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Dukes of Distinction #1
Duke of Renown
Who doesn’t love a duke? How about five of them?
Welcome to bestselling author Alexa Aston’s new Regency romance series, the Dukes of Distinction! These five aristocrats all come with nicknames Polite Society has bestowed upon them. Renown. Charm. Disrepute. Arrogance. Honor.
A woman with a broken heart...
A soldier who never dreamed he’d become a duke...
Phoebe Smythe, Countess of Borwick, suffers a tragic miscarriage when she learns her husband and young son have been killed in a carriage accident. The grieving widow retreats to an isolated cottage on the coast of Cornwall, where she finds a smuggler who’s washed ashore, blood leaking from a bullet wound.
Captain Andrew Graham returns home from the Napoleonic Wars after the death of his older brother, finding his father on his deathbed. Soon he becomes the Duke of Windham and must deal not only with numerous responsibilities but his wayward half-brother, who has amassed a mountain of debt and then shoots Andrew so he can become the new duke.
Andrew awakens to an angel of mercy, Mrs. Smith, a middle-class widow who nurses him back to health. She thinks he’s a criminal, which amuses him, but he soon falls in love with her beauty and spirit. On the day he decides to ask for her hand in marriage, she disappears and he has no way to find her—until he spies her across a London ballroom.
Though her heart belongs to the Cornish smuggler she left behind, Phoebe places herself once more on the Marriage Mart. She yearns to be a mother again—which means finding a husband.
What will Phoebe do when she learns that her Mr. Andrew is none other than the famous Duke of Renown?
Find the answer in The Duke of Renown, Book 1 in the Dukes of Distinction.
Each book in Dukes of Distinction is a standalone story that can be enjoyed out of order and can be read for free in Kindle Unlimited.
Series Order:
Book #1: Duke of Renown
Book #2: Duke of Charm
Book #3: Duke of Disrepute
Book #4: Duke of Arrogance
Book #5: Duke of Honor
Welcome to bestselling author Alexa Aston’s new Regency romance series, the Dukes of Distinction! These five aristocrats all come with nicknames Polite Society has bestowed upon them. Renown. Charm. Disrepute. Arrogance. Honor.
A woman with a broken heart...
A soldier who never dreamed he’d become a duke...
Phoebe Smythe, Countess of Borwick, suffers a tragic miscarriage when she learns her husband and young son have been killed in a carriage accident. The grieving widow retreats to an isolated cottage on the coast of Cornwall, where she finds a smuggler who’s washed ashore, blood leaking from a bullet wound.
Captain Andrew Graham returns home from the Napoleonic Wars after the death of his older brother, finding his father on his deathbed. Soon he becomes the Duke of Windham and must deal not only with numerous responsibilities but his wayward half-brother, who has amassed a mountain of debt and then shoots Andrew so he can become the new duke.
Andrew awakens to an angel of mercy, Mrs. Smith, a middle-class widow who nurses him back to health. She thinks he’s a criminal, which amuses him, but he soon falls in love with her beauty and spirit. On the day he decides to ask for her hand in marriage, she disappears and he has no way to find her—until he spies her across a London ballroom.
Though her heart belongs to the Cornish smuggler she left behind, Phoebe places herself once more on the Marriage Mart. She yearns to be a mother again—which means finding a husband.
What will Phoebe do when she learns that her Mr. Andrew is none other than the famous Duke of Renown?
Find the answer in The Duke of Renown, Book 1 in the Dukes of Distinction.
Each book in Dukes of Distinction is a standalone story that can be enjoyed out of order and can be read for free in Kindle Unlimited.
Series Order:
Book #1: Duke of Renown
Book #2: Duke of Charm
Book #3: Duke of Disrepute
Book #4: Duke of Arrogance
Book #5: Duke of Honor
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 9, 2021
1281 people are currently reading
756 people want to read
About the author
Alexa Aston
146 books481 followersAward-winning and USA Today bestselling author Alexa Aston lives with her husband in a Dallas suburb, where she eats her fair share of dark chocolate and plots out stories while she walks every morning. She enjoys travel, sports, and time with her family.
Her historical romances bring to life loveable rogues and dashing knights, while her contemporary romances are light and flirty and sometimes contain a bit of suspense.
Stay in touch with Alexa at:
Website: https://alexaaston.com/
Newsletter Sign-Up: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/form...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoralexaa...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlexaAston
BookBub Follow: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/alexa...
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/alexaaston
BingeBooks Author Page: https://bingebooks.com/profile/AlexaA...
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Her historical romances bring to life loveable rogues and dashing knights, while her contemporary romances are light and flirty and sometimes contain a bit of suspense.
Stay in touch with Alexa at:
Website: https://alexaaston.com/
Newsletter Sign-Up: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/form...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoralexaa...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlexaAston
BookBub Follow: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/alexa...
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/alexaaston
BingeBooks Author Page: https://bingebooks.com/profile/AlexaA...
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 214 reviews
April 19, 2021
This book had such high reviews that I thought there must have been something wrong with me - but I just couldn't enjoy this book. Honestly, the best thing I can say about this book is that it is available on Kindle Unlimited, so at least I don't need to regret buying it. I was so frustrated as I was reading it - the dialogue was SO stilted and irritating to read. It didn't really carry the plot forward, and it was typically only a few lines long, even in dramatic situations. It made me really appreciate the witty dialogue I have found in other HR books - because there is none to be found here. When there was dialogue, it was often about things that don't matter. For example:
But, when it's from important scenes, it is abrupt and has no emotion at all. Here's a (spoiler!) example from the climax of the book:
Seriously?! Aghhhh.
There is also very little description of the people/places in the story. I'm not looking for GRRM levels of setting the scene, but instead of descriptions, everything is just stated - this happened, then this happened. Phoebe's husband and son died and she had a miscarriage in the space of about 15 lines, then the chapter ends. (Its within the first 20 pages, so not really a spoiler.) The next chapter skips to Andrew in Spain for the war, then we follow him for a bit, then we're back to Phoebe sketching. Things that didn't need to be said got more space than descriptions of the characters emotions or thoughts. Also, things kept getting repeated (we get it, the Dukes all have nicknames!).
