I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This was a new author for me and a start to a new series. This was a really good read. I loved the characters and the story was well done. I want to read the next one!

This is a fast-paced historical read with plenty of drama and suspense. Adam is the Duke of Stratton and a member of the Decadent Dukes. Even though Clare is a member of his sworn enemy’s family he wants for his wife. Clara has no plans to marry and when Adam begins to pursue her the adventure begins. Great characters and a very entertaining story, I loved it!

Where can I find myself a duke? Adam Penrose, the Duke of Stratton is dark, brooding and handsome. Clara Cheswick is beyond her "marrying" years and determined never to get married. The two together are such fun!! I delighted in the chase between the two. I really enjoyed Clara's character!! She is smart, witty and independent. Adam is determined to solve the mystery of his father's "suicide". That added a nice amount of suspense to the story. The supporting cast of characters were excellent. I loved Langford!! The ending was a total surprise and I did not see that one coming. Definitely a good read!!

Adam Penrose, Duke of Stratton carries the stigma of his parent’s scandalous past and desires revenge passionately. Clara Cheswick is the beautiful and independent daughter of the family Adam has vowed to seek justice from. Is their love strong enough to overcome the sins of their fathers?

Madeline Hunter never settles for the historical romance status quo and neither do her characters. The first book in her new Decadent Duke Society series delivers a captivating story rich in detail and emotion. This author's interactions are sophisticated even at their most fundamental. To many the pairing of Stratton and Clara might seem a misalliance of monumental proportions yet Ms. Hunter eases them into a relationship whose outcome of love was plausible and stirring. With blemishes glaringly apparent both Clara and Stratton still made conscious decisions to engage their attraction and grant each other absolution based on the potential they saw in each other rather than focusing on their faults. Even as they explored their mutual interest Stratton and Clara were simultaneously engulfed in unraveling the mystery that estranged their families resulting in one transfixing read. A Madeline Hunter book is romance at its most decadent and irresistible!

Adam Penrose, the notorious Duke of Stratton, has returned to England after several years in France. Rumor has it he killed several men in duels and was obliged to leave Paris. Rumor also suggests that his real reason for returning to England is vengeance. His father killed himself surrounded by whispers of treason, but who started the rumors? And just what kind of revenge will Stratton take? Clara Cheswick is happy with her life as it is. She inherited land and a decent fortune from her father and isn't dependent on her younger brother. She and her friends are publishing a journal that has started to gain popularity. She has a purpose in life and is answerable to no man. Clara never met Adam before he left for France but their families were notoriously at odds, the feud going back so long that no one could remember what it was about. When Clara's grandmother and brother, Theo, want to marry Clara's younger sister to Stratton to ensure he never challenges Theo to a duel, Clara is both skeptical of their motives and outraged they would offer up Emilia like a sacrificial lamb. Fortunately for Emilia, Adam is interested only in Clara. But is he looking for a wife, a mistress, or some kind of revenge against Clara's family? Can Clara discover the truth behind Adam's motives before losing her heart to the man Society calls "the most dangerous duke in London"?

Book One of Madeline Hunter's new trilogy "The Decadent Dukes" introduces us to the dukes of Stratton, Brentworth, and Langford- a trio who learned in school that the only one who will treat a duke like a normal person is another duke. While all three enjoy the lives of rich and carefree bachelors, we never really see them treated differently from any other peer. We do see the power of rumor and the leading figures of the Ton, and this is a shadow that follows Stratton throughout the book. He makes use of his reputation as a dueler and a dangerous man to try and get what he wants. The problem is that Stratton very quickly gets torn on what it is he actually wants. He has no way of truly getting revenge against the man who he thinks wronged his father- the Earl of Marwood (Clara's father) is dead. The new Earl is too young to have had anything to do with the mysterious rumors and too weak to be keeping them going today. The Earl's grandmother may be a terrifying old lady who kept Adam's mother on the fringe of Society back in the day, but kept her power plays to the ballroom. Adam's friends and his mother tell him to leave the past in the past, but he feels a duty to discover the truth. Only the more he searches, the more conflicted he is on whether he really wants to know the truth.

