The Duke's Somerset Sins

by Anne Knight, Colleen Kelly, Kay K. Denner

This is your invitation to the Bastards’ Ball.

All of London knows the sixth Duke of Somerset for his sprawling wealth, stern demeanor, and the antics of his five (mostly) illegitimate children, known in ballrooms and gossip rags as the Somerset Sins.

But each of the Sins is soon in for a surprise. The duke is dying, and he has one demand for his children: marriage. If they can’t secure a spouse that meets his approval, he’ll find one for them with a glittering ball on Valentine’s Day.

Christened the Bastards’ Ball, the beaumonde will turn out in droves to watch one of the most powerful men in England play matchmaker for his unruly brood.

Except, much like their father, the Sins have their own schemes.

William - the duty-bound heir finds himself locked in a room with a beautiful, free-spirited woman he shouldn’t want but desperately does.

Alex - the charming rake hatches the perfect plan to wed the lovely flowerseller, and annul the marriage later.

Addy - the hellion likes all the things a duke’s daughter shouldn’t: gambling, wearing waistcoats, and a certain lovely proprietress of a gaming hell.

Sebastien - the independent industrialist will do anything to further his financial interests, even marry an intriguing older woman in exchange for a share in her family’s business.

Sophie - the darling of the family decides to break free and find her own adventure, alongside a gruff, working man with the eyes of a poet traveling the same direction.

Discover each Sin’s story in this steamy anthology of interconnected novellas. One family, five stories, a thousand ways to start a scandal.

Spend your Valentine’s Day with the Somerset Sins.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Novella, Historical, Regency, Historical Fiction

684 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 13, 2026

About the author

Anne Knight has been writing stories since she was three years old. Before she could read or write, she followed her parents and babysitter around, begging them to dictate her words. Eventually she learned the alphabet and began writing herself. She sneaked her first romance novel when she was thirteen, but did not become an avid reader or writer of the genre until after college.

Anne has lived in two countries, studied in three, and traveled through a total of thirty four. Her work history includes ESL teacher, domestic violence advocate, paralegal, and hospital project manager. She lives in Arkansas with her real-life swoony hero, four children, and two cats. The cats are named Cyrano and Ivanhoe.

Reviews

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

STORY #4
LOVE LOCKED
by Colleen Kelly
We have a bit of an age gap-Sebastian is 25 and Hortensia is 33. They start out as enemies at first, since they are both wanting to control a canal. They end up in a marriage of convenience, but it won't stay convenient, let me tell you. They may claim to be enemies but they are HOT for one another. And you gotta love a guy who does his research and comes prepared!! Dang! I hope immediately after this book they ended up in a nice comfy bed, INDOORS. Imagine what they could accomplish if they actually had a bed! Great book!
Thank you to Colleen Kelly for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

Story #3
ALL IN FOR YOU
by Kay. K. Denner

Addy is Alex's twin. Their father is the Duke and their mother was an opera singer. Addy has been in love with Eleanor, the Proprietress of Drake's gaming hell. It turns out that a scoundrel named Jeramiah Drake is actually the owner. Addy eggs him on to wager the ownership in a game of cards - and she wins.

This brings out the complicated relationship between Addy and Eleanor. It forces them to really address their feelings for each other out loud, for the first time. There's a lot of pride and misunderstanding at first. I just really felt for these two and wanted them to be together and happy! The most beautiful part of this book is how Eleanor deals with the grief of losing her past partner. This was done in a very touching and poignant way and I felt like I was curled up in a ball with her. And the Duke-what a great dad. I was kind of nervous how this was going to work out with him, but he is a man ahead of his time. The farther I get into this book, the more loving and caring he gets.

Thank you to Kay K. Denner for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

Story #2
A ROSE FOR A RAKE
by Anne Knight
Alex is the family jester of the family. The one who plays pranks and doesn't take himself seriously. When his father orders him to find a bride soon, he secretly comes up with the idea of marrying the first woman he sees and then annuling it later. Rose is a flower seller who helps support her mother and younger brother. Alex proposes this scandalous idea to Rose, explaining that they both need each other. Rose reluctantly goes along with it.

The more time goes by, we can see Alex growing up and becoming a man of honor, bit by bit. I shouldn't have been surprised because he really does have a heart of gold, he just needs to learn how to put someone else first. There is a ton of character development in him and it's so nice once she realizes that they may not have to completely scrape to get by now. She and her mother and brother deserve all the good things that they've never had before.

I also appreciate that this story isn't completely heteronormative!
Thank you to Anne Knight for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

Story #1
TRUTH OR HEIR
by Anne Knight and Kay K Denner

This story is absolutely beautiful. Standing ovation. This anthology already has 5 stars and it's only the first story.

A Duke is dying. He gathers his five children - some legimate heirs and some not-and basically commands that the four oldest will be getting married. And soon! The first up is William, who is the oldest and the heir. He is friends with Simon. William has also has grown up around Simon's sister, Lydia. Lydia has recently returned from living in Italy the past nine years.

They attend a ball and accidentally get locked in a room together. To pass the time, Lydia comes up with the idea to play "truth or dare." Now, the Beevis and Butthead in me was rubbing my hands together gleefully, "heh, heh, truth or dare," but the emotional DEPTH that the authors managed to cover from conversations in a dimly lit room at a ball in a NOVELLA! The sexual tension! Discovering that William likes praise kink! A woman who knows what she wants and how a starchy Duke-to-be melts with a few "good boys." Mercy!!

I cannot give away everything in this book, but let me tell you, it gets even better after that fateful night. Read this book!
Thank you to Anne Knight, Colleen Kelly, Kay K Denner and Ambriel Wrenn for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

[Nikki (awallflowerreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I heard that some novella superstars were getting together to give us an anthology of five siblings for Valentine's Day I was instantly intrigued. I thought I’d read one story and ease my way in… that did not happen. I ended up binging the whole thing and was Obsessed with the premise, this family, and overall how this all played out. The prologue was such a great hook and introduction to each of the siblings. The stories felt intertwined just perfectly without divulging too many details or spoiling anything that was to happen, but sprinkling enough to leave me hooked.

Truth or Heir by Anne Knight and Kay K. Denner - Favorite
I really loved the dichotomy of these two characters: William the ever dutiful heir and Lydia free spirit who deems happiness a responsibility. I’m also a sucker for a sibling’s best friend when there’s always been this underlying Thing between the two. When they are both locked inside a room together during the Valentine's Ball, the two reconnect and find ways they never knew they fit before. I personally LOVED their dynamic with her being the more “in charge” when it came to their intimacy. It’s always the starchy men in charge who like to truly let loose. And when the “good boy” came out, I fell more in love with William than I expected. This anthology is off to an excellent start with this entry, and also just the setup with all of the siblings. I’m intrigued by some of the storylines already laid out and can’t wait to read more!

A Rose for a Rake by Anne Knight
This one was a perfect rake-to-wife guy pipeline novella, and I adore itd! Alex is one of the carefree twins and prefers to live his life on his own terms, which is why, when his ducal father issues a decree to marry, he decides to propose to the first girl he sees, with plans to annul the marriage. Rose just so happens to be that girl, and although she shouldn’t agree, her family has fallen on desperate measures. If they want to keep their flower shop dreams alive, and also keep food on the table, this is her best chance. What starts as an MOC with plans to annul, turns into Alex trying to avoid temptation so they can actually get annulled, while Rose is confused that he might be impotent after a carriage accident. It’s silly, sweet, and just the right touch of steamy! Them communicating through the broadsheets, and just getting their letters in general, was cute as hell.

All in for You by Kay K. Denner
Give me a gambling hell owner and I’m one happy camper! Throw in the fact that the owner is a badass woman who has our dear twin Addy wrapped around her finger, and I was immediately obssessed. What started as angsty tension between the two after Addy wins Eleanor’s gambling hell (in an effort or save her but absolutely against her wishes) turned into this really poignant story of life after grief and moving on. These two have great chemistry and I’m further convinced Papa Duke is gonna win some father of the year award.

Love Locked by Colleen Kelly - 2nd Favorite
Talk about an absolute blast of an entry into this one with our two leads writing increasingly more irate letters to each other in regards to the canal on her brother’s property. After this prologue of letters were thrust into Sebastian’s pov at the ball where he meets the most entrancing woman he’s ever seen hidden away in the library. The two have a brief but heated moment before they are interrupted and properly introduced. From which Sebastian goes from wanting to immediately marry her to the earth dropping out from under him. It’s hilarious and just the right start for these two! Never has a man felt more gloriously starchy since Winter Makepeace and that truly says something. But Sebastian is Giving that energy from the moment he meets Hortensia and I do love a man turning slowly more feral as the book goes on. These two also do the thing where they think they’re each not attracted to the other (like idiots) but are secretly undressing the other constantly. Their individual insecurities become a driving conflict in the beginning that I think makes total sense for these characters.

