This was a decent story and I somewhat enjoyed both the hero and the heroine. Lucas and Diana were well-written characters. However, nothing really stood out making it a great book.

I felt like this dragged on some, especially where the author developed the H/h’s relationship in front of his friends. That seemed to go on a little longer than it needed to.

This is a well written story. I enjoyed the Characters and the romance. I can't wait to read more books from this author. Thanks to Netgalley for this free copy.

I enjoyed watching Lucas and Diana come to love each other. And it is always nice to revisit with the Dukes.

I don't know why it took me so long to read this book. I absolutely loved it! I'm reading through the series and I'm loving every minute of it.

The Undercover Duke is the sixth book in the 1797 Club series by Jess Michaels. I have not read all of the books in this series, and have found that there is some connections with characters to make reading as a series rewarding- but each can stand up well on its own.

Lucas Vincent may be the Duke of Willowby but he’s never acted as such. He’s been too busy working for the War Department as a spy. But years of dangerous work has finally caught up to him and he was involved in a violent attack that nearly killed him. Forced home, his angry, aggressive desire to get back in the field and find out to who betrayed him is keeping him from healing. Diana Oakford was raised by a physician who served the King’s War Department and she knows better than most the dangers that job entails. She was also trained in healing, so when she’s asked to come and assist with Lucas’s recovery she has a hard time refusing. Once they’re alone together an unexpected connection begins to grow between these two people who have fought their emotions all their lives and more begins to heal than just Lucas’s broken body. But just when they start to believe they could find some kind of happiness, the past rears its ugly head and Lucas will have to choose between the life he once led and the woman who has changed his world.

The Undercover Duke is a story that offers good characters and some serious complications. Lucas is a spy that has been seriously injured, and has some underlying emotional wounds. Diana has her own grief to deal with, and is willing to help because of who asked and the connection of both men to her father. I liked watching the pair get to know each other, and become partners in more than one way. I found the emotional struggles they share, and the barriers that they need to break down to trust each other well done. I will admit that I had a good idea about who the danger was, and some of the details, well before the climax. I was not thrilled with how it all unfolded,. but it worked in the story. I did enjoy the banter between Lucas and Diana, and the inclusion of some characters from previous books. I like the support and friendship they offer, and thought that they might have played a bigger role than they did. I did enjoy the read, but it did not live up to the expectations I had for the author.
The Undercover Duke is a good, but not great, addition to the series.

Lucas Vincent may be the Duke of Willowby but he’s never acted as such. He’s been too busy working for the War Department as a spy. But years of dangerous work has finally caught up to him and he was involved in a violent attack that nearly killed him. Forced home, his angry, aggressive desire to get back in the field and find out to who betrayed him is keeping him from healing. Diana Oakford was raised by a physician who served the King’s War Department and she knows better than most the dangers that job entails. She was also trained in healing, so when she’s asked to come and assist with Lucas’s recovery she has a hard time refusing.
The beginning of this story was really good and got me hopeful for this story. Then, Lucas met Diana and right from their first interactions, I was done. It just didn’t work for me.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

In February 1811 Lucas Vincent, Duke of Willowby secretly a spy and working for the War Department knew something was wrong. While trying to flush out a traitor to king and country Lucas notices his good friend and surgeon George Oakford hiding in the bushes too but in trying to kill the traitor Lucas gets shot instead and George is instantly killed. In fall of 1811 Lucas has been slowly healing when George’s daughter Diana is asked by the superior of the Department to take care and heal Lucas. Diana is definitely her father’s daughter, skilled in the ways of healing she can’t refuse even though in first meeting Lucas the animosity between the two is strong. As Diana works with Lucas and heals him she falls into a passionate physical sexual affair with him. The rules between both Diana and Lucas is finite that it is just that an affair. As Diana and Lucas get closer to finding out the truth of who killed Diana’s father and slowly fall for each other their attraction and love for each could end up killing them both if they aren’t careful.
This was a wonderful story by Ms. Jess Michaels and the only one I have read in the 1797 Club series which is definitely a fault of my own. Yes this book can be read a standalone and easily understood. The story is filled with tons of plot, suspense, action, and romance. The sex is quite steamy but doesn’t slow down the story even though it happens pretty quickly helps further the plot. This book definitely put me in the heart of these well-drawn out characters and love them that much more. Lucas at first came off prickly, brash, stubborn and was not really a nice guy but he was injured so I can forgive him for that. Still despite his crabby demeanor he had so much heart, compassion and really cared for others especially Diana. Lucas made for a great book boyfriend who is now added to my ever growing list. Diana was no slouch either she was strong, smart, independent, witty and brilliant. Diana really had iron strength of will and wasn’t no wilting heroine or a damsel in distress. She could stand up for herself and Lucas. I couldn’t help but girl crush on her. This book makes me want to read the rest of the series and if all the dukes are like Lucas I will enjoy reading them without hesitation!

