I received a copy of this title from the publisher for an honest review. Madeline Hunter's new series gets off to a fantastic start with The Most Dangerous Duke in London. Adam, Duke of Stratton, has returned to England of years of exhile in France after the death of his father. Although not convicted, rumors of treason for assisting Napoleon after his escape from Elba lead the former duke to take his own life. Intrigued by an invitation from the Dowager Countess of Marwood about settling bad blood between the two families, Adam meets Lady Clara, the eldest daughter of the recently deceased Earl of Marwood. Despite an offer from the Dowager to marry Clara's younger sister, Adam is drawn to Clara's strength of will and spirit and immediately decides that she is the woman for him. The development of the relationship between Clara and Adam is extremely well written and occurs naturally without feeling forced or rushed. Adam and Clara are perfect examples of what I have come to expect from Hunter; both are mature and rational adults who have very understandable motivations and vulnerabilities. Adam's desire to understand more about the circumstances around his father's death is immediately understandable as is his reaction after learning unsettling and unexpected facts. Clara is strong and doesn't see marriage in her future at the beginning, but after spending time with Adam, she is willing to reconsider her views on marriage. Hunter does a wonderful job of keeping the reader guessing of the exact facts around the allegations of treason from so many years ago. I look forward to the next book in this series.

4.5*
I think I’ve found my favourite Madeline Hunter’s book so far. Although I always appreciate and like her books, they sometimes seem to be a bit below my expectations – but not this one. The Most Dangerous Duke in London doesn’t fit that category. I really enjoyed it and couldn’t put it down.

The base of the plot is related to revenge, and these are usually my favourite plots, but in this case, the story was so well put together that what mattered wasn’t so much the revenge plan but the growth of the relationship between Adam and Clare.

Clare is a strong, independent woman, who knows what she wants and is very smart and intelligent. Adam is a duke that finds himself confronted with a choice and at that moment he sees Clare, in her horse, at the top of a hill – and, being she the daughter of a deceased man who might have had something to do with Adam’s family tragedy, he cannot put her aside and let her go – she was at the right place, on the right time.

Clare’s family wants to use her younger sister almost like a sacrifice to placate Adam’s supposed anger and rage, but when he sees Clare, he doesn’t even think twice about her little sister.

Clare and Adam have an important attraction, but more than that, what matters is how their relationship grows with friendship and companionship.

With a plot that has mystery, betrayal, connections to France and the war, as well as a romance that keep you holding on to the book, this has become my favourite book by Madeline Hunter.

The Most Dangerous Duke in London combined a number of romance tropes that I was sure would appeal to me. Bluestocking heroine. Revenge thwarted by lust and then love. Combine that with Madeline Hunter's sensuous writing style and you have a winning combo. Unfortunately, I struggled to get through this one. I admit that this is partly due to the insanity of life at the moment, but I also had a hard time getting into the story. Something about Clara and Adam just didn't snag my attention; I just wasn't rooting for them.

What I really liked about this one is the fact that its heroine, Clara, was an editor of a literary journal, something that she has to keep secret. I loved the fact that Clara was a trailblazer and committed to that in her other choices (i.e. moving to an independent residence, eschewing marriage). I would have liked the hero, Adam, to have a greater appreciation for this facet of Clara. In fact, Adam doesn't even know that Clara publishes this journal even at the end of the novel. He knows she has a secret about something but not exactly what that secret is, other than one that doesn't particularly trouble him. Since there was such emphasis on Clara being such a unique woman for her time, I was let down by the fact that this significant aspect of her life was kept a secret from this dude she's going to marry. For me, this signalled an incompleteness to the romance of the novel.

Personal taste aside, Hunter's lovely and subdued writing style was in full force. While I found something missing in the romance, passion was not it.

Ultimately, The Most Dangerous Duke in London was a nice read but not one that I felt had enough meat in the romance. I liked both Clara and Adam as characters, but I finished the book feeling unconvinced about their relationship.

Madeline Hunter has done an amazing job with the start of this series. Adam, the Duke of Stratton has been living in France after his father committed suicide over speculation that he was involved in treason. He now returns to England to search for evidenve of his father's innocence.
Lady Clara Cheswick daughter of the former Earl of Marwood is a budding bluestocking spinster who has a secret career as a publisher of a women's journal. Her family has long been feuding with Adam's family. Her grandmother has decided that in order to protect Theo the new Earl, they would offer up Theo's sister as a sacrificial offering to the Duke as a bride. By joining the two families she hopes to put the feud to rest and protect her grandson from being killed by the duke in a duel.
Rather than accepting the young Emilia as a potential bride, Adam sets his sites on her more independent, strong-willed sister.
These characters grab your attention from the first and you can't help but want to keep reading to see what happens. Adam and Clara created sparks from the minute they meet and you can't help wanting to keep reading to see how they come together. In addition, there is the suspense of finding out the real reason why Adam's father committed suicide.
There is a tension throughout the story with Clara trying to balance her independent life as a single woman with the thought of marriage and what that may do to effect the life she has chosen. Will marriage take away everything she has worked for? Madeline Hunter has created a great story with great characters and you can't resist loving them.
I received an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Thanks Kensington Books and netgalley for this ARC.

Another great one from Hunter. This series brings a fresh look at love, passion, and dukes.

Adam Penrose, Duke of Stratton is a member of London’s elite Society of Decadent Dukes along with the Dukes of Langford & Brentworth, I look forward to Gabriel & Erics’ stories. Adam has spent the last few years in France with his French mother after his father died supposedly by his own hand after questions were raised about treason. Adam is dark and brooding, with a thirst for revenge. He is invited to meet the Dowager Duchess of Marwood & her grandson the present Earl to try to repair the two families generations old animosity by Adam marrying Emilia but Adam sees Clara Cheswick, the elder bluestocking sister & is immediately smitten.
Clara daughter may be the woman Adam wants, but there’s one problem: she’s far more interested in publishing her women’s journal than getting married. Clara has been left a sizeable inheritance from her recently deceased father along with a parcel of land near to the families & the Penrose’s family seats. Clara is also attracted to Adam.
This was a page turning novel that kept my interest all the way through. There was the ever growing closeness of Adam & Clara & also what was the truth about Adam’s father & as the Cheswick’s swore enemies how is the family involved & how are the two lovers to solve the riddle. The denouement is quite surprising & I certainly didn’t see it coming. The characters have plenty of depth, Adam & Clara are very likeable whilst their feelings for each other gradually deepen their verbal sparring is lively & entertaining throughout the book. I felt the ending was quite abrupt & would have liked an epilogue but hopefully Adam & Clara will pop up in the next two books of the trilogy.

This is a story of revenge, secrets, rumors and revaluations. Adam Penrose, Duke of Stratton has returned to London after several years in France. It is rumored that he was asked to leave France do to several duals and that he's back for revenge. The Dowager Countess of Marwood the family that is at the base of an ongoing feud dating back generations would like to bury the hatchet so to say. She offering her granddaughter Emilia's hand in marriage only that's not the woman that has intrigued Adam. Lady Clara Marwood is the eldest daughter of the late Earl of Marwood a bluestocking who has vowed never to marry. Adam is searching for the reasons behind the feud hoping to use Clara to find out. Clara loved her father and can not believe he had anything to do with rumors about Adam's father. Adam is determined that Clara will be his wife but Clara turns him away at every turn. Friendship turns to romance but can revenge be the start to forever or its terrible end.
I loved the main characters and secondary characters. There are several twists and turns that I did not see coming and I loved how independent Clara was and how Adam did not want to control her but was intrigued by the woman she is.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book about Langford's fall.

Adam, the Duke of Stratton, has returned to England after five years spent in France after his father committed suicide over rumors that he’s helped fund Napoleon’s escape from Elba. Now he wants revenge on the family of the neighbor who he believes spread those rumors. That man, the Earl of Marwood, is now dead and his family is afraid that he’ll challenge the new Earl to a duel so they propose a match between Stratton and the 16-year old daughter. But Alex catches sight of the older daughter, Clara, and decides that she fits him better. She’s fiery and independent and has her own fortune.

Clara isn’t interested in marrying an arrogant duke. She is busy building her own life editing a journal for women and doesn’t plan to ever get married. Alex enjoys the challenge of taming such a strong woman. She doesn’t want to be tamed. The sparks fly and their mutual attraction grows.

Meanwhile, Alex tries to follow up on clues to figure out what happened with his father. This mild mystery is finally wrapped up with a surprise that I hadn’t anticipated. The relationship between Alex and Clara developed as Clara decides that maybe a little romantic adventurism would suit her new independent lifestyle just fine. Then Alex has to convince her that her independence isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be.

This is another winner from Madeline Hunter.

I was given a free ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 Stars

What a great start to a new series! Both Adam and Clare both are very likeable people and that made it very easy to root for their HEA.

