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How to Reform a Rake #1
Don't Tell a Duke You Love Him
He was too dangerous to be denied…
The Duke of Longley was a rake and should be left well enough alone. At least that is what Lady Lily Ducat's mother continually said. As far as Lily could tell, she was correct. His Grace had a devilish air about him and a brooding silence that no debutante should attempt to tame and certainly not grow an affection for. He was too much man and beyond redemption. Except once they are tossed together after a winter storm, she is dangerously close to declaring her love, because in the dark of night, he was all Lily could see.
Maximillian Masters learned long ago to stay far away from dewy eyed maidens. He was too cynical, too experienced, and much too adverse to marriage for such a lady. Which is why he must never see the lovely Lily again, no matter what some ridiculous gypsy predicted. Except, when he is stranded and at the mercy of winter, Lily is there, and the more he sees her, the harder it is to deny temptation.
The Duke of Longley was a rake and should be left well enough alone. At least that is what Lady Lily Ducat's mother continually said. As far as Lily could tell, she was correct. His Grace had a devilish air about him and a brooding silence that no debutante should attempt to tame and certainly not grow an affection for. He was too much man and beyond redemption. Except once they are tossed together after a winter storm, she is dangerously close to declaring her love, because in the dark of night, he was all Lily could see.
Maximillian Masters learned long ago to stay far away from dewy eyed maidens. He was too cynical, too experienced, and much too adverse to marriage for such a lady. Which is why he must never see the lovely Lily again, no matter what some ridiculous gypsy predicted. Except, when he is stranded and at the mercy of winter, Lily is there, and the more he sees her, the harder it is to deny temptation.
119 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 22, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
January 29, 2019
This is the first novella in the How to Reform a Rake series and it's easy to finish in about 2 hours !
Max, the Duke of Longley, is determined to fight his romantic destiny. In How to Reform a Rake, Vadoma the fortune teller had predicted that the H was destined to get his kiss from Lily Ducat. Our H doesn't believe in all this talk of destiny and fate but he is determined not to get himself caught in the matrimonial leg-shackle, even if the young lady in question has been the one woman he's been obsessed with for the last 8 months.
The best part of this story was that Max didn't even know he'd fallen into insta-love with Lily the first time he'd seen her. In the prologue How to Reform a Rake, Max's insta-love was hinted at:
Lady Lily Ducat had hardly said a word as introductions had been made and yet she had completely captivated his attention. He’d thanked the saints her three older sisters had yet to marry. If she were an official debutante, he was sure her mama would be chasing him. He’d been that obvious. He’d stared at her, for starters, unable to look away. But there was something about her, she was beautiful to be sure but it was more than that. She’d had this warmth and an innocence. He’d dreamed about her for days afterward when he was awake and asleep. He’d managed to trip over his words too. Him. He hadn’t done that since the age of twelve.
Andresen, Tammy. How to Reform a Rake (Kindle Locations 131-136). Kindle Edition.
It was obvious to the reader, though, because Max has been reluctant to bang any other lovely ladies and has been living a celibate life ever since the day he was introduced to Lily. Max had been, like his 4 fellow rakehell pals, an unrepentant dissolute manwhore who preferred to spend time with courtesans and the rest of the Fashionable Impure, instead of courting sweet young debutantes.
In this novella, Max is unsuccessful at escaping his destiny because he ends up stranded at a baron's Canterbury estate with Lily, 2 of her sisters and her manipulative and hateful mother. Lily's hagwitch mother tries to get Max to court her oldest daughter Camille and throws Lily at the baron's silly, stammering and super greedy son who is obsessed with food.
Everybody notices that the H only has eyes for Lily and the plot of the novella develops around the heroine's mother's machinations to ruin the MC's budding romance. This woman was so stupid and vindictive towards Lily, just because she wanted her older daughter to marry the H instead. Thankfully, the heroine's 2 sisters observe what's happening with their mother and decide to play matchmaker to bring the two MC's together.
This was an enjoyable novella filled with fun, humour, a bit of matchmaking hijinks, a sad back story about our H, a little bit of angst, some Christmas cheer and the sweet insta-love romance that ends with a passionate elopement when the heroine's mother refuses to give Max her permission to court Lily.
The heroine did annoy me a little when she tried to sabotage her own romance with the H and act the martyr, in order to please her mother. But the H was having none of it since he loved her, was obsessed with her and made it clear that he had absolutely no interest in marrying her sister Camille. I can't wait to read about Camille's story, which will be up next since she's paired with the sexy marquess friend of the H. That novella's called Meddle in a Marquess's Affairs: Regency Romance.
This is Max and Lily:
Safety: No OW, no OM, no cheating and both MC's have been celibate from the first time of their meeting.
Max, the Duke of Longley, is determined to fight his romantic destiny. In How to Reform a Rake, Vadoma the fortune teller had predicted that the H was destined to get his kiss from Lily Ducat. Our H doesn't believe in all this talk of destiny and fate but he is determined not to get himself caught in the matrimonial leg-shackle, even if the young lady in question has been the one woman he's been obsessed with for the last 8 months.
The best part of this story was that Max didn't even know he'd fallen into insta-love with Lily the first time he'd seen her. In the prologue How to Reform a Rake, Max's insta-love was hinted at:
Lady Lily Ducat had hardly said a word as introductions had been made and yet she had completely captivated his attention. He’d thanked the saints her three older sisters had yet to marry. If she were an official debutante, he was sure her mama would be chasing him. He’d been that obvious. He’d stared at her, for starters, unable to look away. But there was something about her, she was beautiful to be sure but it was more than that. She’d had this warmth and an innocence. He’d dreamed about her for days afterward when he was awake and asleep. He’d managed to trip over his words too. Him. He hadn’t done that since the age of twelve.
Andresen, Tammy. How to Reform a Rake (Kindle Locations 131-136). Kindle Edition.
