I love the books by Jess Michaels and I've read quite a lot of them up to now.
This one is good as well but it didn't captivate me as much as the other books. My problem with this book was definitely that for a very very long time the hero and the heroine had no hope left. Sure, I had a certain idea that this book might end with an HEA but somewhere around the first third of the book I almost gave up hope as well that that would actually happen.
Somewhere around the middle of the book, I felt that, well, somehow, someone should please do something to make our hero Simon wake up. Alright, maybe I just wished for someone to kick him, hard, because...yup, just because.

Like all the other characters in Jess Michaels' books, Simon and Margaret are complex characters and getting to know them, you understand where Simon comes from and why it is so hard for him to fight for his happiness. Meg does also have to learn to stand up for herself and - let's just say that sometimes I was a bit frustrated and that I was starting to doubt that they would ever leave the somewhat turbulent beginnings behind them and just enjoy that their dreams may now may come true. At least their dreams might come true if they ever wake up...
Oh, I was frustrated with their friend (and Meg's former fiancé) Graham as well and don't get me started on Meg's brother James. Such a nice and well-meaning guy but -seriously? At sixteen? And without ever asking her what she wanted?

Despite everything though, I really enjoyed reading this book and I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series that'll tell us more about Graham!

Simon has one fierce woman in Meg, "Meg all but growled. “Which makes me the Duchess of Crestwood now, and responsible for the appearances we choose to uphold. I will make myself clear—if you ever again speak to my husband in the manner you just did, I will cut you out of our circle so fast, you will not know what happened.”Meg smiled, but it wasn’t the usual warm and welcoming one that graced her lips. “You and I can be allies, or we can be very public enemies. It is your choice..." Once Simon removes his head from his butt I found he could be sweet, "...I will fight for you, Meg. From this day until the day I draw my last breath..." I really liked this book, and I can't wait for the mext one in the series.

Loved "Her Favorite Duke." After reading the first book in the 1797 Club, James and Emma's story, I couldn't wait to find out how Meg would snag her preferred duke, Simon.
Meg and Simon are adorable together. They readily acknowledge they are best friends, but are hesitant to acknowledge their love for each other. There are a number of circumstances stacked against them, Meg has a fiance, Graham, who is one of Simon's best friends. They will have to face their challenges and overcome them if they ever want to find happiness.
Meg is tortured by her unrequited love for Simon, and he is as well. Meg has to choose whether to follow her heart or to follow the plan her brother made for her years ago. Simon is always there for her to laugh with, dance with and to be her friend. She is starting to realize that he is in love with her too, but Meg is starting to lose hope.
Simon loves Meg and has for years. He was very hurt when James betrothed her to Graham and felt like he couldn't stand in their way. He didn't want to betray either of his friends, but he realizes that in order to have Meg he will do almost anything.
Oh the explosive passion between these two! Whoo, set my Kindle on fire. It is very refreshing to read about a couple who wants to be together and isn't manipulating the other party and forcing the issue. Simon really struggled with his feelings. He loved his friends James and Graham, but he recognized that he loved Meg more.
Lots of steamy love scenes that worked very well into the story. Highly recommended and can be read as a stand alone, but why miss out on all of the yummy dukes in the 1797 Club???

This novel was a very good read. I read the first book in this series and look forward to reading the other members of the 1797 club, which was started by boys who would eventually become dukes. Each has their own past they must overcome.
Margaret Rylon, sister to the Duke of Abernathe, has been in love with Simon Greene, Duke of Crestwood since she was a girl. They were the best of friends and could talk about anything. Simon has also loved Meg for a decade. However, when Meg's brother becomes the duke after their father's death, he has her betrothed to Graham Everly, the Duke of Northfield. Both Simon and Meg are hurt by this, but neither tell James. Both have their reasons for not telling him.
When James asks Meg to set a date for the wedding years later, Meg is upset by this since he loves Simon. Simon is torn by this and plans to leave before Meg is married. When the to of them are caught in a compromising situation, they now have to marry. Simon feels he has betrayed his friends and cannot give himself completely to Meg due to the guilt he feels, even though she is the only woman he has ever wanted. Simon has never fought for anything, due to his upbringing and often tries to please everyone.
Even though Meg and Simon know they hurt many people, both of them want to be together and passion ignites between them. Still, Simon keeps holding himself back from Meg, which hurts her deeply. Simon feels so much guilt and it affects his relationship with Meg. When Meg can no longer handle Simon's distance, she leaves him. Will Simon come to his senses and be able to be the man willing to fight for her or will he continue his guilt and appeasing ways?