Review: The Duke Can Go to the Devil (Prelude to a Kiss #3) by Erin Knightly
Historical Romance
Released: July 7, 2015
Signet

Reviewed by Sheena

After her mother’s death, May’s sea captain father sends her halfway around the world to live with his stodgy sister in England. The summer festival in Bath made for a lovely distraction, but now she can’t wait for her father’s return so she can leave this country, its suffocating rules, and one infuriatingly proper nobleman in particular behind.

Because he is the Duke of Radcliffe, William Spencer’s whole life revolves around his duties. He never steps foot outside the bounds of proper behavior, and he expects the same of those around him. With her devil-may-care ways, May vexes him nearly as much as she tempts him, but there’s something about her that he just can’t resist. He knows he’s falling hard for her, but with lives that are worlds apart, will they ever be able to find any common ground?

Favorite Quote: “Your bravado would be impressive, Miss Bradford, if it weren’t so clearly just that: bravado.  As it is, you are no match for a man who-” And just like that, the lofty Duke of Radcliffe went over her shoulder.  For the space of three seconds- an eternity, at least- William lay flat on his back, stunned.

I can say with full confidence that I have never encountered a hero whom I’ve wanted to scandalize more than the Duke of Radcliffe!  William Spencer has lost himself to the stifling expectations of Dukedom and I spent 70% of this novel believing that any remnant of a man capable of love and tenderness was long lost.  Radcliffe oozed decorum and propriety. I like to lounge as I read and this duke was wound so tight that  I kept bolting upright when he would enter a scene.  He never would have thought that the perfect match for him would be an insanely wild spirit; a colorful, world traveled independent woman who quite literally blew his world apart, breaking down his stuffy pomp and circumstance emotional barriers one tradition steeped layer at a time.

May Bradford was a dream heroine.  It was so refreshing that she was not ton born and bred. She had such a beautiful perspective and the fact that she practices meditation and what I believe is Tai Chi was the freaking icing on the top of my romance novel orgasm cake! May has not only seen the world she is quite confident in herself and is not weighed down by the rules of London Bath society, however, she does have a sophisticated aunt charged with her care who is next level bourgeois.  Unfortunately, though she is adept at life aboard a sea ship and the…manners that accompany living along side sailors, dear May has not grown accustomed to pleasing her aunt with her skill at being a proper English Lady and often finds herself on the receiving end of one chastisement after another.  None so worse than when May and the duke first meet and sparks fly- you misunderstand…sparks literally flew and were they both gentleman surely fisticuffs would have ensued.

“Nice try Miss Bradford.  You may tell our mutual friend that I was in no way exaggerating when I said I was not interested.”

Affront flooded through her as she grasped his meaning.  Why the conceited, self centered jackass!

“And you may tell our mutual friend that he needs to be more discerning when choosing his acquaintances.  I would have told him plainly of my intention not to associate with arrogant, conclusion jumping Englishman.”

One disdainful dark eyebrow lifted as he shook his head slowly.  “So the cat hisses when her schemes are ruined…Now then, turn around and march yourself back inside like a good little debutante.”

She knew his type. Arrogant, powerful, accustomed to respect no matter how he treated others.  He was everything she couldn’t stand about the aristocracy.

Straightening her spine, she met his piercing gaze with a smile of pure innocence….”One would think that as a Duke, you would have a better grasp of proper grammar.”

Annnnnd folks, this is just the start of their turbulent affair!  They are opposites in every way but there is nothing felt overwrought or cliche’ about their non-courtship-courtship.  He is the epitome of grace and holds himself to an impossible standard of duty, while she lets her hair down, wears trousers and bare feet on a public beach.  He is fulfilled and has great pride in his textile work outside of being a Duke and believes London to be the end and all be all of all things awesome. She is world traveled and gives the most sweeping and awe inspiring descriptions of the places she has visited growing up all over the world.  They recognize the best in one another and though they are contentious in every turn, they do not seek to truly be apart.  I thoroughly enjoyed their bitter barbs and games of one-up-manship until they could no longer disregard the affections they secreted away for one another.

Though their obstacles are many, most notably is the severely inappropriate relationship that he has with his viper of a stepmother who apparently can not resist the urge to get into Radcliffe’s pants and jockey for a position as his new wife- especially horrid of her as she is also the widowed mother of his two absolutely darling siblings, Clarisse and Julian.  Beautiful children who were an integral part of how I began to see Radcliffe as a decent man.  All of my frosty feelings toward him- and they were frigid!- melted away when I saw him interact with his siblings.  The love that he pours into them, the care, devotion and appropriate indulgences were just so damn endearing!

“What are the rules about spying?”

“Only at the bequest of the King, and only to save the country from traitors.”

May had to press a hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh.

“And do you have good reason to believe that a traitor is in out midst?”

Julian shook his head, but Clarisse turned and pointed to May again. “What about her?  She could be a traitor.”

It was the Duke’s turn to bite back a smile.  He turned to May, pretending to size her up.  “Hmm.  Perhaps you are right.  She does have a bit of an accent, in addition to saying bad words.  And she came here on a great ship that had sailed the seven seas all the way from China.

Both of the children’s eyes went wide as saucers, and Julian muttered an appreciative, “Whoa.”

Be still my heart! A man who indulges the fanciful whims and imaginations of a child gets major points in my book!  The relationship he has with his siblings, gave insight into his character and heart and it also allowed him to open his eyes and heart where May was concerned. Cool, well adjusted and sensitive royal children- gotta love them!

The Duke Can Go to the Devil is not a sexy romance.  It is not particularly steamy aside from a couple of stolen (literally and laughably!) kisses.  The novel is light and flirtatious and the writing is so substantial, so good, so engaging that I looked up and I was at 70% done and freaked out.  I did NOT want to leave this lovely little world that gave me such good feelings.  I also didn’t miss the sex. And I always miss the sex.  If somebody talking about sex, I’m your girl. Double entendres- sign me up!  Alas, there is no tumbling down of any fair maiden’s in any haystacks going on here- however, the flow of the writing compensates for the lack of hymen breaking, duke humping, erotic  aristocratic sexcapades that one comes to expect from a historical romance.  I could have done without some of the excessive display of his staunch determination to hold himself back from May, I mean after a while I got a little worried that my pansy radar would start beeping and ruin every effing thing!  Also, the bit with his scheming stepmother felt rushed. She was demonized (quite well) but then quasi-redeemed in way too short a time period for me to buy into her resolution.  These thoughts aside, I recommend this novel as it has amazing dialogue, a unique and interesting heroine and a fresh air of vivacious fun and you will not want to put it down!

I have a feeling I would read anything by author, Erin Knightly.  This is book three of the Prelude series and I am curious to find out more.  Now that I know what I have been missing, I am totally going to add her previous novels to my wish list. If you are a fan of the series, first of all, dude, shame on you for keeping this gem to yourselves! I need to know that these awesome books are out there waiting for me to read them! Secondly, if you are new to the series like me, you won’t feel lost, The Duke Can Go to the Devil has strong stand alone legs!

Grade: B+

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