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The Husband Hunters Club #3
To Pleasure a Duke
It has taken Eugenie Belmont but a moment to decide whom to marry...
Unfortunately the gentleman in question, the Duke of Somerton, hasn’t yet offered—a mere formality for a confirmed member of the Husband Hunters Club of Miss Debenham’s Finishing School. Like her friends, Eugenie is unwilling to wait demurely until the perfect mate happens by. And, despite the handsome duke’s imposing reputation, she can feel his heated glances in her direction are charged with desire...and possibilities.
Saddled with a dukedom, a haughty dowager, and an irresponsible younger sister, Sinclair St. John is far too occupied with important matters to indulge in romantic whims. But for the first time in his life, a brazen temptress has him utterly distracted. He could—and he should—dismiss her and court someone more befitting his station. But he is irresistibly drawn to this bewitching woman...and must match her game of seduction, move for passionate move.
Unfortunately the gentleman in question, the Duke of Somerton, hasn’t yet offered—a mere formality for a confirmed member of the Husband Hunters Club of Miss Debenham’s Finishing School. Like her friends, Eugenie is unwilling to wait demurely until the perfect mate happens by. And, despite the handsome duke’s imposing reputation, she can feel his heated glances in her direction are charged with desire...and possibilities.
Saddled with a dukedom, a haughty dowager, and an irresponsible younger sister, Sinclair St. John is far too occupied with important matters to indulge in romantic whims. But for the first time in his life, a brazen temptress has him utterly distracted. He could—and he should—dismiss her and court someone more befitting his station. But he is irresistibly drawn to this bewitching woman...and must match her game of seduction, move for passionate move.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 25, 2011
13 people are currently reading
332 people want to read
About the author
Sara Bennett
169 books209 followersSara Bennett writes with passion. She has been published by Avon HarperCollins in the USA, and also publishes independently. She recently wrote a series of Regency novellas about Second Chances called Mockingbird Square. The four novellas are Unforgettable, Enraptured, Surrender and Reckless. They're available at all eBook stores.
Currently she is writing a second series of Mockingbird Square. The first three novellas, Fascination, Seduction and Temptation are available, and Obsession is under way.
Sara also writes paranormal romance as Sara Mackenzie, steamy historical romance as Evie North, and Australian Women's Fiction as Kaye Dobbie.
Currently she is writing a second series of Mockingbird Square. The first three novellas, Fascination, Seduction and Temptation are available, and Obsession is under way.
Sara also writes paranormal romance as Sara Mackenzie, steamy historical romance as Evie North, and Australian Women's Fiction as Kaye Dobbie.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
June 27, 2012
RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:
This is my first ever book by this author, and my last, sad to say.
I honestly don’t know where to begin. It’s really not that easy for us reviewers to talk about books we couldn’t connect, let alone talk about the ones we outright didn’t like. However, as much as we don’t like talking about it, we nevertheless, must.
After reading this book, I wanted to figure out why I didn’t like it, and ultimately it fell to poor writing, or more specifically, poor characterization. Try as I might, nothing about this story appealed. The couple left me cold and not involved. The story’s pace was just okay, and everything else felt just 'read it before' and cartoonish.
So, in the end, in all honesty, I can’t recommend it.
Melanie
This is my first ever book by this author, and my last, sad to say.
I honestly don’t know where to begin. It’s really not that easy for us reviewers to talk about books we couldn’t connect, let alone talk about the ones we outright didn’t like. However, as much as we don’t like talking about it, we nevertheless, must.
After reading this book, I wanted to figure out why I didn’t like it, and ultimately it fell to poor writing, or more specifically, poor characterization. Try as I might, nothing about this story appealed. The couple left me cold and not involved. The story’s pace was just okay, and everything else felt just 'read it before' and cartoonish.
So, in the end, in all honesty, I can’t recommend it.
Melanie
February 21, 2014
How disappointing... I didn't hate it but I could care less about ever reading it again. The "hero" was far from likable. He was a snob! He insulted her every step of the way: asking her to be his mistress because she wasn't good enough to be a wife! Making love to her even though she said she wouldn't be his mistress and he had no intention of make in ghetto his wife.
