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My Darling Duke

(Sinful Wallflowers #1)

Stacy Reid (Goodreads Author)

4.22 · Rating details · 695 ratings · 189 reviews

Miss Katherine Danvers is a desperate wallflower. Her family is on the brink of financial ruin, and it is up her to save her mother and sisters from a life of indignities. So she transforms herself into the incomparable Kitty Danvers, the fiancée of the enigmatic and reclusive Alexander Masters, Duke of Thornton—once dubbed the mad, bad, and dangerous catch of the Season.

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Mass Market Paperback, 352 pages

Published December 31st 2019 by Entangled: Amara

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Jan 04, 2020 MG rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: steamy, top-dollar, top-o-the-tbr, regency, historical, fave-author, romance, first-in-a-series, damaged-hero, beauty-and-the-beast-retelling

4.25 "couple goals" stars

Love me some Stacy Reid, so I paid the full price for this one when it came out because I couldn't wait for a sale after I read the blurb and saw some of the reviews!

This book is the first in a new series by one of my favorite HR authors (she always delivers my "musts" in books!), and it features a group of 5 women who have labeled themselves, "Sinful Wallflowers" -- the only problem is that none of them have ever done anything remotely sinful... but they are determined ...more

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Dec 14, 2019 Barbara Rogers rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: xx-2019-read, edelweiss, xx-2019-favorite-hist-romance

Series: Sinful Wallflowers #1
Publication Date: 12/31/19

I finished reading this book yesterday and it has been on my mind all day today. It is a wonderful book filled with wit, humor, and hope – so much hope. We have a truly traumatized and damaged hero and I absolutely loved how this author handled him, his injuries, his spirit, and his bleak outlook on his future. This could have been one of those dark, intense, angsty books that I hate, but it wasn’t that way at all. I’m not usually a huge fan Series: Sinful Wallflowers #1
Publication Date: 12/31/19

I finished reading this book yesterday and it has been on my mind all day today. It is a wonderful book filled with wit, humor, and hope – so much hope. We have a truly traumatized and damaged hero and I absolutely loved how this author handled him, his injuries, his spirit, and his bleak outlook on his future. This could have been one of those dark, intense, angsty books that I hate, but it wasn’t that way at all. I’m not usually a huge fan of the retelling of fairy tales, but this Beauty and the Beast retelling was almost magical. This is my first book by this author, but I can assure you I will give her books another try.

Katherine Danvers, her mother, and her sisters (Anna, Henrietta, and Judith) are in a very precarious situation. They are just one breath away from penury. When their father died without an heir, his title went to a relative – and that relative wasn’t in the least interested in providing for Kitty and her family. They had been living on their mother's small portion and that was almost gone. The hope was that Kitty would marry well and save them all, but in her fourth season, she hasn’t had any interest at all. She’s lovely, graceful and caring, but without a dowry and no connections, the men of the ton just aren’t smart enough to see her real value.

Kitty has come up with a plan to save her family even though it will mean ruination for herself. She’s thought long and hard about it. She’s done thorough research and has now chosen the perfect person – the very, very reclusive Duke of Thornton who hasn’t been seen in London in over seven years. How can he possibly get wind of what she is doing when he is so far north at McMullen Castle in Scotland? Her plan is simple, she’ll announce her engagement to the duke, provide a cover story for their courtship, and then do her best to see that her sister Anna makes an advantageous match. That will save the family and Kitty can then announce that her betrothal has ended and while that will ruin her, the rest of her family will be safe.

Alexander Masters, Duke of Thornton, may not have set foot in London in over seven years, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have family and friends there. When he gets a visit from his godmother asking about his betrothal, he’s intrigued and has his butler acquire copies of any and all scandal sheets that carry stories about him and his betrothed. As he reads those stories, he becomes more and more intrigued by that brave and intrepid lady who is brazen enough to claim a betrothal with him. He’s not angry (well, maybe a little) and isn’t looking for revenge (well, maybe a little) – he is just intrigued – and he sets off for London. He’s not sure what he’ll do when he gets there, but…

Since her betrothal announcement things have sort of gotten out of hand for Kitty. Those lies have taken on a life of their own and she doesn’t have any idea how to control them. Then, at a ball, the Duke of Thornton makes his way to her and demands that they have a ‘talk’. Oh! My! Then things snowball and Kitty doesn’t know what to do. Will he denounce her and thus ruin not only her but her entire family? When he makes a demand she can’t refuse, she really is at a loss. Add in servants who want a romance between them, a sister who wants the same – well – that romance is definitely on a rocky roller coaster.

