A huge thank you to Entangled publishing and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in return for my honest opinions.

This book had me on a huge rollercoaster of emotions. At times I felt such strong love for our characters and a other times I wanted to shake them up. I found myself wanting to hug and comfort them and at others I bead just overly frustrated with them.

I just loved this retelling if the Cinderella fairytale. I was hooked from page one and finished the book in one sitting. I could not put it down.

It was fast paced, full of action and I was totally invested. I am going to do a reread in a couple days!

Love this author and can't wait to read more of her books.

Recommend.

This is a pretty standard retelling of the fairytale Cinderella. As you would expect from the name. It was an enjoyable read but there was nothing to make it stand out from the crowd of other retellings. Charlotte could have come forward sooner and been more open with Rafe about her stepfather. Rafe and the stepfather are perfect contrasts. One capable of anything to get his own way and the other willing to go out of his way to help others.

I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I seldom give out 5-star reviews as I did years ago but this was a true 5 Star story for me. I was in the mood for a "Cinderella" type story and found 3 and read them all, the others are not worth talking about here but this one was amazing and the stepfather was horrible but the ending was over the top amazing. I can only tell you that it follows the broad outline of the fairy tale but there was no slipper or such but a great love story that you were never sure was going to happen due to the machinations of the evil stepfather. I loved it and it was 5 Stars in my humble opinion but this is book 3 in the "Never a Wallflower" series and one of my rare 5 Star reviews also went to book 1 of this series and while there are no connections and can be read as standalone, I highly recommend that one also "The Spinster and the Rake"

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this story, and this is my freely given opinion.

I enjoy Eva Devon's writing as she writes in such a lovely prose with graphic, beautiful detail.

Rafe, the Duke of Rockford, is a wealthy, powerful, successful man who is well aware of his responsibilities as a duke. He inherited his title young, and has done what he can to maintain the dukedom and reputation, including noble charitable endeavours, and political maneuvers to help improve life for others. What he has not done, as his mother and grandmother agree, is to marry and provide for the future lineage of the line. This is especially important in their eyes, as his father died in his 30s. His mother has control of one of his favourite charities and threatens to leave that control to someone else if he does not fall in with her marital plans, and he is forced to at least consider her so-called list of one eligible lady. But what he hopes for is a love match, like his parents and his grandparents had; with a woman to share the little things in life with, and to see him for more than than wealth and title. He is a romantic at heart.

Charlotte Browne is an impoverished orphan, having lost her mother as a young girl, and never known her father, as he died even earlier. The only home she has ever known has been with her stepfather, Lord Palmerton and his children, Lady Francesca and Lord Phillip. However, as she is not his child, and she has no other family or monies, she is forced to continue living there, despite the fact that he treats her terribly and uses her as a servant. He uses her care and love for others to manipulate her, including punishing a beloved friend, a fellow servant, by having him thrown into debtor's prison.

Rafe and Charlotte meet when he comes upon her fighting off a thief on her way to secure the freedom of her friend from prison. He is immediately taken by her spirit and bravery, and the more he speaks to her the further he is drawn in. She is pretending to be Lady Charlotte, knowing that she would get more response from the prison workers by being more than a mere maid, and is forced to maintain this pretense with Rafe, as he follows her to use his Ducal powers to aide her. But this doesn't matter, as she would never see him again after this one time, right?

Of course not, because the one woman on the list provided by his mother is that of Lady Francesca, and when he does his duty to call on her at least once, he finds Charlotte While he and Francesca like each other, he is delighted in seeing Charlotte again and states his interest in courting her right away. She is forced to continue her ruse, especially when it is discovered by her stepfather who manipulates her to do so, and use the opportunity to turn Rafe's interest away from her to Francesca to foster a match there, or else he would punish the other servants she cares for, as well as Francesca, whom she also loves.

This is very much so a Cinderella story with Charlotte being so abused and maltreated by her stepfather, to the point where her entire past has been eradicated. She ends up being forced to lie and hurt Rafe because he threatens those she loves. Rafe is a perfect hero - handsome, rich, noble, and believes in love - apparently love at first site. The evil villain seems about to win in the end when literally the hero rides off on his steed to save the heroine in distress.

