Duke of Honor

❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋

A beautiful and heart rending story.

A soldier returned from ten years at war, with injuries both inside and out,To find his world has changed while he’s been away and a woman he doesn’t know has been running his estate.
He’s now a Duke and his friends lives have moved on and developed, they have wives and children and love, he has nothing but memories of pain.
Can the woman he least expects be his saving grace?

So good to read, very enjoyable and satisfying adventure, it made me feel both happy for the couple and sad for the Dukes experiences as he suffered with PTSD .

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review

Anna

1,090 reviews7 followers

September 11, 2021

Some trash it was
Safe although
Hero came back from long war. Damaged man
He fekt unworthy of heroine, but nevertheless he kissed her, he went down on her...
"Nobody saw it, im not going to wed you"..
Heroine saw his scars when he was drank and thought poorly of him and his military past... Very judgemental, not my cuppa
She was in love with him, trying to make him l9ve her. But finally she went away.

Silly characters

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.

Elodie’s Reading Corner

2,554 reviews152 followers

⚔️ Duke of Honor ⚔️
Dukes of Distinction Series #5
✒️ Alexa Aston
https://www.facebook.com/authoralexaa...
Release Date 06/10/2021
Publisher Dragonblade Publishing
➪ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091FWZXX2/...

𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯

A woman who falls in love with a man she’s never seen . . .

A duke harboring a secret he can never reveal . . .

Sebastian Cooper, Marquess of Marbury, chooses to leave England and fight in the Napoleonic Wars for a decade. He comes home to find his father has died and assumes his role as the new Duke of Hardwick.

When Lady Hadley Hampton’s parents die, she is made a ward to the Duke of Hardwick, a man estranged from his only son. She reads Sebastian’s letters aloud to her guardian and over the years falls in love with the dashing war hero.

When Sebastian arrives home, he is astounded that Hadley has been managing his father’s affairs and is angry this beautiful stranger knows so much about him when he didn’t even know she existed. Sebastian fights his growing attraction to Hadley, believing she deserves much more than the broken, scarred man he has become.

Will Hadley be able to tear down the walls surrounding Sebastian’s heart and help the Duke of Honor finally heal?

𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄

Will his past guilt drive her away ...

One more lovely story by this author. I love to follow Sebastian and Hadley through their journey to their happily ever after.
Both are talented persons, good at their task, yet they are also flawed.
Sebastian never reached to his father, his childhood memories are from a bullying sire, so he left as soon as he was able and never came back. But now that the war is over, and his father has passed, he must take on his title duties.
But while he is a decorated war hero, he has never managed an estate.
So he astonished when he discovers his legacy has been managed by his father’s ward, a young woman who stirs no brotherly feelings. But he is determined to keep himself on check, to avoid any deep entanglement, so broken he is from his war fields experience.
Why he keeps her at arm length, refusing to let her in, to share his burden and his pain.
Hadley has lost everyone upon her thirteenth birthday, until she was trust into her gardian’s care. A man she refused to cover to and finally conquered with her cleverness and strong will. She even succeeded to make him rethink his thoughts about his heir. All while she fell in love with him through his letters.
But when her dreams meet reality, she is a bit shaken as her dreamed hero is rather harsh and cold even if he kisses heavenly. And when she unearths his secret, instead of talking she runs away thinking the worst of him.

In all it is a sweet and entertaining read about two persons who have to let go of the past to move forward toward one another.
4.5 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scenes.

I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher Dragonblade Publishing, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...

Nicole

921 reviews15 followers

June 18, 2021

Heartwarming

A heartbreaking yet heartwarming type of story.. He comes back from the war thinking he betrayed his country and thinks he doesn't deserve love at all.. She's worshipped him since the first day she saw him and she's determined to make him see that he deserves love and that she loves him flaws and all. Love wins out in the end but only with a little help from a long time friend of the war.

This story was absolutely amazing I loved how Alexa included EVERY single one of the previous characters but still made it to where it can be read as a standalone.. what a wonderful way to end an amazing series.

I look forward to the next series from Alexa.. She's simply amazing

Carole Burant

1,277 reviews36 followers

This is Alexa Aston at her best. Talk about a story that went straight to my heart and one I won't soon forget. This story goes deeper than just an historical romance, this also deals with soldiers who come back from war, broken inside and out.

After 10 years at war, Sebastian is now home and ready to take over the dukedom and is surprised to find out that Hadley, his deceased father's ward, has been taking excellent care of all his estates! Hadley is beautiful, smart, and likes to wear breeches!! Although he feels an immediate attraction towards her, he doesn't feel he deserves her and tries to keep her at arm's length which is easier said than done. If she ever learned the secret he holds....