While I had a hard time really getting into Adam, Clara was a delightful and strong heroine. She is confident in herself, her path, and her decisions, even when those decisions don't run exactly with what Society dictates she should want. Unwilling to be relegated to a lesser role at home and commanded by her grandmother, Clara chooses to set up her own home. She has a comfortable fortune and no need of a husband. She rejects Stratton's first idea of marriage because she sees no benefit for her in marrying a duke. Fortunately, Clara is not a woman so set in her ways that she isn't willing to consider changing her mind when she starts to fall for Stratton. But she also doesn't allow love to blind her to the fact that Stratton is hiding things from her. She knows he somehow blames her father for his father's death. The more she finds out about the whole mess, the less convinced she is that Stratton wants to marry her for reasons other than a twisted sort of revenge.

Stratton is not Hunter's strongest hero in my opinion. But I had trouble deciding if it was Stratton, or his quest for the truth and vengeance that was my problem with the often uneven pace to the book. Sometimes Stratton is a strong, dark, and charismatic man. Other times he seems almost aimless, torn between the past and the present with no idea how to resolve the two. Sometimes the mystery around the rumors of his father's possible treason seemed important enough that you wanted to encourage him to keep searching for the truth. Most of the time it was hard to believe that it mattered. People younger than Adam's father seemed to have no idea of what rumors might have been spread, but every man was worried Stratton would challenge him to a duel. Considering the duels in France were supposed to be tied to his family's honor, you would think that men would just not insult a duke- especially for something most of them didn't really know anything about. Fortunately, Clara helped to carry this story to the end and kept me interested enough to want to see how things would be resolved. While the mystery and plot were more uneven than a typical Madeline Hunter book, the ending had a wonderful surprise twist. Presumably we'll see Stratton and Clara drop in on his friends, the other Decadent Dukes, in their forthcoming books.

Not Hunter's best work, I wouldn't recommend a reader new to Madeline Hunter start with The Most Dangerous Duke in London. As a pretty devoted Hunter fan, I found this a bit of a disappointment, but definitely a good introduction to characters we should expect to see through the series. Clara is an excellent heroine and her terrifying, domineering grandmother breathes life into every page she's on.

madeline hunter's decadent dukes society series kicks off with the most dangerous duke in london. lady clara cheswick knows one thing for certain, the stratton family are entirely at fault in the longstanding feud between their families. so when adam penrose, the current duke of stratton catches sight of her and decides that their marriage will be just the thing to end the feud, she wants nothing to do with it. she can't say that she doesn't want anything to do with him, because he's intriguing and has the odd habit of surprising her.

clara has no intention of getting married. she wants to live an independent life and focus her energies on a women's journal she helped found with her inheritance. but adam is nothing if not persistent. while his first thoughts about lady clara are riddled with the tinge of revenge and convenience, the truth is he's not really thinking of the family feud or how he blames her father's actions for his father's untimely and questionable death. but he also believes that clara may have the key to unlocking the mystery behind the scandal that ruined his father.

even as he is making his way back into society, most people find a way of cutting him without directly insulting him. and he wouldn't care, except that he takes his honor quite seriously. and he can't let an insult slide, it's just not done. as he and clara grow closer, the family feud acts like an elephant in the room. and clara, who never questioned her family's position begins to have her doubts, just as adam starts to learn things that cast his parent's actions in an extremely suspect light.

what i love about clara and adam's relationship is that they have no qualms sharing their true thoughts with one another. there is no social pretense. adam eschews a lot of the strictures that london society places on women, and his experiences in french society give him a tolerance for independence in a woman. the fact that he is more open-minded than most english gentlemen is clearly one thing that attracts clara. she can be her true self around him and he will not judge her for it. he appreciates it. and to have these two leads engage in such open communication is quite refreshing.

sure there's intrigue and questionable motives, but at the same time, it's clear that when it comes to how they feel about each other, clara and adam aren't going to pretend anything but the truth. and i love that.