I highly recommend this story and if it is indicative of the entire series – I can’t wait for the stories of the other wallflowers.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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Dec 25, 2019 Chris C - A Midlife Wife rated it it was amazing

Shelves: reviews, best-of-2019, entangled-publishing, romance, adult-romance, historical-romance, womens-historical-fiction

Oh so many tears! Simply amazing story.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have to tell you I got the major feels with this book. I found myself reading with tears rolling down my face several times. The author crafted a completely different story with a twist that simply captivated me. And the last part nearly broke my heart.

It’s not easy to catch the attention of a reviewer because we read so many stories. Sometimes it feels like I’m numb to emotion. However, when a author breaks through that tough exterior, ...more

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Jan 16, 2020 Stacey is Sassy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

My Darling...and very stubborn Duke

This was my first story by Stacy Reid and it will definitely not be my last. The characters were interesting, the storyline was original and I was emotionally invested in their courtship and the struggles they faced.

I absolutely loved that this author was not afraid to approach an issue that is rarely raised (wink, wink) in romance. A man sacrificing his own happiness because of his inability to give his love everything he thinks she deserves. By the end, even ...more

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Jan 04, 2020 Lyn rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audio, slooowww-romance, love-the-writing, struggled-to-finish, great-narration, friends-to-lovers, blahblahblah-get-2-the-point, hurt-comfort, sweet-warm-hearted-heroine, mfr-historical

Audio...3.5 stars
Story 3 stars

This was really a great and emotional story. I loved how sweet, loving and accepting the heroine was of the hero who was facially scarred and physically disabled. I can see why this book will most likely get high ratings. My one and only reason for 3 stars was the pacing. It was sloooowww. ...more

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Jan 01, 2020 Stacy Reid rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

Shelves: regency-romance, scotland, love-the-cover, endearing-heroine, sweet-and-enjoyable, unconventional-heroine, books-i-wrote, dukes, 2020-reading-challenge, wonderful-hero

I loved writing Kitty and Alexander's love story! I hope you enjoy their journey to HEA as much as I loved taking them there.

Love,
Stacy

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Dec 17, 2019 Naima Simone rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I received an ARC of My Darling Duke by Stacy Reid, the first book in the Sinful Wallflowers series. I don't often find myself throwing around words like enchanting and charming and delightful. But I'm about to throw all three around when it comes to My Darling Duke. Plus add a few more--romantic, witty, fun and passionate. Just a wonderful read that I so thoroughly enjoyed and love, as I have come to expect from Stacy Reid.

Kitty Danvers is a Sinful Wallflower, one of five friends who have seen ...more

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Jan 04, 2020 Alla rated it really liked it

Shelves: series, series-no-cliffhangers, standalone, 2020, historic

I loved this first book in the Sinful wallflowers series.
We get a little bit of an introduction to some of the other wallflowers and some idea as of whats in store for them. Looking forward to read more. ...more

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Dec 04, 2019 Stacee rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ily-so-lets-break-up, netgalley, hair-swoons, read-in-2019

This was a new to me author and I was in love with the cover and synopsis and beyond excited when my wish was granted by the publisher.

I love love loved Kitty and Alexander. They’re both smart, stubborn, good people in seemingly difficult situations. They’re so much alike, it was delightful reading them navigate this fake real relationship. Oh, and I could have choked on the chemistry between them. Alexander’s sister, Penny is charming, and even the household staff was impertinent and so ...more

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Dec 06, 2019 Carvanz rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: mild-angst, male-pov, part-of-series-but-stands-alone, celibate-hero, grumpy-hero, historical, safe, virgin-h, siblings

Oh my! With such a tormented, broken hero, it is no wonder I was completely captivated by every word in this book.

description

When Kitty is in desperate need to help her family she makes a wicked decision, sure that she is safe from her lie being discovered. At least by the man she has unknowingly pulled into her deception.

