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The Rogue Files #7
The Duke Effect
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Sophie Jordan continues her bestselling Rogue Files series with this captivating romance that will thrill her many fans.
She doesn’t care about love…
Despite being surrounded by her happily wed sisters, Nora Langley prefers botany to ballrooms and would rather spend a lifetime in her laboratory than consider affairs of the heart. An expert herbalist, Nora has been masquerading as her late physician father for years, dispensing invaluable medical advice. She corresponds with people all over the world, including an old army colonel. But when the man shows up on her doorstep, he is nothing like she expected—he is a young, handsome heir to a dukedom who suddenly threatens everything she holds dear.
He only cares about duty…
Constantine Sinclair arrives on the Langley doorstep in a desperate bid to save the woman who raised him, the Duchess of Birchwood… only to discover that the venerable doctor he expected is a bold and lovely charlatan. Furious at the deception, he vows to reveal her secrets. Determined to prove her skills, Nora promises to save the duchess in exchange for Con keeping her secret. Con reluctantly agrees… and soon, Nora’s brilliant, headstrong ways are throwing his carefully controlled life into chaos. What happens when the rigid soldier begins to lose his grip on his heart?
She doesn’t care about love…
Despite being surrounded by her happily wed sisters, Nora Langley prefers botany to ballrooms and would rather spend a lifetime in her laboratory than consider affairs of the heart. An expert herbalist, Nora has been masquerading as her late physician father for years, dispensing invaluable medical advice. She corresponds with people all over the world, including an old army colonel. But when the man shows up on her doorstep, he is nothing like she expected—he is a young, handsome heir to a dukedom who suddenly threatens everything she holds dear.
He only cares about duty…
Constantine Sinclair arrives on the Langley doorstep in a desperate bid to save the woman who raised him, the Duchess of Birchwood… only to discover that the venerable doctor he expected is a bold and lovely charlatan. Furious at the deception, he vows to reveal her secrets. Determined to prove her skills, Nora promises to save the duchess in exchange for Con keeping her secret. Con reluctantly agrees… and soon, Nora’s brilliant, headstrong ways are throwing his carefully controlled life into chaos. What happens when the rigid soldier begins to lose his grip on his heart?
340 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 27, 2020
468 people are currently reading
3943 people want to read
About the author
Sophie Jordan
83 books8,992 followersPseudonym:
Sharie Kohler
Sophie Jordan took her adolescent daydreaming one step further and penned her first historical romance in the back of her high school Spanish class. This passion led her to pursue a degree in English and History.
A brief stint in law school taught her that case law was not nearly as interesting as literature - teaching English seemed the natural recourse. After several years teaching high school students to love Antigone, Sophie resigned with the birth of her first child and decided it was time to pursue the long-held dream of writing.
In less than three years, her first book, Once Upon A Wedding Night, a 2006 Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Nominee for Best First Historical, hit book shelves. Her second novel, Too Wicked To Tame, released in March 2007 with a bang, landing on the USA Today Bestseller's List.
Sharie Kohler
Sophie Jordan took her adolescent daydreaming one step further and penned her first historical romance in the back of her high school Spanish class. This passion led her to pursue a degree in English and History.
A brief stint in law school taught her that case law was not nearly as interesting as literature - teaching English seemed the natural recourse. After several years teaching high school students to love Antigone, Sophie resigned with the birth of her first child and decided it was time to pursue the long-held dream of writing.
In less than three years, her first book, Once Upon A Wedding Night, a 2006 Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Nominee for Best First Historical, hit book shelves. Her second novel, Too Wicked To Tame, released in March 2007 with a bang, landing on the USA Today Bestseller's List.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 370 reviews
October 21, 2020
After the previous book and seeing more of Nora, I was basically beside myself at the idea of her getting her own story. Sadly, this was a huge let down
I love Nora. She’s smart and inquisitive and unapologetic for what she wants out of life. Con has potential, but I don’t feel like we even scratched the surface...perhaps it’s because there were only a few chapters of his POV. I didn’t see any sort of attachment between the two of them, except for a passing lust.
Plot wise, it was bland. There’s no real conflict, so there doesn’t seem to be a purpose. Nora and Con rarely speak to each other, so I don’t know how they were supposed to be in love by the end. I could have even been satisfied with a mention of off the page conversations, but there’s no indication the two of them spoke more than a handful of times. And that’s where it faltered the most for me.
Overall, I kept reading for Nora and Nora alone. I feel like she got cheated out of a full story.
**Huge thanks to Avon for providing the arc free of charge**
I love Nora. She’s smart and inquisitive and unapologetic for what she wants out of life. Con has potential, but I don’t feel like we even scratched the surface...perhaps it’s because there were only a few chapters of his POV. I didn’t see any sort of attachment between the two of them, except for a passing lust.
Plot wise, it was bland. There’s no real conflict, so there doesn’t seem to be a purpose. Nora and Con rarely speak to each other, so I don’t know how they were supposed to be in love by the end. I could have even been satisfied with a mention of off the page conversations, but there’s no indication the two of them spoke more than a handful of times. And that’s where it faltered the most for me.
Overall, I kept reading for Nora and Nora alone. I feel like she got cheated out of a full story.
**Huge thanks to Avon for providing the arc free of charge**
September 29, 2021
Unfortunately, this series really started to go downhill after book four. I really enjoyed books one through four, but the romances became fluffier and not really developed or fleshed out. In this one, I was really excited at the beginning because the heroine was writing to a few people under the name of her father. She's studied medicine and is a great doctor, but as a woman she's not allowed to actually be educated and be a doctor. Con inherits a dukedom and returns home to take his place as Duke, but his intended is sick and needs help. He decides to ask the doctor he's been writing to for year for help, only to find an intriguing women. Their hate to love dynamic was cute because Con was furious he was duped when it came to who he was writing to. However, the romance didn't really develop that well and felt very instalove at the end. I wasn't a fan of the whole love potion plot of the previous book and didn't like that that was brought into this book. It didn't seem like it really fit for what they were trying to do, so it wasn't that entertaining that they decided to experiment with it. I was over it and over this book.
September 30, 2022
Every character besides the main two and her maid sucked major cacti but the romance itself was cute enough. Wanted more love potion less terrible family and other aristocrats.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5 🌶🌶🌶.25/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5 🌶🌶🌶.25/5
March 6, 2023
I received an ARC from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
The Duke Effect is the last book in the Rogue Files series and it can be read as a standalone. Nora Langley grew up learning medicine directly from her physician father. Unfortunately, the law restricts women from attending medical school, but Nora follows in her father's footsteps as her town's local healer and herbalist. She also exchanges letters with military officers who used to correspond with her father and provides them with medical knowledge and advice. But fearing rejection, Nora signs the letters with her dead father's name instead of her own. When Colonel Constantine Sinclair pays a visit to Dr. Langley, with whom he'd been exchanging letters, he finds Nora instead and discovers the truth. After an explosive encounter in which he threatens to expose her betrayal, Nora manages to convince Sinclair to give her at least one chance to redeem herself.
