Winning Her Duke: Scots and Scoundrels, Book 1

Scots and Scoundrels #1

by Allison B. Hanson

When your heart is on the line, you can't afford to lose.

When Gia Landon is tricked into a London season by her father, she is pleased to have found a friend who shares her love of horses in the Duke of Roxburghe. The surly Scot enjoys living in London and hates the country, while Gia despises everything about society.

Hale knows Gia has no intention of marrying. She is simply biding her time until her father gives up and allows her to return to the country. Which means there is no danger in spending his days in her company discussing their one true love . . . race horses.

But soon, their shared love of all things equine begins to grow, and a friendship they thought was safe tempts them into crossing the line into scandal.

Contains mature themes.

Genres: Historical Romance, Regency, Audiobook

Audible Audio

Published August 13, 2024

Reviews

[Annika · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 old school romance ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

This story hits the ground running; think heartfelt romance with a dash of Black Beauty and Seabiscuit. ❤️🐎

When Gia Landon is tricked into enduring a London season by her father, the last thing she expects is to find a kindred spirit in the Duke of Roxburghe.

Gia despises everything about society and is secretly a very proficient horse trainer. Completely unacceptable for a woman. She owns (Her father owns) 30 of the most sought after horses in the world. I absolutely loved how this was woven into the love story.
It became the heartbeat of their relationship. ❤️

Hale quickly realizes Gia has no intention of marrying. She is simply waiting for her father to give up and allow her to return to the country. Which means there is supposedly no danger in spending time together, discussing the one thing they truly love… racehorses.

But their shared passion slowly turns into genuine friendship, and then into something much deeper. They begin needing each other’s company constantly, and it was done so beautifully. This genuinely felt like watching two people organically fall in love, step by step, through companionship, admiration, and emotional intimacy. 10 ⭐️ for that alone.

Of course, things escalate. Both of them are clinging to fear, pride, and old ideas about love and marriage. Their affair becomes incredibly risky, and honestly, I was terrified for Gia at times. I do wish there had been slightly more concern shown for the consequences, but to be fair, neither of them truly wanted marriage, so it made sense emotionally. Hale offers to marry her out obligation and Gia of course declines, she knows he doesn’t love her, even though she suspects she has fallen in love with him.❤️‍🩹

My one issue comes later, when Hale realizes he is genuinely in love with her and then proceeds to leave for five weeks without telling her. ?? What?
It made absolutely no sense to me, especially considering how dire the consequences became afterward. That is really my main deduction from an otherwise incredible romance arc.

Because objectively? The stakes and tension in this romance were almost perfection. The emotional risks kept escalating page by page, and I appreciated that so much.
There are small flaws here and there, but the romance itself came very close to perfect for me.

Should you read it? ABSOLUTELY.❤️

Chance of divorce? 0%

This is a perfect pairing, and I completely believe in their HEA.

[Inna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I was enjoying this book but the third act drama seemed a bit over the top. I personally could have done without all that messiness at the end, since one clear conversation between the MCs would have prevented everything.

Also, I couldn’t help but feel like this hero’s aversion to commitment was just tedious after a while. I truly felt like the only reason the MCs ended up together was because of circumstance and not because the hero wasn’t willing to walk away. He tried really hard to walk away a couple of times but ultimately something would happen to bring them back together. That’s not really my idea of romance - I prefer more active choice on the part of the hero.

Safe enough
-Virgin spinster heroine (mid 20’s)
-Hero is known as a rake but supposedly his reputation is overstated. Don’t know by how much, the author is pretty wishy washy when it comes to the hero’s past.
-I believe the hero stayed celibate after meeting the heroine (but had one close call - see below)
-OM drama from men who are interested in the heroine (mostly for sex) and one OM who wants to marry her
-No real OW drama
-No scenes with OM or OW
- Hero’s close call: a widow who the hero has an understanding with comes to call with the expectation of sex. He mentions that they had been together a few times, whatever that means. Hero is in mind to keep his distance from the heroine at that moment and doesn’t turn OW away. He’s tells the OW to move to the sofa so they can get started, when they are interrupted by his butler, with a note from the heroine. This note asks him to come quick because she has a surprise for him. The hero immediately tells the OW that he has to go, and when she offers to come the next day, he tells her that he has to end their arrangement. I HATE scenes like this. Clearly the hero was ready to fuck this OW if not for the heroine’s note arriving JUST IN TIME. Good thing her note wasn’t a few minutes late ig…🥴