Adam, Duke of Stratton has returned to England after spending the last five years in France. He took his mother to France after his father committed suicide and ugly rumors made staying in England unbearable for he and his mother. While in France he gained a reputation as a dangerous man after fighting in several duels. He has returned home with one goal - find out the truth about his father and exact revenge on those responsible for his death and he is almost certain the their neighbor the Earl of Marwood is the man that started and encouraged the rumors. The families have had a long history of bad blood going back generations and this is just the latest attack.

Adam is therefore surprised when he is invited to meet with the new Earl and his grandmother the dowager Countess of Marwood. After hearing the rumors about Adam's duels, they propose that they put the old feud behind them and have the families seal the pact with a marriage. They suggest that Adam marry Lady Emilia, the current earl's younger sister. But Adam has no interest in young Emilia and when he sees Clara, he knows that she is the one he wants.

Clara is the only child from her father's first marriage and was by far his favorite child. Upon his death, he settled property and an income on her - enabling her to be independent. And Independent she is! Clara secretly publishes a woman's journal and has no desire to marry. So when Adam decrees that they will marry - Clara neatly rebuffs him.

Adam wants Clara and not just for revenge - he actually likes her and the more time he is with her, the more he wants her. Adam is every bit as stubborn as Clara and twice as devious. Clara for all her independent ways is loyal to her family and loved her father very much, she also has a kind and empathic heart. Slowly Adam wears her down and while she still has no desire to marry - an affair is looking better every day.

Just when it seems that they will find common ground and put the past behind them, the truth of his father's death could tear these two apart.

I thought this was a great story, it is well written, has witty dialogue, steamy love scenes, entertaining secondary characters, a decent mystery that doesn't overwhelm the love story and a truly lovely ending. While it does stretch the imagination to believe that a young, unmarried woman could do the things Clara does and still be accepted by the ton - it did nothing to diminish the story for this reader.

I would highly recommend this book and am impatiently awaiting the next book!

The Most Dangerous Duke in London was a book that combines romance and suspense. It is about the Duke of Stratton, Adam, who is invited to the home of his family's sworn enemy. While he is there, he is offered the youngest daughter's hand in marriage so that the two families can unite and lay to rest their differences. Adam spots Claire Cheswick, the gorgeous oldest daughter of the Earl. He is immediately attracted to her and pursues her. Claire if fiercely independent and has sworn off marriage. She is attracted to the dark Duke but refuses to admit it. When he proposes marriage she laughs that off as well.

Both Adam and Claire have secrets. Adam's is working to discover why his father took his own life and to finally clear his name. He knows the former Earl, Claire's father, contributed to his death but he does not know the details. Adam is scorned by the ton due to the reputation of his father. Claire fears Adam is pursuing her only to have revenge on her father and while some of that was true initially, his heart and body becomes invested in Claire in a much deeper way than her expected. Both of them know the pain of losing their father which gives them a bond.

Claire secretly publishes a woman's journal and purchased a home with her inheritance so she can continue to do so without her family interfering. Claire's family learns that Adam is interested in Claire and they try to give her tips to insure he proposes marriage to her so that their families unite. Little do they know, Adam has already proposed and he and Clair have begun a secret affair.

Their relationship gets complicated when more secrets are revealed and when both Claire and Adam realize they have fallen in love with one another.

The book is well written and steamy but in a way that adds to the story. I really enjoyed the book and cannot wait for the next book in this series to see what happens to Adam's friend.

I think this is the best book I read so far this year. You cannot not love Clara and her way of thinking. Plus the background about the two families may remind a little bit of Romeo and Juliet but only a bit because there is so much more!

This is the first book by Madeline hunter that I have read. I got it as part of the review team for Sabrina Jeffries, Ava Stone, Deb Marlowe, and now Madeline Hunter, so I didn't know what to expect. I was pleased with the story. Adam was a bit hard to get into as a male character. I knew he came back to London to seek revenge/justice for his dead father and I remember hearing him say something about using the proposal to Clara as a possible means to get that revenge. I knew, in the beginning, he wasn't that serious about a real relationship with her, but I am not sure when his scheming to get close to her in order to learn things turned into true feelings. Even his internal thoughts weren't always clear as to whether he was still using her or falling for her. When did his fake attentions turn into real ones? She was a strong female character and I liked her independence and spirit. Their story was enjoyable and passionate. The moment in his study where she learns that she has fallen in love with a man who might not be able to put the old hatred between their families aside to be with her poignant. How she stands up to her family to get him his truth at the end was also enjoyable to watch unfold. Overall, I did enjoy this story and will read more by this author.

Rating 3.5

Adam, The Duke of Stratton returns to London after living years in France with his Mother. Adam left London after the death of his Father and the swirling rumors that his Father had committed suicide. There was also speculation that his father was helping Napoleon (his wife was french). Adam's reputation is known in London as angry, brooding and dangerous as rumor is that he has killed men in France,dueling.

On Adams return he is summoned by Dowager Countess of Marwood to her home. The Dowager's son and Adams father where archenemies and the families in turn have been rival's. The Countess has asked Adam to forget the past and to help bring the two families to a more civil and friendly footing she suggested he marry her youngest granddaughter. Well during the meeting out in the gardens/outside Adam notices a woman riding freely/wildly on a horse close to the home. He's drawn to her and asks about her. Clara is the the Countess's eldest granddaughter.

Clara is an intelligent bluestocking, she's beautiful and owner of a publication for woman's journals. Clara has no interest in marriage, she's strong and independent and loves her family.

The two are introduced and immediately are drawn to each other. Adam decides it is Clara that he wants and pursues her. Clara is attracted to Adam but at first fights it as she wants nothing to do with marriage. Even though Clara fights the attraction she is drawn to Adam's and his intellect. The have some great dialogue and interaction. A friendship develops along with the added attraction. Adam is determined to solve the mystery of his fathers death/suicide. Clara at times wonders if their relationship is real and sincere.

I enjoyed the development of the twos relationship and it's adult and mature progression. The mystery of Adams fathers adds a nice suspense. I liked the depth of each character but had issues with Adams demeanor and arrogance at times throughout the story. Clara I enjoyed, she was such a strong woman and very loyal to her family. The pace of the story was good but found at times it did drag in certain parts. I do enjoy the authors writing and her ability to create authentic historical romances that are true to the time period.

A great start to the trilogy. We begin with a Duke wanting revenge, and a woman, Clara, from that family who is already on the shelf seems like a good target, but what starts out as one thing soon becomes something much more enticing. Unexpected mysteries and secrets are made know which are very intriguing. A fun read which is highly entertaining.

Although I read this to its conclusion I can't in all honesty say that it matched the introduction. Adam and Clara suited one another but they lacked real oomph and the book was slow in places it took me longer than usual to read because I wasn't in a hurry to pick it up.

From Goodreads: Three sinfully handsome dukes, three scores to settle, three hearts about to meet their matches. All in one thrilling new trilogy from New York Times bestselling author Madeline Hunter . . .

NOTORIOUS NOBLEMAN SEEKS REVENGE
Name and title: Adam Penrose, Duke of Stratton.
Affiliation: London’s elite Society of Decadent Dukes.
Family history: Scandalous.
Personality traits: Dark and brooding, with a thirst for revenge.
Ideal romantic partner: A woman of means, with beauty and brains, willing to live with reckless abandon.
Desire: Clara Cheswick, gorgeous daughter of his family’s sworn enemy.

FAINT OF HEART NEED NOT APPLY
Clara may be the woman Adam wants, but there’s one problem: she’s far more interested in publishing her women’s journal than getting married—especially to a man said to be dead-set on vengeance. Though, with her nose for a story, Clara wonders if his desire for justice is sincere—along with his incredibly unnerving intention to be her husband. If her weak-kneed response to his kiss is any indication, falling for Adam clearly comes with a cost. But who knew courting danger could be such exhilarating fun?

~*~*

My Thoughts:
I had the opportunity to review this book through NetGalley, and it was a great read while traveling this past week. I found myself quickly drawn to our heroine (and her sister, I hope we'll see more of her later), but initially, the hero turned me off a bit. Luckily, he quickly redeemed himself and watching Alex and Clara sort through their various personal struggles created an interesting and entertaining story throughout the book. I LOVE independent heroines, and ones that have substance, with Clara definitely does. This was definitely on the hot side of some romance books, but the story was still the main focus for me as I read.

The other two Dukes that we'll meet in more detail throughout the series are intriguing enough to definitely make me want to read more. The only complaint I had was that the ending was just...there. I find I really like some sort of epilogue or a little bit longer wrap to the story, and this one felt like a quick curtain coming down just before the true end of the story. Overall, an enjoyable read and I look forward to more in this series.

Madeline Hunter is one of my favorite regency romance authors and I had been looking forward to this book for a while. She did not disappoint. This is the first book in a new the new Decadent Dukes series. In this book, we are introduced to The Most Dangerous Duke in London, Adam Penrose, Duke of Stratton. He is portrayed as dark and brooding and others are afraid of his temper. Adam has recently returned to London after spending time with is mother in France. All of the ton have heard rumors about Adam's family and those of his neighbor the Earl of Marwood. The secrets are revealed towards the end of the book. Believe me, they will keep you reading.
The Dowager Countess of Marwood invited Stratton to their estate after years of no communication. She wants Stratton to propose to her beautiful granddaughter, Emilia. She has been bred to be the perfect society wife, however Lady Clara catches his eye. Clara is Marwood's daughter from his first marriage and is firmly on the shelf. She wants no part of marriage and is not really interested in suitors. She would rather spend her days with friends, writing and riding horses. However, Adam is quite taken with Lady Clara and decides to propose to her. The chapter leading up the the proposal is one of my favorites because it is hilarious. The way Hunter writes the dialogue and describes the emotions of Clara had me laughing out loud. At this point you will not want to put the book down because you will be dying to know the ways that Adam tries to woo Clara. Clara wants nothing to do with Adam and is intent on getting her own life started as an independent woman.
But Clara does not anticipate the chemistry between her and Adam. (Oh man, the chemistry between these two is scorching). I love their interactions. The sex scenes are tastefully written. In fact, they are a bit more tame than some of Hunter's books. But still HOT! You can tell throughout the book that the author knows a lot of history as the details are so accurately described. The colors, the smells, the atmosphere. This is story telling at its finest. The romantic gestures will make you swoon and you may also fall in love with Adam's friends. The Duke of Stratton is currently my book boyfriend. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a historical romance with a HEA.
I also love the cover. The cover artist added a bow to the cover making it seem like a gift. This book is definitely a gift for romance lovers. This is the perfect book for some fun summer reading. I'm looking forward to the next story in this series.

The title of this novel, is quickly explain when Adam Penrose, the Duke of Stratton, returns from France, seeking revenge for his father’s death. Rumour surrounds this tragedy as Stratton has killed two men in a duel and injured another, in attempting to maintain the honour of his family name. On his return to London, he is summoned to the residence of the Dowager Countess of Marwood, whose son was the greatest enemy of his father. The countess professes a desire to connect the two families through marriage to her youngest granddaughter. The subterfuge behind this demand, is a fear that Adam will ultimately force a duel between the Earl of Marwood, Theo and himself. Fearing this is inevitable, the countess continues to encourage this connect but Adam is immediately captivated by Clara, the eldest granddaughter. Clara, a bluestocking and owner of a publication, has never been interested in marriage but finds herself drawn to Adam despite the animosity between the families. A romance that soon begins, faces a tumultuous journey.

The immediate attraction and dialogue between the two characters was clever and so entertaining. Both are drawn to each other and it seems almost inevitable that they must be together. The relationship between the three dukes was also a highlight of this novel and reinforced Hunter’s ability to show the depth of this friendship which began during their childhood. At times, I had to stop myself from laughing out loud (in the middle of the night), from the quips that they throw at each other. This highlighted the skill in demonstrating the realistic nature of male conversations that arrives from years of friendship. This was not your t typical superficial conversation between mean in other novels and I thought this a major strength of the novel. I look forward to reading more about two remaining dukes, Langford and Brentworth in next two 'Decadent Dukes Society' novels
Hunter weaves such an intriguing storyline, that this could not been seen as your typical ‘fluffy’ romance. Be care not to miss one word of this novel, as the many nuances and details, build up the tension of the novel. I could not have envisaged the ending of the novel, until I was but a page away. This book will definitely keep you guessing and I have added it to my favourite books!
I am very appreciative of receiving a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Most Dangerous Duke in London introduces Madeline Hunter's latest series, the Decadent Dukes Society. An intriguing plot, strong lead characters plus a steamy romance build an unforgettable story of desire for revenge versus a thirst for love. The Duke of Stratton, Adam Penrose, meets his match in the willful beauty, Clara Cheswick. Adam seeks revenge for a terrible wrong he believes was committed by Clara's family. But the more he interacts with Clara, the more he realizes there are emotions stronger than revenge.

The brooding Adam reminds me of the lead male in Book 1 of Hunter's Seducer Series. Once you pick it up, it's nonstop until the book is finished. My only complaint is the Dangerous Duke lacks an Epilogue. There are a few issues mentioned in the last chapter that would be well served by an Epilogue. All is all, it is an excellent read!

The characters are introduced for the next two Duke books and those books are sure to be as captivating as The Most Dangerous Duke in London.