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Stolen by the Duke #2
Stolen by the Ruthless Duke
“I told you I would find a way for you to obey, didn’t I, wife?”
Forced to marry a man she doesn’t love, Lady Ophelia still does not appreciate the Ruthless Duke interrupting her wedding. Or his declaration that he has completely ruined her already...
Duke Maxwell swore to the man who saved his life he’d protect his daughter. To honor that promise, Ophelia must now become his bride of convenience.
Haunted by dark secrets, he mustn’t touch his wife—no matter how she begs for it… For if he does, no part of her will remain untouched—or unclaimed…
*If you like a realistic yet steamy depiction of the Regency and Victorian era, then Stolen by the Ruthless Duke is the novel for you.
This is a historical Regency romance novel of 80,000 words (around 400 pages), written by Harriet Caves and published by Cobalt Fairy.
No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a strong happily ever after.
Get "Stolen by the Ruthless Duke" today to discover Harriet's splendid new story!
Forced to marry a man she doesn’t love, Lady Ophelia still does not appreciate the Ruthless Duke interrupting her wedding. Or his declaration that he has completely ruined her already...
Duke Maxwell swore to the man who saved his life he’d protect his daughter. To honor that promise, Ophelia must now become his bride of convenience.
Haunted by dark secrets, he mustn’t touch his wife—no matter how she begs for it… For if he does, no part of her will remain untouched—or unclaimed…
*If you like a realistic yet steamy depiction of the Regency and Victorian era, then Stolen by the Ruthless Duke is the novel for you.
This is a historical Regency romance novel of 80,000 words (around 400 pages), written by Harriet Caves and published by Cobalt Fairy.
No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a strong happily ever after.
Get "Stolen by the Ruthless Duke" today to discover Harriet's splendid new story!
498 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2024
About the author
Harriet Caves
82 books65 followersBorn in sunny California, all Harriet Caves ever wanted was to become a doctor and save lives. During her sleepless nights working at the hospital, the Regency classics were her only solace. To no one’s surprise, her British descent led her back to England to discover her roots and where her hidden passion lay: the Regency streets of London.
After obtaining a degree in Creative Writing there, Harriet decided to never leave this magnificent place. A daydreamer and an avid reader herself, she loves spending her days exploring the British countryside or seeking stories under the pebbles of the historical London alleys.
Though she abandoned the hospital wards, Harriet now mends hearts by transporting people back to an era of passionate love. Allow her skilled pen to take you to a special place where souls sing of love and dreams come to life!
After obtaining a degree in Creative Writing there, Harriet decided to never leave this magnificent place. A daydreamer and an avid reader herself, she loves spending her days exploring the British countryside or seeking stories under the pebbles of the historical London alleys.
Though she abandoned the hospital wards, Harriet now mends hearts by transporting people back to an era of passionate love. Allow her skilled pen to take you to a special place where souls sing of love and dreams come to life!
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 26, 2024
It was definitely a slow start I feel like Maxwell cause both of them too much unnecessary misery with his constant silence & reluctance to acknowledge Ophelia in the beginning. Though there was some very entertaining moments.
Then the relationship did start to grow with some push & pull still there. The it changed again & I absolutely loved seeing the development of it, & how Maxwell & Ophelia start being truly honest with each other & helping the other to see the truth about themselves.
There was some time towards the end where evil prevail for longer than I would have liked, that is to say, at all.
Though the good most in the story were so great that it did make the book overall enjoyable & I appreciated how there was no mention of other women & I loved how Ophelia wanted to belong to Maxwell & have Maxwell to belong to Ophelia
Then the relationship did start to grow with some push & pull still there. The it changed again & I absolutely loved seeing the development of it, & how Maxwell & Ophelia start being truly honest with each other & helping the other to see the truth about themselves.
There was some time towards the end where evil prevail for longer than I would have liked, that is to say, at all.
Though the good most in the story were so great that it did make the book overall enjoyable & I appreciated how there was no mention of other women & I loved how Ophelia wanted to belong to Maxwell & have Maxwell to belong to Ophelia
October 24, 2025
A steamy story. There are some anomalies in this story. At her wedding it does not sound like she’s said her vows. Then she buys books in the village and pays cash. No reason why she shouldn’t but typically it would be billed to the Duke.
I thought the story a little slow at times, and why as in the first book of this series does the male lead have to be so controlling and rough? Why can’t he tell Ophelia why he rescued her? It just seems actually cruel. And why doesn’t he tell her Lucy is coming and who she is. Also whilst I am pleased Bridget is found, whilst that seemed a big issue in the first half with Ophelia’s concerns, her actual arrival is anticlimactic. She says she has much to tell Ophelia, so I thought we would learn all sorts. In the event we never heard anything! And then she married and goes off. Odd as she seems important at the beginning.