Wed Locked and Ruined by Anne Knight and Kay K. Denner
The final sibling, and we have the youngest and sweetest- Sophie. After an illness in childhood had left her with a permanent limp, she’s been treated as the child of the family. When she’s not included in the bastard ball, it’s her final straw, and she runs away. But like all good daddies, the dukes got the best Bow Street Runner on speed dial. In swoops Locke who not only saves Sophie on multiple occasions but the two fall into a sweet love story and she heals this broken man. I enjoyed their road trip romance and the eventual third-act break when Sophie realizes Locke was sent by her father. The grovel was satisfying, and I appreciated the boundaries our girl drew. That said, switching to the third person present tense did kind of throw me for a loop after reading the rest of the anthology.

Epilogue...
Honestly, overall, the story I was most invested in was the Duke and his Duchess. Which made the epilogue oh so very satisfying, and I loved that we got to see her in Sophie’s story. Not that she was ever a villain in my mind, but not always the best mom. So all of the prior siblings’ memories are all really colored by this. But she was a refreshing pace, and I just loved her forthright attitude. She truly was a match for the Duke, and it breaks my heart a little bit that they didn’t work things out sooner. But also, good on her for taking a stand and getting her groove back. Their chemistry was fun, and I could have watched them argue for more chapters.

William and Lydia’s story (Truth or Heir) might be my fave- just because I’m such a sucker for their dichotomy and a “good boy.” Followed by the close second of Bash and Hortensia (Love Locked), whose chemistry was electric and felt so beautifully raw. When a hero gives me Winter Makepeace vibes (minus the leggings, though Bash does have the thighs for them) you know he’s gonna be all kinds of raw. Plus, an older woman/younger man combo is hot this spring (and eternally).

They were all so wonderful, and I feel like this anthology will give historical romance lovers a little bit of everything they love. And while this might seem a monumental task, it’s done in a way that just works!

4.5/5
Thank you to the authors for an eARC of this anthology.

[Megan (Midwest Reading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Duke’s Somerset Sins had me hooked from the start. The setup for these interwoven stories—five siblings, required by their meddlesome father (the Duke!) to marry, all in the space of a few days—was well executed.

As you might expect (but likely haven’t read before), each of the five stories occurs over the same span of the same days in February 1812 (some have a bit of an earlier timeline for a limited backstory) told from different perspectives but with just enough “Easter eggs” across the storylines to bring everything together in a satisfying way.

My favorite thing across all the novellas was the atmospheric writing: think lamplight and corridors, lush florals and libraries. The scene-setting here was top notch.

And, my favorite of the five novellas was Sebastien’s (written by Colleen Kelly). It had everything seasoned historical romance readers are after (plus, spectacles on our MMC).

When you read a novella you have to go in expecting a pretty “fast burn,” and Somerset Sins is no different. My only wish is that all the stories would have been told in the same tense/perspective, but I certainly understand the collaborative writing project and why it was published this way.

Bravo! Thank you to the authors for an advance copy of this delightful historical romance read.

[Sef Sparkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was witty, fun, sweet and a little cosy. If you are a fan of love and happy endings you will enjoy this. Everyone finds their person. Its has Bridgeton vibes but the duke is the one meddling. It has some steamy scenes but I appreciated they built the stories rather than took over them.

William's story did not go as I had assumed. Ive read my far share of romance and this was a lovely twist. The moments between him and Lydia were heartfelt but still held fun and frivolity.

Alex's story was sweet, a little sad but a wonderful happy ending. The love between him and Rose is beautiful and their banter is so fun. Very cute indeed!

Addy's story was so heartfelt and heartbreaking at the same time. This was a hard one for me, it tugged my heart strings but Im so thankful that her and Eleanor were given such a beautiful story and a happy ending!

Sebastian's story I struggled with a little bit due to the assumptions and miscommunication (not a fan of this tropes) but I have to admit, their story touched me in a way I didn't expect.

Sophie's story was heart-warming. I adored her fierceness in spite of her disability and I love that Locke saw her for who she was. I liked that she didn't just accept his apology and made him work for it. She stayed true to herself and still found the love she deserved.

I would happily accept an invitation to The Bastards' Ball!

Thank you too NetGalley for this ARC and I hope you all enjoy your time with The Somerset Sins!

[Mariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A anthology of interconnected novellas that is exactly what a steamy, historical fiction read should be!

The Sixth Duke of Somerset is nearing the end of his days after a wonderful and full life. Yet he will not be satisfied unless he knows all five of his children, nicknamed the Somerset Sins, will find spouses. He decides to throw a ball for Valentine’s Day, and if his children don’t have a potential engagement lined up, he will be choosing someone for them.

I really loved every novella for different reasons, but William and Sophie’s stories were my favorite! William has always felt the pressure of his obligation as the future Duke/heir. Once finally accepting marriage is inevitable, he assumes he’ll be thrust into a marriage of convenience and propriety. But what happens when he finds someone that excites him and is what he’s always dreamed of? I loved the character of Lydia - a beautiful, independent woman made to believe that since she waited longer to get married, that she would be left with slim pickings. I loved this couple together - sexy and perfect!

Sophie, the youngest and always protected, was fierce and fighting to find her own way in the world. I really felt her character’s need to pull away from the identity as the baby of the family strongly. And Loche was the perfect older man for her to spread her wings with.

I was so excited to be approved for this ARC! It really was exactly what I love in historical romance, and loved having interconnected stories from 3 diferent authors.

Definitely grab this one next month!

Thank you to Sunshine Reads and Netgalley for the ARC of this novel; all opinions are my own.

[Millie Bowker · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic read! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I absolutely adore the format of the short stories with each of the siblings - Alex + Rose were my personal favorite 😍 It was wonderful to get a sense of each author's individual tone & style too!

I wish there were more books like this on the market!

thank you so much to the authors for an advanced copy - all views are my own :)

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the authors for an eARC for review. The Duke's Somerset Sins is out 2/13/2026.

The Duke's Somerset Sins is an anthology of novellas built around the five offspring of the Duke of Somerset: William Seymour, legitimate, oldest, and heir; Alex, illegitimate, twin, rake, and wife-guy; Addy, illegitimate, twin, gambling queen; Sebastien, illegitimate, businessman, "too gruff for the likes of her"; and Sophie, legitimate, sheltered baby of the family. The Duke is throwing a grand Valentine's Ball in order to facilitate marriages for his legitimate and illegitimate children, to situate them happily as his own health fails.

The novellas are generally on the longer side, so I recommend not reading them all in a row. I found my experience most enjoyable by reading them over the course of a couple weeks, with other books in between.. If you plan to read them all, I recommend reading them in order, but if you are interested in one or two, you can read them however you like. As with all anthologies, I preferred some of the stories more than others. They are neatly collected by a frame story featuring the Duke, and giving him shades of Papa Carsington matchmaking vibes.


Truth or Heir by Anne Knight and Kay K Denner
William Seymour, Marquess of Hertford, is the oldest son and heir of the Duke of Somerset, and it’s his duty to marry…and apparently to marry soon. The Duke has announced he is dying, and expects his legitimate and illegitimate offspring to find spouses at the Valentine’s Day Ball he is throwing. William is resigned to this, and his friend Simon Everley off-handedly suggests he marry his sister Lydia. Lydia is an artist who has spent most of her time away from London traveling the Continent and living a more bohemian lifestyle than other ladies of the ton. At the Somerset Ball, Lydia and William get trapped in close quarters together, and realize that they have chemistry that could in fact make a marriage work.

The opening novella in the Somerset Sins anthology is appropriately for the oldest and the heir. It’s a relatively straightforward HistRom novella with strong chemistry and a light ruination plot. The conflict is light - because William knows he needs to marry, he’s not caught up in the trap of feelings vs duty, but the communication of feelings is bungled because of an external plot with his youngest sister. It’s a little on the long side for the plot it has, but it’s a solid novella for a dutiful lord.

A Rose for a Rake by Anne Knight
Alex does not want a wife. Not yet at least, while he’s too busy pulling pranks and enjoying life as a rake. So when his father, the Duke of Somerset, insists he find a bride at the Somerset Valentine’s Ball, Alex concocts a master plan: he’ll marry someone for about a year, then annul the marriage for non-consummation. When he meets Rose Farmer, a flower seller, he pitches this business deal to her, suggesting she’ll have half of his allowance and he’ll cover the legal fees for the annulment. Rose’s family business is struggling after the death of her father, and this business deal is as appealing as the rake who proposes it.

