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A Beast's Love #2
A Beast of a Duke
Known as a young idealist, no one expects Roderick Morrowby, heir to the Duke of Wrathborne to become a beast. Yet, when his father dies, that is exactly what happens. Loathed by his younger brother, abandoned by his friends, and casting off all his dreams to reform his family mines, Roderick is alone. Secretly blackmailed by his father from the grave, he is determined to find the key to change his fate. In search of that key, Roderick sails to Devon. Swept overboard in a fierce storm and half dead, he is taken in by a woman who saves his life and may have the power to save his heart. If only she can see the man he truly he is.
Hazel Smith walks the cliffs every night, praying that her abusive husband will never return from his watery grave. One night, a vicious storm tears at her cottage and she is shocked when someone pounds on the door. Despite her fears, she lets in the formidable man who is on death’s door. The man swept in by the storm brings the possibility of change into her life and perhaps the possibility of much more as well.
But Roderick and Hazel face a dangerous road to love. It is a road of secrets and society’s disapproval. With so much between them, how can something as fragile as love stand a chance?
Hazel Smith walks the cliffs every night, praying that her abusive husband will never return from his watery grave. One night, a vicious storm tears at her cottage and she is shocked when someone pounds on the door. Despite her fears, she lets in the formidable man who is on death’s door. The man swept in by the storm brings the possibility of change into her life and perhaps the possibility of much more as well.
But Roderick and Hazel face a dangerous road to love. It is a road of secrets and society’s disapproval. With so much between them, how can something as fragile as love stand a chance?
- GenresHistorical Romance
162 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 24, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 5, 2026
A Different Sort of Duke
Roderick wanted to be different than his father had been, so when he became Duke, his first act was to find his bastard child that his father had sent away. That meant dealing with a smuggler who was even wilier than his father. Well on board the smuggler ship, a terrible storm came up and he was washed off into the sea. Somehow, with all his heavy clothes, he struggled to shore and saw a light at the top of the cliff and made his way there.
In a tiny cottage at the top of the cliff lived Hazel. She stayed there after her heartless husband was lost at sea. The pounding on her door late at night in a storm was suspicious and she answered with a pistol. Roderick fell into her cottage very near death from exposure. It was up to Hazel to save his life.
I appreciated the build up to this romance with excellent back stories for our main characters as well as the blossoming love between them. This is one of those books that has very little angst, but it is a pleasant and easy read. Mild spice. Four stars.
Roderick wanted to be different than his father had been, so when he became Duke, his first act was to find his bastard child that his father had sent away. That meant dealing with a smuggler who was even wilier than his father. Well on board the smuggler ship, a terrible storm came up and he was washed off into the sea. Somehow, with all his heavy clothes, he struggled to shore and saw a light at the top of the cliff and made his way there.
In a tiny cottage at the top of the cliff lived Hazel. She stayed there after her heartless husband was lost at sea. The pounding on her door late at night in a storm was suspicious and she answered with a pistol. Roderick fell into her cottage very near death from exposure. It was up to Hazel to save his life.
I appreciated the build up to this romance with excellent back stories for our main characters as well as the blossoming love between them. This is one of those books that has very little angst, but it is a pleasant and easy read. Mild spice. Four stars.
January 27, 2024
This is my 66th book by Eva Devon. I read one of her books in 2016 then didn't pick her up again until 2018 and I have been reading her ever since. She is one I consider a favorite author. Book 1 was a very heavy read. Good but heavy. I imagined this one would be too. I don't read book descriptions anymore so I have no idea what this was going to be about.
I enjoyed Roderick and Hazel's story. I was hooked from the beginning. I don't cry too much from the books I read but without giving too much away there was a scene that really brought tears to my eyes. Heavy storyline again but really good. I liked this series.
I enjoyed Roderick and Hazel's story. I was hooked from the beginning. I don't cry too much from the books I read but without giving too much away there was a scene that really brought tears to my eyes. Heavy storyline again but really good. I liked this series.