Unfortunately, the "heroine" wasn't likable either. She had a whiny disposition that made my skin crawl.
The family!!! Her brothers were mostly inconsequential to the story. Her mother was probably an opium eater. Her dad was a swindler!
His family was no better. His mother was a hateful bitch toward any who didn't meet her standards. His sister was a spoiled brat.
I did like Erik though. He made me laugh.
Unfortunately, the "heroine" wasn't likable either. She had a whiny disposition that made my skin crawl.
The family!!! Her brothers were mostly inconsequential to the story. Her mother was probably an opium eater. Her dad was a swindler!
His family was no better. His mother was a hateful bitch toward any who didn't meet her standards. His sister was a spoiled brat.
I did like Erik though. He made me laugh.
Read
December 13, 2021Review previously posted at The Smut Report.
The premise of this book is gross. I think it’s supposed to be empowering, because our heroine is the aggressor, but… nah. It’s about a teenage girl who falls for an older man and tries to get him to marry her. But on the way, she gets her emotions and any shred of respectability that she desperately tries to hold on completely trampled.
Eugenie has just finished finishing school. That makes her 18 years old, at the very most. She and her friends make a pact where they tell each other the names of the men they will marry, and then check in on each other to see how the husband hunting is progressing. Maybe? The mechanics of the club were unclear to me, as I have not read either of the earlier books in the series. Anyways. Eugenie panics because her family is not as well connected, so she blurts out the first name she thinks of, which is Sinclair St. John, the Duke of Somerton. Also, her neighbor. Again, what she was so worried about is not entirely clear? Like, she didn’t have a good person to name? Anyways, now she feels beholden to her friends in some way, and feels like she has to court the duke? Or something.
Anyways, Eugenie and the Duke strike up a friendship of sorts, which turns into a competition of dares for some reason.
Sidenote: Eugenie claims that she wants respectability, which is what her family does not have in spades, which is why she’s attracted to the very stuffy Duke. But then she doesn’t show him that she wants respectability with her actions, or even her words. She does quickly realize that what the Duke needs is some fun, and she is just the girl to give it to him.
They dance around their mutual attraction for a bit, and then they start kissing, and then the Duke asks her to be his mistress. And she says no. Repeatedly. And he repeatedly doesn’t believe her. And she keeps planning on breaking it off for real for real, but then she sees him and he touches her and she’s like, “what harm can one more kiss do?”
Here’s the thing that makes him the worst. He dares her to meet him at an abandoned house. She writes him a letter saying that they are doneso. However, she accidentally sends him the letter she wrote to her friends, regaling them with her failure at wooing the duke. So, she goes to meet him to try and get the letter back. He says she can have it if she stays for a while. He plies her with champagne and exotic fruits. They have sex, which is technically consensual but felt completely gross.
She, of course, has a magical vagina, and the sex is soooooo transcendent. But not so transcendent that he stops being an asshole:
Let’s unpack these passages for a minute here.
I think it’s supposed to be romantic that she can’t resist him, but what I read is that she trusts him to not push her too far, and he completely takes advantage of her. He wanted her to “give in and agree to everything.” And she loves him, so she does, but she is obviously unhappy about it.
But it’s all ok, because she looks at him with tenderness after she finishes crying!
Sinclair has no idea about what she wants – remember, she wants respectability. She wants a family. He thinks that he can protect her reputation if she’s his mistress, but that seems like an idea that is completely lacking in the common sense department. He laughs when she mentions marriage as an option that would protect her reputation, and then is surprised when she’s hurt – like, she couldn’t possibly be serious about that, as the daughter of a baron who was sent to a proper ladies’ finishing school to help her family’s fortunes.
Anyways, he’s like, “now you’ll be my mistress, right?” And she’s like, “no, still won’t be your mistress. Also, I really need that letter back.” He gives her a bill from his tailor, pretending that it’s the letter. After she leaves, he reflects about how he had to fob her off because he wanted her to stay because he wanted to bone her so much.