Alexander lives a lonely life. He has no hope for the future and lives with the memories of horror as his constant companion. But when he learns about Kitty and the con that she is ...more

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Dec 26, 2019 Lacey (Booklovers For Life) rated it really liked it

Shelves: tbr-2019, retellings-fairy-tales, arc, adult, historical-romance, review-copy

3.5-4 stars! I've been wanting to read a Stacy Reid book for a while, and I'm glad I got to this one! It's so different from the other historical romances, or romances in general, that I've read, and I liked that. It just lagged during the middle of the story and I wanted the romance to pick up a bit. But I really enjoyed Kitty, Alexander, and their Beauty & the Beast twist. I can't wait to read more from the Sinful Wallflowers series!

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Nov 24, 2019 Sarah rated it really liked it

This was the second beauty and the beast themed book I have read recently (not on purpose). I definitely found this to be the better of the two. This was a very sweet and sad book. The heroine, Kitty, pretends and engagement to a reclusive duke. Said duke, Alexander, is a recluse due to the scaring and injuries sustained saving his sister from a fire by jumping out of a window with her. Kitty makes Alexander feel again and they have a very sweet courtship but Alexander pushes her away because he ...more

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Jan 05, 2020 Aou rated it liked it

Shelves: virgin-h, as-booge-said-hero-needs-skilleting

Unfortunately, it is not as good as Mistress or hot but it's ok.

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Dec 19, 2019 Wendy'sThoughts rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Stacey Reid Fans, Romance

4 Allowing Love Stars
* * * * Spoiler Free
Whenever I read historical romances, I thank my lucky stars not to be born of those times. What women had to endure and how they were regarded takes this modern woman's breath away. In My Darling Duke (Sinful Wallflowers, #1) by Stacy Reid, all of the challenges women had to deal with and workaround are front and center along with the rules of society and the Ton.

Ms. Reid takes the Beauty and The Beast concept and gives it a good shake, mixes it with ...more

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Nov 29, 2019 Elodie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

My Darling Duke
Sinful Wallflowers Series #1
Stacy Reid
https://www.facebook.com/stacyreid/
Release date 12/31/2019
Publisher Entangled Amara

Blurb :

Miss Katherine Danvers has always been a wallflower. But now, with her family on the brink of financial ruin, she finds herself a desperate wallflower. To save her family, she'll do anything. Luckily, she has the perfect plan...
She’ll impress the ton by simply announcing she is engaged to the reclusive and mysterious Duke of Thornton, Alexander Masters, ...more

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Dec 12, 2019 Niki rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: slow-burn, steamy, damaged-hero, arc, hero-is-titled

Since her father's death the Honorable Miss Katherine Danvers has carried a great deal of responsibility. As the oldest and only daughter out in society she needs to make a good match so she can help her three younger sisters find their own comfortable matches and ensure stability for them and their mother. But Katherine has gone unnoticed as a wallflower and is growing increasingly desperate to save her family from genteel poverty. So she develops a shocking plan: Kitty writes to a scandal Since her father's death the Honorable Miss Katherine Danvers has carried a great deal of responsibility. As the oldest and only daughter out in society she needs to make a good match so she can help her three younger sisters find their own comfortable matches and ensure stability for them and their mother. But Katherine has gone unnoticed as a wallflower and is growing increasingly desperate to save her family from genteel poverty. So she develops a shocking plan: Kitty writes to a scandal column that she is betrothed to the ton's favorite recluse, Alexander Masters, the Duke of Thornton. Despite the fact that he eschews society, the duke is a very powerful man with many trying to curry his favor. Kitty will simply use this to her advantage until her sisters are safely wed and then call of the engagement before the duke even finds out, for surely he'd never read gossip columns.

