Addicted to the Duke (Imperfect Lords #1) by Bronwen Evans gets an addictive five star review. Copy graciously provided by netgalley. The start of a new series has Alexander Bracken (look at the cover), Duke of Bedford, trying to locate Lady Hestia's wayward father before she is set to marry a scoundrel. Alexander is honor bound to uphold a promise he made to Lady Hestia's father long ago when he rescued her from Turkish pirates. Along with this promise, Alexander holds a dark secret that he struggles to overcome. It's a well written story with unique characters and situations. I sincerely enjoy Lady Hestia's strong and outspoken character. Her love for Alexander helps him overcome several physical and mental obstacles. If you enjoy reading any books by this author, this one is a must!

I generally enjoy books by Bronwen Evans but this one ultimately fell flat for me. Maybe it’s just me being tired of the male lead battling emotional demons/female lead being innocent and helping him trope, or maybe it was the general execution of the story. Either way, ADDICTED TO THE DUKE had a sweet, cheesy romance and interesting representation of a character who has an addiction to opium, but for some reason I just wasn’t totally onboard with the romance.

Hestia has been in an unrequited romance with Alex, the Duke of Bedford, since he saved her from being sold into slavery four years ago. Unfortunately for her, he spent the next four years as an addict, indulging in alcohol and women. It just so happens that he actually has feelings for her and just decided he wasn’t good enough to act upon those feelings. It takes a journey on a ship for them to actually talk to one another and gain a better understanding of how the other feels. Alex’s pushing from Hestia on the basis that he’s not good enough for her grew extremely tiring throughout the story, and I really thought it could have been cut down if his character progression weren’t so slow. The HEA is there of course, with steamy scenes and nice adventures as well (because, well, pirates!). But I’m more than a bit tired of a hero with dark thoughts being redeemed by a heroine who represents the light in his world. Been here, done that, and with more depth than Alex’s character.

“Their love had the power to heal anything they might face. Together they would protect each other from the evils of the world and ensure no one stopped them living a life full of happiness and joy.”

ADDICTED TO THE DUKE was fun while reading, but doesn’t really offer anything else. I do like the romantic feelings in the characters, but not so much with the way it developed – especially all the pushing done on Alex’s part. His ulterior motives and sad personality was just too greasy to really like him as a male lead to Hestia’s positivity.

3.5*
Bronwen evans
I have loved all of Bronwen Evans books that I've read and this one was good but I think I missed some of the connection between the characters. I would say this is a dark historical romance, second chance at love and addiction. Alexander Sylvester Bracken, the Duke of Bedford was held captive for two years beaten, tortured and controlled by opium. Nearly dead when rescued Alex survived by sheer will and the dream of revenge. Asked to rescue the daughter of his savor Alex is given the chance at revenge. Lady Hestia Cary was taken by the same man that kidnap Alex. Alex rescues Hestia but her captor escaped leaving Alex empty handed except for the beautiful Hestia who soon brings light into his tortured mind. Hestia's father swears Alex away from his daughter reminding him of his addiction and the damage to his soul and that he's no longer worthy of Hestia. Four years he's pushed Hestia away and avoided her at all cost, now he's been summoned to her house and asked to find her father. Which puts Alex right where he'd planned to be, on his way to revenge. Only his time he'll also have Hestia to protect from a merciless cousin and Alex himself. Hestia sees Alex as an honorable and good man and has loved him since the long boat ride home after her rescue. Hestia sees this as her chance to show Alex that shes the woman for him and Alex is out to show her just how wrong she is. If only the mind knew what the heart knows and wants.
The beginning of this book sucked me right in with its drama but then it lost me until midway through the book. When Ms. Evans gets to the meat of the story the excitement renters the book and I was hooked again. I'm very much looking forward to the next book in the series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review. For me, Addicted to the Duke was a 3 1/2 star title that left me wanting just a little bit more from the story. Addicted to the Duke features Alexander, the Duke of Bedford and Lady Hestia. Alex spent several years in captivity under Murad, a vicious Turkish Pirate prior to the start of the story. Forced to become an opium addicted and commit acts he would never otherwise entertain, Alex is driven by his need for revenge. He finds himself on Mykonos with an opportunity but instead rescues Hestia from Murad. Four years later, Hestia is forced to call upon Alex for help when her cousin tries to usurp her father's title and fortune by passing off a dead body as her father until he can find and murder him. Hestia has spent the past 4 years confused by Alex's behavior upon their arrival in England after her rescue and sees Alex's agreement to help her journey to Greece to warn her father as her opportunity to convince Alex that they belong together. The journey to Greece takes up much of the story and slowly the extent of Alex's time as a captive are revealed to both the reader and eventually Hestia. I appreciated that Ms. Evans decided to explore attitudes towards addictions during this period and the lack of understanding on how to treat addiction but I just felt like there could have been a little more to that aspect of the story. Hestia is very likable, but can be a little naive about assuming love will be enough to help Alex. Once she determines to understand his experience more, I liked her more. Alex's insistence that he isn't good enough for Hestia makes sense in light of attitudes of the period and later interactions with other characters. Overall, once I got past the first few chapters, I found this book a good read.