I also didn't buy Andrew falling in love with Phoebe instantaneously. Romance novels definitely aren't reality but Andrew went from being almost dead and unconscious for three days to DTF (and get married!) by the end of the fourth afternoon and a few pages of (frustrating) dialogue, most of which is her cleaning his bullet wound. Also, thanks to this book, I realized that refering to having sex as "coupling" is the least sexy and interesting way to describe it - honestly:
...no thanks.
Anyway, that's my rant. I read the whole book because it became a bit of a hate read by the end, and I was mildly curious to see how things got wrapped up and I had hopes maybe it would improve because - again - it is almost 4.5 stars on here! - but it just didn't.
“I was running low on supplies. Eat your scones,” she prompted.
He bit into one. “Oh, my goodness.”
Phoebe grinned. “They are wonderful, aren’t they? The local baker is quite talented.” So talented that she wished she could hire him when she left the Falmouth area.
Mr. Andrew frowned. “Aren’t you having any?”
“I bought them for you.”
“I insist. Take one.”
“No, they are for you.”
“Then take a bite of one.”
He tore off a piece and held it up.
But, when it's from important scenes, it is abrupt and has no emotion at all. Here's a (spoiler!) example from the climax of the book:
Seriously?! Aghhhh.
There is also very little description of the people/places in the story. I'm not looking for GRRM levels of setting the scene, but instead of descriptions, everything is just stated - this happened, then this happened. Phoebe's husband and son died and she had a miscarriage in the space of about 15 lines, then the chapter ends. (Its within the first 20 pages, so not really a spoiler.) The next chapter skips to Andrew in Spain for the war, then we follow him for a bit, then we're back to Phoebe sketching. Things that didn't need to be said got more space than descriptions of the characters emotions or thoughts. Also, things kept getting repeated (we get it, the Dukes all have nicknames!).
I also didn't buy Andrew falling in love with Phoebe instantaneously. Romance novels definitely aren't reality but Andrew went from being almost dead and unconscious for three days to DTF (and get married!) by the end of the fourth afternoon and a few pages of (frustrating) dialogue, most of which is her cleaning his bullet wound. Also, thanks to this book, I realized that refering to having sex as "coupling" is the least sexy and interesting way to describe it - honestly:
What really held him back was the delectable Mrs. Smith. His growing attraction to the young widow needed to be fed. She may not agree to couple with him but he wanted – no, needed – to kiss her.
...no thanks.
Anyway, that's my rant. I read the whole book because it became a bit of a hate read by the end, and I was mildly curious to see how things got wrapped up and I had hopes maybe it would improve because - again - it is almost 4.5 stars on here! - but it just didn't.
September 28, 2021
Had mixed feelings about this Regency which I gave
3.5 stars.
Captain Andrew Graham fought Napoleon x 5 yrs.
He learned his older brother died & his sire was close
to death. Within 2 weeks of arriving home, Andrew's
dad died, & he became the duke.
Andrew had 4 best friends: 3 dukes & 1 marquess, the
latter still serving in the military. Suspension of belief:
this many young, handsome, men w/ titles were still
bachelors? Did England have this many young dukes
at one time?
Phoebe, a relatively young widowed dowager countess,
decided to mourn her son & unborn baby, privately in
a small cottage. She called herself "Mrs. Smith." She
discovered Andrew, shot + nearly drowned in the sea.
She nursed him back to health.
The last 1/3 of this story felt too perfect. I expected to
see birds weaving daisy chains in trees while singing.
Robbie Jones showed himself to be the best person in
the story. Andrew hired this go-getter, faithful young
man who lost a hand in the war. He adapted to his loss
and had a good, meaningful life. He did something brave.
3.5 stars.
Captain Andrew Graham fought Napoleon x 5 yrs.
He learned his older brother died & his sire was close
to death. Within 2 weeks of arriving home, Andrew's
dad died, & he became the duke.
Andrew had 4 best friends: 3 dukes & 1 marquess, the
latter still serving in the military. Suspension of belief:
this many young, handsome, men w/ titles were still
bachelors? Did England have this many young dukes
at one time?
Phoebe, a relatively young widowed dowager countess,
decided to mourn her son & unborn baby, privately in
a small cottage. She called herself "Mrs. Smith." She
discovered Andrew, shot + nearly drowned in the sea.
She nursed him back to health.
The last 1/3 of this story felt too perfect. I expected to
see birds weaving daisy chains in trees while singing.
Robbie Jones showed himself to be the best person in
the story. Andrew hired this go-getter, faithful young
man who lost a hand in the war. He adapted to his loss
and had a good, meaningful life. He did something brave.
February 2, 2021
This is one of those books that once you start reading, you don't want to put it down. Phoebe's heart was broken when her precious son died in an accident together with her husband. Whilst she deeply mourns the loss of her precious son, her husband's passing does not affect her as much. Taking time out to recover and renew her spirit, Phoebe rents a cottage on the Cornish coast where she learns to be self-sufficient and pours her heart out into her stories and sketches. An afternoon stroll brings a surprise in the form of a man washed up on the beach and thinking him to be a smuggler, she manages to get the gunshot victim to her cottage where she cares for him. The Duke of Windham declines to correct the widow of her mistaken impression especially when he discovers that he has feelings for her. Wanting to be sure that Phoebe is falling in love with the man and not the duke, Andrew hides the truth from her. Just when he determines to reveal his identity, fate intervenes and he loses the one woman he loves. When their paths do cross once again, Andrew does not hold back in making his feelings known. Unfortunately, his nemesis refuses to give up, putting both their lives at risk. The first book in a new series, this novel opens the way for new and exciting stories to be told and I look forward to reading how Andrew's friends find their way to marital bliss. This novel is well written and romantic with some underlying suspense and comes to a joyful conclusion. I received a copy of this book as a gift from Dragonblade and NetGalley as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
January 30, 2021
❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
I really felt for Phoebe in this book. The woman is really dragged through the mill physically and emotionally, I even shed a tear at her situation.
Her joining with Andrew was a big sigh, that the two finally find a strong a beautiful love is a wonderful moment.
The storyline is a little bit of real life drama, it has beautiful moments cast to paper and it’s very satisfying to read.
I adored the characters and story but it was the emotional aspect that really made this a winner for me.
I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review
💋💋
I really felt for Phoebe in this book. The woman is really dragged through the mill physically and emotionally, I even shed a tear at her situation.
Her joining with Andrew was a big sigh, that the two finally find a strong a beautiful love is a wonderful moment.
