Category: Re-Release / Updated Edition

Never Dare a Duke by Gayle Callen

On By TracyIn Book Publicity, Check Content Warning/Triggers, Part of a Series, Re-Release / Updated Edition, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

Never Dare a Duke New CoverNever Dare a Duke by Gayle Callen

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Sons of Scandal, #2

Release Date: Originally Released in 2008, Rereleasing June 11, 2024

Miss Abigail “Abby” Shaw is the daughter of Leo Shaw, owner of the Morning Journal and has high hopes of one day being a journalist herself, for now she secretly writes for the paper as the literary and drama critic. And this is how she learned that her father’s paper was in trouble. She is desperate to find a way to save the paper and thinks she might have found the answer thanks to her dear friend Lady Gwen. While strolling with Gwen in Hyde Park, she meets Christoper Cabot, the Duke of Madingley and Gwen informs her of his family’s scandalous history but added that the duke himself seems immune to scandal, she also adds that she has been invited to a house party at the duke’s estate and offers to bring Abby. Abby is sure the duke must be hiding something and knowing how much society thrives on scandal, she is determined to find out what he is hiding and write about it in the Morning Journal. But Abby never expected to like the duke and his family so much, nor did she think that the duke would be suspicious of her, making uncovering his secrets even harder. As her feelings deepen choices will have to be made and it seems like they will all lead to heartache.

Christopher “Chris” Cabot, the Duke of Madingley does have a secret, but that scandal was a long time ago and his father made sure that it never hit the scandal sheets. But that doesn’t mean it didn’t affect him deeply or change the entire path of his life. Chris has worked hard to be a better man, to make a difference and to live a life that never gives society any reason to gossip about him. And that has worked for years, but when he arrives at his estate, he learns that his sister and mother are hosting a house party and have invited prospective brides as well as the intriguing Miss Abigail Shaw. He doesn’t trust her a whit and decides to keep her close until he can figure out what she is up to. He just doesn’t count on feeling anything for her or for what he believes is the ultimate betrayal of those feelings.

Another great installment of the Sons of Scandal series! The story is well written, and Chris and Abby have such wonderful chemistry that you can’t help but root for their happily ever after. This story has secrets, a bevy of scheming hope-to-be brides, good friends, more than one romance, sizzling love scenes, blackmail, lies, heartache, betrayal and finally a well-deserved HEA including a lovely epilogue. This is the second book in the trilogy, but it could easily be read as a standalone title. I feel like it needs to be noted that this book is a rereleased title from 2008 and it definitely has “old school” historical romance feel to it – which personally, I LOVE but I also know might it be off-putting to more sensitive readers.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own. *

The Wicked Wallflower by Tracy Sumner

On By TracyIn Book Publicity, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Part of a Series, Re-Release / Updated Edition, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Wicked Wallflower (The Duchess Society, #3)The Wicked Wallflower by Tracy Sumner

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Duchess Society, #3

Release Date: April 21, 2022

Lady Pippa Darlington, the sister of Roan, the Duke of Leighton, has no desire to marry into the ton, and after an unfortunate incident involving an earl and a glass of ratafia, she had “lessons” from the Duchess Society. But rather than look for a husband, she has been laying low and playing the wallflower to glean information the Duchess Society – unbeknownst to them. And when her snooping lands her in trouble, her rescuer is the only man she has ever wanted and the man who is determined to keep her at an arm’s length – Xander Macauley. A Self-made man from the slums of London, who also happens to be a good friend and business partner of her brother. But Pippa is nothing if not fearless and just as determined to attain her heart’s desire. Bit by bit, she worms her way into Xander’s life and his heart, and if love is a battlefield, then Pippa is a major general and she is going to win this war!

Xander Macauley has wanted Pippa for years, but as his friend’s little sister he has deemed her off limits, too bad she never got the memo. Try as he might to ignore her, he can’t and has stopped trying. They embark on a passionate affair and emotions become involved, but his self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy keep him from imagining a HEA for them. Will he realize his mistake before it is too late and his headstrong lady closes her heart for good?

This was a great addition to the series, Pippa and Xander are a great couple and very easy to root for. The story was a little slow to start, but once it kicks into gear, it is a roller coaster ride to the end. This book has a slow burn romance, age-gap, forbidden passion, great secondary characters, “help” from previous characters, steamy love scenes, a hero with a soft-heart under a hard exterior, a heroine who isn’t afraid to go after what she wants, a soulmate type of love and finally after some negotiating, a very sweet HEA that includes a heart-melting epilogue. This is the third book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title. I am happy to recommend this title to fans of slow-burn to smoking-hot historical romances that lead to HEA.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own. *