I will forever and always be a sucker for a marriage of convenience, and when a rakish scoundrel proposes one that he thinks he’ll be able to get out of and then inconveniently finds himself in love with his wife, it increases my swoon factor. This novella is also on the longer side, at 140 pages with a hefty amount of plot to go with it, but Anne Knight does a great job of convincing the reader that this isn’t an instalust whirlwind romance, but a situation Alex and Rose find themselves in that turns quickly into camaraderie and friendship and the foundation of love. Because it’s a novella, there’s a lot of implied emotion rather than what we can see on page, and while I bought into that, I would have loved more explicit emotional growth. I always love it when we bring a rake to his knees, though.

All in for You by Kay K Denner
Addy is not good at fitting into any role prescribed by society. She’s the natural daughter of a duke and an opera singer, and she’s both like and unlike her twin, Alex. She’s also very good at gambling because she always has a plan. Plans go out the window when the deed to the gaming hell owned by Eleanor Drake is the stakes. Addy wants to win it, because she wants to win, but mostly because she wants to present it back to Eleanor… and she’d rather do that than attend the Somerset Valentine’s Ball where her engagement to a rather bland Lord will be announced.

All in for You is the shortest of the novellas, and I think that’s to Addy’s detriment. This novella has a lot more potential, and while cute, could have given us more depth of character for both Addy and Eleanor. Addy is demi-coded and Eleanor is bi, so representation is great, but I could have used a few extra pages demonstrating rather than telling me this. The sapphic HEA has a really nice resolution, though, since Addy, while the daughter of a Duke, is illegitimate, and already a part of the margins of society. I definitely recommend to anyone looking for more sapphic historicals, but it doesn’t push the boundaries of convention much.

Love Locked by Colleen Kelly
Sebastien feels like the black sheep of the Somerset clan. He lives in Manchester with his mother, a French modiste who fled the Terror, and he’s carefully built his investments through shipping. The primary canal he uses to transport goods is the worst designed in England, and he’s not afraid to tell the owner, Lord Everdeen. It’s Everdeen’s business representative, his sister Lady Hortensia, who rejects all considered improvements. And then it’s Lady Hortensia who shows up months later, asking for a marriage of convenience with Sebastien to gain access to her marriage portion and to track down her now-missing brother.

Love Locked is a little tribute to Miss Wonderful by Loretta Chase, with its plot tied to canal investments, even as Colleen Kelly notes that Hortensia and Mirabel are almost opposites in their opinions on canals. This marriage of convenience is romantic: Sebastien and Hortensia are attracted to each other, but the terms of the marriage keep them from saying it to each other. We romance readers know that means the payoff when they finally kiss will be electric. The writing is tight, the plot works well for a novella, and I loved this one.

Wed, Locke, and Ruined by Kay K Denner & Anne Knight
Sophie is youngest of the Somerset siblings, and one of two legitimate children of the Duke. When the Duke throws a betrothal ball for his four oldest offspring to encourage them to find spouses, Sophie is excluded from the group. Offended by her father perceiving her as a child, she decides to go take matters into her own hands and visit her mother, the Duchess, vanishing during the party. The Duke contacts a Bow Street Runner, Locke Dalton, to track her down. Of course, Locke falls for her in the process.

Unfortunately, the final installment in this anthology did not work for me. I find present tense hard to read except in extraordinary circumstances where you need immediacy of character or plot. Wed, Locke, and Ruined had neither, so while I appreciate the exercise of a different tense, I didn’t enjoy reading it as much. The age gap between Sophie and Locke is too much for me, a reader who prefers a more even ground, and because of it, Sophie reads even more naive and younger than her twenty years. (And poor Locke is in for it if his joints are hurting at thirty-two...) I admire Sophie wanting to take her fate into her own hands, but her motivation to do so fell flat for me. A novella will often have some gaps from one plot point to another, but this had too many for me to fill with my imagination or emotional connection.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This truly is a masterpiece of how to write historical romance in the modern day. I hesitate to call it a novella collection as each story contains so much character and plot, by the end you feel as if you have read a whole saga of this family. Much like series in the past that follow different family members. The impressive feat is having multiple writers! It was seamless and yet you could see little nuances of each writer still present. This was a great show of teamwork and I would like many more like it please ASAP!

Each story has something compelling about it. I have to say my favourite was probably Love Locked by Colleen Kelly. Not just because it reminded me so much of Miss Wonderful by Loretta Chase (more Canals in HR please). Though each story has something about them that keeps them in my mind. As a family unit they are each wonderful examples of character work, each managing to become so loveable by the end. I was especially surprised I ended up enjoying Alex’s story (A Rose for a Rake) as so often rake storylines can become tiresome quickly, especially when coupled with class difference. This was so far from the case with this story and I loved Rose and Alex’s story.

Instead of racing through this as I expected to, I found myself reluctant to finish as I didn’t want to be done with this family. I wanted to savour their stories. Not often do I feel that way especially about novellas. There was some hinting about grandchildren so I’m crossing my fingers hoping that maybe we will get another anthology about the next generation so I can be back in their world again.

All the books by these authors that I haven’t gotten to yet have definitely jumped up my TBR after this. As I said I also hope this can inspire a possible trend in historical romance, so long as you can find the cohesion I don’t see why more anthologies like this wouldn’t be a massive success as well.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Soha Amer · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love scandalous dukes, secret pasts, and slow-burning tension wrapped in Regency elegance, this anthology delivers.

Set against the refined yet gossip-fueled world of Somerset, each story gives us:
• A brooding, reputation-stained duke
• Strong heroines who refuse to be overlooked
• Secrets, misunderstandings & delicious emotional angst
• That classic Regency restraint… until passion breaks through

The chemistry is layered rather than rushed, and the anthology format keeps the pacing fresh. Each author brings a slightly different tone — from tender romance to morally conflicted desire — making it a satisfying historical escape.

Perfect for readers who enjoy:
✔️ Scandal & redemption arcs
✔️ Aristocratic drama
✔️ Emotional tension over instant gratification
✔️ Dukes who fall hard

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very charming collection by up-and-coming historical romance writers. Even with multiple authors working on these interconnected stories, they really come together well with a great setup (the dying duke gathers all his beloved children, legitimate and not, to order them to get married before he dies) and the timeline and characterizations stay consistent. I'm a little confused about the use of present tense in the final story, which is really the only one that felt out of place. My favourites were Truth or Heir (for the delightful surprise of the uptight marquess really loving being called "good boy") and Love Locked (the miscommunication trope kinda worked here and the tension was delicious).

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Duke’s Somerset Sins is a charming historical romance anthology centered on a duke who decides the best way to secure his family’s future is to push all his children—legitimate and otherwise—toward marriage at a Valentine’s ball. The result is a series of romantic, slightly chaotic love stories with plenty of matchmaking energy.
Like most anthologies, some novellas worked better for me than others, but overall the tone is witty, sweet, and cozy. The steam is present but never overwhelms the stories, which focus more on building the romances.
If you enjoy historical romance with family drama, meddling parents, and guaranteed happy endings, this is a fun collection to dip into.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Jayne Butcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Duke of Somerset has five children. William is his legitimate heir, birthed by his wife. Sebastien is his son with a French modiste who only learned about his father at the age of twenty. Twins Alexander and Addeline’s mother is a soprano from Milan, and Sophie is the result of his estranged Duchess’ affair. Although the Duke acknowledged and raised most of his children, Sebastien, Alexander and Addeline where known throughout society as Somerset’s Sins. Upon learning that his health was deteriorating, the Duke informed his children that he wanted to see them married and settled before his demise. Thus, he gave everyone except Sophie, an unltimatum: find a spouse on your own or I will find one for you. To assist in this endeavor, the Duke was throwing a Valentine’s Day ball (dubbed the Bastard’s Ball by polite society) and everyone was expected to attend. This collection relates each child’s matrimonial story. It is clever, intense at times, crosses class lines, emotional, steamy and a really good read! Loved it!

Truth or Heir - Anne Knight and Kay K. Denner
Lydia Everly (26) and William Seymour, Marquess of Hertford (30)
William Seymour, Marquess of Hertford, and Simon Everly had been best friends since they attended school together. Simon’s younger sister Lydia, who had had a crush on William when she was seventeen, went to Italy that year with her grandmother and stayed for nine years. Now at the summons of her brother, she was back in England enduring her mother’s viscious tongue and pressure to marry. She saw William at his father’s Valentine’s Day ball that the Duke had thrown with the express purpose of his children each finding a spouse. William was furious and after dancing with a debutante of his father’s choosing, left the ballroom to find solace and a drink in his study. After an uncomfortable dance and a scolding from her mother, Lydia went in search of peace and quiet. She entered the study, only to find William with a drink in his hand. Shortly thereafter, they heard the door being bolted from the outside, thus sealing them in a compromising position. A game of truth or dare lead to heartfelt discoveries and a proposal. Then things fell apart. This story is emotional and steamy with an undercurrent of fear of discovery. It is well written, with vivid characters and endearing dialogue.