The storyline is a little bit of real life drama, it has beautiful moments cast to paper and it’s very satisfying to read.
I adored the characters and story but it was the emotional aspect that really made this a winner for me.
I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review
September 1, 2021
2.5 Stars
I really enjoy historical romances but this one was a bit too sweet and robotic for me. I finished the story and thought it was alright, but it definitely was not for me and I won't be continuing this series.
The first half of the book is Phoebe (a widowed countess who lost her husband, son and miscarried all at once) and Andrew (a duke) meeting and spending time in a cabin together. The H had been shot and washed ashore near the little cottage Phoebe was renting. Phoebe was still trying to recover from her loss so she decided to go to Cornwall to escape and heal. When Phoebe finds Andrew on the beach she immediately brings him to her cottage and begins tending to him. While Andrew is healing their attraction grows and Andrew decides he wants to marry her. Andrew goes to set up his proposal to Phoebe, but she has to quickly leave because her sister had fallen ill. For months the two are unable to reconnect as Andrew knew Phoebe as a common women named Mrs. Smith, and Phoebe only knew Andrew by his name and assumed he was a smuggler. They of course reconnect when they are in England and go on to their HEA.
To start with what I liked - the story was sweet and was an ok read. I did feel the emotions of Phoebe's loss and the opening scene was very heart-wrenching.
But unfortunately there was a lot I disliked. I found Phoebe and Andrew to be very boring characters, and the story began to drag on after they left the cottage. Phoebe and Andrew were both kind and moral. Those were their only personality traits. I wish there was a bit of banter, more sexual tension or something to keep the story and their budding relationship interesting. I found the whole thing to fall flat and be a bit pointless. Also, both characters seemed so nice and moral that is bordered on being robotic. The scenes when they would gush about their love seemed more cringe than anything else. Also, we are told they have sex a ton. The have sex a ton in the cottage, as soon as they are engaged, on their wedding day, etc, but there was barely any smut in this. It was a lot of fade into the darkness for those parts, so I don't understand why the sex was brought up so much. It's like at that point just use something else to keep the story interesting, don't just go halfway with the sexual tension.
There were also a lot of things that happened out of luck/just because that didn't make sense. For example, at the climax of the story Basically, the first half of this story was alright, good enough to keep reading, but after Andrew and Phoebe reunited the story actually seemed to decline and drag on. Altogether, I think this story was just missing some drama to keep things interesting. Also, there were parts of the plot that could have been more realistic. Take this example - Andrew, as a duke, was fully prepared to marry a random widow he only knew for a couple of weeks. Usually this would never be allowed, and it wasn't brought up that it wouldn't have been socially acceptable for a duke to marry a commoner. And just writing wise there was a point when Phoebe was referred to as a dowager duchess, when she was actually a countess.
I really enjoy historical romances but this one was a bit too sweet and robotic for me. I finished the story and thought it was alright, but it definitely was not for me and I won't be continuing this series.
The first half of the book is Phoebe (a widowed countess who lost her husband, son and miscarried all at once) and Andrew (a duke) meeting and spending time in a cabin together. The H had been shot and washed ashore near the little cottage Phoebe was renting. Phoebe was still trying to recover from her loss so she decided to go to Cornwall to escape and heal. When Phoebe finds Andrew on the beach she immediately brings him to her cottage and begins tending to him. While Andrew is healing their attraction grows and Andrew decides he wants to marry her. Andrew goes to set up his proposal to Phoebe, but she has to quickly leave because her sister had fallen ill. For months the two are unable to reconnect as Andrew knew Phoebe as a common women named Mrs. Smith, and Phoebe only knew Andrew by his name and assumed he was a smuggler. They of course reconnect when they are in England and go on to their HEA.
To start with what I liked - the story was sweet and was an ok read. I did feel the emotions of Phoebe's loss and the opening scene was very heart-wrenching.
But unfortunately there was a lot I disliked. I found Phoebe and Andrew to be very boring characters, and the story began to drag on after they left the cottage. Phoebe and Andrew were both kind and moral. Those were their only personality traits. I wish there was a bit of banter, more sexual tension or something to keep the story and their budding relationship interesting. I found the whole thing to fall flat and be a bit pointless. Also, both characters seemed so nice and moral that is bordered on being robotic. The scenes when they would gush about their love seemed more cringe than anything else. Also, we are told they have sex a ton. The have sex a ton in the cottage, as soon as they are engaged, on their wedding day, etc, but there was barely any smut in this. It was a lot of fade into the darkness for those parts, so I don't understand why the sex was brought up so much. It's like at that point just use something else to keep the story interesting, don't just go halfway with the sexual tension.
There were also a lot of things that happened out of luck/just because that didn't make sense. For example, at the climax of the story Basically, the first half of this story was alright, good enough to keep reading, but after Andrew and Phoebe reunited the story actually seemed to decline and drag on. Altogether, I think this story was just missing some drama to keep things interesting. Also, there were parts of the plot that could have been more realistic. Take this example - Andrew, as a duke, was fully prepared to marry a random widow he only knew for a couple of weeks. Usually this would never be allowed, and it wasn't brought up that it wouldn't have been socially acceptable for a duke to marry a commoner. And just writing wise there was a point when Phoebe was referred to as a dowager duchess, when she was actually a countess.
August 12, 2021
When she finds out her husband and young son have perished in a carriage accident, the shock causes Phoebe Smythe, Countess of Borwick, to miscarry. She retreats to a remote cottage on the Cornwall coast to grieve and hide away from the world. There, a walk on the beach leads to her finding a man washed ashore bleeding and near death from a bullet wound.
A carriage accident which killed his older brother and sent his father to his deathbed has necessitated Captain Andrew Graham’s return to England. Soon after, he is the new Duke of Windham and must see to the care of many estates and tenants. Along with these issues is his feckless half-brother who is drowning in debt and shoots Andrew, leaving him for dead so he can assume the dukedom and its bounty himself.
Awakening to Phoebe’s ministrations, Andrew is immediately besotted, taking appearances at face value and assuming her to be the middle-class widow she presents herself as. She assumes he must be a smuggler, which amuses Andrew to no end as he falls in love with her. But when he leaves to set up an elaborate proposal for her, he returns to find she has disappeared before he can enact his romantic plan. They are separated for months as Andrew searches for Phoebe to no avail, only to find her again in a London ballroom, the last place he expected her. Though she left her heart behind in Cornwall, Phoebe is desperate for more children, so she joins the marriage mart in London to find a husband and Andrew must present himself along with her other suitors and woo her all over again.