I basically read this book in one day LOL. It was the perfect timing for me. I had just finished a heavier and darker book, so The Duke Effect was the light and breezy read I needed. I'm gonna be honest: I wasn't a fan of Nora at first. No matter her expertise, she was wrong for sending letters with medical advice under her father's name. She is presented as this feisty and unconventional woman, but she instead comes across as extremely rude and disrespectful. She does get better by the end of the book, but she's not a memorable heroine to be honest. As for Sinclair, he's a reserved and rigid hero who feels obliged to the Duke and Duchess who raised him. When he discovers he is next in line for the title, he has to unwillingly leave the military. And out of obligation to the people who raised him, he puts 100% of his focus on his duties as the heir. It is an absolute delight watching this stuffy and rigid man slowly get undone 🔥
The romance is a super slow burn and the chemistry and sexual tension is just ☆chef's kiss☆ I've said this before and I'll say it again: Sophie Jordan excels at writing scorching chemistry and sexual tension in every single one of her books, without exception. Her books always give me a major case of butterflies. She is the best at building up sexual tension and gradually cranking up the heat until the inevitable happens. This all happens at the perfect pace and the pay off is ALWAYS worth it 🔥 If I want a book with scorching sexual tension and chemistry, I always pick up a Sophie Jordan book. This is why I love reading her books, no matter how imperfect some of them may be. Basically, what I'm trying to say is that the sexual tension between Nora and Sinclair almost killed me 🥵 ALSO! If you've read The Virgin and The Rogue...the aphrodisiac makes a hell of a comeback 😏 And don't worry, it is once again consensual 🔥
As for things that didn't quite work for me...well, I wanted more chapters from Sinclair's point of view. I wanted at least one excerpt from the letters they exchanged because Nora mentioned that Sinclair had shared some personal details in his letters, which is rare because the man is usually reserved. I also found it strange that Nora's family didn't try to contact her after she left for London. Finally, the ending was a little too rushed and Nora's forged signature wasn't ever brought up again. The build up and the pay off were both excellent, but at the end of the day, I wanted the story to be just a little longer. I loved the epilogue, but I needed a more fleshed out ending.
The Duke Effect is the last book in the Rogue Files series and it can be read as a standalone. Nora Langley grew up learning medicine directly from her physician father. Unfortunately, the law restricts women from attending medical school, but Nora follows in her father's footsteps as her town's local healer and herbalist. She also exchanges letters with military officers who used to correspond with her father and provides them with medical knowledge and advice. But fearing rejection, Nora signs the letters with her dead father's name instead of her own. When Colonel Constantine Sinclair pays a visit to Dr. Langley, with whom he'd been exchanging letters, he finds Nora instead and discovers the truth. After an explosive encounter in which he threatens to expose her betrayal, Nora manages to convince Sinclair to give her at least one chance to redeem herself.
I basically read this book in one day LOL. It was the perfect timing for me. I had just finished a heavier and darker book, so The Duke Effect was the light and breezy read I needed. I'm gonna be honest: I wasn't a fan of Nora at first. No matter her expertise, she was wrong for sending letters with medical advice under her father's name. She is presented as this feisty and unconventional woman, but she instead comes across as extremely rude and disrespectful. She does get better by the end of the book, but she's not a memorable heroine to be honest. As for Sinclair, he's a reserved and rigid hero who feels obliged to the Duke and Duchess who raised him. When he discovers he is next in line for the title, he has to unwillingly leave the military. And out of obligation to the people who raised him, he puts 100% of his focus on his duties as the heir. It is an absolute delight watching this stuffy and rigid man slowly get undone 🔥
The romance is a super slow burn and the chemistry and sexual tension is just ☆chef's kiss☆ I've said this before and I'll say it again: Sophie Jordan excels at writing scorching chemistry and sexual tension in every single one of her books, without exception. Her books always give me a major case of butterflies. She is the best at building up sexual tension and gradually cranking up the heat until the inevitable happens. This all happens at the perfect pace and the pay off is ALWAYS worth it 🔥 If I want a book with scorching sexual tension and chemistry, I always pick up a Sophie Jordan book. This is why I love reading her books, no matter how imperfect some of them may be. Basically, what I'm trying to say is that the sexual tension between Nora and Sinclair almost killed me 🥵 ALSO! If you've read The Virgin and The Rogue...the aphrodisiac makes a hell of a comeback 😏 And don't worry, it is once again consensual 🔥
As for things that didn't quite work for me...well, I wanted more chapters from Sinclair's point of view. I wanted at least one excerpt from the letters they exchanged because Nora mentioned that Sinclair had shared some personal details in his letters, which is rare because the man is usually reserved. I also found it strange that Nora's family didn't try to contact her after she left for London. Finally, the ending was a little too rushed and Nora's forged signature wasn't ever brought up again. The build up and the pay off were both excellent, but at the end of the day, I wanted the story to be just a little longer. I loved the epilogue, but I needed a more fleshed out ending.
September 3, 2021
too much was going on and nothing really had any satisfying ending
- heroine medicinal practices revolved around making tea
- condescending side characters behavior were never addressed and resolved
- what happened to amazing Lady Elise
- what about Nora's family
- letters were never mentioned
but the romance part was the worst of it all
I mean he really doesn't like her for the majority of the book and then that potion again
overall I have read this entire series- 7 books and I would rate it three stars...some books I enjoyed more but overall I'm not impressed..
February 19, 2022
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: Just a touch
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
I’ve read books 1-3, and 6-7 of this series. It almost feels like two series together in one, as I couldn’t figure out how the Langley sisters tied into the prior books. Anyway, I think to get the best appreciation for the story you could read the sisters trilogy, which starts with The Duke’s Stolen Bride (book 5). You’ll get some exposure to Nora and their life. This book is okay as a stand alone though – there’s minor references to other characters. Just know that Nora has made aphrodisiac potion in the past and it was a plot point for a prior book.
Basic plot:
Nora has been fascinated with botany and creating tinctures to heal the ailments of those around her. She trained under her father, and when her father passes, she keeps the medical correspondence under his name. One man she writes to is Constantine Sinclair, who at the time was an army colonel overseas. When he returns to find the Doctor Langley, but instead finds Nora, our story begins.
Give this a try if you want:
- Victorian time period – This story takes place in 1866
- A mix of country estate and London setting
- Soldier hero that is inheriting a dukedom and botany loving heroine that aspires to be a doctor
- Medium steam – but SLOW BURN – there are 2 scenes but they are both past 70% and you don’t get any kisses before that either
- A bit of an enemies to lovers feel but it doesn’t last too long
My thoughts:
Constantine is a cousin 4 times removed from the family tree. The son a solicitor, no one ever thought he’d come close to inheriting the dukedom. That is exactly what happens though after the current duke and duchess lose all 3 of their sons to different tragic circumstances.
Never knowing he was going to be in the aristocracy, Constantine entered the army and worked his way up to colonel by the time he was pulled home. Upon returning the somber household of the Duke of Birchwood, he finds the duchess suffering from a mysterious malady. He knows just who could assist him – the Doctor Langley he’s been corresponding with for a number of years. He is shocked to find out the good doctor has been dead for 5 years and he’s actually been communicating with Nora.
I really struggled with this book. There was a lot of negativity here that trailed throughout the book. I enjoyed the characters separately a lot. I thought they had good backgrounds and could work well together but it was never really pulled off for me. Their interactions didn’t sell me on their romance sadly and I just didn’t see how they came to fall in love.
I liked that there wasn’t a lot outside plot craziness going on here, but because the main characters weren’t really interacting too much together, really with each other, I ended up getting bored. They were together in rooms, but a lot of it was conversation flowing around them and I just wanted more connection between the two of them.
Here’s a few random thoughts from the book
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: Just a touch
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
I’ve read books 1-3, and 6-7 of this series. It almost feels like two series together in one, as I couldn’t figure out how the Langley sisters tied into the prior books. Anyway, I think to get the best appreciation for the story you could read the sisters trilogy, which starts with The Duke’s Stolen Bride (book 5). You’ll get some exposure to Nora and their life. This book is okay as a stand alone though – there’s minor references to other characters. Just know that Nora has made aphrodisiac potion in the past and it was a plot point for a prior book.