As for Hadley, she's been in love with Sebastian ever since she was a child and read all the letters he had sent to his father throughout his years at war. Meeting him in person, he's the hero she's always dreamed of....or is he! Two souls in need of each other but sometimes fate needs a little push in the right direction.

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Lori D

4,079 reviews129 followers

damaged-hero dragonblade-publishing emotional

My favorite storyline, the wounded hero, and Alexa Aston does it so well!

She has been a ward of his father's since she was young, but had never met him. But through his letters to his father, she formed a picture and a love that could not be denied.

Coming back from many long years at war, wounded in body and spirit, he could not believe she knew all about him and how to run is estate. But he wasn't good enough for her.

Fortunately, love has a way of finding the hearts that belong together. Can it happen to them?

Janet

5,175 reviews64 followers

2021-releases 3-stars arcs-read

Sebastian Cooper, Marquis of Marbury didn't have the happiest of childhoods especially after his mother died so he chose to leave England and fight in the Napoleonic Wars for a decade. He comes home to find his father has died and assumes his role as the new Duke of Hardwick. When Lady Hadley Hampton’s parents die, she is made a ward to the elderly Duke of Hardwick. However Sebastian writes home every month, as his mother would have wanted him to do. Hadley reads Sebastian’s letters aloud to her guardian and over the years falls in love with the dashing war hero. When Sebastian arrives home, he is astounded that Hadley has been managing his father’s affairs and is angry this beautiful stranger knows so much about him when he didn’t even know she existed. Sebastian fights his growing attraction to Hadley, believing she deserves much more than the broken, scarred man he has become.
This is the fifth & final book in the series, it could easily be read on its own but I’ve absolutely adored the whole series so would recommend reading the series in order. Characters from earlier books do feature as the five dukes are firm friends. I loved both Sebastian & Hadley who were perfect for each other but he was fighting demons from the war. Hadley is a strong, intelligent woman whose caring loving nature endears her to everyone. I also loved Sebastian who felt he wasn't good enough. I loved their journey to a HEA, which wasn't easy, there were misunderstandings & secrets. a very well written book, which I read in a sitting & once again it was 4am when I finished it.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Sophie

1,441 reviews553 followers

June 12, 2021

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Life with his father, the Duke of Hardwick, was hard for Sebastian Cooper, and when he turned 18, he enlisted, and left for war, vowing never to see his cruel father again. In the meantime, the old duke mellowed as he became guardian for Lady Hadley Hampton, the orphaned daughter of his friend, who turned Hardwick, and the estate upside down, and improved it for the better. Though Sebastian had promised never to speak with his father again, he did send letters from the front regularly, and as Hadley grew into a woman, she felt a kinship with Sebastian, and started to fall for him. But now that Sebastian has returned, and is the new duke, he's angry and shocked that Hadley managed to change his father so much, and knows so much about his estate. And it doesn't help that he's so attracted to Hadley, and still feels the pain of war. Hadley knows that she's fallen for Sebastian, but he is harsh and pushes her away at every point, but when he inadvertently reveals something about himself, will her feelings be enough to overcome it all?

After reading the other books in the series, and hearing a lot about Sebastian, who we haven't seen in person yet, I was looking forward to his book. He has such a backstory, with flashes being provided in the book about his childhood, and what he faced at war, to be honoured in dispatches, and lauded as a hero on his return. I liked his character, though found the fact he fell for Hadley so quickly a little strange. It was far more understandable that Hadley 'loved' Sebastian, after reading his letters throughout her adolescence, and hearing all the stories about him, before meeting him in person - more the idea of him, than the actual person. I did love Hadley's character though. She was strong, and had taken control of the Hardwick estate when her guardian became unwell, and the steward retired. She was loved by the staff, and the tenants, and when she met the other Dukes, and their wives, found friendship and kinship extremely quickly. She was just a lovable character, and seeing the friendships between all of the characters in the series was a joy. The romance was nice, but like I said, a little forced from Sebastian's side, at least at first. I did appreciate the way the angst aspect of the book was introduced, and also how it was dealt with. Perhaps, there may have been more of an epilogue, but all in all, a good conclusion to the series.