The plan is a smashing success and soon Kitty is the belle of the ton, but of course things quickly spiral out of control. What begins as simply the use of the duke's name escalates to include lines of credit and a new townhouse, and Kitty remains the talk of the ton for much longer than she had anticipated, keeping everyone speculating about the mysterious duke.

Badly scarred and left walking with a cane or in a wheelchair much of the time, Alexander prefers to spend his time at his Scottish Castle with his books and artifacts from interesting foreign lands. He enjoys the company of his sister, Penny, but he does find himself increasingly lonely. When he learns of the daringly devious woman pretending to be his fiance, Alexander finds himself surprisingly more curious than angry and decides to venture to London to meet and confront Kitty. But when the duke proposes friendship between them, Kitty is shocked and it isn't long before she begins to want more from the mysterious and oh so lonely duke.

Alexander was one of the loneliest characters I've read in some time. He desperately wanted to cling to the connection he felt with Kitty, even if he didn't understand it, but he felt she deserved a whole, uninjured man so he pushed her away time and again. I loved Alexander as a broody, scarred hero. He was truly a good man and his pain was heart-wrenching. Kitty and her ridiculous audacity has to grow on me, but it soon became obvious that she and Alexander were perfect for each other and she was just what he needed. This was a very emotional book and I enjoyed it. My only complaint was the very slow pacing. Though it was appropriate for Kitty and Alexander's unconventional relationship it never really picked up, even after they'd confessed their feelings, which had my interest waning a bit. Nevertheless, this was a great read and I'm looking forward to more installments in this new series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ...more

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Dec 19, 2019 Vanessa (nessreads) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

If there is one thing to be true, it is that after reading My Darling Duke I wholeheartedly need to read more historical romances.

From the very beginning I was taken with Katherine 'Kitty' Danvers brazen nature. She knows what she wants and she goes full force to get it. She’ll do anything she can to help her mom and sisters even if it means she’ll be the one to suffer the consequences because of her daring con. Her mischievous ways had me giggling and also ecstatic at her take charge manner. I If there is one thing to be true, it is that after reading My Darling Duke I wholeheartedly need to read more historical romances.

From the very beginning I was taken with Katherine 'Kitty' Danvers brazen nature. She knows what she wants and she goes full force to get it. She’ll do anything she can to help her mom and sisters even if it means she’ll be the one to suffer the consequences because of her daring con. Her mischievous ways had me giggling and also ecstatic at her take charge manner. I just adored her to pieces.

Duke of Thornton, Alexander Masters had many layers. He’s a broody and scarred man who lives a lonely life and has no hope for the future. He lives with memories of horror and his pain was heartbreaking—which left me hurting fur him. He’s a recluse and keeps to himself. But that changes when he finds out about Kitty and of the con she’s made people believe. If anything it should anger Alexander, but it has left him more than a little intrigued.

I was so enthralled with Alexander and Kitty’s story. Their relationship is anything but conventional, but it works. Kitty has Alexander stepping out of the shadows and offers him the sweetest kind of hope that Alexander stopped believing in. And the crux of it all is that Alexander was truly a good man. It became obvious that Kitty and Alexander were perfect for each other and Kitty was exactly what he needed. I loved the friendship that was formed between Kitty and Alexander, and I especially loved them exploring their feelings for one another. I irrevocably love Kitty and Alexander’s story immensely.

My Darling Duke had me smitten from the very first page. I fell, and fell hard for Kitty and Alexander. I too adored Kitty’s friends, the women that made up the Wallflowers. The pieces I got of them has me that much more wanting their stories as well. My Darling Duke is an exceptional start to the Sinful Wallflowers series—just superb.

