~~Reviewed by Shell~~

Amelia Grey is a new author to me, so I didn’t know what to expect. What I hadn’t realised was this is the third book in the Rakes of St James series. I found you can read this book as a standalone, there was enough of a back story without wondering what had gone on in the previous books.

At some point we’ve all had a friend where a prank was played on them and for whatever reason you’ve thought that you would get that person back. For me this is a no, but for Marlena she has done this…but then the tables get turned on her and she very nearly loses the one she loves.

I enjoyed reading this book, its a troupe that I have read before and I will go back and read the first two books. I did like the humour, which for me is a big plus. There was one character that got on my nerves that was Justine, for me she was a little over the top.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers’ copy of this book.

An enjoyable read, with a heroine who has a secret to hide and a rakish Duke who is sorry for the misdeeds of his past. Of course he would have to become her guardian and promise to find her a husband. She, with her secret life as a gossip writer, is shocked to find the rake on her doorstep. Does he know? This is one of several truly humorous passages in the book.
Once our couple comes together, can the ending be in doubt? Well, the duo have plenty of obstacles to overcome, but their falling in love is something neither can control. Getting there, is what makes this story so satisfying.
I like how the third of the trilogy wraps up loose ends and brings the stories to a satisfying close. So much so, that I will re-read now that all the books are completed. (I received an ARC from NetGalley. Opinions honest and mine.)

This is the third book in Amelia Grey’s Rakes of St. James trilogy. The Duke of Rathburne is the third and last of the notorious bachelors who, years ago, played a prank on twelve young debutantes which led to the girls being ostracised from society. Being dukes, and male, they never really had to suffer any consequences beyond guilt… and regular evisceration by the pen of Miss Honoria Truth, writer of a scandal sheet with a particular hatred for the three rakes.

The very last person Marlena Fast ever thought likely to become her new guardian was the notorious duke. But there he is, on her doorstep, large as life and twice as handsome, telling her he’s there to help launch her Season and help her find a husband.

How on earth will he react if he finds out her secret identity as Miss Honoria Truth?

Marlena and her friends panicking about Rath’s reactions if he should find out about Miss Truth were honestly hilarious. They were easily my favourite parts of the book, along with Marlena’s soul-searching when she came face to face with some of the people featured in her scandal sheet and discovers how nice they are. Everything about Marlena was delightful, from her fierce loyalty to her friends to her somewhat naive honesty. Frankly, Rath seemed far too old and jaded for her; his ‘becoming staid’ just read like he was bored with his old entertainments and looking for something fresh and new.

The thing that really bothers me, I suppose, is that Rath and his friends never did have to suffer anything more than a mildly guilty conscience. One of the characters in the novel being one of the debutantes whose reputation they damaged so long ago showed very clearly that actions can have major consequences, and they did do significant damage with their thoughtlessness. I have difficulty believing that not one single enraged father, brother or suitor called them out and shot them for their entitled, disgraceful behaviour.

Or perhaps that was just my wishful thinking. Realistically, men in positions of power getting away with bad behaviour without repercussions is a very current topic at the moment, and reading about it in a fictional story set 200 years ago - however realistic it might be - just feels a bit depressing, as though nothing has changed in all that time. There’s no emotional payoff for the reader, no visceral feeling of satisfaction when bad behaviour is rewarded as Rath’s was.

While this is well written, it left me feeling really kind of depressed. No antagonist was defeated, nobody got their comeuppance for behaving badly. Rath behaved exactly as he’s always done and got exactly what he always has… everything he wanted, which was something he didn’t deserve. I didn’t hate this, but I can’t say I particularly enjoyed it either. Three stars.

This author writes great stories and this book is not tne exception! Rath and Marlena are great characters and the story flows with quick pace!

A cute and charming historical romance. The story is about the Duke of Rathburne who tries to overcome the shadow of a scandal, by taking in a ward that is of the age to marry. Marlena Fast is nothing like he remembered and the Duke finds himself with a different plan for her than he originally had going in to the arrangement.

The Duke of Rathburne, "Rath," is still making up for past mistakes. When a friend asks Rath to assume guardianship of his ward, Rath almost refuses, but since he is trying to be a better man, he agrees. Rath is a rake and he doesn't need a ward to cramp his lifestyle so the sooner he marries her off the better. Imagine Rath's surprise when he discovers that his ward is someone from his past, Miss Marlena Fast.