Margaret Watkins

3,547 reviews88 followers

Edwina " I LoveBooks" "Deb"

I have been waiting for Sebastian's story, having read the previous books in the series, and it did not disappoint. Despite his unfortunate childhood and horrifying experiences in the war against Napolean, Sebastian, now the Duke of Hardwick, is still a man of honor. He could have turned out a tyrant like his father, but the early influences of his mother have remained with him over the years. Thinking that he was so estranged from the late Duke, Sebastian did not expect the old man to read the letters that he wrote from the battlefront, in which he poured his heart out. Little did he realize that his father's young ward would not only demand to keep his letters but to read them to his father as well. Through his descriptive passages, Lady Hadley recognizes Sebastian's heart and falls in love with him, even though she has only had one glimpse of him. Returning home after his father's death, Sebastian discovers the young woman who has been running his estates in his absence, but with the secrets he is keeping, he cannot allow himself to have feelings for her. This romance is painful in parts but as with the rest of the series, it is deeply romantic, as Hadley once again takes matters into her own hands to reach out to the broken man. The novel comes to a romantic and heartwarming conclusion, thereby wrapping up this series. I received a copy of this book as a gift from Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

1,440 reviews17 followers

February 8, 2023

While serving in the Napoleonic War Sebastian Cooper the Marquess of Marbury is sent home become his father has died and he is the New Duke of Hardwick. His father had been violent and cruel to and Sebastian and abused his mother. His mother dies. When Sebastian becomes of age he joined the military.

At 13 Lady Hadley Hampton parents have died and she becomes the Ward of Sebastian's father the Duke of Hardwick. Sick and lonely the Duke of Hardwick is nursed by Hadley until his death. Hadley supervised and ran all of the Ducal Properties for the Old Duke. Once he dies Sebastian is sent home to uphold the title of Duke.

At first him and Hadley don't quite get along. But in time they fall in love. Sebastian felt unworthy of Hadley because of what happen to him in the War. What I didn't like is he has asked her to leave even though he loves her. Hadley finds information out that leads her to believe Sebastian is a traitor. I didn't like this part either. Hadley is too smart to not ferret out the whole story. They are separated for a full year before they get back together!! Overall, the story moved fast and the characters were lively and well written.

Jaime

1,801 reviews310 followers

June 11, 2021

This is book 5 in Alexa Aston’s Dukes of Distinction series and somehow I have found myself reading this series completely out of order. Guess what? It’s still an excellent series and as I have proven easily enjoyed, no matter what order you read! 😀

In this story the MCs are Sebastian Cooper the Marquess of Marbury who becomes the Duke of Hardwick and Lady Hadley Hampton who falls in love with Sebastian before they ever meet. The beginning of the story our MCs are living very separate yet connected lives. Sebastian is the Marquess of Marbury and is serving in the military and living his days at war; meanwhile, Hadley finds herself a ward of Sebastian’s father who is the current Duke of Hardwick and she becomes very involved in running the Dukedom as Sebastians father falls ill. Over the course of many years Hadley comes to know and love Sebastian by reading letters he sends to his father, letters where Sebastian bares his soul, letters he never expected his estranged father to read —- never mind expecting a complete stranger to read.

The story then takes on a new timeframe and Sebastian is returning home after he received word his father had passed, he is now the Duke of Hardwick. When he gets home he doesn’t expect to find Hadley running his dukedom, nor does he expect to find her to be stunningly beautiful and highly competent, and to have not only managed his dukedom but to have made it highly successful! I admit that Sebastian’s thoughts during this time regarding a woman’s capabilities was highly chauvinistic. I found myself highly irritated with the constant repetition of “for a woman Hadley has done an excellent job” - I understand females have been thought of as “lesser” beings throughout history — However, it got old quickly.

Now let’s discuss Lady Hadley Hampton, shall we ?!? Let me start by saying that she began as a woman with a devil may care attitude and had the ability to keep the gruff elder Duke of Hardwick in line. She proved her ability to succeed where many others may fail, she single handed ran a dukedom. I enjoyed that she formed strong feelings for Sebastian through his letters, it was romantic, I wanted Sebastian to come home and fall in love with her. Then Sebastian comes home and after they attend a house party together, after Hadley admits to herself she is hopelessly in love with Sebastian, after they have some sexy encounters — Hadley totally does an about face and tells Sebastian that he makes her sick, leaves the party early, and doesn’t want to see him again. I am of course leaving a lot of the details out so I don’t spoil the book, but I honestly hated Hadley at this point in the story. I almost stopped reading the book. To say she disappointed and disgusted me would be putting it lightly. How dare she attempt to judge Sebastian so cruelly! I actually teared up at this point of the story, I was so upset on behalf of Sebastian. So Bravo to Ms. Aston for creating a character and the perfect situation to evoke those strong emotions!

Sebastian is torn. He wants Hadley. He desires her. Yet, he does not think he deserves her nor does he think he is good enough for Hadley.