It was obvious to the reader, though, because Max has been reluctant to bang any other lovely ladies and has been living a celibate life ever since the day he was introduced to Lily. Max had been, like his 4 fellow rakehell pals, an unrepentant dissolute manwhore who preferred to spend time with courtesans and the rest of the Fashionable Impure, instead of courting sweet young debutantes.
In this novella, Max is unsuccessful at escaping his destiny because he ends up stranded at a baron's Canterbury estate with Lily, 2 of her sisters and her manipulative and hateful mother. Lily's hagwitch mother tries to get Max to court her oldest daughter Camille and throws Lily at the baron's silly, stammering and super greedy son who is obsessed with food.
Everybody notices that the H only has eyes for Lily and the plot of the novella develops around the heroine's mother's machinations to ruin the MC's budding romance. This woman was so stupid and vindictive towards Lily, just because she wanted her older daughter to marry the H instead. Thankfully, the heroine's 2 sisters observe what's happening with their mother and decide to play matchmaker to bring the two MC's together.
This was an enjoyable novella filled with fun, humour, a bit of matchmaking hijinks, a sad back story about our H, a little bit of angst, some Christmas cheer and the sweet insta-love romance that ends with a passionate elopement when the heroine's mother refuses to give Max her permission to court Lily.
The heroine did annoy me a little when she tried to sabotage her own romance with the H and act the martyr, in order to please her mother. But the H was having none of it since he loved her, was obsessed with her and made it clear that he had absolutely no interest in marrying her sister Camille. I can't wait to read about Camille's story, which will be up next since she's paired with the sexy marquess friend of the H. That novella's called Meddle in a Marquess's Affairs: Regency Romance.
This is Max and Lily:
Safety: No OW, no OM, no cheating and both MC's have been celibate from the first time of their meeting.
December 2, 2024
DNF at 64%. I tried, I really did. The premise of the story seemed like it could be cute, and maybe some of the next stories in the series work out better, but here are my thoughts on this one:
✍️ Editing. People comment that the author needs to hire an editor. If we as readers can find the errors so easily, can't the author? Like sit down, read your own story after 'finishing' it and you will easily notice your mistakes. Simple things like the word THE missing in several sentences. It's annoying because you realize something is wrong, you need to reread the sentence again to figure out what it is all supposed to mean, and then realize it needed the word THE. Come on! You don't need an editor for that, that's easy. Then (or should I say Than?) there were numerous mistakes regarding then/than. Not a huge deal, but enough to stop the process of smooth reading for a few seconds to fix the sentence in your mind. Lastly, there was a usage of something like "Oh my Lord", etc but the word LORD was not capitalized, seemed odd.
🌽 Corny as hell. This short novella could actually have been a 3-4 star story in my opinion if the dialogue had not been along the lines of an overly dramatic soap opera! Very eye-roll worthy. The heroine's mother was over-the-top unnecessarily bitchy, the heroine was over-the-top too weak to stand up to her bitch of a mother, the hero was forever clinching his fists in jealous outrage over the heroine's past trauma as he listened to the story (even though he had yet to actually speak to the heroine for the first time yet), the heroine's younger sister was trying to be witty but came off as obnoxious.... They all needed way more character development to be endearing to us readers, but that is difficult to do with a novella.
😍 Insta-love. For real, this rake of a hero who is determined to never ever never get married, falls in love with our heroine, becomes overly possessive of our heroine all from: staring at her for 5 minutes in a candy shoppe, and then from staring at her backside while walking into a parlour, then again staring at her across a dinner table. He really liked to stare. At the point that I finally quit at 64%, they really had had no major conversations that I can remember. (delete from device.)
✍️ Editing. People comment that the author needs to hire an editor. If we as readers can find the errors so easily, can't the author? Like sit down, read your own story after 'finishing' it and you will easily notice your mistakes. Simple things like the word THE missing in several sentences. It's annoying because you realize something is wrong, you need to reread the sentence again to figure out what it is all supposed to mean, and then realize it needed the word THE. Come on! You don't need an editor for that, that's easy. Then (or should I say Than?) there were numerous mistakes regarding then/than. Not a huge deal, but enough to stop the process of smooth reading for a few seconds to fix the sentence in your mind. Lastly, there was a usage of something like "Oh my Lord", etc but the word LORD was not capitalized, seemed odd.
🌽 Corny as hell. This short novella could actually have been a 3-4 star story in my opinion if the dialogue had not been along the lines of an overly dramatic soap opera! Very eye-roll worthy. The heroine's mother was over-the-top unnecessarily bitchy, the heroine was over-the-top too weak to stand up to her bitch of a mother, the hero was forever clinching his fists in jealous outrage over the heroine's past trauma as he listened to the story (even though he had yet to actually speak to the heroine for the first time yet), the heroine's younger sister was trying to be witty but came off as obnoxious.... They all needed way more character development to be endearing to us readers, but that is difficult to do with a novella.
😍 Insta-love. For real, this rake of a hero who is determined to never ever never get married, falls in love with our heroine, becomes overly possessive of our heroine all from: staring at her for 5 minutes in a candy shoppe, and then from staring at her backside while walking into a parlour, then again staring at her across a dinner table. He really liked to stare. At the point that I finally quit at 64%, they really had had no major conversations that I can remember. (delete from device.)
January 21, 2019
The bigger they are, the harder they fall. The Duke of Longley is a rake beyond redemption, or is he? The gypsy’s card tells it all, Lady Lily Ducat is the woman that will win his heart with just one kiss. Who knew they were fated to meet during a wintry storm or that they could both be the redemption they both seek, a warm place to land that would feel just right?
Tammy Andresen’s DON’T TELL A DUKE YOU LOVE HIM is one more delightfully light and sweetly romantic read with just a little turmoil, some conniving sisters and a mother who has no idea that real love doesn’t care about “appearances.”
It was so easy to get invested in these wonderful characters! Who couldn’t fall for a tall, dark and brooding Bad Boy like the Duke? Lily is so innocent, yet hurt for something in her past that was beyond her control and so captivated by the man that who seems utterly fearless! Could it be that there was something to the gypsy’s cards that she knew the bet she made was a sure winner?