Independent in spirit, mischievous of heart and determined of mind. Characters like Clara are a joy to read because they are inspiring, passionate and full of surprises. Add in a devil like Adam and the temperature quickly goes from frigid to volcanic. Ms. Hunter is good. For every moment that I wanted to hate Adam and his hurtful vendetta, I found myself hurting for him instead. It's easy to judge, but difficult to feel. The Most Dangerous Duke In London is driven by emotions. Some painful and dark, others heated and intense, yet all make for an deeply challenging and sometimes humorous trek.

Madeline Hunter always writes interesting stories, and this one is good. I think I just have higher expectations for her work and so I wouldn't call it one of her best. Clarissa was a bit on the irritating side near the end. But it is still enjoyable and worth your time.

'The Most Dangerous Duke in London' by Madeline Hunter is the First book in the New Series called "Decadent Dukes Society". This is the story of Adam Penrose, Duke of Stratton and Clara Cheswick.
After the death of his father, Adam leaves to go to France to be with his mother. But now he has returned at the request of Dowager Countess of Marwood. The Countess calls him to visit to try to end feud between the two families since her son has past and his father has died. Countess suggested that a marriage between the two families who be the thing to solve this issue. Her son had actually said that his younger daughter Emilia should be offered to him. Emilia is young lady who is easy to get along with. But Adam sees Emilia and feels nothing for her but while looking out the window at her he does see another women who is riding a horse. Adam asked about her to find that Clara is the oldest daughter by a first marriage. Adam is told that she wold not be suitable as her father spoiled her by letting her get an education, allowing her to do whatever she wants and in addition has left her with land and money...so she feels marriage is beneath her. Clara would make a terrible wife they say. But Adam is attracted to her and if this agreement is gonna work he will settle for her only.
Clara was close to her father and was allowed to do what other young ladies where not. Clara has taken to writing and publishing a ladies journal. So marriage isn't something she is willing to do.
Ms. Hunter writes some of the Best Historical Romances. When I see her name I know that this will be a enjoyable read that will take me away into the story.
This book is a great start to a great series!
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
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The Most Dangerous Duke in London by Madeline Hunter is a great start to a new series of historical romances. The Duke of Stratton, Adam has always been looked at with jaundiced eye. His family history and his associations with the Decadent Dukes Society has returned. He has questions about his father’s death and blames the Cheswick family.

However, the Cheswick family proposition Adam to marry the families together and offers her youngest granddaughter. While there Adam espies Clara, the eldest granddaughter. She is an intelligent bluestocking who is only interested in her journals for women. Together they spark, Clara is positive they will not marry, Adam is taking matters into his own hand and has determined she will be his wife.

I loved the contest of wills between Adam and Clara. I found the play between them fun. The Most Dangerous Duke in London by Madeline Hunter is a fun read. I enjoyed the storyline and the ending did have a couple of twists that kept my attention.

The Most Dangerous Duke in London by Madeline Hunter is a great read.

FINAL DECISION: Fabulous start to a new series. Didn't go in the direction I expected and I ended up loving Adam. Motives are mysterious until all is revealed which built suspense and interest. Loved these two together.

THE STORY: Adam Penrose, Duke of Stratton, has returned to England after years in France following his father's death. Adam has returned for revenge and to find out who set the events in motion which led to his father's death. He is also in pursuit of a wife. He discovers Lady Clara Cheswick, the daughter of his family's longtime enemy. Lady Clara has no intention of agreeing to Adam's determined pursuit of her as she is independent and spending her time managing her own property and interests. Then there is the also the question of what Adam's true motives are.

OPINION: This book was more intimate and personal than I expected from the description. Really focusing on the developing relationship between Adam and Clara, the reader is left questioning what Adam's motives are.

Clara is a woman who desire for independence even if that means upsetting conventional behavior and roles for women. Having inherited property of her own, Clara plans never to marry but instead publish a paper for women -- written by women. She is independent but isn't willing to toss away all convention. That creates tension as she tries to exist both in and outside of society's expectations. She also struggles with her relationship with her family. While she doesn't always feel close to them, her loyalty to her father makes her suspicious of Adam's motives -- perhaps rightfully.

