A Duke at Midnight

The Wallflower's Guide to Becoming a Bride #1

by Stacy Reid

Miss Sarah Bellamy hopes to meet a gentleman at midnight before she settles into the respectable and lonely life of a governess to two little girls. And her dreams come true. In the dark of the night, she is willingly seduced by a devastatingly handsome gentleman.

One night of bliss to discover he is not only a Duke but her future employer. A difficult adjustment to be so near and yet so far from the man of her dreams. She tries to suppress all hopes of more but finds herself inexorably drawn to the one man she knows she cannot have…

A Duke at Midnight was previously published in the Wallflower's Guide to Becoming a Bride anthology.

Genres: Historical Romance, Novella, Romance, Historical, Regency, Historical Fiction

81 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 2, 2022

About the author

I am an unapologetic romance lover. I read it. I write it. Enough said. Well..I also have a warrior way "Never give up on my dreams." I spend a copious amount of time drooling over Rick Grimes from Walking Dead, watching Japanese anime and playing video games with my love, Dusean.

Reviews

[Lady Nilambari Reads HR · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

I read this in the anthology A Wallflower's Guide To Becoming A Bride.

Quick Review
- Stacy Reid's amazing storytelling capability!
- A plot that started out sweet and ventured into somewhat predictable.
- Great heroine.
- Hero became an asshole toward the end.
- Nice-ish romance.
- Great steam.

*One never goes wrong with Ms Reid. Do not read the anthology, just read this novella.

[Zero · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sarah is a 28-year-old wallflower who is about to start work as a governess. She goes to a masquerade ball hoping to have a "night of passion" before she starts her career. She meets Robert (a widowed Duke) in the gardens when she is hiding from her ex-fiance. After talking to each other for a few minutes, Sarah tells Robert about her desires and Robert offers to fulfill them.

I hated this novella. I like Stacy Reid's writing, which is the only reason that I was able to finish it. The main characters' actions didn't make any sense. Both main characters were unbelievably obtuse and they kept making bad decisions. Robert ran hot and cold throughout the book, and Sarah was hopelessly in love with him for absolutely no reason.

[Ⓐlleskelle - That ranting lady ッ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars?
This was a nice novella, I really liked the premise of a wallflower/spinster having a one-night-stand with a duke only to find out too little too late he's her new employer. That being said, several contrivances made it difficult for me to enjoy this more.

I'm aware of the constraints a novella demands however I was deeply annoyed by the lack on intellect and judgment from both MCs.
During their night together at the masquerade ball several clues were inadvertently dropped by the duke as to where he was from and his first name. I could hardly believe the heroine inability to put two and two together about how a man named Robert from Kent could coincidently be her soon to be employer. I don't believe for one second she didn't know her future employer's name.

The self-proclaimed experienced Duke didn't prove to be so bright either, he never considered one second Sarah could be with child... after he so "gentlemanly" offered to give her a night of wickedness, spilling inside her and all.

You'll enjoy this one if you can shut your sense of reasoning and appreciate it for the light piece of steamy escapism it is.

More reviews and book talk at :

You can find me here too ☞

[Missy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It would’ve been better if the hero lost control more than once, so we could have a few more steamy scenes.

[Aou · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light and nice!

[Debby *BabyDee* · Rating 3 out of 5]

"A Duke at Midnight" was a very enjoyable novella for me. Every now and then, Stacy Reid pulls one out of the hat that keeps me captivated although this was a very short read. I liked both characters and boredom of the hum drum that goes along with the Season. I did think the intimate liaison for both could have been a bit more spicy. In the end, this was a delightful short story with a nice HEA.

[ChasingLeslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miss Sarah Bellamy hopes to have a special experience before settling into the respectable and lonely life of a governess. But one night of pleasure at a masquerade becomes a nightmare when she discovers Roger is not only a Duke but her employer!

A Duke at Midnight was previously published in the Wallflower's Guide to Becoming a Bride anthology. I loved the plot, but this novella was just a little too compressed and felt rushed. If you like Stacy Reid and don’t mind the story being short and sweet, it’s still a good read.

Tropes: Masquerade, Class Difference, Governess, Widower

Steam: 1

* I received a copy and this is my honest review. #Booksprout

[queenofbrightshinythings · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was too short. I wish it was longer :(

[girlwithhearteyes · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. This was ok but did not have the *spark* I’ve come to expect from Stacy Reid’s book. It was probably ambitious to fit in what feels like a ‘standard’ HR plot within a 81 page novella.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd Reading
I didn't realise when I purchased this book that I had already bought the anthology: Wallflower's Guide to Becoming A Bride. Still, nice to read it again. I really enjoyed reading it again. An entertaining story, but quite short. Beautiful cover! 4☆

[Dora · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanna cry bc this so very short and I NEED MORE!!!