So it’s readable, with a classic cruel step mother, deceased much loved father, and brooding and mysterious duke/husband who won’t communicate. However, for me it was not one of the better stories of this type that I have read.
I thought the story a little slow at times, and why as in the first book of this series does the male lead have to be so controlling and rough? Why can’t he tell Ophelia why he rescued her? It just seems actually cruel. And why doesn’t he tell her Lucy is coming and who she is. Also whilst I am pleased Bridget is found, whilst that seemed a big issue in the first half with Ophelia’s concerns, her actual arrival is anticlimactic. She says she has much to tell Ophelia, so I thought we would learn all sorts. In the event we never heard anything! And then she married and goes off. Odd as she seems important at the beginning.
So it’s readable, with a classic cruel step mother, deceased much loved father, and brooding and mysterious duke/husband who won’t communicate. However, for me it was not one of the better stories of this type that I have read.
December 11, 2024
Not ruthless, just protective…………
It was a marriage of convenience with an interesting twist. Maxwell stopped Ophelia’s wedding so he offered to marry her to make up for it. The story had the typical storyline of the tortured soul that thought he was unworthy and incapable of love. I did enjoy the journey of his transformation. It was believable, and it fit his character. Ophelia annoyed me from the beginning. She never really appreciated what he was saving her from by stopping her wedding to a cruel man. She readily believed gossip knowing that untruths were often the topic of gossip. She even went back to believing the worst in him after they fell in love. Her decision to go back with her stepmother and believe her manipulations made no sense and went against her character. The side relationships were good and added an interesting twist. This was a steamy marriage of convenience, but all the steam came well after the marriage.
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily giving this review.
It was a marriage of convenience with an interesting twist. Maxwell stopped Ophelia’s wedding so he offered to marry her to make up for it. The story had the typical storyline of the tortured soul that thought he was unworthy and incapable of love. I did enjoy the journey of his transformation. It was believable, and it fit his character. Ophelia annoyed me from the beginning. She never really appreciated what he was saving her from by stopping her wedding to a cruel man. She readily believed gossip knowing that untruths were often the topic of gossip. She even went back to believing the worst in him after they fell in love. Her decision to go back with her stepmother and believe her manipulations made no sense and went against her character. The side relationships were good and added an interesting twist. This was a steamy marriage of convenience, but all the steam came well after the marriage.
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily giving this review.
February 27, 2026
English Historical Fiction Romance
This is the story of Duke Maxwell of Stormcliff and Lady Ophelia. Ophelia lost her mother to TB or pertussis a a young girl. Then she lost her father as a teenager. She was left with only her cruel and vindictive step mother Arabela. Arabela decided to marry off Ophelia to a murderous Lord who had already killed 3 wives. On Ophelia's wedding day the Duke of Stormcliff raids her wedding an tells all the congregation that he has ruined her and she cannot marry the other man. So much drama for the start of their marriage. Ophelia's not even given proper time to say goodbye to her half brother Luke before she taken away to Stormcliff Castle.
So many twists and turns in this book. Its a book of betrayal, abuse, lies, decite, family, tragedy, etc. I also loved the story of Maxwell's cousin Lucy and Ophelia's maid Bridget. Wonderfully written characters and an intriguing storyline. I really enjoyed this book.
This is the story of Duke Maxwell of Stormcliff and Lady Ophelia. Ophelia lost her mother to TB or pertussis a a young girl. Then she lost her father as a teenager. She was left with only her cruel and vindictive step mother Arabela. Arabela decided to marry off Ophelia to a murderous Lord who had already killed 3 wives. On Ophelia's wedding day the Duke of Stormcliff raids her wedding an tells all the congregation that he has ruined her and she cannot marry the other man. So much drama for the start of their marriage. Ophelia's not even given proper time to say goodbye to her half brother Luke before she taken away to Stormcliff Castle.
So many twists and turns in this book. Its a book of betrayal, abuse, lies, decite, family, tragedy, etc. I also loved the story of Maxwell's cousin Lucy and Ophelia's maid Bridget. Wonderfully written characters and an intriguing storyline. I really enjoyed this book.
February 21, 2025
I am 20% in and I’m about to DNF this ridiculous book! Ophelia agrees to marry an old man who was cruel, whose three x-wives all died mysteriously and the rumors are that he killed them——all this to save her maid’s job!?!?? I’ve never seen a bigger martyr in my life—
Maxwell makes a promise to Ophelia‘s dying father to look out for her, so he stops the wedding -marries her and takes her to his castle- where he does not speak to her… He doesn’t explain anything to her about her father… He tells her that the man she was supposed to marry was violent and cruel, and she says she knows it, but she had to save her maid/friend 🙄🙄🙄
Pages and pages of her obsession with this maid Bridgette-
Maxwell was mean to her for absolutely no reason-
There is ridiculous drama where there doesn’t need to be -
And I loved the first book in this series - I’m not wasting another minute on this second book
Maxwell makes a promise to Ophelia‘s dying father to look out for her, so he stops the wedding -marries her and takes her to his castle- where he does not speak to her… He doesn’t explain anything to her about her father… He tells her that the man she was supposed to marry was violent and cruel, and she says she knows it, but she had to save her maid/friend 🙄🙄🙄
Pages and pages of her obsession with this maid Bridgette-
Maxwell was mean to her for absolutely no reason-
There is ridiculous drama where there doesn’t need to be -
And I loved the first book in this series - I’m not wasting another minute on this second book
March 15, 2026
Overcoming the past.