Adam is mysterious through much of the book. By the end of the book, however, I loved Adam. In the book, people wonder what Adam's motives are for returning to England...and the reader is left to wonder as well. By not cluing readers in to Adam's thoughts on the matter, the story has more tension and mystery. And the story needs that mystery because this book is truly driven by Adam's reasons for returning to England and what his plans are.

This book feels more intimate and personal because the focus of the book is truly the relationship between Adam and Clara. Can Clara trust Adam? Why is he pursuing a relationship with her? Does he truly intend to marry her? Why? What I ended up loving about this book is that the answers are more complex than a simple narrative.

WORTH MENTIONING: Oh, I can't wait for the other two upcoming heroes. There are some good stories to be told there.

CONNECTED BOOKS: THE MOST DANGEROUS DUKE IN LONDON is the first book in the Decadent Dukes Society.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in order to provide a review. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

Adam returned to London for revenge and he is willing to find out what happened for his father's disgrace and his mother and himself ‘s exile. With his return , the widow of Adam's arch enemy decides to invite him and make a win-win proposition: that he marry her sweet granddaughter Emily, a girl educated to marry. What she did not realize was that the stormy arrival of her eldest granddaughter would make a good impression on the Duke.


Clara is an independent woman who was raised by her father to command her own life. When Adam informs her about their marriage, she begins a fun cat-and-rat fight with the dangerous duke. What she did not expect was that the duke was indeed dangerous to her own heart.

Adam seems to be a bastard type but he is actually a charming and gallant prince who feels challenged to win over temperamental Clara who in turn only wants to know how to assemble the stories for her journal and keep the duke away from her. She even tries but can not resist the charms of Adam and the sexy scenes are highlighted in the story along with the resolution of the mysterious reason for the rivalry between the families of them.

With a flowing and dynamic writing, the author gradually enfolded me, making me hope that Adam would tame the “shrew”. I love books that know how to dose mystery and seductive scenes and Madeleine Hunter was able to create a very good plot with a loose end, very well tied.

I'm already curious to know the other books in the series.
4 / 5stars

3.5 stars.

Take one brooding duke, freshly returned from France with a dangerous reputation on a quest for the truth, add an independent lady, who has far more important matters on her mind than marriage, sprinkle in a family feud and an accusation of treason and you get another enjoyable read from Madeline Hunter.

Arrogant and dangerous, Adam is very much a dukely duke. He has power and he knows how to wield it, especially when it comes to uncovering the truth of his father’s death. Considering his focus on this point, I wish we’d been given a few details a little earlier because it takes forever for anything to emerge – about the family feud too – and it made it harder for me to really get behind him when he’s ordering Clara to marry him and growling at his friends.

Which is a shame, because beneath his dukely veneer, I really liked Adam. He’s loyal and generous with those he loves and even when he’s at his most arrogant, he does care about Clara beyond her family.

I liked Clara too. She’s independent and wealthy and intelligent, but in a way that perfectly fits with the time period. True, she is a little naive when it comes to certain aspects of an affair, as well as her father and the part he may, or may not, have played in the feud with Adam’s family, but I liked the way she stood up to her family and held her ground with Adam. She’s no pushover.

I also really liked the friendships in this story – both Adam’s and Clara’s. Both have support systems away from family, providing humour as well as insight and necessary doses of good sense.

All in all, I enjoyed this. If you like your historicals to have a decent grounding in the time period and have a healthy plot as well as a stirring romance, then Madeline Hunter is always a good bet. It didn’t quite sweep me away (the details were too slow in arriving), but I still liked it and will definitely be keeping an eye out for the next.

While I enjoyed this complex romance novel featuring Adam Penrose, Duke of Stratton and his pursuit of Clara Cheswick daughter of the man he blames for his father's death and whose family has been in disputes with his for multiple genereations, there were parts that were a little slow. Also, I expected Stratton to be more bent on revenge, when in truth he seemed more interested in just finding the truth and making sure justice was served for his father. There were several instances he could have sought vengeance, but instead was willing to try to move beyond the past. I did like that Clara was very independent and knew her own mind.

