This book is part of a series but can be read as a stand-alone book. Sloane Knox, the Duke of Hawksthorn, has a very bad reputation when it comes to relationships and was well known for writing notes to women to meet him. The women showed at a secret meeting place and the Duke never showed...quite an immature game. His actions lessened the chance of these women finding a reputable man during their season.
The duke is older and a little more mature but he still has never married. . His sister, Adele, is now old enough to have her 1st season. The Duke is afraid that someone will want revenge and will use his sister to get it. He decides he’s going to look for a reputable man for his sister before the season so she would not go to her 1st season. He finds this man in Paxton Quick. The Duke travels to Paxton’s home to discuss the possibility of this arrangement. Paxton is not home, but his sister, Loretta is. Loretta and the Duke almost immediately have an attraction to each other and they now become the main characters in the story, leaving Paxton and Adele to become the secondary characters.
There is one thing wrong with the Duke’s and Loretta’s relationship... Loretta made a vow to her uncle many years ago that she will never marry and will basically be a recluse in her home. For the remainder of the book, the Duke tries to persuade Loretta to break her vow to her uncle so they would be able to get married.
The question is, did the Duke persuade Loretta to marry him and secondly, did Paxton and Adele marry? You’ll have to read the book to find out.
I enjoyed the book and I loved the banter between the Duke and Loretta. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes historical romances.
This book was given to me by the publisher, through Netgalley, as an ARC for an honest review.

I finished To the Duke, with Love and it was really very good and written much better than the first book of this trilogy (last book not out until next summer) and this one will released on 5 Dec but as much as I did enjoy it I am not sure it is worth the $8 they want for it but I think I have gotten a bit cheap on the price of books unless they are exceptional. This was a solid 4 Star story.

First let me say that Ms. Grey is one of my go to authors when looking for something new to read. Her writing for me will keep me entertained for hours and have a hard time putting her books down.. I absolutely enjoyed this book I really liked that this book hit on the hard times that children went through during this time period. Loretta was a strong woman who can stand up to arrogant Dukes, but at the same time is willing to help someone in need.

Sloan Knox is the Duke of Hawksthorn. He has a plan for his sister. Because of his reputation, there are people who are seeking revenge. His sister's first season is about to begin. In order to protect his sister from being the recipient of such revenge, he will find a husband for her.

His choice is Paxton Quick. Mr Quick is a young man of good reputation who is cheerful, not a gambler nor a drunkard. If the betrothal can be arranged before the season starts, Adele will be protected from young men who are seeking to make her pay for the silly trick Sloan and his friends played on young ladies.

When he goes to see Mr Quick, he finds his sister, Loretta and Mr Quick is away from the house.

The meeting between Loretta and Sloan is like a lightning strike. They both find an attraction for the other. But the best part of all this is the conversation. Each of them can give as good as they get. There is challenge, wit, humor and charm all rolled up into every bit of their talk.

Loretta is hidden away in this distant house because she left a Viscount standing at the alter. Her guardian has never forgiven her for the scandal. For a couple of years, she has lived an isolated life and has accepted her fate to remain single for the rest of her life.

She is a lovely young woman who has strong opinions about many things. Among them is the idea that arranged marriages are not good for anyone. She is quite open in telling the Duke that she will discourage her brother from accepting the offer. She wants him to be happy and she feels certain that means he must be allowed to find his own wife.

Ms Grey is such a talented author and this is another well written book.

But there were a few things that seemed to grate on my nerves.

The instant attraction and lust was a little too quick for me. I would have preferred a slower courtship that took into consideration the qualities of each party. Because they had so many traits that meshed well, a little getting to know one another would have been nice. Things just moved too fast for me.

Loretta and Sloan are two very attractive characters. They are smart and witty and funny. They each have a strong sense of loyalty to their family. There is a very romantic feeling to their dealings with one another. It is evident they will end up with a happily ever after future.

Although this is second in a series, it is easy to read as a stand alone.

I won this book in a contest on Goodreads. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are my own.

Ok, so, here's my issue with this novel, I didn't like the protagonists.
The hero, Hawk, is too domineering, sometimes he doesn't make sense of what he wants and what he doesn't want, I found him to be a bit too pompous from time to time and, on top of all that, I completely disliked the way he behaves towards Farley. [How the hell can you be a nice person and fault someone, a 12 years old boy, who's is yes a thief, and probably doesn't even know how to behave, but he's still a child who's grown up in the streets. Nobody can be that harsh and judgmental towards someone who has lived that life, you cannot expect integrity from someone who has seen none of it in his entire life, and who had to learn that someone else's loss is his only way to survive.
I cannot like a hero who thinks that way, I'm sorry.

And I cannot even like an heroine who, despite the intention to help this poor boy, blames him so harshly [the moment he steals from her. HE IS 12 and he grew up in a slum, for God's sake! Has nobody thought that maybe he was exploited by a organised crime ring and had nobody to teach him manners and show him the right way? Come on.
Plus she is bound by this vow that she's made to God to never marry. Ok, I don't share the idea, especially with her motives, but ok, I accept that...then she falls in love with someone, but she cannot marry him because of this vow, I am a bit clueless at this point, but I can also accept that. But then, the hero has the amazing idea [ to simply bring her to a church, breaking in in the middle of the night, so she could rescind from her vow without regrets, in the house of God...wow, the idea of the century.
I cannot.
It doesn't make sense. How can you be so morally strict one moment and then contradict that the moment after?