Basic plot:
Nora has been fascinated with botany and creating tinctures to heal the ailments of those around her. She trained under her father, and when her father passes, she keeps the medical correspondence under his name. One man she writes to is Constantine Sinclair, who at the time was an army colonel overseas. When he returns to find the Doctor Langley, but instead finds Nora, our story begins.
Give this a try if you want:
- Victorian time period – This story takes place in 1866
- A mix of country estate and London setting
- Soldier hero that is inheriting a dukedom and botany loving heroine that aspires to be a doctor
- Medium steam – but SLOW BURN – there are 2 scenes but they are both past 70% and you don’t get any kisses before that either
- A bit of an enemies to lovers feel but it doesn’t last too long
My thoughts:
Constantine is a cousin 4 times removed from the family tree. The son a solicitor, no one ever thought he’d come close to inheriting the dukedom. That is exactly what happens though after the current duke and duchess lose all 3 of their sons to different tragic circumstances.
Never knowing he was going to be in the aristocracy, Constantine entered the army and worked his way up to colonel by the time he was pulled home. Upon returning the somber household of the Duke of Birchwood, he finds the duchess suffering from a mysterious malady. He knows just who could assist him – the Doctor Langley he’s been corresponding with for a number of years. He is shocked to find out the good doctor has been dead for 5 years and he’s actually been communicating with Nora.
I really struggled with this book. There was a lot of negativity here that trailed throughout the book. I enjoyed the characters separately a lot. I thought they had good backgrounds and could work well together but it was never really pulled off for me. Their interactions didn’t sell me on their romance sadly and I just didn’t see how they came to fall in love.
I liked that there wasn’t a lot outside plot craziness going on here, but because the main characters weren’t really interacting too much together, really with each other, I ended up getting bored. They were together in rooms, but a lot of it was conversation flowing around them and I just wanted more connection between the two of them.
Here’s a few random thoughts from the book
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
October 20, 2022
Nora Langley prefers science and experiments to love and marriage despite seeing her two elder sisters happily wed. A skilled herbalist and healer in her own right, Nora has also been using her late father’s name as a physician when dispensing medical advice in letters. She has a robust correspondence, extending as far as an old army colonel stationed in India. She expects no harm to come from her writing and that no one will ever know, until the colonel himself appears in her drawing room and turns out to be the young heir to a dukedom, threatening to expose and ruin her.
Constantine Sinclair arrives at Nora’s door seeking medical help for the Duchess of Birchwood, to whom he owes a great deal. He’s furious to have been deceived and leaves as quickly as possible, declaring his intention to reveal the ruse to all Nora’s correspondents. Desperate to prove she’s just as qualified as her father was, Nora follows Con to London, vowing to help the Duchess if he’ll keep her secret. Con finds himself agreeing despite his better judgment, but Nora’s unconventional attitudes cause a stir in the ducal household and soon Con finds his rigid control slipping as he questions the strict sense of duty he feels and the pressure he’s put on himself to live up to the Duke’s expectations.
Poor Constantine was just awful at expressing himself and communicating his feelings, but when he learned to be his own person and stand up for what he thought was right he became so endearing. His decision to stop placing such import on his duty to the duke and his snobbery was excellent, even if it did almost come too late. It took me a long while to warm up to Nora and she’s still not really a favorite of mine, but I did appreciate her holding out for the respect she deserved and I definitely related to her bluestocking tendencies. She simply annoyed me with her castigation of Con for being angry with her when in fact her behavior was very presumptuous and her long-standing lie throughout their friendly correspondence was pretty wrong. This behavior in her earlier in the book also made her willingness to run from the duke’s ill treatment seem a bit out of character. Nonetheless, this ultimately gave Con the chance to shine as a hero and, though I would’ve liked to see more communication between Con and Nora, I did enjoy their story quite a bit and it was one of the best and most delightfully dramatic endings I’ve read lately.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Constantine Sinclair arrives at Nora’s door seeking medical help for the Duchess of Birchwood, to whom he owes a great deal. He’s furious to have been deceived and leaves as quickly as possible, declaring his intention to reveal the ruse to all Nora’s correspondents. Desperate to prove she’s just as qualified as her father was, Nora follows Con to London, vowing to help the Duchess if he’ll keep her secret. Con finds himself agreeing despite his better judgment, but Nora’s unconventional attitudes cause a stir in the ducal household and soon Con finds his rigid control slipping as he questions the strict sense of duty he feels and the pressure he’s put on himself to live up to the Duke’s expectations.
Poor Constantine was just awful at expressing himself and communicating his feelings, but when he learned to be his own person and stand up for what he thought was right he became so endearing. His decision to stop placing such import on his duty to the duke and his snobbery was excellent, even if it did almost come too late. It took me a long while to warm up to Nora and she’s still not really a favorite of mine, but I did appreciate her holding out for the respect she deserved and I definitely related to her bluestocking tendencies. She simply annoyed me with her castigation of Con for being angry with her when in fact her behavior was very presumptuous and her long-standing lie throughout their friendly correspondence was pretty wrong. This behavior in her earlier in the book also made her willingness to run from the duke’s ill treatment seem a bit out of character. Nonetheless, this ultimately gave Con the chance to shine as a hero and, though I would’ve liked to see more communication between Con and Nora, I did enjoy their story quite a bit and it was one of the best and most delightfully dramatic endings I’ve read lately.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 2, 2020
This is an entertaining, well-written, steamy, historical romance novel. It has likable, engaging characters, an intelligent female protagonist, a hot, former military hero, the reappearance of the love potion, a heart-warming romance, and a happily ever after ending.
It is an excellent addition to Ms. Jordan's outstanding "Rogue Files" series. Each novel can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone. I have read and thoroughly enjoyed each entry in this wonderful series.
It is an excellent addition to Ms. Jordan's outstanding "Rogue Files" series. Each novel can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone. I have read and thoroughly enjoyed each entry in this wonderful series.
October 7, 2020
I am a little surprised by how good this was especially after reading ‘The Virgin and the Rogue’. Nora was a strong heroine that was outspoken, cared little for what others thought of her, and was true to herself while Constantine was always supportive in all of Nora’s endeavors, even the idea of her furthering her education in medicine and becoming a physician despite the views of women and medicine during that era. I thought her and Constantine (brooding hero in all its many shapes and forms) made a great duo, and what I enjoyed the most was how unrushed their romance was. The slow-burn of these enemies turned lovers' historical romance was everything, making a small piece of me wishing their story never ended.
October 28, 2020
I reviewed this title for Fresh Fiction. Please read my full review here:
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https://freshfiction.com/review.php?i...
November 28, 2021
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS, SO FAIR WARNING, UPON READING THE REVIEW.
The Duke Effect is the final installment in the “Rogue Files” series by Sophie Jordan. And I can’t believe I have reached the end of this series. I have really discovered some fun stories that this author has penned for us romance lovers. It did take me much longer to read this one than I expected. I will be honest I was very apprehensive of the heroine. I wasn’t a fan of her in previous books and found she could be manipulative in other books and there was something about her character that just rubbed me the wrong way. And honestly, this book was my least favorite of the series, it had its moments that worked for me, and even though I had lower expectations, it didn’t quite meet up to what I was expecting.
