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The Disgraceful Dukes #3
Blame It on the Duke
Have you heard?
The future Duke of Barrington has just been gambled away by his father. To an heiress!
The delicious details thus far...
Nicolas, Lord Hatherly, never intended to marry—nor add to the “mad” Hatherly line—but now he must honor his father’s debt to a social-climbing merchant or lose the family estate.
A notoriously wild marquess, won by her father at a game of cards, is the very last thing Miss Alice Tombs wants. She’s spent the last three seasons repelling suitors in spectacular fashion so she’d be at liberty to explore the world. She’ll just have to drive this one away as well.
Until Nick proposes an utterly tempting arrangement: one summer together to prove the legitimacy of their union, then Alice is free to travel while Nick revels in the time he has left before the Hatherly Madness takes hold.
It will be easy to walk away after a few months of make-believe wedded bliss—won’t it? Alice and Nick are about to find out...one sultry night at a time.
This ought to be fun . . .
The future Duke of Barrington has just been gambled away by his father. To an heiress!
The delicious details thus far...
Nicolas, Lord Hatherly, never intended to marry—nor add to the “mad” Hatherly line—but now he must honor his father’s debt to a social-climbing merchant or lose the family estate.
A notoriously wild marquess, won by her father at a game of cards, is the very last thing Miss Alice Tombs wants. She’s spent the last three seasons repelling suitors in spectacular fashion so she’d be at liberty to explore the world. She’ll just have to drive this one away as well.
Until Nick proposes an utterly tempting arrangement: one summer together to prove the legitimacy of their union, then Alice is free to travel while Nick revels in the time he has left before the Hatherly Madness takes hold.
It will be easy to walk away after a few months of make-believe wedded bliss—won’t it? Alice and Nick are about to find out...one sultry night at a time.
This ought to be fun . . .
Audio CD
First published April 18, 2017
309 people are currently reading
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About the author
Lenora Bell
12 books1,393 followersLenora Bell is a USA Today bestselling, award-winning author of historical romances with Avon Books. A teacher with an MFA in Creative Writing, Lenora has lived and worked on five continents. She's currently fixing up a big old building in small town Alaska with her carpenter husband and two tiger-striped rescue kitties (#RomancingTheRenovation). She loves hearing from readers! Join her Facebook Reader Group for exclusive excerpts, giveaways and news: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Lenor...
Learn more at www.LenoraBell.com
Learn more at www.LenoraBell.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 326 reviews
September 3, 2019
This year I’ve been taking time out to go through my shelves. I’m much more organised these days! This was sent to me by the publishers LittleBrown books back in 2017 unsolicited.
I fancied reading something different. And.....I’ve found my review notepad which I’d lost! So I can now do “catchup Reviews’
Onto the book
Although this is book 3 in a series I didn’t feel like I’d missed out on anything by jumping right in.
It seems that the heroines father has lost a bet and up for grabs is his headstrong, not the typical woman of that age. There’s no room for marriage, children etc in her life.....
But does the handsome man win her heart or does she remain single.
Great fluffy romp of an historical read.
I fancied reading something different. And.....I’ve found my review notepad which I’d lost! So I can now do “catchup Reviews’
Onto the book
Although this is book 3 in a series I didn’t feel like I’d missed out on anything by jumping right in.
It seems that the heroines father has lost a bet and up for grabs is his headstrong, not the typical woman of that age. There’s no room for marriage, children etc in her life.....
But does the handsome man win her heart or does she remain single.
Great fluffy romp of an historical read.
April 24, 2017
Yeah, I can't even round this one higher into the "It was OK" category. We need a star rating for "It was a hot mess"
Full review now posted on All About Romance
The premise for Blame It on the Duke is silly; however I’ve read other books where a blushing virgin gets lessons in love from an experienced rake that make the formulaic plotline work. If that had been the extent of the problems in this story I would have been content to grade it a C and then move on to other things. Unfortunately there are many issues with Ms. Bell’s writing, and the overall feeling of confusion I got while reading made me shake my head and wonder how this book got past a beta reader or editor.
Let’s start with Nick, who is probably one of the worst fake-rakes I’ve ever encountered. He’s got a pretty sordid reputation but all of that scandal seems to conveniently melt away once he’s introduced to Alice. He agrees to their marriage because he doesn’t see her as a temptation against all the loose and beautiful women available to shag. Of course, once he kisses her he’s smitten and those dreams of other women are easily forgotten. Alice becomes his sexual focus and he starts giving her his best moves and come-on lines. I mean, who wouldn’t drop her drawers for a man who says sexy things like:
“I’ll taste the wine later,” Nick said in a low, intimate voice. “On your lips.”
Or
“This is where the magic happens, Dimples.”
Or
“I never eat sweets. And you’re all the sugar I need.”
The man is an absolute poet! ‘Dimples’, by the way, is the annoying pet name he comes up with for Alice at their first meeting. I just can’t see any Regency gentleman coming up with that nickname for a gently bred woman, but considering the smarmy way he tries to seduce her it just falls right into the ridiculousness of it all.
That Alice, a woman whose appreciation for words and language is stressed almost ad nauseum, falls for these cheesy lines is another problem. She swears to herself up and down that she’s above swooning for any man no matter how handsome he is, and yet within minutes of their first kiss she’s dreaming of all the positions she’s read in the Kamasutra that they can try together. I cannot understand how an author can write about a time where a woman could have been ruined by simply talking to a man unchaperoned and still have her so sexually liberated that something like the Kamasutra doesn’t scandalize her. Sure, we’re meant to believe that Alice is looking at the text in a scholarly way, but that’s a lot like saying a man reads Playboy for the articles.
There are several other threads within Blame It on the Duke that had me rolling my eyes, and it was all just too much to filter past my reality-o-meter. Ms. Bell obviously has a following of readers who have made her other books successful but I can’t count myself among the converted. This wasn’t a good historical romance and new readers should probably steer clear.
Full review now posted on All About Romance
The premise for Blame It on the Duke is silly; however I’ve read other books where a blushing virgin gets lessons in love from an experienced rake that make the formulaic plotline work. If that had been the extent of the problems in this story I would have been content to grade it a C and then move on to other things. Unfortunately there are many issues with Ms. Bell’s writing, and the overall feeling of confusion I got while reading made me shake my head and wonder how this book got past a beta reader or editor.
Let’s start with Nick, who is probably one of the worst fake-rakes I’ve ever encountered. He’s got a pretty sordid reputation but all of that scandal seems to conveniently melt away once he’s introduced to Alice. He agrees to their marriage because he doesn’t see her as a temptation against all the loose and beautiful women available to shag. Of course, once he kisses her he’s smitten and those dreams of other women are easily forgotten. Alice becomes his sexual focus and he starts giving her his best moves and come-on lines. I mean, who wouldn’t drop her drawers for a man who says sexy things like:
“I’ll taste the wine later,” Nick said in a low, intimate voice. “On your lips.”
Or
“This is where the magic happens, Dimples.”
Or
“I never eat sweets. And you’re all the sugar I need.”
The man is an absolute poet! ‘Dimples’, by the way, is the annoying pet name he comes up with for Alice at their first meeting. I just can’t see any Regency gentleman coming up with that nickname for a gently bred woman, but considering the smarmy way he tries to seduce her it just falls right into the ridiculousness of it all.
That Alice, a woman whose appreciation for words and language is stressed almost ad nauseum, falls for these cheesy lines is another problem. She swears to herself up and down that she’s above swooning for any man no matter how handsome he is, and yet within minutes of their first kiss she’s dreaming of all the positions she’s read in the Kamasutra that they can try together. I cannot understand how an author can write about a time where a woman could have been ruined by simply talking to a man unchaperoned and still have her so sexually liberated that something like the Kamasutra doesn’t scandalize her. Sure, we’re meant to believe that Alice is looking at the text in a scholarly way, but that’s a lot like saying a man reads Playboy for the articles.
There are several other threads within Blame It on the Duke that had me rolling my eyes, and it was all just too much to filter past my reality-o-meter. Ms. Bell obviously has a following of readers who have made her other books successful but I can’t count myself among the converted. This wasn’t a good historical romance and new readers should probably steer clear.
May 25, 2017
This was a decent book to escape to because of the rain. It rained all weekend and I wanted something fun that would have a happy ending.