Then he reads the letter, and they meet the next day, and he’s SO ANGRY, because she embarrassed him or something. And she fucking apologizes to him, because the letter that she wrote her friends but never actually sent them hurt his feelings or some shit. UGH. In what way is Eugenie’s mistake at all comparable to Sinclair’s conniving? So for the rest of the book, instead of Sinclair making it up to Eugenie for being a complete and utter asshole, Eugenie is making it up to Sinclair for embarrassing him.
He admires her! And is intrigued! But not enough to actually listen when she tells him no.
Every subsequent time they have sex, Eugenie just pretends that it’s a beautiful dream. Again, maybe this is supposed to be romantic, but really it’s just sad.
There are some hijinks involving Sinclair’s very spoiled sister, her companion, and Eugenie’s ne’er do well brother who really wants to join the military which involve a bunch of people going to Scotland, but I hated Sinclair and thought Eugenie was a doormat at this point, so whatever.
Eventually Sinclair gets over himself and his worry about what people will think and decides that Eugenie is good enough to be his wife after all and they live happily ever after.
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The premise of this book is gross. I think it’s supposed to be empowering, because our heroine is the aggressor, but… nah. It’s about a teenage girl who falls for an older man and tries to get him to marry her. But on the way, she gets her emotions and any shred of respectability that she desperately tries to hold on completely trampled.
Eugenie has just finished finishing school. That makes her 18 years old, at the very most. She and her friends make a pact where they tell each other the names of the men they will marry, and then check in on each other to see how the husband hunting is progressing. Maybe? The mechanics of the club were unclear to me, as I have not read either of the earlier books in the series. Anyways. Eugenie panics because her family is not as well connected, so she blurts out the first name she thinks of, which is Sinclair St. John, the Duke of Somerton. Also, her neighbor. Again, what she was so worried about is not entirely clear? Like, she didn’t have a good person to name? Anyways, now she feels beholden to her friends in some way, and feels like she has to court the duke? Or something.
Anyways, Eugenie and the Duke strike up a friendship of sorts, which turns into a competition of dares for some reason.
Sidenote: Eugenie claims that she wants respectability, which is what her family does not have in spades, which is why she’s attracted to the very stuffy Duke. But then she doesn’t show him that she wants respectability with her actions, or even her words. She does quickly realize that what the Duke needs is some fun, and she is just the girl to give it to him.
They dance around their mutual attraction for a bit, and then they start kissing, and then the Duke asks her to be his mistress. And she says no. Repeatedly. And he repeatedly doesn’t believe her. And she keeps planning on breaking it off for real for real, but then she sees him and he touches her and she’s like, “what harm can one more kiss do?”
Here’s the thing that makes him the worst. He dares her to meet him at an abandoned house. She writes him a letter saying that they are doneso. However, she accidentally sends him the letter she wrote to her friends, regaling them with her failure at wooing the duke. So, she goes to meet him to try and get the letter back. He says she can have it if she stays for a while. He plies her with champagne and exotic fruits. They have sex, which is technically consensual but felt completely gross.
She opened her clear green eyes and gazed up at him with passion and trust. Complete trust.
He almost changed his mind.
Almost.
But then his fingers were on the top of her stockings, then the warm skin of her bare thighs. She was ready for him; the damp heat of her made him groan. It was an easy matter to unbutton his trousers and free himself, and then press the head of his cock against her slick entrance.
She, of course, has a magical vagina, and the sex is soooooo transcendent. But not so transcendent that he stops being an asshole:
But there was one thing he knew for certain – he’d been right to seduce her.
Eventually their breathing calmed, and he cuddled her in his arms, turning his face to kiss her cheek and nuzzle her skin. “Eugenie.” Her name sounded different on his lips, and he heard the possessive not in his voice. She was his, and he wanted to lift his head and shout it.
“It isn’t fair.” Her voice was quiet with a tremble in it. “You know it isn’t fair.”
He gave a surprised chuckle. “I didn’t want to play fair,” he admitted. “I wanted you to give in and agree to everything. Be my mistress, Eugenie.”
Something warm and wet trickled down her cheek from the corner of her eye, and he was shocked to see it was a tear. Another one followed, and then she turned her head away quickly, as if she didn’t want him to see.