A Rose for a Rake - Anne Knight
Rose Farmer (22) and Alexander Rossano (23)
Twenty-three year old Alex was furious that his father, the Duke of Somerset, was insisting that he and his siblings marry. The Duke was throwing a Valentine’s Day ball specifically to provide appropriate choices. Deciding to thwart his father’s plans, Alex decides to marry the first woman he sees and then annul the marriage later. He sees a beautiful woman arranging flowers at Drake’s gambling den and proposes to her. She declines and laughs it off. Later that week he goes to buy flowers for his sister, and the same woman he saw at Drake’s is the flower seller. They negotiate a marital business arrangement and soon Alex has a wife named Rose. What follows is the tale of their courtship after the fact, filled with humorous broadsheet posts and correspondence. Eventually Alex realizes that his plan was faulty and wants a real marriage. Insecurities, family dynamics, and lack of societal acceptance creates a barrier, but love prevails. This story includes emotional growth, steamy encounters and lots of humor.

All In For You - Kay K. Denner
Addeline Rossano (23) and Eleanor Drake (33)
Addeline (Addy) Rossano was one of the bastard children of the Duke of Somerset, and dreading his declaration that all of his children would marry, even if he had to select the spouse himself. As Addy’s romantic preference was women, this posed a major problem for her. For four years she had been mooning over Eleanor Drake, proprietess of Drake’s gambling den. So when Eleanor’s livelihood was threatened, Addy’s knee jerk reaction was to step in to save the day. However, Eleanor did not respond as Addy hoped and conversation and conflict ensued. A gun, an intruder, and a teapot put things into perspective. In the other stories in this collection, Addy has always been a confident force to be reckoned with. In this tale not only do we get to see her softer side, but she seems young and vulnerable. The steamy scenes may not be for everybody, but they are necessary and tastefully done.

Love Locked - Colleen Kelly
Hortensia Venables (33) and Sebatien Desforges (25)
Sebastien did not join his father, the Duke of Somerset’s family until he was twenty. His mother was a dressmaker in the French royal court who took her five year old son and fled the French Terror. At twelve he went to work on a ship for about seven or eight years, and it wasn’t until he decided that he wanted to start his own business that his mother sent him to his father for financial assistance. Although he liked his other brothers and sisters, he never felt like he fit in. He was big, gruff and dedicated to the success of his businesses. He did not grow up with the education and luxuries that his siblings had enjoyed. Sebastien attended the Valentine’s Day ball out of respect for his father, but had no intention of marrying. Prior to entering the ballroom, he stepped into the library to regain his composure and found it already occupied by a woman whom he had never met. It was attraction at first sight until he found out that he and she had previously exchanged rather caustic business letters. Fast forward two weeks and she proposes a marriage of convenience to access her inheritance to save her missing brother, the Earl of Everdeen, from committing fraud. What follows is a tale filled with misinterpretations, misunderstandings, manipulation, unpleasant discoveries, steam and a whole lot of surprises. We get to see a softer side of Sebastien which is quite endearing, as is Hortensia’s fascination with him. The Earl turns out to be a major disappointment, but Sebastien’s family sets things to rights. I like Sebastien so much more after reading this exciting and enlightening tale.

Wed, Locke and Ruin - Anne Knight and Kay K. Denner
Sophie Seymour (20) and John Locke Dalton (32)
At twenty years old, Sophie Seymour was the youngest of the Duke of Somerset’s children. Although he accepted her as his own, she really was the product of an affair had by his Duchess. When she was seven, Sophie became very ill and almost died. She recovered but was left with a limp requiring the use of a cane. Because she was the youngest, and had once been so sick, the Duke and her siblings doted on her, shielding her as much as they could. When the Duke laid down his marriage ultimatum regarding the ‘Bastard’s Ball’, he informed Sophie that she was exempt from the edict. So when the ball was over, an infuriated Sophie decided to take matters into her own hands and left to visit her mother in Torquay. When she was discovered missing, the Duke hired Bow Street Runner John Locke Dalton to find her and bring her home. Locke found her, lost her, found her again and did his utmost to protect her from danger and himself. Of course Sophie lost her heart to him and all was well until the Duke showed up. This story is exciting, filled with intense moments, includes strong emotions, steamy encounters, heartache and a happy ending.

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

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free from the authors, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Overall this anthology is 4.75 ⭐
All the novellas really hooked me and the stories were so beautifully done, even the one included in the prologue and epilogue of this anthology, so this one was a fun journey.

The Somerset Sins Prologue & The Somerset Sins Epilogue by Ambriel Wrenn
5⭐
I think we need to give a round of applause to the engineer of this whole thing the man itself, the Duke of Somerset, like this man knew his children and honestly gave them all the push to find themselves what they wanted, and never knew they needed, and to actually act to the ones who have been brewing for someone for years.
I also gotta say I was really happy with what happened in the epilogue after reading the prologue, like that man was yearning for years, but he also was man enough to own up what he did and raise all the kids he could, and truly accepted them the way they were, and got what he deserved in the end so yay!

Truth or Heir by Anne Knight and Kay K. Denner
4.75⭐
I truly loved this story, William and Lydia were really interesting characters.
William brought a freshness to the stereotype of the eldest son and heir with the burden of the family on his shoulders. Lydia was also a breath of fresh air character. I liked that she really didn't care what society dictate or said, she only cared about the people she loved thought and said, even when it hurt her. I love this particular scene where she described how she will paint William or the way she portraits him on her mind.
I think together gave a lovely story of finding the person that let's you be your true self that gives your freedom with only listening to you and existing next to you.The spicy scenes were so nicely done, the tension before them were exquisite and the softness of it despite of the dominance there was, it was amazing.
The only thing that was just a bit off was the pacing of the chapters, but regardless it was beautifully executed. 

A Rose for a Rake by Anne Knight
4.75 ⭐
Rose and Alex were a delight honestly. I don't think I have read a lot of historical romance to speak in general, but this is the first time I read about bastards children being recognized by their noble father so it was enlightening for me to see Alex's journey and they way he walked and felt in the society.
Also Rose as a character of being a blue collar, who is trying her best to sort out her family's business was engaging and I liked that she actually married with him by convenience of helping her family and the business without thinking much about it.
I liked seeing the familial relationships in both characters. I enjoyed the close relationship the twins had, and the little moment we got of Sebastian and William. Also, Rose and Georgie were so heartwarming trying the best to help their mother. I would have liked to see a little bit more of Rose's family, although the little moments of Alex with Georgie were completely adorable, and it was so cute the ones Alex got with Rose's mom. I would have loved to see the same with Rose and Addy or the Duke.
I found hilarious that at the end Rose knew more than Alex regarding the state of their marriage when it came to the annulment, that man really thought. The spicy scenes were so well built up and lowkey I found them cute, I don't know why.

All In for You by Kay K. Denner
4.5⭐
This one was so action packed, which surprised me a lot. 
Addeline was such a fun and loving character, and eager to please and help in any way she can her love. Eleanor is the most independent and competent character, and also the strongest in adversity. These two together made a pretty cute couple, that I enjoyed reading getting together with their ups and downs. Their intimacy scenes made emotional, don't at me please.
I loved the way Eleanor's grief, the doubts and reservations she had on loving again, was treated throughout the story. I also liked that we got to see her interacting with Alex and the Duke and see the dynamics she brought to the family. I also liked the few moments we got of Alex and Addy.
The only complaint I got it is that I wished to have a bit more of Eleanor and Addy together in their HEA.

Love Locked by Colleen Kelly
5 ⭐
I was just hooked with Hortensia and Sebastien and their banter since the first pages with their letters, and from there I just had to know what happened between these two. Both of these character were so interesting from the get go too, with Sebastien being also a bastard of the Duke, but different from the rest of his siblings because he spend his first 20 years with his mother, and running away from France, and working hard, and Hortensia being basically the head and the manager of her brother's business. And the way they lowkey liked each other from their letters even though they were basically rage baiting each other was the cherry on top, and when they met each other, bro the tension, the lust, to then being hit with their identity was cinema.
Another aspect I really liked to read was the comparison and contrast between Sebastien and his relationship with his siblings, to Hortensia and her relationship with her brother. It was nice to see in perspective the whole thing.
It was really hilarious to read the phrases at the beginning of the chapters that were from the book about canals being put in parallel with the way Hortensia and Sebastien's relationship was doing. Also, even though I'm not a big fan of the miscommunication trope, in this novella, it is executed in a way that I found delicious to consume, I swear, it was so freaking good. Specially when everything it is said and expose on the table, the sparks were flying.

