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My Darling Duke

(Sinful Wallflowers #1)

Stacy Reid (Goodreads Author)

4.14 · Rating details · 2,970 ratings · 481 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, 377 pages

Published December 31st 2019 by Entangled: Amara

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Lists with This Book

How to Love a Duke in Ten Days by Kerrigan Byrne

Dalliances & Devotion by Felicia Grossman

2019 Historical Romance (July - December)

463 books — 218 voters

The Scoundrel in Her Bed by Lorraine Heath

2019 Historical Romance

193 books — 181 voters

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Average rating 4.14 ·

Rating details

· 2,970 ratings · 481 reviews

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Jan 04, 2020 MG *Bury Me with My Kindle.. & a REALLY Long Charger* rated it really liked it · review of another edition

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

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 25, 2019 Chris C - A Midlife Wife rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-romance, best-of-2019, adult-romance, entangled-publishing, romance, reviews, 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, th ...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 01, 2020 Stacy Reid rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

Shelves: 2020-reading-challenge, tortured-heroes, dukes, review-author, lovely-heroine, endearing-heroine, regency-romance, scotland, steamy, sweet-and-enjoyable

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 ...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.
...more

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Jan 04, 2020 Lyn❤Loves❤Listening #AUDIOBOOKADDICT rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mfr-historical, great-narrator-performance, friends-and-or-family-included, slow-paced, disability, love-the-writing, sweet-warm-hearted-heroine, struggled-to-finish, favorite-couple, audio

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. 🤷🏽‍♀️

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Feb 16, 2020 Somia rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

3.5 STARS

Miss Katherine (Kitty) Danvers is a heroine who decides to stop hiding who she is in order to conform to society's edicts, she has made the slightly crazy and daring decision to do what she needs to help her mother and sisters - a decision that if revealed would ruin her and her family. The Duke of Thornton, Alexander Masters, hurt and scarred, is ferociously whispered about by the Ton. He has spent a lonely decade or so only living for his younger sister, isolated at his estate. When h ...more

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

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

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 pulli ...more

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Jan 04, 2020 Alla rated it really liked it

Shelves: series, 2020, standalone, series-no-cliffhangers, 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 what´s in store for them. Looking forward to read more.

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Dec 20, 2020 Jacqueline♡ beautyliterate rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: slow-burn-romance, romances-i-adore, favorite-books-of-2020, historical-fiction-books, adult-books

4/5 stars

I've been wanting to get into more Historical Fiction romances and I am happy to say I really enjoyed this one!

The characters I loved getting to learn more about and drives you to continue on to see what happens next with them. Also my goodness can she write some romance! The characters chemistry was great and I just loved how they ended up being with one another. Stacy Reid is able to write in a way that allows readers a way of seeing the world as if they were there with the characters ...more

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

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

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 p 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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Dec 26, 2019 Lacey (laceybooklovers) rated it really liked it

Shelves: tbr-2019, fake-relationship, review-copy, adult, author-of-color, arc, retellings-fairy-tales, historical-romance

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! ...more

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

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

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 colu 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.

https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo... ...more

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Dec 04, 2019 Stacee rated it it was amazing

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

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 suppor ...more

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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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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 wom ...more

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Mar 29, 2020 Books Just 4 Me rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-romance

This was a new author for me and I’m so glad I found her! Katherine/Kitty goes to extreme measures to help secure her sisters’ futures and save her family from poverty. She decides to fake an engagement with Alexander, the Duke of Thornton. She wills herself to become a sinful wallflower and take advantage of the fact that the Duke has not been seen in seven years. Kitty is an amazing character, full of sass, willfulness and energy. She’s constantly breaking society norms for a woman. Alexander ...more

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Jan 18, 2021 Mariana rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fairy-tale, wallflower, spinster, scarred-hero

I enjoyed this very much. Beauty and the Beast retelling is one of my favorite tropes. Just the right amount of steam for me. I look forward to the next in the series.