Let’s unpack these passages for a minute here.
I think it’s supposed to be romantic that she can’t resist him, but what I read is that she trusts him to not push her too far, and he completely takes advantage of her. He wanted her to “give in and agree to everything.” And she loves him, so she does, but she is obviously unhappy about it.
But it’s all ok, because she looks at him with tenderness after she finishes crying!
Sinclair has no idea about what she wants – remember, she wants respectability. She wants a family. He thinks that he can protect her reputation if she’s his mistress, but that seems like an idea that is completely lacking in the common sense department. He laughs when she mentions marriage as an option that would protect her reputation, and then is surprised when she’s hurt – like, she couldn’t possibly be serious about that, as the daughter of a baron who was sent to a proper ladies’ finishing school to help her family’s fortunes.
Anyways, he’s like, “now you’ll be my mistress, right?” And she’s like, “no, still won’t be your mistress. Also, I really need that letter back.” He gives her a bill from his tailor, pretending that it’s the letter. After she leaves, he reflects about how he had to fob her off because he wanted her to stay because he wanted to bone her so much.
She was young, he reminded himself, and perhaps for all her grown-up ways she still had some girlish dreams. She would come to understand the impossibility of marriage and agree to what was possible. And he would sweeten her surrender with an endless supply of presents and treats.
He smiled, imagining it. She was the one woman in the world he both admired and was intrigued by. He doubted he’d ever understand her completely, but that was part of her charm. Thinking of her now he felt his body tighten, wanting her again with a combination of tenderness and primitiveness that astonished him.
Sinclair reached to put on his coat and remembered the letter Eugenie had been so keen to secure. Barker must have taken it to the house, and no doubt it would be waiting for him there. He hadn’t told Eugenie that. She’d seemed to fidgety, as if she might run out into the night, and he’d wanted her to stay. No doubt she knew by now he’d fobbed her off with his tailor’s bill.
He smiled to himself as he imagined her expression. She could take her feelings out on him the next they met. He just hoped it would be soon.
Then he reads the letter, and they meet the next day, and he’s SO ANGRY, because she embarrassed him or something. And she fucking apologizes to him, because the letter that she wrote her friends but never actually sent them hurt his feelings or some shit. UGH. In what way is Eugenie’s mistake at all comparable to Sinclair’s conniving? So for the rest of the book, instead of Sinclair making it up to Eugenie for being a complete and utter asshole, Eugenie is making it up to Sinclair for embarrassing him.
He admires her! And is intrigued! But not enough to actually listen when she tells him no.
Every subsequent time they have sex, Eugenie just pretends that it’s a beautiful dream. Again, maybe this is supposed to be romantic, but really it’s just sad.
There are some hijinks involving Sinclair’s very spoiled sister, her companion, and Eugenie’s ne’er do well brother who really wants to join the military which involve a bunch of people going to Scotland, but I hated Sinclair and thought Eugenie was a doormat at this point, so whatever.
Eventually Sinclair gets over himself and his worry about what people will think and decides that Eugenie is good enough to be his wife after all and they live happily ever after.
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May 26, 2012
Very enjoyable read. Reminded me very much of a Lisa Kleypas historical with the quirky heroine and her eccentric family. Sinclair St. John made a fine hero. Yes, he was haughty, duh, he's a duke! But I liked how we got to know Sinclair and the real man underneath. This was eminently readable and sensual. I recommend~
June 11, 2025
I think everyone was pretty awful except for Eugenie and Jack. Terry half the time. Her family seems to think of no one but themselves at all times. Her mother and father are awful. Sinclair is such an ass really. He really threw hissy fits about her saying no because he is a DUKE! Which is believable one hundred percent. Doesn’t make me like him.
His mother and sister, not enjoyable either.
2.75 to me. He painted her like one of the French girls sooooooo
His mother and sister, not enjoyable either.
2.75 to me. He painted her like one of the French girls sooooooo
January 27, 2018
As far as I can tell, the target audience for To Pleasure a Duke is women who felt that the hottest part of Pride and Prejudice was Darcy saying "Could you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your connections? To congratulate myself on the hope of relations, whose condition in life is so decidedly beneath my own? Because right up to a very close approximation of "In vain have I struggled. It will not do." seven pages from the end, Sara Bennett gives us a whole lotta that.
