things begin to settle we find there’s more to the story. Spencer has reasons for his stiff demeanor which he has shared with no one. Bo wants nothing as much as having Spencer reveal himself to her, but will he, or will their marriage be nothing more than a convenience?
Interesting story with plenty of heat, colorful characters, and a satisfying hea. I do think it would be fun to read Lord Harry’s story as well.
These two characters clash almost immediately in a war of words, but they are drawn to each other like nothing either has experienced in their pasts.
It’s that flame that draws them into an unexpected situation resulting in their eventual nuptials. It’s humorous, and hot! After things begin to settle we find there’s more to the story. Spencer has reasons for his stiff demeanor which he has shared with no one. Bo wants nothing as much as having Spencer reveal himself to her, but will he, or will their marriage be nothing more than a convenience?
Interesting story with plenty of heat, colorful characters, and a satisfying hea. I do think it would be fun to read Lord Harry’s story as well.
August 8, 2018
There's more steamy scenes than my usual historical read! However, it's a wonderfully wicked narrative featuring a rigid duke and an unconventionally passionate lady. This book is made fabulous by the characters of Spencer and Boadicea. Their banter is sexy and hilarious. Intense coupling and poignant scenes of love, despair and desolation. They rightfully deserve their happy-ever-after.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. This is my honest review.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. This is my honest review.
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