Lenora Bell does a great job with her characters. Alice had charm, independence, intelligence and I really enjoyed her. Nick was also a great character. I enjoyed his bond with his crazy Dad and eccentric servants.
With great chemistry, beloved side characters, and an interesting mystery plot, this was another successful addition to the series!
Lenora Bell does a great job with her characters. Alice had charm, independence, intelligence and I really enjoyed her. Nick was also a great character. I enjoyed his bond with his crazy Dad and eccentric servants.
With great chemistry, beloved side characters, and an interesting mystery plot, this was another successful addition to the series!
October 1, 2022
Wait who was Jane’s husband? This was good but not very memorable. This dealt in part with an asylum which is usually a topic too heavy for me. I thought it was handled pretty well but still had a darker tone than the previous two. The ending definitely had a scene in there where the hero was spiraling and I was so stressed. It was effective but man. I did like the one month of sex explorations aspect of their marriage. We also got a good girl!
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶🌶🌶.25/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶🌶🌶.25/5
December 23, 2020
Adorei 😍
Lenora Bell é fantástica.
Esta trilogia é maravilhosa, gostei imenso dos três, não consigo escolher um favorito 💕
Lenora Bell é fantástica.
Esta trilogia é maravilhosa, gostei imenso dos três, não consigo escolher um favorito 💕
February 18, 2019
2.5 This was not truly engaging. Pacing, both emotionally and event-wise, was slightly off-kilter. Characters were lighty sketched, rather than fully formed they had promise but no real impact. Read like draft 1 out of 5.
There was also no need to bring Aunt Sarah into matters as a character. Maintaining that relationship was unrealistic for the times. Sarah was unnecessary to the plot and did little but raise reader eyebrows at the unlikeliness of any interaction with her by a family interested in gaining social status.
Frankly her editor should have told the author to cut that. How many avenues of shocking sexual precociousness does one virgin need?
She had the Kama sutra (from which the mostly banal opening chapter quotes were taken). She needs access to a courtesan in the family too? Relax y’all. We get it. She’s not the usual innocent.
Let’s not get into the problematic white savior let’s return the work to “exotic” India, only she can do it angle.
Or the weirdly brave for his status person who ended up being behind the attacks on the Duke and his son.
Let’s not address the fact that the marquess was strangely oblivious to his rank and the power that automatically came with it, which would have enabled him to easily shut down businesses he didn’t approve of, purchase them outright or straight up change the darn law.
Not really sure why he was operating in the shadows with a convoluted imitation Underground Railroad. In between bouts of partying.
#Batmanwannabe?
Lines I liked:
Alice glanced up at Forster with a fetching tilt of her head, to see if she’d understood the words correctly, and Nick thought he caught an admiring gleam in her eyes.
That’s when it struck him that Forster was too handsome.
Why hadn’t Nick noticed it before?
He’d known the doctor for years and greatly admired his research into cures for lunacy, but he’d never before noticed quite how much masculine beauty he possessed.
Alice smiled at Forster, and Nick had the entirely irrational thought that he should be the only person in the world to see her dimples.
There was also no need to bring Aunt Sarah into matters as a character. Maintaining that relationship was unrealistic for the times. Sarah was unnecessary to the plot and did little but raise reader eyebrows at the unlikeliness of any interaction with her by a family interested in gaining social status.
Frankly her editor should have told the author to cut that. How many avenues of shocking sexual precociousness does one virgin need?
She had the Kama sutra (from which the mostly banal opening chapter quotes were taken). She needs access to a courtesan in the family too? Relax y’all. We get it. She’s not the usual innocent.
Let’s not get into the problematic white savior let’s return the work to “exotic” India, only she can do it angle.
Or the weirdly brave for his status person who ended up being behind the attacks on the Duke and his son.
Let’s not address the fact that the marquess was strangely oblivious to his rank and the power that automatically came with it, which would have enabled him to easily shut down businesses he didn’t approve of, purchase them outright or straight up change the darn law.
Not really sure why he was operating in the shadows with a convoluted imitation Underground Railroad. In between bouts of partying.
#Batmanwannabe?
Lines I liked:
Alice glanced up at Forster with a fetching tilt of her head, to see if she’d understood the words correctly, and Nick thought he caught an admiring gleam in her eyes.
That’s when it struck him that Forster was too handsome.
Why hadn’t Nick noticed it before?
He’d known the doctor for years and greatly admired his research into cures for lunacy, but he’d never before noticed quite how much masculine beauty he possessed.
Alice smiled at Forster, and Nick had the entirely irrational thought that he should be the only person in the world to see her dimples.
January 26, 2023
⭐💫
1½ stars.
Formulaic.
Too anachronistic.
Jumbled and disjointed plot.
Lacking chemistry and romantic build up.
The main characters lacked some depth and needed to be a little bit more developed and not so repetitive.
Believability/plausibility issues.
Annoying heroine.
1½ stars.
Formulaic.
Too anachronistic.
Jumbled and disjointed plot.
Lacking chemistry and romantic build up.
The main characters lacked some depth and needed to be a little bit more developed and not so repetitive.
Believability/plausibility issues.
Annoying heroine.
August 14, 2019
..
** Contains mature themes **
Blame It on the Duke was the third and final installment of The Disgraceful Dukes series. The characters were quirky and funny. The plot was unconventional. The madness of the mind is rarely referred to in historical romance, but it appears it could have been a relevant part of the times.
Have you heard?
The future Duke of Barrington has just been gambled away by his father. To an heiress!
The delicious details thus far...
Nicholas, the future of Duke of Barrington, Lord Hatherly had vowed to never marry - nor add to the "mad" Hatherly line. Instead, he intended to enjoy life to the fullest until the hereditary madness took his mind. Unfortunately . . .
Now he must honor his father’s debt to a social-climbing merchant or lose the family estate.
Miss Alice Tombs has spent three years avoiding marriage and is no more excited about this prospect than Lord Hatherly is. She makes everyone laugh because she purposely conveys herself as being so odd, which had served her well in avoiding matrimony for years She has plans to use her linguistic skills to transcribe part of an ancient manuscript and return them to India. Nick fears he has no future, but he was deeply concerned about Alice's dream for her future.
Alice was sensible and pragmatic about her scholarly pursuits and her ability to learn new languages flourished so easily. With semantic interest, she became well versed in the sanscript translation of the Karma Sutra, Alice is intrigued by the idea and is anxious to experience the art of sexual congress. She assures herself it is to assist her with her translation of the Karma Sutra manuscript. She rather thought she could swiftly overcome her maidenly modesty, misgivings, and trepidation with her new husband as a teacher, hoping that experiencing physical gratification would assist her translations to become more substantial.
A notoriously wild marquess, won by her father at a game of cards, is the very last thing Miss Alice Tombs wants. She’s spent the last three seasons repelling suitors in spectacular fashion so she’d be at liberty to explore the world. She’ll just have to drive this one away as well.
So Nicholas offers her a remarkably tempting compromise. They spend one month together as a married couple and then she can travel to India or any other countries around the world, while he would fully envelop the spirit of libidinous pursuits until his madness takes hold. He looks at it like a win-win situation.
This ought to be fun . . .
It will be easy to walk away after make-believe wedded bliss—won’t it? Alice and Nick are about to find out...one sultry night at a time.
Those that prefer a clean read should SKIP this series. It definitely does not fit in that category. Use discretion when choosing to read this series, since the text is most assuredly geared toward adult audiences. Be warned so that you don't deduct points on your reviews. The authors do dedicate their time and effort to research their topics and surroundings, then pour their imagination into their works. I just wish the author's promotions would work together with Amazon and/or Goodreads to provide notification of a category that clarifies sexually explicit content, to better inform the entire reading audience.
..
** Contains mature themes **
Blame It on the Duke was the third and final installment of The Disgraceful Dukes series. The characters were quirky and funny. The plot was unconventional. The madness of the mind is rarely referred to in historical romance, but it appears it could have been a relevant part of the times.
Have you heard?
The future Duke of Barrington has just been gambled away by his father. To an heiress!
The delicious details thus far...
Nicholas, the future of Duke of Barrington, Lord Hatherly had vowed to never marry - nor add to the "mad" Hatherly line. Instead, he intended to enjoy life to the fullest until the hereditary madness took his mind. Unfortunately . . .