A story of how love and trust and partnership can renew lost hopes and dreams.
Secrets and lies weigh heavily on our hero and heroine. Tragic events have changed everything, futures they once dreamed of are no longer insight.
Lucas Vincent, “The Undercover Duke” Duke of Willowby, separated himself from family and through the years friends being a spy for the crown. Recently severely injured Lucas is left in terrible pain and guilt ridden from the friend he could not save, Dr. William Oakford. His superiors need to keep him hidden but with their best healer dead they turn to the next best person Diana Oakford, William’s daughter.
Diana’s mother passed when she was young all she had was her father, he raised her the only way he knew, to be a healer. Several years ago her heart was broken and her life changed forever. She put away her hopes and dreams and focused on her plants and herbs. The last thing Diana wants to do is help the people who took her father away for so much of her life. When she’s told its The Undercover Duke, a man her father talked of like a son she could not turn him away.
Lucas is surly and rude and in such horrible pain that he’s unable to move about much with out help. When Lucas realizes who Diana is he’s swamped with guilt and demands to leave not wanting to drag her into this mess. They strike up a deal, a month of doing what Diana thinks will help then he can leave.
Their attraction is instant but neither want a relationship but can’t seem to resist each other. As the days go by Lucas gets stronger and their relationship grows to friendship and trust. Lucas gives Diana on thing that she’s never had, to make her own decisions and choices. Can they count on each other when they need each other the most or will old hurts and secrets get in their way?
There are some great twists and turns that I did not see coming.
I love Jess Michaels writing a story telling.
Review by Lori Meehan for Book Obsessed Chicks

This book was awesome and I enjoyed reading it so much! Lucas is a Duke and part of the 1797 Club where all of his friends are Dukes. This Club was special because most of the guys had terrible parents or mistreated. So they helped and took care of each other. Lucas was a Duke, very rich, handsome, and at the moment very hurt physically. He was a spy for the Crown and not only was he hurt in the last escapade, but he also lost his best friend. This is how he meets Diana, she's the daughter of the man who was his friend. This story has a lot of twist and turns and lots of unexpected stuff. This story is very well done, I recommend it highly.

Lucas Vincent, Duke of Willowby is a spy, he has to ferret out a traitor within the organization, that is killing his fellow agents. On a observation mission his is shot, along with Dr. George Oakford who was killed. In the six months since he was shot Lucas has not healed as he should. His superior Stalwood sends him to Oakford’s daughter Diana, who learned under her father. While here at her house Lucas and Diana embark on an affair. She helps him heal his mind and body. Secrets are revealed which lead to finding out who the traitor is and puts Diana’s life in danger.
Lucas has been running from his life as a Duke for some time. At sixteen he finds out that his life is a lie and joins the army then the home office. He cut off all the people who cared for him. As he is healing, he finally decides to stop running and confront the issues and confront the traitor he is looking for. He calls upon his fellow Dukes to introduce him into society, to lure the traitor out.
Diana Oakford is alone in the world she has been raised around the spy world and knows her way around it. Her relationship with Lucas brings her into his world which she doesn’t feel comfortable with. When her secrets lead to the investigation of her father as a possible traitor, she is more angry at Lucas for knowingly not telling her his suspicions.
Lucas and Diana’s secrets have controlled their lives. They don’t know how to voice them or to get pass them to live a life they think they don’t deserve. I would recommend The Undercover Duke.

While working to uncover a traitor in his organization, Lucas Vincent, the Duke of Willowby, is almost killed. Not only does a good friend get killed, but Lucas still doesn't know who the double agent is. Forced to come home and see doctor after doctor, Lucas has almost given up on ever healing fully. That all changes when Lucas meets Diana Oakford.

Diana's father worked closely with the King's War Department so she has seen it all. When her father's boss brings Lucas to her, Diana starts to refuse, but since Lucas was a close friend of her father's, she agrees to help him. Together they begin the process of healing together and slowly to fall in love with one another. What will happen when the past finally catches up to them both?