Sinclair St. John, Duke of Somerton, is all that is proper and respectable - which is why his name comes popping out of just-this-side-of-respectable Eugenia Belmont's mouth when she's put on the spot by her friends at Miss Debenham's Finishing School to name the man she intends to marry. Hunting a husband like Somerton is, of course, out of the question, but when a chance encounter on the road between herself, Somerton, her rapscallion brothers, and one irrepressible goat leads to an introduction, Eugenia can't help but wonder What if?
Unfortunately, the what if Somerton spends most of the novel wondering about involves taking Eugenia as a mistress rather than a wife - with or without her consent. (No, really. Bennett has his internal monologue during one of his seduction attempts literally acknowledge he's "giving her no choice but to be his mistress.") I'm generally a fan of strait-laced noblemen learning to live a little, but the hero here is a little high in the instep for even my tastes, and prone to running hot and cold in a way that I suppose the author mentally attributed to the artistic temperament his upbringing forced him to repress. Had the heroine been a charmer, I might have been inclined to be more forgiving, but she's even less interesting than he is, and the secondary romance is so barely-there as to make you wonder why Bennett bothered. Frankly, the goat had more character than all of them.
Perhaps the worst thing about To Pleasure a Duke is that it's not terrible enough to really hate - there is, after all, some pleasure to be had in a hate-read. It's just a mediocre execution of a fairly decent idea that could have used a lot more goat.
Sinclair St. John, Duke of Somerton, is all that is proper and respectable - which is why his name comes popping out of just-this-side-of-respectable Eugenia Belmont's mouth when she's put on the spot by her friends at Miss Debenham's Finishing School to name the man she intends to marry. Hunting a husband like Somerton is, of course, out of the question, but when a chance encounter on the road between herself, Somerton, her rapscallion brothers, and one irrepressible goat leads to an introduction, Eugenia can't help but wonder What if?
Unfortunately, the what if Somerton spends most of the novel wondering about involves taking Eugenia as a mistress rather than a wife - with or without her consent. (No, really. Bennett has his internal monologue during one of his seduction attempts literally acknowledge he's "giving her no choice but to be his mistress.") I'm generally a fan of strait-laced noblemen learning to live a little, but the hero here is a little high in the instep for even my tastes, and prone to running hot and cold in a way that I suppose the author mentally attributed to the artistic temperament his upbringing forced him to repress. Had the heroine been a charmer, I might have been inclined to be more forgiving, but she's even less interesting than he is, and the secondary romance is so barely-there as to make you wonder why Bennett bothered. Frankly, the goat had more character than all of them.
Perhaps the worst thing about To Pleasure a Duke is that it's not terrible enough to really hate - there is, after all, some pleasure to be had in a hate-read. It's just a mediocre execution of a fairly decent idea that could have used a lot more goat.
August 5, 2017
I just completed two highly rated romance novels on Goodreads and they were quite honestly the worst romance novels I have ever read in my life. After reading all the reviews on this book and then reading this book, I felt compelled to leave a review. My favorite romance novelist is Kathleen Woodwiss so if that helps you in any way - that's what I look for in all my books.
This is a fairly decent romance novel. The central conflict between the H/h is her circumstances and his breeding. I actually enjoyed the dialogue and the banter. The heroine points out his "snobbiness" to him for most of the novel. So it's not like she's a victim here. It has a very pride and prejudice feel and I really like how it concluded.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a quick read, likes conflicts, and bantering H/h. I am glad I didn't let the negative review deter me because I almost didn't read this book because of the ratings. Enjoy!
This is a fairly decent romance novel. The central conflict between the H/h is her circumstances and his breeding. I actually enjoyed the dialogue and the banter. The heroine points out his "snobbiness" to him for most of the novel. So it's not like she's a victim here. It has a very pride and prejudice feel and I really like how it concluded.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a quick read, likes conflicts, and bantering H/h. I am glad I didn't let the negative review deter me because I almost didn't read this book because of the ratings. Enjoy!