“She was everything he wanted and the last thing he should take.
He would use her up and make her miserable.”

So, he decides to let her go and stick to his plan to find a boring, self-centered, woman of good breeding. He has one need of this abhorrent future bride. An heir. once an heir was obtained he and his Duchess would lead separate lives. After all, Sebastian didn’t deserve to be happy.

At this point the story kind of takes a break from our MCs interacting again which was a little annoying in a romance novel. Then right before the season begins in London Hadley chances upon an unlikely friend to Sebastian and finds out she has been a total idiot and wasted time they could have spent together. Now the question is will Sebastian allow himself to be happy and have a lifetime of love or will he continue on his path to a lifetime of loneliness?

My overall feelings for Sebastian and Hadley’s story was that it was a good book; However, I would have enjoyed it much more had there not been so much self loathing on Sebastian’s part, so much self-righteous behavior on Hadley’s part, and if the conflict was not one that felt like it was stretched beyond acceptable. If only these two would have had a true conversation. Instead Hadley was in love with her fairytale Duke and when the Duke and soldier personas collided—Hadley ran and Sebastian let her.

One thing I adored about The Duke of Honor was the inclusion of all the series couples. It was a very nice touch to catch up with the Duke of Renown and his Duchess Phoebe, the Duke of Charm and his Duchess Samantha, the Duke of Disrepute and his Duchess Elise, and the Duke of Arrogance and his Duchess Arabella. I felt like it was a nice touch to the final story of the series to bring them all together for a celebration.

I have enjoyed this series very much and recommend it to those who enjoy historical romances featuring misunderstood men, who may or may not be slightly rakish, and strong females who are brave enough to love them.

Review Copy of Duke of Honor provided by Dragonblade Publishing for an honest Review.

4-star arc aristocrats-in-love

Ashley

10 reviews

October 5, 2021

Disgraceful

I’ve read the other one star reviews, and I concur that Hadley was an atrocious character. Anyone who could give this book five stars, who could give Hadley five stars…I’m sorry I just don’t get why. She built up Sebastian in her head, then when she realized “holy cow he’s a human being!” she had the nerve to hate him for it. And after she smashed his heart to pieces by telling him she finds his scars grotesque she cozies up to his best freaking friends and their wives. Who take her side by the way, which is revolting. Not one of them pushes her for what happened and why it went south. I kept waiting for the duchesses to be just as demanding for answers as they were when they asked if Hadley loved Sebastian but nope. Here we once again have a female lead who behaves terribly…and it’s not addressed. It’s totally ignored and smoothed over. I was beyond disappointed that Hadley never revealed that she misjudged Sebastian and hated him for something he never did on top of lying to him and telling him he was ugly to Sebastian’s friends and their wives so they could justifiably kick her out of their homes and give her what for. I hate her character so much.

I disagree with the other one stars in terms of Sebastian. He gets at least three stars from me. His reasons for self-loathing don’t really make that much sense, other than that I guess he too thinks he did something he didn’t do. But torture is a mind fuck so I guess the author hoped suspension of belief would carry it. And it did…barely. A reviewer called him an ass, but the only asshole thing he did really was have sexist opinions. Personally I think that was a front, and excuse to remove Hadley from his home.

Then there’s the disrespectful decision all of the duchesses and Hadley came to about how Hadley would basically bullhead her way into Sebastian’s life and run all over his PTSD. I was glad when Andrew pointed out that that was the exact opposite way one helped someone with PTSD. Also something that wasn’t voiced on Sebastian’s end that he should have said something to Hadley about: the vulgar way she tried to make him change his opinion of his father as soon as he came home and the fact that she called him a “petulant child” because he didn’t want to talk about the man who broke his arm. This plot point got dropped suddenly and was never brought up again. “Well he was kind to me so you better change the way you think about him,” was Hadley’s whole mood. And as someone who was abused as a child I think the way Alexa Aston handled this was terrible.

I was looking forward to Sebastian’s story and it was a flop. A dead fish flop. I feel so sorry for Sebastian that this is what he got. A female lead who was glorified as basically being a saint who ended up hurting him and was never held accountable for the way she treated him while he was called a “fool” for not wanting to be in a relationship because he wasn’t mentally and emotionally stable (which is the smart and healthy thing to do just fucking FYI Alexa. If you’re not emotionally or mentally stable the last thing you want to do is get involved with someone).

InD'tale Magazine

8,673 reviews336 followers

November 6, 2021

From the first page, “Duke of Honor” serves up an amazing historical romance which has a wonderful plot and two very well developed characters.

Read full review in the 2021 November issue of InD'tale Magazine.

