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The Night Fire Club #1
I Never Forget a Duke
His past may have escaped his memory, but his future is looking bright!
Hugh Baxter, the twelfth Duke of Swynford, is one of the most powerful men in England. Then one night he is hit over the head by an unknown assailant and left for dead on the streets of London.
Adele Paulson is the daughter of an earl of dubious character, and after the death of her fiancé, she’s resigned herself to life as a spinster. But when she witnesses a man being thrown from a carriage one night, she decides to bring him into her home. When he comes to, he has no idea who he is.
Adele and the handsome stranger begin to fall for each other as they search for his identity. A news story about the missing Duke of Swynford leads Adele to connect that her stranger and the duke are one and the same. But as Hugh begins to recover his memories, he does not want to leave Adele behind. Although everyone disapproves of their relationship—including his mother and his closest friends—Hugh is determined to have Adele as his wife.
But before they can settle into their life of married bliss, Hugh must also find who wants him dead.
Tropes/Themes you'll
✅ Amnesia / Lost Memory
✅ Duke Hero
✅ Spinster Heroine
✅ Rescued by Heroine
✅ Opposites Attract
✅ Slow Burn Romance
✅ Protective Hero
✅ Society Disapproval / Forbidden Love
✅ Mystery / Suspense Element
✅ Happily Ever After
Read in Kindle Unlimited!
The Night Fire Club
Book 1: I Never Forget a Duke
Book 2: Everything But the Earl
Book 3: No Less than a Marquess
Hugh Baxter, the twelfth Duke of Swynford, is one of the most powerful men in England. Then one night he is hit over the head by an unknown assailant and left for dead on the streets of London.
Adele Paulson is the daughter of an earl of dubious character, and after the death of her fiancé, she’s resigned herself to life as a spinster. But when she witnesses a man being thrown from a carriage one night, she decides to bring him into her home. When he comes to, he has no idea who he is.
Adele and the handsome stranger begin to fall for each other as they search for his identity. A news story about the missing Duke of Swynford leads Adele to connect that her stranger and the duke are one and the same. But as Hugh begins to recover his memories, he does not want to leave Adele behind. Although everyone disapproves of their relationship—including his mother and his closest friends—Hugh is determined to have Adele as his wife.
But before they can settle into their life of married bliss, Hugh must also find who wants him dead.
Tropes/Themes you'll
✅ Amnesia / Lost Memory
✅ Duke Hero
✅ Spinster Heroine
✅ Rescued by Heroine
✅ Opposites Attract
✅ Slow Burn Romance
✅ Protective Hero
✅ Society Disapproval / Forbidden Love
✅ Mystery / Suspense Element
✅ Happily Ever After
Read in Kindle Unlimited!
The Night Fire Club
Book 1: I Never Forget a Duke
Book 2: Everything But the Earl
Book 3: No Less than a Marquess
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 30, 2025
20 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Kate McMurray
52 books348 followersKate McMurray writes smart romantic fiction. She likes creating stories that are brainy, funny, and of course sexy, with regular guy characters and urban sensibilities. She advocates for romance stories by and for everyone. When she’s not writing, she edits textbooks, watches baseball, plays violin, crafts things out of yarn, and wears a lot of cute dresses. She lives in Brooklyn, NY, with a bossy cat and too many books.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 17, 2025
3.5
A powerful duke is rescued by a spinster after he was attacked and left for dead. But when he wakes up he can’t remember who he is or what happened to him.
This book is easy, fast-paced, and with a fast romance. It has very likable supportive characters, with an interesting story. I enjoyed reading about Hugh and Adele, just as much as his group of friends. I really loved the change in Hugh’s character after his accident. I like how he notices that he wonders a lot about signs of money and wonders what kind of man he is. This is the perfect book when you need to unplug and want to finish a book in one sitting. Thanks NetGalley for the arc. All opinions are my own.
A powerful duke is rescued by a spinster after he was attacked and left for dead. But when he wakes up he can’t remember who he is or what happened to him.
This book is easy, fast-paced, and with a fast romance. It has very likable supportive characters, with an interesting story. I enjoyed reading about Hugh and Adele, just as much as his group of friends. I really loved the change in Hugh’s character after his accident. I like how he notices that he wonders a lot about signs of money and wonders what kind of man he is. This is the perfect book when you need to unplug and want to finish a book in one sitting. Thanks NetGalley for the arc. All opinions are my own.