September 12, 2024
There were some beautiful and moving moments in this book. This author's writing is always good. I had problems with the plot and pacing. Some things happened too quickly. In love and getting married after two days. I never got answers and didn't understand the network working for his father that kept an eye on him to make sure he did what the old Duke wanted or the MMCs daughter would go to an orphan's workhouse. I'm sure the Duke didn't hire these ship wreckers/smugglers on his own. His man of business, his attorney? Who? Who at the estate is watching him? Are they still in his employ? Did the smuggler family take a lump sum to keep a child indefinitely or were payments being made? Who was meeting them to get the payments and word if the child should be taken to the workhouse? Once the MMC was Duke, couldn't he follow the money? I just don't understand. I don't remember Darius Price from the last book, if he was in there. How did he find the child? The FMC was a nice person. I'm glad her family told her the truth. It seemed her only thoughts were about her abusive ex husband and not much else. If a handsome Duke says he cares about you and wants to marry you, you don't say no. Be for real right now.
January 21, 2024
4.5 stars
I read The Beast of Cornwall, Gabriel's story and was not a fan of Roderick. However, I was hopeful that he could find his way back to the light. Fortunately for her readers, Ms. Devon not only redeemed him, she also found the perfect revenge, if you will, against their father.
As I was reading I couldn't figure out how Roderick thwarted his father's evil grasp from the grave. I really liked the explanation scene with Gabriel, where it made everything come together and make sense. I cheered as Roderick was able to become the man he had wanted to be and not truely be the narcissistic, evil, vile and uncaring man his father was and hoped Roderick would become. Thank goodness for his mother and her nurturing love.
It was evident that Hazel wanted a chance at something more for her life. It was a decision that took strength, bravery and courage to Pick up her life and leave everytging she knew. She discovers that having Roderick behind her allows her to soar! She discovers a personal power she didn't know she had.
It was a joy to see the transformation in Roderick and cheer when he and Gabriel start to rebuild their relationship. Seeing his joy not only with Hazel, but also Alice warmed my heart. I adored the butler Hawksforth. Having been in the service of the Duke's family from before the beginning, he knows all the secrets, the joys, the sorrows, and hopes to see joy return to the family. Getting to vist with characters from Gabriel's story was delightful. Hazel's brothers and uncles are amazing in their protectiveness and love for her.
I look forward to reading more of Ms. Devon's worlds. She continues to bring humor, tension, depth and emotion to her stories.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book. All thpughts and opinions are my own.
I read The Beast of Cornwall, Gabriel's story and was not a fan of Roderick. However, I was hopeful that he could find his way back to the light. Fortunately for her readers, Ms. Devon not only redeemed him, she also found the perfect revenge, if you will, against their father.
As I was reading I couldn't figure out how Roderick thwarted his father's evil grasp from the grave. I really liked the explanation scene with Gabriel, where it made everything come together and make sense. I cheered as Roderick was able to become the man he had wanted to be and not truely be the narcissistic, evil, vile and uncaring man his father was and hoped Roderick would become. Thank goodness for his mother and her nurturing love.
It was evident that Hazel wanted a chance at something more for her life. It was a decision that took strength, bravery and courage to Pick up her life and leave everytging she knew. She discovers that having Roderick behind her allows her to soar! She discovers a personal power she didn't know she had.
It was a joy to see the transformation in Roderick and cheer when he and Gabriel start to rebuild their relationship. Seeing his joy not only with Hazel, but also Alice warmed my heart. I adored the butler Hawksforth. Having been in the service of the Duke's family from before the beginning, he knows all the secrets, the joys, the sorrows, and hopes to see joy return to the family. Getting to vist with characters from Gabriel's story was delightful. Hazel's brothers and uncles are amazing in their protectiveness and love for her.
I look forward to reading more of Ms. Devon's worlds. She continues to bring humor, tension, depth and emotion to her stories.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book. All thpughts and opinions are my own.