Definitely recommend

*Thank you Entangled Publishing for my ARC* ...more

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Dec 12, 2019 Maria rated it it was amazing

Shelves: paralysis-sci, historical-fiction, netgalley, limp-cane, scars, fav-intense

Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review
4.5 stars.
Full of tenderness and pain, often melodramatic, but Stacy Reid’s elegant prose makes the story in “My Darling Duke” (Entangled: Amara) heartbreaking and the reading journey very enjoyable.
An amazing, very lonely, wounded hero and a great, unconventional heroine.
There's great chemistry and honesty between our romantic couple.
Alexander is afflicted with so many issues – the epitome of the wounded hero – yet this “intensely ...more

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Dec 29, 2019 Kimberly rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: review, historical, romance, read-2019, covers-i-adore

Reviewed for Wit and Sin

Beauty and the Beast gets a fresh new retelling in the wonderful My Darling Duke . Stacy Reid has kicked off her Sinful Wallflowers series with a tale that’s both heartbreaking and heartwarming.

Kitty Danvers is desperate. At twenty-three, she is both unmarried and the head of a family with almost no money. With three younger sisters she wants to see happily settled, Kitty makes a bold move to capture society’s interest: she claims to be engaged to the reclusive Duke of Reviewed for Wit and Sin

Beauty and the Beast gets a fresh new retelling in the wonderful My Darling Duke . Stacy Reid has kicked off her Sinful Wallflowers series with a tale that’s both heartbreaking and heartwarming.

Kitty Danvers is desperate. At twenty-three, she is both unmarried and the head of a family with almost no money. With three younger sisters she wants to see happily settled, Kitty makes a bold move to capture society’s interest: she claims to be engaged to the reclusive Duke of Thornton. I loved Kitty’s spirit and determination. She’s got a good heart and is doing what she can for her family. Kitty is lively, unique, and a very easy to root for heroine.

Alexander Masters, Duke of Thornton, keeps his hand in politics but has otherwise withdrawn from society. He was horribly injured in a fire that also claimed the lives of his parents. I really liked that Ms. Reid didn’t simply wave off his devastating injuries, but rather shows the strength and determination Alexander has had to go through to be able to walk. He’s a man almost always in pain and is still healing, but much like the literary beast we all know and love, he’s locked himself away in his castle. When news reaches him that he’s supposedly engaged, he finds himself intrigued by the daring woman who is using his name. He’s even more captivated when he meets Kitty, and soon he strikes a deal with her that has Kitty in his clutches.

The romance between Kitty and Alexander is slow to burn and it works really well in this case, as Alexander and Kitty fall in love as they learn more and more about one another. They are both intelligent, stubborn, warm-hearted characters who fit one another like lock and key. But Alexander is determined never to marry because of the complications from his accident. However, the longer he and Kitty are around one another, the more she is determined to show them they can have the happiness he secretly longs for. Alexander was so lonely it broke my heart at times and I loved watching him come back to life around Kitty. As for Kitty, she’s got such spirit and inner strength it was impossible not to adore her. She deserves to find love with someone like Alexander, someone who wholly accepts her and sees how wonderful she is.

Whenever I pick up a Stacy Reid book I know I’m in for a good time and My Darling Duke is no exception. Ms. Reid perfectly balances the dark and the light, emotional turbulence with fun banter. I cannot wait to see what she has in store for Kitty’s fellow Sinful Wallflowers!

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ...more

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Dec 03, 2019 Lubnaa (Romance Library) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, friends-to-lovers, arc, fake-relationship, dirty-talk, forced-proximity, 2019, beauty-and-the-beast

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My Darling Duke by Stacy Reid is quite the unusual historical romance. And you're probably thinking, "What's unusual about another beauty and the beast story with a scarred hero?" Plenty, actually.

Miss Kitty Danvers decides to make up a lie to save her family from penury. The newspapers and gossip pages are constantly publishing unfounded stories about the reclusive Duke of Thornton. The Duke has never bothered to write back to I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My Darling Duke by Stacy Reid is quite the unusual historical romance. And you're probably thinking, "What's unusual about another beauty and the beast story with a scarred hero?" Plenty, actually.

Miss Kitty Danvers decides to make up a lie to save her family from penury. The newspapers and gossip pages are constantly publishing unfounded stories about the reclusive Duke of Thornton. The Duke has never bothered to write back to prove or disprove any of these claims. Kitty decides to take advantage of the latest gossip about the Duke snatching up a fiancee — she pens a letter to the media confirming that she is the betrothed of the elusive Duke. Right away, Kitty and her sister become belles of the ball and her sister finally has a chance of finding a husband. Kitty doesn't expect the Duke to respond to this lie, but imagine her shock when he actually returns to society and meets her for the first time in public.