Such a beautiful soft premise; I loved how our main characters were brought together and the ironic reunion that followed. They were soft and sweet and deserve a proper full length novel! 🥺💜

[☆Danielle☆ · Rating 2 out of 5]

such a fun plot paired with two of the worst characters stacy reid has ever written

[Riz · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐

Seandainya lebih panjang lagi bakal lebih seru nih.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

CW: pregnancy, slut shaming, moderate sexual content

⭐ Historical romance
⭐ One night stand
⭐ Governess/employer
⭐ Widowed hero
⭐ Spinster heroine

This was a cute and fluffy historical novella with a wallflower and a Duke. Not overly angsty, the conflict was easily resolved, overall a nice easy read for an easy afternoon.

[Chris Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

80% of the book is pretty good but the last bit with the whole pregnancy trope just completely ruined it for me🙄 I don't mind pregnancy tropes but not when the guy marries the girl just for that or finally realises that she is the one after the big reveal 😣

[Space Cowgirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wallflower's💃💔 Guide to True Love💘

ADULT Historical Recency Romance 💕and Adventure.

What a wonderful, emotional, heart strings 💕tugging novella of a spinster💃 giving herself a last fling at finding love💘 and romance💕 before she takes up a job in the country as a governess and gives up on her dreams🌈 forever.

ARC Provided by Booksprout 🌱
Opinions expressed here are entirely my own fault.

I loved this ADULT novella because it's simple and fairly short, and the story is emotionally engaging and sweet in its own way.

[Lynsey A · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

Cute little novella with fave trope of pregnancy. Just wish the story was longer. There were sweet moments and some sexy ones.

I do enjoy Stacy Reid's writing, in fact, absolutely adored the last 2 full lengths from her.

But this was a quick read to add to my count.

[Candace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert & Sarah. She was a spinster wallflower and he is the Duke of Bainbridge a widower. Wanting an adventure before moving to the next phase in her life, guided by a book by author unknown, she decides to throw caution to the wind and attends a masquerade party with a wicked intent. She had been jilted after a 5 year engagement and at the party her former betrothed recognizes her. Wanting to avoid him she runs into Robert in the garden. Keeping it real and honest, she tells him why she came to the party (she wanted a rendezvous with a random stranger). They have some hot sex in the garden. Their chemistry is amazing. They have a friendly banter like they had known each other for years (I guess anonymity allows for a person to be real w/o inhibitions). They part after the evening spent making love 3 times and talking the night away, planning to never meet again. UNTIL, she takes a job as a governess to his 2 girls and when she meets him she realizes he was her 1 night stand and her employer, a DUKE! He tried firing her but she argued to keep her job. He plans to just avoid her but finds he cannot. A tea with the girls and his sister, she gets a bout of morning sickness and realizes she is pregnant. His sister immediately fires her. He runs after her and wants to marry her because they are each others' person. Short novella but amazing story and chemistry.

[Preye · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an okay read. It's a novella so there's not much that can be done with the word-count constraints, but I like that the author smoothed all the rough ends without it coming across as rushed.

That said, the execution was well done and I liked the characters. There's some need to suspend disbelief because the mix-up is downright unbelievable, but it's fiction—it can't be perfect.

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[Snigdha Prakash · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. So much meh. And I'm surprised because I really like Stacy Reid's works. Although this is the first novella I have read from her, and it sadly didn't work for me.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this in the anthology and loved it. I enjoyed it so much I read it again for this review. Sarah at eight and twenty had never been kissed. She read the book recommended to her by her friend "The Wallflowers Guide to becoming a bride". Her life changed when she decided to go for the one-time adventure of a lifetime. At a masquerade she ran into the man who jilted her. She fled to the gardens and ran into Robert. They spent the evening talking about anything and everything. Sharing secrets in between bouts of lovemaking. Both felt profoundly attached to each other. But it was for one night only. Little did Sarah know Robert was her next employer and a duke. I thought it hypocritical of Robert to turn her out like he did. The next moment Sarah grabbed the tiger by the tail and confronted Robert. He relented and let her stay on as his twin daughters’ governess. Time passed and their attraction was stronger than ever. What happened next was disastrous. She found out she was increasing and Robert's sister turned her out without knowing what really was going on. Luckily Robert caught up to Sarah's coach and offered marriage. Sarah did not want pity she wanted love. Robert looked into her eyes and told her he loved her. It did not take long for her to reciprocate the sentiment. I only wished the story had gone on to share the wedding, the birth of the babe and if it was a boy or a girl. I was happy for Sarah. She deserved her happily ever after.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy to read
Entertaining
Romantic
Steamy
Unpredictable
Wonderful Characters

[Bridget Love to read Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stars are for brave Sarah Bellamy an impoverished Viscount’s daughter turned governess. Sarah is a spinster never been kissed and finally is free of being a burden to her cousin for one night she wants passion and a few kisses! She got so much more! She read “ A Wallflowers Guide to becoming a Bride!” She decides to be courageous and attend a masked ball! Immediately she recognized by a suitor who rejected her, as she escapes she encounters Robert!
They do not know each other beyond their first name but Robert was definitely way more experienced and should have taken care of Sarah! Duh if she had never been kissed she didn’t know a lot as most women in this time period!
When they meet again Robert is Aka Duke of Bainbridge! He tried to pay her off so he would be free to court the neighbor’s daughter! What! But you can’t get her out of your head!
Robert took his sweet time but the end Sarah stood up to him and he finally manned up! But she was wise enough to resist him in his own home around his children! For a hot minute I wanted slap some since into Robert! It was close! Bravo

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

James' rating: 3 out of 5 stars of discontent ✨

Hmm... I must say it was a bit disappointing. The beginning of the book was very good. The meet-cute was really nice and turned quite sensual which I really liked. It seemed like the characters had good chemistry. When the masks came off though, it went down real fast.

I wanted to punch Robert for being a hypocrite. He lost my respect and he became a tad distasteful tbh. It also caught me by surprise because I usually love Reid's male MCs. Even if they did something foolish, they would redeem themselves but Robert was just... seems dramatic to say so but... irredeemable.

We could have had a different storyline which is actually brushing the edges of my mind. I loved Sarah and her interactions with the children. The second part of the storyline seems to be done for the sake of dramatics which fell quite off the mark. It's a pity... The story had potential. I have rounded off 2.5 stars to 3.

I would skip this if I were you but you want some angst (not the good kind. Yes, there IS a good type of angst) this is for you. Maybe you can read the first half and think of it as a brief interlude one shot.

[Jayne Butcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful story about a man and a woman’s anonymous tryst and fate’s unexpected twist. At twenty-eight Sarah knew she would not likely marry, but she wanted the memory of one romantic encounter to keep her warm on her upcoming lonely nights. At the behest of his cousin, Robert attended the same masquerade ball as Sarah, but boredom found him taking solace in the garden. Their conversation was honest and their actions were steamy….neither expected to see the other ever again. Surprise! This story is full of heartbreaking moments and wonderful little joyous tidbits. You will find your heart breaking one minute and soaring the next. The children are adorable; the duke is astonishing; his sister is annoying; and the governess is a loving, kind, generous soul. This is perfect for a quick pick-me-up!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Sarah Bellamy is soon to become a governess to two little girls but now well on the shelf she'd like just one night of passion so she goes to a masquerade ball where her dreams come true. In the dark of the night, she is willingly seduced by a devastatingly handsome gentleman, Robert. Imagine her surprise when her new employer is Robert. Robert Kitteridge, Duke of Bainbridge hasn’t been able to forget Sarah but now she's an employee.
A delightful novella, which I wished had been longer. I really liked both Robert & Sarah & thoroughly enjoyed their unconventional journey to a HEA. The twins were delightful, it was good to see Robert spending time with them. A well written quick engrossing read
A Duke at Midnight was previously published in the Wallflower's Guide to Becoming a Bride anthology

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick pace novella that will whet your appetite for more in the series. A penniless daughter of a Viscount, Sarah Bellamy has taken the position of governess to two little girls out in the country. But before she heads out to a life of caring for someone else's children without even having the chance for her own very first kiss, she heads to a masquerade where she meets a man in the dark gardens and more than kissing takes place. What she doesn't realize is that her mystery man and her new employer are one and the same. Add in a couple more twists and turns and this novella could have leapt into full novel status. Looking forward to more from The Wallflower's Guide to Becoming a Bride.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short but enjoyable read. Miss Sarah Bellamy is out for a night of pleasure before she take up her new employment. At 28 years of age, she has no prospect of marriage so has decided this will be her last chance at the masquerade ball. Robert Kitteridge, Duke of Bainbridge, is also reluctantly at the ball. They inevitably come across each other, but it is only for one evening before they go their separate ways. I was glad when Sarah put Bainbridge right about his double standards. Sarah is a lovely person but she doesn’t appreciate her own worth. This was an entertaining read, my only complaint is I wish it had been longer. I received a copy via Booksprout and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Cathylynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah is on the verge of being on the shelf. So why not have one nights worth of memories to fulfill a lifetime of loneliness. Her chances of marriage are getting slim. So she meets someone in the garden and they hit it off. Later she finds out not only is he a duke but is also her employer. This was a rollercoaster of emotions for me. The characters were wonderful although I do like Sarah more than Robert but society dictates behavior. I thought the ending was perfect. Great story and I liked the plot.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tagseen Samsodien · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy Stacy Reid's books and the only real issue here was that this was a novella. I think the premise (a woman about to become a governess seeks a night of passion and freedom before setting off for what she assumes will be a stifling and restrictive life) was great, but the story needed more time. Also, Sarah literally sleeps with a man she doesn't know, a man she's just met - okay great - but it never occurs to her that she might conceive? Nor is this something that occurs to the hero either? A powerful duke? That just seemed silly.

[Gladys · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this quick read romance. The fast-paced story was entertaining even if I felt you kind of had to check your sense of reality. I mean, I could understand Sarah wanting to "live a little" but cause and effect is a very basic concept that should have been at the forefront of her mind. I do wish there had been more to this book. I feel the potential was great, but the shorter length format doesn't do it any real favors. Still, I thought it was a good read. I am volitionally posting a candid review.