I mean, the romantic attraction was there and palpable, I have to admit it. And this story wasn't all bad, the beginning was nice actually. But that's where it ended for me.

I think it's safe to say, based on my opinion of this book and it's predecessor, that Amelia Grey's books are not for me. I found this book to be too absurd to be taken seriously, even though I am certain it will be well received upon publication due to the advanced positive reviews. Amelia Grey writes very well, but her characters leave much to be desired. I found the literally instantaneous lust to be laughable, with both the hero and heroine feeling lust so strongly that it didn't feel genuine. It felt like a parody of emotions. In addition, their personalities were just unappealing. Loretta seemed naive and immature, and Sloane was condescending and arrogant. While a norm of the time, it was a turn off. Add in the debacle with the boy, Farley, and the book had dug a hole it could not climb out of. I appreciate getting a copy of this book, but I will pass on this author's works going forward.

I am giving a fair and honest review in return for this ARC. There is a LOT going on in this story! Great characters, nice story and well written but definitely complicated.

This book was an absolutely wonderful read. I enjoyed every minute of this second chapter in Amelia Grey's Rakes of St. James series.

Hawk and Loretta were strikingly vivid characters so it was easy for me to fall in love with their romance. I loved their delightful verbal sparring, Loretta's stubborn streak, and the way Hawk instantly fell head over heels for her. I also liked the emotional aspect of the story even though I would've preferred a far different ending for Farley's character. I'm just glad that Amelia Grey decided not to totally break my heart where he was concerned.

All in all, this book was a great read and I can't wait to read the third book in the Rakes of St. James series.

I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sloane Knox, the Duke of Hawksthorn, who, along with his friends, wrote to 12 debutantes requesting a secret meeting and signing it from a secret admirer. Each lady turned up causing their marriage prospects to diminish. Now the Duke has a sister of his own about to debut and does not wish for her to suffer for his actions. He decides to arrange his sister marriage before the start of the season. He does not bargain on his choice of groom having a sister who is vehemently against arranged marriages.
Miss Loretta Quick has been banished to the country for refusing to marry the man of her uncle’s choosing. She has determined that her brother should marry a lady of his own choosing and will not allow a haughty duke to dictate to her even if he does inspire attraction.
This is a story of instant-lust. The two main characters are instantly drawn to each other upon meeting. The romance itself is interesting the banter between the two main characters was fun but I couldn’t connect to the characters. Loretta’s vow to remain single was ridiculous in my opinion and it was overcome way too easily.
As for the introduction of Farley, this should have been excluded altogether as your hopes are raised that this twelve-year-old street urchin will have a happy ever after but it becomes a side note. while Hawk’s treatment of Farley may have been typical of that era it’d not what I enjoy in a romance.

What I liked about this, is that our heroine is no "damsel in distress". She's strong, unlike her brother, and is not afraid to speak her mind. For the most part, she has chosen the life she leads and is adequately content, until a dashing duke comes along.
The banter between the leads is nicely done and they are quite credible. However, Loretta's brother and the Hawk's sister are rather annoying in their naivety. Overall, I quite enjoyed this one and look forward to the next one.

**Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley in exchange of an honest review.**

I’ve read a few by this author and she is a great writer. However, this one was just okay... I think the plane was on autopilot.

To the Duke, With Love by Amelia Grey is an intriguing regency romance. Arranged marriages and refusal to be married to the wrong person...can create an irresistible plot like this one. Wow! So, the strong heroine is a bit biased on arranged marriages. However, as I discovered, she has some right to be biased. It happened to her and didn't bide well. She ended up vowing to be celibate and forced to live alone in the country. But, she has a loving brother who dotes on her. He comes with her. Feeling like she finally accepted her fate...a Duke arrives. Causing chaos to her quiet lifestyle. Their banters are playfully wicked and charming.

I couldn't stop laughing. They really are a couple to follow and love. Their siblings make it even more entangled and exciting. Temptation, isolation, humor, and sexy characters that have enticed readers like me, to read till the ending. What a perfect way to end this adventure...Amelia Grey has stunned me to the core with the level of depth from her characters and the visual scenes that are unforgettable. Overall, I recommend this historical romance to all.

Thanks St. Martin's Press and netgalley for this ARC.

Tricky and seemly impossible but Amelia Grey makes the transition smooth and painless for the reader. Top Notch. My favorite of the series. You'll remember this one.

