Yuletide with a Devilish Duke

by Sandra Sookoo

Secrets, lies, and dark passions can be a hinderance or an enhancement to forced proximity.

Mr. Broderick Dante Cunningham, is an honorary duke. As the Duke of Udolpho, he has been granted access to Club Damnation, an establishment for unwanted, lost, and perhaps undesirable members of the ton who don’t fit in with polite society. And that is how he likes it, for his past is littered with crimes a decent man should feel guilt over. Thank God for being a rake because women don’t care about any of that; they crave his wicked ways.

Miss Anne Courtney, only daughter to Baron Hampton, wants one thing from life—to make the man who killed her brother pay. When he’ll be at the same Christmastide ball she is attending, her plans to publicly accuse him come to fruition. After a series of unfortunate events ends in a very shocking scandal, she is forced to wed the very man she despises. She vows to make his life a trial to pay for what he’s done; regardless of that he’s attractive as the devil himself.

For the Yuletide season, the unlikely pair is stuck together. What should have been a romantic, honeymoon period is filled, instead, with disagreements, harsh words, broken trinkets, and more than a few explosive carnal meetings designed to tease and torment, initiated by both. But physical relationships won’t amount to love unless the participants compromise and extend trust to each other. When an accident suddenly brings everything into sharp focus, Broderick and Anne must decide what they truly want most… and hope for a Christmas miracle to save it all.

224 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 7, 2025

About the author

Sandra Sookoo is a bestselling author who firmly believes every person deserves acceptance and a happy ending. Most days you can find her creating scandal and mischief in the Regency-era, serendipity and happenstance in Victorian America or snarky humor in the contemporary world. Reading romance is a lot like eating fine chocolates—you can’t just have one. Good thing books don’t have calories!

When she’s not wearing out computer keyboards, Sandra spends time with her real life Prince Charming in central Indiana where she’s been known to goof off and make moments count because the key to life is laughter. A Disney fan since the age of ten, when her soul gets bogged down and her imagination flags, a trip to Walt Disney World is in order. Nothing fuels her dreams more than the land of eternal happy endings, hope and love stories.

Reviews

[Nanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this series gets better and more involved with each book. We have two stories to follow in this book. If you have read the series, which is better read in order as each book has history about the members and club. Club Damnation was formed by Wallace Denham, the real Duke of Eggleton. He wanted a club where everyone had the same standing, thus all Dukes. Some are Dukes who are honorary and allowed to pick their names. Wallace wanted a place that men who all have past that cause then nightmares, and some PTSD could go. The ton only wants perfect people, so those with a past are unwanted or shunned. From the last book we learned that Wallace kept a Hugh secret from his Duchess, Abigail. Months ago, he learned his past mistress had a child and is now dyeing and wants his to take the boy and raise him! Oh, how does he tell his wife of twenty years he has a five-year-old son, Bartholomew, when they have never been able to have any? She is the love of his life and one night of drink and being lonely could take her from him. He doesn’t have to because she found out all on her own. She has left their house and is not speaking to him. Oh my. Our second story is even more of a mess; Mr. Broderick Dante Cunningham is one of the honorary dukes and goes by the title of Duke of Udolpho. His past was very dark as he was a government enforcer during the war. He has many ghosts and nightmares now. He hates Christmas due to the loss of the only person he loved at this time. Anne Courtney is the daughter of Baron Hampton. She had a horrible childhood, due to her governess and loss of her mother. Now she lives only to find and ruin the man who killed her twin brother. When she learns, he is going to be at the same party as her revenge is all she wants. To Publicly accuse him and make him pay. Unfortunately, the scandal she longed for didn’t work out as she wanted. She got her scandal and yup ruin too, but both her and Dante are found and, in the end, must marry! Now she is married to the man who killed her brother and its Christmas too, a holiday she hates. These two have so much against them it's a wonder if even a Christmas Miracle can help them. They will have fights, anger, harsh words, and plenty of broken dishes too. How does one deal with a new wife who tried to kill him with a knife! What a story these two will go through so many ups and downs before learning how secrets and past can’t live when love and passion is there too. Grab a copy to find out how both couples deal with their problems and how it all ends up. This is a very, hot, steamy read so be prepared for the need for cold drinks and lots of tissue too. I received an ARC from the author and wish to thank her. This is my honest, if long opinion and am freely giving it. Don’t miss this series every book is wonderful and let us see how PTSD is real and hard on our service people.

[Fanosse23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sandra Sookoo’s enthralling Christmas romance masterfully delves into the turbulent lives of Broderick Dante Cunningham, an honorary duke with a shadowed past, and Miss Anne Courtney, a woman driven by vengeance. Broderick is a morally gray government enforcer—ruthless, hardened, and burdened by the haunting deeds of war. He’s the type of character you expect to despise, yet beneath his gruff exterior lies a heart of gold, hidden even from himself.

Anne, determined to avenge her brother’s death, believes Broderick is the villain responsible. Her quest for retribution takes a surprising turn when scandal forces them into an unwanted marriage. What begins as animosity gradually transforms into a passionate, angst-filled connection. Anne’s inherent strength and compassion challenge Broderick’s self-perception, allowing her to view his actions through the lens of wartime necessity. Her capacity to forgive—despite personal loss—is both poignant and powerful, showcasing the remarkable depth of her character.

Their relationship is anything but smooth. The forced proximity during the Yuletide season becomes a battleground of sharp words, emotional tumult, and undeniable chemistry. Amid their fiery clashes and stolen, tender moments, love begins to take root. Broderick’s transformation, fueled by Anne’s unwavering spirit, is a testament to love’s redemptive power. He strives not just for her forgiveness, but to be worthy of her heart.

What I adore about Sandra Sookoo’s storytelling is her fearless dive into life’s complexities, even within the warmth of her Christmas tales. She courageously addresses real-life struggles—PTSD, depression, addiction—and seamlessly weaves them into narratives brimming with hope, redemption, and second chances.

This dark, angsty, magnificent story brims with passion, romance, heartbreak, and explosive chemistry, making it a beautifully powerful and unforgettable read. Sookoo’s storytelling is fearless, heartfelt, and unforgettable.

This story captured my attention from the start and didn’t let go. A perfect read for anyone who believes in the magic of Christmas and the transformative power of the human heart. I can’t wait to see what Sookoo writes next!

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

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was so good, that I honestly finished within 3 hours..

Anne thought Broderick had killed her brother for no reason at all so she planned on getting revenge somehow some way.. except what was supposed to be revenge turned into passionate romance/love that despite his profession..

Broderick thinks he is irredeemable because of his past and because how he has harmed so many people including the beautiful woman who be has been forced to marry.. except she brings light into his life.. and he needs that calm when the storm becomes too much..

But the question remains can their love last with the past demons that they both carry? Well it is the season of redemption and second chances.. and season of love..

The one thing I always look forward to with a Sandra Sookoo Christmas story it's just the right amount of Christmas cheer and the love that sparks is as bright as a Christmas light..

The one thing I love about Sandra Sookoo's books is that she isn't going to shy away from the hard parts of life such as PTSD in her books even with her Christmas stories..

I can't wait to read her next book!!

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Broderick Dante Cunningham, known as the Duke of Udolpho at Club Damnation, lives in the darkness of his violent past. He was a soldier, and then a spy and assassin. Not a life easy to deal with. Anne Courtney feels betrayed by her father and stepmother, and aches to have revenge on the man who killed her twin brother. She believes that man is Dante. When she confronts him at a ball, her scheme goes totally wrong. The scandal forces the two of them to marry. After what could only be called an interesting wedding ceremony, they embark on the seemingly impossible task of living together. This is an emotional, sometimes volatile story fill with doubt, mistrust, passion, and finally understanding. Dante suffers from guilt from his past actions, even though he was doing his duty. He wants the calm that seems to come from being with Anne. Anne is full of resentment at first, but listens to her husband and comes to understand his actions and guilt. They have much hard work ahead in their relationship, and they get a good start in their first Christmas.
I received an ARC of this book via BookSprout and voluntarily reviewed it.

[Bridget Love to read Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.6
We have Miss Anne Courtney and Mr. Broderick Dante Cunningham who are not supposed to meet and yet they do!
Anne with murder and revenge on her mind! Poor Broderick aka Dante has only done his job as a spy for the Crown!
But in one of his missions is guilty of Anne’s twin brother’s demise! When Anne confronts him at a ball it is a comedy of errors!
Then these two have to wed and they say the most unusual vows to say the least! There are many moments of humor when you marry an Assassin definitely unexpected!
We have two stories running tandem! The Duke of St Eggleton, Wallace Denham has messed up royally and kept a terrible secret from his wife! One she may not ever forgive him for! She would right to not forgive him as he has been the unfaithful to her in their 20 year marriage and it is not the first time!
Can either one achieve happiness? The stains on Dante heart and conscience is a deep one! Anne also bears deep scars and fears! They are ideally matched if they can get past their initial introductions! Bravo
I received an ARC copy for my unbiased review!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition to the Disreputable Dukes of Club Damnation series. Sandra pulls out all of the stops with this series. What I love most about this story is the communication. Communication even though it may not lead to where we want is always the way to go. If you like a bit of contention in a story, this is a story for you. I was on pins and needles while reading. Will they, won’t they make it. The push and pull is deliciously written. Anne is one strong woman. Both Anne and Broderick have issues but with communication they work through those issues. I could go on and on about what I liked in this story. This series is one of my favorites.

[Suzette D · Rating 3 out of 5]

it's my 1st book from this author, and I realized there were 3 books or so before. I said that to point out the storyline was good, execution was lacking. I kept expecting something climatic to happen based on the male character background, which never did. She also uses words and languages not associated with the era.

He also started off strong, and then without spoiling, i am so disappointed. The female just succumbed so easily after the intro drama

I skimmed, and I dont with a good book.

Will look at the others