January 25, 2024
As a young man Roderick had plans to change the way the dukedom managed the mines and lands his father had misused to filled the coffers. The dying reaches out from the grave to make his life miserable. Roderick essentially becomes his father. He becomes a beast. All the while searching for his daughter in secret.
Hazel was raised on the coast. She believed her family had traded her in marriage to secure a bond. Her husband mysteriously dies in a storm. She prays he never return still living in fear of another arranged marriage.
A severe storm brings Roderick and Hazel together. Together they rescue his daughter. At last he is free from his father’s blackmail.
Together they heal one another. Roderick learns how to love his daughter. Hazel begins to trust.both learn how to reconcile with their families.
This is a beautiful story of breaking the bonds that cause pain, mistrust, and anger to heal, love and trust.
I loved the connection to the characters in book one of the series.
Hazel was raised on the coast. She believed her family had traded her in marriage to secure a bond. Her husband mysteriously dies in a storm. She prays he never return still living in fear of another arranged marriage.
A severe storm brings Roderick and Hazel together. Together they rescue his daughter. At last he is free from his father’s blackmail.
Together they heal one another. Roderick learns how to love his daughter. Hazel begins to trust.both learn how to reconcile with their families.
This is a beautiful story of breaking the bonds that cause pain, mistrust, and anger to heal, love and trust.
I loved the connection to the characters in book one of the series.
November 1, 2025
It was nice to get the full story on why Roderick, the Duke, was such a mirror of his awful father. His father was a real B*$t*rd!
Hazel has not had an easy life. Living off the coast of Devon, infamous for smuggling and the work of her family, she is married off to an evil man from another smuggler family. Her husband abused her terribly, but at least had the good sense to die at sea on one of his "runs."
Roderick is shipwrecked and seeks shelter at Hazel's cottage, then once recovered, they try to find out why he came to Devon. The mystery is solved when the person he hired to bring him to Devon appears and explains he is there to locate his daughter, who his father 'sold' off and had threatened to send her to a workhouse if Roderick ever tried to find her.
Luckily, he DID find her, saved her from the unloving family she was with, and asked Hazel to join them and return to Cornwall.
Love grows and a new family is born.
Hazel has not had an easy life. Living off the coast of Devon, infamous for smuggling and the work of her family, she is married off to an evil man from another smuggler family. Her husband abused her terribly, but at least had the good sense to die at sea on one of his "runs."
Roderick is shipwrecked and seeks shelter at Hazel's cottage, then once recovered, they try to find out why he came to Devon. The mystery is solved when the person he hired to bring him to Devon appears and explains he is there to locate his daughter, who his father 'sold' off and had threatened to send her to a workhouse if Roderick ever tried to find her.
Luckily, he DID find her, saved her from the unloving family she was with, and asked Hazel to join them and return to Cornwall.
Love grows and a new family is born.
February 21, 2024
4.5
Roderick aka Duke of Mowbry is being blackmailed beyond the grave! We met him in the previous story! He gave his brother excellent advise and he will need help certainly in the future!
Roderick falls overboard and lands in front of Hazels home! He’s half dead and has amnesia!
Hazel watches the sea and prays her abusive husband never returns!
She nurses Roderick and it feels their hearts already know each other!
Darius Price a known ruthless smuggler finds Roderick but it is Hazel Smith who has the answer to a 7 year quest!
Roderick needs her assistance and is also falling fast for her!
When Hazel who is from a very modest background is afraid she is definitely not Duchess material!
Roderick has risked the ire of her family but tried to make amends!
Will her delay in choosing the only man she has come to love cause her to loose it! Bravo can’t wait for the next one!
Roderick aka Duke of Mowbry is being blackmailed beyond the grave! We met him in the previous story! He gave his brother excellent advise and he will need help certainly in the future!
Roderick falls overboard and lands in front of Hazels home! He’s half dead and has amnesia!
Hazel watches the sea and prays her abusive husband never returns!
She nurses Roderick and it feels their hearts already know each other!
Darius Price a known ruthless smuggler finds Roderick but it is Hazel Smith who has the answer to a 7 year quest!
