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Decadent Dukes Society #2
Um Duque Malicioso
ELE PODE SER UM DEMÓNIO
Ele é infame, libertino e conhecido pela sua total indiferença com os escândalos e as paixões irresistíveis. Gabriel St. James, duque de Langford, é belo e obscenamente rico e está habituado a ter exatamente aquilo que quer. Até que se cruza com uma mulher que capta a sua atenção e se recusa a dizer-lhe o nome… mas que não consegue resistir ao seu toque.
MAS ELA NÃO É NENHUM ANJO...
Amanda Waverly tem duas vidas: a de respeitável secretária de uma dama da sociedade e uma existência secreta onde a sua sobrevivência depende apenas da sua argúcia e força de vontade. Langford pode ser o homem mais tentador que ela já conheceu,mas Amanda tem uma tarefa a cumprir para escapar ao mundo do crime em que nasceu. Poderá a ardente paixão que os une sobreviver se ele descobrir quem ela realmente é?
Ele é infame, libertino e conhecido pela sua total indiferença com os escândalos e as paixões irresistíveis. Gabriel St. James, duque de Langford, é belo e obscenamente rico e está habituado a ter exatamente aquilo que quer. Até que se cruza com uma mulher que capta a sua atenção e se recusa a dizer-lhe o nome… mas que não consegue resistir ao seu toque.
MAS ELA NÃO É NENHUM ANJO...
Amanda Waverly tem duas vidas: a de respeitável secretária de uma dama da sociedade e uma existência secreta onde a sua sobrevivência depende apenas da sua argúcia e força de vontade. Langford pode ser o homem mais tentador que ela já conheceu,mas Amanda tem uma tarefa a cumprir para escapar ao mundo do crime em que nasceu. Poderá a ardente paixão que os une sobreviver se ele descobrir quem ela realmente é?
320 pages, Paperback
First published April 24, 2018
900 people are currently reading
2147 people want to read
About the author
Madeline Hunter
102 books2,108 followersMadeline Hunter is a nationally bestselling author of historical romances who lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two sons. Her books have won two RITA awards and seven nominations, and have had three starred reviews in Publishers Weekly. In a parallel existence to the one she enjoys as a novelist, Madeline has a Ph.D. in art history and teaches at an East Coast university.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 352 reviews
March 30, 2019
This is the second book in the Decadent Dukes Society series! I enjoyed Gabriel’s fall into love! He was a well known player, with no interest in marrying and settling down. When he comes across a mysterious woman though, all bets are off! She has caught his attention and won’t let it go. Unlike all the other women who fall at his feet...this one has an agenda and it doesn’t include the sexy playboy... or does it?
I was pleasantly surprised with Gabe.. I figured he was just a surface kind of guy, but he actually had a ton of layers to him. He was also so caring and sweet under his tough exterior. I loved how he wanted to make sure his lady was well taken care of- even if she ended up out of his life.
This series is about three Dukes who became friends when they were children and developed a bond that most people never experience. I have fallen in love with the first two Dukes, and the last is still to come. He’s a bit of a mystery as he holds himself back from everyone. We haven’t been given a ton of information on him just yet! I’m excited to start my ARC and find out what is underneath his tough shell!
A great, sexy historical romance series that I highly recommend!
I was pleasantly surprised with Gabe.. I figured he was just a surface kind of guy, but he actually had a ton of layers to him. He was also so caring and sweet under his tough exterior. I loved how he wanted to make sure his lady was well taken care of- even if she ended up out of his life.
This series is about three Dukes who became friends when they were children and developed a bond that most people never experience. I have fallen in love with the first two Dukes, and the last is still to come. He’s a bit of a mystery as he holds himself back from everyone. We haven’t been given a ton of information on him just yet! I’m excited to start my ARC and find out what is underneath his tough shell!
A great, sexy historical romance series that I highly recommend!
April 23, 2018
Before writing this review, I went back and read what I wrote for the first in the series, which I really enjoyed. This was a letdown in comparison, for me. The writing is still very good, but most aspects of the story feel like the lesser version of the first in series. The main characters are less compelling, the romance was staid, and the mystery was boring.
The Duke of Langford is the hero in this story, and he is supposed to be a notorious rake. He has recently been the subject of an op-ed that has him chafing and reconsidering life choices in a roundabout way. He is taking his seat in the Lords more seriously and has put forth new bills addressing criminal sentencing and penal conditions.
Amanda is secretary to a lady and feels her life is starting to line-up when her past comes back to haunt her. She was raised a thief by parents that are confidence artists/ thieves. Just as she finally feels settled, she hears from her mother who is in trouble. If she follows directions, her mother will be unharmed and released. In pursuit of these directions, she meets the Duke.
While I was interested in how it would play out in the beginning, I never felt an anticipation for the romance. There didn’t seem to be much in the way of true romance. The mystery was predictable also, so it couldn’t save the romance elements. Besides the main romance, there was mention of one for the Duke’s brother, which sort of served as a secondary romance though not much of one. There also were a few loose ends that didn’t get resolved.
*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Duke of Langford is the hero in this story, and he is supposed to be a notorious rake. He has recently been the subject of an op-ed that has him chafing and reconsidering life choices in a roundabout way. He is taking his seat in the Lords more seriously and has put forth new bills addressing criminal sentencing and penal conditions.
Amanda is secretary to a lady and feels her life is starting to line-up when her past comes back to haunt her. She was raised a thief by parents that are confidence artists/ thieves. Just as she finally feels settled, she hears from her mother who is in trouble. If she follows directions, her mother will be unharmed and released. In pursuit of these directions, she meets the Duke.
While I was interested in how it would play out in the beginning, I never felt an anticipation for the romance. There didn’t seem to be much in the way of true romance. The mystery was predictable also, so it couldn’t save the romance elements. Besides the main romance, there was mention of one for the Duke’s brother, which sort of served as a secondary romance though not much of one. There also were a few loose ends that didn’t get resolved.
*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 31, 2018
I've given this a C at AAR.
In A Devil of a Duke, the second book in Madeline Hunter’s Decadent Dukes Society series, attention turns to the roguish, devilishly handsome ladies’ man Gabriel St. James, Duke of Langdon, who is inadvertently entangled in the hunt for a thief and blackmailer when he becomes intent on the seduction of a young woman he encounters at a masked ball. The premise is intriguing and while cross-class romances can be difficult to pull off, Ms. Hunter has done so before and I had confidence she would do so here – but while I’ve enjoyed a number of her books, this one just didn’t work for me. For one thing, I’m suffering slightly from ‘duke fatigue’ – it seems that nine out of ten historical romance heroes these days are dukes and it’s something of an understatement when I say that I’m getting just a little bit tired of them – and for another, the story simply failed to draw me in and hold my attention. The pacing, especially in the first half, is very slow, there is hardly any chemistry or emotional connection between the principals and their relationship is based entirely on physical attraction, and never goes beyond that.
Amanda Waverly is something of an oddity – a female secretary. Employed by the eccentric Lady Farnsworth at a time when even ladies were supposed to have male secretaries, Amanda has worked for the lady for five months and has proved herself to be extremely competent and able to handle whatever task she is assigned. But Amanda is living a lie. The daughter of jewel thieves, Amanda’s father abandoned her and her mother some years ago after a job-gone-wrong, and not long after that, her mother left after enrolling Amanda in a good school. Now, Mrs. Waverly has fallen into the hands of a man who is blackmailing Amanda into pulling jobs for him in order to guarantee her mother’s safety. His latest demand is that Amanda must steal an item of great value from the home of Sir Malcolm Nutley, which is located not too far from the British Museum. The house is very securely closed up and gaining entry is going to be difficult – but Amanda cannot bear the thought of letting her mother come to harm, so over the next couple of days, she conceives a daring plan. Learning that the house next door to Sir Malcolm’s is owned by the younger brother of the Duke of Langdon, she determines to seduce the young man and then to break in to the house next door by means of a second-floor window at the side while he lies sated and asleep in bed. The trouble is, that when Amanda tries to get close to Lord Harry St. James at a masked ball, he is unresponsive and obviously uncomfortable with her interest and attempts at flirtation – and it’s the other St. James brother with whom she finds herself on the darkened terrace.
Gabriel St. James is a somewhat stereotypical hero; rich, handsome and charming, he’s cut a dash through the beds of half the females in London, and is starting to find his rather carefree lifestyle a bit on the dull side. But he is immediately intrigued by the masked shepherdess who had so clearly been trying to ingratiate herself with his brother, and determines to find out more. Her speech and quick wit indicate she is well-educated and while not of the ton, is unlikely to be a member of the demimonde; and her obvious spirit and lack of reverence for his station pique his pride, his interest, and his lust. Stealing a kiss from the woman does nothing to quench his desire, and he suggests an assignation the following evening… at his brother’s house.
That is, of course, exactly what Amanda had been angling for, but she is unprepared for the intensity of the desire Langdon stirs deep inside her, and can’t help regretting that her scheme requires her to forego the sensual pleasure she has no doubt she would find in his arms.
The first part of the story is, as I said before, rather slow to unfold as Amanda practices her deception on Langdon while at the same time being unable to resist him. However, when his brother – a studious young man – informs him of a theft of an extremely valuable ancient artefact from the British Museum and the even more recent theft of something similar from the house next door to his, Langdon begins to put the pieces of the puzzle together and is, of course, furious when he realises he has been duped. While I would normally be praising an author for taking the time to develop the romance in her story, here, I just wanted things to get moving in terms of the plot. In spite of Amanda’s unusual upbringing, she’s not a particularly interesting character, and I wasn’t impressed by the way she so often ignores her own good advice and instincts. She decides to meet Langton against her better judgement; she decides to go to bed with him against her better judgement but hey, his reputation means he must know how to show a girl a good time, so why not? Langdon is your typical man-whore who is felled by love – or so we’re told, but I never felt it. For sure, he wants to help Amanda when he discovers the truth and really goes out on a limb for her – but even so, I never believed he was doing it all out of love. In fact, even the insta-lust is barely felt and there is no element of sexual tension present at all. Quite honestly, I didn’t care for either protagonist, and not connecting with the hero and heroine is the death-knell to any romance. The lack of chemistry between them just compounds the book’s flaws and made it extremely easy to walk away from.