I am in love with author Jess Michaels's novels, especially her 1797 Club series. I love how the group is basically a large band of brothers and they are always willing to fight for one another. In the latest addition to the series, THE UNDERCOVER DUKE, we meet scarred spy, Lucas. Here is a guy who never even sees it coming! Not only is he betrayed in a big way, but the poor guy almost dies, then has to basically be torn apart over and over in order to recover from his injuries. Thank goodness for Diana. Neither are aware in the beginning, but they are just what the doctor ordered. Diana heals Lucas's body and spirit and he helps mend hers as well. THE UNDERCOVER DUKE is a very touching read. Historical fans are sure to be captivated.

Another fabulous book by one of the few authors whose books I one-click first and read the blurb later.
If you've read the other books in this series, you might already know about this group of young dukes and their fight for happiness and love despite their less than perfect families. Lucas Vincent, the Duke of Willowby, is part of this illustrious group even though his years of working as a spy have kept him apart from his friends for a long time now. Despite all those years, their friendship holds fast and the other dukes are there to help and to support when Lucas needs them.
When Diane Oakford is, well, bullied might be the right word, into caring for a colleague of her deceased father, who had been working as a physician for the War Departement, she doesn't know that this will change her life forever. Soon those two start to care for each other but they might need the help of Lucas' friends to get rid of the past and all the dangers it still holds in store for them.
Those two are an amazing couple and I liked how their friendship and love developed. I also loved to see how they interacted with the other dukes and their wives, letting us see how they fare and what became of them.
An interesting, captivating story that kept me glued to my reader - and once again when I started to browse the pages when I wanted to start this review. I got hooked again and couldn't stop reading. I can't wait for the next book in this amazing series!

This is book six in the series. This book is filled with secrets and betrayals. A spy like no other. A hot and steamy read from the start. A grand love story neither could have seen coming.

This is the sixth book in the Dukes 1797 Club series .

Lucas Vincent, Duke of Willowby, had a very difficult and unhappy childhood . Both of his parents hated him and he had no idea why .
Luckily for him, he had made friends with a number of other future dukes when he started school. Almost all of them had terrible parents and they banded together to help each other through life. When Lucas was eighteen, his father died and he became the Duke. Lucas wanted no part of the Duchy and he was recruited to work for the Crown as a spy.
He was determined not to drag his friends into his work and slowly began to withdraw from regular contact .
His last operation within the Service was to try to identify a Mole/Traitor ........he was very badly wounded and a Colleague, Dr George Oakwood , who offered to assist him , was killed .
Diana Oakford lost her father on the mission for the Crown ..........his main role however was as a surgeon/doctor for those injured during their missions .
Having trained under her father she is asked by the Head of the Service , the Earl of Stalwood ,to assist Lucas' recovery , nothing had helped todate with other doctors and he was in great pain .
Stalwood seemed to think that it might give both of them a chance to heal – Lucas from his injuries and guilt over the death of the Doctor and Diana from the loss of her father.
Their attraction is immediate and intense and once they started to talk of the past it soon becomes clear that her father's involvement might not have been all it seemed .
But Diana's mistrust of men soon comes between them when she feels betrayed by Lucas and she leaves him .
It will take all his effort to resovle their conflict and with Diana's help to find the Traitor and bring him to justice .

The other Dukes only appear on the perifery in this book - almost as an afterthought . I would have preferred more of their involvement in order for this to be classifioed as a 1797 Club book .

On the whole it was a very enjoyable book and look forwrd to the next in the series .

Betrayal and healing____ 3.5 stars

Death and sadness pursue Diana Oakford. A young woman with deep hurts and secrets, she is the daughter of a physician who worked with the War Department until his death when assisting in a mission to uncover a traitor amongst the Departments spies.
Lucas Vincent, the Duke of Willowby, has never taken up the reins of his titled position. Harboring deep secrets himself, he had thrown himself into a career as a spy for the government. He was badly injured when his doctor friend Oakford was killed. Alarmed at Lucas' slow healing, the head of the department, the Earl of Stalwood, prevails upon Diana to take over Lucas' care and to keep him hidden.
Of course the two have clashes. Both are strong willed and passionate. As they come to know each other those clashes turn into a physical and emotional tryst. Hidden from the world these two explore each other physically, forming a bond of trust that each is surprised at. A tryst Diana knows will end with Lucas' full recovery. What future is there for a Duke and a healer? As events unfold, the two set out to find the treasonous spy, setting in motion a trap that would lull the culprit into exposing himself. But before that moment comes, startling and heartbreaking discoveries are made and Diana's world devolves even more painfully than anything thus far. Lucas is wracked with guilt and anguish and it seems these two will not have the happy ending we would wish.
Members of the 1797 club make an important appearance, the Duchesses are still in fine form, but they are not as front and center as they have been in previous works.
A good read if somewhat predictable, even with the surprise twists that appear.