September 14, 2025
This is a new author for me. She is with Dragonblade Publishing and so many of my favorite authors are with Dragonblade, I thought I'd give her a try.
I enjoyed this book. I liked Hugh and Adele. I liked the storyline. Sex wasn't super steamy but decent. From what I could see this looks like her first regency historical romance. With that being said, it was well done. Way better than some of authors I've read that have been doing it longer. I would like to read more by her. Overall a good read.
I enjoyed this book. I liked Hugh and Adele. I liked the storyline. Sex wasn't super steamy but decent. From what I could see this looks like her first regency historical romance. With that being said, it was well done. Way better than some of authors I've read that have been doing it longer. I would like to read more by her. Overall a good read.
November 18, 2025
The daughter of a scandalous earl saves a duke hit on the head and left for dead. During his recuperation, even with some memory loss, he realizes this is the woman he could live with the rest of his life. He is determined they marry despite objections from his friends and his mother. The lady already loves him, but doesn't see a life together. He won't take "No" for an answer. But the question is " Who attacked the duke?" I thought it was pretty obvious. Nice trope with descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.
October 20, 2025
I think the biggest downside for this is that it dragged on a lot, and I wasn't invested in the romance between the leads. They were quite boring, in a way that was a bit nice, but not a couple I would like to read an entire novel about.
I'm also over amnesia being used as a plot device, but I was willing to see how it plays here, but the characters didn't win me honestly.
I'm also over amnesia being used as a plot device, but I was willing to see how it plays here, but the characters didn't win me honestly.
August 15, 2025
Tropes: a bit of social (not necessarily class) difference between the MC's; forced proximity
Steam level: 2-3
3.25 stars. Possible spoilers ahead...............................This seems like it's a first, or maybe just an early, book by this writer, and as such it's a decent read. However, the blurb made it sound as if MMC Hugh's injury and rescue by MFC Adele are a bit more dramatic than they actually are. And I'm a sucker for the "MC heals the other MC" trope, but it's not that much of a focus here. Also, the mystery element is emphasized in the blurb, and I love a good mystery--except there's not much of an investigation and the culprit is glaringly obvious. Instead, the emphasis of the storyline is really on the MC's being able to buck the Ton's expectations and marry. There's a lot of rumination about this, and it ultimately ends up not being that big of a deal.
The highlight of this book for me was honestly the M/M subplot between two of Hugh's friends. The dialog between all of the men is actually a bit more fun and less stilted than the dialog between the MC's. The only thing that didn't ring true was that a bit past the halfway point the two men acknowledge to each other that they're in love and they talk about flaunting their relationship--but of course in 1816 being homosexual was still illegal in the UK and could lead to hanging or at least imprisonment. This reality is mentioned a few times later in the book, but it's still an odd scene, as is all the "it's the modern era" talk. Honestly, at times I felt the setting should have been 1916, not 1816.
Hugh and Adele are OK as a couple, though the emotional connection wasn't quite there for me; their relationship was a bit too insta-lusty for my taste. I think if there had been more scenes of them together trying to piece together Hugh's mysterious past and solve the mystery of who had injured him, the relationship would have felt more real to me, and the tension would have drawn me in more consistently.
Overall, this is a decent early effort and I feel that the characterization and plotting will improve in future books.
I read an advance reader copy of this book and this is my honest, voluntary review. Thanks to the author, Dragonblade, and Net Galley for this opportunity.
Steam level: 2-3
3.25 stars. Possible spoilers ahead...............................This seems like it's a first, or maybe just an early, book by this writer, and as such it's a decent read. However, the blurb made it sound as if MMC Hugh's injury and rescue by MFC Adele are a bit more dramatic than they actually are. And I'm a sucker for the "MC heals the other MC" trope, but it's not that much of a focus here. Also, the mystery element is emphasized in the blurb, and I love a good mystery--except there's not much of an investigation and the culprit is glaringly obvious. Instead, the emphasis of the storyline is really on the MC's being able to buck the Ton's expectations and marry. There's a lot of rumination about this, and it ultimately ends up not being that big of a deal.