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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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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. ...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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Aug 19, 2020 Smart Women Read Romance rated it really liked it

Shelves: beauty-and-the-beast-trope, favorites, historical-romance, broody-hero-romance, 2020-reads, wallflower-romance, fake-relationship, quirky-characters, virgin-heroine

You guys were totally right. I love Stacy Reid’s writing! This book was AMAZING. A beauty and the beast trope? You know it’s my weakness.

Kitty Danvers is taking a massive risk by openly claiming to be the fiancé of the reclusive Duke of Thornton. She’s desperate to save her family from poverty, so a little white lie to elevate her family’s status couldn’t hurt... until Alexander gets word that he apparently has a fiancé! Alexander is badly scarred but risks the public eye to meet the women who ...more

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Dec 10, 2020 Jenn (The Book Refuge) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

Great story!

So unique and sweet. Kind of a B&B retelling. Bold heroine, tortures and scarred hero.

Just delightful

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Dec 12, 2019 Maria rated it it was amazing

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

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 p ...more

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Apr 19, 2020 Victoria Vale rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Oh. My. God! I've read and enjoyed other books by Stacy Reid, but I think this might just be her best. This story was everything and I was thoroughly engrossed from beginning to end. This was such a unique premise, and I sympathized with and loved both the hero and heroine.
I love a wounded hero, and Alexander is probably the most damaged I've ever read, both physically and emotionally. I loved how Stacy was able to convey both vulnerability and strength in Alexander. AND she was able to paint a ...more

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

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

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 t ...more

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Jun 16, 2020 Kristin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, disability-rep, favorite

I devoured this book. Beauty and the Beast tropes are one of my favorites to begin with, but this one had such a range of deep emotions that there were times where that HEA felt very out of reach, and made it that much sweeter in the end. I loved the way this relationship developed, and there was very little outside conflict. It was really a story of them finding happiness with each other, and I found that refreshing. There are introductions to other characters I assume will be in future books, ...more

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Sep 14, 2020 Amy Malory rated it really liked it

Shelves: once_upon_a_romance

This book...GREAT read!I totally recommend it to be read! <3

I am gonna start with the things i didn't like .
1)It seemed the the last 50 pages were written in a rush and not the dedication that the rest of the book was handled.
2)It was not really into my taste all these "His love did this..." "Her duke did that..." aside that,which really a personal view,these phrases as well as words,were repeated,even throughout the same paragraph 3 or 4 times,which made the text seem written in a poorly manner This book...GREAT read!I totally recommend it to be read! <3

I am gonna start with the things i didn't like .
1)It seemed the the last 50 pages were written in a rush and not the dedication that the rest of the book was handled.
2)It was not really into my taste all these "His love did this..." "Her duke did that..." aside that,which really a personal view,these phrases as well as words,were repeated,even throughout the same paragraph 3 or 4 times,which made the text seem written in a poorly manner.A different use of words to descibe the same meaning would enrich the text and would not feel so tireting.
3)I get why both the heroes were in need of feeling something for another human being in general but I would still like the heroine's feelings to be explained in a different way.I felt in some parts that she just wanted to marry someone and "whatever this one will do"

These being said,the book was AMAZING!I loved that the author created a hero with a physichal disability and his whole struggle was so real.I could feel his pain throughout the book,poor tormented creature.His feelings were really well described.I was touched by his whole journey through life.I mean that alone took the whole book to a different level.Extremely well done job!

The storyline was very enganging as well but what I appreciated the most was that the book has been quite realistic towards the hero and his disability.It was not mentioned and forgotten.It was there and being handled in an authentic manner,he was even getting worse for overdoing it and crossing his limits which I found quite honest.LOVED IT!I like it when authors keep it like this and do not change the whole thing into something that never occurred.
His emotional development was also being handled very well and was consistent,regarding his situation of course,and well described.
To sum up I rate it with 4 stars and not 5 only because the author did such a great job and seeing her potential I know she could have managed those minnor details that turned me down a bit.
This was my first book from her and I am definetely going for more!!!

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

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

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 Duk 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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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.
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