'Addicted to the Duke" by Bronwen Evans is the First book in the New Series "Imperfect Lords". This is the story of Alexander Sylvester Bracken, Duke of Bedford and Lady Hestia Cary.
Hestia was kidnapped with she was 16 years of age and was going to be raped and taking as a slave if not for Alex. The man that was going to hurt Hestia was once a friend of sorts...the man got Alex hooded on drugs and went along with allot of what that man used to do. But no more and he is now there to save Hestia. About 4 years later we find Alex is now the Duke of Bedford and tries to avoid Hestia. Alex knows that Hestia has feelings for him but feels she is to good for him. So he has been pulling away from her until he is called to her house. There he learns her father is possibly dead and that Hestia and her Aunt want his help finding her father. Hestia explains that her father's heir is saying that her father is dead and he is now taking over. In addition with her father's death she inherits money from her mother's estate. Which has put her in danger of being forced to marry or killed. Alex has agreed to go look for her father and she is planning to go with him.
It was hard for me to put this book down. I wanted to see how their story would play out.
This was another great story by Ms. Evans.
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
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I always enjoy the is authors books! ...great couple, and loved the adventure. That said...I think there was a lot going on, and in the end some things felt glossed or rushed and repetitive at times. I will say I think addiction is a serious issue and this novel brings awareness.

When I saw this book’s theme, I thought it might be interesting to see how the author would deal with the addiction to opium and laudanum a few centuries ago. And I must say it was well presented, in the majority of times.

Alex Bracken was captured by a Turkish pirate and was held hostage for two years. He made him an opium addict. When Alex finally escaped, he obviously had a very hard struggle to give up opium and that continued daily. But, what Alex could get rid of was the nightmares, and so he started taking the occasional drop of laudanum to help him sleep, which could create a new addiction (even though at the time laudanum wasn’t seen as an addictive substance).

Alex escaped with Hestia’s father help, and so he owed him his life. When he came to him to ask for help to retrieve his daughter that had been captured by the same pirate that had held him hostage, Alex doesn’t hesitate and rescues her. At the time, Hestia was around 15 years old and developed a crush, seeing Alex only as her hero. Alex starts to like her, but her father doesn’t approve of their union.

A few years later, Hestia asks for Alex’s help to uncover the truth about her father’s supposed death, and both of them returned to the Greek islands where they had been held hostages to see if her father is still alive and get him back to England. During this voyage, Hestia realizes that Alex isn’t just the hero she envisioned, but also a very troubled man who is haunted by his problems every day. But that doesn’t keep her away – on the contrary. However, despite these complements, neither Hestia nor Alex were characters I particularly liked. Hestia was a bit annoying and Alex…well, I don’t know. I was being constantly reminded of the opium’s effects and after a few chapters I knew by heart what the author was going to say (again) about them. Obviously that it is a constant hard struggle, but the story could demonstrate that without it just being shown with inner dialogues.

Hestia’s father is a selfish man who doesn’t pay attention to his daughter, leaving her alone with her aunt for months and months while he goes to Greek islands. Also, he doesn’t treat Alex the best way, although he claims to see him as a son.

It was a different book from what I’m used to, but I don’t think it actually worked for me.

I found this to be a book I did not want to put down . WOW it was very different than the ones she usually puts out . It is about one man Alexander Sylvester Bracken, Duke of Bedford and the disgrace and horror he has had to endure before he was set free from the people who captured him. He is now on a mission to set a friend free but he has to take the man’s daughter Hestia with him. Hestia believes he is a good man even with his past What happens ?
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.

Alexander Sylvester Bracken, Duke of Bedford, is a man tormented by his past and is constantly struggling to maintain control over his desires. Years ago, he was captured by a Turkish pirate, Murad, who held him prisoner for years and used opium to manipulate Alex to his will. After his rescue at the hands of the Earl of Pembroke, Alex was left battling an addiction to the opium that had been forced on him. Then, Alex had rescued Lady Hestia, the Earl of Pembroke's daughter, who had been captured by the same pirate when she was sixteen and earned her heart for it. Now, several years later, the Earl of Pembroke and his daughter are again in danger and Hestia approaches Alex for his help. Hestia still loves Alex, but he has promised her father to leave her alone. Can Alex resist her and overcome his past, as they try to save the Earl of Pembroke?