Fun, fast and romantic reading that left me with a smile and eagerly awaiting the next rake’s fall!
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Tammy Andresen!
Series: How to Reform a Rake - Book 1
Publication Date: January 22, 2019
Publisher: Tammy Andresen
Genre: Historical Romance
Print Length: 120 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Tammy Andresen’s DON’T TELL A DUKE YOU LOVE HIM is one more delightfully light and sweetly romantic read with just a little turmoil, some conniving sisters and a mother who has no idea that real love doesn’t care about “appearances.”
It was so easy to get invested in these wonderful characters! Who couldn’t fall for a tall, dark and brooding Bad Boy like the Duke? Lily is so innocent, yet hurt for something in her past that was beyond her control and so captivated by the man that who seems utterly fearless! Could it be that there was something to the gypsy’s cards that she knew the bet she made was a sure winner?
Fun, fast and romantic reading that left me with a smile and eagerly awaiting the next rake’s fall!
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Tammy Andresen!
Series: How to Reform a Rake - Book 1
Publication Date: January 22, 2019
Publisher: Tammy Andresen
Genre: Historical Romance
Print Length: 120 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
October 7, 2019
Rating: 3.5/5.0
This is a nice, quick, historical romance with a lovely holiday setting that will put any reader in the true spirit of Christmas!
Read full review in the 2019 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.
This is a nice, quick, historical romance with a lovely holiday setting that will put any reader in the true spirit of Christmas!
Read full review in the 2019 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.
December 5, 2019
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
Max *sigh, tall ,dark ,handsome, moody, I’m sold .
Tammy had me completely involved in this story from the first ,it was wonderful. I love it when that happens, so many more emotions hit you while reading ,if you yourself are emotionally involved and she has a gift for doing that .
This I felt was a really sweet and beautiful love story ,the best thing is they didn’t realise they where already destined for each other .
It’s not the sort of story you’d expect from a description that starts in a brothel with five Rakes, I know what I was imagining .
This was set beautifully with some great and very promising characters, especially Adelaide, she’s going to be one to watch for .
This is a brilliant book and the start of what is going to be one hell of a series. Don’t Miss It !
I received an advance copy of this book and chose to submit a review
💋💋
Max *sigh, tall ,dark ,handsome, moody, I’m sold .
Tammy had me completely involved in this story from the first ,it was wonderful. I love it when that happens, so many more emotions hit you while reading ,if you yourself are emotionally involved and she has a gift for doing that .
This I felt was a really sweet and beautiful love story ,the best thing is they didn’t realise they where already destined for each other .
It’s not the sort of story you’d expect from a description that starts in a brothel with five Rakes, I know what I was imagining .
This was set beautifully with some great and very promising characters, especially Adelaide, she’s going to be one to watch for .
This is a brilliant book and the start of what is going to be one hell of a series. Don’t Miss It !
I received an advance copy of this book and chose to submit a review
January 22, 2019
It was a cute fast paced novella, and the first one in a new series which follows right after the premise from the free book How To Reform A Rake.
Maxwell Ableman, the Duke Of Longley made a bet on a drunken night he now regrets, he feels not worthy of Lily Ducat, the woman he must seduce for a kiss. He crossed her path some months ago and was never able to forget her. But she is an innocent, he is a rake.
But fate has other ideas and he soon finds himself under the same roof as the object of his dreams.
Lily tries to make amends with her mother for the breaking of her sister’s engagement but nothing seems to work, so when the Duke who caught her eyes some time ago, she accepts she must silence her attraction to him in the hope her sister will get her chance with him.
I loved all the sisters, all different and nice in their own way.
It was a sweet read, I would have liked it a bit longer to give more deep to the characters and to develop the plot.
Now I’m curious about the next couple as the book ends with the first chapter of the next story.
Maxwell Ableman, the Duke Of Longley made a bet on a drunken night he now regrets, he feels not worthy of Lily Ducat, the woman he must seduce for a kiss. He crossed her path some months ago and was never able to forget her. But she is an innocent, he is a rake.
But fate has other ideas and he soon finds himself under the same roof as the object of his dreams.
Lily tries to make amends with her mother for the breaking of her sister’s engagement but nothing seems to work, so when the Duke who caught her eyes some time ago, she accepts she must silence her attraction to him in the hope her sister will get her chance with him.
I loved all the sisters, all different and nice in their own way.
It was a sweet read, I would have liked it a bit longer to give more deep to the characters and to develop the plot.
Now I’m curious about the next couple as the book ends with the first chapter of the next story.
January 22, 2019
Don’t Tell a Duke You Love Him is the first book in Tammy Andresen’s How to Reform a Rake series, and it has left me super eager for the rest of the series.
After reading the prequel, I knew I was in for a lot of fun with this series. It promised lots of entertainment, and this first book certainly lived up to what I had been expecting. It was a great standalone story, but it also introduced us to all the fun that is to come in the later books in the series. In fact, I may be more desperate to read the upcoming books in the series than I usually am when it comes to a Tammy Andresen series.
Although we did not meet everyone, those we met more than won me over. I adored the romance in this one, the way the two characters developed throughout the story, and the side characters made me crazy in all the best ways. On more multiple occasions throughout this one I found myself wearing a stupid smile, completely sucked into the tale being told.
Don’t Tell a Duke You Love Him more than wins you over, leaving you eager for the next How to Reform a Rake book.
After reading the prequel, I knew I was in for a lot of fun with this series. It promised lots of entertainment, and this first book certainly lived up to what I had been expecting. It was a great standalone story, but it also introduced us to all the fun that is to come in the later books in the series. In fact, I may be more desperate to read the upcoming books in the series than I usually am when it comes to a Tammy Andresen series.
Although we did not meet everyone, those we met more than won me over. I adored the romance in this one, the way the two characters developed throughout the story, and the side characters made me crazy in all the best ways. On more multiple occasions throughout this one I found myself wearing a stupid smile, completely sucked into the tale being told.
Don’t Tell a Duke You Love Him more than wins you over, leaving you eager for the next How to Reform a Rake book.
July 31, 2022
Five gentlemen with a title, the best of friends, end up in a brothel after too much to drink on a dark snowy night before Christmas.
Each one is told their fortune by a gypsy. She gives each a card to represent the young lady each one will kiss. The five ladies are sisters.
Max leaves the others for his estate. His carriage breaks a wheel and he finds himself stranded in the snow. He seeks shelter at the closest estate. The one woman he needs to stay away from, is the woman he can't help but kiss. A duke who thinks he is undeserving of love finds he was wrong when he kisses the right woman.
Each one is told their fortune by a gypsy. She gives each a card to represent the young lady each one will kiss. The five ladies are sisters.
Max leaves the others for his estate. His carriage breaks a wheel and he finds himself stranded in the snow. He seeks shelter at the closest estate. The one woman he needs to stay away from, is the woman he can't help but kiss. A duke who thinks he is undeserving of love finds he was wrong when he kisses the right woman.
September 28, 2019
DNF at 50%.
There's just nothing interesting about the plot or characters. It's really just a bunch of horrible clichés smashed together.
Max and Lily have ridiculous insta-love, but Max half-heartedly fights it. Not in any interesting way - just because he's a rake and he's supposed to because this is a historical romance. Lily is your typical Mary-Sue. Annoyingly sweet, will do anything for her sisters - even give up the man she loves...
And she constantly needs rescued from falling. Like three times in 50 pages she trips or something and Max saves her.
There's some attempt at drama by adding in an almost rape backstory, but it just doesn't work well. Maybe because her sisters are so quick to tell the Duke about it? I'm not sure. It just feels forced. Like the author was desperate to find a way to make Lily more naive/in need of protection.
In general, I think the story is just too short to really have any character development or interesting plot devices. Definitely not a good fit for me.
There's just nothing interesting about the plot or characters. It's really just a bunch of horrible clichés smashed together.
Max and Lily have ridiculous insta-love, but Max half-heartedly fights it. Not in any interesting way - just because he's a rake and he's supposed to because this is a historical romance. Lily is your typical Mary-Sue. Annoyingly sweet, will do anything for her sisters - even give up the man she loves...
And she constantly needs rescued from falling. Like three times in 50 pages she trips or something and Max saves her.
There's some attempt at drama by adding in an almost rape backstory, but it just doesn't work well. Maybe because her sisters are so quick to tell the Duke about it? I'm not sure. It just feels forced. Like the author was desperate to find a way to make Lily more naive/in need of protection.
In general, I think the story is just too short to really have any character development or interesting plot devices. Definitely not a good fit for me.
July 28, 2020
The covers are dreadfull but the story is really sweet.
Wonderful novella.
Wonderful novella.
April 14, 2020
This is an OK Regency romance, with a likable couple, but I did have a few issues with it. It gets 3 stars from me.
I would recommend that you read the prologue "How to Reform a Rake" before starting this series. I'm not sure where all it can be found, but it was available at the end of the boxed set volumes 4-6 of Wicked Lords of London.
My first issue with this story is that the author really needs to hire a better editor. There were lots of editing errors, and they were very distracting.
Because this is a short novella, it suffers from a lack of character development. That's the main reason I tend to prefer full-length books, and not novellas.
Lily is likable enough in this story, but I really wanted her and her sisters to stand up to her mother a little more. Her mother was absolutely awful.
Max was OK, too, but he had a hard time dealing with his difficult past. It did help him to understand what Lily had to endure, but it also almost caused the loss of their relationship.
I liked that Max and Lily found their HEA, but found their instalove to be unbelievable.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
I would recommend that you read the prologue "How to Reform a Rake" before starting this series. I'm not sure where all it can be found, but it was available at the end of the boxed set volumes 4-6 of Wicked Lords of London.
My first issue with this story is that the author really needs to hire a better editor. There were lots of editing errors, and they were very distracting.
Because this is a short novella, it suffers from a lack of character development. That's the main reason I tend to prefer full-length books, and not novellas.
Lily is likable enough in this story, but I really wanted her and her sisters to stand up to her mother a little more. Her mother was absolutely awful.
Max was OK, too, but he had a hard time dealing with his difficult past. It did help him to understand what Lily had to endure, but it also almost caused the loss of their relationship.
I liked that Max and Lily found their HEA, but found their instalove to be unbelievable.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
January 15, 2019
This is a great beginning to a new Tammy Andresen series. In How to Redeem a Rake, Tammy's contribution to A Christmas Brothel, we first meet the 5 peers stranded during a snow storm. The spend the night in a brothel and meet a gypsy who helps them decide a bet. Each man bets that he can kiss on of the 5 Ducat sisters and the tarot cards selects the sister for each.
This is the first book in the series. Max, the Duke of Longley argues with his friends and decides to go home. Caught in a snowstorm he ends up at one place he wouldn't want to be. He finds the one house in the neighborhood where some of the Ducats are visiting - and one of them is Lily - the sister he became obsessed with a few months before.
This is love at first sight and yet they are being separated by her mother who sees the Duke as a prize for her older daughter. This is a mother no one want to have. She constantly is picking on poor Lily. Max had his own share of cruel parents and he recognizes it right away.
The characters are delightful, the dialogue is witty and the happily ever after is worth the wait.
This is the first book in the series. Max, the Duke of Longley argues with his friends and decides to go home. Caught in a snowstorm he ends up at one place he wouldn't want to be. He finds the one house in the neighborhood where some of the Ducats are visiting - and one of them is Lily - the sister he became obsessed with a few months before.
This is love at first sight and yet they are being separated by her mother who sees the Duke as a prize for her older daughter. This is a mother no one want to have. She constantly is picking on poor Lily. Max had his own share of cruel parents and he recognizes it right away.
The characters are delightful, the dialogue is witty and the happily ever after is worth the wait.
January 24, 2019
"How a single tarot card would ever guide him he couldn't imagine, but then again, he'd never expected to have a fortune-teller predict that he'd kiss the very woman who had plagued his imagination for the past several months." Oh yes, Max, the Duke of Longley is sigh worthy to the extreme! Just love a man who is the darker, brooding type but it seems his time may have come. After all, the cards declared it! Grabbed right from the start when Max is leaving the brothel he and his four friends, all rakes, had spent the night at due to the weather. (oh yes and what happens pushes the story!)
Lily Ducat, one of five Ducat sisters, is the woman the tarot card selected. Wouldn't you know he became stranded in his carriage on the road where Lily was staying due to weather had to stay? Love to see a rake come to his knees!
This is such a marvelous romantic story that had me in its grip until the end. Tammy Andresen continues to amaze me with every word she writes. The characters, settings and storyline always come alive and I can only smile as I turn the last page!! Cannot wait for more of the friends of Max!!
Lily Ducat, one of five Ducat sisters, is the woman the tarot card selected. Wouldn't you know he became stranded in his carriage on the road where Lily was staying due to weather had to stay? Love to see a rake come to his knees!
This is such a marvelous romantic story that had me in its grip until the end. Tammy Andresen continues to amaze me with every word she writes. The characters, settings and storyline always come alive and I can only smile as I turn the last page!! Cannot wait for more of the friends of Max!!
January 15, 2019
4.5 Stars
Maximillian Ableman, The Duke of Longley is a rake and should be left well enough alone. He first saw Lady Lily Ducat in a shop several months ago & hasn’t been able to forget her. He & four of his friends place a ridiculous bet & then he storms off only to find himself stranded & who should be staying at the manor where he seeks help?
I read the prologue to this series in an anthology & my interest was sparked. Five noblemen who are all rakes & rogues, five sisters & a bet made at Christmas. This novella was enchanting, the author is so very very good at writing short stories that deliver on story & characters that are well fleshed. Max & Lily are victims of their parents’ disdain but in each other find their soul mate. I read this story in an afternoon & whilst I was left feeling happy & satisfied with the ending, I was also left wanting to read the rest of the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Maximillian Ableman, The Duke of Longley is a rake and should be left well enough alone. He first saw Lady Lily Ducat in a shop several months ago & hasn’t been able to forget her. He & four of his friends place a ridiculous bet & then he storms off only to find himself stranded & who should be staying at the manor where he seeks help?
I read the prologue to this series in an anthology & my interest was sparked. Five noblemen who are all rakes & rogues, five sisters & a bet made at Christmas. This novella was enchanting, the author is so very very good at writing short stories that deliver on story & characters that are well fleshed. Max & Lily are victims of their parents’ disdain but in each other find their soul mate. I read this story in an afternoon & whilst I was left feeling happy & satisfied with the ending, I was also left wanting to read the rest of the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
January 23, 2019
Don't Tell A Duke You Love Him is a fantastic historical romance by Tammy Andresen. Ms. Andresen has delivered a book that is well-written and loaded with amazing, lovable characters. Max is the Duke of Longley and has had Lily on his mind since he first met her, months before. His carriage is damaged and he is forced to find lodging at the home of the Mayfields, where Lily, her mother and two sisters were spending Christmas. Lily is trying to keep her sister Camille from marrying the unappealing Mr. Mayfield. Max and Lily's story is loaded with drama, humor and spice. I enjoyed reading Don't Tell A Duke You Love Him and look forward to the next book in this series. Don't Tell A Duke You Love Him is book 1 of the How To Reform A Rake Series but it can be read as a standalone. I do suggest reading How To Reform A Rake first though to get the back story on Max. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from a third party. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from a third party. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 2, 2022
Excellent story of a love that could not be denied. Maximillian Masters, the Duke of Longley, considers himself unloveable. Lady Lily Ducat is under a huge amount of pressure from her mother to stay away from his Grace. Loved these characters and their journey. Lily's sisters were excellent also. Very enjoyable novella.
April 3, 2019
Max and Lily were perfect together. A very enjoyable story. Will read the whole series now.
5☆
5☆
July 31, 2020
This was such an easy read. I absolutely loved Max and Lily. The is story was everything I was looking for and I can’t wait to read more of those series and author as well.
July 31, 2020
Wow! I absolutely loved everything about Lily and Max! ❤️
Can’t wait to continue with this beautiful series! ☺️
Can’t wait to continue with this beautiful series! ☺️
August 18, 2022
I can not wait to finish the other books in this series. The author did a great job leaving the door open to continue the series.
July 18, 2024
The story Is OK, but the plethora of grammar mistakes (than and then were CONSTANTLY confused, I can't fathom why) were too distracting and it got really annoying. Also, the author knows NOTHING about the Regency/Victorian era. The ages of the sisters are NEVER said, but given that the second-born sisters hadn't had a season, I would assume Lilly, being the third-born, was 17 at the most. Since she wasn't even considered for a season. And he has met her months before, so... Adelaide acted like a shameless, knowledgeable woman, when she couldn't have been more than 16, considering that she was the youngest of the five sisters.
Because of the use of some words I placed the time period around the late 1800's, but absolutely nowhere in this book is a clear date, which means the descriptions of everything and everyone are completely vage.
If this had been written as a fantasy setting, or in a modern era, I would have rated it way better. As it is supposed to be "historical" romance, I have to give it 2 stars, because it's higly innacurate.
Because of the use of some words I placed the time period around the late 1800's, but absolutely nowhere in this book is a clear date, which means the descriptions of everything and everyone are completely vage.
If this had been written as a fantasy setting, or in a modern era, I would have rated it way better. As it is supposed to be "historical" romance, I have to give it 2 stars, because it's higly innacurate.
November 13, 2020
I enjoyed the beginning of this book immensely. I always love old-fashioned fortune telling and a hero in denial of his attraction to the heroine.
However, the book quickly devolves into TDTL territory where the heroine (Lily) repeatedly rejects our hero (Max) for one increasingly tenuous reason. Supposedly, the heroine's mother wants Max to marry Lily's older sister, so our heroine repeatedly steps aside to support this match. This is in spite of the fact that both Max and her sister repeatedly decry their desire for such a match. By the end, it just gets frustratingly far-fetched.
The opening had promise, but the execution fell short.
However, the book quickly devolves into TDTL territory where the heroine (Lily) repeatedly rejects our hero (Max) for one increasingly tenuous reason. Supposedly, the heroine's mother wants Max to marry Lily's older sister, so our heroine repeatedly steps aside to support this match. This is in spite of the fact that both Max and her sister repeatedly decry their desire for such a match. By the end, it just gets frustratingly far-fetched.
The opening had promise, but the execution fell short.
August 16, 2021
Don’t Tell a Duke You Love, Book 1 of the How to Reform a Rake series, was about His Grace (NOT Lord!! Please get the titles right!) Maximillian "Max" Abelman (his name was Maximillian Masters in the blurb above, but in the book as well as in the prequel "How to Reform a Rake", his name was Ableman), the Duke of Longley, and Lady Lily Ducat, the fourth of five daughters of an Earl.
Side note: It's really disconcerting when the author gets the names, titles, and forms of address incorrect for their own books and characters. Even more distracting is the wrong verbiage, tenses, and spelling of those words. All three were quite prevalent throughout this book. She also gave one of her characters a stutter that came and went. Was it deliberate or did she forget that he was supposed to stutter?
After having drunkenly planned to travel to the Dover estate of Lord Sirius Renwall, the Earl of Clearwater, with four of his friends (including the Earl himself), a snowstorm had forced them to stay at a brothel in Cantebury for the night, with the only lodging available to have been at a local brothel...and in the company of Vadoma, a gypsy fortune-teller. While in the fortune teller's company, Lord Rex Baluster, the Marquess of Highwater, made a bet that the five friends could not talk a respectable lady to give each one of them a single kiss. He then selected the fie Ducat sisters as the prospective ladies.
Max and Lily had met several months prior in a pastry shop and he found himself quite attracted to her. When he became stranded in the same place as she and some of her family, that attraction was even more apparent, for both of them. So much so that Max tried his best to find a way home so that he didn't have to stay in her presence any longer than necessary.
Because of an incident between Lily and her eldest sister, Camille, their mother had hardened her heart to Lily, which was apparent in the way she treated her in front of Max. Max noticed the ill-treatment and was not happy about it. Lily's mother was one hateful B*tch, and that's me being nice. the angst and drama that miserable beast of a woman created were so thick it could be cut with a fingernail, and there was a ton of angst. Lily's favorite time of year was Christmas, and her mother had ruined it for her with her callousness and disdain. The humor was pretty awesome and always displayed just when needed. The storyline was great and the foundation was pretty firm.
The ending was by far one of the better endings I have read of a historical romance to date. It was bloody brilliant! While the ending was a HEA, it still did not change the fate of the book. It didn't earn a five-star rating or the opportunity to join the Keeper for the Shelves collection. It had too many frustrating errors for that. However, it was an excellent story. If the author ever took an opportunity to fix the errors and republish the story, then it might be upgraded. Until such a time, its fate is sealed.
Side note: It's really disconcerting when the author gets the names, titles, and forms of address incorrect for their own books and characters. Even more distracting is the wrong verbiage, tenses, and spelling of those words. All three were quite prevalent throughout this book. She also gave one of her characters a stutter that came and went. Was it deliberate or did she forget that he was supposed to stutter?
After having drunkenly planned to travel to the Dover estate of Lord Sirius Renwall, the Earl of Clearwater, with four of his friends (including the Earl himself), a snowstorm had forced them to stay at a brothel in Cantebury for the night, with the only lodging available to have been at a local brothel...and in the company of Vadoma, a gypsy fortune-teller. While in the fortune teller's company, Lord Rex Baluster, the Marquess of Highwater, made a bet that the five friends could not talk a respectable lady to give each one of them a single kiss. He then selected the fie Ducat sisters as the prospective ladies.
Max and Lily had met several months prior in a pastry shop and he found himself quite attracted to her. When he became stranded in the same place as she and some of her family, that attraction was even more apparent, for both of them. So much so that Max tried his best to find a way home so that he didn't have to stay in her presence any longer than necessary.
Because of an incident between Lily and her eldest sister, Camille, their mother had hardened her heart to Lily, which was apparent in the way she treated her in front of Max. Max noticed the ill-treatment and was not happy about it. Lily's mother was one hateful B*tch, and that's me being nice. the angst and drama that miserable beast of a woman created were so thick it could be cut with a fingernail, and there was a ton of angst. Lily's favorite time of year was Christmas, and her mother had ruined it for her with her callousness and disdain. The humor was pretty awesome and always displayed just when needed. The storyline was great and the foundation was pretty firm.
The ending was by far one of the better endings I have read of a historical romance to date. It was bloody brilliant! While the ending was a HEA, it still did not change the fate of the book. It didn't earn a five-star rating or the opportunity to join the Keeper for the Shelves collection. It had too many frustrating errors for that. However, it was an excellent story. If the author ever took an opportunity to fix the errors and republish the story, then it might be upgraded. Until such a time, its fate is sealed.
December 4, 2025
“Rakes like women. That’s precisely the problem.”
In Andersen’s novel, the protagonists’ conflict between desire and duty led to a whirlwind of difficult decisions. The book creatively narrates the high value placed on reputation and societal status, and the blessings and curses of having a high reputation and status during the rigid historic Regency times. Maximillian Abelman, the Duke of Longley, did not anticipate that his rakish reputation could be threatened by his desire to save the dignity and reputation of his love interest. Neither did he envisage the powerful effect of his status in redeeming a tainted reputation by marriage. Similarly, Lily Ducat knew the benefits of marrying a person of a high status, but she is conflicted between following her heart's desires and redeeming her sister's tainted reputation. The novel leverages high societal stakes in the Regency era with the emotional turbulence of individual desires to uphold societal honor amidst personal conflicts.