Now he must honor his father’s debt to a social-climbing merchant or lose the family estate.
Miss Alice Tombs has spent three years avoiding marriage and is no more excited about this prospect than Lord Hatherly is. She makes everyone laugh because she purposely conveys herself as being so odd, which had served her well in avoiding matrimony for years She has plans to use her linguistic skills to transcribe part of an ancient manuscript and return them to India. Nick fears he has no future, but he was deeply concerned about Alice's dream for her future.
Alice was sensible and pragmatic about her scholarly pursuits and her ability to learn new languages flourished so easily. With semantic interest, she became well versed in the sanscript translation of the Karma Sutra, Alice is intrigued by the idea and is anxious to experience the art of sexual congress. She assures herself it is to assist her with her translation of the Karma Sutra manuscript. She rather thought she could swiftly overcome her maidenly modesty, misgivings, and trepidation with her new husband as a teacher, hoping that experiencing physical gratification would assist her translations to become more substantial.
A notoriously wild marquess, won by her father at a game of cards, is the very last thing Miss Alice Tombs wants. She’s spent the last three seasons repelling suitors in spectacular fashion so she’d be at liberty to explore the world. She’ll just have to drive this one away as well.
So Nicholas offers her a remarkably tempting compromise. They spend one month together as a married couple and then she can travel to India or any other countries around the world, while he would fully envelop the spirit of libidinous pursuits until his madness takes hold. He looks at it like a win-win situation.
This ought to be fun . . .
It will be easy to walk away after make-believe wedded bliss—won’t it? Alice and Nick are about to find out...one sultry night at a time.
Those that prefer a clean read should SKIP this series. It definitely does not fit in that category. Use discretion when choosing to read this series, since the text is most assuredly geared toward adult audiences. Be warned so that you don't deduct points on your reviews. The authors do dedicate their time and effort to research their topics and surroundings, then pour their imagination into their works. I just wish the author's promotions would work together with Amazon and/or Goodreads to provide notification of a category that clarifies sexually explicit content, to better inform the entire reading audience.
..
did-not-finish
April 3, 2018White heroine (in a book written by a white author) is translating a text, and, well:
"The Sanskrit fragment she'd been translating had proven surprisingly naughty. The Kama Sutra described in great detail the sixty-four arts of pleasure."
It also happens to be a missing fragment of it, and she wants to go to India and, I don't know what. Also, every chapter opens with a short quote from the Kama Sutra, and I have lost all willingness to just wait and see if it gets better, because there's really no coming back from that. I'm all for scholar heroines, but don't throw a culture under the stereotype bus in order to do it.
"The Sanskrit fragment she'd been translating had proven surprisingly naughty. The Kama Sutra described in great detail the sixty-four arts of pleasure."
It also happens to be a missing fragment of it, and she wants to go to India and, I don't know what. Also, every chapter opens with a short quote from the Kama Sutra, and I have lost all willingness to just wait and see if it gets better, because there's really no coming back from that. I'm all for scholar heroines, but don't throw a culture under the stereotype bus in order to do it.
April 24, 2017
Review originally posted at http://fictionvixen.com/review-blame-...
I feel like with every new release I fall just a little bit more in love with Lenora Bell. This is the third book in the Disgraceful Dukes series and in my opinion the best yet.
Nick, better known as the Marquess of Hatherly, would rather spend his time indulging in imported wines and liquors, while eating rich food prepared by his French chef and watching opera singers and actresses perform in his home. Watching his father fall to lunacy at a young age and knowing his families history has convinced him that his future inevitably holds madness, which means he must live for the pleasures of today. He has no intention of ever taking a wife or siring an heir. He will revel in his hedonistic pleasures and take care of his aging, insane father until the future finally comes for him. So imagine his shock when he realizes that not only has his father’s caretaker allowed him to gamble, but that gambling led to the Duke losing his son in a card game.
Alice Tombs knows the men of the ton have only shown interest in her because of her father’s fortune. Unfortunately for them Alice has no intention of being stuck in a marriage of convenience where she is has no rights and no freedoms. She is determined that she will embark on an adventure, one that will take her to India and Fort William College in Calcutta where she hopes to donate a missing manuscript of the Kama Sutra as well as her translations. Well, her brother will have to take all the credit, but at least she will know of her accomplishments. Only, her brother marries an actress and writes home announcing there’s a babe on the way, and then her father informs her that he has won her a husband in a card game. And not just any husband, but the notorious rake Lord Hatherly.
Nick and Alice have no desire to wed, but they quickly realize that marrying each other will suit each of their needs perfectly. Nick will gain a wife who will warm his bed for a limited time, then sail off to foreign lands never to bother him again. Alice will gain the safety of marriage to a husband who has no wish to control her, the freedom to travel as she wishes and a teacher in all things pleasure for the month leading up to her departure. After all, she needs experience in bedsport in order to better understand her translations. Love will not enter the equation.
BUT IT DOES! Oh, yes it does. I adored Nick and Alice equally. Nick with his tortured soul and belief that his future only holds insanity and darkness, but who shows kindness and offers protection to those who need kindness and protection the most. Nick who has jumped from woman to woman, always searching out sex, but never allowing any comfort or closeness. Then there is Alice, who is smart and capable and craves independence. She agrees to the marriage for two reasons… she will finally get her trip to India and she will gain the sexual experience she desires. I liked that this couple never lied to each other, and other than the truth of what Alice was really translating, never really kept secrets from each other. They were straightforward about their wants and expectations. It was a pleasure watching them fall into friendship, and then slowly into love. There weren’t any OMG WHAT ARE YOU DOING moments,(thank goodness) just a slow progression of two people building a relationship. Lovely really. Also, I adored the sensuality and lustiness of Nick and Alice’s love scenes. She blossoms sexually, and he can’t get enough of it.
Fans of historical romance will definitely want to get their one-click fingers ready. Blame it on the Duke was a charming, sensual read that kept me up late into the night. Highly recommend. Final Grade- B+
Favorite Quote:
I feel like with every new release I fall just a little bit more in love with Lenora Bell. This is the third book in the Disgraceful Dukes series and in my opinion the best yet.
Nick, better known as the Marquess of Hatherly, would rather spend his time indulging in imported wines and liquors, while eating rich food prepared by his French chef and watching opera singers and actresses perform in his home. Watching his father fall to lunacy at a young age and knowing his families history has convinced him that his future inevitably holds madness, which means he must live for the pleasures of today. He has no intention of ever taking a wife or siring an heir. He will revel in his hedonistic pleasures and take care of his aging, insane father until the future finally comes for him. So imagine his shock when he realizes that not only has his father’s caretaker allowed him to gamble, but that gambling led to the Duke losing his son in a card game.
Alice Tombs knows the men of the ton have only shown interest in her because of her father’s fortune. Unfortunately for them Alice has no intention of being stuck in a marriage of convenience where she is has no rights and no freedoms. She is determined that she will embark on an adventure, one that will take her to India and Fort William College in Calcutta where she hopes to donate a missing manuscript of the Kama Sutra as well as her translations. Well, her brother will have to take all the credit, but at least she will know of her accomplishments. Only, her brother marries an actress and writes home announcing there’s a babe on the way, and then her father informs her that he has won her a husband in a card game. And not just any husband, but the notorious rake Lord Hatherly.
Nick and Alice have no desire to wed, but they quickly realize that marrying each other will suit each of their needs perfectly. Nick will gain a wife who will warm his bed for a limited time, then sail off to foreign lands never to bother him again. Alice will gain the safety of marriage to a husband who has no wish to control her, the freedom to travel as she wishes and a teacher in all things pleasure for the month leading up to her departure. After all, she needs experience in bedsport in order to better understand her translations. Love will not enter the equation.
BUT IT DOES! Oh, yes it does. I adored Nick and Alice equally. Nick with his tortured soul and belief that his future only holds insanity and darkness, but who shows kindness and offers protection to those who need kindness and protection the most. Nick who has jumped from woman to woman, always searching out sex, but never allowing any comfort or closeness. Then there is Alice, who is smart and capable and craves independence. She agrees to the marriage for two reasons… she will finally get her trip to India and she will gain the sexual experience she desires. I liked that this couple never lied to each other, and other than the truth of what Alice was really translating, never really kept secrets from each other. They were straightforward about their wants and expectations. It was a pleasure watching them fall into friendship, and then slowly into love. There weren’t any OMG WHAT ARE YOU DOING moments,(thank goodness) just a slow progression of two people building a relationship. Lovely really. Also, I adored the sensuality and lustiness of Nick and Alice’s love scenes. She blossoms sexually, and he can’t get enough of it.
