The Most Dangerous Duke in London by Madeline Hunter
Release Date:  May 30, 2017
Barbara’s Rating : 4 of 5 stars

Series:  Decadent Dukes Society #1

Exciting beginning to Madeline Hunter’s new ‘Decadent Dukes Society’ trilogy! In addition to the main hero and heroine in this book, we get a great introduction to the next two dukes who will have their stories. Can’t wait!!

I really liked our hero – Adam Penrose, the Duke of Stratton. He has been living under a shadow for years and even fled the country to avoid some of it. However, the shadow followed him to France where he was involved in duels because of some people’s belief that his father had committed treason. So, he returns to England fully intending to find the truth of who is behind the heinous rumors – and to prove they aren’t true.

I also liked our heroine – Clara Cheswick who is the oldest daughter of his family’s sworn enemy. Clara has only heard the worst about Adam, so she has little to make her think well of him. She’s also determined to keep her independence and never marry, so when she is inexplicably drawn to Adam she is really disconcerted.

The story is well developed and the characters, including the supporting characters, are complete and well developed. Madeline Hunter writes an excellent story filled with romance, angst and a great mystery.

Now, I loved the characters and the story — but there are a few things that just aren’t well explained or plausible. First — how easily Adam and Clara manage to have their liaisons with no chaperones, etc. Also – Clara moves into her own home unchaperoned and she is still acceptable in the ton (not likely). Then, there is Clara’s grandmother. I just didn’t get what made her decide to try to forge an alliance with Adam. She didn’t appear to me to have had a sudden epiphany that she had done a real bad thing. I don’t know — just didn’t buy that part!

“I requested and received this book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”