I listened to this on audio and, though I liked the narrator for the most part, some of his pronunciations of certain words were off, marking him as an American and niggling at some pet peeves of mine. He also has a tendency to not deliver as much emotion as the more romantic scenes call for, but otherwise, he tells a good story.
This story was rather more emotional than I had initially expected, and Phoebe suffers greatly in the first chapter. That said, it was also really weird to me to have a scene on page of her going to the bed of her first husband in the hopes of becoming pregnant. I know this was a pseudo-flashback and before she met the hero, but it was still really icky for me. Phoebe annoyed me in general with her insistence on being so very prim and proper at all times and this took away from the romance of some scenes. She also comes off as very naïve, despite being a widow, and some of this came off as maidenly histrionics when she first met Andrew, which was frustrating given that he was barely alive at that point and certainly not trying to seduce her. I wanted honesty between them long before it happened and the added angst of their keeping their true identities to themselves had me rushing through the narration just to get past it. I was not much of a fan of their separation and their reunion was very unsatisfactory to me. I felt it just made her look mean and rather heartless, which didn’t jive with his insistence on her sweetness as one of his main attractions to her. She was entirely too uptight and proper about Andrew needing to court her all over again and that also slowed the story’s pace and lessened the romantic effect. It also annoyed me that she was so quick to judge Andrew to be a criminal without really asking questions, and despite her feelings for him, she was prepared to marry essentially any aristocratic man just so she could have children. This killed the romance for me and made me disbelieve the depths of her feelings for Andrew, so when their reunion proved to be lackluster as well, this was a major disappointment for me. Andrew was fine as a hero, he just didn’t inspire any strong feelings in me one way or the other, though I was proud of his persistence and his ability to curb Phoebe’s stodginess somewhat. Overall, though this story’s pacing felt a bit disjointed, I did enjoy the different elements that came together to make it a unique Regency and I’ll read more from this author.
A carriage accident which killed his older brother and sent his father to his deathbed has necessitated Captain Andrew Graham’s return to England. Soon after, he is the new Duke of Windham and must see to the care of many estates and tenants. Along with these issues is his feckless half-brother who is drowning in debt and shoots Andrew, leaving him for dead so he can assume the dukedom and its bounty himself.
Awakening to Phoebe’s ministrations, Andrew is immediately besotted, taking appearances at face value and assuming her to be the middle-class widow she presents herself as. She assumes he must be a smuggler, which amuses Andrew to no end as he falls in love with her. But when he leaves to set up an elaborate proposal for her, he returns to find she has disappeared before he can enact his romantic plan. They are separated for months as Andrew searches for Phoebe to no avail, only to find her again in a London ballroom, the last place he expected her. Though she left her heart behind in Cornwall, Phoebe is desperate for more children, so she joins the marriage mart in London to find a husband and Andrew must present himself along with her other suitors and woo her all over again.
I listened to this on audio and, though I liked the narrator for the most part, some of his pronunciations of certain words were off, marking him as an American and niggling at some pet peeves of mine. He also has a tendency to not deliver as much emotion as the more romantic scenes call for, but otherwise, he tells a good story.
This story was rather more emotional than I had initially expected, and Phoebe suffers greatly in the first chapter. That said, it was also really weird to me to have a scene on page of her going to the bed of her first husband in the hopes of becoming pregnant. I know this was a pseudo-flashback and before she met the hero, but it was still really icky for me. Phoebe annoyed me in general with her insistence on being so very prim and proper at all times and this took away from the romance of some scenes. She also comes off as very naïve, despite being a widow, and some of this came off as maidenly histrionics when she first met Andrew, which was frustrating given that he was barely alive at that point and certainly not trying to seduce her. I wanted honesty between them long before it happened and the added angst of their keeping their true identities to themselves had me rushing through the narration just to get past it. I was not much of a fan of their separation and their reunion was very unsatisfactory to me. I felt it just made her look mean and rather heartless, which didn’t jive with his insistence on her sweetness as one of his main attractions to her. She was entirely too uptight and proper about Andrew needing to court her all over again and that also slowed the story’s pace and lessened the romantic effect. It also annoyed me that she was so quick to judge Andrew to be a criminal without really asking questions, and despite her feelings for him, she was prepared to marry essentially any aristocratic man just so she could have children. This killed the romance for me and made me disbelieve the depths of her feelings for Andrew, so when their reunion proved to be lackluster as well, this was a major disappointment for me. Andrew was fine as a hero, he just didn’t inspire any strong feelings in me one way or the other, though I was proud of his persistence and his ability to curb Phoebe’s stodginess somewhat. Overall, though this story’s pacing felt a bit disjointed, I did enjoy the different elements that came together to make it a unique Regency and I’ll read more from this author.
May 7, 2021
The combination of suspense and romance, sprinkled with touches of humor, make "Duke of Renown" a keeper that readers will want to revisit again and again!
Read full review in the 2021 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2021 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
September 29, 2021
The H returns from war, his father dying and his half brother in trouble. The h, grieving a terrible loss, saves a badly wounded man. They fall in love but never reveal their identities, and suddenly lose contact. He's determined to marry her, if only he could find her. A nice story with very polite people.
January 29, 2021
Such a beautiful and heartwarming story! I think Alexa Aston's new series "Dukes of Distinction" is going to be very special if this 1st book is anything to go by. This is Andrew and Phoebe's story and it's filled with tragedy and danger, as well as humour and heated passion. I love their characters, both of them have so much love to give and they certainly deserve their HEA.
That isolated cottage on the coast of Cornwall that Phoebe rents sounds so wonderful and it made me want to go join her:) She's there to recover and mourn but that's all put aside when she discovers a man on the beach with a bullet hole in his chest! They share the small cottage as she nurses him and brings him back to health. The attraction between them is sizzling hot but secrets have been kept and not having used their real names, when Phoebe has to leave to help her sister, Andrew is at a lost how to find her. Months will go by before he sees her again and their reunion had me misty eyed. All is right with their world until danger, in the form of Andrew's half brother, shows up!
All in all, the characters, the plot and the story itself, made for a book I didn't want to put down! There's even a cat in the story and that made my day:) We also meet the other Dukes in the series so I'm very much looking forward to reading their stories!!
