In exchange for this ARC, I promised a fair and honest review. This series is so good. Great writing, characters and story. Can't go wrong with any of Jess Michaels books.

Definitely a buy buy book! Jess Michaels is an author I look for and truly am rarely disappointed with. In this particular series each book has been wonderful. The characters are strong and the plot lines are captivating. The way it is written is guaranteed to hold the readers interest. No matter which of the series you read you will definitely want all of them to follow with! A super read. So sit back and enjoy the story. I was given this book in return for an honest review. Anna Swedenmom

Publisher's Description:
Adelaide Longford is London’s most overlooked bluestocking wallflower and that is fine by her. Being ignored gives her the perfect opportunity to sneak out and secretly take on the persona of the most celebrated actress of the day, Lydia Ford. The thrill of walking the boards and hearing the applause of those who watch her is the most exciting experience of her life.

Until Graham Everly, Duke of Northfield comes into her life. He is broken after the humiliating loss of his longtime fiancé to his supposed best friend and they enter into a lusty affair which sets her body on fire. Graham has no idea why he’s so attracted to both the bespectacled, prickly Adelaide and the passionate Lydia, but soon he is caught in a dance with them both and torn between which future he wants to pursue.

When Graham finds out Adelaide’s secret identity will he be able to accept both parts of her? And will he be able to save her from a lurking danger that neither of them could have ever foreseen?

Length: Full-Length Novel (70,000 words)
Heat Level: eyebrow waggle
My Thoughts:
This is the latest novel in The 1797 Club series. At the ending of Book #2, Her Favorite Duke, we found ourselves wondering what would become of Graham after Margaret ended their engagement and married his friend Simon instead. Graham after all was never in love with Margaret but was resigned to the match that her brother had made between them.
After months of wallowing in his misery he let's other friends and members of The 1797 Club lure him into an evening at the theater where he finds himself entranced by an actress.
Adelaide is a wallflower who lives a double life. Her other identity is the actress that Graham is drawn to.
Graham finds he is attracted to two women or thinks he is. Not originally being aware that Adelaide and Lydia are one in the same.
Will the knowledge that they are the same person change Graham's feelings for Adelaide?
This is another well written book in this series by Jess Michaels. I was drawn into this book from chapter one.
I gave this newest book in this series 4.5 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization and a high sensual rating of 4.75 of 5.0 flames. Our hero and heroine seem to be drawn to each other from their first meeting.
I look forward to the next book in this series where our hero is the mute friend we find in the pages of this book.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book from the author/publisher via NetGalley to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Another wonderful addition to the 1797 Club series! This book is awesome! I just love Jess Michaels. She has a unique way of writing that keeps you entertained for hours. She makes you feel exactly what the characters are feeling. In this book you feel Graham's dilemma as he is torn between Lydia and Adelaide. You feel his relief at the end of his fight within himself. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series!

Graham Everly, the Duke of Northfield has been staying out of society and away from his friends for the last few months. He feels he has been betrayed and it hurts. However they will not allow him to wallow any longer and drag him out.
Wallflower, Lady Adelaide Longford has been repressed by an over protective guardian. Now she has found an escape as the actress Lydia Ford.
This is an emotional, but also fun historical romance. Every one of our characters have more than their share of secrets. Some of those secrets could be deadly.
It is part of a series but each book can be read separately. I loved it.

I loved this book. I thought the dual role for Adelaide/Lydia was genius. Graham was a loveable hero, I liked a lot that he was so stressed by thinking that he could feel so strongly for two different women. The past that comes back to haunt Adelaide and the trouble that Graham finds himself put this book over the top for me.

We read the beginning of this story in “The Daring Duke”, and I’m delighted to hear what becomes of Graham. Betrayed by two of his best friends in a previous story, Graham has begun the process of healing, when he meets two women who tempt him back into society and back into the circle of his closest friends. His only dilemma now? What to do about loving two women?

Another strong entry in the 1797 club!

"Do not mistake me, Mrs. Ford, I absolutely came back here to seduce you."

FINAL DECISION: I enjoyed this story of a man who is angry and grief stricken after the betrayal of his friends, but soon finds a woman (or two women) who make him happy for the betrayal.

THE STORY: Graham Everly, Duke of Northfield has been adrift since one of his best friends stole Graham's fiancee. Graham's relationship with the 1797 Club members have been strained; Graham didn't love his fiancee, but he feels betrayed by his best friends. Graham finally accepts an invitation to attend the theater and there he is entranced by an actress Lynda Ford. For the first time in a while, Graham's passions are inflamed for the vibrant Lynda. What Graham doesn't know is that Lynda lives a double life. She is actually Lady Adelaide, a society wallflower. When Lynda and Graham begin an affair, things become sticky as Adelaide begins to fall for Graham even as she is lying about herself.

