Down Bad with the Iron Duke

Lords of Second Chances #3

by Lizzie C. Koz

This is Raphael Sinclair, the Duke of Ironcrest’s story.

Full description, cover, and publication details will be updated once available.

379 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2026

About the author

Lizzie C Koz writes books that challenge stereotypes and cultural expectations. She believes vulnerability is powerful, softness is a strength, and love in all its forms—whether between friends, family, or lovers—is what makes us whole.

Her stories champion feminism, sexual empowerment, LGBTQ+ positivity, neurodivergence, and mental health awareness. Her readers will tell you—She’ll make you laugh, make you cry, and definitely make you fan yourself. And by the end of the journey, your heart will be so dang happy.

She lives in New England in a fixer-upper with her husband, toddler, and Golden Retriever. When she's not writing, she's likely trying to convince her husband to tackle yet another DIY project around the house.

Lizzie loves nothing more than falling into a romance book as an outlet, especially when she was struggling through postpartum with her son. Now, she hopes to provide that same escape and small slice of joy to others. 

Reviews

[Nanna]

Wow, what a read, this will grab you from page one till the end. So many emotions along with twists and turns. This book is special from the very beginning as Raphael Sinclair, the Duke of Ironcrest has a steward he has never met. Now he must return to one place he never wanted to see again. Ironcrest Castle is the place of all his nightmares and pain. Meeting his steward is more than an eye opener, he is a she and what a beautiful one too. Dressed in pants and coats, he can’t believe it. And what those tight pants do to her long legs! His mind is going places he has no business thinking. Theodora Dawson has been handling the estate since her father became ill and after he died. Now she may be out of the job she loves and lives for. Rafe would be nuts to fire her as she has done a wonderful job. Theo is happy in her life and unapologetic about wearing pants or doing what most see as a man's job. She sees no reason woman can be just as open about what they can do and what their needs are. She is a very passionate person and has needs just like men do, so she has friends who understand, and they can both enjoy themselves. Rafe has many monsters in his past and nightmares he can’t handle at the Castle all thanks to his father. Theo and Rafe are just what the other needs, and this story will have all your emotions at play. This is such a steamy, open door and many other places too it will have your glasses fogging over and your reader steamy. As this couple works thru so many issues. His brother, Bash and stepmother, Abigail, can’t forget grandmother either or his best friends. All work together and it’s amazing. I love the hints the author throws out that neither Rafe nor Theo pay attention to till almost the end. It answers so many more questions, too. The ending is so very different and so special, perfect for this story. Run and get your copy and get started. I received an ARC from the author and wish to thank her. This is my honest opinion and am freely giving it.

[Alexandra G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fair warning: your e-reader just might melt while reading this book. Theo & Rafe are a combustible match, and the sparks – direct, dry and scrumptiously steamy – fly at random!

If you’re unfamiliar with the historical half of Koz’s world – both The Jennings Family & Lords of Second Chances – you’ll miss much of the emotional punch this story packs.
But, if like me, you’ve been around since the beginning, intrigued by this scarred duke’s impressive presence (he shows up in nearly every book), this one is your grand reward!
Nearly irreparable, tormented heroes truly are the best!
To finally learn what happened, what made this man – I’ve been itching for this since Koz’s debut, and it’s downright disturbing. No wonder he comes with monsters, haphephobia and severe trust issues. His returning home after a decade is an emotional minefield, and to watch this fortress of a man being completely stripped was devasting, heartrending and utterly fascinating (the literal stripping wasn’t too much of a hardship though 😉🔥🪭🫠)

I always knew it would take an exceptional woman to tame him, and boy, does Theo deliver!
She’s independent, confident, uninhibited and unapologetic; she claimed every male privilege and is not about to give a single one up. Is she perfect? No, but she’s darn good at what she does – steward, sister, friend, rescuer – and the way she reads and manages Rafe’s demons was simply magnificent!
Ergo, it’s only natural it would take the most harrowing of circumstances for her to go a little crazy, and she does it like a pro! That full force invasion; excellent!

Then there’s Rafe’s step-family (and also kind of Theo’s family). Lord Bash and his mother; they lived what he lived and he’s ignored them, but now that he’s back, they have plans! Bash is this tail-wagging mischievous pup, your stereotypical loving little pest, but one with emotional baggage – and I really loved his sideline plot as well!
And Granny Dorothea was an unparalleled gem as always!
Honestly, I LOVED everything about this book, and happily sacrificed my sleep to read it in one go!

[Vee - My Little Book Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I start? Lizzie’s already an auto-read author for me, and this is another reason why. I came for the grumpy duke, badass FMC and scandalous arrangement, then ended up wanting to protect everyone and got far too invested in their happiness.