This was cute and a likeable story, but also very predictable.

3.25 stars out of 5

As the name suggests, this is a Regency Cinderella story, kind of at least. The way the author choose to divert from the known Cinderella story and twisted this retelling into her own thing was highly enjoyable. We have a step-father for our Cinderella Charlotte instead of a step-mother and the single step-sister, Francesca, is a supportive character and not a bullying villain. Instead of meeting a Prince at a ball, she meets Rafe, a Duke, in a shady alley - yet he still thinks that Charlotte must be a Lady. This lie continues to be the main point that drives a lot of the story and drama in this book.

While Charlotte is a likeable character and absolutely easy to root for, it is Rafe that is an absolute highlight for me, when it comes to characters. This man really came into this book and said, with his whole chest, that he didn’t want a wife for duty’s sake and that the only woman he could accept as wife would be one he could be a capital S Simp for. That is my man. All the others can pack their macho nonsense up and go home.

Overall a Cinderella retelling that didn’t invent the wheel anew but did a fresh take on it, all while telling a cute romantic story with great main characters.

I enjoy Eva Devon's writing but the Cinderella trope is one of my least favourites. However, I thought I'd give this a chance anyway because sometimes the Cinderella story can have a twist and be enjoyable. Sadly this wasn't the case here. Charlotte is very much the down trodden, poor orphan who is stripped of everything dear to her by her horrible step father. She happens across Rafe, the Duke of Rockford who is immediately interested in her and despite having ample opportunity to tell him the truth about her situation (that she is not a lady and is treated like dirt by her step father) she doesn't. The highlight of the book for me was Rafe. He was sweet and understanding and genuinely wanted to make a difference but my struggle with Charlotte made it hard for me to like this book.

This is the second story I have read by Eva Devon and she didn't disappoint.  What a wondrous story! I was very fortunate to receive an ARC of athe Duke's Secret Cinderella from Netgalley. Charlotte Browne is the step daughter of Palmerton, a villain whose character and actions gave me shivers of disgust and fear. On her way to free her old servant from debtor's prison, she encounters Rafe Andrew William Henley Dorchester, the Duke of Rockford, who helps her with some trouble she finds unfortunately. They meet again under improbable circumstances and then poor Charlotte's lies begin as she tries to hide her birth origins from Rafe, who has a deep soul connection with her. As their forbidden relationship grows, the lies Charlotte tells also increase. When the unraveling begins, Rafe is left to wonder who he had given his heart to. A truly remarkable story!

I really liked this! It was a bit angstier than I expected. Let me clarify - I normally don't expect angst in historical romances. But this had it going on! Charlotte's lies and the horrible stepdad were just stirring it up LOL I loved the spin on the classic Cinderella story. Charlotte and Rafe were just smitten with each other and she couldn't see a way to get her fairy tale. I LOVED the twist toward the end. Did not see that coming, but it was perfect for this fairy tale :)

GENERAL INFO

Year Pub/Re Pub: 2/21/23

Book's cover: beautiful pink w/ great looking couple

Format: Kindle

Source: “I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

Page Count: 277 kindle

Book's Price: $5.99

Price I'd Value: same

Setting: London

Genre: HR

Standalone/Cliffhanger/Part of a Series: Book #3 Never a Wallflower

HEA/HFN ending: HEA

Epilogue Included: yes, the Duchess' ball and the Cinderella dance

Character(s)POV Spoken: 3rd

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Synopsis/Plot Summary: "Cinderella retelling meets movie Ever After. Charlotte Browne tells the Duke of Rockford that she is a lady. It’s too late to admit she’s just plain Charlotte of no particular importance- a wretched stepfather, and no prospects for marriage. Rafe Dorchester, Duke of Rockford, has avoided marriage at all costs. His mother lays down the highest ultimatum, he’ll need to find a duchess, but he instead finds the pert, fresh-faced Lady Charlotte."