The highlight of this book for me was honestly the M/M subplot between two of Hugh's friends. The dialog between all of the men is actually a bit more fun and less stilted than the dialog between the MC's. The only thing that didn't ring true was that a bit past the halfway point the two men acknowledge to each other that they're in love and they talk about flaunting their relationship--but of course in 1816 being homosexual was still illegal in the UK and could lead to hanging or at least imprisonment. This reality is mentioned a few times later in the book, but it's still an odd scene, as is all the "it's the modern era" talk. Honestly, at times I felt the setting should have been 1916, not 1816.
Hugh and Adele are OK as a couple, though the emotional connection wasn't quite there for me; their relationship was a bit too insta-lusty for my taste. I think if there had been more scenes of them together trying to piece together Hugh's mysterious past and solve the mystery of who had injured him, the relationship would have felt more real to me, and the tension would have drawn me in more consistently.
Overall, this is a decent early effort and I feel that the characterization and plotting will improve in future books.
I read an advance reader copy of this book and this is my honest, voluntary review. Thanks to the author, Dragonblade, and Net Galley for this opportunity.
December 3, 2025
I Never Forget a Duke is the first book in The Night Fire Club series, This might be a stand-alone read, but my guess is that many of the characters will overlap from one book to the next. I enjoyed many of the secondary characters and would love to see how their lives proceed.
Hugh Baxter, the twelfth Duke of Swynford, is one of the most powerful men in England. After leaving a ball and nearly home, he is hit over the head and left for dead on the streets of London.
Adele Paulson is the daughter of an earl of dubious character. The ton are known for judging people and happy to give the cut direct to anyone they find lacking. Adele happens to be one they do not approve of no thanks to her father. She works as a companion to an elderly woman who has fallen on hard times. She is out for a walk when she sees a carriage stop and toss a man out of it and dash away. After discovering the man needs medical help she gets help to bring him inside and begins to care for him. When he awakens, he has no memory of who he is.
Adele and the man slowly get to know one another and start to have feelings for one another. A news story about the missing Duke of Swynford leads Adele to conclude the man with no memory and the duke are one and the same. Adele reaches out to a one of the duke's friends to see if this is the missing duke.
After being found and returned home, he fights a battle to keep Adele in his life. Even his mother is against Adele. Can Adele win everyone over and will the ton accept her as the new duchess. Only time will tell. But they have bigger problems when someone abducts Adele. It looks like the person who attack the duke is not finished yet.
This was a wonderful romance. I enjoyed the characters and thought they were interesting and worth caring about. I look forward to the rest of the series.
I received and ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.
Hugh Baxter, the twelfth Duke of Swynford, is one of the most powerful men in England. After leaving a ball and nearly home, he is hit over the head and left for dead on the streets of London.
Adele Paulson is the daughter of an earl of dubious character. The ton are known for judging people and happy to give the cut direct to anyone they find lacking. Adele happens to be one they do not approve of no thanks to her father. She works as a companion to an elderly woman who has fallen on hard times. She is out for a walk when she sees a carriage stop and toss a man out of it and dash away. After discovering the man needs medical help she gets help to bring him inside and begins to care for him. When he awakens, he has no memory of who he is.
Adele and the man slowly get to know one another and start to have feelings for one another. A news story about the missing Duke of Swynford leads Adele to conclude the man with no memory and the duke are one and the same. Adele reaches out to a one of the duke's friends to see if this is the missing duke.
After being found and returned home, he fights a battle to keep Adele in his life. Even his mother is against Adele. Can Adele win everyone over and will the ton accept her as the new duchess. Only time will tell. But they have bigger problems when someone abducts Adele. It looks like the person who attack the duke is not finished yet.
This was a wonderful romance. I enjoyed the characters and thought they were interesting and worth caring about. I look forward to the rest of the series.
I received and ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.
September 30, 2025
A new author for me and a delightful story. We meet Adele Paulson who is the daughter of an Earl but one of dubious character with not much money left for her dowry. She was introduced to society some years ago and was set to marry, however, two weeks prior to the wedding her fiancé died. He had not told Adele that he was sick, leaving her shocked and heartbroken at the same time.
When she does return to society some years later, she is “much older” than the other debutants that she was not successful. Her father arranges for her to work as a companion to the Dowager Countess while he himself rents rooms in London when parliament is in session.
One evening, she sees something thrown from a moving carriage and goes to investigate only to find it is a man! She brings him into the Dowager Countess’ home and nurses him herself. He suffers from amnesia following the blow to the head. As his recovery progresses, the two grow closer and develop a tendre towards one another. When Adele is next in town, she notices that a notice of a missing person has been placed in the newspapers. She asks for a meeting with the person in charge, and they discover her guest is none other than Hugh Baxter, the Duke of Swynford.