It's been 10 years since Alexander survived a tragic event, which scarred a good portion of his body and has left him bound to a wheelchair. But with years of determination and effort, he is able to walk for 2-3 hours a day. When he finds out about Kitty's scheme, he is intrigued by her impudence and decides to meet her in person. He agrees to the fake betrothal for reasons of his own and ends up spending time with Kitty out of curiosity. He even summons her to his estate in Scotland, where they spend a lot of time together. Alexander is bound to discover all he can about the woman who has revived his interest in things that have laid dormant for 10 years.

My Darling Duke is a friends to lovers relationship and it's a little slow paced because the author takes her time to set up the story and its characters. It's also very angsty, emotional and a slow burn. The hero is very unusual in his characterization. He's unpredictable to say the least. I know we've all read multiple historical romances with scarred heroes who hide themselves away in their castles. But this one is different. It takes place after the beast has learned to accept his fate — for the most part. And this scarred hero is medically declared impotent due to his injuries. I've never actually read a romance novel with an impotent hero before, so this was a first for me. It was very interesting to read about how the hero deals with his impotency when he's finally falling in love with a woman he admires and desires. He's harsh at times, but in all honesty, I couldn't blame him because his harshness comes from a place of grief and hurt. I'm no medical expert, so I can't confirm the veracity of the depiction of impotency in this book. But I think the author did a great job showing us the complex emotions involved as the characters try to start a relationship, especially a physical one.

So yea, this one was different for me. If you have any more recommendations of books with impotent heroes, please let me know! ...more

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Jan 01, 2020 Cheryl rated it it was amazing

My Darling Duke 5*
Have you ever read a story when you just hoped that everything would work out for the couple involved? Well, this is how I felt when reading about Kitty and Alexander. They were two completely opposite but captivating characters. Kitty was just like a breath of fresh air as she entered into Alexander’s life. Alexander had suffered greatly and was still in a good amount of pain. This was dealt with in a sensitive way but also explained what Alexander went through on a daily ...more

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Dec 27, 2019 Tracy Emro rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley-reviews, edelweiss

3.5 stars, rounded up.

After three unsuccessful seasons, Katherine “Kitty” Danvers makes a bold and potentially scandalous decision, to save her family. Since she is not wed and has no prospects, she leaks a story to the scandal sheets – that she is betrothed to Alexander Masters, the reclusive and absent Duke of Thornton. Her logic is simple, the duke has been written about many times and yet, he never refutes the stories and he never comes to London. She thinks that pretending to be his fiancée 3.5 stars, rounded up.

After three unsuccessful seasons, Katherine “Kitty” Danvers makes a bold and potentially scandalous decision, to save her family. Since she is not wed and has no prospects, she leaks a story to the scandal sheets – that she is betrothed to Alexander Masters, the reclusive and absent Duke of Thornton. Her logic is simple, the duke has been written about many times and yet, he never refutes the stories and he never comes to London. She thinks that pretending to be his fiancée will elevate her socially, thus giving her sisters a chance to make good matches, she hopes that by the time the ton figures out her ruse, her sisters will be taken care of and she can just fade into the background. She knows that by following this course, she will be ruined and any hope of a happy marriage and a family of her own will be lost. But since her father died and left them almost penniless, she feels it is her duty to care for her mother and sisters, no matter the personal cost.
Kitty is amazed how easily the ton believes her story and when one of the duke’s solicitors visits and begin to toady to her, she thinks that she may actually pull this off! What she doesn’t know is that Alexander has been made aware of her scam and has decided to play along – for now.

Left seriously injured and badly scarred after the fire that killed his parents ten years ago, Alexander spent years slowly healing and when he tried to return to society, a humiliating incident sent him scurrying back to his castle in Scotland. So when he learns that he is betrothed to Kitty, he does the unthinkable – he goes to London to meet her.

