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Wicked Temptations for the Seduced Duchess

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Because ultimately, love is stronger than any feud known to man...

Rebellious and willful, Lydia Bradford grows up listening to her father, Duke of Greenwick, recite stories about their feud with the Summerhills. When a striking young man suddenly lands on their doorstep, she is immediately enticed.

An obscure aggressor is out for his blood and Edward Godwin is running for his life. Waking up after a fierce attack, he finds himself in an unfamiliar manor. Unable to recall that he is, in fact, the Duke of Summerhill, he finds work there as a stable boy.

With his life threatened by the minute and his family looking for him, all clues lead to a mysterious woman who claims to be Edward’s secret lover...but that is only part of the riddle.

Forgotten but never undone, an olden mistake returns from the grave to torment them, making Lydia and Edward realize they are on borrowed time.

*If you like a realistic yet steamy depiction of the Regency and Victorian era, then Wicked Temptations for the Seduced Duchess is the novel for you.

This is Olivia's debut novel, a historical Regency romance novel of 80,000 words (around 400 pages). No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a strong happily ever after.

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 10, 2019

About the author

Olivia Bennet

21 books49 followers
Having obtained a degree in Journalism, but with an affinity for literature and creative writing, Olivia Bennet knew from a young age that her future lay in the romantic ideals of the past. With a fascination for the Regency era and a good romance, she started her career as a historical romance author the old-fashioned way: with pen and paper.

Born in rural Devon, Olivia draws inspiration from the vast farmlands of the British countryside and the people living in the surrounding villages. An avid artist, she takes her sketchbook everywhere with her and captures the beauty of nature, which she then incorporates into her books.

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5 stars
85 (46%)
4 stars
57 (31%)
3 stars
26 (14%)
2 stars
9 (4%)
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4 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
Profile Image for Margaret Yelton.
2,142 reviews43 followers
February 15, 2019
This was my first read by this author Olivia Bennet, having said that it won't be my last. I was pleasantly surprise at the depth of this story and how well written it was. From old family fueds, jealousy, and amnesia sparks flare between Lydia and Edward. This was a action packed story and one that I believe anyone that enjoys Historical Regency Romance will enjoy.
Profile Image for Space Cowgirl.
4,133 reviews145 followers
July 12, 2020
They Want To Be Free💘

Adult Regency Romance💕 and Mystery
Edward🐺🍆🌋 wakes up not knowing who he is. He finds himself at Greenwich manor🏰 after the cook and her helper find him laying in the woods while they are mushroom hunting. The Duke of Bradford puts him on as a stable boy until his memory returns.
The Duke has three daughters💃💃💃 and he is paranoid because he is so overly protective of them.
Lydia💃💋, the Duke's middle daughter is intrigued by Edward's story, but her father warns her away from him.

She rides🐎 almost daily, so of course the two young people meet and Lydia💃💋 falls in love with Edward🐺🍆🌋, the stable🐎 boy, much to the outrage of her father!
Someone is trying to kill Edward🐺🍆🌋, too, and they aren't giving up!

ARC Received from Bookfunnel⛅
I also got the book from KU.

I really enjoyed the romance between Lydia💃💋 and Edward🐺🍆🌋, and the mystery of who was trying to kill him. The book kept me interested all the way through! Some books start out great and then Peter out, but This book was good all the way through.
Profile Image for Laurie.
1,557 reviews34 followers
February 18, 2019
Overall, I enjoyed this book and thought it was well-written, especially for a debut novel. The main characters, Lydia and Edward, were nicely developed and generally likeable. I also enjoyed getting to know the secondary characters, particularly Lydia's sisters Caroline and Mary, who were fun and added a bit of lightness and humor to what otherwise could have been a very dark story. In addition, the plot was action-packed and engaging, and the central mystery kept me guessing all the way to the end.

That being said, Lydia and Edward seemed to fall in love somewhat too quickly for my comfort. They were exchanging "I love yous" not even 1/3 of the way through the book. They didn't really know each other at all (and for that matter, Edward didn't even know himself at that point!). How could they possibly be in love so soon? I am not a fan of the "insta-love" trope, and this felt very much like "insta-love" to me. However, this is a historical and attitudes toward attraction and sex were very different than they are today; maybe Lydia and Edward just didn't know another way to express their feelings besides "love." Also, they got to know each other much better as the story progressed, so I was comfortable with the state of their relationship by the end of the book.

Also, there were a few historical details that weren't quite right, but nothing that can't be easily remedied before the next book. For example, there seems to be some confusion between a "valet" and a "footman." A "valet," otherwise known as a "gentleman's gentleman," was responsible for performing personal tasks such as shaving or assistance with bathing, caring for a gentleman's wardrobe, etc. Footmen were tasked with fetching and carrying things, heavy lifting, etc. A household might have employed multiple footmen, but likely only one valet (unless there was more than one gentleman in residence, and they each desired their own personal valet/manservant).