The second half of the story, in which Amanda and Langdon work together to discover who is behind the blackmail and to rescue Amanda’s mother, proceeds at a much livelier pace and is far more engaging, but it comes too late to save the book from the middling grade I’ve awarded it. The best part of the novel is the friendship Ms. Hunter has created between the three dukes, which is full of bonhomie and manly teasing, but which, when push comes to shove, is the sort of bond which would see each man do absolutely anything for the other two.
As one would expect of such an experienced author, the writing flows easily, although I could have done without lines like “… she screamed into the night while her moisture flowed.” Just – no.
Uneven pacing, unmemorable characters and a romance that lacked even the smallest of sparks meant A Devil of a Duke proved to be a devil of a struggle to get through – and I can’t recommend it.
In A Devil of a Duke, the second book in Madeline Hunter’s Decadent Dukes Society series, attention turns to the roguish, devilishly handsome ladies’ man Gabriel St. James, Duke of Langdon, who is inadvertently entangled in the hunt for a thief and blackmailer when he becomes intent on the seduction of a young woman he encounters at a masked ball. The premise is intriguing and while cross-class romances can be difficult to pull off, Ms. Hunter has done so before and I had confidence she would do so here – but while I’ve enjoyed a number of her books, this one just didn’t work for me. For one thing, I’m suffering slightly from ‘duke fatigue’ – it seems that nine out of ten historical romance heroes these days are dukes and it’s something of an understatement when I say that I’m getting just a little bit tired of them – and for another, the story simply failed to draw me in and hold my attention. The pacing, especially in the first half, is very slow, there is hardly any chemistry or emotional connection between the principals and their relationship is based entirely on physical attraction, and never goes beyond that.
Amanda Waverly is something of an oddity – a female secretary. Employed by the eccentric Lady Farnsworth at a time when even ladies were supposed to have male secretaries, Amanda has worked for the lady for five months and has proved herself to be extremely competent and able to handle whatever task she is assigned. But Amanda is living a lie. The daughter of jewel thieves, Amanda’s father abandoned her and her mother some years ago after a job-gone-wrong, and not long after that, her mother left after enrolling Amanda in a good school. Now, Mrs. Waverly has fallen into the hands of a man who is blackmailing Amanda into pulling jobs for him in order to guarantee her mother’s safety. His latest demand is that Amanda must steal an item of great value from the home of Sir Malcolm Nutley, which is located not too far from the British Museum. The house is very securely closed up and gaining entry is going to be difficult – but Amanda cannot bear the thought of letting her mother come to harm, so over the next couple of days, she conceives a daring plan. Learning that the house next door to Sir Malcolm’s is owned by the younger brother of the Duke of Langdon, she determines to seduce the young man and then to break in to the house next door by means of a second-floor window at the side while he lies sated and asleep in bed. The trouble is, that when Amanda tries to get close to Lord Harry St. James at a masked ball, he is unresponsive and obviously uncomfortable with her interest and attempts at flirtation – and it’s the other St. James brother with whom she finds herself on the darkened terrace.
Gabriel St. James is a somewhat stereotypical hero; rich, handsome and charming, he’s cut a dash through the beds of half the females in London, and is starting to find his rather carefree lifestyle a bit on the dull side. But he is immediately intrigued by the masked shepherdess who had so clearly been trying to ingratiate herself with his brother, and determines to find out more. Her speech and quick wit indicate she is well-educated and while not of the ton, is unlikely to be a member of the demimonde; and her obvious spirit and lack of reverence for his station pique his pride, his interest, and his lust. Stealing a kiss from the woman does nothing to quench his desire, and he suggests an assignation the following evening… at his brother’s house.
That is, of course, exactly what Amanda had been angling for, but she is unprepared for the intensity of the desire Langdon stirs deep inside her, and can’t help regretting that her scheme requires her to forego the sensual pleasure she has no doubt she would find in his arms.
The first part of the story is, as I said before, rather slow to unfold as Amanda practices her deception on Langdon while at the same time being unable to resist him. However, when his brother – a studious young man – informs him of a theft of an extremely valuable ancient artefact from the British Museum and the even more recent theft of something similar from the house next door to his, Langdon begins to put the pieces of the puzzle together and is, of course, furious when he realises he has been duped. While I would normally be praising an author for taking the time to develop the romance in her story, here, I just wanted things to get moving in terms of the plot. In spite of Amanda’s unusual upbringing, she’s not a particularly interesting character, and I wasn’t impressed by the way she so often ignores her own good advice and instincts. She decides to meet Langton against her better judgement; she decides to go to bed with him against her better judgement but hey, his reputation means he must know how to show a girl a good time, so why not? Langdon is your typical man-whore who is felled by love – or so we’re told, but I never felt it. For sure, he wants to help Amanda when he discovers the truth and really goes out on a limb for her – but even so, I never believed he was doing it all out of love. In fact, even the insta-lust is barely felt and there is no element of sexual tension present at all. Quite honestly, I didn’t care for either protagonist, and not connecting with the hero and heroine is the death-knell to any romance. The lack of chemistry between them just compounds the book’s flaws and made it extremely easy to walk away from.
The second half of the story, in which Amanda and Langdon work together to discover who is behind the blackmail and to rescue Amanda’s mother, proceeds at a much livelier pace and is far more engaging, but it comes too late to save the book from the middling grade I’ve awarded it. The best part of the novel is the friendship Ms. Hunter has created between the three dukes, which is full of bonhomie and manly teasing, but which, when push comes to shove, is the sort of bond which would see each man do absolutely anything for the other two.
As one would expect of such an experienced author, the writing flows easily, although I could have done without lines like “… she screamed into the night while her moisture flowed.” Just – no.
Uneven pacing, unmemorable characters and a romance that lacked even the smallest of sparks meant A Devil of a Duke proved to be a devil of a struggle to get through – and I can’t recommend it.
May 1, 2018
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
After her father is caught for thievery and she begins to question why they steal, Amanda's mother places her in a finishing school. Ten years later Amanda lives a respectable life and even has secured a job as a secretary but her past comes storming back. She is blackmailed to steal certain items or her mother being held prisoner will face the noose.
After a journal article somewhat ambiguously calls him out, Gabriel decides to use his Duke status to champion a bill and maybe slow down on his decadent lifestyle. When he meets a mysterious woman who challenges him, he finally sees the advantage to having one woman.
Blackmail, lies, class differences, and love will challenge this couple.
One Amanda sat with fine ladies and agreed to help them with a journal.
The other Amanda intended to allow a man to seduce her in order to have the opportunity to commit a crime that could get her hanged.
Second in the Decadent Dukes Society series, the Duke of Langford, Gabriel, is up for his turn at love. His two friends appear alongside him and with glimpses of the couple from the first in the series, you could comfortably start here without feeling lost. I felt like Gabriel was the least flushed out of the two. He's a duke, as we are reminded with a couple Your Graces here and there, he liked to flaunt his mistresses around as a couple people mention, and he likes to look out for his brother. It felt like a solid character pencil sketch but he never got colored in for me. Our heroine Amanda has a bit more life to her as we delve a bit deeper into her life and the mystery/danger plot springs from her family's thievery past. Amanda seems like a strong level headed woman but she too often falls into the "he makes me hot so I will go against every level headed thought I have previously had".
The story jumps into it right away; to the point I felt a little left behind because we hadn't had a proper introduction to the characters yet. I gained a better footing as I got deeper in the pages and while I wouldn't call the pace slow, it is more gradual which I would put on the mystery/danger plot of being a bit weaker. Amanda is stealing items to protect her mother but then suddenly decides to take action against the blackmailer, the whole plot felt dragged on and then messily sped up when they got to the last item.
In the beginning, I enjoyed how Amanda and Gabriel talked, had conversations with one another but as I started to get into them knowing and playing off one another, the lust bug invaded; their first sex scene felt very abrupt. Without feeling like I ever knew or felt connected to the two leads, I had a hard time becoming absorbed into their romance and their chemistry was fairly weak.
The writing is good, the strong female relationships shown was a delight, and the way the three duke friends interacted was pleasant to read about but the pencil sketch without color filling it out, ultimately, left this feeling fairly dull. However, the next duke in line has a very dark and broody feel to him that will have me continuing with the series.
"I think I will be forever changed because I knew you."
After her father is caught for thievery and she begins to question why they steal, Amanda's mother places her in a finishing school. Ten years later Amanda lives a respectable life and even has secured a job as a secretary but her past comes storming back. She is blackmailed to steal certain items or her mother being held prisoner will face the noose.
After a journal article somewhat ambiguously calls him out, Gabriel decides to use his Duke status to champion a bill and maybe slow down on his decadent lifestyle. When he meets a mysterious woman who challenges him, he finally sees the advantage to having one woman.
Blackmail, lies, class differences, and love will challenge this couple.
One Amanda sat with fine ladies and agreed to help them with a journal.
The other Amanda intended to allow a man to seduce her in order to have the opportunity to commit a crime that could get her hanged.
Second in the Decadent Dukes Society series, the Duke of Langford, Gabriel, is up for his turn at love. His two friends appear alongside him and with glimpses of the couple from the first in the series, you could comfortably start here without feeling lost. I felt like Gabriel was the least flushed out of the two. He's a duke, as we are reminded with a couple Your Graces here and there, he liked to flaunt his mistresses around as a couple people mention, and he likes to look out for his brother. It felt like a solid character pencil sketch but he never got colored in for me. Our heroine Amanda has a bit more life to her as we delve a bit deeper into her life and the mystery/danger plot springs from her family's thievery past. Amanda seems like a strong level headed woman but she too often falls into the "he makes me hot so I will go against every level headed thought I have previously had".
The story jumps into it right away; to the point I felt a little left behind because we hadn't had a proper introduction to the characters yet. I gained a better footing as I got deeper in the pages and while I wouldn't call the pace slow, it is more gradual which I would put on the mystery/danger plot of being a bit weaker. Amanda is stealing items to protect her mother but then suddenly decides to take action against the blackmailer, the whole plot felt dragged on and then messily sped up when they got to the last item.
In the beginning, I enjoyed how Amanda and Gabriel talked, had conversations with one another but as I started to get into them knowing and playing off one another, the lust bug invaded; their first sex scene felt very abrupt. Without feeling like I ever knew or felt connected to the two leads, I had a hard time becoming absorbed into their romance and their chemistry was fairly weak.