OPINION: For me, this book is really about Graham. He has a complexity of character and is tormented by so many things and yet is such a good man. He feels broken by the betrayal of his friends and doesn't know how to navigate his emotions and his relationships with his friends. When he meets Lynda, things begin to change for him. By showing Graham that love and desire can be above all, he begins to open himself up to his life again.

Lynda is a woman who has made the best of her life, accepting her mistakes and finding pleasure and joy where she can. She lives a dual life, neither woman being the whole of who Lynda/Adelaide is.

I thought that the relationship between Graham and Adelaide was sweeter than I expected. Graham always feels like a good guy even as he struggles with his demons. And while this book's title hints at what could be a dark story, I thought that the story, while touching on the darkness, actually was not angst filled or particularly dark.

Did I buy the central premise that Graham became involved with two women and didn't realize they were the same person? Not really, but I can suspend my disbelief on such things if the story is otherwise good.  And this one was.

WORTH MENTIONING: Apparently the next book is about the male wallflower in the group :)

CONNECTED BOOKS: THE BROKEN DUKE is the third book in the 1797 Club series. While the romance in this book is self-contained, I think part of what makes this book is the relationship between the different heroes, as such, I think this book is so much better read as part of the series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

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

REVIEW WILL BE POSTED ON 9/12/17

Adelaide Longford is London’s most overlooked bluestocking wallflower and that is fine by her. Being ignored gives her the perfect opportunity to sneak out and secretly take on the persona of the most celebrated actress of the day, Lydia Ford. The thrill of walking the boards and hearing the applause of those who watch her is the most exciting experience of her life.
Until Graham Everly, Duke of Northfield comes into her life. He is broken after the humiliating loss of his longtime fiancé Meg to his supposed best friend Simon. Graham has no idea why he’s so attracted to both the bespectacled, prickly Adelaide and the passionate Lydia, but soon he is caught in a dance with them both and torn between which future he wants to pursue. His friend James warns Graham not to hurt Adelaide who is James’ wife Emma’s best friend but what is Graham to do?
This is the third book in the 1797 Club series & whilst it could be read as a standalone to fully appreciate it I’d recommend reading the two earlier books. The series goes from strength to strength. The characters are very well portrayed & the plot is well paced. Graham & Adelaide have both suffered in the past, both are broken & needing to be healed, their attraction is strong & their revelations are horrifying & heart wrenching. The author has written another page turner with more than a hint of spice, I was loathe to put it down & read it in under a day. I look forward to the next in the series.

The appeal of a Jess Michaels novel lies in the presentation. Beneath the scandalous lust, the intriguing adventures and the danger that follows in the wake of the main characters, lies a beautifully written work of art. The Broken Duke thrives on staying one step ahead of the readers. Adelaide is a temptress in hiding. A woman caught between two worlds, longing to be noticed and willing to risk all for that chance of notoriety. Her quest brings her to the attention of the one man who could topple her entire masquerade. The heartbreak she never saw coming and the danger she never thought possible, lies in the hands of the greatest love of all. (4.5 stars)

Fabulous book in this dukely series. Love this one the most....

For my full review. Dawnwellsreview.wordpress.com

I have loved all the books in this series and each book gets better and better. All characters, including secondary ones, are well written and I was extremely invested in their HEA. Great read.
I received an ARC copy of this book from Netgalley.

Really enjoyed this book about an unlikely romance between a duke and a wallflower. The story flowed easily and kept me engaged throughout.

The characters were warm and although I did not read the first two books of the series (something I intend to remedy immediately!), I could feel the connections between Graham and his closest friends. Adelaide/Lydia is a strong female lead, I really rooted for her.

Now I can't wait for the next book about Ewan, the silent Duke!

Adelaide Longford is a known to be a wallflower. She is a companion to her Aunt who shames her into living in the shadows. There is part of her that can’t stay hidden and she has found a way to sneak out and become another persona as London actress, Lydia Ford.

It is Lydia who Graham Everly, Duke of Northfield meets after one of her performances. He is nursing a bruised ego after loosing his fiancé to his long time best friend. He has an instant lustful attraction to Lydia. Shortly after he shares a dance with Adelaide and they quickly build a friendship. Graham soon falls for both (yet the same) woman.

There is so much complexity to this story. The background of both the hero and heroine is heartbreaking yet makes them perfect for each other. The most touching part is when Graham’s deepest desire is for Adelaide to be herself, flaws and all.

The worst part though is waiting for the next books in the series!

Jess Michaels has done it again! This is an awesome series, but you can read this book as a stand-alone if you want to. I just can’t imagine why you’d want to.