What follows is a sweet story of rediscovery of who the real Hugh is and how he is slightly different following the attack. Hugh’s mum does not think Adele is worthy of her son but does come to see that she may be good for him. There are also other characters, especially his good friend who is gay. A story of love and the people who love us. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and would recommend it.
I received an ARC from the publishers and NetGalley and submit my honest review voluntarily.
When she does return to society some years later, she is “much older” than the other debutants that she was not successful. Her father arranges for her to work as a companion to the Dowager Countess while he himself rents rooms in London when parliament is in session.
One evening, she sees something thrown from a moving carriage and goes to investigate only to find it is a man! She brings him into the Dowager Countess’ home and nurses him herself. He suffers from amnesia following the blow to the head. As his recovery progresses, the two grow closer and develop a tendre towards one another. When Adele is next in town, she notices that a notice of a missing person has been placed in the newspapers. She asks for a meeting with the person in charge, and they discover her guest is none other than Hugh Baxter, the Duke of Swynford.
What follows is a sweet story of rediscovery of who the real Hugh is and how he is slightly different following the attack. Hugh’s mum does not think Adele is worthy of her son but does come to see that she may be good for him. There are also other characters, especially his good friend who is gay. A story of love and the people who love us. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and would recommend it.
I received an ARC from the publishers and NetGalley and submit my honest review voluntarily.
November 14, 2025
This story blends amnesia, mystery, and slow-blooming romance in a way that’s surprisingly charming and addictive. I’m a sucker for a “who am I?” plot, and watching a powerful duke wake up with no memory in the home of a practical, quietly brave woman was instantly engaging.
Hugh Baxter makes a great amnesia hero—disoriented but genuinely kind, with flashes of authority that hint at his old life. It’s fun seeing him stripped of his title and ego, getting the chance to fall in love simply as a man, not a duke.
Adele Paulson is easy to root for. A spinster by circumstance rather than lack of spirit, she shows such grace and strength when she pulls a half-dead stranger off the street and cares for him. Her chemistry with Hugh feels gentle and natural, growing from trust rather than melodrama.
The moment they realize he’s actually the missing Duke of Swynford gives the story an exciting jolt. And once his memories begin returning, the tension ramps up—not only because society looks down its nose at Adele, but because someone clearly wanted Hugh gone for good. The romance stays front and center, but the mystery adds a nice edge.
I loved how determined Hugh is to choose Adele despite the snobbery swirling around them. Their relationship feels like two people clinging to the one bright thing they found in a mess of danger and confusion.
If you enjoy Regency romances with amnesia twists, sweet-but-steady chemistry, and a dash of intrigue, this one is definitely worth giving a try.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review.
Hugh Baxter makes a great amnesia hero—disoriented but genuinely kind, with flashes of authority that hint at his old life. It’s fun seeing him stripped of his title and ego, getting the chance to fall in love simply as a man, not a duke.
Adele Paulson is easy to root for. A spinster by circumstance rather than lack of spirit, she shows such grace and strength when she pulls a half-dead stranger off the street and cares for him. Her chemistry with Hugh feels gentle and natural, growing from trust rather than melodrama.
The moment they realize he’s actually the missing Duke of Swynford gives the story an exciting jolt. And once his memories begin returning, the tension ramps up—not only because society looks down its nose at Adele, but because someone clearly wanted Hugh gone for good. The romance stays front and center, but the mystery adds a nice edge.
I loved how determined Hugh is to choose Adele despite the snobbery swirling around them. Their relationship feels like two people clinging to the one bright thing they found in a mess of danger and confusion.
If you enjoy Regency romances with amnesia twists, sweet-but-steady chemistry, and a dash of intrigue, this one is definitely worth giving a try.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review.
August 29, 2025
Hugh Baxter, the Duke of Swynford, is walking home one night when he is hit over the head by an unknown assailant and left for dead on the streets of London. Adele Paulson is the daughter of an earl of dubious character, and after the death of her fiancé, she’s resigned herself to life as a spinster. But when she witnesses a man being thrown from a carriage one night, she decides to bring him into her home. When he comes to, he has no idea who he is.
