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Regency Romps #8
The Devilish Duke
His Grace, the Duke of Devenish, has given up on love. He's been burned more than once, and only recently had to give up a woman he was very fond of to another. He's happy enough otherwise, despite the concerns of his family and friends, so why ruin a perfectly stable, organised world with affairs of the heart? His disabled mother needs his support and help, and he’s content enough with his lot.
Cassandra Scott has spent her adult life caring for her older brother as he battles a mysterious illness that has sapped his strength and vitality over the years. As a result, she’s never left the countryside, but at the insistence of their friend Doctor Lacey, the Scotts have relocated to Bath in the hope of easing some of her brother’s worst symptoms.
As a new life has opened her eyes, Cassandra is determined to love everything she sees and learn everything she can about the world. She seeks out anyone who has travelled, desperate to learn more about the cultures and places she’s only experienced in books.
When a chance meeting brings Devenish and Cassandra together, they both discover a friend who, despite their differences in life and station, understands the pressures of family and the pain of heartbreak. It's all they can hope for, considering the obligations and baggage they each hold. Cassandra will always put her brother before her own interests, and Devenish would never commit to a woman when he cannot give her what he thinks she wants.
However, this is Bath: home of Lady Seraphinia, the Duchess of Devenish, Lord Arthur and Anna Clyde. Devenish and Cassandra might think that they know what’s best for their families, but the people who love them have very different ideas.
Cassandra Scott has spent her adult life caring for her older brother as he battles a mysterious illness that has sapped his strength and vitality over the years. As a result, she’s never left the countryside, but at the insistence of their friend Doctor Lacey, the Scotts have relocated to Bath in the hope of easing some of her brother’s worst symptoms.
As a new life has opened her eyes, Cassandra is determined to love everything she sees and learn everything she can about the world. She seeks out anyone who has travelled, desperate to learn more about the cultures and places she’s only experienced in books.
When a chance meeting brings Devenish and Cassandra together, they both discover a friend who, despite their differences in life and station, understands the pressures of family and the pain of heartbreak. It's all they can hope for, considering the obligations and baggage they each hold. Cassandra will always put her brother before her own interests, and Devenish would never commit to a woman when he cannot give her what he thinks she wants.
However, this is Bath: home of Lady Seraphinia, the Duchess of Devenish, Lord Arthur and Anna Clyde. Devenish and Cassandra might think that they know what’s best for their families, but the people who love them have very different ideas.
- GenresHistorical Romance
205 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 6, 2019
39 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Bramwell
12 books37 followersElizabeth Bramwell is a writer and admin pro living in Alberta on the edge of the Prairies. A Brit by birth, she now lives in one of the most beautiful places on earth where she enjoys spending time with her family. When not writing romance novellas set in Regency or Victorian England, she is forced to be a responsible grownup but in truth would rather be buried in her books.
For more information and updates on Elizabeth and her writing projects, check out her blog at http://elizabethbramwell.blogspot.ca/
For more information and updates on Elizabeth and her writing projects, check out her blog at http://elizabethbramwell.blogspot.ca/
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 8, 2019
Enjoyable
Another wonderful story. I have enjoyed this entire series. I laughed out loud many times at Cassandra’s naïveté. I cried at the end, what a awesome ending to a great story. Who could not fall in love with this Develish Duke.
Another wonderful story. I have enjoyed this entire series. I laughed out loud many times at Cassandra’s naïveté. I cried at the end, what a awesome ending to a great story. Who could not fall in love with this Develish Duke.
November 6, 2019
So disappointing.
I was looking forward to finally reading the Devilish Devenish's story. His character was delightful in The Foolish Friend oozing with charm and intelligence. All that seemed to vanish in this tale. As for Cassie being his insta-love, 🤮 yuck, I don't see it. She owes Devenish too many apologies, and he apologizes to her too many times when he had nothing to apologize for. She was actually offputting and judgmental.