The writing is good, the strong female relationships shown was a delight, and the way the three duke friends interacted was pleasant to read about but the pencil sketch without color filling it out, ultimately, left this feeling fairly dull. However, the next duke in line has a very dark and broody feel to him that will have me continuing with the series.
"I think I will be forever changed because I knew you."
May 7, 2018
As we reached our teen years, we all probably tried to rebel against our “raisings” and to reinvent ourselves; but not to the degree of Amanda Waverly in A Devil of a Duke.
Amanda was raised and trained by her parents to be a thief of high-end objects. But now, having completely rejected her background; Amanda has been reluctantly forced by circumstance to re-visit her past. She is now the unusual but respected private secretary to Lady Farnsworth by day and a reluctant thief by night.
What Amanda has not counted on is her friendship with her employer Lady Farnsworth and the other women publishing Parnassus, a journal for women. What Amanda has really not counted on is her encounters with Gabriel St. James, the Duke of Langford, a charter member of the Decadent Dukes Club. Never giving her name, using him shamelessly at first to commit a theft and then passionately as her lover, the Duke is lured into her web of deceit and love.
St James is the typical Regency novel man-ho and Waverly is the typical Regency woman who doesn’t care. In spite of this annoying but standard trope, both Amanda and St. James are likeable. Hunter has given St James more depth than usual, shown by his love for his brother, the steadfast friendship with the other two Dukes and his willingness to help Amanda. Aiding Amanda strongly goes against his sense of honor as a Duke.
The independent Amanda carries off her double life with verve and courage. Many of the other characters are featured in The Most Dangerous Duke in London, and their return is welcome both for their warmth and support of each other and women in general.
It’s easy to see that I think Madeline Hunter writes charming characters, even the rogues and criminals. The writing is smooth and does well evoking a time period that so many writers and readers enjoy visiting. Humor, sadness, and passion are to be found in this book that deftly manages to mix romance and mystery
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review
Amanda was raised and trained by her parents to be a thief of high-end objects. But now, having completely rejected her background; Amanda has been reluctantly forced by circumstance to re-visit her past. She is now the unusual but respected private secretary to Lady Farnsworth by day and a reluctant thief by night.
What Amanda has not counted on is her friendship with her employer Lady Farnsworth and the other women publishing Parnassus, a journal for women. What Amanda has really not counted on is her encounters with Gabriel St. James, the Duke of Langford, a charter member of the Decadent Dukes Club. Never giving her name, using him shamelessly at first to commit a theft and then passionately as her lover, the Duke is lured into her web of deceit and love.
St James is the typical Regency novel man-ho and Waverly is the typical Regency woman who doesn’t care. In spite of this annoying but standard trope, both Amanda and St. James are likeable. Hunter has given St James more depth than usual, shown by his love for his brother, the steadfast friendship with the other two Dukes and his willingness to help Amanda. Aiding Amanda strongly goes against his sense of honor as a Duke.
The independent Amanda carries off her double life with verve and courage. Many of the other characters are featured in The Most Dangerous Duke in London, and their return is welcome both for their warmth and support of each other and women in general.
It’s easy to see that I think Madeline Hunter writes charming characters, even the rogues and criminals. The writing is smooth and does well evoking a time period that so many writers and readers enjoy visiting. Humor, sadness, and passion are to be found in this book that deftly manages to mix romance and mystery
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review
April 6, 2018
Yet another well-written, formulaic Hunter HR. I got this as an ARC from the Amazon Vine program or I might not have read it at all since the formula is beginning to wear on me, even though I had been a Madeline Hunter fan for years. There's such a predictability about her romances that I'm starting to think she just takes an existing outline she always uses and inserts the new characters with some slight variations from the previous ones (new names, color of hair or eyes, etc.), and the new mystery with its slight variations from the previous novels' mysteries, and, voila!...we have a new Madeline Hunter HR.
What can one always find in these Hunter HRs? Well, to begin with, each series has a group of male friends, at least one of whom is a duke, but all of whom have "wicked" or "decadent" reputations. They are rich, entitled, somewhat scandalous, womanizing, privileged, but charming, and experts in sex and seduction. They can also sometimes be a bit patronizing or paternalistic in their sexual or romantic relationships.
And they are paired with a woman who is either sexually inexperienced or of limited sexual experience, but...but...she has a mystery in her background and her present behavior intrigues him. She's a thief in this one. In previous books the heroine has been a counterfeiter of works of art, a possible spy, possibly involved in the illegal acquisition of works of art, etc., etc.
In all the novels the H seduces the h or they seduce each other early on in the story, but neither one believes that this relationship will last forever. After all, she's not in his league and she may even be involved in illegal or scandalous activities.
And what else do we always find? Well, the lovely bromances of all these handsome, rich guys in each series. Their bonds of friendship are always strong and can be rather humorous and charming, but, after so many of these handsome, rich, studly guys in so many series (The Rarest Blooms, the Fairbourne Quartet, the Wicked Trilogy, and now this Decadent Dukes series, to name a few), the charm is wearing off for me.
I will admit that the women in the Hunter novels are not usually doormats, yet they are not anachronistically overly feminist, so kudos to the author for that. And the womanizing, wicked/decadent/rakish hero meets his match in her and bonds with her for life. It's even better than the love lives of swans, beavers, gibbons or barn owls, this mating for life of a reformed womanizer. Way to go, Hunter hero.
What can one always find in these Hunter HRs? Well, to begin with, each series has a group of male friends, at least one of whom is a duke, but all of whom have "wicked" or "decadent" reputations. They are rich, entitled, somewhat scandalous, womanizing, privileged, but charming, and experts in sex and seduction. They can also sometimes be a bit patronizing or paternalistic in their sexual or romantic relationships.
And they are paired with a woman who is either sexually inexperienced or of limited sexual experience, but...but...she has a mystery in her background and her present behavior intrigues him. She's a thief in this one. In previous books the heroine has been a counterfeiter of works of art, a possible spy, possibly involved in the illegal acquisition of works of art, etc., etc.
In all the novels the H seduces the h or they seduce each other early on in the story, but neither one believes that this relationship will last forever. After all, she's not in his league and she may even be involved in illegal or scandalous activities.
And what else do we always find? Well, the lovely bromances of all these handsome, rich guys in each series. Their bonds of friendship are always strong and can be rather humorous and charming, but, after so many of these handsome, rich, studly guys in so many series (The Rarest Blooms, the Fairbourne Quartet, the Wicked Trilogy, and now this Decadent Dukes series, to name a few), the charm is wearing off for me.
I will admit that the women in the Hunter novels are not usually doormats, yet they are not anachronistically overly feminist, so kudos to the author for that. And the womanizing, wicked/decadent/rakish hero meets his match in her and bonds with her for life. It's even better than the love lives of swans, beavers, gibbons or barn owls, this mating for life of a reformed womanizer. Way to go, Hunter hero.
April 3, 2018
A Devil of a Duke was a fantastic romance between two people from vastly different circumstances with a bit of an intriguing mystery thrown in.
Amanda Waverly is simply trying to survive one day to the next while trying to find a way to save her mother from her current circumstances. By day she is an efficient secretary to Lady Farnsworth whereas her nights tend to be a bit more on the illegal side. When Gabriel St. James the Duke of Langford foils one of her plans, she's irritated with the man despite her attraction. After Amanda and Gabriel unexpectedly grow closer, he learns of her criminal undertakings putting a strain on their relationship. As they race to save her mother in time, Gabriel and Amanda will have to decide if their love is worth risking everything for.
Amanda grew up knowing her parents were thieves and that she was expected to join the family business. While she easily accomplished everything her parents trained her in, she found herself questioning the morality of what they were doing and began to refuse to help. Soon after she found herself left at a school for girls to receive an education to become a fine lady. Despite the fact she hasn't seen her mother in ten years, she cannot help but try and save her forcing her to pick up her old skills. Amanda struggles with being forced back into the criminal life and worries how it will change her.
Gabriel inherited his title at the age of twenty-three, earlier than most of his peers, and spent several years shunning his responsibilities. Gabriel is known throughout the ton for the speed at which he goes through women and his lack of discretion. After an unflattering article appears about him, he sets out to take on a larger role in the House of Lords and even sponsors a bill designed to fix the current prison system. While he would deny he's changed, it becomes clear that Gabriel does care about how others view him and he does not want to disparage his title any longer.
Amanda and Gabriel's relationship was a bit unique in that one was a criminal and one was an upstanding member of high society. I thought it was an interesting choice for the heroine to be the criminal and enjoyed the dynamic it created between Amanda and Gabriel. While they both struggle with Amanda's criminal dealings it thankfully never affected their relationship too badly. I appreciated that the author didn't drag out their disagreement and made it clear that they still cared for one another despite the circumstances. Amanda and Gabriel's physical relationship is quite passionate from the start and I enjoyed the buildup to them finally sleeping together. When it does happen, it's incredibly sexy and fits their relationship very well.
The mystery of who is blackmailing Amanda and holding her mother captive was a good one. It takes time for the characters to put everything together and I liked that the answer didn't just come out of nowhere. The resolution to the blackmailing did feel like a bit of a letdown but it logically made sense for things to turn out the way they did. I enjoyed seeing the remaining two Decadent Dukes return to help out Gabriel as their friendship is wonderful. We also see the return of Clara, Althea and the other women of the Parnassus, Clara's women's journal. I enjoyed the friendship Amanda struck up with these women and I particularly enjoyed her relationship with Lady Farnsworth.
A Devil of a Duke was a fun and entertaining read from start to finish and I really enjoyed the romance between Amanda and Gabriel. I would definitely recommend this series and I'm looking forward to the release of the next book in the series.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
Amanda Waverly is simply trying to survive one day to the next while trying to find a way to save her mother from her current circumstances. By day she is an efficient secretary to Lady Farnsworth whereas her nights tend to be a bit more on the illegal side. When Gabriel St. James the Duke of Langford foils one of her plans, she's irritated with the man despite her attraction. After Amanda and Gabriel unexpectedly grow closer, he learns of her criminal undertakings putting a strain on their relationship. As they race to save her mother in time, Gabriel and Amanda will have to decide if their love is worth risking everything for.