M/F-M/M-M/M/F-etc: M/F

Representation: the ton v. everyone else, military service

Contains Cheating: no

Contains Children: no

Flashbacks: yes, Charlotte growing up as a servant, losing parents. Rafe- his mother and grandmama have a great discord on the business of marriage in the ton. His mother was the diamond of the season- the most powerful woman in the ton.

Jealy/Possy/OTT H/h : yes, Charlotte talking and dancing w/ his friends George and Matthew

Amount of Sex In The Book:1 good scene-their 1st time together

Overall Smex Rating: 3, kisses and a lot of fantasies

CHARACTER DESCRIPTION

Hero: Duke of Rockford -Rafe Dorchester

Hero Description: 30, works for House of Lords(govt). Wants control over a foundling hospital (children's home). where they are treated well w/ a caring staff.

Hero Likability Rating: 5

Hero loves books/writing: yes

Heroine: Charlotte Browne

Heroine Description: A servant in her mother's inherited home. Both parents deceased, pretends to be Lady Faraday after getting Rafe's help to rescue another servant Stevenson.

Heroine Likability Rating: 5

Heroine loves books/writing: yes, she reads endless romance novels and penny novelettes about lords and servant girls.
Honorable mentions: Sheridan - Richard Brinsley Sheridan was an Irish playwright remembered for his satirical comedies of 1751-1816.Fanny Hill-a pornographic novel in English lit 1748-49 about a prostitute's "memoirs of a woman of pleasure."

Secondary characters
Lady Francesca- fake cousin, the "good" stepsister, potential wife to Rafe.
Phillip-Francesca's brother, hates Charlotte
Duchess-Rafe's mother blackmails him into marriage and making heirs.
Lord Palmerton-Charlotte's stepfather who treats his children- Francesca, Phillip, and Charlotte cruelly. Wants to be part of the ton, and Francesca's marriage to the duke will do it.
Earl of Darrow-George Leighton(heir) with twin brother Matthew (2nd son/spare)
Stevenson-servant put in debtor's prison by Lord Palmerton.

H /h RELATIONSHIP INFO

OW/OM/Exes: Francesca doesn't want to be the other woman, but everyone expects her to marry Rafe. Charlotte has never had a relationship, and Rafe is pretty honorable., though admits to having been a rake.

Cheating Before/During/Outside H/h Relationship: no

CONTENT WARNINGS/TRIGGERS: physical and mental abuse, orphanage

AUTHOR OVERVIEW: Eva Devon, new author for me

PERSONAL OVERVIEW

Overall Rating: 5

Do You Recommend This Book: yes

Will You Re-read This Book: yes

Would You Read More Books by this Author: yes

COMMENTS/NOTES: Charlotte is a force of nature. She doesn't believe marriage is in her future. She consigns herself to a life of labor, w/ a warm place and a family. She lures Rafe to her- speaking freely, being a bit odd, and totally desirable.

Favorite line: Well, she'd been able to do whatever she pleased as long as she did what she was supposed to-and did not get caught-Grandmama to Rafe about marriage and your personal happiness

New Vocabulary/beautiful words

demimondaine-a woman supported by a wealthy lover. An alternative to arranged marriage.

banns-notice read out loud on 3 successive Sundays in a parish church announcing an intended marriage and giving the opportunity for objections. The Duchess is ready to plan the biggest wedding the ton has ever seen.

riposte-a quick, clever reply to an insult or criticism. This is Charlotte all the time.

Rafe and Charlotte’s HEA was one filled with drama and secrets. Charlotte is a kind and living person that is always looking to make others happy. Rafe just wanted to find someone who can truly love him. Rafe falls in love with Charlotte and help her see how special she is even when there are forces that try to pull them apart. Again Eva Devon writes a wonderful story.

On a mission to free one of her friends from a debtors’ prison, Charlotte Brown gets help from an unlikely source: a duke, and that duke thinks that she is a lady.

Rafe Dorchester, Duke of Rockwood, is in need of a wife. His mother is putting the pressure on and has selected a candidate to become his duchess, but when Rafe goes to visit Lady Francesca, he finds Lady Charlotte there as well. And it is clear to him that Lady Charlotte is his true match.

This twist on Cinderella serves up one loving stepsister, a self-centered stepbrother, and an evil stepfather. I thoroughly enjoyed Charlotte and Rafe’s story, the clear affection shared between Charlotte and Francesca, the dynamics of the friendship between Rafe, George, and Matthew, and the theme of good triumphing in the end. Rafe’s mother is certainly a force to be reckoned with in the ton and is quite entertaining to watch, and I adored his interactions with his grandmother, a force in her own right, as well.

It’s a story of two exceedingly good and honorable people falling in love as one struggles internally against the difference in class and ultimatums from her stepfamily. Along the way, we see Charlotte visiting places she hasn’t always been welcome—alongside a duke in Vauxhall, being fitted for dresses at the modiste, and in the salons and ballrooms of the ton—as she chafes under the lie that she is a lady.

Plus the attraction between the Rafe and Charlotte is palpable, and Eva Devon serves up some excellent steam. This one is open door—or should I say goes a bit al fresco—my friends.

If you enjoy fairytale retellings, this take on Cinderella may be the HR novel you have been searching for.

I received an advance copy from Entangled Publishing and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.

I enjoyed Charlotte and Rafe’s story. Both were great characters, really enjoyed their heart for humanity and each other., and the secondary characters were equally great. I prefer dialogue over thoughts and there were a few times that the self dialogue got a bit too much but overall good book.

I love fairy tale retellings so when I saw this I immediately wanted to devour it.
Cinderella isn't my favourite but if it's done well (Ever After for example) I'll get swept into the story.
I had a difficult time with this one. While I liked how villainous Charlotte's stepfather was. It made him a believable for to the heroine's happiness. I also liked the nods to the original fairy tale. The hero was a big softie too.
The heroine I had a hard time liking. I think she lied too much and carried on the lies for too long. She also seemed to lie when she didn't need to at times. She just seemed to create her own sticky situations.
The pacing was quick which made this a fast read.
Overall, a fun Cinderella retelling that can be read in a day.

First off, thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and author of this book. I was able to read this book for free in favor of leaving a review!
This book reminded me of Cinderella in some ways, but actually quite different in other ways too! The author really brought out the beauty of the scenes and I could feel the emotions of the characters! I couldn’t put this book down either! I’m a hopeless romantic at heart, and this book fulfilled those dreams! And let me tell ya, the end of the book has a twist that I never saw coming! This is definitely a good read and I look forward to reading more from this author!

I want to start saying that cinderella is my favorite retelling trope, specially in HR, it always serves angst and in this aspect the story served just as i expected it, it had everything for me to like but i couldn't love it, specially as i loved the previous one, there was something that didn't let me fully connect with the story, however i liked the characters and their moments together.

The Duke’s Secret Cinderella is a great addition to Eva Devon’s Never a Wallflower series. Described as Cinderella meets Ever After, the story follows Charlotte, who poses as a Lady to get her beloved friend out of debtor’s prison. Here, she meets my new book boyfriend, Rafe Dorchester, the Duke of Rockford.

Let’s talk about Rafe because I would like to officially add him to my list of favorite book boyfriends. I love romances where the guy falls first, and Rafe is smitten with Charlotte from their first meeting. It’s so sweet and romantic, even though they meet under unusual circumstances. And Charlotte is the perfect Cinderella. Kind and caring, she always thinks of others before herself, and she is incredibly strong.

Treated like a servant instead of a family member, Charlotte lives an isolated life under the abusive watch of her step-father. Her only solace is her step-sister and the other servants in the house, who treat her like family. They remind me of Danielle and her situation in the film Ever After. Like Charlotte, she had a loving, familial relationship with the servants in the house, and a horrible relationship with her step-parent.

There are so many other Cinderella elements that I liked – the dashing prince, the wicked stepparent, a love story for the ages, secrets that change everything, and, of course, a wonderful HEA. Rafe’s mother even feels a little like a fairy godmother in her support, acceptance, and encouragement of the relationship, and there’s an extravagant ball. The one change from the original tale that I loved was that Charlotte’s step-sister is good, and they have a lovely sisterly bond.

Rafe’s friends are fantastic too! They are funny and loyal, and they add a comical levity to the story while still showing how menacing they can be when someone they care for is threatened. Between them and Rafe, I was swooning! I also really liked Rafe’s mother and grandmother. They’re strong women and so supportive and intelligent.

I was a little frustrated with how long it took Charlotte to tell Rafe the truth. I feel like she had so many missed opportunities, and it got a little frustrating. Thinking about her upbringing and everything she had to lose, I can understand her reluctance, but Rafe deserved the truth way sooner than he got it.

Overall. I enjoyed the story. It’s a great Cinderella reimagining , and there are a few surprise revelations that I totally didn’t expect! I didn’t realize when I started the book that it was the third in the series. It didn’t matter. That being said, I want to go back and read the first two books! Special thanks to Entangled: Amara and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

This is a new to me author and I loved this book. It was a quick, delightful book. I thought the plot was well developed and the characters were lovely. I would recommend to others.

A Cinderella twist of a maid with a duke. She lives mopping floors, tidying rooms and escorting a lady. She is not suited to be someone more than just a servant. But faith introduces a duke who is more than gentleman and nothing compared to her stepfather. She was entangled with her own lies because of some situation.
I haven't read historicals for awhile. So I had a wholesome experience reading this book since the author uses high english words (i don't know if that is the right term haha). English wasn't my first language so this writing style exposed me to a new experience.
I am delight to have this book as my last read of 2022, it has a good storyline, wonderful characters and great escapism. However it doesn't reach it fully potential around the climax. It feels rush to me and less intensity. I think it may be because the author wasn't used to write action based story. On 2nd thought maybe because that is how a story presented back in the past to match with the writing style. I wasn't expecting the plot twist because I feel like it can be better if it is delivered in a different way for the twist and it's a cliche. Everything else was fine for me and I enjoy it pretty much.

I enjoyed this regency spin on the Cinderella story. The characters were, at least to me, warm caring people I would love to know. That makes a book so much better. I love books where I actually wish the people were real and I could really get to know them. Rafe is a warm, caring person, especially for a member of the nobility, living at a time when love was the last thing taken into consideration when a marriage was proposed. And I loved his mother, she was a stand up woman who after her husband died she lost it for a while but found the strength inside herself to overcome her grief and loss. I wish Charolette had a little more of a backbone at times in the story, but I can understand that she did what she did because she would not abandon the people she loved. She was more afraid of what her evil stepfather would do to those she loved than what he would do to her. I guess this is commendable in it's own way. I just would have liked her to quit lying to Rafe sooner, he didn't deserve it and so much trouble could have been avoided if she would have only told him the truth. But then again, if she had we wouldn't have had a story to read.
I would recommend this fairytale regency romance to all historical romance fans. I give it 5 stars.
Thank you to Entangled Publishing LLC and to Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.

I hadn't read the first book in this series but I did read that last one and didn't really enjoy it, but that may have been because it was based on Shakespeare and I am not familiar with his play's and I don't like enemies to lovers.

This one, the third in the "Never a Wallflower" series, I really enjoyed. It is of course an adaptation of Cinderella with an evil stepfather and stepbrother and a fairy/good stepsister. Charlotte randomly meets Rafe, Duke of Rockford and he is instantly smitten. They have opportunities to meet up and falling in love, but that is only because Charlotte's stepfather is away for a week or so. When he gets back she follows his decrees and tries to help Rafe choose her stepsister instead.

Rafe's mother and grandmother are very involved in getting the two together and are very supportive characters. I enjoyed Charlotte and Rafe and their connection. This version of Cinderella was inventive and it ends up being an even more fanciful ending than the original Cinderella. Another great book by Eva Devon.

I received an advanced copy of this book and am giving an honest review.