I found this story hard going, although it was a pleasant story it wasn't one I was eager to get back too. There was a bit if a plot but it lacked suspense, I know it's not a thriller but I think a plot should have a bit of surprise this one didn't .

From the first page it kept me going love it. I would love to read more from this author

There is a fad at the moment for historical romances involving governesses (or a chaperone from a governess agency, as is the case here). They seem to have overtaken duke-who-is-also-a-spy as the theme du jour.

For example, this series that I just read. Eloisa James’ latest also has the same plot as Last Night with the Duke.

I have read one other book by author Amelia Grey, and found it was your standard Regency romance. Inoffensive, familiar to those of us who read this genre often, delivering all the things you expect from the subgenre.

This one is no different.

The book is a little slow to get going – all except for the insta-lust! The first three chapters cover just ONE conversation between hero and heroine. He walks into her office, gets a nice feeling in his loins when he sees her, and decides he absolute MUST employ her as the chaperone for his sisters.

The act of convincing her to go along with this plan takes all of those three chapters.

Chapter four is the heroine considering the offer she has accepted, while chapter five sees the hero leaving the office and meeting up with his friends. All three of these men are dukes – that’s more dukes than I’ve ever seen in one series before! – and the others are obviously future heroes of future books in the series.

Chapter five is entirely the three dukes talking.

Chapter six is entirely the heroine talking to her little sister.

I was beginning to wonder if the plot would ever begin!

There is nothing especially wrong with this book (though people’s ages seem to keep changing!); I simply wasn’t enthralled by it.

If you’re looking for a standard Regency read, Last Night with the Duke is just that. However, I’m not sure it will stay with me for long.

A delightful and enjoyable story with strong leads and supporting characters. There were some laugh out loud moments as well as heart-tugging, emotional scenes. I liked how the twins had distinctive personalities.

Unfortunately, I felt the prank was pretty lame and didn't justify "revenge" so many years later. Also, when we get to find out who the villain is, it's kind of glossed over. Overall, though, a pretty good read and I'm looking forward to the other rakes' stories.

**Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley in exchange of an honest review.**

I absolutely loved this book, and cannot wait for the next in the Rakes of St. James series. Griffin and Essie were wonderful characters and I really enjoyed their interactions. Additionally, the secondary characters were a delight.

I enjoyed this title from Amelia Grey and will read the next in the series.

Miss Esmeralda Swift owns an appointment agency and is raising her younger sister. She cannot afford any mistakes or she could lose everything, and she considers herself to be too practical to fall prey to a rake.

The Duke of Griffin made a mistake in his youth that he now fears his sisters will pay for during their first season. When rumors arise that back up this fear Griffin realizes he needs the best chaperone he can find to follow his sisters and keep them out of harm's way. He decides Esmeralda is that chaperone, whether she agrees or not.

I really liked both Esmeralda and Griffin. I don't remember her having a TSTL moment and I was glad of that. I thought Griffin had a good heart but I don't remember him being much of a rake. I could definitely see them together as a couple, too.

The beginning was a little slow but once the Season got started I felt the pacing got much better and I don't remember being bored. There was always something going on to move the story along and not just a lot of inner dialogue.

Minor issues were the "Dos and Don'ts" at the beginning of most chapters that I found annoying and stopped reading. And I would've liked more of Griffin's POV than we were given.

Easily the biggest issue I had with the book was the fact that the entire conflict of Griffin's sisters possibly being harmed because of his past never came to fruition. We get rumors that some in the ton wish Griffin ill and want to use his sisters to get back at him, but nothing happens there. I think it was a missed opportunity.

Those issues weren't enough to keep me from enjoying the story, however, and I will be reading the next in the series.

I always enjoy Amelia Grey’s novel. There is such great character development and I always finish with a smile on my face.
This is the first story in “The Rakes of St James” series. The Duke of Griffin and his two friends, were part of a prank several years ago. As a result of this event, that the ton has failed to forget, Griffin has been made aware that his twin sisters, may fall prey to an act of revenge. Consequently, he employs Esmeralda, the owner of Mamie's Chaperone and Governesses, to act as chaperone to his sisters on making their coming out into society. However, it order to accept the position, Griffin agrees to letting Esmerelda take her sister and their dog, into the house.
I thoroughly enjoyed the exchange between Griffin and Esmerelda. Their romance is witty and the tension slowly builds through the book. Whilst there is an air of mystery to the story as to who is behind the plot to disgrace his sisters, this is largely a romance. Grey also manages to bring to life the two friends of Griffin who I am sure will make for great characters in further stories. I also enjoyed the sister of Esmerelda and hope the she appears again. This was an enjoyable story.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to provide an honest review of this book.

The Duke of Griffin is not looking forward to being a chaperone for his twin sisters. He is in desperate need of help so when he sees a sign advertising for chaperones and governesses, Griffin decides it could just be the answers to all his problems. Griffin is immediately impressed with one employee in particular. Gaining her employment is not easy due to Griffin's well-known reputation among the ladies of the ton, but he just manages.