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

Madeline Hunter's The Most Dangerous Duke in London has it all—a fiery heroine, an alluring duke, a revenge plot, and a mystery—and it is an exceptional historical romance. Adam Penrose, the Duke of Stratton, has just returned to England after five years in France, where he earned a reputation for fighting and winning several duels. He’s now known as the “Dangerous Duke" because of it, but there is only one family that has reason to fear Adam - the Cheswicks. Adam’s family and the Cheswicks have been feuding off and on for years, and he has reasons to believe they might know about his father’s death or have played a part in it. He’s determined to discover the truth.

Lady Clara Cheswick hasn’t really been aware of the feud or what caused it, but she is suddenly thrust into middle of the family war when her controlling grandmother seeks to marry Adam to Clara's younger sister. She is appalled by the idea, but she doesn’t need to worry because Adam is interested in her and not her sister. He’s intrigued from the moment he meets her. She’s free-spirited, confident and not afraid to tell him that she want nothing to do with him or her grandmother’s plot. She was her father’s favorite, and he left her a substantial inheritance. She doesn’t need to marry and nor does she want to. When Adam decides he wants to marry her, because he wants information and he desires her.

They begin a game of cat and mouse game, and it is captivating to watch. As Clara runs and Adam pursues, the sexual tension mounts, and Clara rethinks her stance on marriage. Well, she still doesn’t want to get married, but she is very curious about the marriage bed, and Adam is happy to educate her. I loved these two together as they go toe to toe and round for round, but at the heart of their dance both begin to respect and like the other. There is still the mystery surrounding Adam’s father and Clara’s family, and this adds an entertaining suspense element to the romance.

You simply can never go wrong with a book by Madeline Hunter, and The Most Dangerous Duke in London should not be missed.

This is the first book in Madeline Hunter’s new series and I think you’ll enjoy it. I certainly did. Adam Penrose, Duke of Stratton, has been living for several years in France. When his father committed suicide he and his French mother moved to France. He has returned to England to discover who started the rumors that his father aided the French during the Napoleonic wars. His best friends from childhood, the dukes of Bentwood and Langford, will help him.

His country neighbor, the Dowager Countess of Marwood, wants to end the animosity between their families by Adam marrying her youngest granddaughter. She is too young for Adam and when he spies her older half-sister, Clara, he falls for her. Clara is a spirited independent woman. Her father left her some property in the country and she also secretly publishes a London journal. She is attracted to Adam but is not sure about marriage. She has her own London home and comes and goes as she pleases, which makes their affair easier.

Adam is determined to marry her and solve the mystery of his father’s death. They do get their HEA but I won’t give away any more of this wonderful story. I’m looking forward to Brentwood and Langford’s HEAs. Thank you for the ARC Madeline Hunter.

Like all fans of regency romance, I too am a fan of the great Madeline Hunter. I can honestly say that she is one of the writers that made me fall in love with the genre. So I am happy to announce that she is back with a new and exciting trilogy. This time we meet the Decadent Dukes. Three dukes who have been the best of friends since childhood and who have a penchant for the finer things in life, especially beautiful women. The trilogy hits off with the Duke if Stratton.

Adam Penrose, the Duke of Stratton has returned to England after a long stay in France. London is a buzz with rumors and talk about the dark and dangerous duke. After the suicide of his late father who was rumored to be committing treason and funding the French , Adam is back to uncover the truth. It is rumored that he has been asked to leave France after dueling with too many french noblemen. Now the members of the ton are scared that Adam may come to their door wanting to protect and save his family's honor. No one is more scared than his family's sworn enemy. So when the Dowager suggests a truce in the form of a matrimonial union, no one is more surprised than Adam. However he has no interest in the young and timid Emilia. No one else but Clara, the eldest daughter will do.

Clara Cheswick has been deemed unmarriable not only by the ton, but also by her own family. She is headstrong and fiery and is determined to never marry and be controlled by a man. Her late father has left her a huge fortune and she is determined to be independent and even set up her own household. The last thing she needs is the attention of the dangerous duke. But Adam is determined to convince her to accept his proposal and Clara is finding it increasingly difficult to deny herself the pleasures only the duke seems to awaken in her.