Wed, Locke, and Ruined by Anne Knight and Kay K. Denner
4.5⭐
This one y'all, throughout the anthology we were given glimpse of Sophie, and we knew from the first story that she ran away, and basically from the last story that she was back, but we didn't know what the hell happened, so I was so hyped to read this, and it deliver so good.
Sophie was really angry that she wasn't consider to be included with her siblings of the obligation of getting married before Valentine's day, which was completely valid, because she already felt different from them due to her disability, so seeing her journey of standing up for herself and find an ally in her, lowkey, long lost mother, and start her adventure was amazing.
And then we are introduced to Locke, who was an unique new point of view of the society, being the bastard of a Magistrate and also an ex-soldier, he brought a new set of eyes to the story. I don't know how much I can say about it but the way these two connected and found each other was so sweet and cute, to later have the biggest angst of all.
My one complaint is that the story was having a nice pace but I truly feel this was rushed in the end, which was a bit frustrating because I truly loved these two.

[Jody Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somerset Sins is a remarkably cohesive anthology of (longish) novellas about the (mainly illegitimate) offspring of an estranged Duke and Duchess. The Duke commands them to find spouses, and if they don't in six weeks time, he'll find some for them at a Valentine's Day ball. The stories intertwine and relate, but each approach the universe slightly differently. While I had a clear favorite I thought was a standout, many of the novellas hit the mark.

Truth or Heir: William, the oldest and only legitimate child has completely picked up the workload for his ailing father. He knows he'll have to marry and provide an heir, so doesn't care who is father picks, its just another item on the todo list. His bestie suggests his sister Lydia, who is also on the market (against her will) after a stay in Italy. Not the childhood friend who he awkwardly became *very* aware of when she turned 17! "He would never marry Simon's sister." Well, guess what, folks?

The childhood lifelong friends of it all, and preexisting attraction really helps in the novella format. Lydia and William are both avoiding the ball when they are locked in a study, do some compromising stuff and William leans a little too hard into "let me pretend I'm doing my honorable duty and seize with both hands what I desperately want" and forgets about the whole "gee I wonder how Lydia will feel hearing that marrying her is a burden and a duty?"

I really liked this one, Lydia sees the weight that William is carrying for the family, and gives him space to lay it down with focussed attention and praise. At the same time, she refuses to be less than wanted for herself as she is, and keeps her boundaries. Everyone, her brother Simon, William, Lydia, everyone has a role that fits them uncomfortably, and needs to find their way to their true selves.

A Rose for a Rake: This is a marriage of convenience story. Alex, the wastrel rake decides to thumb his nose at his father's demands by marrying the first person he sees, and then present them for lolz at the ball. The first person he sees is a flower grower and seller named Rose Farmer (name is destiny). She needs money for her flower business, done and dusted.

This one is very insta-love/lust, which I guess you need for a novella. "An irresistible tug, like a line from her body to his, brought his feet her direction." Alex learns about working hard and being poor from Rose, and they make excuses to spend time together more and more frequently. Originally meant to be for "several months" Alex soon starts thinking of their marriage as "a few years." He thinks they'll be able to annul if they don't consummate, a little Romance Misunderstanding has her thinking they'll annul because of his impotency. Should have read the fine print, Alex.

I got a little impatient with Alex. He's not telling anyone about his marriage, seems to initially approach it from a place of poverty tourism and rich boy favor granting, and doesn't seem to think overmuch about compromising someone he isn't planning to stay with. He really does NOT have a realistic idea of what it would be like to be lower working class and moved into his snobbish milieu (his friend group is terrible). Also he pouts a lot. And doesn't let the poor girl go to the ball she spent a lot of time and money getting ready for. Romance jail.

All in for You: The daughter Addy is in love with the proprietress of a gambling hall in this F/F age gap story. Unfortunately she does something she thinks is helping against the specific request of Eleanor and it causes a lot of trouble. Again, this is a class-difference romance, and Addy calls her dad to clean up some mess, which he does in a way that makes sure everyone is aware of who has the power in their world. Also her dummy twin (Alex) knew they were both in love with the other and never bothered to tell either. Great job buddy. This was the least successful for me, a lot of people just kept acting illogically and against their own interests. Must have been all the lead in the water back then.

Love Locked: This was far and away my favorite of the anthology. Sebastien is a self-made man, who escaped revolutionary France and was only told he was fathered by the Duke when he turned 20. He feels the difference from his siblings, who were all recognized early on, and have been brought up and reared like nobility. He's been in a correspondence with Hortensia (who manages her idiot brother's estate and business) about her canals, which ended in a snit of an impasse. The epistolary start of the novella is a delight.

This enemies to lovers, age gap (she's 33 to his 25) story was a delight. They meet in the library at the ball where they are both hiding, and nearly kiss before his father walks in and introduces them. Gasp! The enemy! Too late they are each super smitten. He's obsessed with her sharp edges, and her nose with "the most attractive bend in it, angled like a buttress or a rafter, something steadying. Fortifying." She's obsessed with his giant body and proving that Kelly knows what readers want from the business, his spectacles.

For Romance Reasons they have to get married, and what follows is a delightful round of "I'm so big and rough, how could she want me" "Why did he leave me alone on our wedding night, he must hate the way I look" while they are both cartoon googly eyes at each other the entire time. The scene where the misconceptions are cleared up? HOT. Also they both very competently take care of some business with her idiot brother, and then very competently take care of some business. "That did it." Indeed. There's a fantastic pan over of them in the epilogue looking at a book about canals together and getting all hot and bothered. Sweet nerds.

Wed, Locke, and Ruined: This is an age gap, class difference, roadtrip romance with a Big Secret that comes out at just the wrong time. Also! This is for some reason in 3rd person, present, unlike the rest of the book. It's very jarring. Anyway, Locke is a bow street runner, trying to find Lady Sophie, who ran away because she wasn't included in the marriage edict from her father. They end up on an adventurous road trip together.

Again, he's too Scarred By His Past to be worthy of her, "Careful, mate, he tells himself. She isn't for you." Nevertheless that doesn't stop him from doing things you *possibly* don't want to do to the daughter of the duke who employed you. The Big Secret comes out, he's put in cold storage, and there's an excellent grovel. It's more than fine, the tense thing is a little weird.

The prologue and epilogue bookend the novellas, and show the duke may be ailing and old, but he's still a little meddling mastermind. "They had all taken the bait." HEAs all around!

[Alexandra G · Rating 4 out of 5]

An eccentric Duke spurring his eclectic adored brood into marriage before he kicks the bucket... and yes, daddy does know best 😉

I just loved how beautifully each of these five short novels is entwined with the next!
Lots of heart, humour and heat. All of them unique and captivating. These siblings stick together for better or for worse – even when they’re not sure where they fit in. They all worship their father in their own way, and maybe they don’t like his ultimatum... but none of them truly dares to defy him and break his heart.

Except for William and his self-imposed burdens, they all know they’re leading a wonderfully privileged life, and it was especially lovely seeing Addy and Alex realise just how lucky they were. Bash joined the party fully-formed, a budding businessman of 20 with a dislike for upper-class entitlement; his journey was definitely the most emotional, and dare I say, the most rewarding. And little Sophie, smothered by her well-meaning family, totally deserves her small adventure!

1️⃣ Truth or Heir
♀️ Lydia (26) curvaceous, exuberant, talented painter, rebel & Lady
♂️ William (30) honorary Sin, heir with an Atlas complex, tight-laced, dutiful
💟 childhood friends, best friend’s sister, secret crush, locked in the library, unstarch yourself!
Loved how the intimacy of the moment unlocks their insecurities and how she chips away at his resistance – the little minx, calling him a “good boy”. I admired her for following through on her dream, and his attention to detail that reunites them.

2️⃣ A Rose for a Rake
♀️ Rose (22) Covent Garden flowerseller struggling to make ends meet
♂️ Alexander (23) 3nd Sin, opera singer’s son, jolly jester, lives on his own terms
💟 perfect strangers, fake marriage, real feelings, slow burn personal adds & hothouses.
He’s been playing the fool to fit in with a fast crowd that barely tolerates him, and she, hardworking and humble, is his eye-opener. Their newlyweds’ courtship was so witty and utterly charming! The messages, the flowers, his small gestures, the impotence thing… brilliant!

3️⃣ All In for You
♀️ Eleanor (33) mummified widow, survivor, gaming hell owner... or should I add former?
♀️ Addeline (23) 4th Sin, Alex’s twin, impulsive, hellion, card wiz, likes waistcoats & pants
💟 secret crush, good intensions, wrong outcome, she’s no damsel, teapot to the rescue
A battle of wills, a clash of classes & a lovely frenemies-to-lovers. Addy’s chivalry isn’t received the way she hoped, yet she rallies to unravel Eleanor with tenderness and honesty. And yes, she shamelessly drums up the Duke to save the day but also learns that love requires bravery and not just pretty promises.

4️⃣ Love Locked
♀️ Hortensia (33) Lady, brother-coddler, ingenious & practical
♂️ Sebastien (25) 2nd Sin, French dressmaker’s son, industrialist, slutty little glasses
💟 epistolary intro, marriage of convenience, canals & narrowboats, blackmail, assumptions & secret admiration
Such a gorgeous tale! Absolutely adored these dorks-to-lovers; I just love it when two strong-headed horny MCs bud heads right into happily ever after! And I was moved by how their rocky journey helped him to finally find his place in the family.

5️⃣ Wed, Locke and Ruined
♀️ Sophie (20) baby Sin with a limp, the duchess’s indiscretion, golden cage escapee
♂️ Locke (32) by-blow, former soldier turned Bow Street runner, handy
💟 road trip, highwaymen, play in the hay, one bed, he screws up... and grovels!
He saves her, but she heals him. Their perilous road trip everything you could hope for!
A delightful tale; I’m only sorry the sudden present tense made my movie falter and broke the spell

The Prologue & The Epilogue
They may only play a small part in this anthology, but they deserve love nonetheless…
The prologue was such an exquisite set-up for these five stories! I loved how it introduced this elderly ailing father with a ginormous heart for all his children – and how he hoped a bit of sneaky matchmaking would settle them happily for life.
And the epilogue… now I can only wish there would a second one because I long to see what the future holds for our dear duke. I bet he would make a brilliant grandfather, but most of all I’d like a peek at his own happily ever after!

[KelseyreadsHR · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 The Duke of Somerset has five children that are legitimate, natural, or somewhere in between. Being in declining health, he’s decided that they need a push in finding love. In the only way a well meaning but a Duke nonetheless can, is to hold a ball for his children to find a partner. That or the Duke chooses.

There’s a wide range of responses to this edict and most feature similar tropes of class difference and age gap which was fun having each story explore these in a variety of ways. Each sibling is different with a wide range of interests and I enjoyed that they each felt as their own story.

Being inter-connected, I appreciated that the details and teasers stayed consistent through each story.

Anne Knight and Kay K Denner have both become a favorite of mine and I also enjoyed reading Colleen Kelly for the first time.

The author of the prologue and epilogue, Ambriel Wrenn was NTM as well. They were from the Duke’s perspective and set up/closed the anthology perfectly. Leaving me warm and hopeful.

All the stories were over a hundred pages, with the longest 136 and shortest 112.

Truth or Heir by Anne Knight and Kay K Denner
Overview: William needs a bride that fits a list, Lydia wants love in a match. Can a game of truth or dare even the playing field and let them see what they’ve known all along?
Thoughts: I loved the arrogant hero and carefree heroine dynamic and having a previous connection worked well. The Truth or Dare game helped re-establish who they are now. Lydia’s an artist and we also get a
nude portrait scene.

A Rose for a Rake by Anne Knight
Overview: Alex is going to thwart his father by marring the next woman he sees and then getting an annulment down the road. Rose sells flowers from her family’s farm and trying to make ends meet.
Thoughts: I always enjoy when a rake gets their comeuppance being blind-sighted by love. Especially when all it takes to turn their world upside down is one kiss. Their misunderstanding surrounding the
annulment was also a lot of fun.

All in for You by Kay K. Denner
Overview: Addy doesn’t ever plan to marry, but she does plan to win the Piquet Tournament and then declare her feelings for the gaming hell’s owner, Eleanor. Eleanor loves the life she created even though she‘s living it without her late husband.
Thoughts: I enjoyed how Addy’s love of cards and strategy played into the whole story. I liked too that they got a chance to work together. Wished there’d been more
development of their feelings.

Love Locked by Colleen Kelly
Overview: Hortenisa and Sebastien first meet via business correspondence about the estate’s canal. After meeting one another at the duke’s ball, Hortensia finds herself desperate and Sebastien is the only one she can think to turn to.
Thoughts: Sebastien has remained aloof amongst the other siblings so far and I’d been looking forward to his story. A self-made man and a lady that ran her brother’s estate. The focus on canals was interesting and diagrams made it fun.

Wed, Locke, and Ruined by Anne Knight and Kay K. Denner
Overview: Sophie wasn’t included in her father’s edict and decides to take her life into her own hands. Locke, a bow street runner, gets tasked with returning Sophie home but gets more than he bargains for.
Thoughts: What happened to Sophie has been teased through the other stories, I’d been looking forward to this. An adventurous story and a chance of fate that was endearing and had me in the edge of my seat.

The Duke’s Somerset Sins is an inter-collected multi-author anthology.

Each story has open door encounters. One story has one scene and the rest each have two.

I received an advance reader copy from one of the authors. All opinions are my own.

[Fanosse23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sixth Duke of Somerset is dying, and before he goes, he needs to see his five (mostly illegitimate) children settled. Known throughout society as the Somerset Sins, these siblings are each acknowledged and loved by the Duke, despite their scandalous reputations.

They are stunned when he decrees that all must marry before he dies. If they fail to secure a spouse who meets his approval, he will find one for them at a glittering Valentine’s Day ball—the infamous Bastard’s Ball. I hope you’ve received your invitation, because you are in for a night of surprises! I loved how each of the siblings approaches love in their own clever, manipulative, and often heartfelt way, with each novella ending in a satisfying and delightful conclusion.

What makes this anthology truly special is the beautiful writing of the various authors. Each voice is distinct yet seamlessly woven into the larger family saga, making it nearly impossible to pick a favorite. Every story shines, and each author brings depth, humor, and heart to their characters.

William and Lydia: William, the too-serious heir, is determined to avoid the one woman he cannot help but want. Lydia, who sees the man beneath the title, is exactly who he needs. Their journey to love is filled with tension and release—when the truth finally emerges, it truly sets them free. I adored their story!

Alex and Rose: Alex’s story was the most humorous and joyful. Thinking he can outsmart his father, he decides to marry a beautiful flower seller with plans to annul the union later. Fate, of course, has other ideas, and their romance blossoms into something utterly charming.

Addy and Eleanor: Addy, the fiery, gambling, waistcoat-wearing hellion, forges her own destiny. Her love for Eleanor burns bright, while Eleanor’s hesitations are portrayed with moving realism. Watching Addy claim her happiness was one of the anthology’s most satisfying moments.

Sebastien and Hortensia: Sebastien seems the most emotionally guarded, focused on his financial empire and convinced he doesn’t belong. Hortensia, the sharp and passionate woman he first encounters in his father’s library, challenges him in every way. Their romance, set against the fascinating backdrop of the British canal system, was tender, intelligent, and full of heart. Bravo to the author for this beautifully layered story!

Sophie and Locke: The youngest sibling, Sophie, walks with a cane after childhood paralysis and longs to claim her own adventure. When her father expresses his relief that she will “always stay with him,” it sparks her daring journey. Her misadventures lead her to Locke, a stern yet protective man whose secret loyalty to her father complicates their growing connection. Her emotional arc, and the moment of forgiveness, was handled perfectly.

This anthology is a triumph of storytelling, full of steam, humor, and heart. The writing from all three authors is so rich and immersive that every story feels like a favorite. A family of sins, five scandalous journeys, and countless ways to fall in love—this collection is unmissable.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Winnifred D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tropes: brother's best friend; class difference; opposites attract; enemies to lovers; hidden identity; age gap
Steam level: 3 (all 5 novellas contain steam)

This is an enjoyable collection overall. Each novella is focused on one of the Somerset Sins, who are the illegitimate children of the Duke of Somerset (except the youngest, Sophie, who has her own novella in the collection). The Duke is considered an unusual member of the Ton in that he has publicly acknowledged each of the Sins as his own, and he wishes to see them all settled in marriage before his death.

The first two novellas are well written and hit the usual HR highlights with just the right balance of romance and steam.
--I loved the art references and clever dialog in William and Lydia's story, plus the extra kick of spice (a tiny hint of MFC-as-dom kink). Great chemistry. Brother's best friend works well here. 4.25 stars.
--Alex and Rose's novella is sweet and, other than a brief third-act conflict, low angst. Alex seemed rather immature at times but he had his character arc. 4 stars.