Marlena knows the type of man Rath is. A close friend of hers has suffered because of Rath and his friends' pranks years ago. That was when Marlena decided to get some revenge for affected women. Marlena became "Miss Honora Truth," an author who speaks out against rakes like Rath and his friends in a local gossip column. Suddenly, Marlena realizes their may be some very real consequences to her actions if Rath finds her out. What will happen next?

THE RAKES OF ST. JAMES by author Amelia Grey continues with IT'S ALL ABOUT THE DUKE. This is Rath's story. Rath does not know it, but he is about to be brought up to scratch by his very own ward, Marlena. At first, I could not envision these Rath and Marlena as a couple. All they had in common was lust for one another, which they both mistake as love. However, as time goes on, a real connection builds between them and love actually does begin to blossom. I could not stand Marlena's cousin, Justine. She was just a hog for attention. I don't know how Marlena could stand being around her all the time. Marlena's good friend, Victoria, was a hoot and I really enjoyed Marlena's interactions with her sister, Eugenia. There was plenty of depth to Marlena, but I would have liked to get to the heart of Rath. Overall, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE DUKE is a light, fun read.

This review will post on The Blogger Girls on June 2, 2018.

It's All About the Duke is the final book in The Rakes of St. James Trilogy and tells the story of Rath, Duke of Rathburne, and Marlena Fast, his new ward.  Rath, ever the rake he claims to be is immediately smitten with the “innocent” Marlena.  Little does Rath know, Marlena is the secret author of Miss Honora Truth’s Scandal Sheet, the gossip rag who writes all about the scandalous deeds of Rath and his two other rakish best friends.

Here is evidence of my latest attempt to find a “new to me” author I could obsess over like I have with everything written by Elizabeth Hoyt.  As this book was up for review, and I saw that it could be read as a standalone, I didn’t bother reading either of the first two books of the trilogy.  It didn’t take but a few chapters for me to piece together what had happened previously, and I quickly realized I had no desire to read more about the Rakes of St. James and their horrible prank with the “secret admirer letters.”

Now, back to Rath and Marlena’s story…

Pros:  I enjoyed the overall story, even with Marlena’s secret.  I enjoyed the banter between Marlena and Rath, along with all the over the top secondary characters.  Actually, I think all the crazy characters was the best part.  I laughed plenty of times at their ridiculousness.  Luckily, the fall out from the secret admirer letters is mostly passed, although it does play a major role in why Marlena started, and is still, writing the things she is writing.

Cons:  This book was not steamy...at all!  Not even a little bit.  Yeah, there is plenty of sexual tension and build up.  But when Rath and Marlena finally consummate, it was a complete disappointment.  Sorry, sweet, innocent kisses just don't do it for me.  I need more passion than that.  Plus, I didn't fall for the idea that Rath do such a quick 180 from being a rake, to begging Marlena to marry him after a few minutes of sex.

Cute story, but doesn't stand out against so many of the other great historical romances out there.

Love me some Amelia Grey. The Duke with a conscience wants to make amends and he'll do what he can to make it happen. The heroine is independent, strong willed and stubborn as well as determined that secrets remain secrets. This story is full of intrigue and mystery as well as love and revenge. It will keep you guessing and wondering what will happen next.

Nearing thirty, the Duke of Rathburne is finally ready to make amends for the wager that caused him and his best friends such scandal - the blasted Secret Admirers Scandal. But, more or less cajoled into taking on a ward who needs a husband is a feat he’s not sure he can manage. The last he saw of Miss Marlena Fast, she was a spirited little ruffian, not the sort of bride most bachelors on the marriage mart sought. But one glance at the lovely lady she has become is enough to convince him otherwise…

Orphaned young and shuffled from family to family, Marlena counts on her fierce independence and quick wits to keep herself content. Having followed her step brothers around for years, she became quite independent and could fend for herself.

Now all of a sudden she is being thrown under the guardianship of a notoriously wicked duke. The very same duke whom Marlena had made it her life’s mission to make pay for the damage he and his cohorts had inflicted on innocent young ladies! How could she manage to keep this devastating secret when she realizes he arouses feminine desires she never felt before in her life. Marlena must be careful. She has her own scandalous secret to protect. If he finds out, will it shatter her chances of a happily-ever-after with the notorious rake?