TO THE DUKE, WITH LOVE – Amelia Grey
The Rakes of St. James - Book 2
St. Martin’s Paperbacks
ISBN 10: 1250102510
ISBN 13: 978125010251
December 2017
Historical Romance

England, Early 19th Century

At eighteen, Loretta Quick backed out of a marriage arranged by her uncle, the Earl of Switchingham, while the guests gathered at the church. It angered her uncle so much he made her vow to never marry. He then estranged her to a distant property, Mammoth House. She is isolated there with her brother, Paxton, except Paxton remains in society. He stays when he is not traveling around England or in London. Most of society believes the rumor she entered a convent, but none actually know her uncle isolated her far from society.

The Duke of Hawksthorn, Sloan Knox, who goes by Hawk, slowly slogs his way through a cold drizzle of rain to Mammoth House. He has an appointment with Paxton Quick to bespeak an engagement between the young man, an earl’s nephew, and Sloan’s sister Adele. Adele’s debut season begins soon, and Hawk wants to protect his sister. Someone might seek revenge on him for his own youthful scandal involving his friends, the other two Rakes of St. James, the Dukes of Griffin and Rathburne, and the reputations of twelve debutantes. He walks a convoluted path he didn’t expect, leading his lame horse. Once he arrives, he discovers Paxton never received his missive. The young man has been absent from Mammoth House for three weeks. Instead he meets Loretta. When he tells her of his mission, she is against any arranged marriage. The two should be able to choose for themselves. He knows Loretta’s story, and of her abandoning society, but how did he miss this engaging and challenging woman during her only season? His fascination grows the longer he is with her.

Hawk also captivates Loretta but she knows she can have no expectations. She knows his history as she has kept up with 'Miss Honora Truth’s Scandal Sheet.' While he is at Mammoth House, Hawk learns of Loretta’s predicament. He also saves the life of a young boy, Farley, who came to the house begging for food. Farley adds another dimension to the atmosphere at Mammoth House when he falls desperately ill. His story and back history does the same for the Hawk and Loretta’s story. After Hawk goes back to London, he makes a vow to himself to rescue this lady from her imprisonment and get her to London, while still determined to make a match between their respective siblings.

Hawk is a reformed rake, and as such he knows all about disreputable men and the emotional scars they can leave on young women. His sister Adele is about to enter her first season and he's set on ensuring she avoids any ill-suited men and potential ruin, so his plan is to choose her husband for her and marry her off first.

His choice: Loretta's brother. After her own disastrous experience with an arranged engagement, Loretta is set against her brother marrying for anything other than love and swears she'll fight against Hawk to persuade her brother not to settle for anything less.

For a few reasons, I couldn't quite get into this book. There was no chemistry between Hawk and Loretta, despite them falling in lust instantly and in love within a matter of days - on the whole, their romance was fairly unbelievable. Hawk's attitude to Farley and Adele's spoiled nature really tainted them as characters for me, and I honestly felt disappointed by the decision made by Adele and Loretta's brother at the end of the book. As for Farley, I'm not actually sure what his role in the book was or why that subplot was introduced...

Overall, a quick and light read, though it felt like the book had the potential for more.

Rakes of St. James are back and this time its Sloane Knox, Duke of Hawkshorn ‘s turn. In To the Duke, With Love. Sloane is trying to circumvent what happened to Griffin (Last Night with the Duke) and his sisters, he didn’t want it to happen to him. So, he went on a mission to find a suitable groom for his sister Adel. But, a person was standing in his way. That person was headstrong beguiling Loretta Quick the sister of the man he suspects will make a suitable husband. However, Loretta who avoided the arranged marriage trap, refuse to see her brother pushed into something he didn’t want.
This story was somewhat better than the first book but not by much. The story started off good, the banter between the two main characters was fun. But again, that didn’t even hold my attention for long. I got through about half the story before, I got bored with the story and start skimming the pages. I did find that I like one of the secondary characters…. Farley. It would have been nice that he received an HEA but it was not to be in this story.

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. It was book two in the series. I haven’t decided if I love it yet or not. In this book we have a duke that is just kind of a controlling know it all.. I just wasn’t a huge fan of him.

This story contains a key element for me sticking with a story and really liking it – talking, lots and lots of talking. I love the banter and the witty comebacks. Hawk and Loretta and terrific when it comes to banter. I liked that Hawk knew what he wanted and did not give up. The side stories of their siblings' arranged marriage and the street urchin added a nice touch. Thank you Ms. Grey for bringing the street urchin’s plight out in a manner that was realistic. In the end, this story is a very nice read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I loved the chemistry between Hawk and Loretta from the very beginning. I don't really understand why Loretta punished herself all because she did not desire the husband her Uncle picked for her. I was surprised how headstrong Loretta was with Hawk but coward to her Uncle. I can not wait to read more books from this author.

It is possible that I am in a historical romance rut where every book I read does not excite me, but I was just not feeling this novel. It is entirely possible that I just need a dynamic palette cleanser to give me back the enjoyment of trashy romances. 

This novel did not keep me enraptured, but it was not horrible by any means. It just fell short. In a historical romance, I am looking for drama and passion, but this book was much more melodramatic. The "villain" of the story, her uncle just did not have enough evil page time to give the story more action. The passion between the main characters was short and sparse. 

If one is looking for a melo, not a lot of sex, historical romance, this one could be for you. Sadly, it was not one I overly enjoyed.