In any event, this was a promising debut and I look forward to reading future books by Ms. Bennet.

*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
206 reviews2 followers
February 15, 2019
Attempted murder of a Duke leaves him with amnesia.

Edward Godwin leaves London and encounters a man 🚹with nefarious intentions just as he's nearing home. In attempting to outrun the man that's chasing after him, he ends up knocked from his 🐎and no idea of who he is or where he's from.
Edward is found by the staff of the Duke of Greenwick on whose property he has befallen and is taken in and his injuries are treated. He takes on the job working in the stables while waiting for his memory to return.
Lydia Bradford the middle daughter of the Duke, meets Edward when she goes to the stables so she can go riding. They end up falling in love 💘, but their is no 👎way that they'll be allowed to marry with her being a Dukes 💃daughter and Edward a stablehand. Edward is also attacked again and Lydia thinks that her father had something to do with it , when Edward is attacked a second time which leads to him regaining his memory.
The Duke of Greenwick is incensed by his daughter's accusation and more so when he finds out that Edward is the Duke of Summerhill who belongs to the family they've been feuding with because of Edward's grandfather.
Read what happens when Edward contacts his family since his memory has returned, find out if he gets the girl he loves and how he finds out who was behind the plot to assassinate him and just how premeditated everything was to get rid of Edward.
I really enjoyed this book and I really think that others will enjoy 📚 reading it as well.
Profile Image for Amary Chapman.
1,665 reviews27 followers
February 14, 2019
Edward Godwin doesn't know who followed and is now chasing him, but he knows their intentions are not good. Turning into the woods to try to lose him, spurring his horse faster, he doesn't see the large branch that unseats him, but knows he is in a bad position as his head slams into a rock and he loses consciousness.
So this tale starts.
He is found by the staff of a neighboring estate, one with ill feelings toward his family, good thing his face isn't familiar to them.
Edward awakes with amnesia and is cared for, as his assailant paces and watches for his chance... He falls for the middle daughter of the house the moment he sees her, and she is drawn to him, but what chance does a stable hand have.
Many things are not as they seem in this tale, we read about intrigue, romance and family problems. The characters all have good reasons in their minds for their actions, but as we read further, missing information uncovered changes perception and there is a bit of a twist.
I received what I thought was just a historical romance, but also got a bit of mystery too. I received an Arc for my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Jesslyn Lettan.
506 reviews
November 23, 2020
It touched me that Lydia and Edward would never give up on their love. They risked everything as long as they could be together, and it was so freaking cute.
I want to give John Chalmers and Duchess Annabelle some credits for their involvement in helping the hero and heroine fight for each other, and also Caroline, she was one soft and delicate woman.
And for James, hmmm, no, and no.
Adrian? Hell yeah. He was an extraordinarily helpful cousin who only wishes for Edward's safety.

I liked how their love expanded from time to time even though the situation got messed up, yet Lydia and Edward didn't give up. And for that hooded man, geez, he was such a destroyer. All I wanted was Lydia and Edward to be together for the best.

"She would not give up his love, even if it meant she lost everything."


"If your heart is broken, Edward, it shall break mine too."


"No matter how long we are separated for, my beloved Lydia, I will find a way for us to be together. I will come back for you, even if it means risking another shot to the chest.


HEA guaranteed, indeed.
Profile Image for Carole Burant.
1,279 reviews37 followers
February 13, 2019
If this is the debut Regency novel by this author, I can't wait to read what she writes next!! Wow, what a story!!! Edward Godwin, Duke of Summerhill, awakes from a fall off his horse while being chased by someone out to kill him, only to discover that he doesn't remember anything. He is taken in by the Duke of Greenwick and his family which includes a middle daughter, Lydia. Edward is hired on as a stable boy whilst he recovers and it doesn't take long before he and Lydia fall head over heels in love. Someone is still out to murder Edward, though, and both their lives are in danger. When Edward's memory returns, it is discovered that his family and Lydia's have been in a feud for many, many years and her father refuses to let her marry Edward. What follows is full of intrigue, danger, twists and turns, etc... Although I did find some parts of the story needlessly long, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. Very well done and giving this one a solid 5 stars!!

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
3,305 reviews39 followers
February 16, 2019
Wicked Temptations for the Seduced Duchess by Olivia Bennett is the enticing story of Lydia Bradford, eldest daughter of the Duke of Greenwick, who falls in love with her father's stable boy, Edward, there only for the fact that he was found in the woods, injured, and can't remember even his name. Her parents, obviously, would never approve such a match but that doesn't stop Lydia from continuing in her folly. This book is a sequel (sort of) to Daring Fantasies of a Noble Lady, which is about her grandparents.

