What a Devilish Duke Desires (The Sinful Scoundrels Series) by Vicky Dreiling
Historical Romance
Released: February 24, 2015
Forever

Reviewed by Sheena

Favorite Quote:  Your Grace. The words pummeled him like a fist.  By now, he ought to be accustomed to his new address, but he still felt as if he were an imposter.

Sweet.  This historical romance novel was funny and entertaining and sweet.  A bit too much a of a slow burn for my romantic tastes but what it lacked in fast paced heat, What a Devilish Duke Desires, made up for with its feel good, warm and comphy vibe.  Harry Norcliffe is a newly minted Duke, risen to his status via the tragic passing of his beloved uncle and family.  Lucy is a servant class young woman who catches Harry’s attention.  The absolute dream of most poor ladies, Harry pursues Lucy and is decidedly rebuffed as Lucy is not inclined to be relegated to a rich man’s trophy.  I admired this attitude from Lucy because she has a sense of pride and ambition and is not out to scramble up the social ladder even though her view from the near bottom rung, could certainly stand an improvement.

Clever Harry entices Lucy Longmore into spending time with him by inviting her to join a dance competition with him, the prize more than enough to afford her independence and a change of status and lifestyle that she could only dream about.  Of course she accepts and as they get to know one another, Harry falls harder and Lucy fights her attraction with two-fisted fury, only to be helpless in love with (my dear) Harry.  Oh Harry.  Harry is a historical hero of the likes I thought I would never be drawn to.  He is upstanding and has a little conniving streak- but on the whole, Harry is a good guy.  He is struggling with feelings of inadequacy and discomfort with his Dukedom.  I got a kick out of how he tricked Lucy and how he handles her in general.  Harry made me swoon and not because of his physique (which was impressive by the way) but because he cared so genuinely for Lucy and saves her from harm and later on, from herself when she would otherwise have let him slip away.

Lucy is born without much at all but has a heart full of love for her handicapped grandmother and a will to make something of her life.  She finds herself disposable and in peril and at the mercy of a cruel employer when Harry comes to her rescue. I loved the dynamic between these two.  Lucy does not go all goo goo eyed and wobbly kneed at t he prospect of becoming a member of the elite class.  She is hard working (three jobs!) and has more on her mind than a love match.  Watching Lucy open her heart and watching Harry become confident and comfortable in his new noble skin was heart warming.

What a Devilish Duke Desires is a fresh jaunt in the historical romance genre.  Harry is a hero I’ve not met before and Lucy a heroine for whom I have unprecedented respect.  He is not insufferable and in need of a rogue reformation and she is not exasperating for the sake of being cheeky and difficult.  There is a beautiful balance and charming tenderness to this novel that is impressive.  If you are partial to historical  romance novels that you can curl up and be practically absorbed into-engaged to your toes, and  enveloped into the sheer pleasantness of it all then I absolutely recommend What a Devilish Duke Desires.

Grade: B

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