Andersen's novel shows the agonizing connection between the characters by utilizing internal monologue to convey the characters' intense emotions. The use of dialogue and antithesis in describing the physical features and attitudes of the main characters is impressive - Max’s large features and imposing approach compared to Lily's petite, softness, and shyness. Also, the author's ability to interact with Max's hidden desires, dedication, and sentiment to conflict with Lily's saviour complex was perfectly moulded. One person is actively working towards redemption, while the other person is actively working towards self-ruin. Lily's self-denial of her love interest in the Duke to redeem her sister's damaged reputation reflects her vulnerability and insecurity about her person and conformity to rigid societal rules. Similarly, Max's dedication to detaching Lily from the suffocating thoughts of being unwanted, having felt the same pain, was deeply romantic. Although the core conflict started with the frivolous wager, however, the author justifies the purpose of the wager with the emotional connection between the protagonists. The plot is well-structured, intriguing, and full of twists. This novel is the first of five books in a series, and the sexual content is minimal. It is a great piece of historical romance and highly recommended for readers interested in Regency romance and flawed but complex heroes.
In Andersen’s novel, the protagonists’ conflict between desire and duty led to a whirlwind of difficult decisions. The book creatively narrates the high value placed on reputation and societal status, and the blessings and curses of having a high reputation and status during the rigid historic Regency times. Maximillian Abelman, the Duke of Longley, did not anticipate that his rakish reputation could be threatened by his desire to save the dignity and reputation of his love interest. Neither did he envisage the powerful effect of his status in redeeming a tainted reputation by marriage. Similarly, Lily Ducat knew the benefits of marrying a person of a high status, but she is conflicted between following her heart's desires and redeeming her sister's tainted reputation. The novel leverages high societal stakes in the Regency era with the emotional turbulence of individual desires to uphold societal honor amidst personal conflicts.
Andersen's novel shows the agonizing connection between the characters by utilizing internal monologue to convey the characters' intense emotions. The use of dialogue and antithesis in describing the physical features and attitudes of the main characters is impressive - Max’s large features and imposing approach compared to Lily's petite, softness, and shyness. Also, the author's ability to interact with Max's hidden desires, dedication, and sentiment to conflict with Lily's saviour complex was perfectly moulded. One person is actively working towards redemption, while the other person is actively working towards self-ruin. Lily's self-denial of her love interest in the Duke to redeem her sister's damaged reputation reflects her vulnerability and insecurity about her person and conformity to rigid societal rules. Similarly, Max's dedication to detaching Lily from the suffocating thoughts of being unwanted, having felt the same pain, was deeply romantic. Although the core conflict started with the frivolous wager, however, the author justifies the purpose of the wager with the emotional connection between the protagonists. The plot is well-structured, intriguing, and full of twists. This novel is the first of five books in a series, and the sexual content is minimal. It is a great piece of historical romance and highly recommended for readers interested in Regency romance and flawed but complex heroes.
February 17, 2019
In this delightfully enchanting romance, the characters are very engaging while the premise causes much reading enjoyment. I was certainly intrigued by the Duke of Longley, as what has been said about him may not reflect his true nature. As for the woman predicted to be the one from whom he steals a kiss, concern for others far outweighs worry about her own troubles. When this couple unexpectedly find themselves in close contact, feelings are awakened as their destiny plays out. I was totally entertained throughout this wonderful story, as Tammy Andresen makes every situation convincing and had me wishing the characters were real.
After Maximillian Abelman became entangled in a bet with his four friends, he does not want to win because getting Lily Ducat to kiss him would be a huge mistake. Though the Duke of Longley has met the woman once, there is no way he will put himself or her in a compromising position. But when he changes his plans for the Christmas holiday, his chosen destination leads him right to Lily. She has heard all about Max and his tarnished reputation, though that does not stop her from admiring his good looks and commanding behavior. Yet marriage is certainly not what either of them wants.
With conversations filled with sharp-wit and characters whose personalities shine at all times, I was pulled into the many events that happen in DON’T TELL A DUKE YOU LOVE HIM. Max is a man whose past haunts him, and I was sad about how it controlled his current life. Seeing him interact with Lily and her sisters was repeatedly amusing, and their candid comments had me smiling a lot. She is a very caring individual, and I kept hoping that the happiness she deserves would finally be hers. Many of the secondary characters are interesting, and I am so glad many of their personal stories will be forthcoming. With its Christmas setting, there are some fun festivities taking place that added to the storyline. Rating - 4.5 Stars
After Maximillian Abelman became entangled in a bet with his four friends, he does not want to win because getting Lily Ducat to kiss him would be a huge mistake. Though the Duke of Longley has met the woman once, there is no way he will put himself or her in a compromising position. But when he changes his plans for the Christmas holiday, his chosen destination leads him right to Lily. She has heard all about Max and his tarnished reputation, though that does not stop her from admiring his good looks and commanding behavior. Yet marriage is certainly not what either of them wants.
With conversations filled with sharp-wit and characters whose personalities shine at all times, I was pulled into the many events that happen in DON’T TELL A DUKE YOU LOVE HIM. Max is a man whose past haunts him, and I was sad about how it controlled his current life. Seeing him interact with Lily and her sisters was repeatedly amusing, and their candid comments had me smiling a lot. She is a very caring individual, and I kept hoping that the happiness she deserves would finally be hers. Many of the secondary characters are interesting, and I am so glad many of their personal stories will be forthcoming. With its Christmas setting, there are some fun festivities taking place that added to the storyline. Rating - 4.5 Stars
May 18, 2022
He was too dangerous to be denied.
The Duke was a rake and easily one of the most popular men of the ton.
The Duke of Longley was a rake and should be left well enough alone. At least that is what Lady Lily Ducat's mother continually said. As far as Lily could tell, she was correct. His Grace had a devilish air about him and a brooding silence that no debutante should attempt to tame and certainly not grow an affection for. He was too much man and beyond redemption. Except once they are tossed together after a winter storm, she is dangerously close to declaring her love, because in the dark of night, he was all Lily could see.