Kitty is shocked when the duke shows up in a wheeled chair and demands an audience with her. She had no idea he was crippled and scarred, she brazens the meeting out and is surprised when Alexander seems willing to play along. The next time they meet, she is shocked again to learn that he can walk and when they dance, she feels a connection that she never dreamed possible, but when he rushes away after their dance, she is left wondering if she imagined the connection, unwilling to let him walk away, she follows and learns even more about her faux fiancé and agrees to a very improper demand by the duke to keep her secret safe.

What follows is a sweet “beauty and the beast” type story with some interesting twists. Personally, I liked the story and enjoyed the retelling, but for me, the story did become a little repetitious and dragged a bit in the middle until almost the end of the book, making it really easy to put down and a bit of a chore to finish. This is one of those rare books that I really liked the story, but felt that I would have liked it better as a novella. Katherine and Alexander are both likable, the chemistry between them is a living, breathing thing, most of the love scenes were subdued but potent, the story touches on issues not usually broached in romance novels and the author does an amazing job dealing with those issues, there are several set ups for future installments that add to the story without detracting from Kitty and Alexander, the secondary characters are wonderful and the ending brought a tear to my eye. Overall, I did like the book, I would recommend it and I am looking forward to reading the adventures of the other “Sinful Wallflowers”

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by the publisher.*
...more

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Jan 14, 2020 Carol | tilthelastpage rated it really liked it

Shelves: otp, 2020-reads, fake-relationship, 4-star-read, historical-fiction, swoon-worthy-hero, romance

This book is completely enticing, sexy, and heartening. I am in love with this story and the characters in it. Kitty and Alexander are the most well-matched couple I’ve encountered so far. I really enjoy their conversation, their intimate moments, and the dynamic between them as a couple. I’m going to be on the lookout for other books by this author, for sure.

Miss Katherine 'Kitty' Danvers hatched a wicked plan in order to save her family from misfortune. One that involved a certain reclused ...more

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Jan 07, 2020 Pam Bereznak rated it it was amazing

OMG. OMG. OMG. Stacy Reid. You know you are my favorite author. I read 370 books last year and about 1000 in 4 years and you have by far been one of my favorites. I always look forward to your new releases. I thought “The Scandalous Diary of Lily Layton” was my favorite of yours but after reading “My Darling Duke” I now have a new favorite. It was so damn good. If I could give it ten stars, I would. I absolutely loved Kitty and Alexander. Their story was so incredible. I couldn’t put it down. ...more

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Jan 17, 2020 BJ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: loved-it

Gorgeous story, that has some sad and painful moments mixed with a sweet and funny romance. The H was hurt badly 10 years ago, lives with constant pain and self imposed isolation. The h is poor, and forms a pact with her wallflower friends to take a chance to help her family. She sets out to deceive the ton, and he's caught up in her deceit. But when they meet, the most wonderful romance unfolds. It's sad, sweet and the HEA is amazing. Top of my best reads list for 2020 at the moment.

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Jan 07, 2020 Lindsay rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-romance, read-in-2020, audiobook, scrbd

Good story, did not like the narrator.

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Jan 03, 2020 Tracy DeNeal rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Kitty and Alexander

What a lovely story! Katharine Danvers craves a stable life for her mother and sisters. She is bold and bodacious enough to shed her wallflower exterior and perpetrate a wild hoax on society. Why not? Alexander Masters, Duke of Thornton is a notorious recluse. He hasn’t shown his face in society in 20 years. He would never know about her borrowing a bit of his consequence to make her sisters the toast of the ton.

This madcap story had me enthralled. I shed tears for ...more

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Dec 28, 2019 Sissy's Romance Book Review rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-netgalley, arc-edelweiss, series, 5-star, trt, 100-stars, 2019-read, first-book-in-a-series, entangledpublishing, 2020-read

My Darling Duke by Stacy Reid is book One in the Sinful Wallflowers Series. This is the story of Alexander Masters, Duke of Thornton and Katherine 'Kitty' Danvers.
Alexander was once in love or so he thought but the women he fell for called him a monster along with the town when he was scared and damaged from an accident. So Alexander left town and became a reclusive person, now several years later he gets wind of someone pretending to be his fiancée. Kitty family has been left destitute after ...more

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Nov 29, 2019 Ezza Syuhada rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Stacy Reid is one of my utmost favorite historical romance writer for a reason and this book by far is the best I have read from her.