Amanda grew up knowing her parents were thieves and that she was expected to join the family business. While she easily accomplished everything her parents trained her in, she found herself questioning the morality of what they were doing and began to refuse to help. Soon after she found herself left at a school for girls to receive an education to become a fine lady. Despite the fact she hasn't seen her mother in ten years, she cannot help but try and save her forcing her to pick up her old skills. Amanda struggles with being forced back into the criminal life and worries how it will change her.
Gabriel inherited his title at the age of twenty-three, earlier than most of his peers, and spent several years shunning his responsibilities. Gabriel is known throughout the ton for the speed at which he goes through women and his lack of discretion. After an unflattering article appears about him, he sets out to take on a larger role in the House of Lords and even sponsors a bill designed to fix the current prison system. While he would deny he's changed, it becomes clear that Gabriel does care about how others view him and he does not want to disparage his title any longer.
Amanda and Gabriel's relationship was a bit unique in that one was a criminal and one was an upstanding member of high society. I thought it was an interesting choice for the heroine to be the criminal and enjoyed the dynamic it created between Amanda and Gabriel. While they both struggle with Amanda's criminal dealings it thankfully never affected their relationship too badly. I appreciated that the author didn't drag out their disagreement and made it clear that they still cared for one another despite the circumstances. Amanda and Gabriel's physical relationship is quite passionate from the start and I enjoyed the buildup to them finally sleeping together. When it does happen, it's incredibly sexy and fits their relationship very well.
The mystery of who is blackmailing Amanda and holding her mother captive was a good one. It takes time for the characters to put everything together and I liked that the answer didn't just come out of nowhere. The resolution to the blackmailing did feel like a bit of a letdown but it logically made sense for things to turn out the way they did. I enjoyed seeing the remaining two Decadent Dukes return to help out Gabriel as their friendship is wonderful. We also see the return of Clara, Althea and the other women of the Parnassus, Clara's women's journal. I enjoyed the friendship Amanda struck up with these women and I particularly enjoyed her relationship with Lady Farnsworth.
A Devil of a Duke was a fun and entertaining read from start to finish and I really enjoyed the romance between Amanda and Gabriel. I would definitely recommend this series and I'm looking forward to the release of the next book in the series.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
July 30, 2018
3.5/5. The heroine, Amanda Waverly, is earning an honest albeit unusual living as the secretary to an eccentric but well respected lady. Unfortunately, not all her dealings are honest and upright. She has secrets aplenty, not least of which involves her moonlighting as a highly skillful thief to obtain antique pieces for an unknown person, who holds her somewhat estranged mother hostage. Her latest task leads her to the house next door to that of the younger brother of the Duke of Langford. She tries her female wiles on the freshly broken-hearted young man only to have her flirtations thwarted by the protective older brother, Gabriel St. James. Amanda is resourceful and adaptable if anything and soon switches target, once she realises that she has better chance of succeeding in her mission by seducing the duke. She just didn't count on Gabriel having plenty of potent wiles of his own to entrap her.
Both characters are likeable and the plot was entertaining enough, but I just wasn't fully engaged. The dialogue between the main characters did not sizzle and in fact the banter between Gabriel and his friends was more fun to read. MH has written better than this.
Both characters are likeable and the plot was entertaining enough, but I just wasn't fully engaged. The dialogue between the main characters did not sizzle and in fact the banter between Gabriel and his friends was more fun to read. MH has written better than this.
April 22, 2018
5 helms
Please follow me on my blog :) Review originally posted on Vellum Voyages (www.vellumvoyages.com)
What a decadent romance! My goodness! I loved it! I was so swept up with Amanda and Gabriel I could not stop thinking about them! This was my first Madeline Hunter novel....I've always heard good things but never had a chance to read her till now...very impressed :)
Amanda Waverly is currently leading a double life....By day, a respectable secretary to the eccentric widow, Lady Farnsworth and by night, a thief involved in illegal activity in hopes of freeing her mother. Gabriel St. James, the Duke of Langford is temptation incarnate, reckless, has a wicked reputation around town and is not shy about it.
Amanda encounters Gabriel at a masked ball and realises he is her only way to acquire her next object so she allows herself to indulge in the temptation of Gabriel while she plots her next move. She is entranced by him and he is enraptured by her but he still doesn't know her name or who she is...She is the enigma that plagues him until he figures out who she is and what she means to him.....
Wow what a read....I really am quite impressed by Madeline Hunter's charming H/h and the cast of secondary characters too! Amanda and Gabriel are quite a unique couple as you really have them at opposite ends of the spectrum in their social standing and throughout the entire book I was like HOW ARE THESE TWO GOING TO WORK IT OUT!?! I was quite stressed and emotional actually haha...Luckily for me, as the reader, I knew this was a romance and it would end well, but placing myself in Amanda's shoes, I just couldn't imagine what she was going through! (hahaha see I told you I was really caught up in this :P )
Amanda is clever, quick-witted and quite a lovely heroine. She is also a bit of a mystery at the start even to us as readers, which really increases her appeal. I thoroughly enjoyed Amanda, her personality and her uniqueness...I also really liked how Amanda was always so real about her situation and social standing when it came to Gabriel. She definitely was not a gold digger and never expected anything more than a fleeting friendship from him towards the end. And, when he finally did propose and take her by surprise, I found this scene so touching .
Gabriel is very cute too and oh so lovable as a match for Amanda! His stoic acceptance of her reasons for her thieving ways is surprising but commendable...Never once did I feel like this situation sounded absurd...Their relationship and camaraderie with one other were lovely and I really enjoyed seeing their growth and passion as a couple.
If you aren't convinced enough, here are some other points I liked about the book:
1) The heroine is not a virgin (hooray for some variation in the HR genre!)
2) The trio of Decadent Dukes and their friendship is to die for and their hilarious playfulness and banter with each other is just too cute! #frienshipgoals #bromance
3) Madeline Hunter's mastery of the historical genre is spot on really really well done!
4) The banter! Oh, the banter! The H/h, the friends, the secondary characters everyone just had some witty comment or comeback and it just made me grin stupidly most of the time...it was just too good!
5) The menagerie of secondary characters...everyone was charming especially Amanda's employer Lady Farnsworth! She was my absolute favourite...
This can be read as a stand alone as I haven't read the first in series either!
Read it! Read it NOW! Beg, Borrow or Steal hahaha THAT WAS A JOKE! But seriously it's that good! I'm gonna go back and read the first one in the series so that I can wait impatiently for Brentworth's story :D He is soooo mysterious!
*Thank-you Madeline Hunter, Netgalley & Zebra Kensington Books for the ARC.
Please follow me on my blog :) Review originally posted on Vellum Voyages (www.vellumvoyages.com)
What a decadent romance! My goodness! I loved it! I was so swept up with Amanda and Gabriel I could not stop thinking about them! This was my first Madeline Hunter novel....I've always heard good things but never had a chance to read her till now...very impressed :)
Amanda Waverly is currently leading a double life....By day, a respectable secretary to the eccentric widow, Lady Farnsworth and by night, a thief involved in illegal activity in hopes of freeing her mother. Gabriel St. James, the Duke of Langford is temptation incarnate, reckless, has a wicked reputation around town and is not shy about it.
Amanda encounters Gabriel at a masked ball and realises he is her only way to acquire her next object so she allows herself to indulge in the temptation of Gabriel while she plots her next move. She is entranced by him and he is enraptured by her but he still doesn't know her name or who she is...She is the enigma that plagues him until he figures out who she is and what she means to him.....
Wow what a read....I really am quite impressed by Madeline Hunter's charming H/h and the cast of secondary characters too! Amanda and Gabriel are quite a unique couple as you really have them at opposite ends of the spectrum in their social standing and throughout the entire book I was like HOW ARE THESE TWO GOING TO WORK IT OUT!?! I was quite stressed and emotional actually haha...Luckily for me, as the reader, I knew this was a romance and it would end well, but placing myself in Amanda's shoes, I just couldn't imagine what she was going through! (hahaha see I told you I was really caught up in this :P )
Amanda is clever, quick-witted and quite a lovely heroine. She is also a bit of a mystery at the start even to us as readers, which really increases her appeal. I thoroughly enjoyed Amanda, her personality and her uniqueness...I also really liked how Amanda was always so real about her situation and social standing when it came to Gabriel. She definitely was not a gold digger and never expected anything more than a fleeting friendship from him towards the end. And, when he finally did propose and take her by surprise, I found this scene so touching .
Gabriel is very cute too and oh so lovable as a match for Amanda! His stoic acceptance of her reasons for her thieving ways is surprising but commendable...Never once did I feel like this situation sounded absurd...Their relationship and camaraderie with one other were lovely and I really enjoyed seeing their growth and passion as a couple.
If you aren't convinced enough, here are some other points I liked about the book:
1) The heroine is not a virgin (hooray for some variation in the HR genre!)
2) The trio of Decadent Dukes and their friendship is to die for and their hilarious playfulness and banter with each other is just too cute! #frienshipgoals #bromance
3) Madeline Hunter's mastery of the historical genre is spot on really really well done!
4) The banter! Oh, the banter! The H/h, the friends, the secondary characters everyone just had some witty comment or comeback and it just made me grin stupidly most of the time...it was just too good!
5) The menagerie of secondary characters...everyone was charming especially Amanda's employer Lady Farnsworth! She was my absolute favourite...
This can be read as a stand alone as I haven't read the first in series either!
Read it! Read it NOW! Beg, Borrow or Steal hahaha THAT WAS A JOKE! But seriously it's that good! I'm gonna go back and read the first one in the series so that I can wait impatiently for Brentworth's story :D He is soooo mysterious!
*Thank-you Madeline Hunter, Netgalley & Zebra Kensington Books for the ARC.
April 29, 2023
3.5 stars. Not a bad read, although I didn't really buy into the HEA considering the huge class difference between Gabriel and Amanda.
Still, I enjoyed the way their love for each other gradually developed, and overall it was an enjoyable read. Not my fav series by Ms Hunter, though.
Still, I enjoyed the way their love for each other gradually developed, and overall it was an enjoyable read. Not my fav series by Ms Hunter, though.