2021-november genre-historical rating-5-star

Kendra (NurseKendraReads)

349 reviews23 followers

Thanks to Netgalley for the Digital Advanced Readers Copy

Steam: 🌶🌶/5 (a few descriptive steamy scenes throughout book)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Stars
(4 Stars)

I read Duke of Arrogance and really enjoyed it, so I was super excited to read the next instalment! This is the 5th and final book in the Duke of Distinction series. That being said it can be read as a stand alone, as it’s still easy to understand the story.

Without Spoilers
From the beginning I knew I was going to like this book. The story and the plot was so good. A first son with hatred for his father the Duke goes to war, a daughter of the Dukes friends who passed becomes his ward. She reads the letters his son writes to his father about the war and over the years falls in love with the man from reading what he writes to his father. It makes for such a good historical romance read!

This book is well written. I enjoyed seeing Jon and characters from the last book! I really liked the two books I’ve read in this series and want to go and read the first 3 books now!

I loved how much the other dukes love their wives. It made me smile so much during this book. The house part setting for the majority of this book made for some fun reading! The ending was so great! Truly made me smile!

This book was such a fun read! A perfect romantic, steamy and short historical romance.

Trigger warnings for PTSD and talks of war, violence and torture.

Thanks to NetGalley and
Dragonblade Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Viper Spaulding

3,147 reviews25 followers

Heartbreaking tale of a true hero!

Sebastian is back from nine horrific years at war, shortly after his tyrannical father has passed away. He's anxious to take control of his family's estate, and is mystified to find that the estate has been managed in his absence by the beautiful yet stubborn ward of his father who arrived just as Sebastian had left all those years ago.

Hadley met the old duke just as he was faced with losing his last living relative, his son, to the war. She finds a decidedly different man than the one his son knew, and she's able to make herself quite useful to the estate as she matures. She learns about Sebastian through his dutiful letters home, and helps his father learn to respect the hero he has become.

There are instant sparks between Sebastian and Hadley when he at last arrives home, but there are secrets that he cannot share which will keep him from any meaningful relationship. I loved how Hadley fit in with the wives of Sebastian's friends, and how she recruited their help in pursuing her mission. I wasn't entirely happy with her jumping to conclusions about Sebastian's secrets, but I could see how it was a reasonable mistake. Still, I was very relieved to see the truth come out and I appreciated the gentle resolution to the misunderstanding.

They get a very satisfying HEA, and as the last of the five dukes to find his match, Sebastian's story also gives us delightful updates on the lives of his recently married friends. I've greatly enjoyed each of the standalone romances in this series and couldn't be happier with how it all turned out. If you love swoon-worthy heroes and strong-willed women, you don't want to miss these delightful romances. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Petula

3,086 reviews86 followers

Sebastian Cooper, Marquess of Marbury couldn't stand to be anywhere near his father. So as soon as he was old enough he bought a commission and went off to war. Years later it's time to go home and regain his life.

Orphaned Lady Hadley Hampton is now the ward to a very grumpy Duke of Hardwick. Even at only thirteen years old she knows her own mind and will not be pushed aside. Letters from the Duke's heir have made her feel she knows him. That daydream soon changes with reality.

This historical romance gives us a wonderful tormented hero and a very sensible heroine. You couldn't get two more different people. The friends you will meet are from previous books in the series, so it might spoil those for you if you haven't read them yet. Each book in the series is a full story on it's own, but they are linked. I have read and loved all of them. This author never let's me down.

Great fun.

Pam Bereznak

1,814 reviews136 followers

Love this series. I usually read a book a day so me taking longer to read this book doesn't reflex on the writing or the story.
Our A/C wasn't working at it was 105 heat index outside and 83 in my house for 2 days so needless to say I didn't feel much like reading.

I really like Alexa Aston's writing and this series is so good.

Aisha

498 reviews5 followers

I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
For the most part I liked this book
Hadley came to live with her guardian when she was just 13 and quickly won over the duke and everyone else.
Sebastian left to join the army the day Hadley arrived even though he was heir to a dukedom.
I liked Hadley and Sebastian. And Hadley following in love with Sebastian through his letters to his father was sweet.
The parts that bugged me.
1. The duke was horrible to Sebastian and his wife but somehow instantly became a great father figure to some girl who he had never met.
2. The so called bad thing Sebastian had done during the war. Ridiculous.
3. Sebastian falling in love in a few days with Hadley.
Overall it was pretty good. 3.5 stars

Rachel Hager

1,020 reviews15 followers

June 21, 2021

Alexa Aston has done it again! What a truly phenomenal writer. I was so pleased to receive the ARC of this novel that I immediately dropped the last book I was reading and jumped into this masterpiece.