The third and fourth novellas feature atypical leads.
--Addy's novella involves her relationship with an older gaming hell owner, Eleanor. There's an unexpected emotional punch involving Eleanor's late husband. Addy was a bit TSTL at times, the villain is OTT, and the Duke seemed rather manipulative in this one but I really liked Eleanor. 3.75 stars rounded up.
--Sebastien and Hortensia don't fit the usual mold either: he has working class values and struggles with feelings of social inferiority, while she is a bluestocking who is plain by the Ton's standards. The misunderstandings here do go on a bit long, to the point that I wished this had been a full novel with well-fleshed out backgrounds for both Sebastien and Hortensia (they have a lot of baggage). But it's all told with humor, heart, and intelligence. Older MFC/younger MMC. 4.5 stars.

The only novella I didn't really care for was the last. Sophie's story just didn't fit in with the others; it's told in present tense and felt pretty modern. The writing and depth of characterization weren't quite there. The action-oriented plot, while it moved along at a decent clip, often felt implausible, and I ended up skimming. 3 stars.

Thanks to Net Galley, Victory Editing, and the authors for the opportunity to read the advanced reader copy of this book. This is my honest, voluntary review.

[Dalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

“ The Duke’s Somerset Sins” is an anthology of interconnected novellas about the Somersault Sins, the five

The Sixth Duke of Somerset is nearing the end of his days. He wants to see all five of his children, legitimate and illegitimate, married and settled down. He gives them an ultimatum. They have till Valentine’s Day’s ball to find a spouse, and if they don’t have a potential engagement lined up, he will choose someone for them.

~ William and Lydia: William, the too-serious heir, is determined to avoid his best friend’s sister the one woman he cannot stop thinking about. Lydia, a beautiful, free spirit, independent woman, sees the man beneath the title. She is exactly who he needs to let loose.
~ Alex and Rose:Alex’s story was the most humorous and joyful. Trying outsmart his father, Alex decides to marry a beautiful flower seller with plans to annul the union later. Fate, of course, has other ideas, and their marriage of convenience blossoms into true love.
~ Addy and Eleanor: the love story of Addy, the fiery, gambling, waistcoat-wearing hellion and Eleanor the gaming hell owner.
~ Sebastien and Hortensia: the story starts with these two bickering by letters over the state of Hortensia’s brother’s canal.
Sebastien is the most emotionally guarded sibling. He focuses on his financial empire. Hortensia, the sharp and passionate woman he first encounters in his father’s library, challenges him in every way.
~ Sophie and Locke: Sophie, the youngest sibling is overprotected by her family after an illness in childhood had left her with a permanent limp. When she’s not included in the bastard ball, it’s her final straw, and she runs away. Locke is the bow street runner sent by the Duke to bring her back home.

The prologue does an excellent job of setting the scene and introducing each of the five siblings. The epilogue ties up all loose ends .

I enjoyed reading the story of each of the Somerset Sins.
The three authors really make a great team. The anthology is beautifully written. Each author has a distinct voice but their different writing styles are seamlessly interwoven in this family saga. .
The interconnecting stories are fun, engaging and heartfelt. I love that every sibling is different and unique in his/her own way and finds love in a different way. It is a joy to see each sibling come in his/her own and watch their journeys to HEA.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Booksprout for a copy of this anthology and this is my freely given opinion.

This is a series of short stories by three authors, about the aged Duke of Somerset ensuring the future of his beloved children, several of whom are bastards, but all of which, in some way, are under his care. Before he leaves his mortal coil, he is determined to see them wed, and has arranged a Valentine's Ball, with the demand that if they do not find their mates beforehand, he arrange their futures for them. Each story goes through how each child acts to try to defy his plans, or try to have some agency in their own future.

When I read the blurb, I thought the stories would all be centred around the Valentine's Ball, dubbed as the Bastard's Ball, but while the Ball occurs, it is not central to the story. Each story, while they relate to the others, is about each individual sibling and how they settle their futures - and find love even when they are actively trying to defy their father's mechanisms. In the end, the Duke appears to get his way, and used the Ball more as a threat to discombobulate his children and force them out of complacency and to take some action towards their future. What seems to be a dictatorial move to force their hands, is perhaps more underhanded manipulation to force them to seek the love the Duke wanted for them - especially as he had lost it in his own life.

An engaging and interesting series of short stories with characters who, despite being all from the same family, have very different characters and viewpoints about life and love. I especially appreciated how they seemed to be avoiding their father's planned fates, and finding love in some very unexpected, or atypical places, especially Alex with a flower girl, and Bash with someone he appeared to be in direct opposition with.

A sweet and fun series of stories that also was a good overarching story about family as well.

4 stars out of 5

[bookstosoothethesoul]

I have been in such a historical mood lately so I was thrilled to receive an ARC of this collection! While waiting for Bridgerton s4 part 2 I was craving a sibling series so this came at the perfect time. It was so fun watching the shenanigans all the siblings get up to in the wake of their father's determination that they all must marry.

Truth or Heir:
William is a duty-bound hero so It was a delight to see Lydia help him step outside of that and loosen up. I loved the brother's best friend aspect. The yearning was so fun to read about. This novella set up the collection well and got me very interested to learn about the rest of the siblings.

A Rose For a Rake:
I absolutely adored this one!! I love a marriage of convenience story (especially a temporary one like this). They had a significant obstacle keeping them apart and it was so fun to watch them fall for each other and desperately want to bang but they *can't* because it's TEMPORARY. I ate this novella up.

All In For You:
I loved this premise! The stakes were established quickly and I was very curious to see how Eleanor and Addy found their way out of this predicament. Unfortunately there was too much external plot for me so which didn't leave enough time for emotional development which is a bummer because I was really looking forward to some sapphic yearning.

Love Locked:
This one was super cute!! I loved it. This was full of delightful misunderstandings. They both want each other bad but think the other doesn't and it was so fun watching them figure it out. This might be my favorite of the bunch! I had a blast with these two.

Wed, Locke, and Ruined
I enjoyed the class difference aspect of this story and how much he yearns for her. However, I struggled with the pacing of this one. It felt too rushed. I needed a bit more emotional development throughout and more of a grovel at the end.

Thanks to the authors for the ARC!

[Kelli Matthews | SighingOurPleasure · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, the problems that could be solved by not forcing your five chaotic children to marry by Valentine's Day! But where's the fun in that?

The Somerset Sins kicks off with a dying Duke playing matchmaker for his brood of (mostly) illegitimate children, and every single story delivers.

William & Lydia - Childhood friends to lovers with a twist: she's the dominant one and our starchy, duty-bound hero loves being told "good boy." Un.Rav.eled! It's gorgeous.

Alex & Rose - Standard-issue rake meets desperate flowerseller in a marriage of convenience that develops sneaky feelings. You know how this goes, and yet it still hits.

Addy & Eleanor - This story packs so much into the novella format and does it beautifully. Their attraction feels real, their decisions make sense and Eleanor's walls are entirely understandable. Watching them work through it together is excellent.

Sebastien & Hortensia - Hard-core yearning while assuming the other one hates them, despite being MARRIED. It takes a meltdown and some helpful diagrams from Sebastien's brother Alex, but they figure it out. Also, they consummate their marriage on a narrowboat to Manchester, which is weirdly perfect.

Sophie & Locke - Grumpy, jaded Bow Street Runner hired to find the youngest Sin who ran off to find herself. Locke's protective but patient, giving Sophie the time and space she needs to figure out who she is while staying constant. He's exactly what she needs, and the banter is excellent.

Anne Knight and Colleen Kelly have written some of my favorite novellas and Kay K. Denner's novels are also an auto buy for me. This anthology proves why. Each story stands alone with fully-formed characters and complete arcs, but the family framework ties everything together. Creating whole, believable stories in novella format takes serious skill, and all three authors nail it.

[PlotTrysts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you like romance novella anthologies? I love them as a way to try out new-to-me authors in a bite-sized way. So I was excited to try this one out!

The Duke's Somerset Sins collects five novellas through the frame story of a terminally ill duke who wants to see his children, legitimate and illegitimate, married before he passes. He's got 5 kids (how about that? One for each novella!).

If you pick this one up, be aware that these are long novellas. I'm used to ~100 pages/10 chapters in a novella, but these are more like short novels (one has nearly 30 chapters). Honestly, it's great bang for your buck when you purchase. All of the novellas are very solid historical romances that work best when you want a meaty story. If you're in a novella mood, do note that all of these have enough plot points to make them feel more novel-y. I guess what I'm saying is that this anthology may not be a bite-sized way to try out new authors, in other words!

The two standouts for me were "A Rose for a Rake" and "Love Locked." Probably not coincidentally, they were also the shortest and embraced the novella form the most. I will note that the final entry in the anthology, and the one that I had the most anticipation for since it had built throughout the first four entries, is written in 3rd person present POV, which took me a bit of time to get used to. I did end up quite enjoying it after I got over myself!

All in all I do recommend this one. All of the authors write well, and all of the novellas have something different to offer. I think it's a good one if you want to jump to other books in between completing the novellas!

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the anthology.