December 29, 2023
The mystery in the second half really dragged for me. They took days to travel to the destination where her mother was held captive. I suppose this allowed the H/h to develop their relationship. I don't know. I was losing interest and wanted the book to end.
April 26, 2018
A Devil of a Duke by Madeline Hunter is book Two in the Decadent Dukes Society series. This is the story of Gabriel St. James, Duke of Langford and Amanda Waverly. I have read the previous book but feel this can easily be a standalone book.
Amanda was born into a family of thieves and was taught the trade but around 12 years old her mother realized that her daughter Amanda didn't want that life of thieving and would only hold them back. So she send Amanda off to school...there she was educated and became a ladies companion. Then Amanda went on to become a secretary for a eccentric women who also introduced her to other women to help. But her past comes back to her in the form of her mother being held against her will and Amanda has to gather certain items to send as ransom to set her mother free.
Gabriel doesn't bother with the town nor what they say about him but when a story comes out about how he is not concerned of the welfare of his people and careless of the title he moves forward to do better.
Gabriel and Amanda have instant attraction but Amanda is living a double life to maintain her day job and to steal the items to satisfy the ransom.
I loved reading their story.
Amanda was born into a family of thieves and was taught the trade but around 12 years old her mother realized that her daughter Amanda didn't want that life of thieving and would only hold them back. So she send Amanda off to school...there she was educated and became a ladies companion. Then Amanda went on to become a secretary for a eccentric women who also introduced her to other women to help. But her past comes back to her in the form of her mother being held against her will and Amanda has to gather certain items to send as ransom to set her mother free.
Gabriel doesn't bother with the town nor what they say about him but when a story comes out about how he is not concerned of the welfare of his people and careless of the title he moves forward to do better.
Gabriel and Amanda have instant attraction but Amanda is living a double life to maintain her day job and to steal the items to satisfy the ransom.
I loved reading their story.
May 29, 2018
I forgot to review this?? Sorry....
I love Madeline Hunter, but this one - while having a great plot - wasn't as good as the previous one. I guess it just didn't have as much chemistry as I hope it would. Though, still, a Madeline Hunter is always a great event.
I love Madeline Hunter, but this one - while having a great plot - wasn't as good as the previous one. I guess it just didn't have as much chemistry as I hope it would. Though, still, a Madeline Hunter is always a great event.
April 23, 2018
Series: Decadent Dukes Society #2
Publication Date: 4/24/18
** Rating 3.5 stars rounded up **
The writing in this book is excellent and while it is part of a series, it can totally be read as a stand-alone book. I liked all of the characters in the book, but I especially liked the Decadent Dukes as well as the hero and heroine. The premise of the book is a good one and it is unique – which is a good thing when so many stories are just different versions of the same premise. However, what I couldn’t buy was a marriage between a rich and powerful duke and the daughter of a pair of thieves. I like the idea, but for that period of time, it just isn’t something I could buy. Yes, the author did mention that he’d still be accepted by society but she’d be cut. It doesn’t mention any care and/or concern for their children’s future in society and how they’d be treated. I don’t know – if her parents were still thieves, but she was the granddaughter of an earl or viscount or baron or something, then maybe I could buy it. I guess overall it just felt more like modern mores rather than 1800’s.
Gabriel St. James, Duke of Langford, is a rake of the first order and he is convinced that he doesn’t care what society thinks of him. However, that isn’t necessarily true because an article was written about him a year ago – and it really rankles. It accused him of not caring about his duties and responsibilities, etc. While it didn’t name him directly, he knew it was definitely about him. So, he had been doing a bit of clean-up in his life – he’d even started attending sessions of Parliament more and there were a couple of bills that he’d even become impassioned about. He was still a rake – but he was doing better – and he probably did care at least a little about what society thought of him.
Amanda Waverly thought she was free from her former life. Her parents were thieves and they had taught her all of those skills as a child– lock-picking, stealth, pick-pocketing, high work, etc., but she had rebelled at a very young age. She wanted no part of that life. Once her mother recognized that she wanted no part of the life and that she would be more of a hindrance than a help, she sent Amanda off to a very good school. Amanda had little contact with her mother from that point (about age twelve) forward. After she was through with school, she worked as a companion to a couple of ladies in the country before coming to London getting a position as secretary (a man’s position) to an eccentric older lady. She was exceedingly successful in her position and her employer introduced her to her ladies society and asked her to take on some secretarial duties for them as well.
Life rarely goes smoothly for a long period of time – and Amanda’s was certainly no exception. Her past stepped in to exact a high price from her. Her mother is being held prisoner and her life is in danger if Amanda doesn’t procure (read that as steal) certain objects and forward them to the person holding her mother hostage. While they haven’t been close – she is Amanda’s mother – so Amanda does as she is told. She’s successfully liberated one item – her next one may be a little trickier.
In order to liberate the second item, she needs access to the house next door to the home where the item resides. Her best option is to seduce (or appear to) the owner of the home, but she is thoroughly thwarted when she tries to do that. The owner’s brother steps in and he is the smooth, seductive, devastatingly handsome Gabriel St. James. He propositions her with an assignation and she creatively gets him to set the assignation at the home of his brother.
That sets up a wild ride of a story. Amanda fascinates Gabriel for so many reasons – most of them centering around the fact that she is totally unimpressed that he is a duke. She sets rules for the assignations that preclude any intimacies – and he can’t believe he agrees to them. He is obsessed with her and he doesn’t even know her name. How can he find her? How can he make her want him as much as he wants her? I like that it takes place over a longer period of time.
I really like that the heroine is strong – definitely NOT a doormat. She takes her future into her own hands and sets her plan in action. The Duke and his buddies interfere, but she still doesn’t end up blubbering – she just amends her plan, includes the Duke and off they go.
I thought the resolution was just a tad too quick and easy – and the bad guys really didn’t get any punishment at all. I always like to see the villains punished.
Overall, I thought the writing was excellent and the story was unique and enjoyable – it just thought it was a bit too far-fetched.
Please check out my reviews at:
Blog: https://flippinpages.blog/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/flippinpages...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlippinPagesRev
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarbBookReview
"I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."
Publication Date: 4/24/18
** Rating 3.5 stars rounded up **
The writing in this book is excellent and while it is part of a series, it can totally be read as a stand-alone book. I liked all of the characters in the book, but I especially liked the Decadent Dukes as well as the hero and heroine. The premise of the book is a good one and it is unique – which is a good thing when so many stories are just different versions of the same premise. However, what I couldn’t buy was a marriage between a rich and powerful duke and the daughter of a pair of thieves. I like the idea, but for that period of time, it just isn’t something I could buy. Yes, the author did mention that he’d still be accepted by society but she’d be cut. It doesn’t mention any care and/or concern for their children’s future in society and how they’d be treated. I don’t know – if her parents were still thieves, but she was the granddaughter of an earl or viscount or baron or something, then maybe I could buy it. I guess overall it just felt more like modern mores rather than 1800’s.
Gabriel St. James, Duke of Langford, is a rake of the first order and he is convinced that he doesn’t care what society thinks of him. However, that isn’t necessarily true because an article was written about him a year ago – and it really rankles. It accused him of not caring about his duties and responsibilities, etc. While it didn’t name him directly, he knew it was definitely about him. So, he had been doing a bit of clean-up in his life – he’d even started attending sessions of Parliament more and there were a couple of bills that he’d even become impassioned about. He was still a rake – but he was doing better – and he probably did care at least a little about what society thought of him.
Amanda Waverly thought she was free from her former life. Her parents were thieves and they had taught her all of those skills as a child– lock-picking, stealth, pick-pocketing, high work, etc., but she had rebelled at a very young age. She wanted no part of that life. Once her mother recognized that she wanted no part of the life and that she would be more of a hindrance than a help, she sent Amanda off to a very good school. Amanda had little contact with her mother from that point (about age twelve) forward. After she was through with school, she worked as a companion to a couple of ladies in the country before coming to London getting a position as secretary (a man’s position) to an eccentric older lady. She was exceedingly successful in her position and her employer introduced her to her ladies society and asked her to take on some secretarial duties for them as well.
Life rarely goes smoothly for a long period of time – and Amanda’s was certainly no exception. Her past stepped in to exact a high price from her. Her mother is being held prisoner and her life is in danger if Amanda doesn’t procure (read that as steal) certain objects and forward them to the person holding her mother hostage. While they haven’t been close – she is Amanda’s mother – so Amanda does as she is told. She’s successfully liberated one item – her next one may be a little trickier.
In order to liberate the second item, she needs access to the house next door to the home where the item resides. Her best option is to seduce (or appear to) the owner of the home, but she is thoroughly thwarted when she tries to do that. The owner’s brother steps in and he is the smooth, seductive, devastatingly handsome Gabriel St. James. He propositions her with an assignation and she creatively gets him to set the assignation at the home of his brother.
That sets up a wild ride of a story. Amanda fascinates Gabriel for so many reasons – most of them centering around the fact that she is totally unimpressed that he is a duke. She sets rules for the assignations that preclude any intimacies – and he can’t believe he agrees to them. He is obsessed with her and he doesn’t even know her name. How can he find her? How can he make her want him as much as he wants her? I like that it takes place over a longer period of time.
I really like that the heroine is strong – definitely NOT a doormat. She takes her future into her own hands and sets her plan in action. The Duke and his buddies interfere, but she still doesn’t end up blubbering – she just amends her plan, includes the Duke and off they go.
I thought the resolution was just a tad too quick and easy – and the bad guys really didn’t get any punishment at all. I always like to see the villains punished.
Overall, I thought the writing was excellent and the story was unique and enjoyable – it just thought it was a bit too far-fetched.
Please check out my reviews at:
Blog: https://flippinpages.blog/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/flippinpages...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlippinPagesRev
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarbBookReview
"I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."
May 21, 2020
Adorei esta história! Diferente do que estamos habituadas! Um duque e uma ladra 😂 muito giro. O decadente duque sucumbiu finalmente ao amor 🥰. A personagem feminina é diferente do que estamos habituadas o que dá um toque diferente ao enredo. Agora vou ler o terceiro volume para saber quem dará a volta ao duque mais difícil !!!
May 5, 2018
Originally posted
HERE
.