*** Wonderful dialogs, fast pace and wonderfully sensual moods and emotions all made IT’S ALL ABOUT THE DUKE a really splendid and extremely amusing read! Loved every bit of this book!

3.0 stars

Third in a series, following Last Night with the Duke and To the Duke, With Love, this installment concludes The Rakes of St. James. While I enjoyed the series, I did enjoy book 2 less than book 1 and the third least of all. I'm sure the trick the rakes played on society's young debutantes would have ruined any young miss but by the end of book 3 I really just didn't care. I really wanted Rath to have a good story since I kinda picked him as my favorite in the beginning, so was a bit disappointed.. Nothing steller, but an ok read.

Posted to Amazon 5-29-18

I have not read any of Amelia Grey’s books before but this won’t be the last one. This book was really good. Marlena writes a weekly scandal sheet under the name of Miss Honora Truth. She writes about these three rakes and rumors that she had heard about them. They hurt several women by secret admirer letters they wrote as jokes and one of those women is her neighbor and good friend. Her friend is miserable from the marriage she is in because of those letters. So what a way to seek revenge when they got off Scott free. Until she meets one of the rakes Rath Duke of Rathburne. He was asked to be her guardian and see to her future. They never imagined to fall in love with each other. But will Marlena’s secret ruin it all? Arc given to me by author on netgalley.

Amelia Greg has written another entertaining and the 3rd book in her "Raids of St.James" series. This is the Duke of Rathburn who has agreed to become the guardian of Marlena Fast whom he had already met when she was 12. He agreed to take over the guardianship from an old friend ailing of his father thinking if he did this it could right some wrongs that he has done in his past.

When Rath and Marlena met again he is charmed by her from the start and the chemistry is apparent. Rather needs to find her a husband and she hide a secret that she writes a gossip column.

The characters have great interaction and it helps that there is a Marlena's pet also involved.

I enjoyed this book very much. I received this book for an honest review from Netgalley.

I received It's All About the Duke by Amelia Grey from NetGalley in exchange of a fair review. This is the third book in the series but can be read as a standalone. However, I greatly enjoyed the entire series.
The Duke of Rathburne, Rath to his friends is the last of the notorious Rakes of St James that is single. With his other two friends married, he opts to become guardian of Marlena Fast, an orphaned young lady who's current guardian is sick. But upon meeting her again, he becomes enchanted with her and strives to keep her distance. Marlena as well feels the draw to the rake and tries to stay away. But as the season continues and the attraction deepens, Marlena struggles to keep a secret that can hurt many.
This was, in my opinion, the best of the series. I greatly enjoyed reading the other 2 books however, upon reading this book, it felt like Ms. Grey wrote the other 2 books just to get to this story. Both Marlena and Rath were better developed and the banter between the 2 was better. Plus the back story- which is a given if you read the last 2 books- was developed more in this book. A sweet read that isn't steamy. #ItsAllAbouttheDuke #NetGalley

This 3rd and final story in this wonderful series did not disappoint. I have loved all of these adventures and sad to see them end. I can't wait to see what Amelia has in store for us! Thanks Amelia!

This book just didn’t do it for me. I did read it but it was lacking something that I just can’t quite put my finger on. It, however, hasn't put me off reading another of the author's books

I received a copy from Netgalley and I am voluntarily leaving my own honest opinion

Terrific romance and redemption story!

Rath, the Duke of Rathburne, is still coming to terms with the societal and emotional fall-out from a wager he made years ago with a couple of his friends. While they didn't intend to hurt any of the young ladies nor their reputations, their little prank went too far and lives were changed forever.

Now Rath finds himself the somewhat unwilling guardian to the beautiful Miss Marlena Fast, not realizing her connection to some of the affected ladies nor what she has done in the intervening years to even the score. Their romance is full of chemistry and denial, as well as secrets and more than one well-deserved comeuppance.

The writing is easy-going, drawing the reader right into the Regency era and high society settings. The characters are lively and the friendships, especially among the female circle, were delightful. As the third in a three-book series the HEA nicely tied up all loose ends. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book through NetGalley.