Esmeralda has a strong head on her shoulders, but even she can't seem to resist Griffin's appeal. She reminds herself she is an employee and he is her employer. Unfortunately, Griffin still manages to find a way to get under her skin. The more time they spend together, the more Esmeralda get to know and care for Griffin. She even likes his family. When trouble strikes, Esmeralda and Griffin bond over their mutual protectiveness of keeping his sisters from harm. Suddenly, Esmeralda finds herself faced with the tough decision of giving into her feelings and risking certain ruin or protecting her own reputation and leaving the man she has come to love behind.

LAST NIGHT WITH THE DUKE is fast paced and light-hearted with a dash of wit. Hero and heroine alike both endeared themselves to me. Esmeralda and Griffin truly are a match for the season. Author Amelia Grey couldn't do better than LAST NIGHT WITH THE DUKE. Her Rakes Of St. James series is off to a great start and I am impatiently awaiting book number two.

I did not care for this book at all. The entire plot was contrived and redundant.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story, but have a difficult time writing a review for a totally uncorrected copy of the book. I have no idea if the problems will be corrected before publication or not, but can only suppose that most, if not all, will be found and corrected. It is really too bad that there isn't a way those of us making these reviews could point out some of the things we see - like using the pronoun 'her' when it should plainly be 'him'. Sentences and paragraphs all ran together, so I couldn't always be sure who was speaking which lines, etc.

Anyway -- the story was really enjoyable. I really liked both of the main characters right away and all of the supporting characters as well.

While this was sort of a story of 'insta-lust', you didn't get any real happenings until the end of the book. Both characters were strongly drawn to the other, but they did their best to try to keep from acting on that attraction because of the impropriety of it. They spent a lot of time together and got to know and admire each other in addition to the physical attraction. It was good to see that she was a strong woman who could make her own way and he was strong enough to admire her for that.

I loved how loving and caring Griffin (Duke of Griffin) is with his sisters. He's definitely NOT one of those 'can't wait to wash his hands' of his sisters. He's very attentive and caring and devotes his time and efforts to assure that they have a wonderful first Season. I also like how sweet and attentive he becomes to Josephine, the sister of our heroine.

Esmeralda Swift runs an employment agency for governesses, chaperones, tutors, etc. When the duke stops by the agency unannounced, he hears Esmeralda counseling one of the governesses that has been employed through her agency. He is immediately impressed with both her composure and her beauty and is determined that she will be the one he hires to chaperone his sisters through the sisters.

It is a delightful tale of two people coming to find love while managing the demands of shepherding two lovely young women through their first season. I can't wait to see which of Rakes of St. James will be the next to fall!

"I requested and received this book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

Griffin and two of his friends played a prank 10 years ago when they sent 12 debutantes notes "from your secret admirer" setting up a secret meeting. All the debutantes went to the meetings and when word got out their reputations were badly affected. (As an aside, none of the three friends expresses anything like the appropriate amount of contrition for this behaviour). Having lived the scandal down, Griffin returns to society to give his sisters their season and is concerned to learn that some one might be seeking revenge on him for this historic prank by hurting his sisters in some way. An aunt, who was to chaperone them, comes down with the shingles and on a whim Griffin goes to an employment agency to hire a chaperone. (Did people really hire chaperones? I thought they just used distant relations/godmothers.) There he meets the proprietor, Esmeralda, and decides only she will do.

I suppose it is a reasonable plot, but not a lot really happens; the first three chapters are taken up with Griffin persuading Esmeralda to work for him, and the storyline drags a lot. We are told things over and over (e.g. Aunt Evelyn won't be able to chaperone the twins as she is ill) and then sometimes one character will then tell the same thing to another (Griffin tells Esmeralda about poorly Aunt Evelyn), to make sure we have really grasped it.

Griffin was a rather underwritten character: he was a bully used to getting his own way, but an absolute pushover where 12 year old girls were concerned, and that was about all we really learnt about him. Esmeralda's personality mostly focussed on her resentment of the nobility because of how her mother was treated - this is another of those topics the author returned to time and time again. Some of the vocabulary used was odd - "high in the heel" should surely be "high in the instep" etc - and I found the dialogue was often long-winded and unlike natural speech.

It did pick up towards the end somewhat - the whole scene with Napoleon being stolen back, Sara getting kissed and Vera discovering the baddy was almost exciting.

Being the first book in a new series, I think it was a great start. A little slow in the beginning, but I think that is because the author was not only setting the scene for the book but for the series as well.
Esmeralda surely has no problem speaking her mind. And she is almost as hardheaded as the Duke. But I think that Griffin wins that title, only because he usually wins and gets his way.

BUY IT! Okay arguably a 4 star... but I am going 5! This writers way of painting a picture in my mind while reading her written words deserves the 5 star rating. This novel is sweet, heartwarming, passionate and family focused. I absolutely adored each and every page written. It is not often I can say my heart was warmed and I cried when reading one section of it. I laughed and giggled at other sections.(No I refuse to write the spoilers!). I will say her characters are likable and loving. Her words used for descriptions hold impact and emotion. For a historical romance to touch on so many emotions is fantastic. It may be a bit of the norm for the story but I am reviewing the work and the writing as well as the plot. This is a great read for heart warming romance and passion. It is a fantastic read for love and laughter. I was given this book in return for an honest review. Anna Swedenmom

What a sweet, cute and funny read. Very enjoyable.

The Duke of Griffin notices the sign for Mamie's Chaperone and Governesses on his walk and on impulse decides this might be his answer to his problem. You see Griffin will be overseeing his twin sisters during their season (his aunt became ill and is unable too). A season full of parties, shopping and teas that Griffin is dreading. So when the sign for a Chaperone came into view he decided that what was needed was a chaperone, a strong and commanding one.

Griffin enters the office and overhears two ladies in a discussion about how to hand a rambunctious child. He's impressed with one voice in particular, this one woman seemed in command of the conversation as well as giving smart advise. That voice happens to be Esmeralda, our heroine. Griffin then proceeds to inquire about hiring her for his sisters. Esmeralda lets him know with her commitments to family (her sister) and pets it not really possible/doable. She also let's it be know she is aware of his past discretion that occured with his friends who are known as the Rakes of St. James. He's impressed by Esmeralda's demeanor and her wit. But most important Griffin finds himself very attracted and drawn towards her. He offers her a large salary and includes her sister and dog as part of the package.

Griffin and Esmeralda relationship grows and blossoms into a sweet romance. The dialogue between the two are sweet and witty. The sisters and dog all add a sweet and humorous element as they all come to care for each other. There is a threat to the twins and the protectiveness from Griffin and Esmeralda is heartwarming and endearing, it also brings them closer. The dog is a cute addition that adds some fun and humor to the story.

I enjoyed all the characters and romance in this romance. The storyline is well written with good pacing. You have a little mystery, humor, family and romance. My only issue was that there needed to be more spark, chemistry and steam between the hero and heroine. But a sweet and cute romance is good to sometimes. Enjoyable read and well written.

I was really looking forward to this book even though I have not read much by this author. I liked this book but didn't love it, it was really more of 3.5 stars for me. Although I did like Josephine and Napoleon.

4.5 stars This story is unusual in that I've never read this very distinctive trope before. It makes a lot of sense, though, that a former rake would get karma handed to him when he is the one chaperoning his two sisters during the Season. If a former rake can't keep them safe, who can?

Benedict Mercer never imagined he'd be in this position. An unfortunate event in his past has led him to have a very disreputable reputation that he hasn't been able to shake. There are rumors afoot about plans to disrupt his sisters season to get back at him. So now, not only does he have to strenuously vet the men his sisters meet, he's also got to watch out for those who might be trying to exact revenge on him through his sisters.

Luckily, after his aunt falls ill and refuses to chaperone his sisters, he's able to find someone to take over that delicate post. However, will his own attraction to the new chaperone ruin everything?

Esmeralda Swift is in a bad situation. Her fledgling agency for women was almost bankrupt. Her landlord had deceived her about the monthly income that came in so she was stuck, barely able to pay the bills and only seeing worse in the future. She didn't really want to take the position but there was no choice. She desperately needed the income.

Who would realize the consequences of this move? Mix a beautiful, intelligent woman with a man who refuses to marry and see what happens. Oh yes, the girls do well too! Great story with interesting characters. Thanks!

4.5 stars - Wonderful read. Her father was a viscount, but her mother was disowned when she chose a pennyless Irish poet as her second husband. Esmarelda is forced to be a governess and later, the administrator for an agency for chaperones.

The duke is a rake known far and wise. In his younger days, he and two friends carried out a bet that could have ruined the lives of 12 debutantes who were enjoying their first season. Fast forward to present day and the duke has a set of twin sisters to launch into society. The gossip sheets have reminded everyone of the cruel trick the duke and his friends played on those unsuspecting girls, and now someone wants the Dukes sister so suffer a similar fate.

This is good reading folks. Enjoy!

I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGallery, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I received this book from NetGalley for my honest opinion, Here goes...


Griffin's twin sisters are having their first season. He's afraid that people might have a old grudge with him because he was a mean guy before(or I should say his friends were). Griffin hires a chaperone for the twins, Esmerelda. This is when it gets good. Add two slightly wild sisters, A sexy Chaperone and her younger sister then a dog and you have a funny, cute read. To me this was everything I love about Historical romance. Poor girl falls for unattainable, rich Duke and at last the HEA ending.

Ms Grey has done a wonderful job of giving us a new story in a great historical setting