Madeline Hunter is one of a few historical romance authors who I think write “mature” stories – not mature in the age of the characters, but mature in style and structure. Along with the likes of Mary Balogh, Hunter stands out because she creates a strong sense of the era, and writes characters who believably operate in that world.
This is the second book in a series, but can easily be read on its own. A Devil of a Duke develops steadily as our hero duke and thief heroine dance around each other and learn each other’s secrets.
I’m not usually a fan of heroines who come from a criminal background, as it’s usually presented as being a bit of fun and the books turn into anachronistic romps. This one is different because the seriousness of the situation is considered, and neither character approaches their affair as something that would ever work in society. The hero considers keeping the heroine as his mistress, and both acknowledge the huge gap in their social standings.
A favourite aspect of Hunter’s writing is the friendships. Both her male and female characters have strong connections with people of their own gender. The women support each other and have interests beyond marriage and men, and the men are SO aristocratic and have ties that go back years. It makes the stories more complete, and we get to see the whole of the Regency world in operation, instead of just ballrooms.
This is another solid historical romance from a reliable author.
Review copy provided by NetGalley.
Madeline Hunter is one of a few historical romance authors who I think write “mature” stories – not mature in the age of the characters, but mature in style and structure. Along with the likes of Mary Balogh, Hunter stands out because she creates a strong sense of the era, and writes characters who believably operate in that world.
This is the second book in a series, but can easily be read on its own. A Devil of a Duke develops steadily as our hero duke and thief heroine dance around each other and learn each other’s secrets.
I’m not usually a fan of heroines who come from a criminal background, as it’s usually presented as being a bit of fun and the books turn into anachronistic romps. This one is different because the seriousness of the situation is considered, and neither character approaches their affair as something that would ever work in society. The hero considers keeping the heroine as his mistress, and both acknowledge the huge gap in their social standings.
A favourite aspect of Hunter’s writing is the friendships. Both her male and female characters have strong connections with people of their own gender. The women support each other and have interests beyond marriage and men, and the men are SO aristocratic and have ties that go back years. It makes the stories more complete, and we get to see the whole of the Regency world in operation, instead of just ballrooms.
This is another solid historical romance from a reliable author.
Review copy provided by NetGalley.
May 10, 2018
The first book in this series was so good, and this was a letdown. The duke was rather boring. Amanda wasn't interesting enough. I probably would have liked her better if she had been more conflicted emotionally about being forced to steal to save her mother. I didn't care for Langford and Amanda as a couple. There was strong insta-lust that developed after a brief interlude. Although they barely knew anything about each other they couldn't stop thinking about each other. The problem was halfway into the book they had barely said anything meaningful to each other. It was hard to believe they were developing deep feelings for each other. The ending was okay, but there weren't any surprises.
I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 1, 2018
This wasn't my first Madeline Hunter book. I've read the whole The Rarest Blooms series and while I liked them, I didn't love them. I'm really glad I got the chance to read this book though because I really liked it. It's the second in the series and since I didn't read the first one I was afraid I'll be missing things but I didn't. This story stands completely on its own.
This book was a cut above most Historical Romance novels (and I've sure read some doozies before!) in having a down to earth, smart female protagonist who didn't jump to weird conclusions or mope around and the story is unique for regency romance, falling outside the typical setup which is a plus. Though the characters could be a bit more passionate in my opinion. I'm not referring to sex scenes, but rather emotional ones. They are just so sedate when those emotional revelations come that it's almost kind of a let down. But overall, this was an easy light book to read quickly and interesting enough to keep you going. Recommended.
***I received the ARC for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This book was a cut above most Historical Romance novels (and I've sure read some doozies before!) in having a down to earth, smart female protagonist who didn't jump to weird conclusions or mope around and the story is unique for regency romance, falling outside the typical setup which is a plus. Though the characters could be a bit more passionate in my opinion. I'm not referring to sex scenes, but rather emotional ones. They are just so sedate when those emotional revelations come that it's almost kind of a let down. But overall, this was an easy light book to read quickly and interesting enough to keep you going. Recommended.
***I received the ARC for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
April 23, 2018
A Devil of a Duke is the second book in the Decadent Dukes Society by Madeline Hunter. It can be read as a standalone story.
Miss Amanda Waverly was brought up by her parents, both thieves who taught her the trade. When she became too noticeable to be a good thief her mother sent her off to school and from there she had the opportunity to work for an eccentric woman as her secretary. She enjoyed not having to break the law and loved her much more pleasant life earning a living properly. Her newfound security came to a crashing halt though when her mother was kidnapped and demands came to Amanda to steal particular items to earn her mother's release.
In the process of planning to get to one of the items, Amanda meets Gabriel St James the Duke of Langford. There is an immediate attraction between them, one that they both want to act on, but which they both know they shouldn't for their own separate reasons. Amanda has the most important reason of all, of course, that he can't find out about her past, or about her having to be a thief once again. Despite their reasoning, they do embark on a very passionate interlude. Will Langford discover her secrets and if he does will she end up hanging for them? Does she have any chance of rescuing her mother before that might come to fruition?
This was a real pleasure to read because it was suspenseful with the threat of Amanda's mother being hurt or worse, plus the fear of Langford finding out Amanda's truths. But also there was the budding romance between our hero and heroine, their lust for each other was very real, but it became very obvious that it was more than that for both of them. Waiting to find out just how Langford would deal with the things he was to discover kept me reading into the wee hours to find out. I wasn't disappointed. The ending was wonderful, believable and left me with a smile on my face.
I only have one small negative thing to say about it which certainly doesn't warrant any drop in rating. But please, please American authors don't use the word 'bring' instead of 'take'. For example US: I will BRING you home. UK: I will TAKE you home! It's only a small thing but when you are reading a story set in Britain with British characters it is so wrong and off-putting when one or more characters say something Americanised.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers' copy of this book.
Miss Amanda Waverly was brought up by her parents, both thieves who taught her the trade. When she became too noticeable to be a good thief her mother sent her off to school and from there she had the opportunity to work for an eccentric woman as her secretary. She enjoyed not having to break the law and loved her much more pleasant life earning a living properly. Her newfound security came to a crashing halt though when her mother was kidnapped and demands came to Amanda to steal particular items to earn her mother's release.
In the process of planning to get to one of the items, Amanda meets Gabriel St James the Duke of Langford. There is an immediate attraction between them, one that they both want to act on, but which they both know they shouldn't for their own separate reasons. Amanda has the most important reason of all, of course, that he can't find out about her past, or about her having to be a thief once again. Despite their reasoning, they do embark on a very passionate interlude. Will Langford discover her secrets and if he does will she end up hanging for them? Does she have any chance of rescuing her mother before that might come to fruition?
This was a real pleasure to read because it was suspenseful with the threat of Amanda's mother being hurt or worse, plus the fear of Langford finding out Amanda's truths. But also there was the budding romance between our hero and heroine, their lust for each other was very real, but it became very obvious that it was more than that for both of them. Waiting to find out just how Langford would deal with the things he was to discover kept me reading into the wee hours to find out. I wasn't disappointed. The ending was wonderful, believable and left me with a smile on my face.
I only have one small negative thing to say about it which certainly doesn't warrant any drop in rating. But please, please American authors don't use the word 'bring' instead of 'take'. For example US: I will BRING you home. UK: I will TAKE you home! It's only a small thing but when you are reading a story set in Britain with British characters it is so wrong and off-putting when one or more characters say something Americanised.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers' copy of this book.
August 30, 2019
Amanda Waverly, secretary or thief? Or is she both? She was born into a life a crime, forced to become a thief due to her parents' training. Amanda is striving to keep her identity a secret, all while trying to escape that life by serving as a secretary to a responsible lady in society. However, the pressure to keep stealing is constantly facing her.
Fortunately, her employer, Lady Farnsworth, a publisher of a lady's journal, has a wonderful influence on her. What Amanda doesn't expect, however, is to run into Gabriel St. James, Duke of Langford. Amanda manages to trick the duke into participating in a theft, all while keeping her name a secret. How long can this go on? Who will end this farce?
While the two spend time together, one thing is undeniable, and that is their powerful attraction to one another. Throwing caution to the wind, they engage in far more than a begrudging friendship. The story shifts back and forth between their affair, her secret and Gabriel having to choose honor and decency over his own heart.
This was a sensitive story, especially since both Amanda and Gabriel went through so many changes, and the result could have been more than disastrous. It was enjoyable to be reminded of Gabriel's friends with the other two Dukes and how they helped him to see how he actually felt. This entry in the Decadent Duke series had a satisfying ending.
Many thanks to Zebra and to NetGalley for this ARC to review. This is my honest opinion.
Fortunately, her employer, Lady Farnsworth, a publisher of a lady's journal, has a wonderful influence on her. What Amanda doesn't expect, however, is to run into Gabriel St. James, Duke of Langford. Amanda manages to trick the duke into participating in a theft, all while keeping her name a secret. How long can this go on? Who will end this farce?
While the two spend time together, one thing is undeniable, and that is their powerful attraction to one another. Throwing caution to the wind, they engage in far more than a begrudging friendship. The story shifts back and forth between their affair, her secret and Gabriel having to choose honor and decency over his own heart.
This was a sensitive story, especially since both Amanda and Gabriel went through so many changes, and the result could have been more than disastrous. It was enjoyable to be reminded of Gabriel's friends with the other two Dukes and how they helped him to see how he actually felt. This entry in the Decadent Duke series had a satisfying ending.
Many thanks to Zebra and to NetGalley for this ARC to review. This is my honest opinion.
April 16, 2018
Amanda is trying to keep her two very different lives separate. She could lose a lot if her secrets are revealed. Temptation comes in the form of Gabriel St. James, Duke of Langford.
I am a huge fan of historical romances. I have been reading them for over thirty years. While some can seem pretty standard in terms of their characters and romances, there are authors who know how to make their stories always entertain the reader.
This is the second book in the series called the Decadent Dukes Society. The Society consists of three dukes that became friends at school and have all developed wicked reputations. As they grow older, they begin to want more and find women that call to them.
It is well written and their attraction between the two really grows as the story continues. It is a story that will draw you in from the beginning.
Amanda is living a hard life and now is under the gun so to speak and being pushed back into a life she doesn't want to live. She needs the support of the Duke but her secrets are likely to tear them apart. I respected her for standing up for what she believes is right and trying so hard to do the right thing.
Langford has a notorious reputation but she brings out something special in him. Her secretive nature draws him to her and he is not the type to give up on what he wants. When he discovers her secrets, he has to make a tough choice about taking a risk on love.
A Devil of A Duke is a book that stood out to me as a great choice for a fan of this genre. You don't often get a Duke falling for a woman born into a life of crime.
I am voluntarily reviewing a copy I received.
April 28, 2018
A Madeline Hunter book is to be savored and cherished. Gabriel and Amanda's story is no exception.
The plot and story development were impeccable. The character development was flawless. I enjoyed engaging with these two on their bumpy road to happy ever after.
The Duke and Duchess of Stratton were marvelous as new doting parents to their heir. I can't wait to see what Harry and Emilia are up to. Poor Harry!
Now for the long wait for the next book. I shall console myself by rereading her other series while I wait.
The plot and story development were impeccable. The character development was flawless. I enjoyed engaging with these two on their bumpy road to happy ever after.
The Duke and Duchess of Stratton were marvelous as new doting parents to their heir. I can't wait to see what Harry and Emilia are up to. Poor Harry!
Now for the long wait for the next book. I shall console myself by rereading her other series while I wait.
April 25, 2018
I received this book for free from Netgalley in order to prepare an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
FINAL DECISION: I enjoyed the interplay between Gabriel and Amanda. There story seems hopeless at times which makes the story poignant, but I wished for something more from the grand gesture at the end.
THE STORY: Gabriel St. James, Duke of Langford is used to getting what he wants. When he meets a mysterious woman who is willing to meet with him but doesn't want to reveal anything about herself, Gabriel is intrigued and determined to uncover her secrets. Amanda Waverly is being forced into a double life. She is acting the respectable secretary to a society matron while plotting thefts. When she gets tangled up with Langford, she fears that everything will collapse around her.
OPINION: I enjoyed this book because of the couple. Gabriel and Amanda are a prickly couple. She has lot of secrets and he is determined to find out everything about her. I liked that she outsmarts him in the beginning and that he is ultimately willing to risk everything for her.
The book manages to have more fun than I expect because it operates on the fringes of society. Amanda is desperate but determined to do what she can to protect her loved ones. I thought that she was foolish for doing so much, but it also shows her kind heart. And her kindness is an essential part of her character along with her cleverness.
The weakness of this book for me was that we never really get to see Gabriel's inner decisions regarding Amanda. He ultimately risks everything for her, but I suppose I wanted to see his turmoil or hear him verbalize more. The grand romantic moment was a bit muted for me as a result.
But I enjoyed these characters matching wits and I really liked Amanda's character.
WORTH MENTIONING: I'm hoping we will eventually get to know more about Harry and Emilia.
CONNECTED BOOKS: A DEVIL OF A DUKE is the second book in the Decadent Dukes Society. Although there are some overlapping characters, this book can be read as a standalone.
STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in order to prepare a review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.
This review was originally posted on Top10RomanceBooks.com
FINAL DECISION: I enjoyed the interplay between Gabriel and Amanda. There story seems hopeless at times which makes the story poignant, but I wished for something more from the grand gesture at the end.
THE STORY: Gabriel St. James, Duke of Langford is used to getting what he wants. When he meets a mysterious woman who is willing to meet with him but doesn't want to reveal anything about herself, Gabriel is intrigued and determined to uncover her secrets. Amanda Waverly is being forced into a double life. She is acting the respectable secretary to a society matron while plotting thefts. When she gets tangled up with Langford, she fears that everything will collapse around her.
OPINION: I enjoyed this book because of the couple. Gabriel and Amanda are a prickly couple. She has lot of secrets and he is determined to find out everything about her. I liked that she outsmarts him in the beginning and that he is ultimately willing to risk everything for her.
The book manages to have more fun than I expect because it operates on the fringes of society. Amanda is desperate but determined to do what she can to protect her loved ones. I thought that she was foolish for doing so much, but it also shows her kind heart. And her kindness is an essential part of her character along with her cleverness.
The weakness of this book for me was that we never really get to see Gabriel's inner decisions regarding Amanda. He ultimately risks everything for her, but I suppose I wanted to see his turmoil or hear him verbalize more. The grand romantic moment was a bit muted for me as a result.
But I enjoyed these characters matching wits and I really liked Amanda's character.
WORTH MENTIONING: I'm hoping we will eventually get to know more about Harry and Emilia.
CONNECTED BOOKS: A DEVIL OF A DUKE is the second book in the Decadent Dukes Society. Although there are some overlapping characters, this book can be read as a standalone.
STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in order to prepare a review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.
This review was originally posted on Top10RomanceBooks.com
October 30, 2018
Reviewed by Rachel
Book provided by Netgalley
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
Once in a great while you stumble upon a historical romance that hits every single checklist you have for a good romance.
Brooding, clever hero?
Woman you WANT to cheer for because she’s just that funny and intelligent.
Story line that hasn’t been done over and over again.
And fantastic dialogue and plot that has a reader grinning and cheering the entire time.
This book not only intrigued me, but hooked me within the first chapter, which I feel is sometimes rare for a historical romance, the information dump is a very real problem and this author started with information that made me curious, and want to know what was going to happen. She set the story perfectly and had me hook line and sinker.
I think what really pulled me in was Amanda’s clever inner dialogue, you can tell right off the bat that she’s smart and that she’s willing to do anything in order to obey the lady she works for, but that beyond all of that, she’s curious and not immune to anyone’s charms.
Especially Langford.
He was probably one of my top five book boyfriends and that’s saying a lot I mean historical romance? You really need to hit every single angle. Was he smart? Yes. Funny? Yes. And at the same time whenever he did things that irritated me I still found ways to love him, which is huge for a reader.
Even more so, after reading halfway I felt emotionally invested to the point that once the romance started I was like this can’t end, it can’t, how is this going to end? I truly had no idea because the author did such a beautiful job peeling back layers of clever plot.
All in all, I don’t want to give everything away but if you want a beautiful historical about a handsome duke and the thief who steals his heart, this is the book for you!
Book provided by Netgalley
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
Once in a great while you stumble upon a historical romance that hits every single checklist you have for a good romance.
Brooding, clever hero?
Woman you WANT to cheer for because she’s just that funny and intelligent.
Story line that hasn’t been done over and over again.
And fantastic dialogue and plot that has a reader grinning and cheering the entire time.
This book not only intrigued me, but hooked me within the first chapter, which I feel is sometimes rare for a historical romance, the information dump is a very real problem and this author started with information that made me curious, and want to know what was going to happen. She set the story perfectly and had me hook line and sinker.
I think what really pulled me in was Amanda’s clever inner dialogue, you can tell right off the bat that she’s smart and that she’s willing to do anything in order to obey the lady she works for, but that beyond all of that, she’s curious and not immune to anyone’s charms.
Especially Langford.
He was probably one of my top five book boyfriends and that’s saying a lot I mean historical romance? You really need to hit every single angle. Was he smart? Yes. Funny? Yes. And at the same time whenever he did things that irritated me I still found ways to love him, which is huge for a reader.
Even more so, after reading halfway I felt emotionally invested to the point that once the romance started I was like this can’t end, it can’t, how is this going to end? I truly had no idea because the author did such a beautiful job peeling back layers of clever plot.
All in all, I don’t want to give everything away but if you want a beautiful historical about a handsome duke and the thief who steals his heart, this is the book for you!
May 2, 2018
Publisher's Description:
From New York Times bestselling author Madeline Hunter comes the latest sexy tale of three untamable dukes and the women who ignite their decadent desires . . .
HE MAY BE A DEVIL
He’s infamous, debaucherous, and known all over town for his complete disregard for scandal, and positively irresistible seductions. Gabriel St. James, Duke of Langford, is obscenely wealthy, jaw-droppingly handsome, and used to getting exactly what he wants. Until his attention is utterly captured by a woman who refuses to tell him her name, but can’t help surrendering to his touch . . .
BUT SHE’S NO ANGEL EITHER . . .
Amanda Waverly is living two lives—one respectable existence as secretary to an upstanding lady, and one far more dangerous battle of wits—and willpower—with the devilish Duke. Langford may be the most tempting man she’s ever met, but Amanda’s got her hands full trying to escape the world of high-society crime into which she was born. And if he figures out who she really is, their sizzling passion will suddenly boil over into a much higher stakes affair . . .
My Thoughts:
This is the second installment in this trilogy, Decadent Dukes Society and as well written and compelling as the first one.
Gabriel is an obscenely wealthy Duke with good looks thrown in for good measure.
Amanda Waverly is hiding her past behind a façade as a secretary. A blackmailer is forcing her hand to resort to thievery. He is holding her mother captive and the ransom is items she must steal for him.
Will Gabriel be able to help Amanda once he learns of her deception?
Will his attraction to Amanda overrule the fact that she is a thief?
I enjoyed this book with it's twists and turns never knowing what will happen next.
I gave this book 4.5 of 5.0 stars foe storyline and character development and a sensual rating of 3.5 of 5.0 flames. There are some very intimate scenes but they can't override the underlying mystery of this book.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book by invitation from the publisher to read and review.
This in no way affected my opinion of this title which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
From New York Times bestselling author Madeline Hunter comes the latest sexy tale of three untamable dukes and the women who ignite their decadent desires . . .
HE MAY BE A DEVIL
He’s infamous, debaucherous, and known all over town for his complete disregard for scandal, and positively irresistible seductions. Gabriel St. James, Duke of Langford, is obscenely wealthy, jaw-droppingly handsome, and used to getting exactly what he wants. Until his attention is utterly captured by a woman who refuses to tell him her name, but can’t help surrendering to his touch . . .
BUT SHE’S NO ANGEL EITHER . . .
Amanda Waverly is living two lives—one respectable existence as secretary to an upstanding lady, and one far more dangerous battle of wits—and willpower—with the devilish Duke. Langford may be the most tempting man she’s ever met, but Amanda’s got her hands full trying to escape the world of high-society crime into which she was born. And if he figures out who she really is, their sizzling passion will suddenly boil over into a much higher stakes affair . . .
My Thoughts:
This is the second installment in this trilogy, Decadent Dukes Society and as well written and compelling as the first one.