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Gia Landon is tricked into a London season by her father, she is pleased to have found a friend who shares her love of horses in the Jeremy Hale the Duke of Roxburghe. The surly Scot enjoys living in London and hates the country, while Gia despises everything about society. Hale knows Gia has no intention of marrying. She is simply biding her time until her father gives up and allows her to return to the country. Which means there is no danger in spending his days in her company discussing their one true love horses.
The start of a new series & I thoroughly enjoyed it, I loved both Jeremy & Gia both horse mad, both determined not to marry & both attracted to the other. I loved how the couples relationship grew, deepened & changed, they were the last to realise how deep their feelings were. There was some misunderstanding but in essence just a lovely romance of two unlikely people finding friendship & it gradually deepening into love
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[Holland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spinster Gia Landon is tricked into a Season by her father seven years after her first failed attempt, but luckily she meets the Scottish Duke of Roxburghe, Jeremy Hale by chance. Together they form a friendship over their mutual love of horse....will it turn into more?

There were several things that I enjoyed about this book! The beginning definitely grabs your attention, and the characters are relatively likeable. Gia is brash but kind, and she is genuine in her interactions with those around her. Hale is confident without being overbearing, and he actively tries to put Gia's needs above his own. I personally thought the "will they/won't they" became a bit much near the end, especially for Hale (the MMC) who explicitly stated he wouldn't be opposed to marriage as long as it wasn't a marriage of convenience. I felt a lot could've been resolved with a good old fashioned heart-to-heart.

The writing was good, but at times a bit choppy. I believe some of Hanson's sentences could've been combined to make the flow smoother. Example:

"It shocked Hale not only to hear that Gia had cried-he'd thought her impenetrable. But more so for the way his chest pulled tight at hearing of her pain"

It is grammatically correct? Yes, but it doesn't transition smoothly from one sentence to the next. Starting the sentence with "But" was a staple of Hanson and was found throughout the novel, and I feel it could've been parried down. Secondly, the writing style was definitely more tell than show. More often than not, the characters were telling the reader details that felt redundant or that we could've gleamed from context clues. You don't have to tell me she laughed and she thought it was funny. Gia laughing is telling me that she thought it was funny. You know?

Thank you Dragonblade Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winning Her Duke is book one in the Scots & Scoundrels series by author Allison B. Hanson. I had previously read this author’s “ Clan MacKinlay Series” and absolutely loved it, so I was happy to see a new series by her featuring a Scottish hero. I have to say that I absolutely loved this book! Our hero is not your typical Scot as he enjoys being in London versus being in Scotland and the heroine in this story is the one who does not enjoy London society and could care less about balls, frippery, and marriage. I enjoyed this flipped aspect with the Hero/heroine as most historical romances have the MCs set up exactly the opposite so it was a fun change.

Never fear though our MCs connect with their love of horses - which again is a bit unique. I loved that this story kept me on my toes so to speak and didn’t necessarily follow the standard plot for historical romance.

Another 5 Star story from Hanson and I am eagerly awaiting the next books in this series!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📚Disclosure: I received a review copy of this #book from Dragonblade Publishing via #Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, comments, and interpretations of the story are my own and bias free. I did not receive any money in exchange for this review. Thank you to the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to review. 🦄 @dragonbladepub
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[Amberreads.alot · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Winning Her Duke” is the tale of an intelligent and horse-mad almost spinster and an equally horse-mad duke who embark on a friendship that becomes something more. Gia has been tricked into attending the London season when she has no desire to marry but rather wants nothing more than to spend her days in the country raising and training horses. Hale is something of a rather typical regency era MMC - an emotionally closed off aristocrat who is still suffering the effects of a bad childhood and has no desire to marry.

The friends to lovers trope is done well here. There is always chemistry and attraction but it grows organically as Gia and Hale’s relationship deepens. It is a little disappointing to then have the last 25% or so of the story devolve into a mess of miscommunication and hurt feelings. Given Gia’s practical and upfront personality, the idea that she would not just talk to Hale is a bit incongruous. And why would Hale depart London for weeks without so much as a word? It didn’t make sense and felt a little bit like drama/angst for drama/angst’s sake.

Overall, an enjoyable read. 3.5 stars, rounding down to 3. I would read another book from Allison B. Hanson. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary ARC of this book. These opinions are my own.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 at first is was really enjoying this lovers to friends but then…. There were to many miscommunications and Gia not just asking. She seems to only believe her own and others negative talk. I do also wish that the Duke had been more certain, I need one of the two characters to be decisive. The last complications felt so unnecessary which is upsetting cause watching their friendship grow to their romantic feelings for each other was so sweet. The epilogue is adorable. Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the ARC In exchange for my honest opinion.

[Sabs ✨️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5 ⭐️

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

In every way, they are poles apart in this most enjoyable romance, but Jeremy, the Duke of Roxburghe, and Lady Gia Landon are drawn together by a powerful magnetic attraction once they discover their mutual passion for racehorses. Gia has a way of taking Jeremy by surprise with her unconventional speech and actions and although he has a complete aversion to marriage in general, when it comes to Gia he discovers that being with her is no hardship. Unfortunately, Gia's background and Jeremy's rakish history put only one thought in the minds of the ton and whilst they attempt to protect one another from their harshest critics, it becomes increasingly difficult to spend time working with their horses under the glare of society's harsh gaze. When a meddlesome suitor attempts to throw a spanner in the works, Gia discovers for the first time the agony of a broken heart. Fortunately, being the ever-practical woman and Jeremy realizing that he should have made his intentions clearer from the beginning, they find their way back together. The novel is intensely romantic, witty, entertaining, and well-written. I received a copy of this book as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Linda J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do enjoy this author's writing style and have pre-ordered the next in the series. The way the two MC meet is funny and it's the beginning of a friendship that grows slowly into love.

The h is definitely not a typical cookie cutter heroine, and I loved that about her. She is 25 and knows what she wants and doesn't want. The H didn't have a great upbringing and doesn't want to get married. The banter and honesty were perfect for these two.

This was a 5-star review for me, until the last part of the story, where it went off the charts. The H leaves and doesn't tell her where he's going. Then the h, who has been up front and asks questions, doesn't, and makes a decision that is out of character! Plus, what the father did at the end, without consulting the h was out of character knowing how his decision would affect the h.

Lovemaking - a lot - outside of marriage - heat level 3+ out of 5. I did feel a connection to them, and it was filled with passion.

No cheating, no cliffhanger, nice set up for the next story, romantic, HEA and steam. The Lord's name used in vain several times. I can't improve on the blurb, just giving you extra tidbits to decide whether to purchase. (ljb)

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book of a new series, Scots and Scoundrels. Despite her despising London society, Gia has been manipulated by her father into a London season. Well no matter, she will just bide her time until her father gives up and she is allowed to return to the country. But while the Season is underway, she finds a true friend in Jeremy, the Duke of Roxburghe, since the two share a love of horses. Jeremy has no plans to marry, and knowing that Gia also is of the same line of thinking, he sees no harm in spending out the days of the Season with her and sharing their mutual passion of horses. But with Gia and Jeremy increasingly spending more time together, they cannot escape the harsh scrutiny of the ton. Misunderstandings inevitably play a role in their relationship before they find their way back to each other.
This was a very well-written story that captured my interest from the very first chapter and kept me engaged and entertained till the end. Gia and Jeremy were two well-matched characters and I enjoyed following their journey from friends to something more. This was a delightful start to the series and I definitely look forward to reading more!
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Sofia Lazaridou · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was going great to be honest, until I realized that instead of reaching the end of the book I was only about halfway through. That's when I knew that whatever was going to come next was probably going to annoy me. Gia and Hale's story could have ended at that point and everything would have been good, Unfortunately, the book didn't end there and it dragged for no reason. I didn't like that the main characters got together then separated and then together only to be separated again. They had great communication before they got together and yet when their romance started they could barely utter a word to each other. As individuals, I liked both characters, they had their own personalities and I found them well-written. Together they worked out so well in the beginning and I wish that rhythm had been kept for the duration of the book. The epilogue was a nice ending note on GIa and Hale's relationship even if I found myself wishing for a more detailed glimpse of not only the lives of our main characters but also of some of the secondary characters.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Winning Her Duke, Gia never wanted a season. She just wants to take care of her horses and live in the country. She hates London society. Hale has no desire to marry either. Although he does enjoy the city and a good ball. Their unexpected friendship and love of horses poses a perfect solution to keep the suitors at bay. I thought this was a really adorable romance. I enjoyed watching Gia and Hale fall for each other. They were really cute as they fought their attraction. Their friendship first made it all the more sweet when they got to their HEA. My only real complaint was the "miscommunication" toward the end. It was unnecessary and frustrating. This is the first in a series, so I will be continuing with the next book soon.

[Marcilla Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay book. Gia is tricked into returning to London for a season by her father. She prefers horses to the ton. Hale comes to see her father about purchasing a horse, not realizing that it is actually Gia that he is seeking. The two becomes fast friends bounding over their passion for horses. The ton thinks Gia is a loose woman because of rumors about her mother. I didn't like that Hale takes her innocence and have an affair with her not concerning himself with what is best and honorable for her. I really disliked how Hale handled the situation. The ending did not make up for him behaving so dishonorably

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley. This was such a fun read of a spinster and a Duke who became friends but didn't want to marry, not each other or anyone else. Did I forget they were both wild about horses and that was what brought them to meet. Hale had a terrible up binning so acted bored and not interested in anything. He bought a racehorse that he thought was from Gia's father and he wanted help to train it. She was just the lady that could help. Thus started their friendship, but then a friendship can lead to love.

[Petula · Rating 5 out of 5]

This historical romance is one for all horse lovers. Our heroine gave up on the idea of marriage and devoted herself to her stables.  Unfortunately for her, her father has other ideas in mind. Our hero is a Scot and a Duke. His passion is breeding and racing the best horses. Can they only be friends?

Our characters' obsession with their horses gives us an entertaining and fun filled story. Misunderstandings and past disappointments flavour their characters.  

I really look forward to reading the rest of the series.  

Great fun. 

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gia Landon is not your usual young lady. Tricked by her father to have another season in London, she is not too happy. Her one concession is having four of her horses with her. She's not interested in marriage. Jeremy Hale, Duke of Roxburghe, is not interested in marriage, but he is interested in horses. A bond over a horse leads to a friendship between Gia and Jeremy, but what if it becomes more? Her bold and honest comments will leave you in stitches. Descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

[Cindy C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an enjoyable book! The first in the series Scots and Scoundrels, Winning Her Duke will hook you from the start and keep you turning the pages to the very end. Allison B Hanson has a way of bringing her characters to life, with a nice plot, sizzling passion, witty banter and friends to lovers romance. It is a journey for both Gia and Hale as they learn to trust and believe in one another journey to find their happy ever after.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review

[EVANGELIA MARAGKOPOULOU · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hale ang Gia both love horses more than people and they don't have any intention to marry . So when her father brings her to London for the Season and she meets Hale they became friends because they share the same love for their horses . Will she be the only person who be able to really love him ?
I received this book from netgalley and the publicer as an ARC . Thank you . All thoughts and opinions are my own .

[Pamela Blatter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gia has been scorned by the ton and she longs to stay in the country raising and training horses.
She meets Hale, a horse mad Duke and they become fast friends with bonding over horses and their care.
As they spend an inordinate amount of time together, their feelings escalate and misunderstandings occur that lead to hurt feelings and separation.
Really enjoyed the lively spirit and unrestrained conversations between the two of them.
Easy to read, laugh out loud moments, and a HEA.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first story in the Scots and Scoundrels, I have not read a story by this Author for a long time so when I saw this story I had to read it. Gia Landon and Scotsman Hale the Duke of Roxburghe's story is enjoyable. It held my interest and kept me turning pages. Once I read the book I had to own my own copy.

[Kiki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Original topic. Great characters, and personalities. On waitlist and ready to read next book in series when released!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually quite sweet. I love how the romance grew out of a solid friendship.

[Dick Montgomery · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rough road to get two horse lovers who didn’t want to marry to the anvil.

[Karen Darling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad.

[Ann Ciemny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the story and characters.

[Priscila Vera Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical romance? I'm in.
FMC wants to be a spinster? This is new for me. In most of the historical romances I have read, girls become spinsters due to awful circumstances. This one embraces it after her first season, without any weird scandal. Yes, there's this thing about her parents, but it's not her fault, right? I'm in!
MMC is a Scottish Duke! There's something about the scots nobles that I like a lot. So, I'm in.
To think these two will become acquainted because they love to train horses... makes this historical romance even better.
I enjoyed reading it and I hope to read more from the author soon (please)

[Mindy B (reader_of_the_lost_arcs) · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the beginning of the story, Gia Landon is on her way to London with her sick father to see a doctor. While in London, he coerces her into taking part in the season, because he feels it's time she find a husband. She meets Jeremy Hale, the Duke of Roxburghe. Neither one of them are looking for marriage. They discover they both share the love of horses - raising, training and racing..
This is a friends to lovers romance. There are plenty of notable pets, mainly horses. Gia even delivers twin foals in a heartwarming scene. Even Gia's father and a long time lady friend find love too. Lovely story.