Hadley and Sebastian are everything I could have dreamed for. When this book opens, Sebastian is heading off to war, leaving a disappointed father behind. He and his father never had a good relationship, after Sebastian’s mother dies in childbirth when he was only ten years old his relationship with his father became almost nonexistent. His decision to join the military when he should have been preparing to take over the Dukedom was the final nail in the coffin. Hadley becomes of ward of Sebastian’s late father - he is quite taken with her wit and she softens him over the years. Sebastian leaves for the war before he ever lays eyes on the young, innocent Hadley.

We jump to 9 years later and Sebastian’s father is dying. Hadley writes to Sebastian, a man she’s never met but has slowly fallen in love with through his many letters written to his father over the years, to tell him that his time to claim the Duke title has come. Sebastian comes home from the war a very different man. He is ashamed of many things and doesn’t believe he is worth any love or affection. Nevertheless, he falls for Hadley. Quickly and deeply - it is marvelous. In this novel, our couple navigates Sebastian’s broken past and the effects it left on him. There is so much to unpack in this book but our author does it effortlessly.

And the best part? This book was SO sensual and sexy. I loved every single passionate scene. Nothing was closed door - thank the lord! I got everything I needed out of this romance. A beautiful, captivating romance!! I loved it! Bravo! 5 stars

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Katja

3,444 reviews42 followers

Duke of Honor stars Lady Hadley Hampton and Sebastian, the duke of Hardwick. Lady Hadley was Sebastian's father's ward. The old duke was rather abusive and cold to Sebastian and his mother so Sebastian has been estranged from his father. He's also been fighting a war, so Hadley and Sebastian have never met. Hadley knows Sebastian from his letters though, and she fell in love with him while reading them to the old duke. He is very attracted to her, and all the leads from the previous books also think he and Hadley should get together. She is not what he is looking for, however, as she is capable, smart and strong, and he thinks he needs a docile undemanding wife who will produce him a heir and then lead largely separate lives. He decides that he must kiss her to get her out of his system without considering her feelings at all. He was badly scarred in the war, both mentally and physically, and does not believe he is worthy of love. The other duchesses try their hand at matchmaking but eventually it takes Lord Wellington to fix it.

The beginning was a three stars book for me because it's all a bit too quick for my tastes, I like a slower burn. Granted, Hadley had decided that she was in love with Sebastian years before the book started. The readers never see the lovable correspondence so they have no chance to fall in love with him alongside Hadley so it just seems like instalove that falls into the reader's lap instead of developing naturally because he is so loveable. The way everyone else instantly knew that Hadley and Sebastian were meant for each other was also a bit much, considering some of them had known Hadley for five minutes or so. When they have an intimate interlude there's instant rejection that's like a whiplash. Later, Hadley is very quick to judge.

It gets better towards the end which has a lovely reunion and a sweeter wedding scene so I rounded it up to four stars. Some of the writing is a bit choppy as incomplete sentences get used for effect a lot.

I hoped to have more of an explanation about why the old duke was so cold to Sebastian and seemed much warmer towards Hadley. Was it just because he had sworn to raise Hadley up in his own image or was there another reason?

This is the fifth book in the Dukes of Distinction series and Duke of Renown remains my favourite of them. (I haven't read Charm though.) Wondering whether Lady Elizabeth will get her own book.

I got an ARC from Netgalley and this is a voluntary review.

netgalley

Lana Birky

1,698 reviews23 followers

June 15, 2021

Sebastian Cooper, Marquis of Marbury hated his father, the Duke of Hardwick, & his father hated him. He loved his mother, but his father finally pushed her too far & she died in childbirth after many stillbirths & miscarriages. So, after finishing university, he joined the military, hoping to never see his father again. Now, after being gone for ten years, his father has died & he is returning as the new Duke of Hardwick to take the title & improve on everything that the previous duke never did.

The day Sebastian left for war; he passed a carriage on the estate road - it held his father's new orphaned ward. Hadley's parents had died & the older duke's friend ask the duke to take care of Hadley - but he thought Hadley was a boy & instead Lady Hadley Hampton showed up. She was just a girl & over the years she softened the old duke, learned how to take care of the estate, play chess, etc. & had fallen in love with Sebastian as she read the monthly letters he'd sent home - he did it because his mother would have wanted his to but not for the duke.