A NetGalley ARC

I adore Jess Michaels books, and once again she pulled me in to another fabulous love story. I normally do not like to ready novels that have spies as the main characters, but I requested this one because of the author. I am so glad I did! While the main character was a spy, the novel centered around the relationship of the main characters and not the spying. Much like Michaels' other novels, both main characters knew exactly what they wanted and did not spend a lot of time running from their feelings, so the romance got steamy! If you like your romance novels with strong main characters and steamy romance, then this book is the one for you!

The 1776 Club is back and hotter than ever! Jess Michael’s saved the best story for the youngest member of the club! This has it all-intrigue, traitors, danger, and sex so hot, it will steam your glasses! Don’t miss this one!
Lucas Vincent, Duke of Willowby, has distanced himself from his friends because his work could them in danger. Lucas is a spy. And someone has turned on him. Wounded and thought dead, Lucas is out of the game while countless doctors put him through hell trying to make him better. Lucas has all but given up when his boss sends him to a safe house where he will be nursed back to health. Lucas has his doubts but he must stay “dead” until the traitor can be found. He’s resigned to live with his pain until he meets his caregiver, Diana Oakford.
Diana’s Father had patched up spies for years. With his passing, Diana thought that part of her life was over. Enter Lucas Vincent. She had no idea spies could look like this! But wait, she’s nothing, just a healer and Lucas her patient. She will nurse him back and send him on regardless of the attraction they have for each other.
As Lucas searches for the traitor while he recuperates, his attraction for Diana can’t be ignored. A tumble and he’ll be satisfied and can go back to the game. But his search brings up to many unanswered questions and a few that only Diana can answer. Can they find the traitor while letting their passions run wild or will the traitor catch them first?

Jess Michaels has written another winning historical. The story was fast-paced. I like how she is able to weave the other men in the group into the storyline. Lucas Vincent is such an interesting man and I liked learning more about him. His romance with Diana was hot and steamy. Good book

What’s it About? Lucas Vincent has been working as a spy for most of the years since he’s became the Duke of Willowby but when he is betrayed and seriously injured on a mission he has no choice but to settle down and recuperate. But there are two problems, first, Lucas has never been good at being still which is preventing him from healing, and second, the woman charged with his care is an absolute distraction. Diana Oakford was raised by her physician father and is just as skilled as he was, so when she is asked to step into her father’s role as healer for the War Department, she knows just how dangerous it could be. Once Lucas and Diana are alone however, a connection begins to build between them and when the traitor comes looking for Lucas, Diana is caught in the middle.


Overall reaction to the story? For being a spy romance, there wasn’t much espionage going on. In fact, that seemed to be background noise while Lucas healed and fell in love with Diana. I didn’t mind too much because I enjoyed the romance and the fact that while Lucas was a spy, a titled one, he wasn’t in control for the first quarter of the book, Diana was. I loved how when it came to his recovery, Diana didn’t put up with his male ego. She sassed him and flat out ordered him around which made her more believable as a physician. But while Diana could handle Lucas the patient, she quickly realized she was in over her head with Lucas the man. Their chemistry was intense but I felt it was also built on a mutual understanding of pain and betrayal. These two characters carried a lot of emotional baggage and that connected them in a way that was just as much a part of the romance as the chemistry.

As far as plot goes, The Undercover Duke was pretty predictable but no less enjoyable. There were maybe one or two things I wasn’t expecting but the villain’s identity? Nailed it way before the big reveal. One of my favorite things about this book though was Lucas’ reentry into London’s elite society. He had been running for the title for years because of a secret truth he found out when he was young. As a result, he had cut off all contact with his friends and left them wondering if he was alive or dead. There’s a scene where Lucas is forced to admit he needs their help and writes a letter to one of them, when he receives a reply there is such a vulnerability about him that made him more real to me. There’s much more to that scene but I don’t want to spoil the effect of it. Needless to say Lucas is a character that needs to have the support of good people around him in order to make it in a titled role he feels doesn’t belong to him.

All in all The Undercover Duke is a fun way to spend some time. The book can standalone but why do that to yourself when there are five perfectly enjoyable books before it? Lucas and Diana make a solid team because Diana brings more than just her physical attributes and big heart to the romance, the woman has some mad skills as a physician!

Click It or Skip It? Click It. I have yet to find a book in this series that I didn’t enjoy.