Our heroine is a dual personality – well – sort of. By day, and most evenings, she is Lady Adelaide Longford, daughter of a deceased Earl. Three nights a week, she is Lydia, the toast of the theater. Adelaide’s home life leaves a lot to be desired, so she sneaks out to become her alter ego. She has been raised since the age of ten by her aunt who seems to hate her. The aunt is very verbally abusive and has become physically abusive in the last year or so. Lydia is everything Adelaide is not, she is confident, brave, outspoken, beautiful, poised and maybe even a bit brazen. Adelaide is a wallflower who dresses in high-necked, severe dresses, wears spectacles and arranges her blonde hair in a very severe bun.

You’ll remember our hero, Graham Everly, Duke of Northfield was jilted by his fiancé in the second book of the series. He really took a nose-dive after that and drank steadily for several months. It wasn’t because he loved his fiancé because he didn’t – he just felt betrayed by his best friend and his fiancé. When a couple of his friends drag him out of his doldrums and convince him to attend a play with them, Graham is enthralled with the star of the play, Lydia. As soon as the play is over, he makes his way backstage to meet her and is instantly smitten. A few days later, he attends a ball and ends up asking the wallflower, Adelaide, to dance and is attracted to her. Now, he’s really confused. He wonders how he can be so attracted to two very different women, but he most definitely is.

Adelaide is convinced that Graham isn’t really attracted to her, that he really wants Lydia. Poor Adelaide is jealous of Lydia!

As the story continues and Graham’s secrets are revealed and so are Adelaid’s, they have to cling to each other. They both face life threatening situations and each must try to save the other.

This is a wonderful addition to the series and I hope you will read it and enjoy it as much as I did.

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

Graham is the brooding kind of hero whom I usually dislike, and Adelaide was not believable in her double life, but that said, I enjoyed this book a lot and, as usual, Jess Michaels has a way with words and I love her novels!

Graham non mi era stato molto simpatico nel libro precedente e di solito i "maschi sofferenti" non mi stanno molto simpatici, inoltre Adelaide nella sua doppia vita non era molto credibile, per questo mi sono stupita io per prima di quanto mi sia piaciuto questo libro, anche perché mi piace molto il modo di scrivere di Jess Michaels cosí come quasi tutti i suoi libri fino ad ora.

THANKS TO NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!

"The Broken Duke" written by one of the queens of historical romances is an excellent and compelling story. Good solid plot with superb dialogue. Highly recommend.

4.5*
Wallflower meets broken Duke, secret identity and the conflict of attraction to two very different women. Fun with a off the charts chemistry, a touch of suspense and twists and turns I didn't see coming.
Graham Everly, Duke of Northfield has been lost and wondering London for months since the scandal of losing his fiancee to his best friend. Coerced by his friends to get out and about he goes to the theater to see the actress that's the talk of London. For the first time in months possible years Graham has a spark of interest, and must meet the beautiful actress, Lydia Ford.
Adelaide "Lydia Ford" Longford, unnoticed wallflower and always kept under her guardians thumb sees a chance at freedom if only limited. Sneaking out to the theater will change everything not only bringing life to her boring existence but possibly a future she never thought she'd have.
Graham and Lydia have and instant attraction and start an affair. Then there's the wallflower Adelaide who sees Graham as no one else has in a long time. Graham doesn't understand his feelings or his guilt when he's with Lydia and feels he's betraying Adelaide. Adelaide knows she must tell Graham the truth but fears she will lose him when the she does. Graham would never want plain Adelaide. When the truth comes out Graham may not get the chance to decide when danger strikes and Adelaide may be lost forever.
This is such a great series and I highly recommend you read them in order to enjoy it fully.

Historical books are my new addiction.I love everything about them so when I saw this one I requested immediately.I enjoyed it, it has exactly what I wanted.Passion and intensity.I can't wait for the next!

I received a copy of this book from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I have long been a fan of Ms Michael's work, she finds the perfect balance for steam intrigue and romance.
This is the story of Graham Everly, Duke of Northfield and Lady Adelaide. In the two months since Graham was jilted and lost his best friend in the process, he has been sulking. His fellow dukes have decided that he has languished long enough and convince him to go out with them to the theatre. Grudgingly he agrees and is immediately drawn to the actress Lydia Ford.
Lady Adelaide has long been a wallflower, seeking to escape an unhappy home life she took to the stage. As Lydia Ford, Adelaide can be the person she always wanted to be. Graham has no idea why he’s so attracted to both women, each a polar opposite of the other.
With Adelaide facing danger from two separate sources, can Graham overcome the deception?
I recommend this book to anyone who loves a broken hero and a bold heroine. I look forward to the next in this series.