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
That isolated cottage on the coast of Cornwall that Phoebe rents sounds so wonderful and it made me want to go join her:) She's there to recover and mourn but that's all put aside when she discovers a man on the beach with a bullet hole in his chest! They share the small cottage as she nurses him and brings him back to health. The attraction between them is sizzling hot but secrets have been kept and not having used their real names, when Phoebe has to leave to help her sister, Andrew is at a lost how to find her. Months will go by before he sees her again and their reunion had me misty eyed. All is right with their world until danger, in the form of Andrew's half brother, shows up!
All in all, the characters, the plot and the story itself, made for a book I didn't want to put down! There's even a cat in the story and that made my day:) We also meet the other Dukes in the series so I'm very much looking forward to reading their stories!!
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
June 18, 2021
Very Enjoyable!
Phoebe and Andrew meet under extremely unusual circumstances and neither reveals that they are titled.
This made it a very interesting story and all of it built around these very well hidden secrets and yet the couple were able to begin a relationship even so.
It is nicely written and had me reading 'just another page' or two or three ... before carrying on with my chores. Needless to say my chores took a lot longer to complete today.
I loved these two characters and was totally elated when they finally sorted themselves out. Such a lovely happy ever after too.
Phoebe and Andrew meet under extremely unusual circumstances and neither reveals that they are titled.
This made it a very interesting story and all of it built around these very well hidden secrets and yet the couple were able to begin a relationship even so.
It is nicely written and had me reading 'just another page' or two or three ... before carrying on with my chores. Needless to say my chores took a lot longer to complete today.
I loved these two characters and was totally elated when they finally sorted themselves out. Such a lovely happy ever after too.
May 7, 2022
The first half of the book was good, the characters were set up well and very likeable. The second half of the book dragged too much for me. Nothing of significance happened for a good 50 pages and the end seemed abrupt and quite unnecessary. Overall an okay book with okay steam.
dnf
June 29, 2025dnf @ 6%
I just didn’t really vibe with the writing style, I found it a bit too detached for me and very this happened then that happened.
I just didn’t really vibe with the writing style, I found it a bit too detached for me and very this happened then that happened.
January 31, 2021
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review from Dragonblade Publishing through NetGalley. This review is being voluntarily given and full of my own personal opinions.
Overall this book was okay. Not GOOD good and not bad so 3/5 stars and that's mostly because I liked the overall idea of the plot and want to see the rest of the characters get their own HEA. My biggest issue with this book was the pacing. A lot of the book felt rushed including the feelings and the overall plot points. Due to how rushed this book felt I did not enjoy it as much as I thought I would. I do not think I will be purchasing this book but I may buy/borrow books in the rest of the series.
Overall this book was okay. Not GOOD good and not bad so 3/5 stars and that's mostly because I liked the overall idea of the plot and want to see the rest of the characters get their own HEA. My biggest issue with this book was the pacing. A lot of the book felt rushed including the feelings and the overall plot points. Due to how rushed this book felt I did not enjoy it as much as I thought I would. I do not think I will be purchasing this book but I may buy/borrow books in the rest of the series.
June 20, 2021
for me a book I enjoyed = 3 stars. This book just barely makes that threshold.
The story was pleasant enough. Fairly standard regency romance stuff but with nice characters who act like decent and capable human beings. There was some minor editing issues but nothing awful. Unfortunately the writing was not particularly good. There was some repetitive bits and a lot more telling than showing. I might try another in the series when I am in the mood for a stress free regency, but I certainly was not drawn in enough to go get that second book right now.
The story was pleasant enough. Fairly standard regency romance stuff but with nice characters who act like decent and capable human beings. There was some minor editing issues but nothing awful. Unfortunately the writing was not particularly good. There was some repetitive bits and a lot more telling than showing. I might try another in the series when I am in the mood for a stress free regency, but I certainly was not drawn in enough to go get that second book right now.
February 8, 2021
This is the new series by Alexa Aston. It's about 5 Dukes and this is the first one.
Andrew and Phobe make an excellent couple. Phobe doesn't know that Andrew is a Duke, Andrew doesn't know that Phobe is a Lady.
Will this couple find the love that is destined to be.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Andrew and Phobe make an excellent couple. Phobe doesn't know that Andrew is a Duke, Andrew doesn't know that Phobe is a Lady.
Will this couple find the love that is destined to be.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 31, 2021
This is a new author for me. I wasn't sure from my research if I would like her or not but thought I'd give her a try. So glad I did. I started this book last night at 11pm and was up until 1:30am finishing it. It was really good. The sex wasn't as descriptive as I would have liked but I still really enjoyed it. I couldn't put it down.
I just loved these characters. Phoebe and Andrew were so captivating. The storyline was really good. I can't wait for the next one.
I just loved these characters. Phoebe and Andrew were so captivating. The storyline was really good. I can't wait for the next one.
May 4, 2021
I truly enjoy reading the author Aston Historical Romance series. She is a author stays to the era. I loved her other series The St. Clair's
I could not stop reading the Duke of Renown. Captain Andrew Graham is now the Duke of Windham his older brother and father has died. He returns to England after fighting in the Napoleonic War in Spain. His half brother Francis is a wastrel and all out spin thrift. When Andrew refuses to pay anymore of his debts Francis shoots him and sends him crashing over a cliff into the sea.
Phoebe Smythe Countess of Burton is living in a loveless marriage. Her husband the Earl of Burton is 20 years her senior. He seems to have issues with getting and keeping an erection. Making the marriage of convivence baselessly sex less. However they do have on son Nathan 5 years of age. This is a really sad story for Phoebe. Her husband and son are killed in an carriage accident. Sad!!
Phoebe see a man whom she presumes is a pirate or something. She takes him in and nurses him back to health. Its Andrew the Duke of Windham. They never speak of who they really are. As Phoebe is vacationing under a alias Mrs. Smith. They fall in love and have so hot sex for one night.
The couple are separated due to circumstances. Andrew must stop his crazy brother from taking over the Dukedom and Phoebe is off to help her sister.
They meet again about 6 months later at a Ball in London. Too both of there surprises the other is not whom they believed!!
This is storytelling at its Best!! I couldn't put it down. Storyline moves fast!! Loveable H/H
I could not stop reading the Duke of Renown. Captain Andrew Graham is now the Duke of Windham his older brother and father has died. He returns to England after fighting in the Napoleonic War in Spain. His half brother Francis is a wastrel and all out spin thrift. When Andrew refuses to pay anymore of his debts Francis shoots him and sends him crashing over a cliff into the sea.
Phoebe Smythe Countess of Burton is living in a loveless marriage. Her husband the Earl of Burton is 20 years her senior. He seems to have issues with getting and keeping an erection. Making the marriage of convivence baselessly sex less. However they do have on son Nathan 5 years of age. This is a really sad story for Phoebe. Her husband and son are killed in an carriage accident. Sad!!
Phoebe see a man whom she presumes is a pirate or something. She takes him in and nurses him back to health. Its Andrew the Duke of Windham. They never speak of who they really are. As Phoebe is vacationing under a alias Mrs. Smith. They fall in love and have so hot sex for one night.
The couple are separated due to circumstances. Andrew must stop his crazy brother from taking over the Dukedom and Phoebe is off to help her sister.
They meet again about 6 months later at a Ball in London. Too both of there surprises the other is not whom they believed!!
This is storytelling at its Best!! I couldn't put it down. Storyline moves fast!! Loveable H/H
February 9, 2021
London 1812
Fall in love with this story that will wrap around you with the wonderful words of this amazing author. The start of a new series that will only leave you wanting more!
A heartbroken widow after the loss of her young son and child, Phoebe, Lady Borwick, escaped to a small cottage by the sea so she could draw and heal.
Andrew had been at war when he'd gotten the letter that his brother had died in an accident and his father was on his deathbed. Coming home meant he would be next in line as Duke and with his father very ill, that happened pretty quickly. But there was his his a villain lurking that wanted his title and tried to kill him.
Phoebe meets Andrew when she found a wounded man washed up on the beach and the journey begins! All the emotions come through in this one and looking forward to the next in this series!
Fall in love with this story that will wrap around you with the wonderful words of this amazing author. The start of a new series that will only leave you wanting more!
A heartbroken widow after the loss of her young son and child, Phoebe, Lady Borwick, escaped to a small cottage by the sea so she could draw and heal.
Andrew had been at war when he'd gotten the letter that his brother had died in an accident and his father was on his deathbed. Coming home meant he would be next in line as Duke and with his father very ill, that happened pretty quickly. But there was his his a villain lurking that wanted his title and tried to kill him.
Phoebe meets Andrew when she found a wounded man washed up on the beach and the journey begins! All the emotions come through in this one and looking forward to the next in this series!
February 2, 2021
3.5 stars
Duke of Renown is a fun start to what I suspect will be a delightful historical romance series.
The concept is great: widowed countess finds a half dead man on the beach outside her cottage and nurses him back to health, all the while not knowing that he is a duke. Having both of them dance around each other and slowly let their walls down was so satisfying and the side characters made it all the more enjoyable.
The book does go on for a bit too long - there were a good 50 or so pages that could have been cut to really get to the heart of the conflict. Although who am I to say no to more swoonworthy scenes?
Thank you to NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!
Duke of Renown is a fun start to what I suspect will be a delightful historical romance series.
The concept is great: widowed countess finds a half dead man on the beach outside her cottage and nurses him back to health, all the while not knowing that he is a duke. Having both of them dance around each other and slowly let their walls down was so satisfying and the side characters made it all the more enjoyable.
The book does go on for a bit too long - there were a good 50 or so pages that could have been cut to really get to the heart of the conflict. Although who am I to say no to more swoonworthy scenes?
Thank you to NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!
March 9, 2021
Smuggling or Snuggling
Great story. Character are very likeable and “down to earth”. Twists and turns for both characters, but no harmful lies. A very good ending.
Great story. Character are very likeable and “down to earth”. Twists and turns for both characters, but no harmful lies. A very good ending.
January 29, 2021
After the death of her husband and young son, Phoebe Smythe takes a break from her life and rents a small cottage by the sea under an assumed name. Andrew Graham returns home not only a changed man because of what he witnessed during the war but also because he is now, after the death of both his father and brother, the Duke of Windham. The one person who is not happy with this development is his younger half-brother. Said brothers has the brilliant idea for a get-rich-quick scheme: kill Andrew, assume the ducal title, get access to all the Windham money to pay off his debts and continue living the high life. The brothers entire confrontation had serious Scar-kills-Mufasa vibes - I loved it!
Luckily Andrew and Phoebe cross path in the right moment. What follows is a cute case of mistaken identity, she assumes Andrew is a smuggler while he thinks Phoebe is not part of the Polite Society. This part of the book really delivers and you just wanna stay forever in the cottage with these two. All the while Andrew cannot stop being charming even as he bleeds out and the way their relationship develops was entertaining to follow.
The book struggled in the beginning with appropriate character (re)actions and it reminded me at time of an overacted stage play, it recovers from this after the first few chapters though. I also didn't enjoy that Phoebe, in her own words, took advantage of her drunk husband to beget a child on the very first page. That was straight up not needed and made it a lot harder to like her. (It was also weird in context: she understood consent later and knew not to ogle a naked Andrew while tending to his wounds!)
During the course of the book the other Dukes of Distinction also showed up, they will have their love stories explored in future installments. I enjoyed getting to know them in this story and the sneaky hint at what will happen with them got me curious to check their books out.
I was provided an e-ARC by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Luckily Andrew and Phoebe cross path in the right moment. What follows is a cute case of mistaken identity, she assumes Andrew is a smuggler while he thinks Phoebe is not part of the Polite Society. This part of the book really delivers and you just wanna stay forever in the cottage with these two. All the while Andrew cannot stop being charming even as he bleeds out and the way their relationship develops was entertaining to follow.
The book struggled in the beginning with appropriate character (re)actions and it reminded me at time of an overacted stage play, it recovers from this after the first few chapters though. I also didn't enjoy that Phoebe, in her own words, took advantage of her drunk husband to beget a child on the very first page. That was straight up not needed and made it a lot harder to like her. (It was also weird in context: she understood consent later and knew not to ogle a naked Andrew while tending to his wounds!)
During the course of the book the other Dukes of Distinction also showed up, they will have their love stories explored in future installments. I enjoyed getting to know them in this story and the sneaky hint at what will happen with them got me curious to check their books out.
I was provided an e-ARC by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 6, 2021
4.5 Stars!
Captain Andrew Graham was never meant to be the Duke of Windham. The Countess of Borwick, Phoebe Smythe, never imagined she would lose her husband and beloved son in an accident. Yet, it is these circumstances that bring the two together to find love through the pain.
Andrew was the second son. When his brother dies, he is called away from the battlefield to spend time with his father during his last days. Now the duke, he takes the reigns and holds them tight so the family legacy will live on. His younger half-brother isn’t keen to have a cap put on his allowance and ends up making a costly decision.
Grief unlike any other comes with the loss of a child. Not only did Phoebe lose her husband and five-year-old son in one day, she lost her unborn child as well. She is determined not to let her grief swallow her whole and sets off to a coastal town and a cottage to spend a few months completely on her own. When Andrew washes up on Phoebe’s beach with a bullet in his chest, life will never be the same.
I find myself incredibly lucky to find Aston’s first in her new series and given the chance to review it. The theme I walked away with of love ebbing the pains caused by death is incredibly touching and heart-warming. The passion and anguish felt by these exquisitely complex characters makes their happily ever after that much sweeter. So much of Andrew and Phoebe’s story can’t be summed up in my review without spoiling the best parts. I will just leave with this, we get a fascinating story, a surprising ending, and a magnificent novel to begin this five duke series. I can’t wait for four more stories of romanced dukes yet to come.
I received Duke of Renown for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Captain Andrew Graham was never meant to be the Duke of Windham. The Countess of Borwick, Phoebe Smythe, never imagined she would lose her husband and beloved son in an accident. Yet, it is these circumstances that bring the two together to find love through the pain.
Andrew was the second son. When his brother dies, he is called away from the battlefield to spend time with his father during his last days. Now the duke, he takes the reigns and holds them tight so the family legacy will live on. His younger half-brother isn’t keen to have a cap put on his allowance and ends up making a costly decision.
Grief unlike any other comes with the loss of a child. Not only did Phoebe lose her husband and five-year-old son in one day, she lost her unborn child as well. She is determined not to let her grief swallow her whole and sets off to a coastal town and a cottage to spend a few months completely on her own. When Andrew washes up on Phoebe’s beach with a bullet in his chest, life will never be the same.
I find myself incredibly lucky to find Aston’s first in her new series and given the chance to review it. The theme I walked away with of love ebbing the pains caused by death is incredibly touching and heart-warming. The passion and anguish felt by these exquisitely complex characters makes their happily ever after that much sweeter. So much of Andrew and Phoebe’s story can’t be summed up in my review without spoiling the best parts. I will just leave with this, we get a fascinating story, a surprising ending, and a magnificent novel to begin this five duke series. I can’t wait for four more stories of romanced dukes yet to come.
I received Duke of Renown for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
February 1, 2021
Phoebe Smythe, Countess of Borwick, suffers a tragic miscarriage when she learns her husband and young son Nathan have been killed in a carriage accident. The grieving widow retreats to an isolated cottage on the coast of Cornwall, where she hopes to grieve in peace. Captain Andrew Graham returns home from the Napoleonic Wars after the death of his older brother, finding his father on his deathbed. Soon he becomes the Duke of Windham and must deal not only with numerous responsibilities but his wayward half-brother, who has amassed a mountain of debt and then shoots Andrew so he can become the new duke. Andrew awakens to an angel of mercy, Mrs. Smith, a middle-class widow who nurses him back to health. She thinks he’s a criminal, which amuses him, but he soon falls in love with her beauty and spirit. On the day he decides to ask for her hand in marriage, she disappears and he has no way to find her—until he spies her across a London ballroom.
This is the start of a new series & what a lovely starter. Strong characters & a lovely story. My heart bled for Phoebe who truly deserved to find love & passion. I loved Andrew too who was also grieving. I adored how their relationship developed, the chemistry was electric. We were also introduced to the other Dukes of Distinction & I can’t wait for their stories. I, sillily, began this engrossing read when I went to bed! 3am & I finished it I couldn’t put it down
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
This is the start of a new series & what a lovely starter. Strong characters & a lovely story. My heart bled for Phoebe who truly deserved to find love & passion. I loved Andrew too who was also grieving. I adored how their relationship developed, the chemistry was electric. We were also introduced to the other Dukes of Distinction & I can’t wait for their stories. I, sillily, began this engrossing read when I went to bed! 3am & I finished it I couldn’t put it down
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Read
February 1, 2021Phoebe Borwick Had just lost 3 people, her husband Nathan, and the unborn babe. She had to go away nothing was helping. Her brother-in-law rented an adorable cottage in Cornwall for her. She took walks, did the housework, and whatever needed to be done. She decided that she wanted to be a mother and for that she would need a husband.
Major Andrew Grahamsince he was a second son he went to war. His older brother had an accident while racing his Phaeton, he died. When his father found out, He had a heart attack and soon died. lHe had spent five years fighting Boney. He was part of five dukes who became known to each other and hung out. Sebastion went to war with him and three stayed home. It was a truly nice story, It was well written, easy, to read, and it was exciting. The characters were loving and supportive. He had decided he needed to get married and start his nursery. Aunt Helen Was hoping he would, he was getting older. He went to Monkford, it was one of his estates, he just needed time to think. His brother found and shot him, then kicked him off the cliff, and he told everyone the duke was missing. I do recommend this delightful and suspenseful tale.
I received this ARC and voluntarily reviewed it.
Major Andrew Grahamsince he was a second son he went to war. His older brother had an accident while racing his Phaeton, he died. When his father found out, He had a heart attack and soon died. lHe had spent five years fighting Boney. He was part of five dukes who became known to each other and hung out. Sebastion went to war with him and three stayed home. It was a truly nice story, It was well written, easy, to read, and it was exciting. The characters were loving and supportive. He had decided he needed to get married and start his nursery. Aunt Helen Was hoping he would, he was getting older. He went to Monkford, it was one of his estates, he just needed time to think. His brother found and shot him, then kicked him off the cliff, and he told everyone the duke was missing. I do recommend this delightful and suspenseful tale.
I received this ARC and voluntarily reviewed it.
February 9, 2021
Tragedy brings together two souls, but circumstances splits them apart.
Phoebe Smythe, Countess of Borwick finds out the light of her life, her young son is killed in a carriage accident along with his father. The Countess upon hearing the news suffers a early miscarriage which leads her to the countryside of Cornwall.