This book has in interesting plot with more than one twist and turn. Some are predictable; some are not. While the plot is somewhat unlikely, it is wholly supported by the cast of characters. The leading lady, Lydia, is every inch a Regency heroine as is her mother, in whose eyes a peer can do no wrong. The characters are entertaining and believable and the book reaches its inevitable conclusion. I liked it. You will, too. I recommend it heartily.

I received a free ARC of Wicked Temptations for the Seduced Duchess in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Profile Image for Peggy.
2,126 reviews13 followers
February 13, 2019
Olivia Bennet’s Amazon debut is an interesting and action packed historical romance. An old family feud, betrayal by a jealous brother, and a murderous tenant fuse to make the path to HEA dangerous and uncertain. Edward and Lydia are likable characters. Lydia dreams of a love match. Edward is determined to do what is right and responsible for the duchy. Both would like to see an end to the feud. Lydia’s sisters are sweet and supportive. Edward’s cousin Adrian is determined to get to the bottom of the danger. I recommend this exciting story to fans who like romance with a dose of suspense and danger.

I received an ARC of this book. I voluntarily reviewed it and the comments are my own.
Profile Image for Lana Birky.
1,710 reviews22 followers
April 20, 2019
This is the first read of Olivia Bennet for me and I really enjoyed it. Lydia Bradford, middle daughter of the Duke of Greenwick was the recalcitrant and headstrong of the three girls. Edward Godwin, Duke of Summerhill is the handsome hero who lands at Lydia's family estate when he is injured by someone trying to kill him and he now suffers from temporary amnesia. The supporting cast of characters are all so likable - except the villains, of course.

Olivia Bennet weaves a fun, exciting, mystery with humor, romance that will keep you guessing until the end. She also has included an Extended Epilogue about Lydia & Edward, which was great. I recommend this read and am looking forward to reading the next on from Ms. Bennet!
169 reviews2 followers
February 12, 2019
Lydia Bradford grew up listening to the stories of her grandparents love match, however she saw the business arrangement marriage of her parents. Lydia decided that she wants to marry for love and not duty.

Edward Godwin, Duke of Summerhill, grew up hearing how the Duke of Greenwick stole his grandfather’s intended and how his grandfather reacted.

Fate brings these two together and throughout their growing love they are confronted with many trials and tribulations. Can they be the ones to heal their families past and will love truly conquer all?

This is a wonderfully written novel that despite the many twists and turns, it kept me turning the pages until I smiled at the very end.
261 reviews2 followers
May 27, 2019
A fresh, original, and delightful tale.