I enjoyed this book, as there was a lot going on in the plot, and the author made it easy to feel the heat and attraction between the two main characters. The only thing I think that would have made the story better is if there were flashbacks to Alex's captivity, as we are told repeatedly how bad it was, but the reader has little emotional connection to it.

I received a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

DNF-I got turned off on the first page. A little build up and subtlety please.

Do not judge Addicted to the Duke by its cover. Why you ask? Well because the cover doesn’t do this book any justice. While it is nice to look at, and who doesn’t like a bare-chested man who is in the process of ripping his shirt off, I do think that the cover should have included Hestia. Normally, I am like “No women on the cover” but Hestia earned a spot in my heart because of everything that she went through and how she loved Alex unconditionally. Actually, thinking about it, maybe Hestia should have been featured instead of Alex. Just saying…


I loved, loved, loved the note that the author included before the prologue. It explained so much about Alex and his dependency on laudanum and opium. It also explained how addiction wasn’t even given a name until 1909. Which is a full 102 years after Alex’s experiences. I thought it was very helpful that she included that because, like Bronwen said in the note, no one understood that opium and laudanum were addictive. So everything that was written about Alex, the view people had on those substances and how widespread they were was historically accurate. And I can’t tell you how much I love it when an author does their research and gets it right in the book!!

Alex was so tortured by his years of captivity by Murad, a self-titled Sultan, and pirate, that he felt he couldn’t be loved or love anyone. The author never lets the reader know what exactly Alex experienced at the hands of Murad but she drops enough hints that I thought I knew what happened and I felt awful for him. No wonder he had nightmares, 7 years after the fact. He suffered from PTSD (not that it was even recognized back then) and extreme self-loathing. The only person who accepted him, scars and all, was Hestia but he wrote it off as hero-worship and figured that if she knew the truth that she wouldn’t want anything to do with him. Which wasn’t the case. I cried, ugly cried, during his flashbacks and when he finally told Hestia about his addiction and what happened with Murad.

Hestia was so completely opposite of what Regency era women were supposed to be and it was a breath of fresh air. She wasn’t afraid to stand up for herself, her interactions with Murad and Alex definitely showed that. She didn’t let the fact that her father warned Alex off of seeing her (citing his addiction to opium and laudanum but there was another reason and it was really awful) scare her off. She loved Alex completely and she was able to take everything that had happened to him, process it and not let it cloud her love of him. Even his relationship with Tulay (read the book to find out who she was). She was perfect for him.

The sex scenes and there were a few, were hot. The only thing I didn’t like was when Alex and Hestia had sex for the first time. Alex was drugged when they had sex and thought it was a dream. Now, I understand totally where Hestia was coming from. I mean, the man of her dreams was kissing her and feeling her up. But she should have stopped. She knew he was drugged. But she went ahead and gave him her virginity anyway. Which didn’t sit right with me when I read it. Other than that first scene, everything else was burning!!

I liked how all the plotlines got resolved at the end of the book. I cheered when Alex, Hestia, and Murad had it out at the end of the book and honestly, Murad got what was coming to him. The only thing that even left a bad taste in my mouth was how Hestia’s father treated Alex. I was pretty ticked off about it and loved that Alex finally stood up for himself. The epilogue, though, was my favorite part of the book. I was in tears reading it and all I have to say is “Yes!!” (read the book if you want to find out what made me have that reaction)

How many stars will I give Addicted to the Duke: 4

Why: Loved the storyline and the characters. All were vividly written. The only thing that turned me off was that one sex scene.

Will I reread: Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends: Yes

Age range: Adult

Why: Sex and violence. Also drug use

**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**

I think I've read all of Bronwen Evan's books and found all of them a good read, this one touches on a few subjects, prisoner, forced addiction, rescue to name a few.

I was captured (no pun intended) from the first page.

I received an advanced readers copy from Netgalley and I voluntarily leave my own honest opinion

Very slow going and hard to keep my attention. Alex was all alpha but not a man I would swoon about. Hestia is not very memorable.

No stranger to adventure, Ms. Evans knows how to thrill readers with her courageous heroes and tempting heroines. This time around she steps up her game and sets the action on the high seas. A wounded warrior battles his inner demons while fighting against the advances of a sexy siren on the quest for answers. As the mystery unfolds the seduction begins. Bronwen Evans doesn't do dull and Addicted to the Duke explains why.