[Rose Seals · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fabulous group of stories about the Duke's children, each having their story in this book. Loved being able to read their stories on right after the other. The characters are all on an emotional and personal journey, finding love, having to make it work and to avoid the Duke's commends. The storylines are scrumptious with lots of hiccups to keep you turning the pages. The Duke wants his children to marry and find happiness. He thinks his time on earth is coming to an end. Sophie is the exception to his plans as he wants her home with him. The Marquess of Hertford , William and Sophie are his legal heirs while the rest of his children are his sins. William being the heir to the Dukedom must marry and produce an heir and a spare. He meets Lydia just before the Bastard's Ball and finds true love with some work. Alex finds Rose, who is a flower seller in the streets of London and together they find happiness. Addy is a card player and finds her happiness at Eleanor's gambling den. Sebastien meets Lady Hortensia and wants her water canal system and also her. Together they make some magic happen. while Sophie wants the freedom her brothers and sister have and she is not allowed due to her limp. So she decides to have an adventure for herself and go to her Mother. She runs into Locke who save her from highwaymen and other things but doesn't realize that he was hired by her father to find her and return her. Has lots of action, drama, sadness, love, heat, friends, society, intrigue and just everything , all these stories are in one book, makes for a fabulous read. Would recommend to everyone.

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

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was thoroughly engrossed by this anthology of five long-ish novellas. I loved the premise of the Duke of Somerset insisting that his five children marry and this was successfully navigated via an intertwining timeline. And the prologue and epilogue did an excellent job of setting the scene and tying up loose ends respectively.

Truth or Heir by Anne Knight and Kay K Denner - this is a best friend’s sister situation. William and Lydia have been engrossed with each other since Lydia was 17. They reunite after nine years and find that they are perfect for each other. I really loved this.

A Rose for a Rake by Anne Knight - a marriage of convenience between Alex and Rose turns into love. This was a really well done instalove. The relationship was given enough time to develop to make it believable. There were a few areas where the editing could have been tightened up and hopefully they should be fixed before release.

All In for You by Kay K Denner - Addy has been in love with Eleanor since she first laid eyes on her. This was a lovely story of a planner having to let all control go in order to get her HEA.

Love Locked by Colleen Kelly - Sebastien and Hortensia start out bickering by letter over the state of Hortensia’s brother’s canal. This was my favourite of a very good bunch. And includes a great author’s note which gives a shout out to Loretta Chase’s Miss Wonderful as another canal-centred romance.

Wed, Locke, and Ruined by Anne Knight and Kay K Denner - Sophie and Locke. An instalove situation that I really enjoyed.

Thank you Kay K Denner, Anne Knight and Colleen Kelly for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Nanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a ton of notes on this book for my review. After reading some of the other reviews, it would just repeat what was already said. It seems most people who have read the book have the same thoughts. Most of London knows the children of the Sixth Duke of Somerset as the somerset Sins. The Duke is proud of all his children, mostly) illegitimate. He is dying and has decided all of them must marry. He will be hosting a Valentine Ball and all of them will either find a wife or husband on their own or he will by the ball. William is the oldest and will take over for his father as the duke. The twins, Alex and Addy, are high spirited and always in trouble. Alex could and does charm every woman he meets. Addy is a card shark and likes to dress in men's clothes. Bash entered the family already a young man, and not sure where he fits in the family or if he does. Sophie is the youngest and the love of everyone. She was very sick as a child and they almost lost her. She was left with a limp but is determined to be seen as a woman not a child to be watched over. Each has their own story, and all were wonderful in their own way. There is something for every reader in this book. If you only read one book this year, this should be it as it is amazing, and the authors did a super job keeping the stories different and still within a family circle. Run, don’t wait to grab a copy and forget about getting anything done for a couple of days because you will not be able to put it down. You will laugh, cry, and cheer the kids on. I received an ARC from one of the authors and would like to thank her. This is my honest opinion and am freely giving it.

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a fun anthology; I’m always a sucker for interconnected stories done well.

This was a solid 3.5 for me. It’s not a sweeping, deeply immersive Regency epic, but it’s a genuinely enjoyable, well-structured romance collection that flows surprisingly smoothly for multiple authors.

Each of the Sins (the siblings) felt written with care. I could see their internal struggles clearly:
* William burdened by expectation
* Alex trying to live freely without fracturing family loyalty
* Addy overthinking while bravely pursuing love
* Bash longing to belong
* Sophie demanding to be taken seriously

The crossover moments were cohesive without feeling repetitive. I especially loved how the twins’ stories deepened each other, getting overlapping perspectives added emotional texture without redundancy.

The Regency setting is more atmospheric than historically dense, very much “romantic vibes” over deep immersion, which worked for me given the overall tone.

The spice had good tension and payoff.

If I had one critique, Bash’s story didn’t grab me as strongly. The opening letters hinted at sharp wit and banter, and I wanted more of that dynamic carried through the main body of the story.

What impressed me most was how well the anthology held together structurally. The threads dropped across stories make you want to finish the final installment, and the flow between authors is genuinely seamless.

This feels like a perfect cozy-but-spicy February read: quick, satisfying, and easy to devour.

[Corinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read and enjoyed stories by Anne Knight and Colleen Kelly. Kay Denner is new to me. The three ladies have created an engaging collection of interconnected and well-told stories. The prologue by Ambriel Wrenn sets the stage for the duke's challenge.

Truth or Heir - Anne Knight and Kay Denner
The heir William's story is not unlike many others of the genre. It's a best friend's sister/mutual (undisclosed) tendre for years trope and well-executed. I liked the characters, the storyline and the outcome.

A Rose for a Rake - Anne Knight
Alex thinks he can outwit his father, little does he know he's in for a surprise. I liked the interactions between Alex and Rose and her family. Alex proves he's not a superficial rake.

All in for You - Kay K. Denner
Stories around gaming hells are not my thing, but this is well executed and is more about relationships in the past and present than gambling.

Love Locked - Colleen Kelly
If I should pick a favorite, I must say I enjoyed this the most. I liked how Sebastien and Hortensia were very honest with each other regarding their wants, while both are somewhat insecure with respect to their own worth as a marriage partner.

Wed, Locke, and Ruined - Anne Knight and Kay K. Denner
This is also an entertaining story, just ignore that it's very naive for Sophie to travel alone using a public coach. ;) It's a bit of a road trip with obstacles and even a few suspenseful moments.

[Renee Ferritto · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Duke demands weddings - the Somerset Sins
Charming, interesting set of short stories about a Duke’s children (legitimate and illegitimate). The Duke is dying and wants his beloved children settled, married and happy by an arranged valentine’s day ball.
William/Lydia – William’s and Lydia’s story is full of charm and love. Lydia commands and praises William into relaxing and giving up his ducal responsibilities just enough for love and joy.
Alex/Rose – Being Forced to marriage rankles Alex, so to spite his father he marries the first woman he sees, a simple flower girl, or so he thought. A contract marriage that Alex swears will be annulled when the old duke dies. She can save her family’s flower business with the money Alex offers.
Addy/Eleanor – What will she do if her father insists she marry? Addy likes women, NOT men. Addy won Drake’s deed in a game of cards to help Eleanor, but Eleanor doesn’t accept the help and pushes Addy away. Will Addy win her love? Yes, HEA
Sabastien/Hortensia – Undeniable attraction, yes. Contract marriage, yes. Crisis averted, yes.
Sophie/Locke – Sophie is missing. The Duke hires Bow Street Runners to find her. Sophie is determined to find her mother, the Duchess, and bring her home. Locke saves Sophie from the crush of a crowd; then saves her from highwaymen. Now his following her on an adventure.
I received an ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mary Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a delightful Regency anthology, The Duke’s Somerset Sins should fit the bill. It’s got a great premise: the titular duke has five children—some legitimate, some not—but none have married. So he tells them he’s holding a ball on Valentine’s Day, and if they aren’t engaged by then, then he will find a spouse for each of them!

From this rather wacky setup we get some endearing romances. I particularly liked the story about the duke’s heir and his second-chance romance that he didn’t even realize was a second chance and the tale of an ingratiating bastard son who finds himself the charmed one for once—by a Covent Garden flower girl.

There was one major flaw to my mind with this collection: all the stories are written in third-person past tense except one, which is written in third-person present. It was so jarring I couldn’t read this story for several days to disassociate myself from the other stories, and even when I read it, that story felt completely out of place. I cannot for the life of me understand why one story was written this way. Authors, please—set a consistent verb tense for your shared collection!

If you can handle that more easily than me, you’ll have a grand time with this anthology. But it was so disconcerting to my mind that it dragged my rating down. Other than this, The Duke’s Somerset Sins is beautifully structured, even down to the duke himself and his story!