Sebastian is shocked when he returns & finds Hadley running the estates, handling business affairs, working with tenants. He is angry since he knew nothing about her, but she is beautiful, intelligent & feisty. Sebastian fights his attraction for Hadley as he thinks she needs a man to love her & not a scarred, broken man. This can be read as a standalone, but the entire series is full of wonderful character, beautiful stories, fabulous friends & wives & emotional HEA. I highly recommend this book & the entire series - all 5 Stars reads from me.

Anne

3,255 reviews34 followers

Duke of Honor by Alexa Aston is part of the Dukes of Distinction series, which started out with rogues' stories and now have come around to the story of a war hero. Lady Hadley Hampton, thirteen, had arrived at Hardwell Castle the same day its heir, Sebastian Cooper, Marquess of Marbury had departed. She saw him riding away from the window of her coach and was immediately in love. He rode away, not noticing her, but with a heart hardened against his father, who had been a miserable lout all of his life. Although the duke was surprised that Hadley was a girl, no the boy he expected, they dove right into a life that saw many changes for the old duke, as his heart softened with Hadley a part of it. When he finally was ready to die, she wrote to his son, whom she had come to know over the years by reading his letters to his father, letting him know. War had been hard on him, she knew, but she also knew that he had a bright future in front of him.

Sebastian arrived and the first person he met was Hadley, repairing a fence. He heartily disapproved if the men's clothing she was wearing and wondered who she was. That moment began a dance that would last many months until each of them had their feelings worked out. War had been hard on him. He would never be able to love; he was too scarred, and unwilling to share himself. Hadley believed the worst of him and ran. They were the perfect match, everyone of their acquaintance knew it, but they eventually kept still. As Sebastian was riding around England, reviewing his properties, he ran into Hadley's efforts everywhere. She had done a magnificent job managing them at the same time she was caring for his dying father. This was a poignant love story, showing PTSD and misunderstandings at their worst. Even Wellington had to involve himself to set them straight. It was a wonderful read.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Duke of Honor by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #dukeofhonor

Samsbookspot

242 reviews

Sebastian Cooper left England 10 years ago to fight in the Napoleonic wars, he finally returns ho e to find his father has passed away and Sebastian is now the new Duke of Hardwick.
Lady Hadley Hampton parents died and she becomes the ward of the late Duke of Hardwick. For the ten years Sebastian is away she reads his letters to her guardian and finds herself falling in love with him.
When Sebastian returns home he is shocked to find that Hadley has been looking after his father’s affairs and he is angry that Hadley know so much about him and he never knew she existed.
Sebastian fights his attraction to Hadley as he feels he is not a worthy partner and that she deserves so much more in a husband.

The Duke of Honor is the fifth book in the Dukes of Distinction series but can be read as a stand alone.
I loved this book, Sebastian and Hadley were fantastic characters. Well developed and likeable. Hadley is definitely a strong independent women ahead of her time. The only thing I did not like about Hadley was she was a bit judgmental in certain parts of the story but she eventually got over that.

Sebastian’s story was realistic and great to read. Even though he was emotionally and physically scared he was able to overcome some of this with the help of his friends.

This book was an absolute joy to read and ended the series perfectly.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review.

jamadoria reads Romance

167 reviews14 followers

June 11, 2021

After ten years of fighting in the Napoleonic war, the Duke of Hardwick, returns to England shortly after the death of his estranged father. He grew up in an unhappy household with a terrible father and a mother who died young, so he bought a commission in the army to escape his overbearing father after finishing university, something not typically done by the only heir to a dukedom.

Lady Hadley is the ward of his father, but he never meets her before he goes off to war and he assumes she is a man based on her first name. Imagine his surprise when they meet, especially after he finds out that Hadley has been acting as the steward of his estates after the previous one left the position. It's a great start to their relationship which quickly grows into a mutual attraction, but Sebastian fights it, thinking he is too scarred and therefore unworthy of her affections. He plans to marry a biddable wife, ensure his dukedom with an heir, and then go his separate ways from his wife.

I enjoyed this book very much and I liked the effective use of the grumpy-sunshine trope. I have such a soft spot for a scarred hero and Sebastian is definitely worthy of that. I never read any of the previous books, so this one can definitely be read as a stand-alone book.

My only negative about this book would be that Cooper isn't a good choice for a duke's family name, as it originated from a profession (someone who puts together wooden items was a cooper).

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.

Wendy Tavenner

1,325 reviews12 followers

June 16, 2021

Being loved

I absolutely loved this book and the series. Sebastian was an only child since his mother had miscarried and had several still births. His father was older by 22 yrs and was a cruel and angry Duke. After his mother died he had nothing to do with his father. When he graduated college he bought his colors to fight Bonaparte.
The day he left for was his fathers new ward Hadley was arriving.
Hadley was a per cautious 13 yrs old when she came to live with the Duke. She realized off the bat his blistering was just a ploy and she would turn him around. Not only did she earn his respect but she ran all his estates and had them flourish when the Duke could not even leave the bed. She would read all Sebastians letters to his father over and over again until the next letter would arrive.
When the war was all but over, Sebastian finally came home after 10 yrs to a father who had died and to a woman whom he thought was a boy all this time.
A wonderful story with a beautiful ending.

Debbie Brown

2,035 reviews18 followers

Sebastian Cooper, Marquess of Marbury has never seen eye to eye with his father the Duke, but after his mother dies things became even worse. Sebastian bought a commission into the army against the duke wishes and went off to war. After Lady Hadley Hampton’s parents die, she is made a ward to the Duke of Hardwick. The old Duke and Hadley had their struggles too, but he did teach her things about life and managing his estates things he should of taught his son. Sebastian now the Duke of Hardwick, comes home a spiritual wounded to find Hadley is a young woman not the young man he was expecting. A captivating story Lady Hadley has fallen for Sebastian through his many letters he wrote home, she sees him as no other as he poured his heart out in this letters. Sebastian keeps pushing Hadley away feeling he doesn’t deserve happiness instead he plans on seeking a marriage with love that way he doesn’t get hurt. I live their witty banter as they get to truly know each other and for Sebastian to truly let go of his guilt. I voluntarily read and reviewed this excellent book.

Peggy

2,112 reviews13 followers

June 11, 2021

Sebastian Cooper, Duke of Hardwick, does not believe he is a man of honor. He carries with him dark painful secrets from his time at war. Lady Hadley Hampton was orphaned at thirteen and became the ward of Sebastian’s father. She has done two things since her arrival. One, she has learned to run the business of the dukedom quite efficiently. Two, she has fallen in love with Sebastian through his letters to his father. When Sebastian arrives home, he is not happy with her running the estate or learning so much about him. He wants her to leave. Now how do they get from here to happily ever after?

This is an amazing, emotional story with awesome characters. Hadley fell in love with Sebastian, sight unseen, through his letters. Sebastian is scarred horribly, body and soul, and doesn’t believe he can love anybody. He needs Hadley. The couples from the other stories in the series are here, urging and encouraging them toward a match. When a misunderstanding tears them apart, an old war companion sets the record straight for Hadley, and Sebastian. I have enjoyed all the stories in this series, but as endings go, this one is a winner. Just let me say that Sebastian knows how to put on a ball! Wonderful story!

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

read-2021

Sandra Standefer

411 reviews5 followers

June 15, 2021

Sebastian Cooper couldn’t wait to buy a commission and fight for England in the Nepoleonic war. Estranged from his father was his way out. When his father died Sebastian had to return and assume his role as the Duke of Hardwick, but the war has taken its toll on Sebastian and he returns scarred more ways than one.

When Lady Hadley Hampton became a ward of The Duke of Hardwick and for years had read the letters from Sebastian that he wrote to his father. Half in love with the man that she imagined Sebastian to be, when he returned to assume his roll as the Duke Hadley finds that all is not what she imagined life would be with Sebastian around. Half in love with Sebastian Hadley will have to make some hard decisions to find the love that she deserves and Sebastian will have to overcome the guilt and scars of the war to win Hadley.

This was a wonderful story to read, sometimes hard and sad but so heartfelt. The Duke of Honor was definitely a story to read and fall in love with!

Angela

2,420 reviews22 followers

Honor can mean different things to different people. Honor among thieves, a patriot’s honor, or honor in everyday life. We do not hear the entirety of Sebastian’s story of his time in the military until closer to the end but that is further in this review. Hadley loves Sebastian just from his letters. A long-distance relationship if only one sided. So, what happens when Sebastian returns home? What usually happens when war heroes return home? Can they learn to fit in or become basically become a hermit? Sebastian is an honorable man and therein lies his problem. He does not feel worthy of Hadley but also cannot stay away. I liked the way Alexa wrote these characters. It all made sense then she threw a wrench at us and I must say I really did not like and even loathed Hadley. Hadley is so unreasonable and stubborn that she is not pretty during this time. But as Alexa is a great writer I wondered how she would redeem Hadley and make the love story work. I said before I would talk about Sebastian’s secret, but guess what, I am not going to. You will have to read this story. I will say that Alexa did it again and I cried so hard the last three chapters and epilogue that I had to keep wiping my eyes so I could see the book. I loved loved Sebastian and this wonderful story.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Joanne

339 reviews1 follower