Oh Rafe, I just wanted to give this man a hug. He’s so guarded and carries so much from his past, and I loved getting to know the man underneath all that. Seeing him slowly let Theo in made me ridiculously happy. I was really rooting for him to have something good.

Theo! I loved that she had her own life, knew her worth and wasn’t about to be intimidated by him. She could hold her own, and I really enjoyed these two together. Their chemistry was so bloody good, and the spice? Yes, please! 🔥 Those scenes were so well written, but the sweet and tender moments were just as good. Those were the bits that made me even more attached to these two.

Absolutely loved Rafe and Theo, but let’s also chat about Bash and Leo… ummm, hellooooo 👀 I see a little something something here, and if this happens, I am ALL here for it.

[Fanosse23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never felt so conflicted about a book as I did with this one, and it’s hard to explain—but I’ll try. At first, I really disliked it. I couldn’t connect with the characters at all. I love passion in a story, but only when it feels meaningful and special between the characters. Here, it initially seemed like the story would be filled with bedroom scenes focused solely on pleasure, without any real feelings involved, which isn’t my preference. And Raphael Sinclair, the Duke of Ironcrest? I couldn’t stand him at first. He came across cold and distant, using intimacy as a way to battle his demons, which made it difficult for me to care about him in the beginning.

Rafe hasn’t returned to his estate in nearly a decade; his childhood there was miserable, and he’s still haunted by the trauma. When he finally comes back, he’s confronted not only by the place he hates but also by the memories that live in those walls.

Then there’s Miss Theodora Dawson, the duke’s steward—although he doesn’t know she’s actually a lady. Theo immediately became my favorite part of the book. She’s smart, independent, and unapologetically herself. She wears men’s clothes, runs the estate with confidence, and doesn’t care what anyone else thinks. When Rafe arrives, he expects to deal with a standard steward, handle his business, and leave. Instead, he gets Theo—competent, unflinching, and entirely unexpected.

At first, I couldn’t understand why Theo would want anything to do with him. He was cold and harsh, and I really didn’t like how he handled his pain. But slowly, through Lizzie C. Coz’s incredible writing, I began to see the layers of his character. Theo asks nothing from him but honesty, and through her strength and kindness, he begins to see that he isn’t the monster he feared becoming. Watching him tentatively connect with his stepmother and brother was especially touching, and his walls start to crumble as he falls in love with Theo.

The journey between these two is intense, full of heat, tenderness, and a lot of emotional ups and downs. Their passion begins to feel earned, and the story transforms into something beautiful and heartfelt. By the end, I was completely invested in their love, their growth, and their future together.

I have to commend the author for turning my initial dislike into genuine love for the story. The transformation of both the characters and my own feelings as a reader was remarkable. A truly fantastic book about perseverance, healing, and finding the person who can help carry your burdens—one that went from frustrating to unforgettable.

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

[Ana · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Oh gaaaaad I was SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS BOOK. I have really, really enjoyed all of Lizzie C. Koz's recent books and the Duke of Ironcrest has been hovering about mysteriously in the background. So I got right on to reading this as soon as the ARC landed in my emails.

And ... oof.

I think the main issue is the double-third-person narrative. It completely overtakes the book. If ever there was a written example of the less-would-have-been more approach, this book would it be it. You can't hear the story for the absolute racket going on in the two main characters heads. It is *exhausting*. The language, which Lizzie C. Koz freely admits at the beginning of the book is knowingly anachronistic (and is usually fine) tips over in to quite grating pseudo psycho analysis / just not how people would talk/think. For example: "You're instigating" ... instigating what?

There's a lot of American English - but then the dialogue is sprinkled with "mates" etc. which is more British and clangs against the general tone.

Gads. I was SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS BOOK. I feel like it might have been *looming* at the author in an ohmigod ohmigod everyone is waiting for this must make it HUGE sort of way but in doing so it's become really muddled and if you haven't read the other books in this series you'll be completely at sea.

Rafe, the Iron Duke is a compelling character but his storyline is muddled and you need to have read Derek's book to understand why he's being targeted as he is. His backstory is almost gratuitously grim. Theo is a bit of a cardboard cutout proto-feminist whose more interesting characteristics are put on a back burner (she's got a sideline in helping women who have been assaulted, which comes and goes in about a page). She is, and I say this as one of her people, quite annoying. I felt like a lot of this got in the way of the story and again, was too much show and not enough tell.

If you've read the others in the series, definitely read this one, but steel yourself. I got through to the end but this was such a missed chance for an absolute stormer of a book.