Olivia Bennet brings her special and unique talents to storytelling. She gives us an amazing love story filled with excitement, drama, danger and intrigue. In Wicked Temptations, we are introduced to Edward and Lydia. As their story unfolds one could feel Edward's sense of being stalked and in danger, along with Lydia's anxiety over the danger Edward is in as well as the multi-generational dispute between the two families. I'm very happy to make a Kindle collection in her name of all her wonderful books, they are well worth reading again and again.
Profile Image for Carol.
310 reviews5 followers
February 12, 2019
Brilliantly written, this book has the excitement and intrigue that go along with the times. There is danger at every turn, and plot twists that I didn’t see coming, along with villains that i was not expecting. Yet through it all, in sickness and beyond, new found love stayed true. Two families that had been sworn enemies through generations, may at last come together through love. Things will not be easy, mindsets have to change, but in the end love will prevail, and the road to happiness will be rebuilt. I truly enjoyed Ms. Bennet’s writing and look forward to reading more of her novels.
Profile Image for Emma.
2,864 reviews39 followers
February 14, 2019
Oh, my goodness!!!! What an exciting, tension filled, suspenseful, dangerous romance that equals to Romeo and Juliette. The Montagues and the Capulets feuding families are brought to life when Lady Lydia Bradford, daughter of the Duke of Greenwick falls in love with His Grace, Edward Godwin, the Duke of Summerhill. The point of contention between the Greenwicks and the Summerhills goes back decades. Now Lydia and Edward wish to heal the breach. But there are forces on both sides impeding them. This is a must read, you will not be disappointed. I highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Reena.
956 reviews3 followers
February 23, 2019
A delightful regency romance! An amnesiac duke, a family feud, an assasin on the loose and two ladies searching for love, are just a few of the main characteristics of this story. There's not just one plotline, but rather more, intertwining and creating an elaborate and complex story, that kept me reading late into the night. Romance, mystery and intrigue are perfectly balanced, while the steamy moments are part of the story and not just for the sake of it. All in all, this is a wonderful read for mature regency fans and I highly recommend it!
Profile Image for Tammy.
9,119 reviews49 followers
February 12, 2019
I really liked this historical read, lots of drama and suspense. Lydia has been hearing stories from her father about their family’s feud with the Summerhills. Edward is on the run for his life when he ends up on Lydia’s doorstep unable to remember who he is. Sparks fly between these to but what will happen when they discover his true identity? Fast-paced read with great characters, a story with lots of twists and turns. I was hooked from beginning to end. A good read.
1,963 reviews19 followers
February 13, 2019
Great romance story between a stable worker and the daughter of a Duke. Lydia comes to love Edward before he regains his memory that he is the Duke of Summerhill. Because of a long running feud between their two families her father threatens to send her to a convent if she sees him again. There is also a sinister plot to kill Edward by an unlikely person. The book is a good read, full of romance and danger at the same time. I would highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Debra Everett.
58 reviews1 follower
February 13, 2019
A disagreement between two royal families that happened so long ago almost caused duke Edward and Lady Lydia to never meet. A brother hated of trying to have him murder instead he looses his memory and was found and brought to the lady Lydia father unknown that he was from Summerhill estate so to let him to get his memory back let him work in the stable were Edward and Lydia fell in love. I t has it all sadness , love, romance. Love it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
775 reviews11 followers
February 16, 2019
From the first pages of this book there is danger and mystery and you will want to finish it to solve the puzzle. But the main story is about Edward and Lydia, who fall in love against all odds. The whole time Edward is very sweet with Lydia, they are sweet together, how can they not fall in love. I liked that this story has a epilogue and an extended epilogue. This is the first book I read by Olivia Bennet, but it will not be the last. I really enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Jennifer Johnson.
436 reviews9 followers
February 17, 2019
This book was truly a great read with a unique storyline, a bit of mystery and the slow burn turn to scorching hot romance. I never felt the story lulled or skipped on any detail. The mystery was definitely a surprise that I didn't figure out until the end reveal. The romance was wonderfully sweet and wickedly hot. For all you historical romance lovers who like some intrigue and suspense as well as a sexy hot love story this is a MUST read!
Profile Image for karin whitehead.
1,033 reviews10 followers
February 14, 2019
I received this book through another authors promotion in an exchange for an honest review.
Set back in the day when ladies were ladies, and gentlemen were gentlemen. Behind closed parlor doors, not ladies or gentlemen.! This success falls for the handsome stranger.! Well developed characters and story line. A good read, one that can be enjoyed over and over!
Profile Image for Laila Viking.
4,090 reviews30 followers
February 20, 2019
This is the first novel I have read from this author. She is an amazing writer.. It will hopefully be the first of many.
From the first chapter I was caught in the suspense, mystery and twists and turns. Likeable characters who are well defined and develops nicely through the story.

I would highly recommend this book. The author has set a high standard for future books.
Profile Image for Barbara.
19.2k reviews8 followers
February 22, 2019
A well written story that I enjoyed reading, there is suspense, drama, danger, twists, turns, attempted murder, loss of memory, romance and an ending I really liked. This is the story of Lydia Bradford and Edward Godwin Duke of Summerhill who is attacked and loses his memory and ends up working as a stable boy for the Duke of Greenwick. I highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Rusti.
134 reviews
April 10, 2019
I enjoyed this story - the main characters were very likable and the mystery villain kept the suspense going. I thought I had a pretty good idea of who the villain was going to be - but a twist at the end surprised me! I love stories with happy endings!
Profile Image for Diane Baker.
194 reviews2 followers
October 7, 2020
Can love prevail despite the past?

The author does a magnificent job of portraying her characters, while telling a delightful story. It's filled with desire, mystery, intrege, past grievances on both sides, love and hope. A delightful story which was hard to put down.
211 reviews1 follower
January 28, 2021
Jealousy, murder, betrayal and passion in true love , all plus are in this book

This is one of those cozy up with a blanket and tea and just enjoy the adventure books that are so much fun. I hope you will read and enjoy it also.
Profile Image for Evonne Hutton.
1,342 reviews10 followers
February 14, 2019
A historical read with near Gothic overtones,
Some one is out to kill him and they nearly succeed.
But something is wrong......
A good story line
380 reviews3 followers
February 17, 2019
Enjoyed

Exciting story. amnesia, a near kidnapping, , shootings and a family feud thrown into the mix. Excitement, adventure abound in this lovely little love story.
1,296 reviews1 follower
February 18, 2019
New author

This is a new author to me. I really enjoyed this book. The characters were believable. There are may unexpected adventures in this story. A great read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews

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