Maximillian Masters learned long ago to stay far away from dewy eyed maidens. He was too cynical, too experienced, and much too adverse to marriage for such a lady. Which is why he must never see the lovely Lily again, no matter what some ridiculous gypsy predicted. Except, when he is stranded and at the mercy of winter, Lily is there, and the more he sees her, the harder it is to deny temptation.
Tammy Andresen has written another good book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
The Duke was a rake and easily one of the most popular men of the ton.
The Duke of Longley was a rake and should be left well enough alone. At least that is what Lady Lily Ducat's mother continually said. As far as Lily could tell, she was correct. His Grace had a devilish air about him and a brooding silence that no debutante should attempt to tame and certainly not grow an affection for. He was too much man and beyond redemption. Except once they are tossed together after a winter storm, she is dangerously close to declaring her love, because in the dark of night, he was all Lily could see.
Maximillian Masters learned long ago to stay far away from dewy eyed maidens. He was too cynical, too experienced, and much too adverse to marriage for such a lady. Which is why he must never see the lovely Lily again, no matter what some ridiculous gypsy predicted. Except, when he is stranded and at the mercy of winter, Lily is there, and the more he sees her, the harder it is to deny temptation.
Tammy Andresen has written another good book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
July 7, 2023
Don’t Tell a Duke You Love Him is the first book in the How To Reform a Rake series. It’s a novella which limited some of the character development. This is a short enjoyable historical romance set during Christmastide.
A rogue’s reform can have the most unlikely beginning. When a Duke and his four friends are forced to stay at the only accommodations available in snow covered Canterbury, a brothel, because all respectable inns are full, their lives take a dramatic turn. A gypsy convinces them to tempt fate and enter a bet.
Don’t Tell a Duke You Love Him: 3 stars: Max & Lily
Maximillian Ableman, the Duke of Longley, was a rake. Too cynical, too experienced, and much too adverse to marriage. However, a kissing bet that he gets pulled into will change all that.
Lily Ducat is one of the five Ducat sisters. Lily is beautifully sweet, quiet and kind. She is loyal to her family but, fortunately, she’s not a complete pushover.
Max and Lily’s attraction was mutual. He only had eyes for her from the moment they met. She was enamoured of him too. It seemed to verge on instant love which wasn’t as satisfying as a more developed romance but it was still a nice relationship to read.
I recommend this book, although there are some distracting editing errors.
A rogue’s reform can have the most unlikely beginning. When a Duke and his four friends are forced to stay at the only accommodations available in snow covered Canterbury, a brothel, because all respectable inns are full, their lives take a dramatic turn. A gypsy convinces them to tempt fate and enter a bet.
Don’t Tell a Duke You Love Him: 3 stars: Max & Lily
Maximillian Ableman, the Duke of Longley, was a rake. Too cynical, too experienced, and much too adverse to marriage. However, a kissing bet that he gets pulled into will change all that.
Lily Ducat is one of the five Ducat sisters. Lily is beautifully sweet, quiet and kind. She is loyal to her family but, fortunately, she’s not a complete pushover.
Max and Lily’s attraction was mutual. He only had eyes for her from the moment they met. She was enamoured of him too. It seemed to verge on instant love which wasn’t as satisfying as a more developed romance but it was still a nice relationship to read.
I recommend this book, although there are some distracting editing errors.
December 15, 2019
Besides himself in frustration and anger, Max, The Duke of Longley, abandons his friends and sets off for London, with one thought in his mind: avoid the Ducat sisters at any cost. He did not take into account a severe snowstorm, a broken carriage wheel and the one woman he cannot forget opening the manor house door to him. The plot of this romantic Regency novel is entertaining and witty but has undercurrents of pain as Lily struggles to maneuver her way out from under her mother's thumb. One by one, Max finds himself inveigled into meetings with the Ducat sisters at midnight but to his surprise, he discovers a self-sacrificing love between the girls that makes him long for what they have. Just when Max thinks he has lost the one good thing he has ever encountered, love comes to find him, just as the gypsy told him. I enjoyed this romance, the humour, and the banter and in particular the thawing of the Duke of Longley's heart. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
January 13, 2019
Maximillian Masters, Duke of Longley is one of 5 friends, as close as brothers, who had made names for themselves as scoundrels, drinkers and womanizers. They never messed with young, virtuous ladies and they were happy with their way of life. However; Max was introduced to Lily Ducat in the spring and hasn't been able to forget her - he hasn't been with a woman in months.
Lady Lily Ducat and her 4 sisters are ready for marriage, Lily met Max one time a few months prior and the hasn't forgotten the butterflies she felt in her tummy, but her mother reminded her of what kind of a man he was.
All the fun begins when Max shows up at a Christmastide house party and has to stay because his carriage has a broken wheel - wait until they both find out who is there. The book is fun, romantic, celebrating good friends and loving sisters. I highly recommend this read - you won't be disappointed as Tammy weaves another wonderful tale of love!
March 19, 2019
This is one of the most thrilling ones I’ve read! Definitely read the free prologue How to Reform a Rake first because it really gives that extra boost. No matter what they did fate was going to put them together. He didn’t believe any of it until that door opened. It was a powerful love at first sight with him tossing aside everything to help her if needed. It has one of the best wedding scenes and a great ending.
Lily would do anything to help her sister, even say no to the man she loved. Her mother blamed her for everything and almost destroyed her. I loved how she stood up for herself and listened to her sisters.
Max completely changed as soon as he was around her. I loved how he listened to her sisters and knew what he would do. He was like a puppy when it came to her in front of all those people.
I can’t wait to read her sister’s stories, especially Adelaide because she is really going to be fun.
Copy provided for an honest and voluntary review.
Lily would do anything to help her sister, even say no to the man she loved. Her mother blamed her for everything and almost destroyed her. I loved how she stood up for herself and listened to her sisters.
Max completely changed as soon as he was around her. I loved how he listened to her sisters and knew what he would do. He was like a puppy when it came to her in front of all those people.
I can’t wait to read her sister’s stories, especially Adelaide because she is really going to be fun.
Copy provided for an honest and voluntary review.
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