Received an ARC and this is my unbiased review.

[Emilie Hillier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Lizzie C. Koz's books. She never disappoints. As with all her books when I read them, it was hard to put this one down in the wee hours and go to sleep! Great story, great character development. Even though it's a historical romance, I don't mind the use of some modern language and scenarios. The references are not too overt and enhance the story.

Theo and Rafe are wonderful characters. I love her strength, intelligence, courage, and no-nonsense attitude. It was very refreshing that she was not the usual (and too frequently seen in historical romance) damsel in distress. He was such an interesting persona... Introduced in the earlier books as the typical rogue, he emerged here as a complex character. Along with attempting to come to terms with his horrific childhood, it was sweet to see how he warmed up to his step-family.

While there was a great backstory along with side-character scenarios, I liked that the narrative tended to centre around Theo and Rafe and didn't get overcomplicated by dastardly villains and massive obstacles - for the most part, it was about them figuring themselves out (both from their past and current experiences) as they were falling in love. It was a beautiful romance. I have only a very minor criticism regarding a couple of unanswered questions... I was hoping for a clear explanation of why she called herself Tessa as a girl. Also, I wondered why Rafe and his grandmother didn't see Abigail and Sebastian at all in a decade. I understand that they didn't want to return to the castle, but they could have invited them to London (they all were such lovely people and deserved to know one another). But again, very minor points for me.

Keep these historical coming, please Lizzie; e.g., I'd love to see Sebastian with his own story, as well as more on the Jennings family books' side characters. Wonderful reads! Also, fingers crossed for a bonus epilogue for this story… hint, hint! ;)

(I am grateful for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review).

[Stacie Irwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book….what an emotional and passionate experience. Rafe and Theo were just perfect together. Their character development was superb. I loved the unconventional trope of a duke and his steward. It was just so much fun and led to hilarious moments.

Rafe was just heartbreaking. His past trauma and current triggers really made you grieve for him. I appreciated how his story developed and how it didn’t end with everything so perfect. It was perfectly real, which means he was left working through things and not having life tied up at the end so pretty. He still had struggles, but he found family and found a source of comfort and love that he could trust. It was lovely.

Theo was just outrageous. She had me giggling throughout the book. She was unapologetic for who she was. She was smart, funny, and kind. I loved that she wore pants all the time. She had things to work through as well, and I admit I would have liked to see her develop more by the end, but she was extremely likable and relatable in many ways. She was a beautiful match for our brooding and hurt Duke.

The passion between the two burned bright and hard. Seeing how they opened up to one another as things moved forward was tender and beautiful despite the heat.

Thank you to the author for letting me read the arc of this book. It was robust and engaging all throughout!

[Lily D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Lizzie for choosing me to ARC this book and this is my honest review. Although I prefer the previous book more (loveeee Derek), I truly enjoyed this story, especially love the many layers to Rafe's character and how his heartbreaking story and relationship with his grandma and Derek shaped him. Also love Theo's strength and independence, although I think she's written too much to pander to modern audience, I do like the view into her world as a commoner and working woman. The resolution to the conflict also seems unrealistic for the time the story takes place, especially considering Rafe's position as a Duke. It kinda left me with some what ifs, but at the same time I also understand why it has to end that way and were i in Theo's position I would also want the same. But that's my view as a 21st century woman.

But the book still deserves the 4 stars for the pace, the writing and the relationship between the characters that's just so sweet and heartwarming. I was already charmed by Rafe's and Derek's deep friendship from the previous book, and to read it from Rafe's POV is just meeelting. And is Lizzie teasing us about an apparently developing relationship between two unexpected characters in the epilogue?? Are you going to give us their story too Lizzie?? Can't wait!

[Christine Owen · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Both Rafe and Theo are fantastic, complex characters. I enjoyed Theo’s intelligence, that she isn’t the normal FMC and was unwilling to compromise how she wanted to live. As the Duke’s steward Theo is responsible for finding new ways to earn income for the Estate after a serious fire which she does brilliantly. Rafe is an extremely complicated person who had an horrendous childhood but has come out the other side as demanding but still kind. He seems aloof and standoffish but it’s because his memories of Ironcrest and the rooms within hold dreadful, terrible memories. It was lovely to see him warming up to his step family.
Theo also helps women who are assaulted/abused but this is really quickly dealt with in the book and could have done with more development. The reason for the fire at Ironcrest could also have been explained more rather than finding out the perpetrator and his being dealt with in about one page.
Throughout the book I laughed out loud many times and once later in the book I actually cried because I really felt Rafe’s anguish in that moment. All in all, this is a very spicy romance with wonderful character.

[Aspoon · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is where I get frustrated with authors...they have such a great series and make you soooo invested in the characters that you wait months and sometimes years for the next book release and think one of your favorite characters is going to have an equal amazing story as the previous books and low-and-behold, the book comes, you immediately buy and instantly emerse yourself into the story asaaaannnnd IT SUCKS! Downright cringe. Barely got passed chapter 6.

It's one thing that a woman who is independent and working AND good at her job and have the RESPECT of her male peers to then have a man of "power" her employer no less, come along and strong arm this independent woman into becoming a mistress at his whim. I just hate it. But the author lost me when she started using today's modern language and young adult slang such as "This can't be real life" ooookay, I'm out. If you are writing in regency era, please stay in that era and not just by having a Duke as a character...that doesn't make it regency or whatever era you're going for. Freaking cringe. I returned the book and will spend my money on a real regency era book.

[BOOK IT BISHES · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

A story of standing up for what you believe in, despite society's expectations.

Theo is a brilliant steward left in charge of Iron Crest Manor after a devastating fire. Maximizing ideas to help those in need while rebuilding a legacy left in ruins. Working with the reclusive Duke, making a bargain that will force her to put everything on the line for love.

Raffe returns to a place he abhors as he fulfills his duty to ensure his affairs are in order. Dwelling with his ghosts of his past, he meets his brilliant & beautiful steward who frustrates and challenges him in ways he never thought possible. Willing to try and heal his bruised heart and accept that love can be imperfect but perfect enough for him.

I love Lizzie’s historical romances! I was so happy to re-visit this world and see some familiar faces within this story. Theo is unapologetically true to herself, and no fancy title will deter her from that. I wanted to give big hugs to Raffe for all he endured as a child. Lizzie has a way of pulling on your heartstrings and feel the same emotions as her characters. A fantastic story of perseverance and love.

[Xenia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received down bad with the iron duke as an ARC. I was so excited to read Rafes story and since I loved Derek’s I had high expectations. The four star rating is mainly because I think Theo was really stubborn and kind of anoying at some points because of it. Also the fact that she was the dominant one in their sexual encounters didn’t really work for me but that is just my personal preference. I totally understand Lizzies point of view and why she chose to portray Theo that way and totally respect it. In overall I enjoyed reading this book it really has great and sweet parts especially among the estranged brothers and the main couple. I also really liked how strong and comfortable in her own skin Theo was, but I just wish she was less unyielding because she didn’t have a good enough reason for it, so I found it a bit annoying that she wouldn’t change her mind even with the many reassurances and arguments she had both from Rafe and his family.

[Sharon Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Ms. Koz you are tearing my heart out with all the angst and emotion and feelings. Then you let that feisty heroine and dry witted hero make me laugh. Not a well-mannered teehee but a deep rumbling full belly guffaw. Snarky banter is my kryptonite. YES, this couple was meant to be. While I wanted you to make a bonus bonus epilogue and end the book with mini-me characters because I thought there was enough trust to make it so, I’m still overwhelmed with the handling of all the sensitive material that you covered. So exceptionally well done! Your beautiful writing has captured the spirit of every individual in this book in a fashion that I can believe that I’ve met them in person. I can’t wait for your next release.

[Nadia The Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since reading Compromised for Christmas and meeting Rafe briefly, I was (in) patiently waiting for his story. And I was not disappointed! Rafe and Theo were perfect together! She was just the woman he needed. She is strong and doesn't let him get away with any crap. And poor Rafe! So much baggage!
Despite some reviews complaining about too modern of a language in Lizzie's books, I don't mind it at all. And she always mentions it in the beginning of every book, so people are aware. It works for me. Her books are always a great time!

[Emma Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been waiting for this one after reading Dereks story. I am not one for rehashing the whole plot so I will keep it short and sweet. I really enjoyed reading it I love my steamy historical romance. The ending was just perfect based on what we know about the characters. My only thing is maybe just a little too much internal monologue going on. Boy does the FMc have strong beliefs and I love that!! An amazing read.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Read it in one sitting. It was a great conclusion to the Lords of Second Chance. I especially enjoyed how Theo threw conventions on their heads. I know it’s not historically accurate, but the ending (won’t spoil it) made me feel that both Theo and Rafe found their peace in their own way.
I received an ARC, but this opinion is entirely my own.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

For all the regency romance lovers out there.
This is not your typical regency romance!
Are you ready to indulge?

Boy was this ever steamy! PHEW!

Rafe and Theo just fit together so well.

This story had me tingling.
Smiling.
Laughing.

Just a pleasure to read!