What do you think?
Rate this book
The Duke Hunt #1
The Duke Goes Down
New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan begins the all new Duke Hunt series with the illegitimate son of a duke who meets his match in the daring daughter of a vicar.
The Bastard Rogue...
Peregrine Butler's privileged blue-blooded world is rocked to the core when it is revealed he was born before his parents' marriage and, therefore, is not the legal heir to the dukedom. Facing ruin, Perry must use his charm and good looks to win an heiress—all the while, ignoring his fascination with the one interfering and alluring chit who is intent on sabotaging his efforts.
The Lady Vicar...
Everyone knows Imogen Bates, the virtuous daughter of the senile vicar. She can write a sermon in a day and spot a rogue in a second, so she sees right through Perry's seductive façade. But Imogen's plan to protect the heiresses of her beloved Shropshire from the erstwhile Duke of Penning, the bane of her existence since childhood, soon turns into something altogether unacceptable for the proper lady... who suddenly finds herself longing to keep his heated glances and tempting kisses all to herself.
The Bastard Rogue...
Peregrine Butler's privileged blue-blooded world is rocked to the core when it is revealed he was born before his parents' marriage and, therefore, is not the legal heir to the dukedom. Facing ruin, Perry must use his charm and good looks to win an heiress—all the while, ignoring his fascination with the one interfering and alluring chit who is intent on sabotaging his efforts.
The Lady Vicar...
Everyone knows Imogen Bates, the virtuous daughter of the senile vicar. She can write a sermon in a day and spot a rogue in a second, so she sees right through Perry's seductive façade. But Imogen's plan to protect the heiresses of her beloved Shropshire from the erstwhile Duke of Penning, the bane of her existence since childhood, soon turns into something altogether unacceptable for the proper lady... who suddenly finds herself longing to keep his heated glances and tempting kisses all to herself.
340 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 27, 2021
211 people are currently reading
4450 people want to read
About the author
Sophie Jordan
83 books9,001 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 440 reviews
December 25, 2021
Review to come.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to participate in Historical Romance readathon but watching everyone's videos made me crave some historical romance.
Plus, I really need a break from all this technology and life, so I am bearing my head in the sand that is historical fiction filled with dukes, gentelmans, carriages, dances... I also want some castles please!
P.S. Main male character isn't a duke, nor gentleman so far, but still...
Unfortunately I wasn't able to participate in Historical Romance readathon but watching everyone's videos made me crave some historical romance.
Plus, I really need a break from all this technology and life, so I am bearing my head in the sand that is historical fiction filled with dukes, gentelmans, carriages, dances... I also want some castles please!
P.S. Main male character isn't a duke, nor gentleman so far, but still...
January 28, 2023
✨But losing everything is like the duke going down on . . .✨
This is one of those books that you hope is gold simply because the cover is absolutely ravishing. I mean really, I want to use it as wallpaper. As for the story, I found myself just as wrapped up. It was funny, hot, low angst, and absolutely lived up to its name: the duke indeed went down.
I read this one incredibly fast and simply took it all in. There wasn’t much more to the story than the romance, and I actually found that quite refreshing. There’s a bit with a bar renovation that, in a number of other books, would have taken a chunk of the plot but it was entirely scaled back here. The conflict was resolved very quickly and it didn’t disrupt my enjoyment at all. I got everything I wanted: a hot duke with the lungs of a swimmer and a not-so-proper vicar’s daughter.
Both characters were making questionable decisions at the beginning and I found it fun for each of them to get a reality check. The first half of the book was extremely funny and the second half was entirely swoon worthy. I didn’t think the spreading of rumors lasted too long or was overdrawn and I wasn’t really bothered by the antics. I know Imogen harbored a grudge for a long time but Perry wasn’t all peaches and cream to begin with so it all evened out in my book.
Overall, The Duke Goes Down was a Very Good Time and gave me everything I was craving. I enjoyed getting to see the two go from enemies to lovers to actual friends and the steam was just right. Unsurprisingly, I’m still desperate for more of the couple in the second book. I will absolutely reread again because it was the kind of story I want to bask myself in on a lazy afternoon.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶/5
This is one of those books that you hope is gold simply because the cover is absolutely ravishing. I mean really, I want to use it as wallpaper. As for the story, I found myself just as wrapped up. It was funny, hot, low angst, and absolutely lived up to its name: the duke indeed went down.
I read this one incredibly fast and simply took it all in. There wasn’t much more to the story than the romance, and I actually found that quite refreshing. There’s a bit with a bar renovation that, in a number of other books, would have taken a chunk of the plot but it was entirely scaled back here. The conflict was resolved very quickly and it didn’t disrupt my enjoyment at all. I got everything I wanted: a hot duke with the lungs of a swimmer and a not-so-proper vicar’s daughter.
Both characters were making questionable decisions at the beginning and I found it fun for each of them to get a reality check. The first half of the book was extremely funny and the second half was entirely swoon worthy. I didn’t think the spreading of rumors lasted too long or was overdrawn and I wasn’t really bothered by the antics. I know Imogen harbored a grudge for a long time but Perry wasn’t all peaches and cream to begin with so it all evened out in my book.
Overall, The Duke Goes Down was a Very Good Time and gave me everything I was craving. I enjoyed getting to see the two go from enemies to lovers to actual friends and the steam was just right. Unsurprisingly, I’m still desperate for more of the couple in the second book. I will absolutely reread again because it was the kind of story I want to bask myself in on a lazy afternoon.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶/5
February 12, 2022
Eh, this one was just okay and didn't have much of a plot. When they were young, Imogen overhears Perry telling other people something mean about her and decides to hate him. Now, Perry learns he was actually born out of wedlock by his parents and his title is taken away from him. He's in need of marrying a wealthy woman, but Imogen decides to spread nasty rumors about him to hurt his chances of marriage. I really didn't care for Imogen. She put all of her energy into hating Perry and trying to ruin him when he already lost the Dukedom and I just thought she was being petty. And she never really did anything to make up for what she was doing. Nothing else really happened in the plot and I got bored by the rest of the story. It was a very quick read, but it was definitely nothing special.
July 20, 2021
2.5 rounded up. ARC provided by Netgalley.
Imogen is the aging vicar's daughter, who helps takes care of the people in the town and also helps her father write his sermons.
Peregrine Butler is the Duke, until he isn't when it's revealed the date of his birth doesn't line up with his parents marriage date.
Now that he's basically homeless and fortune less he tries to get back in society's good graces by marrying an heiress.
But Imogen will have none of that, as Perry was cruel to her as a child. She begins spreading rumors about the former Duke to make him undesirable to both ladies and their fathers.
When Perry confronts Imogen sparks fly and they begin an enemies to lovers romance.
I loved the premise of this book and the writing style was easily consumable, however the characters were so unlikable, mostly Imogen, that I honestly really did not even want her to end up with Perry. Her motives for ruining him were flimsy and childish, and he made all the concessions and apologies just to be with her while she never even tried to make up for her wrongdoings.
I hoped to like this but it was honestly one of the most disappointing books I've read in a long time.
Imogen is the aging vicar's daughter, who helps takes care of the people in the town and also helps her father write his sermons.
Peregrine Butler is the Duke, until he isn't when it's revealed the date of his birth doesn't line up with his parents marriage date.
Now that he's basically homeless and fortune less he tries to get back in society's good graces by marrying an heiress.
But Imogen will have none of that, as Perry was cruel to her as a child. She begins spreading rumors about the former Duke to make him undesirable to both ladies and their fathers.
When Perry confronts Imogen sparks fly and they begin an enemies to lovers romance.
I loved the premise of this book and the writing style was easily consumable, however the characters were so unlikable, mostly Imogen, that I honestly really did not even want her to end up with Perry. Her motives for ruining him were flimsy and childish, and he made all the concessions and apologies just to be with her while she never even tried to make up for her wrongdoings.
I hoped to like this but it was honestly one of the most disappointing books I've read in a long time.
August 12, 2021
Sorry folks but this one was not for me. It was boring and I didn't feel the chemistry between the two characters. Maybe I'll give it another try later but nah.
July 27, 2021
*I was provided and ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
Well... this happened... I honestly don't even have the energy to rant about this one, but here is the cliff notes.
This heroine had nothing redeemable about her. I know it is played out that she is hurt by the indifference of the (former) Duke and how he did say something cruel behind her back that she overheard which causes her to hold a lifelong grudge for.... but man, oh man, did it make her look petty as hell.
I didn't believe one second of the attraction that the hero has for her, because how could you love someone who did what she does?
Were the rumors she spread about him having flatulence, being bald, or having a VENREAL DISEASE supposed to be funny? Because they went way too far and it tipped the balance with this heroine into a really horrible place for me.
I'm also supposed to believe that her embarrassment and abandonment by her brother-in-law cause her to hate all men and become a freaking harpy? Like, why?
I don't even really have anything to say in defense of the hero either, but I don't for one second even hold it against him for his indifference, in my opinion, he should run far far away form this woman.
Can we stop putting man haters in romances? It just left me feeling icky and I was very disappointed.
3/5 stars (because I struggle to rate ARCs lower than 3)
Well... this happened... I honestly don't even have the energy to rant about this one, but here is the cliff notes.
This heroine had nothing redeemable about her. I know it is played out that she is hurt by the indifference of the (former) Duke and how he did say something cruel behind her back that she overheard which causes her to hold a lifelong grudge for.... but man, oh man, did it make her look petty as hell.
I didn't believe one second of the attraction that the hero has for her, because how could you love someone who did what she does?
Were the rumors she spread about him having flatulence, being bald, or having a VENREAL DISEASE supposed to be funny? Because they went way too far and it tipped the balance with this heroine into a really horrible place for me.
I'm also supposed to believe that her embarrassment and abandonment by her brother-in-law cause her to hate all men and become a freaking harpy? Like, why?
I don't even really have anything to say in defense of the hero either, but I don't for one second even hold it against him for his indifference, in my opinion, he should run far far away form this woman.
Can we stop putting man haters in romances? It just left me feeling icky and I was very disappointed.
3/5 stars (because I struggle to rate ARCs lower than 3)
February 4, 2022
I'm a big fan of childhood-friends-to-lovers, and Sophie Jordan took it to an entirely new level in this book with childhood-enemies-to-lovers!
I loved both Perry and Imogen's character development, as they both had to unlearn ideas they'd believed their entire lives to become better people. Of course, part of how they did so was through falling for each other! While their chemistry could have been better, the steamy scenes were quite enjoyable. I also really liked the the picturesque setting and the village's cast of characters.
Although this wasn't my favorite historical romance, I'm looking forward to continuing the series!
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager via Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I loved both Perry and Imogen's character development, as they both had to unlearn ideas they'd believed their entire lives to become better people. Of course, part of how they did so was through falling for each other! While their chemistry could have been better, the steamy scenes were quite enjoyable. I also really liked the the picturesque setting and the village's cast of characters.
Although this wasn't my favorite historical romance, I'm looking forward to continuing the series!
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager via Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
July 23, 2021
I received an ARC from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
The Duke Goes Down is an enemies to lovers romance between two childhood acquaintances who have always disliked each other. Imogen Bates is the daughter of a vicar and she has hated Perry Butler, the heir to a dukedom, ever since she overheard him saying mean things about her. Perry's privileged world crashes around him when it is revealed that he is in fact illegitimate. Now Perry is hunting for an heiress to restore his wealth, but Imogen plans on sabotaging his plans.
The set up and the concept of this story are both fantastic. I love that Perry and Imogen have practically known each other since childhood. I also love that we got flashbacks of pivotal moments that cleverly set up Imogen's dislike for Perry. Unfortunately, while the set up is fantastic, the execution is weak and the romance and character arcs are both unconvincing.
The rumours Imogen spread were funny, but they also made me uncomfortable. In my opinion, Imogen went a step too far. I also didn't find Imogen's remorse to be believable. I think she got away too easily for slandering Perry's name. She does make up for her actions in the end, and she does apologize, but it was too late at that point for me to truly believe her sincerity. I personally didn't hate Imogen, but neither did I love her. But I do believe that Imogen's saving grace is her love for her father and her neighbours.
Perry has a character arc of sorts, but it feels incomplete because there is a lot of telling and not enough showing. The significant portion of his character arc basically happens off page. I would have much preferred seeing Perry in action. I wanted to see him grow, as opposed to being told he was growing. As with Imogen, I didn't hate Perry, but neither did I love him. I feel indifferent toward Perry and Imogen and their romance.
By the final act, I was already skeptical about the hero and heroine falling in love. And then the final conflict was resolved so quickly that I just could not believe these two characters fell in love. It honestly feels like a good portion of the romantic development is missing from this story. We have the enemies portion. We have the lovers portion. But the transition from enemies to lovers is murky at best. In a nutshell, the relationship development feels incomplete.
The epilogue was a good conclusion though. The ending was satisfying despite the weak romantic development and rushed conflict resolution. And that's the only reason I am bumping it to 2 stars.
P.S. I hope Gwen gets her own story!
The Duke Goes Down is an enemies to lovers romance between two childhood acquaintances who have always disliked each other. Imogen Bates is the daughter of a vicar and she has hated Perry Butler, the heir to a dukedom, ever since she overheard him saying mean things about her. Perry's privileged world crashes around him when it is revealed that he is in fact illegitimate. Now Perry is hunting for an heiress to restore his wealth, but Imogen plans on sabotaging his plans.
The set up and the concept of this story are both fantastic. I love that Perry and Imogen have practically known each other since childhood. I also love that we got flashbacks of pivotal moments that cleverly set up Imogen's dislike for Perry. Unfortunately, while the set up is fantastic, the execution is weak and the romance and character arcs are both unconvincing.
The rumours Imogen spread were funny, but they also made me uncomfortable. In my opinion, Imogen went a step too far. I also didn't find Imogen's remorse to be believable. I think she got away too easily for slandering Perry's name. She does make up for her actions in the end, and she does apologize, but it was too late at that point for me to truly believe her sincerity. I personally didn't hate Imogen, but neither did I love her. But I do believe that Imogen's saving grace is her love for her father and her neighbours.
Perry has a character arc of sorts, but it feels incomplete because there is a lot of telling and not enough showing. The significant portion of his character arc basically happens off page. I would have much preferred seeing Perry in action. I wanted to see him grow, as opposed to being told he was growing. As with Imogen, I didn't hate Perry, but neither did I love him. I feel indifferent toward Perry and Imogen and their romance.
By the final act, I was already skeptical about the hero and heroine falling in love. And then the final conflict was resolved so quickly that I just could not believe these two characters fell in love. It honestly feels like a good portion of the romantic development is missing from this story. We have the enemies portion. We have the lovers portion. But the transition from enemies to lovers is murky at best. In a nutshell, the relationship development feels incomplete.
The epilogue was a good conclusion though. The ending was satisfying despite the weak romantic development and rushed conflict resolution. And that's the only reason I am bumping it to 2 stars.
P.S. I hope Gwen gets her own story!
November 20, 2021
I’ve read a few of Sophie Jordan’s books in the past so this would be an introduction to reading her again as an author. “The Duke Goes Down” is quite an interesting historical romance and I was a little disappointed with this one from Ms. Jordan. The back stories took away from the pace of the story and I was on the edge of becoming bored because it moved so slow. As far as the trope...I do like enemies to lovers, but the heroine held on to her hate/dislike for way too long. I couldn’t get past the fact that she carried a grudge against him for hmm, I think 10 years…I think I would end it their and let you be the judge when you read it.
As far as the main characters, I did not care for them or felt any connection to them. It felt as if I was just trudging along just to get to the end. I would say that she did a good job of providing tasteful intimate scenes between the H/h. In the end, this was not an enjoyable read and I did not like it much. I am by no means putting Sophie Jordan back on the shelf as an author. I still have books of hers on my TBR that I definitely want to read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
As far as the main characters, I did not care for them or felt any connection to them. It felt as if I was just trudging along just to get to the end. I would say that she did a good job of providing tasteful intimate scenes between the H/h. In the end, this was not an enjoyable read and I did not like it much. I am by no means putting Sophie Jordan back on the shelf as an author. I still have books of hers on my TBR that I definitely want to read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
August 4, 2021
Peregrine Butler's world comes crumbling down when it's discovered that he was born before his parents' marriage and he is not the legal heir to the Penning dukedom. He returns home to Shropshire to take his mother's advice and woo an heiress. But Imogen Bates intends to wreck his plans and "protect" the local ladies. She's known since childhood that Perry's an insincere, overprivileged arse...but an unlikely kiss has both reconsidering their animosity towards each other.
This book is the first in a new series and it's a true enemies to lovers story. Perry was a jerk as a child and young adult, saying some horrible things about Imogen, including comparing her to rotten lemons. Imogen, in turn, is awful right back, and gets her revenge by spreading rumors to ruin Perry's marriage prospects. Everything changes, of course, after they kiss and that spark leaves them both off-kilter.
I enjoyed this story quite a bit. There is plenty of build up, and I would have liked just a little more time for development of the relationship on the back half of the book. Jordan uses flashbacks well, in order to condense the backstory some, but I was wishing for just 2-3 more chapters so I could have savored the characters a little longer. The epilogue was great and I'm already excited for Mercy's story!
Tropes: Riches-to-Rags, Class Difference, Enemies to Lovers
Steam Rating: 3
This book is the first in a new series and it's a true enemies to lovers story. Perry was a jerk as a child and young adult, saying some horrible things about Imogen, including comparing her to rotten lemons. Imogen, in turn, is awful right back, and gets her revenge by spreading rumors to ruin Perry's marriage prospects. Everything changes, of course, after they kiss and that spark leaves them both off-kilter.
I enjoyed this story quite a bit. There is plenty of build up, and I would have liked just a little more time for development of the relationship on the back half of the book. Jordan uses flashbacks well, in order to condense the backstory some, but I was wishing for just 2-3 more chapters so I could have savored the characters a little longer. The epilogue was great and I'm already excited for Mercy's story!
Tropes: Riches-to-Rags, Class Difference, Enemies to Lovers
Steam Rating: 3
Read
July 30, 2021It's the year 2021, and the mighty Avon is publishing a series that sounds like
The J*w C*nt
when certain parts of the world say it.
What a time to be alive.
What a time to be alive.
June 29, 2024
I'm not saying that a disinherited former duke wouldn't need a minute to come around to the prospect of "working for a living." (He finally gets a job in the epilogue) But how he is sustaining himself for the year it takes for him to get this conclusion? And just the plan of trying to marry an heiress based on his qualifications of "willing to perform oral sex" seems spurious. Especially what follows is a really trite, cliched sequence of events and a third act break up that is one of the worst paced things I have ever read.
I understand there's some growing pains in this genre concerning how to depict people who need to work for a living (a regression from the 80s and 90s that did this all the time!) but I hate when authors create fictional barriers that make it seem like fewer people labored than actually did. For example, Imogen Bates despairs the idea of working as a governess or a lady's maid. Why? She seems perfectly capable of doing that work. Jordan seems to invoking the more famous Miss Bates from Emma, but Miss Bates 1. has an ailing mother to care for 2. is not accomplished enough to be a governess! And Imogen worries about her father's vicarage being taken away, which is not how the life estate would work.
Perry should consider working because that's what you do if you aren't independently wealthy. He doesn't even have the normal excuse of being a woman who isn't allowed to gain any useful skills. He went to university! Try being a clerk or something! Jordan does have him "purchase" a tavern (with what money?) by the rushed epilogue
The idea of a dispossessed duke is an interesting one, but the dispossession here seems just to be the title and vague "wealth," though Perry's lifestyle does not seem to change. And the benefits of the title are vague too--was he interested in sitting in the house of Lords? does he get snubbed at parties? we have no idea!
This on top of Jordan's really loose understanding of period appropriate language just make the whole thing a pill. "Ten and five" is not to "fifteen" what "seven and twenty" is to "twenty-seven" by the way. "Ten and five" is not a thing! The most egregious neologism was old ladies being called "blue-haired." Why is their hair blue? They are toning their grey hairs in the 1840s with a product popularized in the 1930s???
I understand there's some growing pains in this genre concerning how to depict people who need to work for a living (a regression from the 80s and 90s that did this all the time!) but I hate when authors create fictional barriers that make it seem like fewer people labored than actually did. For example, Imogen Bates despairs the idea of working as a governess or a lady's maid. Why? She seems perfectly capable of doing that work. Jordan seems to invoking the more famous Miss Bates from Emma, but Miss Bates 1. has an ailing mother to care for 2. is not accomplished enough to be a governess! And Imogen worries about her father's vicarage being taken away, which is not how the life estate would work.
Perry should consider working because that's what you do if you aren't independently wealthy. He doesn't even have the normal excuse of being a woman who isn't allowed to gain any useful skills. He went to university! Try being a clerk or something! Jordan does have him "purchase" a tavern (with what money?) by the rushed epilogue
The idea of a dispossessed duke is an interesting one, but the dispossession here seems just to be the title and vague "wealth," though Perry's lifestyle does not seem to change. And the benefits of the title are vague too--was he interested in sitting in the house of Lords? does he get snubbed at parties? we have no idea!
This on top of Jordan's really loose understanding of period appropriate language just make the whole thing a pill. "Ten and five" is not to "fifteen" what "seven and twenty" is to "twenty-seven" by the way. "Ten and five" is not a thing! The most egregious neologism was old ladies being called "blue-haired." Why is their hair blue? They are toning their grey hairs in the 1840s with a product popularized in the 1930s???
May 2, 2021
Entertaining as all of Sophie Jordan’s historicals are but I didn’t feel the story’s momentum until halfway through. The main characters didn’t seem to have any chemistry or connection in the beginning until, bam, all of a sudden, they did. Then, their squabbling was fantastic and their heat was palpable.
On the whole, it was a new set of people and a brand new direction than what we’ve had til now, and that was delightful to explore. Different circumstances and stations made for a nice change. So even though it was slow to get going, I really enjoyed it.
* I received a free advance ecopy from the publisher via netgalley.
On the whole, it was a new set of people and a brand new direction than what we’ve had til now, and that was delightful to explore. Different circumstances and stations made for a nice change. So even though it was slow to get going, I really enjoyed it.
* I received a free advance ecopy from the publisher via netgalley.
July 29, 2022
Remembered childhood taunts lead to a spinster taking revenge. The Duke of Pennington no longer, now just plain Mr Butler, Perry must marry an heiress. But someone was spreading rumours that had his own mother shocked! Imogene felt she had to protect the young women of the area from this uncaring fortune hunter!
July 20, 2021
Imogen Bates first met Peregrine “Perry” Butler, the heir to the Duke of Penning when she was just eight years old and her father became the Vicar to Shropshire, their encounter ended with Imogen being pushed into the lake by Perry’s little sister, laughed at by Perry, and left in tears. Subsequent meetings over the years were not much better, culminating in their final encounter when she was fifteen and attending his eighteenth birthday party, where she overheard him and his friends talking about her and was crushed to hear Perry insult her, later when he found her, she was finally able to give him a piece of her mind and left – but her hatred for Perry festered.
Ten years later Perry’s perfect life comes crashing down when it comes out that his parents were not actually married when he was born and therefore, he is not the duke! Now with no title, no money, and no home, he has moved into the dower house with his mother and is hunting for an heiress to marry. But someone is determined to stymie his attempts at courting by spreading lies about him. At first, he is bewildered why the ladies who were once eager for his attentions are now treating him like he has the plague and then he learns why and confronts Imogen. Their confrontation ends in a kiss that leaves them both shocked and wanting more.
But even a toe-curling kiss is not enough to stop Imogen’s quest to keep Perry from finding a rich bride, and she spreads a rumor that is sure to keep the brides at bay. When Perry learns of it, he knows there is only one person that would broadcast such a lie and seeks her out to put an end to her interference once and for all. But instead of giving her a set down – he shows her what he could bring to a marriage and then finds himself wondering if marriage to an heiress is really the answer to his problems or if he could take his life in a new direction, one that includes Imogen. He then sets out to forge a new path and win Imogen. It would appear that he has succeeded when he learns the truth about his downfall and once again his life comes crashing down, but this time is worse because this time his heart is broken.
This was a well-written, fast-paced story that utilizes the enemies-to-lovers trope to perfection. The story has lies, secrets, witty banter, steamyish love scenes, heartache, a wonderful hero, a surprising revelation, and finally a sigh-inducing HEA complete with an epilogue. I will be honest, I had a really hard time liking Imogen, I understood her dislike, but to do the things she did because he hurt her feelings when they were children, made her seem petty and spiteful and very hard to sympathize with and I don’t feel like she really redeemed herself. But in the end, I loved the book and even though I wanted more for Perry, I was happy with the final outcome. This is the first book in a new series and I am happy to recommend this title and will certainly be looking forward to reading the next installment!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*
Ten years later Perry’s perfect life comes crashing down when it comes out that his parents were not actually married when he was born and therefore, he is not the duke! Now with no title, no money, and no home, he has moved into the dower house with his mother and is hunting for an heiress to marry. But someone is determined to stymie his attempts at courting by spreading lies about him. At first, he is bewildered why the ladies who were once eager for his attentions are now treating him like he has the plague and then he learns why and confronts Imogen. Their confrontation ends in a kiss that leaves them both shocked and wanting more.
But even a toe-curling kiss is not enough to stop Imogen’s quest to keep Perry from finding a rich bride, and she spreads a rumor that is sure to keep the brides at bay. When Perry learns of it, he knows there is only one person that would broadcast such a lie and seeks her out to put an end to her interference once and for all. But instead of giving her a set down – he shows her what he could bring to a marriage and then finds himself wondering if marriage to an heiress is really the answer to his problems or if he could take his life in a new direction, one that includes Imogen. He then sets out to forge a new path and win Imogen. It would appear that he has succeeded when he learns the truth about his downfall and once again his life comes crashing down, but this time is worse because this time his heart is broken.
This was a well-written, fast-paced story that utilizes the enemies-to-lovers trope to perfection. The story has lies, secrets, witty banter, steamyish love scenes, heartache, a wonderful hero, a surprising revelation, and finally a sigh-inducing HEA complete with an epilogue. I will be honest, I had a really hard time liking Imogen, I understood her dislike, but to do the things she did because he hurt her feelings when they were children, made her seem petty and spiteful and very hard to sympathize with and I don’t feel like she really redeemed herself. But in the end, I loved the book and even though I wanted more for Perry, I was happy with the final outcome. This is the first book in a new series and I am happy to recommend this title and will certainly be looking forward to reading the next installment!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*
November 18, 2022
wait, she is mad at him because she overhears him commenting how he looks for more in his future wife than just looks...girl..... we love heroes who like substance, not just beauty
right?
she was mean without any reason.
so he was an asshole to you when you were a child that was childish behavior and just move on girl move the f on
right?
she was mean without any reason.
so he was an asshole to you when you were a child that was childish behavior and just move on girl move the f on
July 29, 2021
I have so many thoughts about this book that are swirling all around and idk if I’ll be able to articulate my review in the right way, so bear with me here.
First, I wanna say, I. Love. Bullying. I love the bully trope. Love it. Give it to me, because I’m here for it. Give me the name calling, pinching, pettiness, bitter child angst tears, and years of resentment. I AM HERE FOR IT!
I. Love. Bullying. Tropes!!!
I just need these two angsty and bitter people to make out and realize they were idiots when they were kids and who gives an F about the past?! It just fuels their love even more IMO.
The bullying part isn’t a big part of this book and it didn’t bother me at all. I know some people are bothered by bullying, but if you can’t tell my this review, I love bullying. 🤣
Second, this book was awesome. The pacing, the plot, the characters. I really enjoyed it. Having read a crap ton of HR, I can usually guess what’s going to happen, but I really didn’t see the ending coming. And it was a delightful happy little surprise ending for me.
Cheers to some mature and emotionally strong characters!
Also, am I okay because I love bullying in books so much?!!!!
First, I wanna say, I. Love. Bullying. I love the bully trope. Love it. Give it to me, because I’m here for it. Give me the name calling, pinching, pettiness, bitter child angst tears, and years of resentment. I AM HERE FOR IT!
I. Love. Bullying. Tropes!!!
I just need these two angsty and bitter people to make out and realize they were idiots when they were kids and who gives an F about the past?! It just fuels their love even more IMO.
The bullying part isn’t a big part of this book and it didn’t bother me at all. I know some people are bothered by bullying, but if you can’t tell my this review, I love bullying. 🤣
Second, this book was awesome. The pacing, the plot, the characters. I really enjoyed it. Having read a crap ton of HR, I can usually guess what’s going to happen, but I really didn’t see the ending coming. And it was a delightful happy little surprise ending for me.
Cheers to some mature and emotionally strong characters!
Also, am I okay because I love bullying in books so much?!!!!
July 25, 2021
When it comes to light the Peregrine Butler's parents were in fact married after his birth, he finds himself stripped of the dukedom he was raised for and reduced to plain, illegitimate, Mr. Butler. With no prospects or funds of his own, Perry's best bet is to turn on the charm and land himself an heiress, but that means ignoring his nonsensical fascination with the meddling woman intent on scarpering his prospects.
Strait-laced vicar's daughter Imogen Bates is well-known and beloved in the village. She takes care of her ailing father and sees to most of his duties herself, which means she feels it is her responsibility to save the heiresses of Shropshire from the former duke's schemes. But her attempts at sabotaging her childhood nemesis soon turn very improper indeed, especially when she finds herself longing for more with him.
The was a light-hearted story and the plot and premise had so much promise. Unfortunately, for me, it didn't quite live up to my expectations. Perry wasn't a bad hero; he was just rather tepid and his noticing of Imogen as a potential love interest happened so randomly and suddenly that it wasn't all that believable or romantic for me. In fact, I could more easily see why he wouldn't like her than the reasons he would. She held a childhood grudge for an incredibly long time and the fact that she used that bitterness to try to ruin Perry's prospects as a grown man, as well as her general prickliness, just seemed incredibly immature to me and made her unlikable. The awful rumors Imogen spread about Perry just seemed beneath her and made it hard to root for her. The fact that Imogen was still sniping at Perry and spreading rumors well past the halfway mark meant that, for me, the romance here had no real substance. This was not helped by the suddenness of Perry's interest as well as the fact that his showing Imogen a brief taste of pleasure leads to her suddenly becoming more interested in him and the epiphany that the animosity she feels towards him is actually the love that she has always harbored for him. The relationship and feelings here came on so quickly that the romance just felt flimsy and there were missed opportunities to make it stronger, especially with the appearance of Imogen's former love interest. Overall, this was a fun story and an enjoyable premise, but the execution didn't quite reach it's potential for me. I look forward to the duke's story, however, and seeing where this series goes from here.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
Strait-laced vicar's daughter Imogen Bates is well-known and beloved in the village. She takes care of her ailing father and sees to most of his duties herself, which means she feels it is her responsibility to save the heiresses of Shropshire from the former duke's schemes. But her attempts at sabotaging her childhood nemesis soon turn very improper indeed, especially when she finds herself longing for more with him.
The was a light-hearted story and the plot and premise had so much promise. Unfortunately, for me, it didn't quite live up to my expectations. Perry wasn't a bad hero; he was just rather tepid and his noticing of Imogen as a potential love interest happened so randomly and suddenly that it wasn't all that believable or romantic for me. In fact, I could more easily see why he wouldn't like her than the reasons he would. She held a childhood grudge for an incredibly long time and the fact that she used that bitterness to try to ruin Perry's prospects as a grown man, as well as her general prickliness, just seemed incredibly immature to me and made her unlikable. The awful rumors Imogen spread about Perry just seemed beneath her and made it hard to root for her. The fact that Imogen was still sniping at Perry and spreading rumors well past the halfway mark meant that, for me, the romance here had no real substance. This was not helped by the suddenness of Perry's interest as well as the fact that his showing Imogen a brief taste of pleasure leads to her suddenly becoming more interested in him and the epiphany that the animosity she feels towards him is actually the love that she has always harbored for him. The relationship and feelings here came on so quickly that the romance just felt flimsy and there were missed opportunities to make it stronger, especially with the appearance of Imogen's former love interest. Overall, this was a fun story and an enjoyable premise, but the execution didn't quite reach it's potential for me. I look forward to the duke's story, however, and seeing where this series goes from here.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
August 13, 2021
I’ve had a hit or miss sort of relationship with Sophie’s books, but I’m always ready to try one…this one was closer to a miss for me.
Imogen and Perry are okay MCs. Their hateful banter didn’t really do it for me and the chemistry didn’t hold up either. I wasn’t sure about a 10 year grudge over stupid things that stupid kids do, but here we are.
Plot wise, it was fast moving and somehow lacking a real build up at the same time. There are several miscommunications between them and even as they’re getting somewhat close to happiness, it spins to distrust. I wanted more honest conversation and more showing of their feelings changing.
Overall, it was a very quick read with a great set of ending chapters. I’m sure I’ll read more in this series, but this one might actually be closer to 2 stars.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
Imogen and Perry are okay MCs. Their hateful banter didn’t really do it for me and the chemistry didn’t hold up either. I wasn’t sure about a 10 year grudge over stupid things that stupid kids do, but here we are.
Plot wise, it was fast moving and somehow lacking a real build up at the same time. There are several miscommunications between them and even as they’re getting somewhat close to happiness, it spins to distrust. I wanted more honest conversation and more showing of their feelings changing.
Overall, it was a very quick read with a great set of ending chapters. I’m sure I’ll read more in this series, but this one might actually be closer to 2 stars.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
August 3, 2021
You know from the double entendre title this book is going to be fun. If you're looking for a whimsical & light read this delivers. Intelligent but not overly detailed. Perfect vacation read. My third Sophie Jordan book & that same unique accessible style. Minimal angst in this slow burn romance; it's satisfying & sweet in a neat little package.
September 27, 2021
This has gotten a lot of low ratings but I actually loved this. It was fun and funny. Loved the characters and I could see why she did what she did. Was it right? Probably not but we have all done wrong things in life. Very enjoyable story.
November 17, 2024
I didn't feel a deep connection between the characters, and there wasn't much of a plot. Still, I had a decent time reading this one.
June 19, 2021
This is an amazing story.
Humorous and a happily ever after, it is awesome.
Imogen is the vicar's daughter, virtuous and trouble incarnate.
Perry is the son of the Duke found to be conceived before his marriage to his mother.
Their love story is one filled with humor.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
Humorous and a happily ever after, it is awesome.
Imogen is the vicar's daughter, virtuous and trouble incarnate.
Perry is the son of the Duke found to be conceived before his marriage to his mother.
Their love story is one filled with humor.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
March 2, 2025
i don't think catherine should have forced me to read this book by reading another book in the series in front of me. it wasn't good. it was like astonishingly not good. 25% in main couple still hadn't interacted. why do people write romance novels that aren't fun.
August 7, 2021
Vicar's daughter Imogen Bates seeks to keep the heiresses of her small town of Shropshire safe from the no-longer-Duke Peregrine Butler. She does so by spreading falsehoods while protecting her own secrets.
Perry's fall from the dukedom, discovered when someone discovered he was born before his parents' married, has turned his life into a tailspin. Not to mention people seem to think he has extra toes and bad breath, and god forbid, is a bad kisser. How's he supposed to catch an heiress like this?
Plus, the vicar's daughter is increasingly suspicious and in his path. Perry has known Imogen his whole life, why all of a sudden does she seem so fetching but also so irritating?
The last straw is an unforgiveable lie that Perry confronts Imogen about, leading to some heated argument - and kissing. Two enemies and opposites soon find they cannot keep their hands off of each other, but at what cost?
I dunno, this wasn't great for me. I wanted more of the Duke going down and less of the petty rumors and Shropshire hijinks. I can be cool with a mean heroine, but when you tell people someone has , especially in this historical setting, and then have no ramifications about that lie, I just, I dunno.
The audio was entertaining enough to keep me listening, the narrator was engaging and kept the story moving forward, along with being decent at making the characters distinguishable.
I received a free ALC from HarperAudio and an eArc from Avon for review.
Perry's fall from the dukedom, discovered when someone discovered he was born before his parents' married, has turned his life into a tailspin. Not to mention people seem to think he has extra toes and bad breath, and god forbid, is a bad kisser. How's he supposed to catch an heiress like this?
Plus, the vicar's daughter is increasingly suspicious and in his path. Perry has known Imogen his whole life, why all of a sudden does she seem so fetching but also so irritating?
The last straw is an unforgiveable lie that Perry confronts Imogen about, leading to some heated argument - and kissing. Two enemies and opposites soon find they cannot keep their hands off of each other, but at what cost?
I dunno, this wasn't great for me. I wanted more of the Duke going down and less of the petty rumors and Shropshire hijinks. I can be cool with a mean heroine, but when you tell people someone has , especially in this historical setting, and then have no ramifications about that lie, I just, I dunno.
The audio was entertaining enough to keep me listening, the narrator was engaging and kept the story moving forward, along with being decent at making the characters distinguishable.
I received a free ALC from HarperAudio and an eArc from Avon for review.
October 7, 2021
Sophie Jordan does it again with another amazing historical romance!
Imogen Bates, daughter of the local vicar, and Perry Butler, the Duke of Penning, have never gotten along. Since they were forced to interact as children, they've harboured disdain towards each other.
Perry's world comes crashing down before him when it's revealed he's a bastard child, born months before his parents' wedding and he loses his title, his dukedom, his everything. Imogen is relishing in his misfortune, and thinks it serves him right for looking down his nose at everyone his entire life. But when Perry sets his eyes on the local heiresses for marriage, Imogen is determined to make him look like an unworthy husband-potential.
So she spreads a couple of little rumours, hoping to hurt his reputation a little and save the women on Shropshire from an unhappy marriage to the former Duke. Just a couple of little white lies, like he's completely bald and wear a wig, he suffers from bad flatulence, and the worst one of all: he's a bad kisser. But once Perry catches wind of them, he wants Imogen to set the record straight and he'll do anything to prove her wrong..
Ooh the steam level in this book. You could cut the sexual tension between Imogen and Perry with a knife. And the scenes where Perry is showing Imogen how wrong she is about him? My goodness! So steamy!
Who doesn't love a good enemies-to-lovers historical romance? THIS IS MY SHIT.
Can't wait to see what comes next in this series..
Imogen Bates, daughter of the local vicar, and Perry Butler, the Duke of Penning, have never gotten along. Since they were forced to interact as children, they've harboured disdain towards each other.
Perry's world comes crashing down before him when it's revealed he's a bastard child, born months before his parents' wedding and he loses his title, his dukedom, his everything. Imogen is relishing in his misfortune, and thinks it serves him right for looking down his nose at everyone his entire life. But when Perry sets his eyes on the local heiresses for marriage, Imogen is determined to make him look like an unworthy husband-potential.
So she spreads a couple of little rumours, hoping to hurt his reputation a little and save the women on Shropshire from an unhappy marriage to the former Duke. Just a couple of little white lies, like he's completely bald and wear a wig, he suffers from bad flatulence, and the worst one of all: he's a bad kisser. But once Perry catches wind of them, he wants Imogen to set the record straight and he'll do anything to prove her wrong..
Ooh the steam level in this book. You could cut the sexual tension between Imogen and Perry with a knife. And the scenes where Perry is showing Imogen how wrong she is about him? My goodness! So steamy!
Who doesn't love a good enemies-to-lovers historical romance? THIS IS MY SHIT.
Can't wait to see what comes next in this series..
July 5, 2021
This is an entertaining, well-written, steamy, historical romance novel. It is an enemies to lovers romance that is written with wit, humor and some hilarious, laugh out loud moments. It has likable, engaging, diverse, interesting characters, a strong female protagonist, a male protagonist who develops throughout the novel, and a happily ever after ending. I am looking forward to reading the next entry in this new series with great anticipation. Ms. Jordan never disappoints her readers!
Net Galley kindly provided me with an ARC of this novel, and this is my honest opinion.
Net Galley kindly provided me with an ARC of this novel, and this is my honest opinion.
August 24, 2021
Been in a reading slump lately, so I was happy to have something that made me crack up laughing.
July 27, 2021
Peregrine Butler’s privileged blue-blooded world is rocked to the core when it is revealed he was born before his parents’ marriage and therefore is not the legal heir to the dukedom. Facing ruin, Perry must use his charm and good looks to win an heiress all the while ignoring his fascination with the one interfering and alluring chit who is intent on sabotaging his efforts. Everyone knows Imogen Bates, the virtuous daughter of the senile vicar. She can write a sermon in a day and spot a rogue in a second, so she sees right through Perry’s seductive façade. But Imogen’s plan to protect the heiresses of her beloved Shropshire from the erstwhile Duke of Penning, the bane of her existence since childhood, soon turns into something altogether unacceptable for the proper lady.
The start of a new series, which I was looking forward to but I was a little disappointed as it took a while for the pace to quicken & at the start I found myself skimming some pages, then I felt the ending was rushed. An enemies to lovers story that could have been so very good but it just missed the mark. Whilst I liked both Perry & Imogen I didn’t feel the chemistry between them & found it hard to believe that they fell in love.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
The start of a new series, which I was looking forward to but I was a little disappointed as it took a while for the pace to quicken & at the start I found myself skimming some pages, then I felt the ending was rushed. An enemies to lovers story that could have been so very good but it just missed the mark. Whilst I liked both Perry & Imogen I didn’t feel the chemistry between them & found it hard to believe that they fell in love.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 440 reviews