The Duke of Rathburne had a few regrets. In It’s All About The Duke, “Rath” admits that he was the one responsible for the idea that embarrassed several young women after a prank went wrong many years ago.

The second was that he was standing on the doorstep of another young woman about to advise her that he was her guardian. Her long-time guardian believed himself nearing the end of his life, and wanted to see his beloved ward settled with a new guardian before his death.

It was now up to the Rath to launch her into society and find her a husband. He had met Miss Marlena Fast many years ago when she was a young hoyden and didn’t hold out much hope for success.

Miss Marlena Fast may enjoy doing her own gardening, and without the benefit of the hat, but she was no hoyden. The young woman who greeted him was strikingly beautiful and not at all what he had expected.

Marlena was quite startled to find the Duke in her garden. She feared her secret was out.

For the last several years, Marlena has been the author behind the “Miss Honora Truth’s Words of Wisdom and Warning About Rakes, Scoundrels, Rogues, and Libertines” scandal sheet. Since the Duke was regularly featured in those pages, she worried the Duke was there to expose her.

Finding out he was to be her guardian was not much of an improvement on her initial supposition. Having one of the “Rakes of St. James” as her guardian was not what she considered a good idea.

Opposites Attract

It’s fun to watch two people who think they want one thing get another and be perfectly happy with it. Marlena spends years outing the Duke for his behavior, only to find that he is what she wants.

The Duke thinks he wants a typical young lady, only to find that he is very much attracted to someone quite different.

Reading the two of them dance around each other was a lot of fun. The author, Amelia Grey, managed to paint a very entertaining picture in this novel. I can’t wait to find it what the other Rakes of St. James are up to.

Reviewed for LnkToMi iRead in response to a complimentary copy of the book provided by the publisher in hopes of an honest review.

I enjoyed this third and final book in the Rakes of St. James series. The series is based on a really lame scandal, but the books are all nice reads even if they are a bit prosy. You can read each as a stand-alone if you wish to do so. I loved the last names of all of the heroines in the three books – Swift, Quick and Fast.

The big scandal is a wager made by three young friends – all dukes. They would write ‘secret admirer’ letters to all twelve of the debutants who were in their first season. The letters would say that they had long admired the lady and hoped she would meet them at a certain place and time. Whichever of the dukes had the most ladies actually show up would win the bet. When all twelve of the ladies show up and word of the wager and the ladies all going to the meeting places leaks out – well – SCANDAL. The dukes immediately felt remorseful, but there wasn’t anything they could do to change things. Someone decides that the duke should be punished for what they did and starts a scandal column that only talks about the scandal and the dukes.

Rath, Duke of Rathburne, was the one who suggested the cursed wager and he’s felt guilty about it ever since. He’s come to a point in his life, he’s almost thirty, where he feels he should become the gentleman his father always wanted him to be. I know he was described as a rake and scoundrel throughout the book, but frankly, I just didn’t see it. Yes, he had mistresses and widows on occasion, but he wasn’t a letch and he didn’t chase innocent ladies. Seems he was just a normal gentleman of the time – and maybe better than most.

When Rath received a letter from Mr. Olingworth, a very good friend of Rath’s father, his first inclination was to turn down the request it contained. Then, after he has finished a bottle, he pens a letter to Mr. Olingworth saying that he agrees to be the guardian of Miss Marlena Fast. When he awakens the next morning, he regrets penning his acceptance, but it is too late – the letter is already in the post – thanks to his efficient new butler. Mr. Olingworth is quite ill and can no longer properly see to Marlena’s care. Rath had met Marlena once when she was about twelve and holding a frog. He was sure it was going to be a challenge because ‘ruffian girls rarely, if ever, become decorous young ladies’.

Marlena Fast has been an orphan since shortly after she was born. She’s been passed from place to place and never had a real home that was hers. First, she lived with an aunt and uncle, then Mr. Olingworth, then her cousin Justine. Now, it seems, she is being passed on again – into someone else’s care. But, it can’t be – not HIM – one of the Rakes of St. James. He’s one of the despised men who helped make her friend’s life miserable – she can’t be his ward.

I liked both Marlena and Rath and I liked the way their insta-lust grew into solid attraction and love. Now, I’ll be honest – I did skim-read some of those long prosy descriptions/conversations – but it was still a good read. The book often refers to the conversations as banter, but I think more often than not it was either bickering or arguing – there is some lovely banter too because they both had quick wits and a lovely sense of humor.

