How Not To Be Seduced by Dukes

How Not To Be Seduced by Dukes #1

by Marian Tee

At 34 years old, Rathe Wellesley, a powerful and gorgeous billionaire nobleman, has his life all planned out – or so he thinks until he meets Mary, a lovely but socially awkward genius who is nothing like his future duchess should be.

Raised by a crazed and oppressive stepfather, 18-year-old Mary Ashton finds herself swept off her feet by the duke and tossed out of her home for daring to kiss a man before marriage.

By choosing to be with Rathe, Mary’s life is completely transformed, leading an ordinary life as a college student during the day…and living the glamorous and passionate life as the duke’s mistress at night.

It’s not the life she’s dreamt of but the look in Rathe’s eyes keeps Mary from leaving. It’s a look that tells her maybe, just maybe he could fall in love with her, too.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, New Adult

218 pages, ebook

First published February 3, 2014

About the author

Hi! I love talking about books as much as the next bibliophile - doesn't matter whose books - so feel free to chat with me here. :)

As for other stuff you may want to know, you could visit my website or author page in Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/authormariantee.

Reviews

[Mind]

not recommend for anybody. this is quite horrible..i'm not sure why this kind of book has some 3 point something stars rating. this is a book about an asshole guy with a doormat heroine. i liked this author when i read how not to be seduced by billionaires series but even then, i had a serious issue with how she portrayed her characters. (basically, in that book, the nearly asshole hero was pissed with heroine for half of the series because she wouldn't jump into bed with him and he thought trying to win her was such a big unnecessary job which affected his so huge as an Mount Everett male ego. so yea, even though i like the writing style, i pretty much have to endure to end the book ) but in this book, it becomes too much that i cannot even like her writing style anymore. Like the fact that Not long after heroine had encountered nearly being raped, the douche bag insisted her to be his mistress is just doesn't sit well with me. so girls, if you respect yourself, don't read this book. This is not the alpha male. Alpha heroes are not the ones who treat their heroines as shit.There is no such thing as equality in this book and i don't think i will ever read further books from this author. i have learnt my lesson.

[Yoselin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Opinión Personal: El libro inicia con un Rathe de 16 años que ya se muestra frio ante las relaciones humanas, mostrando que esto es debido al estigma que sufre su familia por la diferencia de edad entre sus padres (la mamá tenia 19 y el padre 41 cuando se casaron), esto creó rumores de pedofilia por parte del padre y de cazafortunas por parte de su madre. 18 años después el desapego emocional de Rathe se mantiene, pero al conocer y besar a Mary comienza a sentir cosas que no había sentido antes por nadie, aunque trata de no darle mucha importancia a esos sentimientos. Ellos se conocen porque el amigo de él: Staffan y la amiga de ella: Saffi se casaron (How (Not) to be Seduced by Rockstars) de ahí poco a poco las cosas van de 0 a 100 en un par de capítulos, se besan, y 3-4 paginas después ya llegan a 2° base, un par de capítulos después ya llegan a 3° base, TODO OCURRE SUPER RAPIDO, eso fue lo que no me gustó del libro todo es muy apresurado y no da chance de engancharse a los personajes y sentir empatía hacia ellos.

POV: alternado ente Mary y Rathe; aunque en oportunidades nos dan vistazos de pensamientos de otros personajes en el libro.

Instalove?: Para nada, el se obsesiona con ella, por momentos se admite así mismo que la ama pero se cohíbe por la diferencia de edad. Ella si le llega a decir que lo ama.

Puntuación del H: 3.5/5 Rathe es un hombre decidido, perseverante, mandón, y distante, ya que, después de las acusaciones hacia sus padres a optado por el desapego emocional.

Puntuación de la M: 3/5 Mary es una chica súper ingenua e inocente, está enamorada del amor, pero aun así quiere ser mas que la típica esposa trofeo quiere tener una carrera para no tener que depender de nadie. Pero fue desesperante ver como se comportaba en ocasiones.

Nivel de Tristeza: Bajo, sin necesidad de buscar pañuelos.

Push/Pull: Al inicio él es el que busca entablar una “relación” donde ella es su amante, ella se resiste pero al final accede, en varios puntos del libro ambos persiguen al otro, y también tratan de alejar al otro.

Nivel de escenas Hot: 3/5

Sexo descriptivo: Nada de sexo para estos 2, pero si escenas hot muy precisas.

Sexo seguro: Nada de nada porque no ocurre nada.

Drama con O/M O/H: Hay un profesor (Byron), que sabe que Mary tiene un enamoramiento con él, así que planea utilizar eso para seducirla y acostarse con ella. El padrastro de Mary (Bartholomew grenville), la golpeaba y abusaba verbalmente de ella, cuando vivía en su casa la obligaba a practicarle sexo oral (también hay vejación de su parte), además intenta violarla en 2 oportunidades.