An exciting start to a great series. Adam is surely dangerous, but to our hearts more than anything else. I truly don't blame Clara for falling for his charms. I don't think that there is a single woman who can say no to the mesmerizing duke. Can't wait to see the women who will win the hearts of the dukes of Langford and Brentworth.

A wonderful novel about the many levels of betrayal and intrigue that existed during the regency era. It is wonderful to see a woman who embraces her independence. The trials of honor and family are captured vividly and the characters are well developed. I will definitly read the next books in this series. And fan of regency era historical fiction will enjoy this books.

Adam Penrose, Duke of Stratton, has returned to England after five years of self exile in France. Adam left when his father, the victim of rumors of treason, killed himself. While in France, he fought three duels defending his father's honor - two of the men died, and the third was seriously injured. Now the French government wants him gone, and he has been summoned home to England by the Monarch himself. Most of society is giving Adam a wide berth, as now rumors swirl around him, saying that he is out for revenge. Those rumors are, in fact, true. Adam is determined to find out the name(s) of those responsible for destroying his father's reputation, and exacting revenge. At the top of his list is the Earl of Marwood and his family, who have a long standing feud with his own family. Imagine Adam's surprise when the dowager Countess of Marwood invites him to meet with her, and offers to end the feud by having him marry her younger granddaughter, Emilia.

Clara Cheswick is Emilia's older sister, and the product of the late earl's first marriage. Clara's father loved her deeply, and provided a substantial inheritance for her, so that she could be independent, and would never have to marry or depend on the generosity of her family or a husband. Her unconventional upbringing has left her determined never to marry, which would put her land and money in the control of her husband. She's happy being the anonymous publisher of an eclectic news magazine, and socializing with her few close friends and colleagues.

While Adam actually considers the offer to wed Marwood's daughter, Emilia, who is a very beautiful young lady, he sees Clara riding in the distance and immediately feels drawn to her. He arranges to meet her, only to find her prickly and not at all interested. Her spirit only rouses Adam's interest even further, and he begins his pursuit. The thought of using this connection somehow in his revenge does occur to Adam, but his attraction to Clara is purely personal. Time after time, he puts himself in her path, only to be rebuffed. While Clara can't deny that she is drawn to the dangerous and handsome duke, she will resist him. Or, so she thinks. Adam has a dark, brooding presence, and this appeals to Clara. Soon this independent lady decides that since she will never marry, she wants to taste passion with the man who stirs her as no one else ever has. Their affair is scorching!

THE MOST DANGEROUS DUKE IN LONDON is a book I read in one sitting, and has all the qualities I love in a great story. I found Adam just as appealing as Clara did - I love a brooding hero. Yet, he has a code of honor. He treated Clara beautifully, even though she may have been his enemy's daughter. He's generous and honest, even answering Clara's questions about his motivation truthfully. And he is as hot as all get out! Clara, in turn, is generous as well, and shows her loving nature once she decides to accept Adam as her lover. I love her courage in standing up to her shrew of a grandmother, in particular, her actions at the book's end. This story flowed effortlessly, contained a swoonworthy romance, steamy passion, great characters, and a very satisfying resolution. I highly recommend THE MOST DANGEROUS DUKE IN LONDON, which is one of author Madeline Hunter's best, and goes on my favorites list for this year.

Madeline Hunter begins her Decadent Dukes Society series with an engaging, slow-burn romance. The Most Dangerous Duke in London takes its time building a relationship between the main characters while drawing the reader deeper into rivalries and intrigues simmering between two influential London families.

Receiving a summons from the Countess of Marwood is something of a surprise to Adam Penrose, Duke of Stratton. For generations, the Penrose and Cheswick families have been at odds, so the Countess’ desire to heal the old wounds is immediately suspect. Arriving at her home it becomes clear that the Countess is scheming to protect her grandson, the new Earl of Marwood, against rumors that Adam has returned to England to settle old scores and investigate the circumstances that led to the previous Duke of Stratton’s death. Hoping to align the two families through marriage, the Countess offers Adam a betrothal to her seventeen year old granddaughter; however it is the elder granddaughter, Lady Claire Cheswick, who catches his attention when she gives him the cut direct rather than giving him an audience. Intrigued, Adam’s interest grows as Claire makes it very clear that she doesn’t approve of her sister being offered as a sacrificial bride. Impressed and just the smallest bit aroused by her unaffected manner towards him, Adam decides then and there that Claire is the Cheswick woman that he wants. He also hopes that Claire’s close relationship with her late father might allow for insights that will help in his search for justice for his own family. As a man of action Adam wastes no time and proposes to Claire on the spot.