A new author to me & a new series, a very enjoyable romance. I liked both Hugh & Adele, both strong characters & both fell for each other. It’s a while since a read an amnesia trope & whilst not my favourite I did enjoy this one as his memory gradually returned, although not completely, & there was no deception. There was also a strong supporting cast & I hope Hugh’s friends have their stories. There was also a secondary romance to add to my enjoyment. I really liked the chemistry between Hugh & Adele & how they supported each other. I did feel the mystery of who attacked Hugh could have featured more. I believe this is the author’s first historical romance & I look forward to reading the rest of the series as she hone’s her craft in this genre
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
A new author to me & a new series, a very enjoyable romance. I liked both Hugh & Adele, both strong characters & both fell for each other. It’s a while since a read an amnesia trope & whilst not my favourite I did enjoy this one as his memory gradually returned, although not completely, & there was no deception. There was also a strong supporting cast & I hope Hugh’s friends have their stories. There was also a secondary romance to add to my enjoyment. I really liked the chemistry between Hugh & Adele & how they supported each other. I did feel the mystery of who attacked Hugh could have featured more. I believe this is the author’s first historical romance & I look forward to reading the rest of the series as she hone’s her craft in this genre
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
September 24, 2025
I have found another new-to-me author and she has me hooked! I am lucky to find the first book of the series by my new favorite author.
Adele Paulson has decided she is fine to have the life of a spinster since the death of her fiancé.
Hugh Baxter is one of the most powerful men of England. Not to mention he is the 12th Duke of Swynford. He has no idea his life is about to change completely.
After heading home one night from a ball Hugh is attacked. He is hit over the head and then thrown from a carriage onto the street in London. Adele sees it happen and decides to help him.
When he realizes he has lost his memory they work together to find out who he is and who wanted him dead. What they don't expect is how hard they fall for each other. With everyone and everything against them can they find happiness?
This book grabs you from the start and you won't want to put it down. McMurray is an amazing storyteller. Her characters grab you and you become part of their world. This book has it
all; action, mystery and perfect romance.
Enjoy the adventure, you will be as hooked as me.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for allowing me to enjoy this story.
Adele Paulson has decided she is fine to have the life of a spinster since the death of her fiancé.
Hugh Baxter is one of the most powerful men of England. Not to mention he is the 12th Duke of Swynford. He has no idea his life is about to change completely.
After heading home one night from a ball Hugh is attacked. He is hit over the head and then thrown from a carriage onto the street in London. Adele sees it happen and decides to help him.
When he realizes he has lost his memory they work together to find out who he is and who wanted him dead. What they don't expect is how hard they fall for each other. With everyone and everything against them can they find happiness?
This book grabs you from the start and you won't want to put it down. McMurray is an amazing storyteller. Her characters grab you and you become part of their world. This book has it
all; action, mystery and perfect romance.
Enjoy the adventure, you will be as hooked as me.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for allowing me to enjoy this story.
September 7, 2025
*I received a free ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*
I have read other books by Kate McMurray and find that she is often a hit-or-miss kind of author for me. I place this book somewhere in between. The story and characters are pretty good - standard, nothing super original, but completely enjoyable. I liked that Hugh did not miraculously get his memory back in one big moment and instead it trickled back (and may not have come back in full by the end). Adele and Hugh were also given the chance to really get to know one another before falling in love, which I also appreciated. I also really liked that once she realized who Hugh was she did not try to hide him and immediately sought out his friends. What took me out of the story from time to time was the dialogue - sometimes it just seemed a little too modern. The moments between Lark and Beresford were a little too loose - I do not mind a gay storyline, but in the time in which this story takes place it was a punishable crime and they were not exactly subtle at times.
I have read other books by Kate McMurray and find that she is often a hit-or-miss kind of author for me. I place this book somewhere in between. The story and characters are pretty good - standard, nothing super original, but completely enjoyable. I liked that Hugh did not miraculously get his memory back in one big moment and instead it trickled back (and may not have come back in full by the end). Adele and Hugh were also given the chance to really get to know one another before falling in love, which I also appreciated. I also really liked that once she realized who Hugh was she did not try to hide him and immediately sought out his friends. What took me out of the story from time to time was the dialogue - sometimes it just seemed a little too modern. The moments between Lark and Beresford were a little too loose - I do not mind a gay storyline, but in the time in which this story takes place it was a punishable crime and they were not exactly subtle at times.