THE DUKE EFFECT IS A SEXY READ THAT DELIVERS IN ITS SMALL MOMENTS THAT FEATURES:
-Constantine Sinclair-heir to a Dukedom, military man, distrustful of others
-Nora Langley-scientist in medicine, curious, self consumed
The Duke Effect sets off with our hero, Constantine, who has come to the family home of the Langley sisters, as he is looking for the cure for a woman who is ailing, and he will do whatever it takes to find a cure. He comes to discuss matters with an established doctor but then realizes he has been duped by Nora Langley, who has been posing as her father and is furious at her deception. Nora Langley has never cared for society or finding a match, she cares more about her vials and potions and spending her free time in her laboratory. While she feels an intense attraction to Constantine, she knows they are too opposite from each other to make anything work. But when she teams up with Constantine to find a way to help The Duchess of Birchwood, more builds slowly between them in ways neither expected to find. But Constantine is destined to marry another woman, will he be able to fight for the woman he truly loves or do what is expected of him as the heir to a dukedom?
The Duke Effect was a book that I truly struggled with at times and I had a feeling that I would. There were some aspects that I liked though, but many other elements that just didn’t work for me. The hero really doesn’t care for the heroine for much of the book, it didn’t bother me too much to be honest but I was hoping that the distrust that he shows would melt more and not be dragged out through so much of the story. Then we have our heroine, and man I didn’t care for her at all. She could really be stuck in her own arrogance. While she had some positive attributes, she seemed so blind to many factors of society that didn’t make sense. Even though this was an audiobook and the ending seemed a bit rushed, and nothing really developed in this book. It seemed to lack so many elements that I enjoy in a romance and especially in a historical romance. This story was exactly what I really expected though. My expectations were low so I wasn’t expecting some fantastic book to sweep me away. While I always enjoy a strong heroine, her character just didn’t work for me. She just rubbed me the wrong way. The story just had many flaws and fell flat in other aspects. I didn’t understand the lack of interest Nora’s sisters had, or the rushed ending or lack of real connection between Nora and Constantine. There was a high level of chemistry but it was really hot smexy scenes but nothing more substantial than that.
The narration wasn’t my favorite either, it wasn’t horrible, but the way the narrator was handling the hero’s inflection and voice tone, detracted from the story. It was distracting and gave the impression of demeaning the hero at times, and I didn’t like the vibe which that portrayed for the story. I want my hero to sound sexy, not whiny. And the way the narration was implemented had him sounding like that and didn’t care for that aspect.
Overall I found The Duke Effect to be disappointing at times, but still had its redeeming qualities that will work for some readers and will attend to those will more modern sensibilities.
THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS, SO FAIR WARNING, UPON READING THE REVIEW.
The Duke Effect is the final installment in the “Rogue Files” series by Sophie Jordan. And I can’t believe I have reached the end of this series. I have really discovered some fun stories that this author has penned for us romance lovers. It did take me much longer to read this one than I expected. I will be honest I was very apprehensive of the heroine. I wasn’t a fan of her in previous books and found she could be manipulative in other books and there was something about her character that just rubbed me the wrong way. And honestly, this book was my least favorite of the series, it had its moments that worked for me, and even though I had lower expectations, it didn’t quite meet up to what I was expecting.
THE DUKE EFFECT IS A SEXY READ THAT DELIVERS IN ITS SMALL MOMENTS THAT FEATURES:
-Constantine Sinclair-heir to a Dukedom, military man, distrustful of others
-Nora Langley-scientist in medicine, curious, self consumed
The Duke Effect sets off with our hero, Constantine, who has come to the family home of the Langley sisters, as he is looking for the cure for a woman who is ailing, and he will do whatever it takes to find a cure. He comes to discuss matters with an established doctor but then realizes he has been duped by Nora Langley, who has been posing as her father and is furious at her deception. Nora Langley has never cared for society or finding a match, she cares more about her vials and potions and spending her free time in her laboratory. While she feels an intense attraction to Constantine, she knows they are too opposite from each other to make anything work. But when she teams up with Constantine to find a way to help The Duchess of Birchwood, more builds slowly between them in ways neither expected to find. But Constantine is destined to marry another woman, will he be able to fight for the woman he truly loves or do what is expected of him as the heir to a dukedom?
The Duke Effect was a book that I truly struggled with at times and I had a feeling that I would. There were some aspects that I liked though, but many other elements that just didn’t work for me. The hero really doesn’t care for the heroine for much of the book, it didn’t bother me too much to be honest but I was hoping that the distrust that he shows would melt more and not be dragged out through so much of the story. Then we have our heroine, and man I didn’t care for her at all. She could really be stuck in her own arrogance. While she had some positive attributes, she seemed so blind to many factors of society that didn’t make sense. Even though this was an audiobook and the ending seemed a bit rushed, and nothing really developed in this book. It seemed to lack so many elements that I enjoy in a romance and especially in a historical romance. This story was exactly what I really expected though. My expectations were low so I wasn’t expecting some fantastic book to sweep me away. While I always enjoy a strong heroine, her character just didn’t work for me. She just rubbed me the wrong way. The story just had many flaws and fell flat in other aspects. I didn’t understand the lack of interest Nora’s sisters had, or the rushed ending or lack of real connection between Nora and Constantine. There was a high level of chemistry but it was really hot smexy scenes but nothing more substantial than that.
The narration wasn’t my favorite either, it wasn’t horrible, but the way the narrator was handling the hero’s inflection and voice tone, detracted from the story. It was distracting and gave the impression of demeaning the hero at times, and I didn’t like the vibe which that portrayed for the story. I want my hero to sound sexy, not whiny. And the way the narration was implemented had him sounding like that and didn’t care for that aspect.
Overall I found The Duke Effect to be disappointing at times, but still had its redeeming qualities that will work for some readers and will attend to those will more modern sensibilities.
July 29, 2024
⭐⭐⭐
3 stars.
➕ What I liked :
Not only set in London… but a mix of a country estate setting and a London setting.
Healer/herbalist heroine.
Soldier hero that is not directly part of the aristocracy.
(But is related to people that are part of the aristocracy… so he is indirectly part of the aristocracy and will inherit a dukedom/title.)
Some parts of the story/plot was interesting.
That the hero stood up to the awful duke and did not continue to be a yes-person/doormat for him.
Somewhat interesting main characters.
Interesting side characters.
➖ What I disliked:
The ending was too rushed/abrupt.
The animosity between the main characters is OTT and mostly nonsensical in most parts of the story.
(Especially from the heroine.)
The heroines contradictory/inconsistent personality.
(The heroine is only 20 years old …. and it is evident in some of her behavior and actions. (She is a little too naive about many things including sex/pleasure and also her own body… but also some other things… and she could also be rather spoiled and immature.
But at the same time she seems much older than she is …. because she is a rather smart and inquisitive woman… but also unapologetic about what she wants out of life and confident about her abilities and many other things to.
It would have been less jarring to read...if the heroine actually was at least a little bit older than 20 and less contrary in her actions/behavior and personality.)
Lacking chemistry/tension between the main characters.
(It felt very forced… especially from the hero.)
Too much focus on lust and not enough focus on romance/romantic build-up/love.
Too little interactions between the main characters when it is just the main characters.
(Too little alone time and connection between them.)
The plot and romance felt disjointed.
(The main characters goes from hate/dislike to lust/”love” way too fast… and they also change their mind about each other way too fast… )
The sex scenes also felt rushed and forced … but also a little cringe.
Many issues/problems/questions are never answered/resolved.
(What was ailing the Duchess of Birchwood? …. yes you get the info in the Author's Note but not in the story/plot.
No real closure when it comes to the hero exposing the heroines deceit… it magically disappeared after they married?
What happened to Lady Elise?
Etc.)
The awful Duke.
The heroine does not do that much healing/medicine in the story other than make the duchess tea and the thing with the hero and the Love potion/aphrodisiac+pain relief potion.
The main characters needed more depth.
Formulaic in the character description/visual appearance/character choice of both main characters.
(Especially about the hero… Tall and muscular and handsome.... the heroine is a very short/petite woman but she is a little bit curvy.)
3 stars.
➕ What I liked :
Not only set in London… but a mix of a country estate setting and a London setting.
Healer/herbalist heroine.
Soldier hero that is not directly part of the aristocracy.
(But is related to people that are part of the aristocracy… so he is indirectly part of the aristocracy and will inherit a dukedom/title.)
Some parts of the story/plot was interesting.
That the hero stood up to the awful duke and did not continue to be a yes-person/doormat for him.
Somewhat interesting main characters.
Interesting side characters.
➖ What I disliked:
The ending was too rushed/abrupt.
The animosity between the main characters is OTT and mostly nonsensical in most parts of the story.
(Especially from the heroine.)
The heroines contradictory/inconsistent personality.
(The heroine is only 20 years old …. and it is evident in some of her behavior and actions. (She is a little too naive about many things including sex/pleasure and also her own body… but also some other things… and she could also be rather spoiled and immature.
But at the same time she seems much older than she is …. because she is a rather smart and inquisitive woman… but also unapologetic about what she wants out of life and confident about her abilities and many other things to.
It would have been less jarring to read...if the heroine actually was at least a little bit older than 20 and less contrary in her actions/behavior and personality.)
Lacking chemistry/tension between the main characters.
(It felt very forced… especially from the hero.)
Too much focus on lust and not enough focus on romance/romantic build-up/love.
Too little interactions between the main characters when it is just the main characters.
(Too little alone time and connection between them.)
The plot and romance felt disjointed.
(The main characters goes from hate/dislike to lust/”love” way too fast… and they also change their mind about each other way too fast… )
The sex scenes also felt rushed and forced … but also a little cringe.
Many issues/problems/questions are never answered/resolved.
(What was ailing the Duchess of Birchwood? …. yes you get the info in the Author's Note but not in the story/plot.
No real closure when it comes to the hero exposing the heroines deceit… it magically disappeared after they married?
What happened to Lady Elise?
Etc.)
The awful Duke.
The heroine does not do that much healing/medicine in the story other than make the duchess tea and the thing with the hero and the Love potion/aphrodisiac+pain relief potion.
The main characters needed more depth.
Formulaic in the character description/visual appearance/character choice of both main characters.
(Especially about the hero… Tall and muscular and handsome.... the heroine is a very short/petite woman but she is a little bit curvy.)
October 27, 2020
Beware the experimental herbalist!
It's that Nora ... again! The Nora Langleywho's happiest concocting various healing substances, setting bones, and generally physicking those around her. The same Nora who in 'While the Duke was Sleeping' had inadvertently given her sister something to alleviate her menses pain that ended up having an aphrodisiac effect. That was an interesting factor in the mix!
Well Nora's still using her healing abilities. This time however she ends up using ducal heir Constantine Sinclair with as a test subject using just a touch of her ahem! pain medicine, and once again the path of mischief opens up in unexpected new ways.
Con, formerly an army colonel had been communicating with Nora's father so imagine his horror when he realizes he's been bearing his worries to a woman! Not the feted Doctor--but his charlatan (in Con's eyes) daughter.
He does give her the chance to assist with the problemsof chronic pain debilitating the woman he looks upon as a mother, the Duchess of Birchwood. That experience, taking Nora from her laboratory to polite society does leave some in doubt. And testing the mixture on Con, well that's not something that was planned, but then even the best of plans can go astray, and after all this is Nora!
Nora's story is highly amusing, as one would expect.
An enjoyable read!
A HarperCollins ARC via NetGalley
It's that Nora ... again! The Nora Langleywho's happiest concocting various healing substances, setting bones, and generally physicking those around her. The same Nora who in 'While the Duke was Sleeping' had inadvertently given her sister something to alleviate her menses pain that ended up having an aphrodisiac effect. That was an interesting factor in the mix!
Well Nora's still using her healing abilities. This time however she ends up using ducal heir Constantine Sinclair with as a test subject using just a touch of her ahem! pain medicine, and once again the path of mischief opens up in unexpected new ways.
Con, formerly an army colonel had been communicating with Nora's father so imagine his horror when he realizes he's been bearing his worries to a woman! Not the feted Doctor--but his charlatan (in Con's eyes) daughter.
He does give her the chance to assist with the problemsof chronic pain debilitating the woman he looks upon as a mother, the Duchess of Birchwood. That experience, taking Nora from her laboratory to polite society does leave some in doubt. And testing the mixture on Con, well that's not something that was planned, but then even the best of plans can go astray, and after all this is Nora!
Nora's story is highly amusing, as one would expect.
An enjoyable read!
A HarperCollins ARC via NetGalley
February 28, 2021
Real rating: 2.5 stars. I didn't like how the hero still didn't like her by 50-60% into the book and he only liked her after he tried her potion that made her sister aroused and horny in the previous novel. He said it's not because of the potion but there is no really other way why he would like her as the chemistry between these two lacked a lot.
August 1, 2020
ARC provided by Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
RTC.
RTC.
June 16, 2021
Well, that was an underwhelming end to a series. The hero's attraction towards the heroine felt really forced. He was furious that she had deceived him, threatened to expose her as a fraud, subtly comes to her defense during dinner, invites her to watch an operation, and then all of sudden, he can't stop thinking about her and wants her? The use of the aphrodisiac forced some physical intimacy between the H/h. I don't know how I feel about the hero. He's too beta for me.
Just like books 2, 3, and 4 in this series, the H/h barely got to know each other before professing their love for one another. The ending is similar to one of those rom-coms movies where the hero runs to the airport (in this book, the train station) and catches the heroine before she steps on the train and professes his love for her.
We never discover what was ailing the Duchess of Birchwood until the Author's Note. His exposing her deceit was never brought up again after they married. I'm sure it's safe to assume that he didn't expose her but still, it would have been nice to get some closure.
Just like books 2, 3, and 4 in this series, the H/h barely got to know each other before professing their love for one another. The ending is similar to one of those rom-coms movies where the hero runs to the airport (in this book, the train station) and catches the heroine before she steps on the train and professes his love for her.
We never discover what was ailing the Duchess of Birchwood until the Author's Note. His exposing her deceit was never brought up again after they married. I'm sure it's safe to assume that he didn't expose her but still, it would have been nice to get some closure.
October 25, 2024
i love a feral regency man
August 10, 2020
This was not my jam and I was so looking forward to this book. In Sophie Jordan's last novel "The Virgin and Rogue" we were introduced to Nora, who had created a potion for cramps that also made one hot and bothered. Nora had created lust in a bottle in hilarious fashion. I was looking forward to Nora's book.
Our quirky heroine had followed her father's footsteps and had been practicing medicine since his demise. She had even practiced medicine under his name. A long relationship by letters with Constance Sinclair, who was in the army, saw a friendship bloom. When he unmasks her as a woman then actually a male doctor and the writer of medical advice, things get tricky.
I loved this setup I thought it would be more integral to the book. It wasn't. This set up reminded me of one of my favorite Tessa Dare books "When a Scot Ties the Knot"; but the letters they wrote back and forth to each other were never paraphrased or brought up except in the first chapter.
The romance was lukewarm for me and I had problems with the intimacy scene toward the end. Not my cup of tea but those that are invested and love the series will gobble up this volume.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Our quirky heroine had followed her father's footsteps and had been practicing medicine since his demise. She had even practiced medicine under his name. A long relationship by letters with Constance Sinclair, who was in the army, saw a friendship bloom. When he unmasks her as a woman then actually a male doctor and the writer of medical advice, things get tricky.
I loved this setup I thought it would be more integral to the book. It wasn't. This set up reminded me of one of my favorite Tessa Dare books "When a Scot Ties the Knot"; but the letters they wrote back and forth to each other were never paraphrased or brought up except in the first chapter.
The romance was lukewarm for me and I had problems with the intimacy scene toward the end. Not my cup of tea but those that are invested and love the series will gobble up this volume.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 10, 2021
3.5
This was fun. Overall just continued to be a fun time like all of Sophie's books. It did feel a bit rushed to me though. The story was quick moving but then the ending was like so fast it was over too soon. I needed a bit more grovel.
Initial cover thoughts:
This cover gives me Johanna Lindsey vibes in all the best ways 😍
Arc provided via publisher from NetGalley
This was fun. Overall just continued to be a fun time like all of Sophie's books. It did feel a bit rushed to me though. The story was quick moving but then the ending was like so fast it was over too soon. I needed a bit more grovel.
Initial cover thoughts:
This cover gives me Johanna Lindsey vibes in all the best ways 😍
Arc provided via publisher from NetGalley
April 2, 2021
The premise of this book had such potential. I love a good bluestocking heroine and Nora was certainly that. Constantine had potential in the beginning, I thought that the fact that he thought he was writing to Nora under the impression that she was her medically impressive father would play more into the story then it did. I thought that Nora would get to wow everyone with her medical knowledge would be what melted Constantine’s heart but that fizzled out. I guess I just didn’t buy the love story between them. I still don’t know who Constantine is and I think Sophie Jordan sold Nora’s intellect and talents short. 2.5 rounded up to 3 for me.
October 31, 2020
1.5 🌟
This is an abomination.
This is an abomination.
October 19, 2020
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I was deeply disappointed by The Duke Effect, and while my expectations weren’t sky high, I did enjoy the prior book, in which this book’s heroine, Nora, played a major role, so to have this book fail so epically for me was a letdown.
Nora for at least the first part of the book, is still fairly intriguing, as I like that she isn’t interested in marriage and has taken over her late father’s role of physician in some respects. However, once the romance really picks up, I felt this aspect (and all conflicts with Con as a result of it) were dropped a bit too hastily.
Con was just not likable at all. He wasn’t offensive, but I just never warmed up to him. He does have a decent relationship with his distant (?) relatives, the Duke and Duchess of Birchwood, but I never felt he made a strong case for himself as a romance hero. And the transition from being at odds over Nora’s deception to a romance felt awkward and forced, and I couldn’t get invested in any of their intimate moments.
And while it does not impact my rating at all, I love how it took until the final book for it to be confirmed a Victorian series, a bombshell first conveyed subtly with a passing mention a few books back. While I don’t look to Jordan for extensive historical detail, I find these “vaguely Regency” series that end up being set far outside that time period a bit frustrating, even if it’s purely for marketing purposes.
I didn’t love this, and this is a further indicator that Sophie Jordan is a hit-or-miss author for me, at least in my experience of her historical work (I haven’t experienced enough of her other work to be certain as a whole). I think, if you love her work more consistently, you’ll enjoy this one.
I was deeply disappointed by The Duke Effect, and while my expectations weren’t sky high, I did enjoy the prior book, in which this book’s heroine, Nora, played a major role, so to have this book fail so epically for me was a letdown.
Nora for at least the first part of the book, is still fairly intriguing, as I like that she isn’t interested in marriage and has taken over her late father’s role of physician in some respects. However, once the romance really picks up, I felt this aspect (and all conflicts with Con as a result of it) were dropped a bit too hastily.
Con was just not likable at all. He wasn’t offensive, but I just never warmed up to him. He does have a decent relationship with his distant (?) relatives, the Duke and Duchess of Birchwood, but I never felt he made a strong case for himself as a romance hero. And the transition from being at odds over Nora’s deception to a romance felt awkward and forced, and I couldn’t get invested in any of their intimate moments.
And while it does not impact my rating at all, I love how it took until the final book for it to be confirmed a Victorian series, a bombshell first conveyed subtly with a passing mention a few books back. While I don’t look to Jordan for extensive historical detail, I find these “vaguely Regency” series that end up being set far outside that time period a bit frustrating, even if it’s purely for marketing purposes.
I didn’t love this, and this is a further indicator that Sophie Jordan is a hit-or-miss author for me, at least in my experience of her historical work (I haven’t experienced enough of her other work to be certain as a whole). I think, if you love her work more consistently, you’ll enjoy this one.
July 15, 2021
This one started out strong but fizzled pretty quickly for me.
Constantine is a military man who has become the heir to a duke who raised him after his parents passed. When he goes back to England and realizes the duchess is ill (likely with depression) he seeks out the physician he’s corresponded with for years. Only the physician has been dead 5 years and it turns out he’s been corresponding with the man’s youngest daughter.
So I thought, yay! A past epistolary romance, perhaps? They have this big history from writing letters but he didn’t know her identity. But the letters are NEVER MENTIONED.
And then the heroine Nora goes to the duke and duchesses home to care for the duchess without being invited, and there’s a quasi-love triangle bc the duke and duchess want Con to marry Lady Elise… but
1 Lady Elise is lovely and uninterested in Con anyway
2 Con is kind of a total prig who thinks he’s too good for Nora
3 The duke sucks
4 Nora never does any medicine except make the duchess tea and tout around her Viagra potion??!
The story wrapped super quickly and it felt abrupt and short. Like a part of the relationship building was missing? This is my second from Sophie Jordan and I just think maybe she’s not for me.
Constantine is a military man who has become the heir to a duke who raised him after his parents passed. When he goes back to England and realizes the duchess is ill (likely with depression) he seeks out the physician he’s corresponded with for years. Only the physician has been dead 5 years and it turns out he’s been corresponding with the man’s youngest daughter.
So I thought, yay! A past epistolary romance, perhaps? They have this big history from writing letters but he didn’t know her identity. But the letters are NEVER MENTIONED.
And then the heroine Nora goes to the duke and duchesses home to care for the duchess without being invited, and there’s a quasi-love triangle bc the duke and duchess want Con to marry Lady Elise… but
1 Lady Elise is lovely and uninterested in Con anyway
2 Con is kind of a total prig who thinks he’s too good for Nora
3 The duke sucks
4 Nora never does any medicine except make the duchess tea and tout around her Viagra potion??!
The story wrapped super quickly and it felt abrupt and short. Like a part of the relationship building was missing? This is my second from Sophie Jordan and I just think maybe she’s not for me.
August 2, 2021
I Won a kindle edition Free Giveaway from Goodreads.
The story of Nora Langley herbalist. A young lady who studied medicine at the feet of her father.. But being a female was not allowed to attend medical school to become a doctor. So she uses her skills to create herbal medicines that help people in pain.
Col. Constantine Sinclair is sent home from his military duties, because he is now the only heir left to his cousin the Duke of Birchwood.
Constantine and Nora meet and there relationship starts off on a very rocky beginning. Its not until the end of the story that they realize they love each other.
The entire story is repetitive littered inter conflict!! I also, didn't like the fact that Constantine never becomes a Duke!! Title of story is misleading!
The story of Nora Langley herbalist. A young lady who studied medicine at the feet of her father.. But being a female was not allowed to attend medical school to become a doctor. So she uses her skills to create herbal medicines that help people in pain.
Col. Constantine Sinclair is sent home from his military duties, because he is now the only heir left to his cousin the Duke of Birchwood.
Constantine and Nora meet and there relationship starts off on a very rocky beginning. Its not until the end of the story that they realize they love each other.
The entire story is repetitive littered inter conflict!! I also, didn't like the fact that Constantine never becomes a Duke!! Title of story is misleading!
November 6, 2020
3.75 stars - Reviewed for
Wit and Sin
Sparks fly when an unconventional young woman with a sharp mind clashes with a rigid heir to a dukedom in The Duke Effect . Sophie Jordan’s seventh Rogue Files novel is entertaining and light on its feet, though ultimately the story suffers a bit from its rushed pace.
I adored Nora and Ms. Jordan makes it easy to do so. She’s intelligent, curious, and wants to be needed. Nora learned from her physician father and she’s a gifted, learned healer who would make an excellent doctor if it weren’t for the sexist rules in England preventing women from attending medical school. Since the death of her father she has been dispensing medical advice in his name, which lands her in hot water when one of her correspondents shows up on her doorstep. Constantine is a bit harder to like at first. The colonel who finds himself as the heir to a dukedom after the deaths of his three cousins is a man of exacting character. Con grew on me as the book went on and he began to reconcile his sense of duty with his own wants, needs, and moral compass.
Nora and Con are good together and the pages of The Duke Effect flew by, which is why I was surprised to find I was three-quarters of the way through the story before the romance kicked in. I loved it when the sexual tension began to simmer, enjoyed the heightened awareness between Nora and Con, but the love story did feel incredibly rushed. If there had been another hundred pages focused on the romance it would have done the story a world of good. I felt sped through parts that I wanted to savor and the “I love yous” didn’t feel earned. It’s a pity because the romance had so much potential and what we do have in the story I thoroughly enjoyed. I struggled with rating this because I did really enjoy what I read, but I cannot deny Nora and Con’s relationship was underdeveloped. The epilogue did, however, leave me with a smile on my face and ended this book on a high note.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Sparks fly when an unconventional young woman with a sharp mind clashes with a rigid heir to a dukedom in The Duke Effect . Sophie Jordan’s seventh Rogue Files novel is entertaining and light on its feet, though ultimately the story suffers a bit from its rushed pace.
I adored Nora and Ms. Jordan makes it easy to do so. She’s intelligent, curious, and wants to be needed. Nora learned from her physician father and she’s a gifted, learned healer who would make an excellent doctor if it weren’t for the sexist rules in England preventing women from attending medical school. Since the death of her father she has been dispensing medical advice in his name, which lands her in hot water when one of her correspondents shows up on her doorstep. Constantine is a bit harder to like at first. The colonel who finds himself as the heir to a dukedom after the deaths of his three cousins is a man of exacting character. Con grew on me as the book went on and he began to reconcile his sense of duty with his own wants, needs, and moral compass.
Nora and Con are good together and the pages of The Duke Effect flew by, which is why I was surprised to find I was three-quarters of the way through the story before the romance kicked in. I loved it when the sexual tension began to simmer, enjoyed the heightened awareness between Nora and Con, but the love story did feel incredibly rushed. If there had been another hundred pages focused on the romance it would have done the story a world of good. I felt sped through parts that I wanted to savor and the “I love yous” didn’t feel earned. It’s a pity because the romance had so much potential and what we do have in the story I thoroughly enjoyed. I struggled with rating this because I did really enjoy what I read, but I cannot deny Nora and Con’s relationship was underdeveloped. The epilogue did, however, leave me with a smile on my face and ended this book on a high note.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
July 30, 2020
I have been really looking forward to Nora’s story and I wasn’t disappointed. I love a heroine whose whole existence isn’t looking for love. Nora has always been interested in healing and followed her father around for most of her life in order to learn more about helping others. I loved that she was interested in medicine and her experiments. I’m glad her experiment from Charlotte’s story made an appearance, I loved its effect on people. Since her father’s passing she has kept up his correspondence with others looking for help in medical situations, but she has never disclosed that she is in fact a she and not her father. So Constantine is rather upset to discover the person he thought he was writing all this time was in fact a fraud. He had hoped to get Dr. Langley’s help for the current duchess who has episodes. However he leaves threatening to expose all Nora has worked for and refusing her help. Well what’s a girl to do? Nora of course has the answer and that leads to sneaking away to London where she will have to do some fast talking to get herself taking seriously. I really enjoyed this book and am thankful to Netgalley for gifting it to me in exchange for my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2022
Nora was literally my favourite character in the series 😍 and I was so eager to read this book ever since I started the series!!! 💜
I resonated with her desire to sculpt her own destiny and admired Nora's intellect, determination and knowledge of science !
In this book both Nora and Constantine have been friends for years through their letters gradually getting to know each other☺️ *swoons dramatically*
And then there’s the “BUT” and the hesitations !!! 😭😭😭😭 and oh I wish there weren’t any !!! * sobs even more dramatically*
Firstly this “Love potion elixir” felt de ja vu and COMPLETELY UNORIGINAL !! Been there and done that !!! It was getting so reminiscent of the previous novel in the series !! So it wasn’t as spicy when the “special elixir” was used as lubrication for some raunchy action 😂🔥
I also thought Constantine was really arrogant after each time things got steamy, 🙄 he was so bossy and insisting on the way things must be done because she was “irreparably compromised” as if she was some broken toy or something 👀
**MOST IMPORTANTLY** Nora doesn’t actually save or help anyone in the novel 😱— besides of course giving tea !!! 😂 Like women can do more than give bloody tea in the medical field !!! 😤😫 It would have been better to demonstrate her skills in medical proficiency 😭 like when their carriage was pulling to a stop - instead of making that happen for no reason there could have been an accident on the road where she could have helped people !!!🤦♀️
Regarding the duchess of Birchwood I thought that she was going to do a cool mystery - eg she poisoned by their current physician and that’s how Nora was able to help cure her. If not that, then at the very least I thought the bloody 🫖 🍵 “magical potion” 🍵 🫖 would be finally utilised for healing properties rather than creating another sexy scene !!! 🧪 *** face palm x100***
On a different note it’s interesting that the other potential love interest Lady Elise is actually amazing!!! She is so genuinely nice towards Nora, she’s intelligent, beautiful, kind and she knows what she wants. Please please give us a story about her!! 😍😍😍 She deserves to find her own happiness and I really think she would be an amazing heroine !! 💁♀️
I have to say…this book did Nora dirty… yes between the sheets dirty 😂🔥but also the kind of dirty that makes you wish she stayed as a side character who was bold, witty and actually healed people 😩
I resonated with her desire to sculpt her own destiny and admired Nora's intellect, determination and knowledge of science !
In this book both Nora and Constantine have been friends for years through their letters gradually getting to know each other☺️ *swoons dramatically*
And then there’s the “BUT” and the hesitations !!! 😭😭😭😭 and oh I wish there weren’t any !!! * sobs even more dramatically*
Firstly this “Love potion elixir” felt de ja vu and COMPLETELY UNORIGINAL !! Been there and done that !!! It was getting so reminiscent of the previous novel in the series !! So it wasn’t as spicy when the “special elixir” was used as lubrication for some raunchy action 😂🔥
I also thought Constantine was really arrogant after each time things got steamy, 🙄 he was so bossy and insisting on the way things must be done because she was “irreparably compromised” as if she was some broken toy or something 👀
**MOST IMPORTANTLY** Nora doesn’t actually save or help anyone in the novel 😱— besides of course giving tea !!! 😂 Like women can do more than give bloody tea in the medical field !!! 😤😫 It would have been better to demonstrate her skills in medical proficiency 😭 like when their carriage was pulling to a stop - instead of making that happen for no reason there could have been an accident on the road where she could have helped people !!!🤦♀️
Regarding the duchess of Birchwood I thought that she was going to do a cool mystery - eg she poisoned by their current physician and that’s how Nora was able to help cure her. If not that, then at the very least I thought the bloody 🫖 🍵 “magical potion” 🍵 🫖 would be finally utilised for healing properties rather than creating another sexy scene !!! 🧪 *** face palm x100***
On a different note it’s interesting that the other potential love interest Lady Elise is actually amazing!!! She is so genuinely nice towards Nora, she’s intelligent, beautiful, kind and she knows what she wants. Please please give us a story about her!! 😍😍😍 She deserves to find her own happiness and I really think she would be an amazing heroine !! 💁♀️
I have to say…this book did Nora dirty… yes between the sheets dirty 😂🔥but also the kind of dirty that makes you wish she stayed as a side character who was bold, witty and actually healed people 😩
September 14, 2020
Nora's book was so much better than Charlotte's in comparison. I really enjoyed this one, and was happy that the love potion was also included in this story. Whenever there is a love potion, you know automatically it'll be hot and steamy, and it definitely had heat to it. I loved her personality, and her wittiness. To me she is the more interesting of the sisters. She is strong willed and not afraid to stand up for herself. She is not your typical heroine. She is a herbalist who as a little girl worked side by side her father, Dr. Langley until his passing. She dreams of becoming a doctor one day.
Constantine was orphaned as a young boy, and was raised by a distant relative the Duke of Birchwood. He leaves and joins the military and returns home after being summoned. He is to be the heir to the Dukedom. He has no choice and feels he owes it the current duke for taking him in and raising him.
How they met was funny. She falls off a tree, into a pond where con's cooling off. He is NAKED. She started yelling at him. She demands he gets out, and stares at his behind as he walks away.
From there on, all the action begins, and I seriously could not get enough of Constantine and Nora. Their love story is sweet and with plenty of bickering back and forth but they make a wonderful couple. It took a love potion experiment for them stop being stubborn and finally touch eachother.
Again, I really enjoyed book. At first I didn't think I would since I didn't like the other book that belong in this series. Lastly, I would recommend this book and I also want to mention it could be read as a standalone.
This book was an arc provided by Netgalley for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley!
Constantine was orphaned as a young boy, and was raised by a distant relative the Duke of Birchwood. He leaves and joins the military and returns home after being summoned. He is to be the heir to the Dukedom. He has no choice and feels he owes it the current duke for taking him in and raising him.
How they met was funny. She falls off a tree, into a pond where con's cooling off. He is NAKED. She started yelling at him. She demands he gets out, and stares at his behind as he walks away.
From there on, all the action begins, and I seriously could not get enough of Constantine and Nora. Their love story is sweet and with plenty of bickering back and forth but they make a wonderful couple. It took a love potion experiment for them stop being stubborn and finally touch eachother.
Again, I really enjoyed book. At first I didn't think I would since I didn't like the other book that belong in this series. Lastly, I would recommend this book and I also want to mention it could be read as a standalone.
This book was an arc provided by Netgalley for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley!
July 2, 2024
The two leads had at least three interactions in total and there was no spark between them.
October 25, 2020
Constantine “Con” Sinclair had been serving in the army for years when he got the letter he never expected to receive – his uncle, the Duke of Birchwood is calling him home, all three of Con’s cousins have died and as improbable as it seems, Con is now the duke’s heir. He returns to London and throws himself into learning all there is to know about the dukedom and will do whatever it takes to please the duke and duchess, who took him in and raised him when his parents died, even marry his cousin’s betrothed. He is feeling overwhelmed and when the duchess suffers from one of her “spells”, Con recalls a doctor he corresponded with while he was in the army. He sets off to the home of the Duke of Warrington in Brambledon to talk to Dr. Langley and hopefully convince him to treat the duchess.
Eleanora “Nora” Langley now lives with her sister Marian, the Duchess of Warrington at Haverston Hall and has taken over her father’s role of doctor in the community. She has also continued to correspond with some people, using his name. She wants to be a doctor, but it is not possible for her to study medicine at a university in Britain. Instead, she uses the knowledge she learned from her father and from studying to offer aid to those in need. She has become quite proficient with pain management and had concocted many a remedy – to varying and in the case of her sister Charlotte, surprising results. Much to her sister’s dismay, she really has no interest in marriage or men. But all that changes when she comes across a very naked man swimming in a pond on Warrington’s estate – after falling in the pond herself, she firmly tells the man he is trespassing and demands that he leave. She returns home and is informed she has a caller asking for Dr. Langley. She enters the drawing room to learn the man from the pond is none other than Col. Constantine Sinclair, a man she has been exchanging letters with for years under the guise of her father.
Con is enraged when he learns the truth and refuses her offer to help – in fact he is so angry he says he is going to expose her deception. Nora can’t let that happen and even though he refuses her offer for help – she follows him to London and insists on treating the duchess. She will prove her worth and return to the country – because no matter how handsome Con is, he is not for her – or is he?
This was a well written, fast paced story with an interesting assortment of characters, a very slow burn romance, that has lots of obstacles keeping the lovers apart. I really have mixed feelings about this story, on one hand it was well written and the storyline was fresh, but Nora was not easy to like and Con really didn’t impress me. In addition to that, their romance – if you can call it that – was seemingly out of the blue and I don’t even know if they would have ended up together if the woman Con was courting didn’t basically tell Con to marry Nora. All in all, it was a fast, easy read, it is the seventh book in the series, but they are very loosely connected and can each be read as standalone titles.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an uncorrected eARC that I requested and was provided to my by NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.*
Eleanora “Nora” Langley now lives with her sister Marian, the Duchess of Warrington at Haverston Hall and has taken over her father’s role of doctor in the community. She has also continued to correspond with some people, using his name. She wants to be a doctor, but it is not possible for her to study medicine at a university in Britain. Instead, she uses the knowledge she learned from her father and from studying to offer aid to those in need. She has become quite proficient with pain management and had concocted many a remedy – to varying and in the case of her sister Charlotte, surprising results. Much to her sister’s dismay, she really has no interest in marriage or men. But all that changes when she comes across a very naked man swimming in a pond on Warrington’s estate – after falling in the pond herself, she firmly tells the man he is trespassing and demands that he leave. She returns home and is informed she has a caller asking for Dr. Langley. She enters the drawing room to learn the man from the pond is none other than Col. Constantine Sinclair, a man she has been exchanging letters with for years under the guise of her father.
Con is enraged when he learns the truth and refuses her offer to help – in fact he is so angry he says he is going to expose her deception. Nora can’t let that happen and even though he refuses her offer for help – she follows him to London and insists on treating the duchess. She will prove her worth and return to the country – because no matter how handsome Con is, he is not for her – or is he?
This was a well written, fast paced story with an interesting assortment of characters, a very slow burn romance, that has lots of obstacles keeping the lovers apart. I really have mixed feelings about this story, on one hand it was well written and the storyline was fresh, but Nora was not easy to like and Con really didn’t impress me. In addition to that, their romance – if you can call it that – was seemingly out of the blue and I don’t even know if they would have ended up together if the woman Con was courting didn’t basically tell Con to marry Nora. All in all, it was a fast, easy read, it is the seventh book in the series, but they are very loosely connected and can each be read as standalone titles.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an uncorrected eARC that I requested and was provided to my by NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.*
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