Don't Let Your Dukes Grow Up to Be Scoundrels

Dukes in Disguise #1

by Louisa Darling

A LADY FORTUNE HUNTER

Lady Gemma Lively's life as the darling of London's fast set was carefree and fun, filled with exciting friends, daring fashions, and scandalous parties. But when the death of her father leaves her family with nothing but a dilapidated coaching inn at the end of the Earth, it's up to Gemma to change their fate. She needs a rich husband immediately—but the only bachelor in sight is a devilishly distracting barkeep who doesn't know the peerage from a pint glass.

A DUKE IN DISGUISE

When Hal Deveril meets the new owners of Five Mile House, he sees right away that they're Trouble. The eldest Lively sister is an unabashed fortune hunter, so Hal hides his true identity in the first place he can find—behind the bar of his local pub. He doesn't have time for Gemma's wild scheme to entice eligible gentlemen to the inn and seduce one into marriage—he's too busy trying to rebuild his crumbling estate.

AN IMPOSSIBLE MATCH

Except Hal can't seem to resist seducing Gemma himself. Every sizzling argument, every tempting touch, every secret kiss draws them closer together, but while he might not be the barkeep she thinks he is, he's also not the wealthy Duke she's hoping for….even if he wants to give her everything he has, including his heart.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Audiobook, Historical, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Enemies To Lovers

357 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 25, 2024

Reviews

[Crystal's Bookish Life]

This is a historical romance author to watch. This was bright, fresh, sparkling with chemistry and great banter. It was heartfelt and beautifully written with a great balance between plot, chemistry, and emotional depth. I adored it and I'm now a big fan of this author.

Will be in my next vlog

[GigiReads]

Audiobook-

I would pay good money for Mary Jane Wells to read me Ikea instructions, so my enjoyment of this book reflects more on her amazing narrative abilities than the actual content. Everything in this one hinged on a lie that the hero and everyone who knew him told the heroine. This was dragged on for most of the book and I didn't care for it. I do enjoy this author's voice and cannot wait for Thorn's book but I am glad I read book 2 first.

⭐⭐⭐.5/4
🔥🔥/5

Tropes:
Fake Identity
Rivals to Lovers
Close Proximity

[BrandyD]

So happy to have found this new author. I’m looking forward to reading more of her work.

[Missy]

DNF’d after Chapter 12.

[Nikki (awallflowerreads)]

4.5 ⭐️

These two are so hot for each other despite their initial animosity and ultimately opposing motives. Gemma is trying to marry a rich noble after her father has died and left her mother, sister, and herself with nothing but a rundown inn. Hal is the youngest son turned destitute duke in town who’s trying to recover his lands and estate. So obviously, he finds everything about her infuriating and enchanting. That kind of juxtaposition is always fun, and these two have such delicious banter and chemistry. The storyline here is fun too, as Gemma tries to find a rich husband and Hal proceeds to scare all her potential suitors off. All while not revealing his own identity. It was fun, fast-paced, and had me engaged from the start. This was my first read/listen for this author, and I really enjoyed her lighthearted tone mixed with characters I could easily care about. And the heat was good in this with deliciously spicy scenes that kept coming (unintended pun 🤭). Excited to dive more into this series!

[ChasingLeslie]

Full review to come

Tropes: Disguised Identity, Cast-Out Heroine, Working Heroine, Enemies to Lovers

Steam: 4ish (there were at least five scenes, but some were short)

[*CJ*]

“Don't Let Your Dukes Grow Up To Be Scoundrels” is the story of Gemma and Hal.

I was in a reading slump and got recommended this book- and so enjoyable!

The heroine, her mother and sister are thrown out of their house after their father dies by their stepbrother. The inherit a remote inn, decide to travel there, only to realize it is a communal hub with all the villagers. They meet a snarky barkeeper there, and sparks fly between him and the heroine.
The heroine needs to find a rich husband to marry to save her family. The hero is actually a duke in disguise- who has no ambition to be entrapped by the heroine. But fate has other plans..

It took me time to warm up to the heroine- she is initially written as haughty, a bit superfluous and vain- but we soon learn the reason behind her facade. Also the fact the author went out of her way to explain she wasn’t “completely innocent” and had “done stuff in London” was very.. interesting. The hero is just filled with indignation and resolutions for all the wrong reasons. I enjoyed the banter between them, the second half of the book is more fun, the lovemaking scenes are hot and their happy ending is satisfying.

Safe
3.5/5

[Olga 🌺]

1. It is historically inaccurate.
2. The MFC is brazen, spoiled, vain, scandalous... She is a London Girl who knows what to do in the dark.