September 24, 2025
This is my first book by this author and I enjoyed it. The story telling flows fairly easily and nothing felt out of placed or to see to come out of no where. It really made sense how these two could fall in love and their relationship continued to grow after she stopped being his caretaker during his recovery. I liked both characters, she was the correct amount of stubborn when necessary but also wasn't obtuse about it. I liked his friend a lot Lark, I am here for his HEA.
I also enjoyed the existence of his bi friend. But our MMC had a little bit of white savior with that and his anti-slavery stance. I get it because we don't want to think of our MMCs as bad people but its hard to believe that he would have "felt sick" about it. He still had servants that jumped when he said jump and spent an absorbent amount of money on jewels. I just find it hard to believe.
I want to read more by this author in the future.
I also enjoyed the existence of his bi friend. But our MMC had a little bit of white savior with that and his anti-slavery stance. I get it because we don't want to think of our MMCs as bad people but its hard to believe that he would have "felt sick" about it. He still had servants that jumped when he said jump and spent an absorbent amount of money on jewels. I just find it hard to believe.
I want to read more by this author in the future.
August 23, 2025
⭐️⭐️
My second ARC and not a good review. Thank you Net Galley for letting me read this book.
Hugh Baxter, Duke of Swynford, was attacked and left without a memory. Adele Paulson, a spinster, has found him and nursed him back to health. Now they need to figure who attacked him and fight for their love.
What I liked:
* Lark and Anthony. They were a subplot romance, and honestly, I liked their chemistry more than Hugh and Adele
* Adele was sweet, albeit a bit boring and traditional for a historical romance
What I didn’t like:
* for such a short book the plot really dragged on. I think it’s because the two characters kissed at 20% and then had sex not long after. There was not a lot of tension or stakes even as we’re trying to solve the mystery of who attacked the MMC
If you like a light historical romance with not a lot of stakes, I might recommend this.
My second ARC and not a good review. Thank you Net Galley for letting me read this book.
Hugh Baxter, Duke of Swynford, was attacked and left without a memory. Adele Paulson, a spinster, has found him and nursed him back to health. Now they need to figure who attacked him and fight for their love.
What I liked:
* Lark and Anthony. They were a subplot romance, and honestly, I liked their chemistry more than Hugh and Adele
* Adele was sweet, albeit a bit boring and traditional for a historical romance
What I didn’t like:
* for such a short book the plot really dragged on. I think it’s because the two characters kissed at 20% and then had sex not long after. There was not a lot of tension or stakes even as we’re trying to solve the mystery of who attacked the MMC
If you like a light historical romance with not a lot of stakes, I might recommend this.
August 24, 2025
This book has an amnesia trope done well. Sometimes amnesia is not my favorite, but what I really don't like about it is often the person ends up remembering but then doesn't tell the other. So, technically I'm not a fan of deception. But thankfully, that's not this story.
Adele found Hugh one night unconscious after being tossed from a carriage. She brings him back to where's she's living and slowly nurses him back to health.
Adele and Hugh are very likeable and start a sweet romance. I also was delighted at the secondary relationship of Lark and Anthony. Very well written. I believe the author mostly writes contemporary, and this is a good start into historical.
Thank you to Kate McMurray and Dragonblade for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
Adele found Hugh one night unconscious after being tossed from a carriage. She brings him back to where's she's living and slowly nurses him back to health.
Adele and Hugh are very likeable and start a sweet romance. I also was delighted at the secondary relationship of Lark and Anthony. Very well written. I believe the author mostly writes contemporary, and this is a good start into historical.
Thank you to Kate McMurray and Dragonblade for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
November 29, 2025
3.5
Hugh Baxter, the twelfth Duke of Swynford has been injured and found by Lady Adele Paulson after an almost fatal injury to his head! He was thrown from a carriage and left for dead!
I was intrigued by an amnesia victim falling in love and how that story would evolve!
It is quickly obvious who the culprit is and he is mentioned several times!
What I do not like is the secondary story involving MM characters! We have Hugh’s best friend Larkin Woodville, Earl of Waring heir to the Duke of Beaufort and his friend the Marquess of Beresford Anthony who is very open and not all “careful” about said “friendship”!!
If I had known….. definitely wouldn’t have read. This story has several pages about their relationship that takes away from the H and HE!