The major error of this book is Lady Seraphina being downgraded from a Viscountess in The Alter Ego to being a Baroness in this book. If we have to continue to read a series of books to see a character's HEA in a later book the author could at least maintain continuity in her characters.
I was looking forward to finally reading the Devilish Devenish's story. His character was delightful in The Foolish Friend oozing with charm and intelligence. All that seemed to vanish in this tale. As for Cassie being his insta-love, 🤮 yuck, I don't see it. She owes Devenish too many apologies, and he apologizes to her too many times when he had nothing to apologize for. She was actually offputting and judgmental.
The major error of this book is Lady Seraphina being downgraded from a Viscountess in The Alter Ego to being a Baroness in this book. If we have to continue to read a series of books to see a character's HEA in a later book the author could at least maintain continuity in her characters.
October 21, 2024
A closed-door regency romance in the traditional style.
The Duke of Devenish didn't come out as charming and charismatic as in his previous appearance in an earlier book of the series, even if he was a likeable enough male protagonist. It was a good idea to make his love interest to be a naïve and candid lady, very different from the ladies he was used to meeting in the Ton. However, I felt that the female protagonist was too candid and excessively ignorant of the manners expected from a lady, even if she has lived in the countryside all her life (it's not as if she hasn't had any contact with the gentry). Even so, the romance read well, so no complaints.
Another good point of this book (which merits the fourth star) is that it is possible to appreciate the author's evolution from the first book in the series. While keeping in line with classical regencies (in particular, with Heyer's books), each story reads less as a "copy" of someone else's writing style and more as an original work from this author. Also, it's possible to see how she corrects errors from previous books (e.g., the incorrect "leif" from another novel is now the correct "lief") and how she keeps researching the period and the circumstances of her characters (in this case, the illnesses of two of the supporting characters seem to have been well documented, instead of just making things up).
The Duke of Devenish didn't come out as charming and charismatic as in his previous appearance in an earlier book of the series, even if he was a likeable enough male protagonist. It was a good idea to make his love interest to be a naïve and candid lady, very different from the ladies he was used to meeting in the Ton. However, I felt that the female protagonist was too candid and excessively ignorant of the manners expected from a lady, even if she has lived in the countryside all her life (it's not as if she hasn't had any contact with the gentry). Even so, the romance read well, so no complaints.
Another good point of this book (which merits the fourth star) is that it is possible to appreciate the author's evolution from the first book in the series. While keeping in line with classical regencies (in particular, with Heyer's books), each story reads less as a "copy" of someone else's writing style and more as an original work from this author. Also, it's possible to see how she corrects errors from previous books (e.g., the incorrect "leif" from another novel is now the correct "lief") and how she keeps researching the period and the circumstances of her characters (in this case, the illnesses of two of the supporting characters seem to have been well documented, instead of just making things up).
July 8, 2019
Hurrah for book number 8 in Elizabeth Bramwell’s delightful Regency Romp series! I felt so badly when the Duke of Devenish, The Devilish Duke, did not find love in The Foolish Friend, so I was so happy with this book!
This is such a fun and engaging series with such interesting characters! You get pulled into their lives, and you care about each of them. I love it that these beloved characters continue to play a part in later books, after “their” book. Just a great series to escape from life! And it is a clean read!! In Book 8, in the very first pages, the Duke of Devenish literally runs into Miss Cassandra White. He immediately is struck by her, kisses her chastely, and has the thought he would like to marry her!❤️ She is clueless to the ways of elite society, and does not believe Devenish when he says he is a Duke.
And so goes the story of Cassandra and Devenish , both having come to Bath for the benefit of the healing waters — Cassandra is there for her bother Ferdy, ( what a fun guy he turns out to be!) and Devenish is there for his mother.
