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The Thunderbolt Club #1
You're the Duke That I Want
USA Today bestseller Lenora Bell returns with a Grease-inspired rom-com about an innocent lady who clashes with a sexy rake, the first book in a brand-new series sure to delight fans of Sarah MacLean, Tessa Dare, and Julia Quinn.
Raised by an overprotective mother, bookish romantic Sandrine Oliver craves adventure, but nothing exciting ever happens in her sleepy seaside village. Until a handsome, mysterious stranger arrives and sweeps her off her feet…only to leave suddenly with no explanation.
Lord Dane Walker, brother to the Duke of Rydell, is infamous for racing fast carriages and breaking hearts. But when his brother is mortally injured, Dane inherits the responsibilities of the dukedom—duties that come with a dangerous secret which threatens everyone close to him.
In London, Sandrine is astonished to learn that the charming, honorable man she met at the beach is really a disreputable rake. And the infuriating nobleman acts as though he barely knows her.
Who needs a wild rake? Certainly not Sandrine! With a little help from her friends, she transforms into a glamorous belle. She’s out to make Dane pay…but can she stop her traitorous heart from longing to surrender only to him?
Raised by an overprotective mother, bookish romantic Sandrine Oliver craves adventure, but nothing exciting ever happens in her sleepy seaside village. Until a handsome, mysterious stranger arrives and sweeps her off her feet…only to leave suddenly with no explanation.
Lord Dane Walker, brother to the Duke of Rydell, is infamous for racing fast carriages and breaking hearts. But when his brother is mortally injured, Dane inherits the responsibilities of the dukedom—duties that come with a dangerous secret which threatens everyone close to him.
In London, Sandrine is astonished to learn that the charming, honorable man she met at the beach is really a disreputable rake. And the infuriating nobleman acts as though he barely knows her.
Who needs a wild rake? Certainly not Sandrine! With a little help from her friends, she transforms into a glamorous belle. She’s out to make Dane pay…but can she stop her traitorous heart from longing to surrender only to him?
355 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 26, 2023
65 people are currently reading
3229 people want to read
About the author
Lenora Bell
12 books1,394 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 lives in Colombia with her partner and two tiger-striped rescue kitties. She loves hearing from readers!
Learn more at www.LenoraBell.com
Learn more at www.LenoraBell.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
November 1, 2023
✨I’m hopelessly devoted to you…✨
Super campy and fun. Boy, do I love Grease. I was absolutely giggling when we got the “drowning” scene!! Obviously, I kept hearing Summer Nights while reading the first few chapters. Sandrine even mention being Hopelessly Devoted to Dane, which was a nice touch. I think if you’re a Grease fan, you’ll have a LOT of fun with this one. All it needed was group choreography.
I did desperately need Dane to call her Sandy in a moment of passion, since we did get her calling him Danny a bit (which I LOVED)! I also wanted a little more depth from her friendship with the Pink Ladies, as I think the girl gang part of the plot could’ve gone a bit harder. It was fun seeing them for sure, but they could’ve had more backstory or spent more time with Sandrine.
**SPOILERS** I’m wondering if Rosalyn will get a book or if this kind of wrapped her story line up…personally I would love to see a marriage in crisis book PLEASE. Rizzo was definitely the most interesting Pink Lady so I’m hoping we get her book. If not, I am happy she ended up with Kenwick. But again, I NEED to see her investigating his endowment lol.
Dane was a BIT dramatic with his whole “I’m a bad boy” mentality, but it did give the book an over-the-top campy vibe which was unique and I didn’t mind it. As far as tragic backstories go, I thought his was compelling and a good amount of angsty. Same thing with her controlling mother and the vicar—like it could’ve been really rough, but I’m so happy with how it played out.
On the other hand, I wanted the “Bad Sandy” bit at the end to be even more dramatic. He got on his knees FAST but I wanted it more drawn out. She also kept saying he needed to grovel but I think rather than grovel she meant that he needed to declare his love most ardently in front of their friends. Which, awesome I fully support, but it didn’t really feel like groveling.
How do I convince Lenora to write her take on Grease 2??? Because I need me a historical cool rider. Like give me a nerdy barrister named Michael who has a full leather jumpsuit and a dream. It practically writes itself with the opposites attract, he falls first, oh no is he DEAD, and while not in the movie I’m assuming the book would be class difference. Maybe it could even take place in New York and he’d obviously be British. Just putting it out there…
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️*/5
*While Dane was a self-proclaimed “bad boy,” he definitely lived up to the title in the bedroom. He absolutely wanted to choke her out and it was hooot. Of her more recent titles, this book is one of the hotter ones!
Thanks so much to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.
Super campy and fun. Boy, do I love Grease. I was absolutely giggling when we got the “drowning” scene!! Obviously, I kept hearing Summer Nights while reading the first few chapters. Sandrine even mention being Hopelessly Devoted to Dane, which was a nice touch. I think if you’re a Grease fan, you’ll have a LOT of fun with this one. All it needed was group choreography.
I did desperately need Dane to call her Sandy in a moment of passion, since we did get her calling him Danny a bit (which I LOVED)! I also wanted a little more depth from her friendship with the Pink Ladies, as I think the girl gang part of the plot could’ve gone a bit harder. It was fun seeing them for sure, but they could’ve had more backstory or spent more time with Sandrine.
**SPOILERS** I’m wondering if Rosalyn will get a book or if this kind of wrapped her story line up…personally I would love to see a marriage in crisis book PLEASE. Rizzo was definitely the most interesting Pink Lady so I’m hoping we get her book. If not, I am happy she ended up with Kenwick. But again, I NEED to see her investigating his endowment lol.
Dane was a BIT dramatic with his whole “I’m a bad boy” mentality, but it did give the book an over-the-top campy vibe which was unique and I didn’t mind it. As far as tragic backstories go, I thought his was compelling and a good amount of angsty. Same thing with her controlling mother and the vicar—like it could’ve been really rough, but I’m so happy with how it played out.
On the other hand, I wanted the “Bad Sandy” bit at the end to be even more dramatic. He got on his knees FAST but I wanted it more drawn out. She also kept saying he needed to grovel but I think rather than grovel she meant that he needed to declare his love most ardently in front of their friends. Which, awesome I fully support, but it didn’t really feel like groveling.
How do I convince Lenora to write her take on Grease 2??? Because I need me a historical cool rider. Like give me a nerdy barrister named Michael who has a full leather jumpsuit and a dream. It practically writes itself with the opposites attract, he falls first, oh no is he DEAD, and while not in the movie I’m assuming the book would be class difference. Maybe it could even take place in New York and he’d obviously be British. Just putting it out there…
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️*/5
*While Dane was a self-proclaimed “bad boy,” he definitely lived up to the title in the bedroom. He absolutely wanted to choke her out and it was hooot. Of her more recent titles, this book is one of the hotter ones!
Thanks so much to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.
May 6, 2024
3.5 stars!! I love of female heroine who was such a feminist in the end!!! I also felt so much pain towards our hero who had such a horrible upbringing.
November 24, 2023
You’re the Duke That I Want is the first book in The Thunderbolt Club series, a new historical romance series by Lenora Bell. I love Grease and was excited when I saw this one was a historical inspired by that! Sadly, I didn’t love this one as much as I hoped to and it took me quite a while to even finish it.
In this we follow Sandrine and the Duke of Rydell. He inherited the title and Dukedom the year prior after his father passed away. While in a seaside village he spots Sandrine, she’s swimming but he thinks she’s drowning and needs immediate recusing so he jumps in after her. They hit it off, but he ends up telling her his name is “Mr. Smith” and eventually takes off. Later on Sandrine heads off to London to find the new Duke and convince him to help out.
Like I mentioned, I love Grease and have seen it endless times. While I thought this would be the perfect romance for me, I found it all just a little too on-the-nose with the Grease references. It’s not really loosely based on it, it’s just a straight-up Grease retelling but in historical times. So it was all just too familiar for me not to compare them and I guess I wanted to be more surprised by a loosely inspired story instead of knowing things that would come/how characters would be. We have Sandrine (Sandy), the Duke of Rydell, Pink Ladies, a racing curricle named “Lightning Streak”, and other characters you’ll be familiar with if you know Grease.
Thanks so much to the publisher (Avon) for an ARC via NetGalley, all thoughts in this review are my own. You’re the Duke That I Want is out December 26, 2023!
In this we follow Sandrine and the Duke of Rydell. He inherited the title and Dukedom the year prior after his father passed away. While in a seaside village he spots Sandrine, she’s swimming but he thinks she’s drowning and needs immediate recusing so he jumps in after her. They hit it off, but he ends up telling her his name is “Mr. Smith” and eventually takes off. Later on Sandrine heads off to London to find the new Duke and convince him to help out.
Like I mentioned, I love Grease and have seen it endless times. While I thought this would be the perfect romance for me, I found it all just a little too on-the-nose with the Grease references. It’s not really loosely based on it, it’s just a straight-up Grease retelling but in historical times. So it was all just too familiar for me not to compare them and I guess I wanted to be more surprised by a loosely inspired story instead of knowing things that would come/how characters would be. We have Sandrine (Sandy), the Duke of Rydell, Pink Ladies, a racing curricle named “Lightning Streak”, and other characters you’ll be familiar with if you know Grease.
Thanks so much to the publisher (Avon) for an ARC via NetGalley, all thoughts in this review are my own. You’re the Duke That I Want is out December 26, 2023!
November 15, 2023
Nothing exciting ever happens in Sandrine Oliver's sleepy seaside town...until the day Lord Dane Walker comes to town, pretending to be a commoner. Sandrine is charmed, but then Dane disappears without a word. During a trip to London, Sandrine is astonished to learn that the man she met at the beach is actually a disreputable rake! She's out to teach him a lesson for bruising her heart, as he tries desperately to hold her at arm's length and not reveal how much she's gotten under his skin.
This is the first in a new series called the Thunderbolts Club, about a group of friends who love to race curricles and enjoy a wild lifestyle. The story is a retelling of the movie-musical Grease, and fans will definitely see plenty of tie-ins.
I really liked the beginning when Dane arrives in Sandrine's small town and quickly realizes that his older brother, the Duke of Rydell, is hated in the town. So, Dane introduces himself as ordinary Danny Smith. Sandrine is a good girl who has been raised by an extremely overprotective mother, but she's sure there's more to life than the bubble wrap existence her mother has kept her in. Dane and Sandrine have a fun meet-cute where she is rule-breaking - exploring the sea for the first time - and he mistakes her for a drowning victim.
This book falls into the 3.5 star category for me...better than just three stars, but not quite there for four. My favorite parts of this story were actually the areas where it differentiated from the Grease tie-ins. I thought the story was best when the couple was the focus. There were spots where I thought some story threads were going to play a bigger role and maybe it didn't come together as tightly as I would have liked because there were too many other things going on. Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys come campy fun in their HR.
Tropes: Class Difference, Mistaken Identity, Opposites Attract (Good Girl/Bad Boy), Reform a Rake
Steam: 4
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
This is the first in a new series called the Thunderbolts Club, about a group of friends who love to race curricles and enjoy a wild lifestyle. The story is a retelling of the movie-musical Grease, and fans will definitely see plenty of tie-ins.
I really liked the beginning when Dane arrives in Sandrine's small town and quickly realizes that his older brother, the Duke of Rydell, is hated in the town. So, Dane introduces himself as ordinary Danny Smith. Sandrine is a good girl who has been raised by an extremely overprotective mother, but she's sure there's more to life than the bubble wrap existence her mother has kept her in. Dane and Sandrine have a fun meet-cute where she is rule-breaking - exploring the sea for the first time - and he mistakes her for a drowning victim.
This book falls into the 3.5 star category for me...better than just three stars, but not quite there for four. My favorite parts of this story were actually the areas where it differentiated from the Grease tie-ins. I thought the story was best when the couple was the focus. There were spots where I thought some story threads were going to play a bigger role and maybe it didn't come together as tightly as I would have liked because there were too many other things going on. Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys come campy fun in their HR.
Tropes: Class Difference, Mistaken Identity, Opposites Attract (Good Girl/Bad Boy), Reform a Rake
Steam: 4
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
May 20, 2024
DNF! I only read 1 other book by Lenora Bell and that was back in 2019. I don't remember it but I guess it didn't blow me away or I would have gotten more. I know she can be expensive but I got this on sale on Amazon for $1.99 so thought I'd check her out again.
I had high hopes. I just couldn't get into this book. I don't read book descriptions anymore so I had no idea this was a play on Grease. Once I realized it, I couldn't get it out of my head and just thought UGH every time I tried to read. It's probably always why I refuse to read any book that has pride &prejudice variation in the title.
So glad this was only $1.99 and not $7.99 or I'd be pissed I spent that much on a book.
I had high hopes. I just couldn't get into this book. I don't read book descriptions anymore so I had no idea this was a play on Grease. Once I realized it, I couldn't get it out of my head and just thought UGH every time I tried to read. It's probably always why I refuse to read any book that has pride &prejudice variation in the title.
So glad this was only $1.99 and not $7.99 or I'd be pissed I spent that much on a book.
September 26, 2023
If you're looking for a historical romance retelling of a 1970's movie set in the 1950's boy do I have the book for you!
Romances are having a retelling crisis. Beauty and the Beast retellings basically qualify as anything where the hero is grumpy/bad/damaged and the heroine fixes him in some way. Great, cool, fine! People We Meet on Vacation is heavily inspired by When Harry Met Sally, in that its essentially to friends falling in love. Retellings should be inspired by the original story, not a literal retelling in a different setting with different characters, which is unfortunately what I felt this was.
Listen, some of this is on me, for not reading the very clear description that this is 'Grease inspired.' I generally pick ARCs I want to read based on whether I have had a good experience with the author in the past, and I have had a lovely time reading nine of her other books!
I was really enjoying this book for the first third, or about 80 pages in, when I realized this was a Grease retelling. How did I realize this? Because Sandrine meets three London 'bad-girls' who wear pink sashes and literally refer to themselves as the pink ladies.
I then promptly spent the remainder of the book asking, wait, did this happen in Grease?
Listen, Grease, like many musicals, has a very weird plot structure. It is song driven which makes it fun, but the plot itself is clunky. This book is a VERY close retelling of Grease, with a B-plot about a secret society and blackmail thrown in.
I do enjoy Lenora Bell and will continue to read her new releases, this one just did not click for me, because I could not get over the fact that this is a Grease retelling.
Romances are having a retelling crisis. Beauty and the Beast retellings basically qualify as anything where the hero is grumpy/bad/damaged and the heroine fixes him in some way. Great, cool, fine! People We Meet on Vacation is heavily inspired by When Harry Met Sally, in that its essentially to friends falling in love. Retellings should be inspired by the original story, not a literal retelling in a different setting with different characters, which is unfortunately what I felt this was.
Listen, some of this is on me, for not reading the very clear description that this is 'Grease inspired.' I generally pick ARCs I want to read based on whether I have had a good experience with the author in the past, and I have had a lovely time reading nine of her other books!
I was really enjoying this book for the first third, or about 80 pages in, when I realized this was a Grease retelling. How did I realize this? Because Sandrine meets three London 'bad-girls' who wear pink sashes and literally refer to themselves as the pink ladies.
I then promptly spent the remainder of the book asking, wait, did this happen in Grease?
Listen, Grease, like many musicals, has a very weird plot structure. It is song driven which makes it fun, but the plot itself is clunky. This book is a VERY close retelling of Grease, with a B-plot about a secret society and blackmail thrown in.
I do enjoy Lenora Bell and will continue to read her new releases, this one just did not click for me, because I could not get over the fact that this is a Grease retelling.
September 25, 2023
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own." Thank you Netgalley.
When I found out about this delightful book
You're the Duke That I Want.. I was so excited that I got approved to read this arc I love the movie Grease I have watched the movie countless times it was fun read 5 star read 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Happy Reading
Lisa
When I found out about this delightful book
You're the Duke That I Want.. I was so excited that I got approved to read this arc I love the movie Grease I have watched the movie countless times it was fun read 5 star read 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Happy Reading
Lisa
January 27, 2024
Review to follow.
February 17, 2024
as someone who has read all of lenora's books and loved the majority of them and liked fine the rest .. this was such a disappointment..
Maybe if you love Grease you will enjoy reading this .. I don't not care for it.. but still this was so so boring ... huge sigh... well.. can't lie them all I guess...
Maybe if you love Grease you will enjoy reading this .. I don't not care for it.. but still this was so so boring ... huge sigh... well.. can't lie them all I guess...
May 2, 2024
A magical Grease retelling that preserves all of the sweet playfulness of the musical as well as the bad boy redemption character arc of the MMC. This wonderful histrom has very, very insightful background about the harm purity culture can wreak on a woman’s self-esteem.
Read this if you love:
1. He falls first.
2. Girl who doesn’t want to be put in a box.
3. A sweet, fiery opposites attract romance.
Read this if you love:
1. He falls first.
2. Girl who doesn’t want to be put in a box.
3. A sweet, fiery opposites attract romance.
August 3, 2023
Unfortunately, I didn’t love this. If you really love the movie Grease, you’ll like this. It’s like literally watching the movie, but in a historical setting. Even though I like the movie, the book just didn’t work for me. Mainly because I didn’t like the characters. The only ones I liked were the two elderly ladies.
January 24, 2024
Well, I didn't know that what I was missing in my life was a Regency version of Grease, but here we are. It might be partly nostalgia for the memories of watching Grease at every slumber party growing up, but this book really was fantastic! I loved every minute of it!
Sandrine and Dane were absolutely perfect together, and you could instantly feel their chemistry.
Lenora Bell did a wonderful job of taking elements from the movie and incorporating enough new storyline to make You're the Duke That I Want a superb retelling.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Sandrine and Dane were absolutely perfect together, and you could instantly feel their chemistry.
Lenora Bell did a wonderful job of taking elements from the movie and incorporating enough new storyline to make You're the Duke That I Want a superb retelling.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
December 18, 2023
He would do anything, endure anything, for this woman. She really could have him any which way she wanted. Have his body. Pulsing and eager for her touch. Have his heart. Damaged and rusty with disuse but ready to beat again.
4 stars
When I learned that Lenora Bell had written a Grease-inspired HR, I jumped at the chance to read it. It was so much fun reading through all of the hints and Grease-inspired scenes! I even started reading Kenickie instead of Kenwick. However as much as I loved all of the Grease references, the story did start to feel like two separate storylines were happening whenever the blackmailing was brought up. The two plot lines didn't seem to mesh very well, and as a result, the writing came off as disjointed. Nevertheless, this was a fun and cute historical take on the beloved musical, and I am interested to see where Bell will take this series next🖤
Tropes: Grease-inspired, opposites attract, rakehell hero, fish-out-of-water heroine, lessons in seduction, bad boy/good girl, girl gang, band of brothers, found family, slow burn, STEAMY🔥
*ARC provided by Netgalley, and I voluntarily reviewed it*
January 26, 2024
A fun and frothy historical take on Grease that thoughtfully updates it for the modern reader. I have to say that I was actually more interested in the aspects of the story that weren’t lifted from the film, especially the steamier scenes! I would’ve liked to see a little more grovel from Dane too, especially at the end. But overall, a really entertaining read and I’m intrigued by the possibility of who the next book could be about. Roslyn and Kenwick in a second-chance romance? Or maybe one of Sandrine’s cousins in that Mamma Mia situation? Consider me curious!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this edition from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this edition from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 22, 2023
This book was the most fun I’ve had reading an HR in a good while. It was witty, adorable, and steamy—an all-around great time. I loved the Grease theme! It would have been easy for this book to veer into way too corny territory, but instead it was very well done. It was funny and captivating and the story still felt original. I loved all of the side characters and am really hoping to read their stories in the future! I also really love when an MC stands up to their awful parent instead of being a doormat the whole book, so that’s another huge plus.
A big thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
A big thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
January 18, 2024
Super cute but I got so distracted by all the Grease references, I had to put it down multiple times and then come back to it.
December 30, 2023
I’m hopelessly devoted to this series 🎶
I can’t wait to see what Lenora has in store for all the “Pink Ladies” and “Thunderbolt boys”
I really loved how Sandrine and Dane really grew together as characters in their own unique ways. Growing into their love throughout the whole story. Biggest draw for me is how the women empowered each other. They didn’t shy away from speaking their desires and feelings🙌🏼 I am big fan of Grease and thought she did well incorporating moment without making them cheesy. Would highly recommend!
Must read if you love:
1. Women supporting each other 🙌🏼
2. Dirty talk (mmmm soo good)
3. Bad boy who is deep down a cinnamon roll
4. Bromance (I mean bros being bros 🙌🏼 I love male friend interactions)
5. Spicy 🔥🔥 (very spicy refer back to #1) 🥵 Lenora your dirty talk was on point girl ❤️
*I received an ARC copy. All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own*
I can’t wait to see what Lenora has in store for all the “Pink Ladies” and “Thunderbolt boys”
I really loved how Sandrine and Dane really grew together as characters in their own unique ways. Growing into their love throughout the whole story. Biggest draw for me is how the women empowered each other. They didn’t shy away from speaking their desires and feelings🙌🏼 I am big fan of Grease and thought she did well incorporating moment without making them cheesy. Would highly recommend!
Must read if you love:
1. Women supporting each other 🙌🏼
2. Dirty talk (mmmm soo good)
3. Bad boy who is deep down a cinnamon roll
4. Bromance (I mean bros being bros 🙌🏼 I love male friend interactions)
5. Spicy 🔥🔥 (very spicy refer back to #1) 🥵 Lenora your dirty talk was on point girl ❤️
*I received an ARC copy. All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own*
January 12, 2024
I love a good movie retelling with my romance and what better movie to retell in a historical romance setting, than the classic Grease!
Lenora Bell is a real master at collecting all the elements from a movie that make it stand out and seamlessly incorporating them into her books in unique and fun ways! Her latest release, You’re The Duke That I Want does exactly that and does a great job setting up her new series, The Thunderbolt Club.
Pulling straight from Grease, we meet sweet and loveable Sandrine Oliver, who is the hopeful saviour of quiet, seaside town. She’s been kept pretty isolated and is easily swept off her feet when Lord Dane Walker, the brother to the Duke who owns a significant property in her hometown shows up unexpectedly. Keeping his identity under wraps, Dane and Sandrine fall hopelessly in love during their summer of romance! But as we all know, summer doesn’t last forever, and Dean is suddenly taken away; back to his life as a Lord in London.
Thinking that was the end of his time with Sandrine, Dane is surprised to see her again amongst the ladies of the ton in London… while Sandrine is shocked to find out her summer fling is none other than the newly inherited Duke of Rydell- just the man she has come to London to convince to help save her seaside hometown!
Full of great lines and scenes straight from the movie, I couldn’t resist having a blast watching Dane loses heart to Sandrine while she comes into our own with the help of her friends, the Pink Ladies!
I had so much fun reading this one, and I’m excited for more of the Pink Ladies and The Thunderbolt Club members to find love inspired by much beloved movie Classics!
You’re The Duke That I Want By Lenora Bell is available now!
Lenora Bell is a real master at collecting all the elements from a movie that make it stand out and seamlessly incorporating them into her books in unique and fun ways! Her latest release, You’re The Duke That I Want does exactly that and does a great job setting up her new series, The Thunderbolt Club.
Pulling straight from Grease, we meet sweet and loveable Sandrine Oliver, who is the hopeful saviour of quiet, seaside town. She’s been kept pretty isolated and is easily swept off her feet when Lord Dane Walker, the brother to the Duke who owns a significant property in her hometown shows up unexpectedly. Keeping his identity under wraps, Dane and Sandrine fall hopelessly in love during their summer of romance! But as we all know, summer doesn’t last forever, and Dean is suddenly taken away; back to his life as a Lord in London.
Thinking that was the end of his time with Sandrine, Dane is surprised to see her again amongst the ladies of the ton in London… while Sandrine is shocked to find out her summer fling is none other than the newly inherited Duke of Rydell- just the man she has come to London to convince to help save her seaside hometown!
Full of great lines and scenes straight from the movie, I couldn’t resist having a blast watching Dane loses heart to Sandrine while she comes into our own with the help of her friends, the Pink Ladies!
I had so much fun reading this one, and I’m excited for more of the Pink Ladies and The Thunderbolt Club members to find love inspired by much beloved movie Classics!
You’re The Duke That I Want By Lenora Bell is available now!
December 19, 2023
This is such a fun and romantic start to The Thunderbolt Club series. With major vibes from the film Grease, which I’ve seen a zillion times, I guess you could say this historical romance and I go together like ramma-lamma-lamma-ka-dingity-da-dinga-dong.
If you like the movie Grease, you will totally enjoy this story. It’s very much the musical put into a historical setting. Characters, plot elements, and even some dialogue are pulled right from the film, and I found myself comparing it to the movie throughout my read. There are times when the Grease vibes are a bit overboard, but overall they were a fun and cheeky addition to the story. Though, I have to say, if the couple jumped in their curricle at the end and lifted off into the sky while happily waving to their friends, I would have thrown the book. Luckily, that didn’t happen!
The romance between Dane and Sandrine has so much chemistry and emotion. Sandrine is an innocent, proper, and sheltered woman from a small seaside village, and Dane is a scandalous rake. They have a comical meet-cute, which leads to a swoon-worthy budding romance. I thought they made a great pair. They bring out the best in each other, and you can almost see them come alive when they’re together. And some of Dane’s declarations are positively swoon-tastic!
I also enjoyed the found family vibes with the men of The Thunderbolts and the women of the Pink Ladies, and there’s an underlying mystery that adds a sense of danger and suspense to the story. It’s a fun read and worked as a good palate cleanser for me after a pretty heavy read.
Thanks to Avon and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
If you like the movie Grease, you will totally enjoy this story. It’s very much the musical put into a historical setting. Characters, plot elements, and even some dialogue are pulled right from the film, and I found myself comparing it to the movie throughout my read. There are times when the Grease vibes are a bit overboard, but overall they were a fun and cheeky addition to the story. Though, I have to say, if the couple jumped in their curricle at the end and lifted off into the sky while happily waving to their friends, I would have thrown the book. Luckily, that didn’t happen!
The romance between Dane and Sandrine has so much chemistry and emotion. Sandrine is an innocent, proper, and sheltered woman from a small seaside village, and Dane is a scandalous rake. They have a comical meet-cute, which leads to a swoon-worthy budding romance. I thought they made a great pair. They bring out the best in each other, and you can almost see them come alive when they’re together. And some of Dane’s declarations are positively swoon-tastic!
I also enjoyed the found family vibes with the men of The Thunderbolts and the women of the Pink Ladies, and there’s an underlying mystery that adds a sense of danger and suspense to the story. It’s a fun read and worked as a good palate cleanser for me after a pretty heavy read.
Thanks to Avon and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
December 31, 2023
Started this days ago and I’ve made it to page 33. A retelling of Grease SOUNDS fun but it’s just not for me. I could already tell Sandrine was gonna get on my nerves hardcore.
*I received an eARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
*I received an eARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
December 22, 2023
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Nope. Did not work after the first chapter. A 1970's musical about a fictional high school made into a movie made over into a historical romance, does not work. The general idea might have been used and worked well but this a word for word, scene by scene reenactment. Sandy, Danny, the Pink Ladies, Danny's no good friends. I cringed and had trouble finishing the book.
#You're the Duke That I Want #LenoraBell #Netgalley #TheThunderboltClub #Avon #HarperColinsPublishers
Nope. Did not work after the first chapter. A 1970's musical about a fictional high school made into a movie made over into a historical romance, does not work. The general idea might have been used and worked well but this a word for word, scene by scene reenactment. Sandy, Danny, the Pink Ladies, Danny's no good friends. I cringed and had trouble finishing the book.
#You're the Duke That I Want #LenoraBell #Netgalley #TheThunderboltClub #Avon #HarperColinsPublishers
August 9, 2023
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
After escaping her mother's clutches for the day, Sandrine Oliver finds herself in the arms of a handsome stranger, hell bent on 'rescuing' her from drowning. She doesn't know much about Danny Smith, but she can't stop spending time with him, until he disappears from Squalton-on-Sea. Trying to forget him, Sandrine throws herself into her effort to convince the Duke of Rydell to renovate the rundown manor house. Arriving in London, Sandrine is more than shocked to discover that Danny Smith is there, and is in fact Lord Dane Walker, heir apparent to the Duke of Rydell. Furious at him for lying, she makes friends with the 'Pink Ladies', who convince her to seduce Dane, and rebuff him once he's in love. But can she guard her own heart at the same time.
Well, when I saw that this book was Grease-inspired, I knew I needed to read it! I will say that it wasn't only Grease-inspired, but was rather the historical version of the musical, just without the songs. All of the main characters have Grease names, and even some of the dialogue and plot line seemed to be taken straight from the film. That being said, I did really enjoy it. There were aspects to the story which were new, and the mystery element was enjoyable to read too. I did guess at who the 'villain' was, but I liked seeing how Lenora tied it all together. If book two is not Mamma Mia-inspired, I will eat my hat. A grandmother called Ruby, with daughter Dawn, and granddaughter Sophia, who live on a small Greek island - it's obvious. Hopefully Dane and Sandrine will be in that book, because I need to see them as a happy couple now.
After escaping her mother's clutches for the day, Sandrine Oliver finds herself in the arms of a handsome stranger, hell bent on 'rescuing' her from drowning. She doesn't know much about Danny Smith, but she can't stop spending time with him, until he disappears from Squalton-on-Sea. Trying to forget him, Sandrine throws herself into her effort to convince the Duke of Rydell to renovate the rundown manor house. Arriving in London, Sandrine is more than shocked to discover that Danny Smith is there, and is in fact Lord Dane Walker, heir apparent to the Duke of Rydell. Furious at him for lying, she makes friends with the 'Pink Ladies', who convince her to seduce Dane, and rebuff him once he's in love. But can she guard her own heart at the same time.
Well, when I saw that this book was Grease-inspired, I knew I needed to read it! I will say that it wasn't only Grease-inspired, but was rather the historical version of the musical, just without the songs. All of the main characters have Grease names, and even some of the dialogue and plot line seemed to be taken straight from the film. That being said, I did really enjoy it. There were aspects to the story which were new, and the mystery element was enjoyable to read too. I did guess at who the 'villain' was, but I liked seeing how Lenora tied it all together. If book two is not Mamma Mia-inspired, I will eat my hat. A grandmother called Ruby, with daughter Dawn, and granddaughter Sophia, who live on a small Greek island - it's obvious. Hopefully Dane and Sandrine will be in that book, because I need to see them as a happy couple now.
January 8, 2025
This could have been a super cute Grease retelling based on the title, blurb and characters names alone and if the author had just kept it at that, the story, chemistry and writing would have actually been really enjoyable. What absolutely ruined this entire book were all the heavy handed and completely unnecessary Grease Easter eggs peppered throughout the book such as, the duke’s title being the Duke of Rydell, the MMC using the name “Danny” when he needed an alias, there actually being a friend group of women calling themselves “The Pink Ladies”, and the fact that the phrase “hopelessly devoted” was used in dialogue multiple times. It all just made me cringe. It was made crystal clear from the beginning that this novel was a Grease retelling and the entire time I was reading, I was made to choke on it and it made for a pretty unpleasant experience overall. I just felt like I was constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop as to when the next bad reference was going to show up.
It was such a shame. This book could have been really enjoyable. I liked the two main characters and their chemistry was off the charts. The literal only reason this book is being given as many stars as it’s getting is because of the one ridiculously steamy historical dirty talk scene in the middle that actually managed to make this highly seasoned romance reader sweat. It was impressive to say the least.
It was such a shame. This book could have been really enjoyable. I liked the two main characters and their chemistry was off the charts. The literal only reason this book is being given as many stars as it’s getting is because of the one ridiculously steamy historical dirty talk scene in the middle that actually managed to make this highly seasoned romance reader sweat. It was impressive to say the least.
December 28, 2023
You’re the Duke That I Want. My fellow readers. I love this book. I was halfway through it when I started realizing something. I make to the part to where Sandrine and Danielle or Dane come across one another at the theater. Sandrine calls him Danny and goes running up to him.
I was like, “that’s it”. The book is charming, witty, wonderfully told. I enjoyed the humor and the sensual romance between our main characters. The writer maintained my attention with some really interesting entertainment. The good friends and so called chaperones for Sandrine are hilarious.
They remind of your favorite ants who would let you get away with anything, when you go to visit them. The storyline is refreshing and a bold choice to go with, for a historical romance book. I found the book to be a most fulfilling read over the holidays. I give this book two snaps and a, oh my gosh Roslyn as Rizzo is wicked. I loved it when she jumps out the window.
Until next my fellow readers. Read on!
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I was like, “that’s it”. The book is charming, witty, wonderfully told. I enjoyed the humor and the sensual romance between our main characters. The writer maintained my attention with some really interesting entertainment. The good friends and so called chaperones for Sandrine are hilarious.
They remind of your favorite ants who would let you get away with anything, when you go to visit them. The storyline is refreshing and a bold choice to go with, for a historical romance book. I found the book to be a most fulfilling read over the holidays. I give this book two snaps and a, oh my gosh Roslyn as Rizzo is wicked. I loved it when she jumps out the window.
Until next my fellow readers. Read on!
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
August 31, 2023
I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a retelling of the musical Grease and it lives up to that concept. There are very familiar scenes in the book because of that but there are elements that are unique.
Sandrine's mother has her In a gilded cage she is desperate to escape which she does when Dane tries to rescue her from drawing.
Dane lives life on the edge, bedding women and racing curricules.
The side characters didn't work for me but I liked the relationship between Sandrine and Dane, however because I've seen the moving parts of the book seemed to drag.
Overall I would say this is 3.5 stars.
This is a retelling of the musical Grease and it lives up to that concept. There are very familiar scenes in the book because of that but there are elements that are unique.
Sandrine's mother has her In a gilded cage she is desperate to escape which she does when Dane tries to rescue her from drawing.
Dane lives life on the edge, bedding women and racing curricules.
The side characters didn't work for me but I liked the relationship between Sandrine and Dane, however because I've seen the moving parts of the book seemed to drag.
Overall I would say this is 3.5 stars.
February 7, 2024
I thought this was a cute romance. It gave me a bit of Grease vibes with the cute bookish girl and the roguishly handsome bad boy meeting at the beach.
The beginning was quite good, it kept me entertained and I enjoyed watching Sandrine and Dane flirting and slowly falling for each other. It lost me a bit in the middle, and I thought the end was fine.
While this wasn't one of my favorite Lenora Bell books I will definitely keep reading from her in the future.
The beginning was quite good, it kept me entertained and I enjoyed watching Sandrine and Dane flirting and slowly falling for each other. It lost me a bit in the middle, and I thought the end was fine.
While this wasn't one of my favorite Lenora Bell books I will definitely keep reading from her in the future.
November 30, 2023
Tropes: intentional anachronisms/modern homages. rake/spinster, false identity, MC blackmailed
Steam level: 3 (slightly on the spicy side)
Language: a couple of "f-bombs"
3.75 stars rounded up. I'm a fan of musicals in general, but I'll admit not a huge a Grease fan (sorry to the author and all the other "Greasers" that abound). Still, I admire the chance the author took here, and for the most part enjoyed this Grease homage set in Regency times. She managed to at least give more depth to Sandrine and Dane than Sandy and Danny had in the musical, both MC's having to deal with some dark elements that began within their families years before. At times the darker aspects of their childhoods, explored thoughtfully in the very good first half of this book, didn't quite gel with the light, bouncy tone that took over the second half, when the author went full "Grease " mode. A couple other caveats: certain passages in the second half were a bit too talky for my taste, slowing down the action, and the ending is pretty abrupt. The blackmail subplot, suspensefully built up at first, loses some steam. And if you're a Rizzo fan (Stockard Channing is the best thing about the movie, IMO) you might feel let down as Rosalyn gets a bit of short shrift here.
The chemistry between the MC's is good, but oddly, I thought it was at its best before they actually did the deed. (Unfortunately this is the third book nearly in a row I've read with the MMC telling the MFC she's a "good girl" during the act, and also a light spanking scene. Just overkill I guess).
On the flipside, the writing style is strong, the humor is effective, and there's a definite sense of heart amongst the characters, and between Sandrine and Dane, that worked better for me here than in the musical.
Overall: this is a fun holiday read with some spice, laughs, and an undercurrent of emotion.
I read an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary review. Opinions are my own. This book is set to be published December 26.
Steam level: 3 (slightly on the spicy side)
Language: a couple of "f-bombs"
3.75 stars rounded up. I'm a fan of musicals in general, but I'll admit not a huge a Grease fan (sorry to the author and all the other "Greasers" that abound). Still, I admire the chance the author took here, and for the most part enjoyed this Grease homage set in Regency times. She managed to at least give more depth to Sandrine and Dane than Sandy and Danny had in the musical, both MC's having to deal with some dark elements that began within their families years before. At times the darker aspects of their childhoods, explored thoughtfully in the very good first half of this book, didn't quite gel with the light, bouncy tone that took over the second half, when the author went full "Grease " mode. A couple other caveats: certain passages in the second half were a bit too talky for my taste, slowing down the action, and the ending is pretty abrupt. The blackmail subplot, suspensefully built up at first, loses some steam. And if you're a Rizzo fan (Stockard Channing is the best thing about the movie, IMO) you might feel let down as Rosalyn gets a bit of short shrift here.
The chemistry between the MC's is good, but oddly, I thought it was at its best before they actually did the deed. (Unfortunately this is the third book nearly in a row I've read with the MMC telling the MFC she's a "good girl" during the act, and also a light spanking scene. Just overkill I guess).
On the flipside, the writing style is strong, the humor is effective, and there's a definite sense of heart amongst the characters, and between Sandrine and Dane, that worked better for me here than in the musical.
Overall: this is a fun holiday read with some spice, laughs, and an undercurrent of emotion.
I read an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary review. Opinions are my own. This book is set to be published December 26.
March 14, 2024
3.5 magical little stars
March 5, 2024
This book had no right being this good.
February 19, 2024
Firstly, I would like to say thank you to the author and publisher for the copy I won from a GoodReads Giveaway.
This story was so great! I never thought I would enjoy books like this, until I've read this one. I wasn't expecting to laugh as much as I did either (like with the 'drowning' scene haha). Although there were some scenes that I found funny, I was still able to take this book seriously.
The book I've read that was the most similar would be Bridgerton, but this one has more adventure and more spice.
Overall, I'm very glad I've read this book. Would recommend to ladies who enjoy books about Dukes, specifically Rakes, with spice.
This story was so great! I never thought I would enjoy books like this, until I've read this one. I wasn't expecting to laugh as much as I did either (like with the 'drowning' scene haha). Although there were some scenes that I found funny, I was still able to take this book seriously.
The book I've read that was the most similar would be Bridgerton, but this one has more adventure and more spice.
Overall, I'm very glad I've read this book. Would recommend to ladies who enjoy books about Dukes, specifically Rakes, with spice.
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