Hugh Baxter, the twelfth Duke of Swynford has been injured and found by Lady Adele Paulson after an almost fatal injury to his head! He was thrown from a carriage and left for dead!
I was intrigued by an amnesia victim falling in love and how that story would evolve!
It is quickly obvious who the culprit is and he is mentioned several times!
What I do not like is the secondary story involving MM characters! We have Hugh’s best friend Larkin Woodville, Earl of Waring heir to the Duke of Beaufort and his friend the Marquess of Beresford Anthony who is very open and not all “careful” about said “friendship”!!
If I had known….. definitely wouldn’t have read. This story has several pages about their relationship that takes away from the H and HE!
August 30, 2025
Thank you NetGalley. Hugh thought he would walk home from the ball as it was a lovely night. Suddenly he hears a carriage stop and he is hit on the head. Left for dead on the street Adele and the butler find him as they walk outside to take some air. They bring him in and call a doctor but are unable to identify him. When he doesn't come home his friends look all over for him. He does not remember who he is or anything about himself. This goes on until Adele has to go to town and sees a sign in a window. She contacts his friend Lark to come and identify Hugh. They are surprised that he is the missing Duke. Hugh works on getting some of his memory back and who did this to him.
September 1, 2025
This was my first book by Kate McMurray... I'll be eagerly waiting for the next books in this series!
INFaD was a regency romance with a kind of 'old-school heart': amnesia, social obstacles, and unexpected love built from scratch. The twelfth Duke of Swynford is Florence Nightingale’d by Adele, a woman from the wrong side of society,and it’s a swoony chaos from there.
Snapshot: Bold, passionate, and brimming with classic trope goodness, perfect for lost-memory swoon sessions, slow burn romances and Regency daydreams.
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I was given an ARC by NetGalley. My review was written with honesty
INFaD was a regency romance with a kind of 'old-school heart': amnesia, social obstacles, and unexpected love built from scratch. The twelfth Duke of Swynford is Florence Nightingale’d by Adele, a woman from the wrong side of society,and it’s a swoony chaos from there.
Snapshot: Bold, passionate, and brimming with classic trope goodness, perfect for lost-memory swoon sessions, slow burn romances and Regency daydreams.
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I was given an ARC by NetGalley. My review was written with honesty
August 31, 2025
I voluntarily read and reviewed this advanced copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I picked this out of the catalog because I love Dragonblade Publishing and amnesia storylines always intrigue me. Losing your memory seems like a fresh start, which lets the characters get a total reset. Everything goes back to the beginning with a clean slate. I Never Forget a Duke, hilariously titled I may add, is about the titular gentleman who gets bopped on the head leaving a party, earning a goose egg and a gap in his memory. The heroine notices his incident and helps nurse him back to health. I liked the sweetness between the main couple, but their timeline happened too quickly for my preference. They already made heart eyes at each other and consummated their relationship at the 40% mark. Whoa, slow down. What happened to "hello, how are you, my name is" as the kids say? I lost interest as soon as the sexual tension was alleviated. I wish books would prolong the anticipation and give the reader something to look forward to in the story. As much as I liked the tenderness between our couple, I wasn't invested in their happy ending. I don't believe I'll continue with this author, but I'm grateful for this opportunity. This may be titled I Never Forget a Duke, but unfortunately he left my mind as soon as I read the last page. Whoopsiedaisy.
I picked this out of the catalog because I love Dragonblade Publishing and amnesia storylines always intrigue me. Losing your memory seems like a fresh start, which lets the characters get a total reset. Everything goes back to the beginning with a clean slate. I Never Forget a Duke, hilariously titled I may add, is about the titular gentleman who gets bopped on the head leaving a party, earning a goose egg and a gap in his memory. The heroine notices his incident and helps nurse him back to health. I liked the sweetness between the main couple, but their timeline happened too quickly for my preference. They already made heart eyes at each other and consummated their relationship at the 40% mark. Whoa, slow down. What happened to "hello, how are you, my name is" as the kids say? I lost interest as soon as the sexual tension was alleviated. I wish books would prolong the anticipation and give the reader something to look forward to in the story. As much as I liked the tenderness between our couple, I wasn't invested in their happy ending. I don't believe I'll continue with this author, but I'm grateful for this opportunity. This may be titled I Never Forget a Duke, but unfortunately he left my mind as soon as I read the last page. Whoopsiedaisy.