The secondary characters are a hit-or-miss bunch. I loved the other Dukes of St. James and their families that made an appearance – especially Lady Vera. Then, there are Marlena’s best friends, Eugenia and Veronica, I never did like them – they seemed more like users than friends to me. They did, however, redeem themselves a little in the end – well, Eugenia did anyway. When it comes to Marlena’s cousin, Justine, well – nobody has enough time, space or energy to deal with her!

One of my favorite scenes is of Rath in a ladies shop – he was looking for smelling salts. Yes – where else would you go to buy something ladies use except Miss Lola’s Lacy Linens? His interactions with Miss Lola and then a couple of unexpected customers are delightful. Definitely shows his humor and irreverence.

We also finally unmask Miss Honora Truth, the person who has been taunting the dukes in a scandal sheet for the last three years. Will her identity surprise you? Probably not – but it sure surprised the duke!

If you are looking for a hold-your-breath, action-packed read, this isn’t it. But if you are looking for a nice, steady read of two people coming together, finding love and dealing with obstacles, then you have found a good one here.

The first two books in the series are:
Last Night With the Duke— Duke of Griffin and Esmeralda Swift
To the Duke, With Love — Duke of Hawksthorn and Loretta Quick

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“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.”

It’s All About The Duke is the third book in Amelia Grey’s The Rakes of St. James series of Regency-era historical romance novels. I enjoyed reading the second book in this series, so I was looking forward to finding out what was going to happen next.

The Duke of Rathburne, or Rath, as he prefers to be called, finds himself in possession of a young ward who needs to make her debut in Society. Rath is acting out of a sense of duty and responsibility; this jaded rake certainly isn’t going to do anything foolish like fall in love with the girl.

Marlena Fast is perfectly content with her life. She lives next door to her best friend, and she occupies herself with a variety of pursuits, including producing a gossip sheet. Her former guardian was an older gentleman who did not visit very often, but Rath’s arrival presents several problems. To begin with, he could quite easily discover her big secret. And of course, he is distractingly handsome. Marlena doesn’t need any of this in her life, not one bit!

This was a sweet book. I didn’t get a strong sense of chemistry between Rath and Marlena, but I absolutely loved the secondary characters- especially Marlena’s chaperone Justine, who insists that the duke is in love with her. One aspect that I found interesting was that Rath is forced to confront the aftermath of the scandalous prank he and his friends perpetrated a number of years ago. Yes, the three dukes have given the matter their consideration over the years, but Rath must now make amends for the situation he and his friends created.

I would recommend It’s All About the Duke. This book functions fairly well as a standalone, so readers don’t have to read the first two books in the series first. There isn’t a great deal of interaction between Rath and his friends; there is much more interaction with Marlena and her circle, and it was fun watching this eclectic group interact. I’m looking forward to finding out what comes next for Grey!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book.

The Duke of Rathburne, one of the famous Rakes of St. James, has taken on Marlena Fast as his ward. It's a challenge to try to be a gentleman, especially when he's attracted to her and realizes that she is just as attracted to him.

It's All About the Duke is part of the Rakes of St. James series, but it's not entirely necessary to have read the others in the series. The wager that the Rakes had made years before is spelled out and referred to often, especially in the context of Marlena's secret: she is the Honoria Truth of the scandal sheets, and had written extensively about the Rakes as a sort-of revenge on behalf of her best friend and neighbor's sister. Of course, her desire to maintain her weekly column is at odds with her growing attraction and desire, and her loyalty to her friends is an admirable trait. The fact that Rath is Marlena's legal guardian doesn't seem to make this a squicky kind of relationship because it was a sudden change of guardianship at the start of the book, and he leaves the decision up to her. Rath doesn't take advantage of the power differential and makes sure he has consent for every stolen kiss.

Marlena's steadfast loyalty despite her tendency to be dismissive of some society norms is part of what leads to her happily ever after, which is a wonderful thing to see in stories like this. Often, there's some kind of contrived plot device to get the hero and heroine together, and here it's because her friends are just as loyal to her as she is to them. Everyone here gets a happily ever after, and it ties up the trilogy of novels very well.