Basically, I loved everything about this book and could not find any flaw that comes to mind. The plot of the book is reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast and quite honestly had Kitty did not explicitly say so in the book I would not have realized the similarity, I was quite daft to not see it.

Reading the plot unfold I was enraptured withe the blossoming friendship ...more

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Dec 17, 2019 Estela rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, favorite-series, favorite-author

Starring Honorable Iphigenia Katherine “Kitty” Danvers and Alexander Masters, Duke of Thornton. Wallflower... Beauty and the Beast... Fake betrothal (so fake that the prospective groom is surprised when he finds out he’s engaged).

Kitty Danvers is desperate. She’s a wallflower with no prospects. With her family being in dire situations, she must boldly execute a plan that allows society’s doors to open so that her sisters can find worthy husbands. So she goes to the tabloids and announces that Starring Honorable Iphigenia Katherine “Kitty” Danvers and Alexander Masters, Duke of Thornton. Wallflower... Beauty and the Beast... Fake betrothal (so fake that the prospective groom is surprised when he finds out he’s engaged).

Kitty Danvers is desperate. She’s a wallflower with no prospects. With her family being in dire situations, she must boldly execute a plan that allows society’s doors to open so that her sisters can find worthy husbands. So she goes to the tabloids and announces that she’s betrothed to Alexander, a Duke that no one has seen in years. Her actions are so over the top flamboyant that everyone is taking notice... including the duke himself.

Alexander has been hiding from society for 10 years, but not without reason. A fire has left him scarred, constantly in pain, and he’s mostly confined to his bath chair (which I had to google and went down a fabulous history rabbit hole... I love It when an author compels me to do research). But after reading of Kitty’s exploits in the papers, he becomes extremely curious about the woman who would attach herself to his name.... what are her motives? So he leaves his safe haven in Scotland and re-enters society to find out more about his “fiancé”.

Omigosh was so anxious for the first few chapters!! I wanted the pages to fly by to their first confrontation. I was biting my nails the whole time. And their first meeting did not disappoint!! Alexander agrees to keep up with this charade if Kitty agrees to spend 2 weeks with him in Scotland... Unchaperoned. Without the watchful eyes of the Ton, these two starts to get to know each other.

Kitty is such a wonderful heroine. She’s vibrant and full of life... and Alexander just wants to bask in her sunshine. Alexander is the delicious moody and broody hero. Even though Kitty makes him happy and makes him wish for the impossible, he knows that their time together as an expiration date. “For who could ever learn to love a beast?” Sorry, I had to go there!!

I don’t even know what chapter it started, but once I hit it, I was bawling... sobbing... gut wrenching tears until the end!! I have gone beyond Ugly Crying AF!! Kitty and Alexander are L💜VE!! People have tackled the Beauty and the Beast theme (which is my absolute favorite trope)... but Stacy Reid has totally made it your own. I knew that Kitty and Alexander were going to have an HEA, but she gave them an obstacle that I never read in a book. And I was like, HOW?!?! And then I was clapping like mad at her brilliance!! SOOOOO GOOOOOOOD!! Great start to the series and I’m looking forward to reading about the rest of the SINFUL WALLFLOWERS!!

Stacy Reid is one of my “All Time Fave Authors” and she is firmly on my keeper shelf!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily reviewed it and the comments are 100% my own.

My star system:
5 stars: Ugly cried AF... major book hangover... characters were amazing... made me wanna hug the author for writing a book that gave me all the feels!! Will be re-reading this story over and over and over again!!
...more

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About Stacy Reid

Stacy Reid

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I am an unapologetic romance lover. I read it. I write it. Enough said. Well..I also have a warrior way "Never give up on my dreams." I spend a copious amount of time drooling over Rick Grimes from Walking Dead, watching Japanese anime and playing video games with my love, Dusean.