Captain Andrew Graham is informed of his elder brothers death and his father is on his deathbed. Andrew eventually becomes the new Duke and this is when the problems start to arise. His half-brother attempts to take his life and this is where he is thrown into the company of a Mrs, Smith.
The author writing has so much inflection that one does not have to guess about the feelings that grow even though the two individuals are unaware of each other’s status.
I would recommend any book this author writes because I have truly not come across one I would not either get for myself or for a friend!
I received a free advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.
Phoebe Smythe, Countess of Borwick finds out the light of her life, her young son is killed in a carriage accident along with his father. The Countess upon hearing the news suffers a early miscarriage which leads her to the countryside of Cornwall.
Captain Andrew Graham is informed of his elder brothers death and his father is on his deathbed. Andrew eventually becomes the new Duke and this is when the problems start to arise. His half-brother attempts to take his life and this is where he is thrown into the company of a Mrs, Smith.
The author writing has so much inflection that one does not have to guess about the feelings that grow even though the two individuals are unaware of each other’s status.
I would recommend any book this author writes because I have truly not come across one I would not either get for myself or for a friend!
I received a free advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.
February 4, 2021
4.5 stars
This is a new author to me and I will look out for other books. Phoebe has a tragic start. Her son and husband are killed in a carriage accident. She miscarries the baby. Phoebe wasn't too keen on her husband but was devastated on the loss of her son, Nathan. She hides away from the world in a cottage in the West Country. Andrew is a soldier, who's had to return to pick up the responsibily of a Dukedom. His step brother isn't pleased and tries to assasinate him. Phoebe nurses him and tends hom back to health. It's a good story and we meet Andrew's three other friends, who I'm assuming will be heroes in other books. Phoebe is kindly and as a reader I was rooting for her to have a happy ending. Andrew is a swoon worthy hero. I'm looking forward to the other books in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is a new author to me and I will look out for other books. Phoebe has a tragic start. Her son and husband are killed in a carriage accident. She miscarries the baby. Phoebe wasn't too keen on her husband but was devastated on the loss of her son, Nathan. She hides away from the world in a cottage in the West Country. Andrew is a soldier, who's had to return to pick up the responsibily of a Dukedom. His step brother isn't pleased and tries to assasinate him. Phoebe nurses him and tends hom back to health. It's a good story and we meet Andrew's three other friends, who I'm assuming will be heroes in other books. Phoebe is kindly and as a reader I was rooting for her to have a happy ending. Andrew is a swoon worthy hero. I'm looking forward to the other books in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 6, 2021
Such a tender, sweet love story!
After tragic circumstances completely upend both Phoebe's and Andrew's separate lives, their paths cross at a crucial moment yet neither one is aware of exactly who the other one is. The identity misunderstandings really play well into the development of their relationship as it removes both of them from the baggage of their position in society, freeing them each up to present their true selves to each other for a short but treasured time.
I really appreciated the care and respect for both Andrew and Phoebe throughout the book. The steamy scenes were detailed enough to make the story interesting without being too lurid. There was just enough action and suspense to keep the story lively, all beautifully culminating in a charming HEA that proves dreams can come true. I love the extended epilogue, and am looking forward to reading more about Andrew's friends (and fellow dukes) as they find their own happy endings. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
After tragic circumstances completely upend both Phoebe's and Andrew's separate lives, their paths cross at a crucial moment yet neither one is aware of exactly who the other one is. The identity misunderstandings really play well into the development of their relationship as it removes both of them from the baggage of their position in society, freeing them each up to present their true selves to each other for a short but treasured time.
I really appreciated the care and respect for both Andrew and Phoebe throughout the book. The steamy scenes were detailed enough to make the story interesting without being too lurid. There was just enough action and suspense to keep the story lively, all beautifully culminating in a charming HEA that proves dreams can come true. I love the extended epilogue, and am looking forward to reading more about Andrew's friends (and fellow dukes) as they find their own happy endings. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
April 10, 2021
Andrew has just recently become the Duke of Windham after his elder brother died in a carriage accident, so he hasn't been brought up to expect to be the duke and served several years at war instead. He has a younger half brother who gets ideas and Andrew ends up recovering from a shooting in Phoebe's little cottage. Phoebe is a dowager countess (although she was accidentally referred to as dowager duchess at one point of this book) who lost her husband and son in a carriage accident. (This author seems to have a thing about carriage accidents but coincidentally this carriage accident happens to be the same incident in which Elise's husband from Duke of Disrepute perished.) They are both incognito during their stay at her cottage. Andrew thinks she's widowed Mrs. Smith and Phoebe thinks he's a smuggler. He quite likes the idea that she likes him for himself, and not because of his title.
I have just read Duke of Disrepute recently and I didn't care for that book very much, so I was a bit surprised to love Duke of Renown from the same series as much as I did.
This one is better paced, the plot is a good blend of romance and a dash of danger, the writing flows better, and the characters feel more real in their emotions. What backstory there is feels more to the point than the meandering melodrama in Duke of Disrepute. And what's not to love about a duke in disguise?
I received a review copy from Netgalley and I'm leaving a honest, voluntary review.
I have just read Duke of Disrepute recently and I didn't care for that book very much, so I was a bit surprised to love Duke of Renown from the same series as much as I did.
This one is better paced, the plot is a good blend of romance and a dash of danger, the writing flows better, and the characters feel more real in their emotions. What backstory there is feels more to the point than the meandering melodrama in Duke of Disrepute. And what's not to love about a duke in disguise?
I received a review copy from Netgalley and I'm leaving a honest, voluntary review.
September 10, 2021
Terrific Historical
This is a really good Historical Romance and I enjoyed it quite a bit. It is case of mistaken identity and enforced proximity that I found entertaining and I think you will like it too. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good historical with some steamy scenes.
This is a really good Historical Romance and I enjoyed it quite a bit. It is case of mistaken identity and enforced proximity that I found entertaining and I think you will like it too. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good historical with some steamy scenes.
February 5, 2021
One of the most romantic stories I have read in a while. This story is not that complicated but the story drags you into the world of Phoebe and Andrew and dares you to push their romance to the side. While I am not usually one for secrets/secret identities, this one was not such that I would say “come on, just tell them”. I could not help but ooh and ahh the entire time. If you need a great pick me up, light read, then grab this book and settle in for a fantastic story.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher from NetGalley.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher from NetGalley.
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