August 25, 2025
3.5⭐️
I really enjoyed this book! This was my first book from this author, and it did not disappoint.
I genuinely LOVED the relationship between Lark and Anthony. It definitely helped keep things moving forward when the plot became a little predictable. While I wish there was a little more to the conflict with Collingswood (it felt a little anticlimactic), I appreciated that it wasn’t anything too outlandish or unnecessary.
I would definitely try another book from this author!
Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC!
I really enjoyed this book! This was my first book from this author, and it did not disappoint.
I genuinely LOVED the relationship between Lark and Anthony. It definitely helped keep things moving forward when the plot became a little predictable. While I wish there was a little more to the conflict with Collingswood (it felt a little anticlimactic), I appreciated that it wasn’t anything too outlandish or unnecessary.
I would definitely try another book from this author!
Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC!
August 31, 2025
He's got amnesia...
Hugh Baxter, a duke, is hit on the head and tossed out for dead. Lady Adele, a spinster whose fiance died before they could wed, finds him with the butler. Adele is tasked with helping to investigate who their guest may be. They can deduce that he is probably a lord.
Hugh and Adele are great characters who the reader enjoys getting to know. There is a mystery on who hit Hugh and wants him dead, but the dialog with Adele and Hugh is solid and Hugh is a great leading man.
Recommend.
Hugh Baxter, a duke, is hit on the head and tossed out for dead. Lady Adele, a spinster whose fiance died before they could wed, finds him with the butler. Adele is tasked with helping to investigate who their guest may be. They can deduce that he is probably a lord.
Hugh and Adele are great characters who the reader enjoys getting to know. There is a mystery on who hit Hugh and wants him dead, but the dialog with Adele and Hugh is solid and Hugh is a great leading man.
Recommend.
August 31, 2025
I don't believe I have read this author's work before and if that's true I've missed out a lot! A new series that has blended a bit of mystery into the plot as well as truly amazing characters with depth and personalities. Hugh gets hit over the head and can't remember a thing. Adele brings him to her house to help him. Sounds like a standard plot yet it truly isn't. There is a sub plot woven in, some additional romance from secondary characters on top of the primary ones. Well written, just the right length without repetition which is always a plus in my opinion. Well done!
November 1, 2025
Hugh Baxter, Duke of Swynford thought he would walk home from a ball. Along the way he is attacked and is hit on the head. Adele is out walking and sees the injured man thrown from a carriage. Adele and her Butler take him home to their house to care for him. When the stranger awakes he has no memory of who he or anything about him. Thus begins an enjoyable story of discovering the identity of Adele's guest and the friendship that develops between the two main characters.
This is the first book in a new series, and I am looking forward to reading the subsequent books in the series.
This is the first book in a new series, and I am looking forward to reading the subsequent books in the series.
August 24, 2025
This is the first book in a new historical romance series that looks very interesting. Our hero runs into trouble after leaving a ball.
Our heroine is an impoverished Earl's daughter who is working as a paid companion.
Although this is set in the regency period, our characters are quite liberal minded. The plot is unusual and the action is a little on the mild side. I still enjoyed it and will happily read the rest of the series.
Good fun.
Our heroine is an impoverished Earl's daughter who is working as a paid companion.
Although this is set in the regency period, our characters are quite liberal minded. The plot is unusual and the action is a little on the mild side. I still enjoyed it and will happily read the rest of the series.
Good fun.
September 19, 2025
Overall an enjoyable read, and would recommend.
All that being said, the author did create wonderful side characters, with what appear to be exciting storylines so I will most definitely be continuing on with these series.
Thank you Netgalley and Kate McMurray for the arc.
All that being said, the author did create wonderful side characters, with what appear to be exciting storylines so I will most definitely be continuing on with these series.
Thank you Netgalley and Kate McMurray for the arc.
September 5, 2025
I enjoyed the romance that blossomed and grew between Hugh and Adele as he recovered from a severe attack on his person. It was fortunate that when thrown from a moving carriage, he landed in front of the house where Adele was living, as her caring nature meant that he was taken care of immediately, regardless of who he was or where he came from. However, call me old-fashioned, but I did not enjoy reading about the relationships of Hugh's friends, although they went a long way towards aiding him and tracking down the perpetrator. When Adele is threatened by Hugh's enemy, it takes all of his friends to track her down and thwart the kidnapper's plans for Hugh. I received a copy of this romance through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
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