August 13, 2012
It was really hard to enjoy a hero who thought himself so far above the heroine that the only option he could see for the majority of the book was to make her his mistress. Even harder to enjoy a hero who insisted on seducing the heroine into becoming his mistress after she says no. And no. And no. The miserable excuse of his mother was flimsy at best, especially in light of the epilogue. Eugenie's dedication to her family was commendable, and her only moments of idiocy were continuing to see Sinclair after he told her what he wanted from her. Characterization is essential to enjoying a novel and none of the characters, except for Eugenie and Jack, were the slightest bit endearing. Just didn't enjoy this novel.
March 7, 2019
I really enjoy Sara Bennett’s books, but this one just didn’t do it for me. The story was alright, but ultimately not much happened. The hero and heroine travel around looking for their younger siblings who have ran off together.
I disliked the characters sooo much. She was really boring and whining all the time. But it was the hero I really hated. He was a horrible character who was very rude and stuck up, making it really hard to like him. He was only being nice because he was attracted to her. He laughed at the mention of marrying her, insulting her so hard. There has been heroes in books as this one, but he generally gets nicer and is only mean in the first chunk. In this book, he was downright cruel to her up till almost 70% in.
This was a really hard book to read and I has to push through.
November 15, 2024
I started with liking the MCs and ended with hating them. I dont know why they "loved" each other because there was no emotional connect built between them. The author only wrote multiple pages of physical intimacy. I thought it would be mind vs heart and going against society but it was nothing of that sort.
I would have rather preferred to read the antics of Erik (the goat) and Jack.
I would have rather preferred to read the antics of Erik (the goat) and Jack.
July 18, 2022
Het werd eigenlijk pas spannend toen men aan de reis begon. Het is niet het beste maar ook niet het slechtste.
April 25, 2020
A guilty pleasure (literally).
I’m a little surprised at how much I enjoyed this thing
Glad I didn’t see reviews before reading, because it appears that EVERYBODY misses the tongue-in-cheek aspect to everything about this. The Duke is SUPPOSED to be ridiculously snobby and both he and Eugenie are flawed af, but the way their silly povs and antics were written made it amusing rather than cringy (kinda like “Emma” with the addition of smut), and they both go through some lovely character development. There was a pretty great balance of hot and hilarious, and the way the usual romance formula was twisted made this even more interesting than you’d expect after reading such a generic synopsis.
That said, this is still trashy romance material, so don’t expect literary genius. If it means anything though, I’ve read hundreds of smutty trash and this is the first and only one I’ve ever wanted to hunt down and find my own copy of to hide under my mattress.
4/5
I’m a little surprised at how much I enjoyed this thing
Glad I didn’t see reviews before reading, because it appears that EVERYBODY misses the tongue-in-cheek aspect to everything about this. The Duke is SUPPOSED to be ridiculously snobby and both he and Eugenie are flawed af, but the way their silly povs and antics were written made it amusing rather than cringy (kinda like “Emma” with the addition of smut), and they both go through some lovely character development. There was a pretty great balance of hot and hilarious, and the way the usual romance formula was twisted made this even more interesting than you’d expect after reading such a generic synopsis.
That said, this is still trashy romance material, so don’t expect literary genius. If it means anything though, I’ve read hundreds of smutty trash and this is the first and only one I’ve ever wanted to hunt down and find my own copy of to hide under my mattress.
4/5
January 4, 2012
Goodreads summary: "It has taken Eugenie Belmont but a moment to decide whom to marry...
Unfortunately the gentleman in question, the Duke of Somerton, hasn’t yet offered — a mere formality for a confirmed member of the Husband Hunters Club of Miss Debenham’s Finishing School. Like her friends, Eugenie is unwilling to wait demurely until the perfect mate happens by. And, despite the handsome duke’s imposing reputation, she can feel his heated glances in her direction are charged with desire... and possibilities.
Saddled with a dukedom, a haughty dowager, and an irresponsible younger sister, Sinclair St. John is far too occupied with important matters to indulge in romantic whims. But for the first time in his life, a brazen temptress has him utterly distracted. He could — and he should — dismiss her and court someone more befitting his station. But he is irresistibly drawn to this bewitching woman... and must match her game of seduction, move for passionate move."
It's always a good time for historical romances in my opinion, but this time of year with all the cold and the lighting of candles at night and just the general urge to stay inside makes me crave them even more. And this one delivered!
At first I was a bit worried, cause the duke in question really annoyed me with the constant curling of his lip at everything. I mean, obnoxious much? But I'm glad to say Eugenie managed to make him mend his ways pretty soon. He was still haughty and snobbish, but with less lipcurling, so I was good with it.
I really liked Eugenie, I liked how she knew what she wanted and though she knew they were to different in social status for him to propose without scandal, she refused to settle for being his mistress. You go girl! I also liked that her imagination tended to run away with her and get her into trouble.
I SO hated the duke's mother!! I mean, really woman? Discouraging your son from doing things he loves because you don't approve? BAD PARENTING! His sister was also annoying, but more spoiled princess than anything else. I warmed up toward the duke himself over the course of the story, but he was definitely not swoon at first sight for me.
I really enjoyed this novel and the tension between the two main characters was wonderful!
My rating: 4 stars
Unfortunately the gentleman in question, the Duke of Somerton, hasn’t yet offered — a mere formality for a confirmed member of the Husband Hunters Club of Miss Debenham’s Finishing School. Like her friends, Eugenie is unwilling to wait demurely until the perfect mate happens by. And, despite the handsome duke’s imposing reputation, she can feel his heated glances in her direction are charged with desire... and possibilities.
Saddled with a dukedom, a haughty dowager, and an irresponsible younger sister, Sinclair St. John is far too occupied with important matters to indulge in romantic whims. But for the first time in his life, a brazen temptress has him utterly distracted. He could — and he should — dismiss her and court someone more befitting his station. But he is irresistibly drawn to this bewitching woman... and must match her game of seduction, move for passionate move."
It's always a good time for historical romances in my opinion, but this time of year with all the cold and the lighting of candles at night and just the general urge to stay inside makes me crave them even more. And this one delivered!
At first I was a bit worried, cause the duke in question really annoyed me with the constant curling of his lip at everything. I mean, obnoxious much? But I'm glad to say Eugenie managed to make him mend his ways pretty soon. He was still haughty and snobbish, but with less lipcurling, so I was good with it.
I really liked Eugenie, I liked how she knew what she wanted and though she knew they were to different in social status for him to propose without scandal, she refused to settle for being his mistress. You go girl! I also liked that her imagination tended to run away with her and get her into trouble.
I SO hated the duke's mother!! I mean, really woman? Discouraging your son from doing things he loves because you don't approve? BAD PARENTING! His sister was also annoying, but more spoiled princess than anything else. I warmed up toward the duke himself over the course of the story, but he was definitely not swoon at first sight for me.
I really enjoyed this novel and the tension between the two main characters was wonderful!
My rating: 4 stars
November 28, 2014
Book No. 3 in the Husband Hunters Club.
Eugenie Belmont has decided on the Duke of Somerton. She pretends to her friends that they are acquainted and have even exchanged letters.
The truth is that Eugenie is from a different class to the Duke and the Duke, although is taken by Eugenie and wants her as his mistress, marriage, in his view, can not happen to someone such as Eugenie, not without causing scandal to the Dukes name.
Again, as with previous books, an adventure takes place when the Duke's sister takes off to Scotland to try and experience a bit of what might be before she marries her intended.
This book is the weakest so far. I did not like the Duke one bit; in fact I don't think he even deserves the title of a Duke. Weak and pathetic. I quite liked Eugenie, who despite her family and upbringing, remains a strong character.
I read this book first and thought it was ok for a light read. I'm glad though that I am a stickler for reading all books in a series as I liked the previous two and will read the next.
Eugenie Belmont has decided on the Duke of Somerton. She pretends to her friends that they are acquainted and have even exchanged letters.
The truth is that Eugenie is from a different class to the Duke and the Duke, although is taken by Eugenie and wants her as his mistress, marriage, in his view, can not happen to someone such as Eugenie, not without causing scandal to the Dukes name.
Again, as with previous books, an adventure takes place when the Duke's sister takes off to Scotland to try and experience a bit of what might be before she marries her intended.
This book is the weakest so far. I did not like the Duke one bit; in fact I don't think he even deserves the title of a Duke. Weak and pathetic. I quite liked Eugenie, who despite her family and upbringing, remains a strong character.
I read this book first and thought it was ok for a light read. I'm glad though that I am a stickler for reading all books in a series as I liked the previous two and will read the next.
December 15, 2011
TO PLEASURE A DUKE by Sara Bennett is an interesting historical romance set in England.This is a fast paced story of Eugenie Belmont and Sinclair St. John, the Duke of Somerton. It has romance,love,sweet sensuality,witty banter,strange family members,a game of seduction,a sexy,handsome hero of a duke, and a demurely, irresistibly,witty,and bewitching heroine.A wonderful story of love,and family. A must read for any historical readers who enjoy wit,sweet sensuality,a powerful family and a not so powerful family. Received for review from the publisher and Net Galley. Details can be found at Avon,an imprint of Harper Collins,and My Book Addiction Reviews.
February 3, 2012
It was alright. I did not like the male lead very much at all. His arrogance/haughtiness lasted way too long into the book and really began to frustrate and annoy me. She also started to get annoying, for example he keeps insisting she will be his mistress, and she keeps saying no. Like four times in a row. But she still keeps meeting him in secret locations and eventually making out/doing it. And with her (mostly) annoying family and his annoying family also added to the mix, it just didn't add up to anything very good. Probably closer to 2 1/2 stars.
September 9, 2013
Another gem from Sara Bennett. Not as good as Sin with a Scoundrel, but better than Led Astray by a Rake. The heroine is lovable and spunky; the hero is a little daft, but comes around. The plot is a somewhat unbelievable - Eugenie would never have a realistic chance of snagging a duke - but if you are look for realistic, try another genre. For a better justification of marrying below station, look to Julia Quinn or Kinley MacGregor. Otherwise, Bennett just provides a fun, enjoyable romp.
September 21, 2021
Rilettura. Sommersa da 57 pagine di noia. Pagine in cui si parla di un caprone di nome Erik (non sto scherzando) che atterra a cornate un duca. Si parla di come quest’ultimo si porti a casa il caprone per 10 ghinee. Si narra anche di una fanciulla che scommette che sposerà il suddetto duca, che ha lo stesso sex-appeal di un manico di scopa. Non so come ho fatto la prima volta a leggerlo fino in fondo, ma in questo momento non ce la posso proprio fare.
March 27, 2012
Eugenie is determined to win herself a Duke, one Sinclair St John but he is so far above her station it is an impossible task. Sinclair is very taken with Eugenie but wouldn't dream of marrying beneath his station. How can love survive with everything against them?
This was pretty bad and the romance unlikely.
This was pretty bad and the romance unlikely.
December 8, 2014
The duke has flaws and the Eugene thinks too highly of herself. This is a regency romance without the ton. So if you are looking for the balls and soirees that we have come to expect from all regency romances, you will be disappointed. This story takes place in a village. The storyline also is quite predictable. Nothing in the story makes it memorable.
November 12, 2011
Good story line but something was missing. I never got swept away by the characters. It seemed a bit forced and more like reading words on a page rather than a story. Found myself skipping through lots of pages.
April 11, 2012
Decided on a whim to buy this at the used book store. Liked the cover. Never heard of the author. Fast paced. Not as descriptive as my favorite authors. Pleasantly surprised how much it did draw me in. Pretty good. Heat index= warm.
November 22, 2012
I'm trying to think what should I say about this book - arrogant and misunderstood Duke meets stubborn Hayden with stars in her eyes an enjoyable read but could have been better.
February 21, 2013
She said no to being his mistress, he proceeded to seduce her anyway. Meh.
June 12, 2015
Horrible title and cover art, but a solid story.
September 21, 2025
these characters seemed unreal to me. esp the male lead. wat even?
September 16, 2016
Love this series!
February 5, 2022
very good
May 19, 2025
What silliness is this? DNF, will never finish!
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