Fans of historical romance will definitely want to get their one-click fingers ready. Blame it on the Duke was a charming, sensual read that kept me up late into the night. Highly recommend. Final Grade- B+
Favorite Quote:
God, it felt good to hold her.
Before he’d married her, he’d thought that she was his very favorite kind of trouble.
He’d been wrong.
She wasn’t just his favorite kind of trouble.
She was the best trouble he’d ever had.
August 25, 2021
weird how the book about characters that I loved in previous books was my least favorite in the series..
August 26, 2017
Historical romance, hey? It’s not a genre I would often read and I’m hardly an expert at reviewing this genre but I will do my best. Thing is, with a blurb like that, it was pretty difficult not to want to read what promised to be a fun experience.
I am sure you’re all sitting in suspense, wondering how this review is going to pan out… Let me enable you to take your finger off the pulse- I enjoyed the book immensely! I did!
Getting myself stuck into the 1820s+ was a delightful experience. Respectful (easily shocked/fainting) ladies and mannerly gentlemen… estates and social classes… gowns and tight breeches! *gulp* What’s not to love, right?… And yet, I was expecting a sort of a fluffy, shallow kind of read- a blushing bride ready to break out of her shell and discover her… ahem.. more seductive manners.
Blame it on the Duke positively surprised me with its plot and conflicts, main characters and the more intimate side of it. The plot was more than just Alice and Nick being ‘put together’ by bad luck and then fighting against each other with their stubbornness until they fell in love. Adding that extra bit of intrigue was the issue of Nick’s father, the Duke, being mad and loving his orchids. There was the issue of innocent people being submitted to a mental asylum for personal gain by evil husbands/siblings and of course, the texsts that Alice was working on. What texts? I don’t wish to say because finding out what Alice was doing was a brilliant surprise and even though it frightened me at first, thinking the subject matter was going to turn the book into a bang-fest, it didn’t.
The romance, even though unexpected and a ludicrous turn of events for both of the main characters, was a slow burning one which built up into epic proportions! It made me realize that I really have to like the characters’ qualities to be able to enjoy romance concluding with sex scenes. I dislike clingy, whining and seemingly weak women in any genre, but in romances, they really peeve me. Alice, and Nick as well, were both thoroughly likeable and it excited me to read their journey.
What also made Blame it on the Duke delightful was the cast of supporting characters. Alice’s aunt who’s a lady of outrageous qualities and skills in that historical setting ;), Nick’s ‘man-servants’ who seemingly have no manners whatsoever and Captain Lear! I enjoyed his presence a great deal- Lear is Nick’s friend, he’s also what some could call a pirate? Anyway, if you need exotic supplies, alcohol and flower seeds included, he’s your man!
Overall, you could be the Chairlady of the Prude Society and I can guarantee that you’ll loosen up and get a bit swoony as you read the book. There’s great conflicts, interesting to follow characters and some steamy scenes if it’s something you’re after. I was positively surprised by the book and I am glad I gave it a chance!
*Thank you to LB and Piatkus for providing me a paperback of the book in exchange for honest review!*
I am sure you’re all sitting in suspense, wondering how this review is going to pan out… Let me enable you to take your finger off the pulse- I enjoyed the book immensely! I did!
Getting myself stuck into the 1820s+ was a delightful experience. Respectful (easily shocked/fainting) ladies and mannerly gentlemen… estates and social classes… gowns and tight breeches! *gulp* What’s not to love, right?… And yet, I was expecting a sort of a fluffy, shallow kind of read- a blushing bride ready to break out of her shell and discover her… ahem.. more seductive manners.
Blame it on the Duke positively surprised me with its plot and conflicts, main characters and the more intimate side of it. The plot was more than just Alice and Nick being ‘put together’ by bad luck and then fighting against each other with their stubbornness until they fell in love. Adding that extra bit of intrigue was the issue of Nick’s father, the Duke, being mad and loving his orchids. There was the issue of innocent people being submitted to a mental asylum for personal gain by evil husbands/siblings and of course, the texsts that Alice was working on. What texts? I don’t wish to say because finding out what Alice was doing was a brilliant surprise and even though it frightened me at first, thinking the subject matter was going to turn the book into a bang-fest, it didn’t.
The romance, even though unexpected and a ludicrous turn of events for both of the main characters, was a slow burning one which built up into epic proportions! It made me realize that I really have to like the characters’ qualities to be able to enjoy romance concluding with sex scenes. I dislike clingy, whining and seemingly weak women in any genre, but in romances, they really peeve me. Alice, and Nick as well, were both thoroughly likeable and it excited me to read their journey.
What also made Blame it on the Duke delightful was the cast of supporting characters. Alice’s aunt who’s a lady of outrageous qualities and skills in that historical setting ;), Nick’s ‘man-servants’ who seemingly have no manners whatsoever and Captain Lear! I enjoyed his presence a great deal- Lear is Nick’s friend, he’s also what some could call a pirate? Anyway, if you need exotic supplies, alcohol and flower seeds included, he’s your man!
Overall, you could be the Chairlady of the Prude Society and I can guarantee that you’ll loosen up and get a bit swoony as you read the book. There’s great conflicts, interesting to follow characters and some steamy scenes if it’s something you’re after. I was positively surprised by the book and I am glad I gave it a chance!
*Thank you to LB and Piatkus for providing me a paperback of the book in exchange for honest review!*
December 12, 2017
This is my first book from Lenora Bell and my feelings for it is pretty lukewarm. I found the premise a little intriguing: The hero is a sexually experienced rake who refuses to fall in love because he is afraid he is going to go mad one day like his father. And his match is the smart, independent lady who only marries him for the freedom to live her life as she pleases. Together, they agree to a short time together –basically to get it on– and then go their separate ways to live their lives married, yet apart.
Raise your hand if you think that is how things will play out.
It’s not so much the predictability of how the romance would unspool that left me kind of meh. I think it was the unlikeliness of so many elements of the story. Yes, it is fiction and a romance fantasy, but some things just kind of took me out of the story.
For instance, Alice is translating a lost section of the Kama Sutra. I can totally buy that she smart and that she knows six languages or whatever, but that she just so happens to have a lost portion of such a renowned text? Come on. And then there’s the subject matter of it. This woman who is an innocent virgin is literally translating the most well known text on sex and sensuality ever.
Add to that, she has been hellbent on never getting married, then a few promises and one kiss from Nick and she agrees to marry him on the spot. This, after her father won Nick in a card game against Nick’s senile father. Again I say, come on.
I give Bell props for the surprising side story about Nick’s heroic dealings with the mentally ill. But it had the potential to be so much more. It ended up being, I don’t know, superficial. I did not connect deeply with any part of this book nor the romance. It was all OK, but really that was it. Just OK.
To be fair, a lot of people loved this on Goodreads. Maybe you’ll connect with it more than I did. Maybe the details won’t mess with your suspension of disbelief. It does have some sweet moments and a satisfying ending.
Rating: B-
*ARC provided by publisher
Raise your hand if you think that is how things will play out.
It’s not so much the predictability of how the romance would unspool that left me kind of meh. I think it was the unlikeliness of so many elements of the story. Yes, it is fiction and a romance fantasy, but some things just kind of took me out of the story.
For instance, Alice is translating a lost section of the Kama Sutra. I can totally buy that she smart and that she knows six languages or whatever, but that she just so happens to have a lost portion of such a renowned text? Come on. And then there’s the subject matter of it. This woman who is an innocent virgin is literally translating the most well known text on sex and sensuality ever.
Add to that, she has been hellbent on never getting married, then a few promises and one kiss from Nick and she agrees to marry him on the spot. This, after her father won Nick in a card game against Nick’s senile father. Again I say, come on.
I give Bell props for the surprising side story about Nick’s heroic dealings with the mentally ill. But it had the potential to be so much more. It ended up being, I don’t know, superficial. I did not connect deeply with any part of this book nor the romance. It was all OK, but really that was it. Just OK.