Lady Claire doesn’t take the Duke’s proposal seriously considering the animosity between their families, nor is she particularly interested in being married to anyone at all. With the generous settlements given her after her father’s death, Claire is a woman of independent means. To lose control of the lands and money willed to her just because the lay says that everything belonging to a woman automatically belongs to her husband upon her marriage seems unjust, especially when that money can be spent on more fulfilling enterprises. Under the nose of society, Claire has funded and published a journal focused on issues relevant to the women of London that gives a voice to ladies across all social classes. Also in the spirit of liberation, Claire has set-up her own household away from her controlling grandmother and dutiful younger brother. Stratton’s attention can only complicate her life, yet Claire still finds herself flattered by his attempts to get her alone or to pursue her despite her refusals.

Unwilling to surrender his plan to have Claire as his bride, Adam uses her independence from her brother’s household as the perfect cover to court her away from the gossips or her grandmother’s schemes. He conveniently gets himself invited to the same parties or gatherings where Claire is serving as a chaperone to her young sister, manipulating the situation so that she cannot ignore his presence. Against her better judgment Claire finds herself enjoying Adam’s company as he treats her like an equal and seems genuinely interested in her perspective on any number of topics.

Their relationship becomes a comfortable companionship until a simple misunderstanding by Claire’s housekeeper allows Adam into her house late one evening. Caught by surprise, Claire is unable to hide her attraction to him behind the indifferent mask she’s been wearing since their first meeting. Ready to explore the passion and physical response he’s awakened in her, Claire allows Adam to change their dynamic from just a friendship into something deeper. Still, in her heart, Claire is not ready to surrender to marriage as she can sense a darkness in Adam that overshadows everything when they’re together. As discoveries are made about the scandals that pushed Adam and his mother out of England for a time and increased the prestige of the Marwood earldom, Claire must decide if the love she carries for Adam can be enough for him to forgive the pain and tragedies of his past.

The Most Dangerous Duke in London is not a light or flippant story of instant love driving the main couple into a relationship. Instead it appeals to the maturity and intelligence of the reader, allowing them to see Adam and Claire as complex characters with goals and motivations that sometimes conflict with where their heart leads them. Adam’s return to England is the latest step towards clearing his father’s name from the rumors of collusion that forced the man to commit suicide. The Countess of Marwood inadvertently gives Adam the one thing he’d thought impossible as he looks for the proof that the Cheswick family was somehow behind the smear campaign: access to Claire, who knew her father better than anyone else. That Adam’s reasons for pursuing Claire aren’t all above board adds a layer of suspense as we’re always waiting for Claire to uncover the truth about Adam’s mission and also some of the skeletons buried in her family’s closets.

Allowing the romance to build to the point where Adam and Claire are certain of their feelings for each other requires patience. Neither one is comfortable being the first to express their emotions or to somehow weaken their position within the relationship by being the one to give in. Claire fights the hardest to resist any softening of her resolve to remain unmarried, pushing Adam away when all she really wants is to be close to him. It’s a back and forth that gets a little frustrating and slightly boring as scene after scene is the two of them finding any way possible to dance around their real emotions. If either character had been just the smallest bit more demonstrative it could have increased the anticipation for that moment where we feel that the characters are truly in love.

I was surprised at how well Ms. Hunter wove the many threads of the story back together for the final reveal of how the Stratton name got caught up in an investigation of treason. It’s a quiet dénouement that fits perfectly with Adam’s aristocratic bearing and Claire’s straightforward manner. There are no grand gestures and those in the wrong receive a punishment appropriate to the crime. It’s a very satisfying way to close The Most Dangerous Duke in London, while the interactions with Adam’s friends throughout the story will lead nicely into the remaining books of the series. I know that I am interested to see what comes next.