Maxwell the Duke of Stormcliff made a promise to a dying man on the battlefield to protect his daughter Ophelia. Unfortunately, his protection started by storming her wedding and declaring he had ruined her and agreed to marry her himself. Quite a start to a marriage. A Maxwell is haunted by memories of his abusive past at the hands of his father and uncle so he is closed off to affection and relationships. Now Ophelia wants more than he can give her. Their coming together is rocky to say the least. Throw in a wicked step mother and you have a good story.
Maxwell the Duke of Stormcliff made a promise to a dying man on the battlefield to protect his daughter Ophelia. Unfortunately, his protection started by storming her wedding and declaring he had ruined her and agreed to marry her himself. Quite a start to a marriage. A Maxwell is haunted by memories of his abusive past at the hands of his father and uncle so he is closed off to affection and relationships. Now Ophelia wants more than he can give her. Their coming together is rocky to say the least. Throw in a wicked step mother and you have a good story.
February 9, 2025
I will say, for the love i had for this book in the beginning, it slowly started going downhill with the more and more deflecting the MMC did in not telling Ophelia the truth about her dad. I don't know why he thought she would be upset about it but the fact that it involved her dad, I felt like she deserved to know from the very beginning. if anything, it would've caused so many less problems and misunderstandings.
I liked all the other characters and how everything got resolved. I would read again and I will say, I have been enjoying this authors books so incredibly much
I liked all the other characters and how everything got resolved. I would read again and I will say, I have been enjoying this authors books so incredibly much
February 3, 2026
Second in Series
Maxwell and his cousin Lucy both experienced violence in their childhood. Max despises his father and uncle because of their cruelty and abuse of them. Yet he brings a type of abuse into his marriage. His hero and protective status is nil. Bad slant to the story.
I wish the author would write toward the positive along with some serious editing and ditch the modern verbiage. A study of 19th century British culture and history would help the author with future books.
Maxwell and his cousin Lucy both experienced violence in their childhood. Max despises his father and uncle because of their cruelty and abuse of them. Yet he brings a type of abuse into his marriage. His hero and protective status is nil. Bad slant to the story.
I wish the author would write toward the positive along with some serious editing and ditch the modern verbiage. A study of 19th century British culture and history would help the author with future books.
October 19, 2026
A tale haunted by fathers long gone.
Another sweet story peopled by damaged individuals who live with their respective pain, even though the reasons are very different. One haunted by cruelty, the other by the loss of someone beloved. From an inauspicious beginning filled with mistrust & wrongful assumptions to the inevitability of an HEA. It's all about the journey in-between. If you've read Cobalt Fairy books before then you know what you're getting. If you haven't, then suspend cynicism & enter a world where things just turn out right!
Another sweet story peopled by damaged individuals who live with their respective pain, even though the reasons are very different. One haunted by cruelty, the other by the loss of someone beloved. From an inauspicious beginning filled with mistrust & wrongful assumptions to the inevitability of an HEA. It's all about the journey in-between. If you've read Cobalt Fairy books before then you know what you're getting. If you haven't, then suspend cynicism & enter a world where things just turn out right!
December 12, 2024
A Promise/A Match/A New Life/Love
A promise made years ago to a friend happens quickly & each struggles to love one another as their marriage progresses. A cousin enters society & has a secret of her own. Little by little the ugly stepmother must finally obey the rules & take her leave instead of punishing those closest to her. And there is another secret love waiting to share their story!
A promise made years ago to a friend happens quickly & each struggles to love one another as their marriage progresses. A cousin enters society & has a secret of her own. Little by little the ugly stepmother must finally obey the rules & take her leave instead of punishing those closest to her. And there is another secret love waiting to share their story!
December 21, 2024
The MMC made a promise and to keep it he must stop a wedding, which he does with a bang. This ends up with him proposing a marriage of convenience with the FMC. I liked how the author slowly reveals the true character of the MMC. I didn’t like the FMC as much as she seemed quick to believe rumors. There is a wicked stepmother and some other secondary characters who add some intrigue to the story line.