To be fair, a lot of people loved this on Goodreads. Maybe you’ll connect with it more than I did. Maybe the details won’t mess with your suspension of disbelief. It does have some sweet moments and a satisfying ending.
Rating: B-
*ARC provided by publisher
July 26, 2017
4 Stars
Why I Read It...
I liked the first two books in the series and received an advanced copy from Avon via the Avon Addicts Program.
What I Liked...
1. The hero got "gambled away" rather than the heroine. Nice change of pace.
2. I am a sucker for the marriage of convenience trope so I was sold from the beginning. I love seeing couples have to navigate the normal issues with marriage along with getting to know one another.
3. The heroine was awesome with her intellect, determination, and kindness. I found her tactics to sabotage her mother's efforts to get her married off were funny and I understood why she took those steps.
4. I loved the hero's off-kilter servants and his mad, but sweet father. These side characters helped make the story more entertaining.
5. I appreciated the way the author handled the hero's fear of going insane. There was a great deal of respect for his father's condition. I also liked that there was not a guarantee the same thing wouldn't happen to the hero. It gave the story a more realistic feel.
What I Didn't Like...
1. The plot is pretty packed and got a little too chaotic towards the end. I wanted the book to concentrate more on Nick and Alice's relationship than the external conflicts.
2. I expected more sexiness especially with the plot point involving the Kama Sutra translation.
Would I Recommend It...
Yes, because I found it to be fun, romantic, and engaging. I adore Lenora Bell's writing style and I need Lear, Forester, and Patrick's stories now!
I received an eARC from Avon via the Avon Addicts Program in exchange for an honest review.
Why I Read It...
I liked the first two books in the series and received an advanced copy from Avon via the Avon Addicts Program.
What I Liked...
1. The hero got "gambled away" rather than the heroine. Nice change of pace.
2. I am a sucker for the marriage of convenience trope so I was sold from the beginning. I love seeing couples have to navigate the normal issues with marriage along with getting to know one another.
3. The heroine was awesome with her intellect, determination, and kindness. I found her tactics to sabotage her mother's efforts to get her married off were funny and I understood why she took those steps.
4. I loved the hero's off-kilter servants and his mad, but sweet father. These side characters helped make the story more entertaining.
5. I appreciated the way the author handled the hero's fear of going insane. There was a great deal of respect for his father's condition. I also liked that there was not a guarantee the same thing wouldn't happen to the hero. It gave the story a more realistic feel.
What I Didn't Like...
1. The plot is pretty packed and got a little too chaotic towards the end. I wanted the book to concentrate more on Nick and Alice's relationship than the external conflicts.
2. I expected more sexiness especially with the plot point involving the Kama Sutra translation.
Would I Recommend It...
Yes, because I found it to be fun, romantic, and engaging. I adore Lenora Bell's writing style and I need Lear, Forester, and Patrick's stories now!
I received an eARC from Avon via the Avon Addicts Program in exchange for an honest review.
May 5, 2020
3.5 Pleased Stars
Nicholas, the future of Duke of Barrington, Lord Hatherly is more than a little notorious, and has vowed to never marry. He plans for the madness that consumes the Hatherly line to end with him. What he doesn't count on is his father who has descended into madness, wagering his hand in marriage to Miss Alice Tombs.
Miss Alice Tombs has happily spent the last 3 years avoiding marriage, chasing off her suitors. When she realises what her father has done she's more than a little peeved and declineds to wed Nicholas.
However, when Nicholas proposes a marriage of convienence, one that will give them both what they want, she knows she has found a way to fulfill her dreams. However both she and the Duke underestimate how much each will be drawn to the other. The month they have agreed to live as man and wife won't be enough.
Some good heat in this read. The interactions betwen the two had me smiling and sinking into the tale. Nicholas and Alice are quirky and ensured a fun read.
I really wasn't keen on Alice's dad, and wish there had been some sort of scene between her and her father or her mother and her father.
The scandal surrounding Nicholas and his antics seems to fade into the background once Alice enters the picture, which was a bit of a shame. It would have been interesting to see society's reactions to both of them.
At times Alice felt like a heroine from a contemporary romance read, but this didn't spoil the read for me. I really needed this type of read today its helped me relax and really needed to.
Nicholas, the future of Duke of Barrington, Lord Hatherly is more than a little notorious, and has vowed to never marry. He plans for the madness that consumes the Hatherly line to end with him. What he doesn't count on is his father who has descended into madness, wagering his hand in marriage to Miss Alice Tombs.
Miss Alice Tombs has happily spent the last 3 years avoiding marriage, chasing off her suitors. When she realises what her father has done she's more than a little peeved and declineds to wed Nicholas.
However, when Nicholas proposes a marriage of convienence, one that will give them both what they want, she knows she has found a way to fulfill her dreams. However both she and the Duke underestimate how much each will be drawn to the other. The month they have agreed to live as man and wife won't be enough.
Some good heat in this read. The interactions betwen the two had me smiling and sinking into the tale. Nicholas and Alice are quirky and ensured a fun read.
I really wasn't keen on Alice's dad, and wish there had been some sort of scene between her and her father or her mother and her father.
The scandal surrounding Nicholas and his antics seems to fade into the background once Alice enters the picture, which was a bit of a shame. It would have been interesting to see society's reactions to both of them.
At times Alice felt like a heroine from a contemporary romance read, but this didn't spoil the read for me. I really needed this type of read today its helped me relax and really needed to.
March 14, 2021
I enjoyed it
January 29, 2023
Blame It On the Duke was a delightful read featuring a marriage of convenience romance between a rake and a bluestocking.
Nicolas, Lord Hatherly, has no intention of marrying or continuing the "mad" Hatherly line but then his father, the mad duke, gambles him away in a game of cards to a rich merchant. Now Nick must marry Miss Alice Tombs or risk losing the family home. Alice has spent the last three seasons driving away suitors and now she'll just have to do the same with Nick. But then Nick proposes a mutually beneficial arrangement: they marry and spend one summer together before going their separate ways. Alice will be free to travel the world and Nick will get to keep his family home and enjoy the time he has left before the Hatherly Madness takes hold. But after a few months of passionate nights, will they truly be able to walk away?
Alice's character intrigued me in How the Duke Was Won as I loved how she intentionally acted odd to get knocked out of the running for the Duke of Harland's bride. Her methods were amusing and I liked her character so I was excited to see her in her own book. I enjoyed learning more about her and I loved how passionate she was about her work translating a lost section of the Kama Sutra. Nick was a great character, he was honest about what he wanted and isn't ashamed of who he is. I loved getting to see the hidden sides of him that he doesn't show the world as there was more to his character than I was expecting.
Marriage of convenience is a trope I really enjoy so I was looking forward to Alice and Nick's romance. I loved the scene where they made their bargain and how Alice renegotiated for a month of lessons on the art of pleasure. The chemistry between them was amazing and the steamy scenes are so well done although I will say there were less of them than I was expecting based on the premise. The scene where Nick found out exactly what it was that Alice was translating was great and I loved what it led to between them. The ending was very well done and I really enjoyed the epilogue as Nick's actions were so sweet.
Overall Blame It On the Duke was a very enjoyable read and I would highly recommend this series if you're looking for some great historical romances.
Nicolas, Lord Hatherly, has no intention of marrying or continuing the "mad" Hatherly line but then his father, the mad duke, gambles him away in a game of cards to a rich merchant. Now Nick must marry Miss Alice Tombs or risk losing the family home. Alice has spent the last three seasons driving away suitors and now she'll just have to do the same with Nick. But then Nick proposes a mutually beneficial arrangement: they marry and spend one summer together before going their separate ways. Alice will be free to travel the world and Nick will get to keep his family home and enjoy the time he has left before the Hatherly Madness takes hold. But after a few months of passionate nights, will they truly be able to walk away?
Alice's character intrigued me in How the Duke Was Won as I loved how she intentionally acted odd to get knocked out of the running for the Duke of Harland's bride. Her methods were amusing and I liked her character so I was excited to see her in her own book. I enjoyed learning more about her and I loved how passionate she was about her work translating a lost section of the Kama Sutra. Nick was a great character, he was honest about what he wanted and isn't ashamed of who he is. I loved getting to see the hidden sides of him that he doesn't show the world as there was more to his character than I was expecting.
Marriage of convenience is a trope I really enjoy so I was looking forward to Alice and Nick's romance. I loved the scene where they made their bargain and how Alice renegotiated for a month of lessons on the art of pleasure. The chemistry between them was amazing and the steamy scenes are so well done although I will say there were less of them than I was expecting based on the premise. The scene where Nick found out exactly what it was that Alice was translating was great and I loved what it led to between them. The ending was very well done and I really enjoyed the epilogue as Nick's actions were so sweet.
Overall Blame It On the Duke was a very enjoyable read and I would highly recommend this series if you're looking for some great historical romances.
November 1, 2017
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
Blame It On The Duke is the third book in the Disgraceful Dukes series. I have had such a great time discovering the author and her new work because she is quite talented and is guaranteed to suck you into a story....and her writing voice is very similar to some older romances that are heartwarming (AKA ---Lisa Kleypas, Lorraine Heath and Gayle Callen). I was actually pretty excited to pick this one up and I have to say overall it was a great romance and even though I had some issues with the heroine, the story was superb and I couldn't put this one down.
Now I don't know if its my curse or what, but I have the biggest problem with characters that are written in historical periods that just don't match the era. I am not sure it it was the authors idea or the push of the publisher since these more modern like heroines tend to be more popular. But it bothers me so much, because I really don't want to read a historical and feel like I am read a contemporary. I know that I am not in the popular opinion in this book but the heroine just didn't always work for me. But I did love her sassy personality just some things that would pop out of her mouth I was like HUH? Really? No woman from the 1800's would ever say that. So it just didn't speak out realistic at any time.
The plot was a bit overdone and highly dramatic at times. I felt like if these two had actually communicated a bit better, then it would have been smoother sailiing. I did find the premise of the hero being sold off to marriage a bit unrealistic, especially in the way that it played out in the story. I don't think it was the set up really....because honestly I don't mind the set up at all....it just had a feeling of cheesiness at times that just didn't fit this author's writing style or that actual built up of the romance.
What I found intrigued was that the fact that the heroine was a very scientific type of lady but she wanted more than knowing languages. She is researching the Kama Sutra, and I really enjoyed the way she goes about it, and we see how curious she is about her body and her sexuality even though she tries to hide the truth from the hero about why she is so determined to research this document.
So even though I had a couple of problems with the story, honestly I still had a fun time with this story. And from the main characters that are quirky, to the sensual built up romance, the snazzy side characters that leaves the reader with a smile and seeing the charm and wit enter in the story at all the right times. A romance that will lift up your spirits and give you tingles!!
[foogallery id="25004"]
Blame It On The Duke is the third book in the Disgraceful Dukes series. I have had such a great time discovering the author and her new work because she is quite talented and is guaranteed to suck you into a story....and her writing voice is very similar to some older romances that are heartwarming (AKA ---Lisa Kleypas, Lorraine Heath and Gayle Callen). I was actually pretty excited to pick this one up and I have to say overall it was a great romance and even though I had some issues with the heroine, the story was superb and I couldn't put this one down.
Now I don't know if its my curse or what, but I have the biggest problem with characters that are written in historical periods that just don't match the era. I am not sure it it was the authors idea or the push of the publisher since these more modern like heroines tend to be more popular. But it bothers me so much, because I really don't want to read a historical and feel like I am read a contemporary. I know that I am not in the popular opinion in this book but the heroine just didn't always work for me. But I did love her sassy personality just some things that would pop out of her mouth I was like HUH? Really? No woman from the 1800's would ever say that. So it just didn't speak out realistic at any time.
The plot was a bit overdone and highly dramatic at times. I felt like if these two had actually communicated a bit better, then it would have been smoother sailiing. I did find the premise of the hero being sold off to marriage a bit unrealistic, especially in the way that it played out in the story. I don't think it was the set up really....because honestly I don't mind the set up at all....it just had a feeling of cheesiness at times that just didn't fit this author's writing style or that actual built up of the romance.
What I found intrigued was that the fact that the heroine was a very scientific type of lady but she wanted more than knowing languages. She is researching the Kama Sutra, and I really enjoyed the way she goes about it, and we see how curious she is about her body and her sexuality even though she tries to hide the truth from the hero about why she is so determined to research this document.
So even though I had a couple of problems with the story, honestly I still had a fun time with this story. And from the main characters that are quirky, to the sensual built up romance, the snazzy side characters that leaves the reader with a smile and seeing the charm and wit enter in the story at all the right times. A romance that will lift up your spirits and give you tingles!!
[foogallery id="25004"]
April 19, 2017
"She's insulted him, lied to him, and done everything in her power to repel him...and somehow ended up completely charming him."
FINAL DECISION: Loved, loved, loved this one. Quirky and funny with incredibly serious and heartbreaking turns, this book ended up being my favorite of the series.
THE STORY: Nicholas, the future of Duke of Barrington intended to never marry but rather enjoy his debauched life until the madness that runs in his family claimed him as well. When his father gambles him away in marriage to the daughter of a rich merchant, Nicholas eventually ends up making a deal with his "fiance" Miss Alice Tombs. Alice doesn't want to marry either...she has spent three years avoiding that outcome by scaring off suitors. But Nicholas's proposal tempts her. The two will marry and spend one month together and then she will be free to pursue her interests in travel and scholarly pursuits and Nicholas will be free to pursue his scandalous life.
OPINION: I absolutely loved this book -- and not how I expected to. From the first book in the series, I fell in love with Alice -- a woman willing to use her intelligence to avoid an unwanted marriage. She was incredibly funny with her incessant chattering about strange subjects that manage to repel unwanted suitors. From the moment she discovers that her father has won her a fiance, Alice goes to work to try the same tactics on Nicholas. But he sees her in a way that she never expected.
And what can be more attractive than a hero who actually wants to know the heroine's dreams? Nicholas is a man who knows that he has no future and so he is only living for today. With a family history of madness, Nicholas plans never to marry, never to have children, but rather lead as big and scandalous life he can until the family madness claims him as well. I adored Nick. In the same way that Alice begins to learn more about Nick, the readers also discover that there is far more to him than she or we expect when we meet the man putting on scandalous shows. Despite his despair about his own life, Nick is determined to launch Alice into a wonderful future. And the truth is that Nick's life hides a great deal of pain and fear and desperation.
The book deals in a wonderfully thoughtful and realistic way the pain of mental illness. Nick suffers both as a son and because of his own fear of descending into mental illness. Mental illness is not usually a topic in romance books -- especially not when it might effect the main characters. Here, Nick is living with it every day. The isolation, the fears, the anger, the pain are all depicted here. I don't want to give away more of the book but I loved how the events played out in this book. It was beautifully constructed and is immediately on my keeper shelf.
WORTH MENTIONING: Yes, there is an Alice in Wonderland theme going in this book.
CONNECTED BOOKS: BLAME IT ON THE DUKE is the third book in The Disgraceful Dukes series. While the characters appear in other books in the series, this book can be read on its own.
STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.This review was originally posted on Top10RomanceBooks.com
FINAL DECISION: Loved, loved, loved this one. Quirky and funny with incredibly serious and heartbreaking turns, this book ended up being my favorite of the series.
THE STORY: Nicholas, the future of Duke of Barrington intended to never marry but rather enjoy his debauched life until the madness that runs in his family claimed him as well. When his father gambles him away in marriage to the daughter of a rich merchant, Nicholas eventually ends up making a deal with his "fiance" Miss Alice Tombs. Alice doesn't want to marry either...she has spent three years avoiding that outcome by scaring off suitors. But Nicholas's proposal tempts her. The two will marry and spend one month together and then she will be free to pursue her interests in travel and scholarly pursuits and Nicholas will be free to pursue his scandalous life.
OPINION: I absolutely loved this book -- and not how I expected to. From the first book in the series, I fell in love with Alice -- a woman willing to use her intelligence to avoid an unwanted marriage. She was incredibly funny with her incessant chattering about strange subjects that manage to repel unwanted suitors. From the moment she discovers that her father has won her a fiance, Alice goes to work to try the same tactics on Nicholas. But he sees her in a way that she never expected.
And what can be more attractive than a hero who actually wants to know the heroine's dreams? Nicholas is a man who knows that he has no future and so he is only living for today. With a family history of madness, Nicholas plans never to marry, never to have children, but rather lead as big and scandalous life he can until the family madness claims him as well. I adored Nick. In the same way that Alice begins to learn more about Nick, the readers also discover that there is far more to him than she or we expect when we meet the man putting on scandalous shows. Despite his despair about his own life, Nick is determined to launch Alice into a wonderful future. And the truth is that Nick's life hides a great deal of pain and fear and desperation.
The book deals in a wonderfully thoughtful and realistic way the pain of mental illness. Nick suffers both as a son and because of his own fear of descending into mental illness. Mental illness is not usually a topic in romance books -- especially not when it might effect the main characters. Here, Nick is living with it every day. The isolation, the fears, the anger, the pain are all depicted here. I don't want to give away more of the book but I loved how the events played out in this book. It was beautifully constructed and is immediately on my keeper shelf.
WORTH MENTIONING: Yes, there is an Alice in Wonderland theme going in this book.
CONNECTED BOOKS: BLAME IT ON THE DUKE is the third book in The Disgraceful Dukes series. While the characters appear in other books in the series, this book can be read on its own.
STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.This review was originally posted on Top10RomanceBooks.com
April 3, 2018
Noped out at the beginning of chapter 3. The "teehee, I'm translating the Kama Sutra, it's super naughty, my lady parts are tingling, teehee" thing was RIDICULOUS.
August 31, 2023
I enjoyed this last installment more than the second book in the series. However, I felt that the romance between the hero and heroine was forced or occurred too soon.
April 19, 2017
How have we all been reading romance all these years without the imagination and wit of the inimitable Lenora Bell?
I was charmed by How the Duke Was Won, with its Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-meets-The Bachelor setup, and its social justice soul.
I grinned non-stop while reading If I Only Had a Duke, the Wizard of Oz-inspired road trip romance between an opera singing, Renaissance art loving runaway debutante and the gruffly determined duke whose carriage she hijacks.
And I loved -- just LOVED -- If I Only Had a Duke. Again, a creative retelling of a classic tale, in this case Alice in Wonderland, meets romance and social justice in the most imaginative, funny, bright, and soul-touching way.
The Marquess of Hatherly, rakish son of a mad duke, finds himself gambled away to Alice Tombs, a bluestocking of the first order with relentless curiosity. So begins our plunge into Wonderland -- sorry, Sunderland, the ducal estate. It's a sprawling, architecturally indiscriminate ancestral home, full of mysteries, staffed by odd servants-but-not-servants who speak in riddles and talking flowers in the greenhouse. Wide-eyed Alice, armed only with her beloved cat, is left to solve not only the riddles of the house, but of (the mad?) Hatherly.
Lewis Carroll fans will delight in the many details that evoke his Alice, from ravens and writing desks to six impossible things before breakfast to -- during a love scene, of course -- "eat me."
But while Carroll may have inspired the tale, and while the bluestocking-reforms-a-rake trope might be as old as romance, Bell writes with a entertaining, droll style all her own. I love a romance novel that can make me laugh and make my palms prickle, and Bell can do both -- on the same page. In the same sentence.
Most of all, though, I just like these characters. I like spending time with them. I want to go to India with Alice, walk the duke's orchid garden, go out drinking and mount amateur theatricals with Hatherly. I want to know what happens with Jane, with Lear, with Patrick and Van, with Dr. Forster.
I can't wait to find out.
I was charmed by How the Duke Was Won, with its Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-meets-The Bachelor setup, and its social justice soul.
I grinned non-stop while reading If I Only Had a Duke, the Wizard of Oz-inspired road trip romance between an opera singing, Renaissance art loving runaway debutante and the gruffly determined duke whose carriage she hijacks.
And I loved -- just LOVED -- If I Only Had a Duke. Again, a creative retelling of a classic tale, in this case Alice in Wonderland, meets romance and social justice in the most imaginative, funny, bright, and soul-touching way.
The Marquess of Hatherly, rakish son of a mad duke, finds himself gambled away to Alice Tombs, a bluestocking of the first order with relentless curiosity. So begins our plunge into Wonderland -- sorry, Sunderland, the ducal estate. It's a sprawling, architecturally indiscriminate ancestral home, full of mysteries, staffed by odd servants-but-not-servants who speak in riddles and talking flowers in the greenhouse. Wide-eyed Alice, armed only with her beloved cat, is left to solve not only the riddles of the house, but of (the mad?) Hatherly.
Lewis Carroll fans will delight in the many details that evoke his Alice, from ravens and writing desks to six impossible things before breakfast to -- during a love scene, of course -- "eat me."
But while Carroll may have inspired the tale, and while the bluestocking-reforms-a-rake trope might be as old as romance, Bell writes with a entertaining, droll style all her own. I love a romance novel that can make me laugh and make my palms prickle, and Bell can do both -- on the same page. In the same sentence.
Most of all, though, I just like these characters. I like spending time with them. I want to go to India with Alice, walk the duke's orchid garden, go out drinking and mount amateur theatricals with Hatherly. I want to know what happens with Jane, with Lear, with Patrick and Van, with Dr. Forster.
I can't wait to find out.
April 18, 2017
Blame It on the Duke is book three in The Disgraceful Dukes series. I've really enjoyed both of the previous books in this series and was excited to get this one! LBell has a unique writing style that grips you from the first page and adds humor in just the right places. She's quickly becoming one of my favorite Historical Romance authors.
Rather unconventional, we start off with Nicolas, Lord Hatherly finding out his father lost while gambling and promised his son's hand in marriage to the winner's daughter. I can't say I've heard a Historical Romance start out that way before, but it had me quickly intrigued on where the story would go. Nicolas decides to dissuade his bride to be but winds up going along with it once he meets her. Theirs will be a marriage of convenience once all things are worked out. You see, Alice wants to go to India, she's been working on translating part of a book and wants to submit it. She cannot do so unless she's a married woman so she's game for their charade. Nicolas on the other hand wants to remain where he is and have enough money to take care of his ill father. It's a win win situation, but they didn't count on feelings growing during their marriage of convenience.
Blame It on the Duke was a bit bittersweet to read since it's the last book in the series, yet it was such a great read. I'll just hold out hope that the series is extended in the future. The characters were refreshing and I enjoyed seeing what would happen next. I really enjoyed Alice's character, she is so unique. Nicolas was a good match for her, even though I wanted to shake them both on occasion and tell them to just admit their feelings. Another thing I enjoyed as a reader is that these books can be read as a standalone. While each leading lady has made an appearance in a previous book, you can get away with reading these out of order or choosing one that you think you'll like best. If you're a fan of Historical Romance with a healthy dose of humor mixed in you'll adore this series as much as I did. I highly recommend it.
Rather unconventional, we start off with Nicolas, Lord Hatherly finding out his father lost while gambling and promised his son's hand in marriage to the winner's daughter. I can't say I've heard a Historical Romance start out that way before, but it had me quickly intrigued on where the story would go. Nicolas decides to dissuade his bride to be but winds up going along with it once he meets her. Theirs will be a marriage of convenience once all things are worked out. You see, Alice wants to go to India, she's been working on translating part of a book and wants to submit it. She cannot do so unless she's a married woman so she's game for their charade. Nicolas on the other hand wants to remain where he is and have enough money to take care of his ill father. It's a win win situation, but they didn't count on feelings growing during their marriage of convenience.
Blame It on the Duke was a bit bittersweet to read since it's the last book in the series, yet it was such a great read. I'll just hold out hope that the series is extended in the future. The characters were refreshing and I enjoyed seeing what would happen next. I really enjoyed Alice's character, she is so unique. Nicolas was a good match for her, even though I wanted to shake them both on occasion and tell them to just admit their feelings. Another thing I enjoyed as a reader is that these books can be read as a standalone. While each leading lady has made an appearance in a previous book, you can get away with reading these out of order or choosing one that you think you'll like best. If you're a fan of Historical Romance with a healthy dose of humor mixed in you'll adore this series as much as I did. I highly recommend it.
November 7, 2018
Finally finished Lenora Bells Blame it on the Duke. It took me 11 days which is like 10 days longer than usual to read a book. I just couldn’t really get into it. The first day I read probably about half of it and it didn’t really stir anything in me. I picked it up repeatedly over the next week but it just couldn’t hold my attention for long. I gave it ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The heroine, Alice, I found rather uninteresting. She didn’t annoy me but I didn’t love her. I guess she was just kind of there lol. Her father “wins” the hero, Nick, for her as a husband in a game of cards.
Alice is working on translating Kama Sutra text. I didn’t mind this as part of a plot line, even though it was rather silly, yet I felt that it didn’t really fit with the book. It fit a few scenes and basically gave an excuse for some exploration between the main characters.
I will say I find Lenora’s love scenes descriptive and usually interesting. They seem almost more detailed in some ways and slightly more risqué in a vanilla way. I’m sad that in the two books of hers I’ve read there’s only been 1 or 2 scenes. I guess with the Kama sutra involved I was hoping for more. 😆
I will also say I didn’t really feel the tension in this book and that is one of my favorite part parts of a romance.
The hero didn’t really do much for me either. He was rather arrogant, which I wouldn’t mind if so much of it didn’t focus on his supposed prowess in bed. If a hero is going to be like that, I want him brought to his knees by the heroine, and it just fell a bit short of that for me.
Despite all this the book wasn’t terrible. I liked my first Lenora Bell way more but I’m sure plenty of people would enjoy this story. It might just be my mood. I will say I liked the ending of this story, especially when compared to my first Lenora book, which just seemed to unravel and go crazy.
The heroine, Alice, I found rather uninteresting. She didn’t annoy me but I didn’t love her. I guess she was just kind of there lol. Her father “wins” the hero, Nick, for her as a husband in a game of cards.
Alice is working on translating Kama Sutra text. I didn’t mind this as part of a plot line, even though it was rather silly, yet I felt that it didn’t really fit with the book. It fit a few scenes and basically gave an excuse for some exploration between the main characters.
I will say I find Lenora’s love scenes descriptive and usually interesting. They seem almost more detailed in some ways and slightly more risqué in a vanilla way. I’m sad that in the two books of hers I’ve read there’s only been 1 or 2 scenes. I guess with the Kama sutra involved I was hoping for more. 😆
I will also say I didn’t really feel the tension in this book and that is one of my favorite part parts of a romance.
The hero didn’t really do much for me either. He was rather arrogant, which I wouldn’t mind if so much of it didn’t focus on his supposed prowess in bed. If a hero is going to be like that, I want him brought to his knees by the heroine, and it just fell a bit short of that for me.
Despite all this the book wasn’t terrible. I liked my first Lenora Bell way more but I’m sure plenty of people would enjoy this story. It might just be my mood. I will say I liked the ending of this story, especially when compared to my first Lenora book, which just seemed to unravel and go crazy.
February 10, 2017
This author is my new favorite. I loved the first two books in this series and waited on pins and needles for this one--and it lived up to my expectations!
The characters are absolutely charming. It's so rare in romance for me to fall in love with the heroine as well as the hero but this is truly a case of that. Alice has heart and a brain with plans for herself that don't include a libertine like Nick. Nick is the classic wastrel in romance novels but he has an effervescence to him that many heroes lack. Alice and Nick become partners in a scheme who end up catching themselves when they fall in love. Sure, simple premise but excellent to watch unfold. My favorite part is Alice's expectation of sexual discovery--absolutely charming (and sexy!)
Any fan of well-written, captivating historical romance must pick up this read, as well as the others in the series.
The characters are absolutely charming. It's so rare in romance for me to fall in love with the heroine as well as the hero but this is truly a case of that. Alice has heart and a brain with plans for herself that don't include a libertine like Nick. Nick is the classic wastrel in romance novels but he has an effervescence to him that many heroes lack. Alice and Nick become partners in a scheme who end up catching themselves when they fall in love. Sure, simple premise but excellent to watch unfold. My favorite part is Alice's expectation of sexual discovery--absolutely charming (and sexy!)
Any fan of well-written, captivating historical romance must pick up this read, as well as the others in the series.
January 15, 2018
I wanted to like this more than I actually did. The setting was interesting, and I love a scholarly heroine and a hero who respects her and does everything in his power to support her. Because of the plot surrounding an ancient manuscript with chapters out of the Kama sutra it was quite logical that so much of the story took place in the bedchamber. So I cannot complain about that. Anyways, it just never came entirely to life for me. I wanted to know how it would all be resolved, and am kind of happy about the end. But I stayed outside of it all, just reading the words. I don’t know if it could have been done better, or if it was just me, being difficult to please.
January 23, 2021
nick and alice ended up together when the former's father gambled him away to the latter's father. though both nick and alice never wanted this marriage, they still found a way to take advantage of the union. nick never thought he would be married, he's determined to be the last of his line. the hatherly line is known to produce "mad" descendants which meant that nick might end up like his father. on the other hand, alice desires to travel the world. however, as a single female, she's unable to do that and her parents would never agree to that. if she were to marry nick, he promised that she will have all the freedom to leave and explore the world. in this business arrangement in disguise, the two newlyweds finds relief and liberation.
from the beginning, the sexual tension is high. nick is naturally charming and an absolute rake. despite the fact that he was gambled away, he found alice fascinating and a joy to be with. as for alice, she's filled with curiosity and is extremely intelligent. i enjoyed their push-and-pulls. as they spent more time together, alice finds out that nick is actually an incredibly kind-hearted person while nick realises that he can see himself with alice in the future.
from the beginning, the sexual tension is high. nick is naturally charming and an absolute rake. despite the fact that he was gambled away, he found alice fascinating and a joy to be with. as for alice, she's filled with curiosity and is extremely intelligent. i enjoyed their push-and-pulls. as they spent more time together, alice finds out that nick is actually an incredibly kind-hearted person while nick realises that he can see himself with alice in the future.
August 31, 2017
I believe that this book is the best one in the series. MMM I think this says something.
May 16, 2017
Having previously enjoyed the first two books in this trilogy by Lenora Bell, I was looking forward to this one. Let me tell you: I was not disappointed. Bell brings her signature whimsical storytelling and combines it with a heart-touching trip "down the rabbit hole" with a little kama sutra thrown in for good measure.
The Story-
Nick avoids the reality of his potential future by being a pleasure-seeking rogue, but when his father gambles him away to be married, he will have to come up with a plan to keep his life the way he likes it. Alice only needed to thwart one more suitor to be done with the season and be free to travel to India to live out her dreams. An inconvenient wager places her in the clutches of London's most notorious rogue, but when he seems willing to deal, she jumps on her opportunity. But deals are made to be...
My Thoughts-
This story borrows some motifs and tropes from Alice in Wonderland, but you wouldn't notice unless you purposely paid attention. Which you should because they are so much fun. It opens with a bang and really never lets up; I was never bored and raced through it. Sure, the kama sutra stuff seems a little silly out of context, but it certainly adds a layer of sensuality and great moments for the character of Alice who has previously looked at sex through a very specific educational lens. The rogue educating the virgin has been done before, but it really works here and is lots of fun... and hot. I also like how Bell always seems to throw in some social reform issues because they flesh out the setting and give extra depth to the plot.
The Bottom Line-
This is an excellent historical romance with loads of humor and heat. The "Alice" Easter eggs are brilliant and fun to find without making the story at all silly or fluff. There is real heart here as well, and I will be coming back to Ms. Bell again and again.
The Story-
Nick avoids the reality of his potential future by being a pleasure-seeking rogue, but when his father gambles him away to be married, he will have to come up with a plan to keep his life the way he likes it. Alice only needed to thwart one more suitor to be done with the season and be free to travel to India to live out her dreams. An inconvenient wager places her in the clutches of London's most notorious rogue, but when he seems willing to deal, she jumps on her opportunity. But deals are made to be...
My Thoughts-
This story borrows some motifs and tropes from Alice in Wonderland, but you wouldn't notice unless you purposely paid attention. Which you should because they are so much fun. It opens with a bang and really never lets up; I was never bored and raced through it. Sure, the kama sutra stuff seems a little silly out of context, but it certainly adds a layer of sensuality and great moments for the character of Alice who has previously looked at sex through a very specific educational lens. The rogue educating the virgin has been done before, but it really works here and is lots of fun... and hot. I also like how Bell always seems to throw in some social reform issues because they flesh out the setting and give extra depth to the plot.
The Bottom Line-
This is an excellent historical romance with loads of humor and heat. The "Alice" Easter eggs are brilliant and fun to find without making the story at all silly or fluff. There is real heart here as well, and I will be coming back to Ms. Bell again and again.
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