Historical Romance Book Club discussion

Discussion thread for the second BOTM for July 2024. Please remember to use the spoiler tags when necessary! (Please see 'some HTML is ok' for instructions.)


Duke Most Wicked by Lenora Bell
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Synopsis:
USA Today bestselling author Lenora Bell returns to the Wallflowers vs. Rogues series with a brilliant new novel about a scandalous duke and a wallflower with a secret.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a wicked duke who has gambled away his fortune must be in want of an heiress.

Scarred by a dark secret, Brandan Delamar, Duke of Westbury, must concede his misdeeds have finally caught up with him. With five younger sisters to support, he must marry for money.

Sunny and steadfast, Viola Beaton is no heiress. As music instructor to the duke’s sisters, she’s developed a genuine affection for the bright young ladies. Unfortunately, she’s also developed a forbidden passion for her wildly attractive employer.

It must be the way he inspires her to compose sonatas about moonlight and kisses. Or how his gaze smolders and lingers on her skin. Or because he makes her heart whisper impossible things.

When Westbury decrees that he’ll choose not only a bride, but grooms for his sisters, Viola can’t allow him to curtail their freedom. She strikes a bargain: if he allows his sisters to attend the Season, Viola will chaperone them and keep them safe from scandal.

Only…what if Viola and the duke are the ones most likely to cause a scandal?

Happy reading!

Hoopla has this one, so I plan to read this month. Anyone else?

Mariana wrote: "Hoopla has this one, so I plan to read this month. Anyone else?"

Not sure. I didn't really like the one book I have read by this author. I do like this month's trope though. I'll try the kindle sample of this book then make up my mind.

My library had this one, so I did manage to read it for this month. I like a heroine who has a passion in life (in addition, of course, to her passion for the hero), so I do like Viola Beaton, and I can see why Lord Westbury does as well:)

Jan wrote: "Mariana wrote: "Hoopla has this one, so I plan to read this month. Anyone else?"

Not sure. I didn't really like the one book I have read by this author. I do like this month's trope though. I'll t..."

I have never read anything by this author, but I am also considering reading this one. Let me know your thoughts on the sample

Jan wrote: "Mariana wrote: "Hoopla has this one, so I plan to read this month. Anyone else?"

Not sure. I didn't really like the one book I have read by this author. I do like this month's trope though. I'll t..."

Full disclosure: I did have trouble getting into this book. Started, then stopped a couple of times. It's possible it was the writing at the beginning or maybe the same old wicked scoundrel of a duke trope. Not that I don't love wicked dukes in general . . . but sometimes it can seem a bit forced.

Olivia wrote: "Jan wrote: "Mariana wrote: "Hoopla has this one, so I plan to read this month. Anyone else?"

Not sure. I didn't really like the one book I have read by this author. I do like this month's trope th..."

Yes, generally we all love a wicked Duke!!

Haven't read this author before. My library had this. I've read up to Chapt 4 and unfortunately the author's style is not really working for me. Feels like too much telling, including the dialogue - very heavy-handed. But I'm going to keep going for now.

Cath wrote: "Haven't read this author before. My library had this. I've read up to Chapt 4 and unfortunately the author's style is not really working for me. Feels like too much telling, including the dialogue ..."

Yes, "heavy-handed" is exactly right--lots of telling, at least at the beginning. I'm not sure if I just got used to it or if it actually got better:) I'm interested to hear what you think . . . if you continue.

Yeah, I'm going to keep going. I'm thinking maybe, once the author finishes establishing who the characters are and what their situations are etc, there won't be as much telling.

I found it quite stale at first. The prologue was good, but then we just got a whole load of descriptions about just how wicked our wicked Duke was! I am now getting towards the end, and it has been surprisingly compelling. I do like his sisters.

Starting today. I hope it's okay that I didn't read other books. I hope I'm not lost.

I have read one other book by the author and thought it mediocre. However, since it's BOTM and free, I figured I'd give her another try. Finished BOTM 3 and both my ARCs so starting this tonight.

Lauren wrote: "Starting today. I hope it's okay that I didn't read other books. I hope I'm not lost."

The other book I read by the author was book 1 of the series, but it was almost two years ago. I definitely don't remember it (even after reading my review); so I am in the same boat.

I read the first five chapters. I doubt this book will be able to redeem itself. It has the combination I dislike the most - a disgustingly selfish hero who does whatever he wants and doesn't care who he hurts and a stupid heroine who can't use her head to make wise decisions.

Oh dear. Doesn't sound encouraging. The book of hers I previously read was If I Only Had a Duke and I gave it two stars. I wrote in my review that it was 'pretty forgettable'. Hmm.

I will still try the sample of this one, but not sure at this point whether I'll end up sticking with it. We'll see.

Mariana wrote: "I read the first five chapters. I doubt this book will be able to redeem itself. It has the combination I dislike the most - a disgustingly selfish hero who does whatever he wants and doesn't care ..."

"Disgustingly selfish hero"? But he's a wicked, wicked duke, Mariana!:)

"Stupid heroine"? How could you speak ill of lovely Miss Beaton? LOL (To be honest, she may have done some stupid things, but I obviously forgave her).

I am a big fan of the disreputable rake...so the Wicked Duke does not bother me too much. I thought he ended up being quite nice. I finished this today and thought it was OK.

Susan wrote: "I am a big fan of the disreputable rake...so the Wicked Duke does not bother me too much. I thought he ended up being quite nice. I finished this today and thought it was OK."

Yes, it was ok. I didn' t dislike it in the way I thought I would when I first started.

I may continue on. We'll see how I'm feeling this evening.

He is a Wicked Duke. Usually that means a womanizer, but this guy truly seems dissipated. I guess with the fathers each have, I shouldn't expect them to have turned out better than they did; but they both have a long way to go.

Mariana wrote: "I may continue on. We'll see how I'm feeling this evening.

He is a Wicked Duke. Usually that means a womanizer, but this guy truly seems dissipated. I guess with the fathers each have, I shouldn'..."

Totally agree--I was just poking fun:)

Welp I tried the sample. I didn't mind the duke, but once Miss Beaton was introduced, I could feel myself getting impatient with her immediately. LOL. For that reason, and on the basis of some reviews and comments, I've decided not to continue with it. Hope others enjoy, though. I just feel that perhaps this author isn't really for me.

I finished it a couple of days ago, and I thought the story was okay. I did like both MC, and the plot did improve near the end. They strangely balanced each other very well.

In the end, this book was a little too modern for my taste. There were also way too many returning characters from other books.

Jan, I felt the same way about the h, but she does start to grow on you

Lauren wrote: "I finished it a couple of days ago, and I thought the story was okay. I did like both MC, and the plot did improve near the end. They strangely balanced each other very well.

In the end, this book..."

Not to put you on the spot (and feel free not to answer), but can I ask what about it you found too modern? I've seen this comment before from others, and I imagine it refers to something different for each reader.