Gabriel is an obscenely wealthy Duke with good looks thrown in for good measure.
Amanda Waverly is hiding her past behind a façade as a secretary. A blackmailer is forcing her hand to resort to thievery. He is holding her mother captive and the ransom is items she must steal for him.
Will Gabriel be able to help Amanda once he learns of her deception?
Will his attraction to Amanda overrule the fact that she is a thief?
I enjoyed this book with it's twists and turns never knowing what will happen next.
I gave this book 4.5 of 5.0 stars foe storyline and character development and a sensual rating of 3.5 of 5.0 flames. There are some very intimate scenes but they can't override the underlying mystery of this book.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book by invitation from the publisher to read and review.
This in no way affected my opinion of this title which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
May 4, 2020
Como era de esperar, dado o quão gosto desta autora, até à data é o que mais gostei da serie. Confesso que o primeiro não foi dos preferidos, e que agora ao ler o segundo e relembrar os personagens do primeiro, fiquei a gostar ainda menos a Heroína do primeiro livro. Não me perguntem porquê, apenas…sim. Não encalhou comigo.
Quanto a Amanda e Gabriel, a história é diferente. Gostei muito dos dois e de como a história dos dois se foi desenvolvendo. O Romance não foi apressado e havia uma maturidade em ambos os personagens e por mais teimosa que Amanda pudesse ser, não me irritou ou enervou ao ponto de achá-la ridícula – coisa que não achei de todo. Gostei muito dela, na verdade. E de Gabriel também…ri-me imenso com ele e com as desgraças pequenas que aconteceram ao seu orgulho em alguns momentos e da relação dele com os amigos. Gostei mais ainda da forma como ele lidou com toda a situação de Amanda e dos seus sentimentos e a sua honra como cavalheiro e homem.
Todo o enredo estava bem misterioso quanto à situação em causa e não me desiludi com o final ou a resolução. Não foi explicito demais nem cansativo demais ou dramático demais…
Amanda não foi uma daquelas que nos momentos finais ainda fica a chorar de não achar que merece o Duque…mesmo que pense assim, ela aceita e sabe os motivos certos do porquê. Adorei imenso.
Agora espera-me o último e misterioso Duque…
Quanto a Amanda e Gabriel, a história é diferente. Gostei muito dos dois e de como a história dos dois se foi desenvolvendo. O Romance não foi apressado e havia uma maturidade em ambos os personagens e por mais teimosa que Amanda pudesse ser, não me irritou ou enervou ao ponto de achá-la ridícula – coisa que não achei de todo. Gostei muito dela, na verdade. E de Gabriel também…ri-me imenso com ele e com as desgraças pequenas que aconteceram ao seu orgulho em alguns momentos e da relação dele com os amigos. Gostei mais ainda da forma como ele lidou com toda a situação de Amanda e dos seus sentimentos e a sua honra como cavalheiro e homem.
Todo o enredo estava bem misterioso quanto à situação em causa e não me desiludi com o final ou a resolução. Não foi explicito demais nem cansativo demais ou dramático demais…
Amanda não foi uma daquelas que nos momentos finais ainda fica a chorar de não achar que merece o Duque…mesmo que pense assim, ela aceita e sabe os motivos certos do porquê. Adorei imenso.
Agora espera-me o último e misterioso Duque…
April 11, 2018
This is the second book in The Decadent Duke Society Trilogy. Gabriel St. James, Duke of Langford is an unapologetic hedonist. Handsome, charming and has never been told no by any woman. That is until he meets Miss Amanda Waverly.
Gabriel spots a woman at a masquerade ball flirting with his younger brother, who is doing everything in his power, which isn't much to get away, he steps in to warn the woman off. He doesn't count on the instant attraction he feels in her presence. He can tell she is also attracted to him but she is going to play hard to get, which for him is a challenge since he never happens. The woman usually fall over each other to get to him. He is intrigued.
Amanda Waverly is a reluctant thief. She has to get into a house that happens to be right next to the Duke of Langford's younger brothers house. She is hoping by flirting with him at the masquerade ball she can get him to invite him back to his house so she can get to an item in the house next store. She doesn't want to steal but she is being blackmailed, someone is holding her mother captive and the only way to help her is to get the item the blackmailer wants. Only she does not count on the Duke stepping in and putting a stop to her plan.
So starts a complicated affair that will test everything that they both believe in. Amanda finally has a legitimate job and friends, something that she hasn't ever had. Gabriel has never been enthralled by a woman before, he cannot get enough of Amanda. He doesn't want to let her go, but he doesn't see how he can keep her. She is smart, independent and so different from any woman he has ever known.
This is a compelling story of two people who should never have met and how they try to justify their feelings for each other. Can they thumb their noses at Society and stay together. Or does Gabriel have to give up the only woman he has ever loved?
Madeline writes a wonderful story with complex characters and the situations that make this book an amazingly good read. The witty dialogue, steamy sensual scenes, and her solution to the sticky moral dilemmas are inspiring. I cannot wait for the third book. I really enjoyed this book and recommend her books whole heartily.
Gabriel spots a woman at a masquerade ball flirting with his younger brother, who is doing everything in his power, which isn't much to get away, he steps in to warn the woman off. He doesn't count on the instant attraction he feels in her presence. He can tell she is also attracted to him but she is going to play hard to get, which for him is a challenge since he never happens. The woman usually fall over each other to get to him. He is intrigued.
Amanda Waverly is a reluctant thief. She has to get into a house that happens to be right next to the Duke of Langford's younger brothers house. She is hoping by flirting with him at the masquerade ball she can get him to invite him back to his house so she can get to an item in the house next store. She doesn't want to steal but she is being blackmailed, someone is holding her mother captive and the only way to help her is to get the item the blackmailer wants. Only she does not count on the Duke stepping in and putting a stop to her plan.
So starts a complicated affair that will test everything that they both believe in. Amanda finally has a legitimate job and friends, something that she hasn't ever had. Gabriel has never been enthralled by a woman before, he cannot get enough of Amanda. He doesn't want to let her go, but he doesn't see how he can keep her. She is smart, independent and so different from any woman he has ever known.
This is a compelling story of two people who should never have met and how they try to justify their feelings for each other. Can they thumb their noses at Society and stay together. Or does Gabriel have to give up the only woman he has ever loved?
Madeline writes a wonderful story with complex characters and the situations that make this book an amazingly good read. The witty dialogue, steamy sensual scenes, and her solution to the sticky moral dilemmas are inspiring. I cannot wait for the third book. I really enjoyed this book and recommend her books whole heartily.
February 10, 2021
A Devil of a Duke is the 2nd book in the Decadent Dukes Society, it is a historical romance with a opposites attract trope.
Gabriel St. James, Duke of Langford, is known for his distaste of rules, to be one of the Decadent Dukes and his womanizing ways. He is also extremely handsome, wealthy and used to getting his own way. Until one night a woman dressed as a shepherdess at a ball is trying to capture his brother's attention so, he intervenes and she in turn captivates him by refusing to tell him her name, but he does draw her into a passionate kiss and she agrees to meet him in a couple of days.
Amanda Waverly is a secretary to a respectable lady but is feeling guilty for hiding a part of her life that could land her in jail. Exchanging verbal banter with Langford is not as dangerous as fighting her willpower to stay away from him. He is definitely tempting but she must execute a crime that will set her mother free and allow her to put her past back in the past. Will Langord figure out her secret and will that knowledge put a stop to the passion that could lead to much more?
Gabriel St. James, Duke of Langford, is known for his distaste of rules, to be one of the Decadent Dukes and his womanizing ways. He is also extremely handsome, wealthy and used to getting his own way. Until one night a woman dressed as a shepherdess at a ball is trying to capture his brother's attention so, he intervenes and she in turn captivates him by refusing to tell him her name, but he does draw her into a passionate kiss and she agrees to meet him in a couple of days.
Amanda Waverly is a secretary to a respectable lady but is feeling guilty for hiding a part of her life that could land her in jail. Exchanging verbal banter with Langford is not as dangerous as fighting her willpower to stay away from him. He is definitely tempting but she must execute a crime that will set her mother free and allow her to put her past back in the past. Will Langord figure out her secret and will that knowledge put a stop to the passion that could lead to much more?
April 24, 2018
I think this is one of Madeline Hunter’s best books and I’ve read them all. You will laugh, cry, and love the hero and heroine. There’s even some mystery in it.
Amanda Waverly is Lady Farnsworth’s secretary. She also does other things on the side which may or may not be legal or proper. Amanda wants to move to America where she can start a new life where no one knows her past. When she meets Gabriel St. James, Duke of Langford, she falls in love. Knowing she must leave England soon and that a Duke would never marry her, she has an affair with him.
If you want to know all the secrets and how they reach their HEA, read this wonderful book. I highly recommend it!!
Amanda Waverly is Lady Farnsworth’s secretary. She also does other things on the side which may or may not be legal or proper. Amanda wants to move to America where she can start a new life where no one knows her past. When she meets Gabriel St. James, Duke of Langford, she falls in love. Knowing she must leave England soon and that a Duke would never marry her, she has an affair with him.
If you want to know all the secrets and how they reach their HEA, read this wonderful book. I highly recommend it!!
June 8, 2018
This Regency happened in England.
Madeline Hunter, wrote page-turner, sexy HRs
with some complex emotions. This one fell flat.
MCs Gabriel (a duke) & Amanda came across as
bored, jaded & dare I say: depressed? I liked how
Amanda created boundaries w/ Gabe around visit-
ing, kissing & touching. He fumed when denied his
way. It felt more like a cat and mouse game than a
love story.
The 3 dukes: Gabe, Adam and Eric showed some
brotherly love and humor. 2 of these became
reformed rakes. And Eric's story is next?
Revised.
Madeline Hunter, wrote page-turner, sexy HRs
with some complex emotions. This one fell flat.
MCs Gabriel (a duke) & Amanda came across as
bored, jaded & dare I say: depressed? I liked how
Amanda created boundaries w/ Gabe around visit-
ing, kissing & touching. He fumed when denied his
way. It felt more like a cat and mouse game than a
love story.
The 3 dukes: Gabe, Adam and Eric showed some
brotherly love and humor. 2 of these became
reformed rakes. And Eric's story is next?
Revised.
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