I have read all eight of these books, and this was a favorite one! It made me giggle in several parts. This is such a great addition to the other seven; I hope this series never ends. ❤️
This is such a fun and engaging series with such interesting characters! You get pulled into their lives, and you care about each of them. I love it that these beloved characters continue to play a part in later books, after “their” book. Just a great series to escape from life! And it is a clean read!! In Book 8, in the very first pages, the Duke of Devenish literally runs into Miss Cassandra White. He immediately is struck by her, kisses her chastely, and has the thought he would like to marry her!❤️ She is clueless to the ways of elite society, and does not believe Devenish when he says he is a Duke.
And so goes the story of Cassandra and Devenish , both having come to Bath for the benefit of the healing waters — Cassandra is there for her bother Ferdy, ( what a fun guy he turns out to be!) and Devenish is there for his mother.
I have read all eight of these books, and this was a favorite one! It made me giggle in several parts. This is such a great addition to the other seven; I hope this series never ends. ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2021
DISAPPOINTED / DNG
I was looking forward to reading about the Duke. I even skipped the book order. The h was supposed to come across as a kind, curious country girl. Instead, she was gauche, never stopped talking, and ridiculously stupid. She wasn't even able to tell when someone was being incredibly rude. Disturbingly, in the face of racism, a sharp put down is thought too harsh. I really don't understand what this author was trying to say. And there was no romance. A great opening scene and then it went horribly downhill.
I was looking forward to reading about the Duke. I even skipped the book order. The h was supposed to come across as a kind, curious country girl. Instead, she was gauche, never stopped talking, and ridiculously stupid. She wasn't even able to tell when someone was being incredibly rude. Disturbingly, in the face of racism, a sharp put down is thought too harsh. I really don't understand what this author was trying to say. And there was no romance. A great opening scene and then it went horribly downhill.
August 29, 2020
This Regency Romps series is delightful!!!
At first the obvious couples seemed too predictable, but hold steady the reins, when was love ever a smooth course? Surprisingly endearing and entertaining characters and some history thrown in to justify binge reading!!! Well done!! Can't wait for more!! I'd love to see how their children turn out!!!😊
At first the obvious couples seemed too predictable, but hold steady the reins, when was love ever a smooth course? Surprisingly endearing and entertaining characters and some history thrown in to justify binge reading!!! Well done!! Can't wait for more!! I'd love to see how their children turn out!!!😊
July 11, 2019
Romance
Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novels series books. Please keep more of these wonderful books. Thank you very much
Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novels series books. Please keep more of these wonderful books. Thank you very much
July 28, 2019
Last book of eight
Different, this story hit on issues of life changing illnesses,race,class distinction and family units. Nice lead couple and secondary characters.
Different, this story hit on issues of life changing illnesses,race,class distinction and family units. Nice lead couple and secondary characters.
September 2, 2019
Devenish and Cassie
Unspoiled, tender hearted beauty from the country goes to bath to help her invalid brother and turns the Devilish Duke’s life upside down. - Babs
Unspoiled, tender hearted beauty from the country goes to bath to help her invalid brother and turns the Devilish Duke’s life upside down. - Babs
April 17, 2020
Very sweet.
March 29, 2022
Another I couldn't put down
All of the books in this series are so good that I had considerable difficulty putting them down. I wish they would be made into a television series!
All of the books in this series are so good that I had considerable difficulty putting them down. I wish they would be made into a television series!
July 9, 2023
This Regency romance is full of well-written, likeable characters. Clean and fun. I look forward to more from this author.
February 11, 2021
No kidnappings! Woo hoo! Would like epilogues in these books, though.
January 15, 2024
This was a lovely soft read.
Both the main characters were likely however their embrace on the street would have lead to a scandal All in all a nice read with adorable personnae.
Both the main characters were likely however their embrace on the street would have lead to a scandal All in all a nice read with adorable personnae.
April 17, 2022
A tale worthy of a Duke
The Devilish Duke has been a favorite character of mine since he was introduced in the Foolish Friend. He finally meets the woman worthy, indeed most suited, for him.
The Devilish Duke has been a favorite character of mine since he was introduced in the Foolish Friend. He finally meets the woman worthy, indeed most suited, for him.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews