How the Duke Was Won by Lenora Bell (The Disgraceful Dukes #1)
Released: April 26, 2016
Historical Romance
Avon

Reviewed by Mandi

Favorite Quote: “I’m going to kiss you,” he breathed in her ear. “You have exactly three seconds to leave. I advise you to leave.”

He waited a moment. “Please leave.”

(She doesn’t leave…there could be hot kissing that follows)

Debut author alert! Adorable book alert!

With his brother and father dead, James has found himself with the title of duke – title he never wanted. As a young adult, escaping London for world travel, he eventually lands in Trinidad and discovers a passion for cocoa beans. After witnessing the atrocities of slave labor on the island, James makes it his mission to have cocoa bean factories that pay fair wages and don’t use slaves. But when he is called back to London to take over his family’s duties, James is not happy. Nicknamed “The Disgraceful Duke,” James decides to find a wife, produce an heir, leave them in London and head back to traveling the world.

He’d spent the last ten years roaming the world, living by his own rules, and he wasn’t about to move back to cold, restrictive England and become a narrow-minded tyrant like his father. Instead, James would find a blameless virgin to sacrifice to the gods of Reputation and Respectability, one with a father of ample means and solid political connections, and leave as soon as possible.

He sounds like a real winner, yes? Don’t hate him yet – he does have the title of the Disgraceful Duke for a reason. He is a good guy deep down.

He picks four eligible ladies to come to his house (with their mothers) for three days, so he can decide which one he wants to marry. Disgraceful.

Charlene is the daughter of an earl, but also the daughter of a courtesan. Unacknowledged by her father, she has grown up in a brothel but wants more out of life. Although her mother encourages her to be a courtesan, Charlene doesn’t want that. Her troubles are many: She has a very artistic sister who would flourish if she could just afford to send her to school. Her mother is ill but they can’t afford a physician. And, a man who lent Charlene and her mother money, wants payment back – not just coins, but Charlene’s body as well. In the past this man tried to literally brand Charlene and with the help of the houses’s bodyguard, Charlene escaped. She has learned self-defense from this bodyguard and feels like she could take on this man if he shows up again. But who knocks on the door is her father’s wife.  James picked Charlene’s half-sister (Dorthea) to come to his house as a possible bride, but Dorthea is traveling, and unable to make it. Not wanting to miss this chance, Dorthea’s mother asks Charlene to pretend to be Dorthea (apparently they look like twins) for the visit, so the duke can fall in love with her, and then when it comes time for the wedding, Dorthea will be back home and can slide into place. Dorthea’s mother offers one thousand pounds, money Charlene desperately needs. She accepts the offer.

This book is so cute. First we start off with a duke who could care less about a title. He could care less about finding a wife. He just wants to pick someone and get it over with. While he isn’t thrilled with finding a wife, he isn’t super broody or cranky. He is more of a prankster. He likes to push people’s buttons or their boundaries and see what they will do. For example, when all the ladies first arrive at his estate, he impulsively dresses as a footman, and stands outside as one, to see how the ladies treat him (not knowing it is him).

He has no problem taking off his coat and rolling up his sleeves. Scandalous!

But Charlene (posing as Dorthea) has her own…eccentricities. While she can just pass as a lady, she grew up with a courtesan for guidance. She has a huge bodyguard who teaches her self-defense. When a footman (cough cough) gets a little handy…Charlene shows him who is boss by taking him down to the floor. This of course gets the duke’s attention and he likes this unconventional woman.

“She tumbled me on my arse like a public house brawler,” James said.

Dalton sprayed brandy on the library carpet. “We’re speaking of Lady Dorthea? That diminutive thing?”

“The very one. Quite a grip on her. Arms like a sailor. Wouldn’t be surprised if they were covered in ink tattoos.”

Charlene really wants the duke to fall for her, because she needs the money. She doesn’t love tricking him and she doesn’t love having to act like a lady of the ton. But what she isn’t expecting is for James to act…not like a stuffy duke. He has an adventurous spirit. He likes spirited talk. He also has a young daughter he brought home from Trinidad with him, and he has no idea what to do with her. Charlene treats this young girl as a person (shocking!) and helps James realize the kind of relationship he could have with her.

James is struck by lust the first time he sees Charlene. Their romance has great sexual tension and is very steamy.

Like a man who’d been wandering the desert for days, he found the wellspring of her lips, all the reasons he shouldn’t kiss her disappearing like footprints in shifting sand.

Her soft, encouraging little moans destroyed his control.

“Dorthea,” he groaned into her hair.

He took her mouth, crushing her hips against him, kissing her as if they’d been the last two humans on earth. As if the fate of civilization depended on this moment.

We get to know the other three girls who are vying for James’s attention – and the antics to win his heart are amusing.

In the end, James is a kind, warm hero and Charlene is a strong heroine who wins his heart.

Grade: B+

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