Drama: el abogado de Rathe le hace un contrato de confidencialidad para Mary (el prota no lo lee) y es prácticamente diciendo que la prota será una puta, el abogado lo hizo para crear discordia entre los 2 ya que el quiere que el duque se case con su hija.

Sexo con O/M O/H: Si. Al inicio cuando Rathe tiene 16 hacen mención de que estuvo sexualmente involucrado con una chica 2 años mayor que él, llamada Marigold Bordeaux. El padrastro de Mary la obligaba a practicarle sexo oral pero como fue un evento tan traumático, ella lo bloqueo en su mente, sin embargo, hacia el final del libro ella lo recuerda.

Engaño/Traición: No

Separación: “Separados” durante 1 semana luego de que la prota le hiciera un BJ al prota y éste se diera cuenta de que sus sentimientos por ella son mas fuertes de lo esperado (a pesar de que viven en la misma casa él la evita)

Temas sensibles: Violencia física por parte de un familiar / Violencia verbal por parte de un familiar / Intento de violación / Violación/Vejación/Sexo oral forzado

Final: Cuenta con Epilogo, que no parece epilogo sino mas bien otra capitulo, se muestra que todavía están juntos (no especifican cuanto tiempo pasó desde el ultimo capitulo hasta el epilogo).

[Juli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: How Not To Be Seduced by Dukes (Rathe & Mary)
Author: Marian Tee
Series: Pussketeers Series – Book 4
Cliffhanger: Not really (Story continues in Book 5, The Ice Around My Heart)

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for an honest review…

I am a huge fan of Marian Tee’s books, especially the Pussketeers series. However, I felt this book didn’t reach the standards of her other books. I’m not saying it wasn’t good or that I didn’t enjoy it; I’m saying I felt lost in this book.

First we meet Rathe and Mary in When Fangirls Cry for moment and when this book starts we aren’t told how much time has passed we are just thrown into Rathe cleaning out Saffi’s (Mary's friend) dorm room. It took a little detective work to find out the book starts about 1 week after they meet and kiss in the dorm room.

I loved Mary, her personality as well as her piranha (Mary was in love with her pet piranha) and Rathe I wanted to like him I really did, but I didn’t feel he treated Mary well. I think the book just went too fast and threw too many conflicts at us. Although I have to say there was a resolution to a conflict that I absolutely loved and yes it involved her piranha.

I will read book 5 because I would like to see how Rathe and Mary’s story ends.

[Andi S. · Rating 1 out of 5]

PSEUDO-SPOILER: La tipa acaba de ser casi-violada y el ‘duque’ le dice si quiere ser su amante… ¿Qué rayos? ¿Es en serio? ¿hay algo peor que esto?

Si, que ella acceda por el tiempo que el ‘la necesite’.

Y no, me importa un carajo que el tipo cambie después y se enamore perdidamente de ella… ahhhh. Un pésimo desarrollo de los sentimientos entre los personajes, es decir ¿de dónde salió todo ese amor? ¿en una mañana? Si hace poco lo único que querían era follar, es bastante malo inclusive para los libros de este género. Además, luego se queja de que el idiota la trate mal, así, como una cualquiera, cuando ella estuvo de acuerdo desde el principio… ¿Dónde está la coherencia querida?

Definitivamente, no sé por qué me sigo dando mala vida con este tipo de libros, ya me parezco a la masoquista de Mary.

[Rosanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

I purchased this in a bundled set.

If you enjoy reading about men who use woman for their personal sexual pleasure with no intent of a relationship then you might enjoy this book.

This particular story ended abruptly.

The sex scenes were very descriptive.

[Megan Fall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one, but it was left unfinished. I'm not sure about the mistress thing either. I hope it gets a second book with a HEA ending!

[Meli · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, you finally meet get to meet the Rathe. He's the final person in the Pussketeers trio. Rathe is a very interesting man, he comes off as cold and aloof but deep down, there's a fire that's waiting to be released. Rathe hasn't had a typical childhood, he was denied by his grandfather and his parents age gap took a toll on him. He vowed he would never be like his father and take someone so young, he experienced first hand how hard that was. Little did he know, he would be in a similar predicament like his father. This is where Mary comes in. She's friends with Saffi, one of his best friends wife. Mary never thought she'd end up like her eccentric friend, but now she's his mistress at night. Both Rathe and Mary have had a difficult time growing up, they each bring a lot of baggage. As the book continues you get to see more of how they are. The second book brings a lot more answers, continue reading, I promise it gets better!

[Emily Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me gusto mucho el argumento aunque creo que la historia fue muy apresurada. Avanzó muy a prisa pero fue buena lectura para pasar el rato

[Booked · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a little disappointed in this book. I was hoping for an all inclusive story and got left hanging. I have noticed many authors doing this lately. It seems like the books are getting shorter and there are more installments. I have no problem paying for a book but I hate thinking I am getting the whole story only to be left hanging at the end. :( I am a big fan of Marian Tee, I think she is a great writer! I have read everything she has published and this is another good book. You do not have to have read any of the "How Not To..." or "When Fangirls..." books to read this one (All three of these series tie together, the male leads all being friends), although I do recommend you trying those out. This book also contained some very dark elements, with sexual abuse/predator being a large part of the story for the female lead. I would recommend this to be a 21+ book.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for dukes and I've been trying to find a romance book with aristocrats set in this day and age but have only found this and another. This rated 1 star higher. I've never read anything by Ms. tee (fellow Filipino!!!). I thought this book was ok though. I was very confused by it all. I thought that it was a stand alone but they had met previous to this book and I was never given any insight to that meeting, therefore i was a bit confused how rathe could have such a strong attraction to her and vice versa. This book would have made a lovely novel, there was enough interesting things going on that the author shortened or rushed around. I didn't feel any chemistry. Mary acted very young. I did not see what he was so attracted to at all. But to be fair, what made her love him? Or was it just a physical love? Not really sure if I'll read book 2.

[Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it from another edition

Imagine my surprise when I bought the boxed set of Eternally Seduced and I found out it included Rathe and Mary' story. I read their story first because I've been waiting for their story ever since it was hinted that they would be paired together. Truth be told, I did not see that coming but then reading their story they were meant to be. Both characters have their flaws but I find that they complement more probably so because of it. Although I felt like hitting Rathe's head when he was was, still is, in denial about how he felt for Mary. The ending left me hanging although it wasn't a cliffhanger where both parties separated, there was no conclusion to their story yet. I'm can't wait to see more of this couple and how it would end.

[Tanielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just great! Rathe has some major issues that the little bit told about it makes you want to read more with him and his parents. I was shocked with what was really going on with Mary. Still wondering why she agreed so easily though, even if she didn't have anywhere to go she kept making it seem like Rathe and her step father had some of the same traits. If she really wanted to be free of him why would she agree to Rathe? I can't wait to read what happens with these two next and also catch up with the rest of the gang.

[C. Erani Kole · Rating 5 out of 5]

*received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review*

This one hit a little closer to home because I've known good people who had to deal with the age difference from other people. Knowing what I know, it really made this book easier to delve into, and the writing style already pulls me in with its silly humor and sexy mystery. Rathe isn't a hard guy to love, and his relationship with Mary was strangely sweet to me. The darker things were pretty heady and suspenseful but overall, it was the romance that did it for me.

[Bookabulary · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I mentioned in Twitter that I wanted to take a break from all the hot athlete and rockstar heroes I've been reading about too much lately. Because I. Wanted. Normal. And then I ended up reading this book instead. Which had a duke in it. Ggg, sometimes I do have difficulty defining normal. Ha!


Read full review on Bookabulary.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading this book! I have read it over and over and I love it every time! The guy is so cocky and smug and he is falling for her without even noticing and Mary is so innocent and adorable and then he messes it up with the whole contract! I mean yeah i get it but he almost ruined his future! And why won't he tell Mary he loves her? I mean he feels it but won't say it? That is just weird!

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rathe and Mary at last!!! Needless to say that it was utterly worth the wait! I am on tenterhooks for everything that Marian Tee writes and now I am happily and impatiently waiting for the conclusion to this wonderful story

[Navil Montero · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like it, but it think it needs more.. I wont say it was bad because I know there's another one..

For what I read on the author page, i think I will like (LOVE) #2 more than this one..
I need to read the second book...

So here I'm waiting, for the release date!

[Mauaqui · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Last Pussketeer Standing and Ready to Fall

Mary the college student and the Duke of Flanders make a most unlikely couple. Their love story will have many roadblocks and grief. Does love conquer all?

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing ending! Loved the book until the Epilogue.

[Jessica Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved both of these characters. The aloof Duke and the shy innocent nerd. I loved the whole story and I look forward to more.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Luv, Linda Hall - South Africa xxx

[Solaris Alice · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pues no le entendí, jajaja nose si es un libro intermedio o un extra de otra historia pero pues me distrajo de la oncología

[Anna Jakson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry this one didn't do for me. Story run too fast, only good part was the action with dangerous form that sick stepfather.

[Leonella Navas · Rating 5 out of 5]

hermoso. de verdad lo recomiendo demasiado fuerte.. pero tambien de cuentos

[Roberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

keep em coming xxx

[Antoinette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate cliff-hangers

[Cami · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Davielle Danielle France-Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book!