Bronwen Evans has become one of my all-time favorite authors! The first page of "Addicted to the Duke" grabbed my attention and didn't let go until the end.
Alex, the duke in question, has lived a semi-charmed life with one exception - he was kept as an opium-eating/smoking prisoner for two years. Alex is sexy and charming and loved by the ladies, he uses all of this to hide his still partial addiction to opium. Alex believes his only redeeming act was to rescue Hestia from the clutches of the monster who enslaved him.
Hestia was taken by the man who imprisoned Alex, Murad, and was about to be raped at his hands in front of his men. Hestia's father asked Alex to save her, and he did. Hestia, only sixteen at the time, fell in love with Alex. Alex spent the next four years trying to discourage her attentions by being the most notorious rake he can be.
Hestia is a lovely heroine, smart, brave and knows what she wants. She also has a problem, her father is believed to be dead and her cousin may force her into marriage for her money. Hestia turns to the only man she can trust, Alex, and asks him to help her find her father - she doesn't believe he is dead. Hestia sets out on a sea voyage with Alex determined to tempt him into her arms.
Alex is a broken person, or so he believes, he was addicted to opium when in Murad's control and knows he participated in terrible acts with Murad and others. Alex doesn't talk about his time in captivity and believes that he is too broken for someone as lovely and filled with light like Hestia to love. He has denied his feelings for her for a long time, but being forced together on a ship may change his mind.
But Alex has an ulterior motive for helping Hestia, he wants to find and kill Murad. Will he risk his newfound love for Hestia for revenge?
Ms. Evans really tackles some issues in this book - rape, addiction, sexual abuse of a man, etc. and all done with dignity and grace. As a reader, I felt these characters pain and longing and it made them much more real to me. And of course, this book has some steamy love scenes that are a trademark of this author.
Highly recommended. I can't wait to read more books in the series, maybe Alex's friend Steven's story is next??? Can't wait to find out!

Passion, adventure, and high seas rescue from very cunning private, in this romance. A lovely historical romance, between two people who are destined to be with one another, despite their pasts.

Ms. Evans’ stories are a bit on the dark side. They definitely draw you in and make you feel vulnerable. This story is no exception. It deals with several adversities the hero Alex needs to overcome – addiction, revenge, insecurities about love. Heartbreaking. I like how it was not glossed over. It happened, he has to deal with it or spiral down to madness. Hestia is a great character. She is a strong women who does not give up. Love conquers all? Yes!

ADDICTED TO THE DUKE : An Imperfect Lords Novel by Bronwen Evans is a little dark it deals with addiction (opium) and also sexual slavery. Alexander and Hestia do get their HEA ...but have a journey to get there. Bronwen does a good job making you feel apart of the story and also leaves you with a mystery at the end ... which I'm sure will be Stephen's story.

Alex is a dark character, but I really like him. He was held captive by a pirate for two years and became addicted to opium. Hestia had to be rescued by Alex when she was 16. She was kidnapped and was being sold to the same pirate that held Alex captive. Now, four years later, she needs Alex's help once again. He has been avoiding her because he knows if he is near her, he would want to keep her for his own. Hestia has gotten word that her father is dead. She knows this isn't true, but his heir is trying to take over everything, including her. She must find her father and save her father's estate and herself. She and Alex come up with a plan. While searching for her father, Hestia and Alex find betrayal, heartache and love.

Addicted to the Duke⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ written by Bronwen Evans
(Imperfect Lords #1)

Lady Hestia Cary, the neglected daughter of the Earl of Pembroke, learns her father of is dead. It is her sinister distant cousin that informs her by returning with his body. Lady Hestia has her doubts this is her father as this cousin would be in line to be the next Earl of Pembroke.

Lady Hestia seeks the help of Alexander Bracken, Duke of Bedford.
Alex saved her four years earlier after she had been kidnapped by the Sultan Murad Bayezid. Ever since her rescue she has been in love with Alex. Alex, however, has his own demons that haunt his body and soul.
He had been held captive by this same Sultan for two years. Suffering at this mans hand. He became addicted to laudanum and suffered innumerable humiliations which he still can't get past.

Hestia certainly makes her feelings for Alex very clear but he has promised her father he will not entertain her attentions. It is when Alex begins to open up his memories and shares them with Hestia that he is able to lose the guilt he feels. This is quite an intriguing story many twist and turns keeping you turning the pages for more.

I did enjoy this book although a bit depressing at times but I look forward to continue reading this new series from Ms Evans.