☝️On their first encounter she was already fantasising about him naked.
✌️On their second encounter, she kissed him breathless.
☝️✌️On their third one, she kisses him again, let's him f*nger her and make her orgasm, in broad day light, on an open road where anybody can see.
And then, she discarded the whole thing and made him take her to see the Duke's house who she intends to seduce and marry. 🤦‍♀️

Not my cup of tea.

[Stephanie Williams]

A new auto-buy author for me! I love historicals set outside of London society, with interesting/inventive plots, and DUKES WITH FACIAL HAIR.

Listen this book is cozy, hot, and made me cry (in a good way). Grab a pint, curl up by the fire, and read it in one sitting. It’s criminal that this isn’t more popular.

[Purple Galaxy]

Had to DNF. First, Mary Jane Wells narration was grating. Why must she emphasize random words and exaggerate her inflections? I was willing to stick it out, however, even though the kissing and groping came on way to quickly and in a very stupid manner. But then the FMC decided she was going to borrow furniture from the supposedly empty ducal manor in order to furnish her inn? Too stupid.

Also, why in the world is the author virtue signaling by identifying characters as white? This is REGENCY ENGLAND, not 21st century America. Yes, I do realize people of color existed in regency England, white–for better or for worse–is the default here, and what the author does with this is really awkward.

Look, I like bonkers plots and am willing to put up with a lot if the writing is good (and LD's writing wasn't BAD) but honestly, the ploting was too stupid. May still try another one of her books, though lol

Note: I don't like to give stars for books I DNF, but I had to make an exception here.

[Mel]

If you’ve ever wondered what a histrom version of Schitt’s Creek’s Alexis Rose would be like, then wonder no more. Gemma is the oldest daughter of a Duke and his scandalous second wife. When the Duke dies and his son from his first marriage inherits the title and all the property, his first order of business is to immediately remove his scandalous stepmother and two half sisters from premises.
This book was…fine. I don’t love when one MC is lying about his real identity to the other MC and of course, the MC finds out in a way that makes me wonder if the hero would have ever come clean on his own. I thought the grovel needed more work and more space. Mary Jane Wells elevates this otherwise mediocre book with her narration.

[sarahjc]

A great new historical romance author. Historical romance is my favorite genre, and this book had everything that I love. If you love Sarah Maclean or Alexandra Vasti, you will love Louisa Darling!

[Trianna/Treereads]

DNF @20%

Idk it just wasn't working for me. I do really want to read book 2 in this series so might as well just fully embrace being a chaos reader!!!

[Lannie (mostlyfated)]

DNF at 16%. The FMC is so annoying and is such a spoiled brat that I just can’t deal. So yeah, this book/story is not for me. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Bethany]

2.5 stars, rounded up. audio, Aug.-Sept '25


I liked the premise of this one, but it dragged on and was incredibly slow in parts. Not sure if I'll continue to series or not.

[Imromanticallyinvolved]

A really excellent book. Why isn't anyone talking about Louisa Darling?!

[Sandy]

I got this audiobook and the next one in this series for free via Libro.fm during their Bookstore Romance Day sale. This is my first Louisa Darling book. I've been saving these for a while having heard good things about them. The plot promised entertainment, but between the instalove and all the ridiculousness, this is a miss for me. The author has a modern voice and I appreciate that. However, the execution here is clumsy and confusing. Gemma's mother (a duchess?) was referred to by her name? A few times I mistook 'Henrietta' as the sister. Furthermore, introducing random characters like a coachman, a farmer, a millman as 'a white man' in a 1819 countryside is redundant, imo. I also didn't like the MMC. He's a self-sufficient Duke and in possession of 21st century principles. No, really. He is his own doorman and cook?! He even dared to lecture Gemma about men's honor all while hiding his identity from her. And Gemma? After almost setting herself on fire, she was immediately filled with lusty thoughts about Hal? Later, she borrowed some furniture from a duke's home for the inn? Lol.

I regret that I can no longer enjoy audiobooks performed by Mary Jane Wells. I still like her voice and narration, but her high pitched dialogue delivery grates my ears. This performance was much better than The Last Lady B by Eloisa James. I'm not sure if I'll read the 2nd book, but I will try Lucy's one. Not in audio format though.

[Nicole Reads Romance]

A new to HistRom author, this was her first full-length and it gave me exactly what I want from an HR. There was meddling townsfolk, horrible family members holding the purse strings (some very strong Sense & Sensibility vibes), a Lady who now does manual labour! Plus a Duke who is big and brawny and not much impressed by his title. Nods to social issues of the day, and plenty of plot, I was engaged and entertained through this entire open door Romance.

I read via audio, narrated by Mary Jane Wells who does a fine job (some of her side character voices get shrill). I do recommend reading in order, because we get some villain redemption stories. Love it!

I've already read book two, and can't wait to dig into book three.

[Laura McLoughlin]

Fun book. Setting is different - far away from London and the typical Historical.

I look forward to the other books in the series, but she had better not try to rehabilitate the awful brother. He is just the worst.

Also, based entirely on the cover I was expecting some Beauty and the Beast aspects and there aren't any, which was kind of a disappointment

[Amber (Amber Reads Romance)]

⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️

I am excited to discover a new historical romance author. I really enjoyed this book, but I didn't like how long Hal kept his true identity hidden from Gemma. I did love the side characters, and I will definitely be continuing the series. This was pretty spicy too, which was a surprise.

[Helena]

This was ok and I definitely enjoyed some parts but the conflict took up too much of the story and I felt that we don't really get to see them bond or fall in love. I also wanted to smack Hal half the time.

If you're a stickler for historical accuracy there's a lot here that you'll need to suspend your disbelief for (namely, the lack of classicism between characters, the fact that we're to believe that a lady running a boarding house would be able to spruce it up sufficiently to attract the attention and a proposal from a titled Lord out in the middle of nowhere, the inclusion of persons of color but no racism, looting the manor house, the mystery windfall to save the day etc.) - I'm of course not saying these things are good or right, but they are real hallmarks of a real time.






THOUGHTS / OPINIONS I HAD WHILE READING:

- Gemma is mercenary and determined to make a good match and go back to London (a place we find out and treated her terribly bc her dad married a servant and had her and her sister). Her mother is a grieving mess after the Duke dies and leaves them penniless, and her sister is still very young so she feels the family's fortunes rest on her shoulders.

- I liked her character at first but some things bothered me. She's super hoity toity at first and then.... not at all? think about it this way, this is a girl who's probably had servants her whole life and doesn't even dress herself, yet within like a week She's scrubbing floors, lighting hearths and pouring ale like it's no big deal? she doesn't seem to mind at all until the other Duke humiliates her as well. Then there's her appearance - She's described as super sexually liberated (which is fine of course) but seems like such an odd choice when you're trying to make everyone in London think you're of "good blood". but instead she leans into her vixen persona? This is presumably the regency period and she's out here without chaperones, in a "lowly" profession and thinks that this will attract titled men who will want to marry her? the sad truth is that they'd be more likely to sleep with her and would never consider someone in the trades as a wife, especially with her scandalous rep and family history.

- Hal was pretty well written but kind of annoyed me too. He's SO high and mighty about not being like the gentry. BRO you're a DUKE, the highest peer, you being poor and cosplaying as a bar hand doesn''t change your privilege and opportunities. Also, I never got why / how he fell in love with her? there's loathing and lust for sure and sexual tension but no bonding or shared interests etc. I didn't see how their deep connection could result at all IMO. Also... we find out that Bess's family raised him, a Duke?? that's super unlikely as well.

- the corset slander annoyed me. Too often in these books we see mentions of corsets squeezing or being too tight when there's no mention of tight lacing. These were supportive garments and not everyone was trussed up and bursting out of theirs, especially when working lol

- Hal's "apology" drove me nuts. He starts off all "I'm so sorry I lied this is on me" then goes FULL gaslighter with "everyone in my family / life leaves me, don't do this to me". BRO. You KNEW from the getgo that she's poor and solely responsible for dragging her family out of the ditches, ALL you had to do was be honest with her about yourself and your prospects. Also, why judge her for doing what she TOLD you she was going to do.

- the setting and lack of class divides threw me for a loop. No one seems to care at all about anyone's status or titles or propriety and social norms? there's random mentions of a gay couple and people of color as part of the community and as solicitors? obviously by 21st century standards that's normal, but this is (presumably) regency England? a Jamaican farmer and his partner living in a community in rural England is unthinkable as is a legal right hand man / man of finance? .... it's just super unlikely for the time.

- I liked Bess as a character but is also SUPER unlikely that she'd have the means to travel anywhere as domestic help, unfortunately.

[Linda B]

This author just doesn’t work for me. I stopped and restarted several times thinking maybe I just wasn’t in the right mood, but I ended up skimming the last half of the book. I didn’t understand the relationship between the title and the story. Made no sense at all. Plus, at what point were they supposed to fall in love? Never saw it. Lust yes…on the second day, no less, when they didn’t even know each other…but no love. The writing style didn’t appeal to me, either. It’s supposed to be historical romance. Not only was there no real romance, but the book had so much modern references and word choices I darn near DNF when she mentioned a tip jar. Crap, it had many possibilities, and has great reviews. Just not for me.

[jakira]

really charming read — the FMC was really frustrating with the constant push and pull … i also didn’t fully love how quick these two kissed/had sex … i would’ve loved to see more emotional payoff before but alas

intrigued about lucy and bess’s roms!

[Heather]

I held on because of Mary Jane Wells. I think the book was promising, a spoiled heroine who didn't know the value of work having to work for her family's upkeep running a coaching inn was an intriguing plot point but ultimately fell short for me. I didn't quite buy into their connection beyond the surface and also the lack of grovelling.

[KelseyreadsHR]

4.5/5 Gemma and her family come off as well known in London society but when her father passes away and her half brother kicks them out, they only have one option. 5 Mile House in the sleepy Wiltshire countryside, a gift her mother received upon her marriage. But it turns out to be a shabby coaching inn with a barkeep that is too handsome for his own good. Who happens to be a Duke and decides to keep his identity secret from the new arrivals.

This one was a lot of fun as Gemma defies first impressions and has no problem rolling up her sleeves to install a plan that will get her mother and sister back to the lifestyle they’re accustomed to. She heaps all the responsibility on herself and her happiness plays second fiddle to everyone else’s. As her life in London is revealed to Hal, I was caught off guard by her vulnerability and it broke my heart. Making me want her to succeed all the more.

Hal portrays himself like one of the townsfolk, living casually after selling off all the non entailed estates to pay back the debt the previous dukes carelessly racked up. And now restoring relationships by putting tenant and community needs above the estate. But he’s not without fault, deciding to hide that he’s a Duke (and have the village go along with it). It wasn’t frustrating that he allowed the deception to go on for most of the book because as lies end up doing, it snowballed to where it was hard for it to stop and added to the tension until the right moment.

Hal and Gemma don’t start out on the right foot but respect and mutual attraction help break through that obstacle. Leaving them in a situation where they know they can’t be together but they also can’t help themselves.

Money isn’t everything but for these two it was a driving factor for their motivations and added to the intrigue of how they could reconcile these differences and still end up together.

Lucy and her highwayman has peaked my interest but looks like I’ll have to wait until book three for that one. In the meantime I’m looking forward to book two.

I came across this book on bookstagram and when it was free as part of an audiobook sale, I snatched it up. Not only did I enjoy this book but the audio is great as well since it’s done by Mary Jane Wells.

Don’t Let Your Dukes Grow Up to be Scoundrels is the first book in the Dukes in Disguise series. This was a new to me author and I can’t wait to read more from them.

There are five open door encounters with a mid spice level.

[Aamira]

When the death of her father leaves her with a dilapidated inn in the middle of nowhere, Lady Gemma decides to set her sights on marrying a gentleman of the ton in order to secure her future and that of her mother and sister. What she didn’t expect was the sparks she feels with Hal, the local barman. Will the simmering looks and moments of passion take her away from her goals?

Hal is hiding a secret. He’s a Duke with nothing to offer Gemma. Wishing to right the wrongs of his ancestors, Hal takes it upon himself to give back to the village whether that’s helping patch up roofs or pulling pints at the local pub. He has not time for spoiled misses who don’t appreciate the small town of Little Kissington. Lady Gemma drives him mad, but he can’t deny the simmering chemistry between them. What will happen when she finds out his secret?

Having read the second book in the series first and thoroughly enjoying it, Ms. Darling has quickly become a go to author. This was such a delightful romp filled with banter and likable characters. Ms. Darling did a good job of giving Gemma depth. She wasn’t a spoiled woman who wanted to return to her life back in London, but rather, a daughter and sister who was worried about the futures of her mother and sister. She was willing to sacrifice her own future in the hopes of providing security for them. Which given the circumstances, is commendable. Her snobbish half brother basically throws them out of their home without any financial assistance. Yet their determination to thrive is evident in how much passion she puts into the inn. She quickly embraces the challenge. That’s one of the things she and Hal have in common. They sacrifice themselves in order to do what is right. The passion they feel for one another is palpable, and I enjoyed their scenes as they matched wits against one another.

Both are likable characters. I really enjoyed Lucy as well. She’s resourceful and witty. And she was able to hold her own with the arrogant Duke of Thornecliff. I’m excited to read their story and see how Ms. Darling redeems him.

[Dyanne]

5⭐️ for both the Story and Mary-Jane Wells narration on the audiobook
I adore an aristocrat in disguise trope, especially when it’s not a mean spirited one!! The Lively family has just suffered the horrible loss of their Father/husband and have been basically thrown out of their home by their horrible step-brother and the only property there father thought to provide his 2nd family turns out to be the (somewhat dilapidated) 5 mile house coaching inn. Lady Gemma Lively has no choice but to marry a rich titled gentleman so she can get her family back to London. But her debut and time on the London marriage mart was horrible. It’s one thing to be the daughter of a Duke, but when your mother happens to be the nanny the Duke fell in love with… well that’s something that the Ton can not accept. So she will just have to make the 5 Mile a fashionable Inn that will attract traveling lords that she can charm into marriage! This is an easy plan, if it was for the very arrogant but attractive barkeep Hal Deveril. Hal didn’t set out to hide the fact that he is a Duke, as a matter of fact he was never supposed to inherit as the 2nd son. But here he is, trying to fix the crumbling estate and help the tenants that his father and brother ignored for years. Hal could see a fortune hunter the minute Emma walks in the door, so there is no way he is going to tell her he’s a Duke (he’s got no money anyway). But Emma is not the cold calculating fortune hunter she tries to be, and Hal isn’t your usual rustic, middle of nowhere barkeep.
This was a delightful story with wonderful side characters that i look forward to in the series.

[Rekha O'Sullivan]

Lady Gemma Lively was living the high life in London—parties, suitors, and a fast and loose group of friends to keep her entertained on the fringes of the ton. That is, until her half-brother decided she and her mother were surplus to requirements and unceremoniously booted them to the countryside. Their new home? A run-down pub called Five Mile House. The scandal! The horror! The… barkeep?

Enter Hal Deveril—rough around the edges, oh-so-handsome, and definitely not just your average bartender. Sparks fly faster than a spilled pint, but there’s one tiny problem: Gemma needs a wealthy suitor to escape her situation, and Hal is hiding more than just what’s under his waistcoat.



This book was an absolute treat. I hadn’t heard of Louisa Darling before (how?!), but this recommendation paid off in full. The chemistry between Gemma and Hal is magnetic, the banter crackles, and yes—it’s got spice. But also heart. Don’t Let Your Dukes Grow Up to Be Scoundrels balances wit, romance, and a surprising emotional depth that had me fully invested.

The other characters really round out the story, especially Lucy, Gemma's not so little sister.

It’s book one in the Dukes in Disguise series, and I am so here for it. If you like your historical romance with a dash of scandal, a spoonful of sass, and a whole lot of swoon, grab this immediately. I'm already halfway through Book 2.

Four and a half stars, rounded up to a big, swoony five.

[Cait M]

AUDIOBOOK:
Mary Jane Wells never disappoints. She is unmatched in HR narration.

This was a fun, mistaken identity story. The heroine, down-on-her-luck Lady Gemma Lively, with her mother and younger sister is forced to leave London high society and move to the country upon the death of her father the Duke. Left without any financial support they take up residence and manage the running of their only remaining asset, a neglected coaching inn in a small village.

The hero, Hal is a Duke whose estate has been almost totally bankrupted by the mismanagement of his predecessors. He is determined to single-handedly bring the estate, and therefore his overburdened tenants, into the black.

Hal meets Gemma when she first arrives at the Inn, but she mistakes him for the local barkeeper/man of all work. When Hal discovers her plan to renovate the Inn to improve her chance of marrying a rich, titled husband, he refuses to correct her assumptions about him.

Of course, the two spend plenty of time together and fall for each other. Angst and miscommunication ensue. Book two in the series looks very promising too.

This book contains descriptive love scenes.

[Joyce]

Enchanting!
Lady Gemma Lively’s debut didn’t go according to plan, but she made the most of becoming a young lady of questionable reputation. Night after night of empty distractions, in a household of lackadaisical parents, and a much younger sister Gemma barely knows anymore. Gemma’s circumstances change dramatically when her father, the Duke, dies in a careless accident and her stepbrother unceremoniously cuts them off. For Gemma and her sister are the byproducts of her father’s second marriage to a woman of the serving class. It’s just not done! All that’s left for them is a country property they’ve never seen, and Gemma realizes it’s up to her to take care of her young sister, and incapacitated by grief mother. And let me tell you, their new home is magical! It’s a coaching inn! *insert snort laugh*
Right off the bat there are sparks aplenty between Gemma and the property’s barman. And I’ll leave it at that, because the ensuing adventure is funny, surprising, swoony, and emotional! What a great ride!
I picked up this audiobook because of Mary Jane Wells. I am never disappointed in her performance—what a pro!