Roderick needs her assistance and is also falling fast for her!
When Hazel who is from a very modest background is afraid she is definitely not Duchess material!
Roderick has risked the ire of her family but tried to make amends!
Will her delay in choosing the only man she has come to love cause her to loose it! Bravo can’t wait for the next one!
September 24, 2024
Such a Beautiful Love Story!
I love the cover! It instantly drew me in and grabbed my attention. Now for my book review:
Two characters are drawn together as if by fate during a storm and they do what they need to to ensure the survival of one of them.
I hated Roderick's father. He reminded me so much of my ex father-in-law whose claim to fame was bullying and controlling everyone around him with the aim of making them as miserable as he was.
Then we have Hazel, a widow who opens her heart to Roderick in his hour of need while he deals with his father's blackmail from the grave and more. She is the type of character who will help anyone in need of loving and compassion.
Roderick and Hazel make up a perfect couple as they do what is needed to find their happy ever after and their emotional story pulled at my heartstrings.
I love the cover! It instantly drew me in and grabbed my attention. Now for my book review:
Two characters are drawn together as if by fate during a storm and they do what they need to to ensure the survival of one of them.
I hated Roderick's father. He reminded me so much of my ex father-in-law whose claim to fame was bullying and controlling everyone around him with the aim of making them as miserable as he was.
Then we have Hazel, a widow who opens her heart to Roderick in his hour of need while he deals with his father's blackmail from the grave and more. She is the type of character who will help anyone in need of loving and compassion.
Roderick and Hazel make up a perfect couple as they do what is needed to find their happy ever after and their emotional story pulled at my heartstrings.
January 18, 2024
This is the second book in the series but can be read as a standalone. The characters from the first book do appear.
Roderick Morrowby, Duke of Wrathborne falls a ship off the coast of Devon while looking for his daughter that his father had taken and placed with a family. He appears at Hazel Smiths' door drenched and freezing. Hazel takes him in and saves his life.
Hazel knows the child he is looking for and together they get the little girl back. He asks Hazel to come with him and his daughter to help care for her.
This is such a wonderful, heartwarming story. I loved the chemistry between Roderick and Hazel and how they helped heal each other.
There were moments in the story that made me cry and others that were funny.
I received this book as an ARC and these are my opinions.
Roderick Morrowby, Duke of Wrathborne falls a ship off the coast of Devon while looking for his daughter that his father had taken and placed with a family. He appears at Hazel Smiths' door drenched and freezing. Hazel takes him in and saves his life.
Hazel knows the child he is looking for and together they get the little girl back. He asks Hazel to come with him and his daughter to help care for her.
This is such a wonderful, heartwarming story. I loved the chemistry between Roderick and Hazel and how they helped heal each other.
There were moments in the story that made me cry and others that were funny.
I received this book as an ARC and these are my opinions.
January 20, 2024
A beautifully woven story filled with hope, healing and finding love where you least expect it. This romance is written with heart and gave me a feeling of completion and a forever love story. Heart-warming and endearing, I adore Roderick and Hazel. Roderick's daughter Alice is a wonderful addition that completes them.
October 29, 2024
Excellent Getaway to Place of Romance and Struggle
Good book. I needed to step into a world filled with noble men and women, considering the harsh rhetoric of recent politics. Thank you Eva Devon. We need to believe kindness will triumph over hate and love conquers all.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Good book. I needed to step into a world filled with noble men and women, considering the harsh rhetoric of recent politics. Thank you Eva Devon. We need to believe kindness will triumph over hate and love conquers all.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
November 29, 2024
A good read.
This is the second book in the series and I found it easier to stay with it than I did the first one.
An interesting storyline which needs the first book to form a basis to understand Roderick. That being said it explains his uncharacteristic behaviour in the first book also.
I was a bit confused about timelines and ages etc.
All in all a good read.
This is the second book in the series and I found it easier to stay with it than I did the first one.
An interesting storyline which needs the first book to form a basis to understand Roderick. That being said it explains his uncharacteristic behaviour in the first book also.
I was a bit confused about timelines and ages etc.
All in all a good read.
January 7, 2025
I just finished A Beast of a Duke, and I absolutely loved it! It was everything I hoped for and more. Hats off to Ms. Eva Devon—she not only redeemed Roderick in my eyes but made me completely fall in love with him.
I’m obsessed with the brothers and their family dynamic. They’re just perfection! I can’t wait to dive into the next book—I’m running to grab it right now!
I’m obsessed with the brothers and their family dynamic. They’re just perfection! I can’t wait to dive into the next book—I’m running to grab it right now!
February 13, 2024
A Beast of a Duke
Lots of action and good characters in this story! I was very glad Alice was found by her father and able to start a new life. I did expect a fight but glad it was not necessary. So many years lost that could never be recovered.
Lots of action and good characters in this story! I was very glad Alice was found by her father and able to start a new life. I did expect a fight but glad it was not necessary. So many years lost that could never be recovered.
February 16, 2024
Good story
Hazel is a young woman wanting to escape her current situation. Roderick is searching for some taken away from him. Good story, straightforward story telling and characters.
Hazel is a young woman wanting to escape her current situation. Roderick is searching for some taken away from him. Good story, straightforward story telling and characters.
March 1, 2024
Nice but a bit... pat. All that buildup about how things are going to go to hell if he finds out where the girl is and then he does... and he just shows up and takes her and that's it. Nothing bad happened.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2024
Not Compelling
I wizzed through this book just to get to the end. I just couldn’t get into the characters - just words on a page that didn’t draw you in. It was all a bit cold and I couldn’t feel the characters or story. Weak writing on this book.
I wizzed through this book just to get to the end. I just couldn’t get into the characters - just words on a page that didn’t draw you in. It was all a bit cold and I couldn’t feel the characters or story. Weak writing on this book.
May 10, 2024
Pain to healing
Two people who had been mistreated need healing. One from the top level the other from th working classes find each other during a stormy night. Can love bring healing to such desperate people?
Two people who had been mistreated need healing. One from the top level the other from th working classes find each other during a stormy night. Can love bring healing to such desperate people?
June 2, 2024
I enjoyed this book more than the first one in this series. I was glad to find out the mystery behind Roderick’s attitude. It would have been nice to see some of his search for his daughter but I enjoyed the romance between him and Hazel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2024
it was ok
Eva is usually a bit more steamy. This had none. Which is ok, but disappointing. Of course I will still read her books.
Eva is usually a bit more steamy. This had none. Which is ok, but disappointing. Of course I will still read her books.
February 8, 2024
Good read from Devon. I really liked Roderick and Hazel. Glad he found Alice too and broke his father's bonds. Looking forward to reading more from this talented author.
February 10, 2024
A Beast of a Duke
Such a happy story this was. I wss glad to see the Duke was not a beast. He found his daughter. She had Hazel love her.
Such a happy story this was. I wss glad to see the Duke was not a beast. He found his daughter. She had Hazel love her.
April 16, 2024
Excellent book. Highly recommend reading this book. Could not put the book down. All three books are in the series are fantastic.
April 20, 2024
a nice follow-up
I enjoyed reading A Beast of a Duke, the second book in Eva Devon’s A Beast’s Love series. I hope book three focuses on Darius. He seems very interesting.
I enjoyed reading A Beast of a Duke, the second book in Eva Devon’s A Beast’s Love series. I hope book three focuses on Darius. He seems very interesting.
May 28, 2024
Another short story that could not hold my interest.
June 14, 2024
It was a good story.
June 5, 2025
A good book
This was a good story without too much unnecessary detail which I greatly appreciate. I would recommend this book for sure.
This was a good story without too much unnecessary detail which I greatly appreciate. I would recommend this book for sure.
October 15, 2025
3.75 stars
Book 3 is the Beast of Devon
Book 3 is the Beast of Devon
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews