Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Neverhartts #6

Never Desire a Duke

Rate this book
Miss Amelia Halsey is firmly on the shelf. In her first season, she'd had one offer. One she found repulsive, and, thankfully, her brother had refused. Now, ten years later, she decides its time to give in to her one desire. She fell in love with the Duke of Darling, but he didn't notice her. At the yearly masquerade, Amelia decides she's going to try her hand at seduction, and the Duke of Darling is her gentleman of choice. If a lady is going to have one affair, it might as well be with the man of her dreams, after all...

Grant Barrett, the Duke of Darling, doesn't wish to marry but thinks, perhaps, it's time he does. His title demands it, and so does his meddling mother. An enchanting lady with golden hair and mischievous banter lures him away from the masquerade for a tantalizing interlude. Much to his frustration, she disappears when the bell sounds to remove their masks. He believes he's finally met the woman destined to be his duchess. If only he had a way of discovering her name to ask her...

115 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 10, 2021

10 people are currently reading
33 people want to read

About the author

Dawn Brower

270 books421 followers
USA TODAY Bestselling author, DAWN BROWER writes both historical and contemporary romance. There are always stories inside her head; she just never thought she could make them come to life. That creativity has finally found an outlet.

Growing up she was the only girl out of six children. She raised two boys into productive young men. There is never a dull moment in her life. Reading books is her favorite hobby and she loves all genres.

She is active on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. To follow her or can find more about her check out her website for the pertinent information: www.authordawnbrower.com

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
22 (31%)
4 stars
22 (31%)
3 stars
14 (20%)
2 stars
7 (10%)
1 star
5 (7%)
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Phylis Collins.
2,864 reviews8 followers
August 23, 2021
The perfect balance between intense emotions, sizzling chemistry, and lighthearted humor. She was everything he didn't know he needed and everything he wanted. Will keep you smiling
Profile Image for Kiley.
1,889 reviews47 followers
August 12, 2021
Never Desire a Duke, Book 6 of The Neverhartt series, was about Miss Amelia Halsey, sister to Lord Ezra Halsey, the Viscount of Carrolton, and His Grace Grant Barrett, the Duke of Darling
Having gone completely unnoticed at her come-out ball, Amelia was despondent. There was nothing as sad as a beautiful, young debutante who failed to attract any male attention. The only person to have danced with her was her brother, Ezra, and he didn't count. The only person of interest at the ball had been the Duke of Darling, but after their first encounter, he never paid her any further attention.
Ten years later, Amelia was considered firmly on the shelf. In all the previous seasons she had attended, not one offer had ever been made for her hand in marriage. Her brother, Ezra, made her an offer to secure her future, one that she gladly accepted.
The Duke and Duchess of Graystone, friends of her brother, were holding a masquerade ball. Amelia, determined to have one romantic night to remember before resigning herself to spinsterhood, planned to find the Duke of Darling at the ball and seduce him.
Finding Grant on the veranda at the Graystone's home, Amelia entered into a guessing game with him over which flower was her favorite. It was full of sexual innuendoes and desires. After having correctly guessed on his first attempt, Grant kissed her. Grant was so bowled over, he wanted more, though he did not press the advantage. When he asked what her name was (remember, it was a masquerade ball, so they still had their masks on), Amelia was a bit disappointed he had not recognized her and refused to give him her name. When the bell chimed midnight, the time to remove masks and reveal everyone's identity, Amelia did not take hers off. Instead, she disappeared, much to Grant's dismay. He wanted to know who she was because he believed they were meant to be together and he wanted the chance to prove it to her. Unfortunately, before he could find Amelia, his mother did something that froze his heart and made it impossible for him to remain in London as long as he remained a bachelor. His only option was to flee into hiding, so he did.
Three weeks later, Grant and Amelia unintentionally ended up living in the same area, he failed to recognize her, from neither their first meeting ten years earlier nor as his mystery woman from the ball. However, he did know one thing for certain. She intrigued him and he wanted to get to know her better.
When Amelia, still keeping her identity a secret, let Grant know that she knew who he was and why he had fled London, he became a bit belligerent and assured her he would not marry her. However, she floored him when she also stated that he did, in fact already know her and that she wasn't interested in marrying him either.
There was so much humor in this book, one would think the author had poured all the missing humor from the other books into this one. The hilarity was pretty spectacular though. There was less angst and drama in this book, too.
This was by far the best book of the series and, unlike all of its predecessors did, in fact, merit a 5-star rating and being added to the Keeper for the Shelves collection. Finally, a decent book in the series!
3,500 reviews42 followers
August 3, 2021
This is a quick regency read that features some cool goslings.
In her youth Amelia had a brief encounter with Grant, the duke of Darling, and developed a crush. Alas, it was utterly unrequited. Flash forward ten years and Amelia is firmly on the shelf. Her brother suggests that she should go live in a cottage alone and unprotected, and she loves the idea. But first she wants one last fling with the duke, at her last masquerade before retiring from the ton. She does meet him at the ball but nothing scandalous takes place, except that everyone now knows the duke's mother wants to force him to marry. He wants to flee London and they meet again in Amelia's new neighborhood where he has to befriend Amelia's geese.

It was a pleasant read but I thought the romance suffers a little from the condensed format. Each one of the couple decides to be in love with the other based on little interaction and their attraction has a tinge of just wanting someone who seems disinterested and rejecting. The duke didn't care about any of the women who were readily available but Amelia ran away so he wants her. But there is an epilogue five years afterwards and apparently it lasted even though they caught each other.
There are no graphic scenes. I received an advance copy and this is a voluntary review.
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.8k reviews366 followers
August 12, 2021
Amelia's Last Ball . . .

Miss Amelia Halsey will be leaving the ton after her final ball, most definitely on the shelf. As a final action, she wants to seduce the man she had first loved, the Duke of Darling, even though he never noticed her over the years.

Grant Barrett, the Duke of Darling, doesn't want to marry, but it is his duty and his mother insists. He is lured away at the masquerade ball and enjoys the lady’s company. But she runs off at the unmasking and he has no way to know how to find her. Will she reappear again? Will their paths cross? Or must he forget the woman who had intrigued him at the ball?

This was not as romantic as the author’s other books are. I hope he didn’t want her only because he couldn’t have her, but that’s what I suspected. It was sort of sad that she was “on the shelf” even though she was still young. It must be humiliating, especially for a shy person. But grab your copy and see if there is any hope that the two will get one final chance to make a life together.
Profile Image for Maria Hibou.
29 reviews
December 9, 2023
Lo he leído en Nextory y me ha parecido de lo peor que he leído en mi vida.

No se si la traducción al español es pésima, la maquetacion también y se han perdido muchas cosas de la novela original, pero no había visto nada tan pobre en mucho tiempo. Un fanfic escrito por un adolescente está cien veces mejor escrito que esto.

A pesar de todo, de los números errores he entrado en la historia. Y las escenas con los gansos me han gustado.

Pero es que los dos capítulos finales son demenciales. No se si si la autora, realmente es una niña de 12 años o que es esto. El capítulo del parto es atroz, Grant se convierte en un pusilánime sin voluntad y la autora parece traspasarse a si misma a todas las líneas restantes de la novela. Como una niña que está escribiendo un fanfic de Harry Styles.

Esta historia solo puede tener sentido, si la autora es extremadamente joven, y no ha experimentado aún nada de la vida
1,600 reviews8 followers
August 25, 2021
I enjoyed this delightful historical romance. It's fast-paced, with engaging characters, and no angst. Amelia has been in love with Grant Barrett, the Duke of Darling, for some time, but he never noticed her. After ten years of courting seasons, Amelia is now considered 'too old' to be marriageable and is ready to retire to the country. However, before she does, she wants a tryst with Grant, at a masquerade party. Grant has reached the age where duty (and his mother) compels him to wed and produce an heir. Masked Amelia intrigues him, but she runs away before the unmasking. Will he be able to find her? Will love prevail? Fun, engaging story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Michelle.
10.7k reviews28 followers
August 19, 2021
This is an entertaining historical romance and a great addition to the series. Miss Amelia has had a crush on the Duke of Darling for years but he never noticed her. Now ten years later she decides it's time to seduce him at her final masquerade party before she leaves to live in a cottage alone. Grant doesn't plan on marrying but his mother keeps insisting. While at the ball he is interested in a mysterious woman but she disappears just when they were to remove their masks. This is an entertaining, fast paced story with likable characters, humor, mystery, a good storyline, and a sweet ending. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
Profile Image for Barbara.
19.3k reviews8 followers
August 21, 2021
The sixth book in the Neverhartts series a well written story with a very good storyline that held my interest throughout. Miss Amelia Halsey meet Grant Barrett, the Duke of Darling ten years ago and has loved him since but he never really paid attention to her. It is now her last season and has just one wish to try her hand at seduction with Grant and as it is a masquerade ball she might just get her wish. Amelia's brother does not like Grant and at first neither does Amelia's geese especially Beetle. This was a fun story to read, I would recommend. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,895 reviews4 followers
August 26, 2021
Amelia is in her last season and then she is to be put on the shelf as a spinster. She’s has a crush on Garrett the Duke of Darling for ten years and decides to seduce his at the masquerade ball they will attend. They meet and start talking and he’s intrigued by her. But before the masks come off she runs away. He wants to find her and see who she is and sets out to find her. He didn’t want to marry but he’s expected to so that he has an heir. He decides that the woman at the ball maybe her. But will he find her?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
6,159 reviews17 followers
September 30, 2021
I enjoyed this new "Neverhartts" story. It is the sixth in the series but a stand alone read. It is a Regency romance about Amelia and Grant. After ten years of trying to find a husband she is truly on the shelf. However, at a masked ball she decides to try a game of seduction. She has set her eyes on a man who does not wish to marry but must. The is a fun story with a little bit of a Cinderella twist to it. I like the characters and the plot is interesting and intriguing.
125 reviews5 followers
October 25, 2023
This was my firstbook by this Author, it will not be the last! I thoroughly enjoyed this quick read. Amelia and Grant were such cute characters who had great chemistry. Absolutely loved the back and forth conversations they had with each other. Amelia's babies were so adorably written you could really see them come to life with the Authors words. I found this to be a great Historical Romance and a very quick but great read!! I recommend this Author as well as this book.
Profile Image for Idoia Martínez.
1,131 reviews28 followers
December 28, 2023
Esta traducción es horrible y la maquetación hace que no te guste la historia. ¡Los diálogos están entre comillas! Es que es complicado leerlo... Y está fatal la gramática.
En cuanto a lo que he podido rescatar de la historia, está entretenida sin más. Hay un cambio de personalidad del duque en un abrir y cerrar de ojos y ella también parece tener dos personalidades distintas. Y falta alargar una parte del final en vez de aportar una innecesaria.
Profile Image for Darcy.
1,710 reviews9 followers
August 8, 2021
Quick read romance that was angst free with easy going characters. Amelia has been in love with the Duke for years, but he, like everyone else, overlooked her shy character. With friends, Amelia is open, sassy and very likeable. When Grant is in seclusion and finally sees Amelia, the story moves quickly to the HEA. This was a nice change for when you are looking for a light read.
105 reviews1 follower
August 12, 2021
This book was quick read, but I think it could benefit from having a few more details included in it. Even so, I enjoyed reading it. It showed that time and place is everything when it comes to falling in love. And I really enjoyed Beetle and his antics.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,290 reviews5 followers
August 10, 2021
A very entertaining story to add to the series

This is a very entertaining and enjoyable story adds to a great series. This clean plot is full of wonderful characters, who have a unique journey before achieving their dreams.
Profile Image for Elaine.
4,601 reviews91 followers
October 4, 2021
I won't spoil the story by telling it all. I loved this story, and did rather like the end of the book the most. It is a HEA with Amelia in love with the Duke of Darling and the Duke in love with Amelia.
A very entertaining historical romance. 5☆
Profile Image for Theresa.
74 reviews
August 13, 2021
A Duke Tamed

Enjoyable tale of a duke lost within himself and the capable woman who brings around to his strengths and his good character
1,846 reviews6 followers
August 19, 2021
I sooooo loved this book it was tender and romantic, just as it should be. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.