December 8, 2024
Another wonderful story by this author. The story started out with a bang, and then secrets, drama, emotional turmoil and romance are woven in, keeping the reader engaged in the story, and the characters’ lives. An intriguing story. I received a complimentary ARC, but I am voluntarily offering my personal opinion.
March 16, 2025
Secrets revealed
Ophelia was at the alter to marry an older man. The Duke of Stormcliff, Maxwell, interrupts and declares she has been with him in secret. Forced to marry the Duke without knowing why. Secrets haunt him and he will not get close to Ophelia even though he is drawn. When secrets are revealed it keeps you reading to see what happens. Great story and series
Ophelia was at the alter to marry an older man. The Duke of Stormcliff, Maxwell, interrupts and declares she has been with him in secret. Forced to marry the Duke without knowing why. Secrets haunt him and he will not get close to Ophelia even though he is drawn. When secrets are revealed it keeps you reading to see what happens. Great story and series
April 18, 2025
Working towards their happily ever after
Both Maxwell and Ophelia had had awful childhoods. When they married it was not as a love match, but after being in each other's company for a while they could not refute their attraction for each other. Slowly their relationship blossomed into a full blown love.
Both Maxwell and Ophelia had had awful childhoods. When they married it was not as a love match, but after being in each other's company for a while they could not refute their attraction for each other. Slowly their relationship blossomed into a full blown love.
April 19, 2025
Exquisite!!!!
Love Maxwell's and Ophelia's remarkable love story. He carried his physical & mental abuse like a second skin. She was isolated and abuse. The premise for this story is a deathbed promise. Love how you show.them both how.to move foward. Enjoy some of the other characters in this novel. Hugely Recommend!
Love Maxwell's and Ophelia's remarkable love story. He carried his physical & mental abuse like a second skin. She was isolated and abuse. The premise for this story is a deathbed promise. Love how you show.them both how.to move foward. Enjoy some of the other characters in this novel. Hugely Recommend!
November 30, 2024
This story tells of how parents treatment of young children affect not just their life when they are children, but even into adulthood. The story would have been an interesting read, but the graphic sex scenes detracted from the story for me.
January 20, 2025
Stolen by the ruthless duke
Añ ùnique story witha women strong theme. The authoress has disguised the real reason for the odd behavior of the duke towards his wife nearly till the end making the story even more interesting. Loved reading the book and enjoyed.
Añ ùnique story witha women strong theme. The authoress has disguised the real reason for the odd behavior of the duke towards his wife nearly till the end making the story even more interesting. Loved reading the book and enjoyed.
October 22, 2025
A pithy one!
This was an especially complex story with so much angst and redemption, much more gothic than the usual romance. There were no real surprise s, and everything turned out as expected, but the journey was intense.
This was an especially complex story with so much angst and redemption, much more gothic than the usual romance. There were no real surprise s, and everything turned out as expected, but the journey was intense.
February 8, 2026
Ruthless Duke
Good story and I do like the Characters. Not too many and stayed with the main ones. This did take you to a problem with people that carry dark nightmares and mental anguish until they move forward with finding love of wife, family, and friends.
Good story and I do like the Characters. Not too many and stayed with the main ones. This did take you to a problem with people that carry dark nightmares and mental anguish until they move forward with finding love of wife, family, and friends.
November 23, 2024
Hot and steamy
This story shows how two people who have been hurt one by a parent the other by a step parent can rise above the hurt and find true love and have a HEA
This story shows how two people who have been hurt one by a parent the other by a step parent can rise above the hurt and find true love and have a HEA
November 25, 2024
Stolen by the Ruthless Duke
I would recommend this book to others and know you'll enjoy this as I did. It is a wonderful way to get away for a few hours.
I would recommend this book to others and know you'll enjoy this as I did. It is a wonderful way to get away for a few hours.
December 2, 2024
Excellent story but too much graphic content for my tastes. It is an excellent plot and very sweet. The villainess is quite awful and troublesome. It was quite enjoyable.
December 4, 2024
Stolen by the Ruthless Duke
This was a fantastic story. It was like a Cinderella story with the evil stepmother. I throughly enjoyed reading this story. The ending was perfect.
This was a fantastic story. It was like a Cinderella story with the evil stepmother. I throughly enjoyed reading this story. The ending was perfect.
March 16, 2025
great book to read
Another great story from Harriet Caves, I read the book in one day, as I could not put it down.
Another great story from Harriet Caves, I read the book in one day, as I could not put it down.
Read
June 12, 2025I really enjoyed this book. Couldn't put it down
June 20, 2025
loved reading this book. Also I couldn't wait to pick it up keep reading.
Read
November 2, 2025You will fall in love the characters no cliffhangers you will not be willing to stop the story for any reason
January 12, 2026
Book was WAY too long. I was already skimming pages 25% in.
September 29, 2026
Great story. It kept my full attention through the telling. I always enjoy Harriet Caves’ books!!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews