Truly enjoyed this book. entertaining plot, characters I actually liked, and a satisfying ending. looking forward to reading any future books in this series.

Not the Duke's Darling is the first book in the Greycourt series by Elizabeth Holt. Freya de Moray is many things: a member of the secret order of Wise Women, the daughter of disgraced nobility, and a chaperone living under an assumed name. What she is not is forgiving. So when the Duke of Harlowe, the man who destroyed her brother and led to the downfall of her family, appears at the country house party she's attending, she does what any Wise Woman would do: she starts planning her revenge. Christopher Renshaw, the Duke of Harlowe, is being blackmailed. Intent on keeping his secrets safe, he agrees to attend a house party where he will put an end to this coercion once and for all. Until he recognizes Freya, masquerading among the party revelers, and realizes his troubles have just begun. Freya knows all about his sins-sins he'd much rather forget. But she's also fiery, bold, and sensuous-a temptation he can't resist. When it becomes clear Freya is in grave danger, he'll risk everything to keep her safe. But first, he will have to earn Freya's trust...by whatever means necessary.

Not the Duke's Darling starts off well, with action and some mystery about the pasts oft he main characters, but I felt like it never got better than the first chapter. Freya and Christopher have hurt and scandal in their shared past, and more that has befallen both of them since the day that shattered three families. There are multiple story lines, histories, and dangers in play and while I liked the characters I felt like some oft he important details that are important to the history and motivation and not fully fleshed out. I need more information on the Wise Women and witch related story arc, I want more understanding about what actually happened the night of the "Greycourt scandal". Readers get bits and pieces of the stories, and how they relate to some of the characters, but I wanted a better understanding of the big picture. There were also a slew of new loose ends, particularly three characters of ill intent that just rather disappeared- with no one questioning their whereabouts. The romance and connection between Freya and Christopher was good, and I liked the respect and strength they shared. However, as a whole I was not really as engaged or intent on the story as the opening scene had my expecting to be.

Not the Duke's Darling is a good, but not wonderful read. I have come to expect more from Holt, and while I am curious about what might happen next for a couple characters I am not going to be hunting down the rest of the series.

Since Elizabeth Hoyt concluded her wildly popular, and extremely amazing, Maiden Lane series, many of us have been waiting with bated breath to see what Hoyt would come out with next. Not the Duke's Darling is book #1 in her new Greycourt series. This book got the series off to what I'm hoping is simply a weak start, with book #2 hopefully coming in stronger. Not the Duke's Darling, I think, suffered from "first book-itis" where the first book in a new series is often weaker, largely because of all the character introductions and premise set-up that needs to take place. This book had a lot of exposition and set up. There is a secret feminist society that I'm not too sure about, so far it seems to be trying to hard and doesn't seem natural. There is also a lot of heavy handed feminist overtones here. As a feminist, I strongly support feminism in books, I think there are authors who do it with genuine aplomb (like courntey milan). I think Hoyt missed the mark a bit, as much of the book felt like a lecture, and the character wasn't really very likable, but hopefully the series will improve with book #2.

I am such a fan of Elizabeth Hoyt. Her Maiden Lane books are among my favorite historical romances. This new series has a bit of a different feel, though I did enjoy it. The story mixes tropes with the older brother’s best friend and enemies to lovers, set against an extortion scheme, a mystery, and a secret society. There’s a lot going on here.

Freya is a spy for a secret society, devoted to uplifting their fellow women and keeping them safe from the oppression of men. She entered the fold after her father died and a mysterious Bad Thing happened to her brother. She is determined to do right by her fellow Wise Women and as the story begins, she is on a rescue mission to help a lady rescue her kidnapped child. But in running from the men who would keep the baby from his mother, she comes face to face with a man she had hoped never to see again: Christopher Renshaw, the Duke of Harlowe. Though he doesn’t recognize her as the younger sister of his former best friend, she knows who he is on sight as the man who helped lay her brother low.

The two get thrown together again a short time later at a house party. Harlowe is only there to answer a blackmailer, though Freya is there on Wise Woman work, undercover in her position as a paid companion. Over time, she eventually confronts Harlowe, while simultaneously growing more attracted to him, despite her righteous anger. It’s right around that time, he figures out who she is, and the readers are let in on the events that lead to her animosity. Obviously, she comes to forgive him, and they fall for each other amid all the other stuff happening around them.

When I sat down to write this, I wasn’t sure exactly what kept me from loving this book, but as I try to lay out the bare bones of the plot, I realize… there was too much happening. 1) The Wise Women; 2) Freya’s undercover/alter identity; 3) her abandoned friend who resurfaces; 4) her mission to find out who killed Eleanor and attempt to thwart the Witch Act; 5) her figuring out the identity of the closet Dunkelder (which I keep thinking of as Dumbledor); 6) the courtship of Lucretia with a guy her mom doesn’t approve up (a thread which completely disappears); 7) the Bad Thing that happened to Freya’s brother; 8) Harlowe’s PTSD and what led to it; 9) Harlowe’s blackmail plot. Oh yeah, and there was a romance in there.

It’s all well written, as you would expect from Hoyt, but I think I might have enjoyed a little less happening all at once. I felt that the reason for Freya’s hidden identity was kind of flimsy. If her name is synonymous with being a witch, wouldn’t her whole family be hunted? Even those without an affiliation to the Wise Women? And I felt like the reason for Harlowe succumbing to the blackmail was a bit weak.

But. Remember how I said I enjoyed the book? I did. I liked Harlowe. I appreciated how he owned his mistakes and tried to respect who Freya wanted to be. And I liked the fire between them, first as adversaries, then as lovers. I will definitely try the next book in the series. Hoyt has delivered for me too many times not to. Hopefully, she’ll knock that one out of the park.

Rating: B

I absolutely love this author, but this book wasn't what I expected. I was looking forward to strong female character, instead I felt like Freya was a tyrant. I also felt like there were too many storylines overlapping that it took time away from the main character development. Hopefully the next Wise Women book will make up for this one!

This is the first book in a new series for Hoyt, a series about three families whose children's lives were devastated after a tragic incident 15 years earlier. There are a ton of plotlines in this first book, setting up for later books in the series; so many plotlines leave little room for character development for Freya, an incognito daughter of Scottish duke, or Christopher, who was shipped off to India after the aforementioned tragic incident and has only recently returned, after inheriting a dukedom. They leave even less room for romantic development. Freya believes that Christopher betrayed her brother during the incident, and immediately begins insulting him when they find themselves at a house party together, despite her need to keep her real identity undercover and to investigate a different, more recent incident, which may be a murder.

The idea of a group of "wise women" who secretly act as feminist spies/heroines in the 1740s, a group to which our heroine belongs, struck me not only as totally ahistorical, but pretty ridiculous. Please, Ms. Hoyt, you can do so much better than this!

I don’t think I can adequately express my excitement over the fact that Elizabeth Hoyt has started a new series. NOT THE DUKE’S DARLING wasn’t only a unique and exciting romance, it was also a masterful groundlaying for what looks to be a fantastic new historical romance series. As always, Ms. Hoyt’s ability to invest a reader in her fictional world is second to none. Consider me invested.

While this book is multilayered and intriguing, the plot mostly revolves around Freya and setting the groundwork for a new series. Honestly, there are about eight characters I am hoping to see stories from in the future. I love the way Ms. Hoyt spreads out information over the course of a book.

I will say, I do understand why this book had mixed reviews. Freya is a difficult heroine. Her extreme independence and constant spurning of a hero who clearly adores her was difficult to read occasionally. While I understand the reviews, I personally loved the romance. I felt like it was paced to perfection. Freya was utterly blindsided by her love for Christopher, and it showed. Christopher was a gorgeous beta hero wrapped in a damaged package.

While Freya and a lack of romance screentime kept me from giving this book five stars, I loved this book. All the characters were richly portrayed, and deeply human. I was invested in the plot from the first page to the very last, and the writing was superb, as always. There is also nothing quite like an Elizabeth Hoyt love scene. Talk about steamy, dreamy, yet realistic. I was here for all of it.

Overall, this was a solid start to what I can tell will be a superb series. The romance was raw and the chemistry was incendiary. I can’t wait to see which characters are going to have their own books! Bring on the rest of the Greycourt series!

**I received an ARC of this book in order to provide an honest review**

Not the Duke's Darling is a good start to a new historical romance series. I thought it was very different, with the heroine, Freya de Moray, being part of a secret order of Wise Women. She was also not living as a woman of her station in life normally would which was interesting. I felt sorry for the hero, Christopher, Duke of Harlowe, for gaining her enmity, which I didn't feel was deserved. These two shared a huge amount of baggage from their past. I was rooting for them to get beyond all of that and delve into their feelings for one another. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next in this series.

The premise of this book was so promising, and I loved Hoyt's article on Frolic about being inspired by Wonder Woman, but this book just didn't work for me. The two main characters didn't have great chemistry, and I found myself continually frustrated by both of them. Freya seemed to be unnecessarily difficult, and Christopher's motivations were puzzling. I love the idea of a group of Wise Women operating as a secret society, but this blend of fantasy and romance just missed the mark for me.

Ms Hoyt is one of my favorite historical romance writers, so far every book has been great fun and "Not the Duke's Darling" shined. I am a bibliophile and a librarian, and I still find words I have to look up. I love it!
This book has a rather unique opening for one of Hoyt's books, but I loved it. Nicely done.

I loved it! The story was riveting and heart pounding. Couldn't put it down because the characters were so interesting. Now I want to know what happens to the rest of the people!

Unfortunately the book is too cluttered with various story lines and points of view. Hopefully the next title will keep it simple because I would like to see what happens to some of the characters.

An exciting start to a new series! Intrigue, mystery, and romance! Our interview with Hoyt is live on our site.

I'm usually a big fan of Hoyt's books. Unfortunately this one was just . . . okay. 3 Stars



I can't even explain to you *why* it was "just okay". It just . . . was? I don't have anything to complain about. But I also don't have anything to rave about. Which leaves me stuck in the "meh, it was fine" territory. The writing was fine. The story was fine. The romance was fine. (By the time I got around to this book, my library's audiobook hold came in. Now the narrator for this audiobook was lovely, as always, so the performance was higher than 3 stars.)



Hell, even the sex, when we finally get to it, was okay. I mean, there's a scene where she's grinding away on his lap and gets frustrated that she's not getting there, that she needs something more, and he helps her to start riding him, and ends up putting his thumb in her mouth at the end so she can bite down and not make a noise. That was pretty hot. But that's about the only thing that really stuck out to me about this entire book, sex or otherwise.

This book was so much fun! I thought the beginning was a little slow and I had some trouble keeping up with the rules/details around the secret societies, but once I got into this one, I couldn't put it down.

A delightfully dark and sinfully rich story of three families who were ripped apart by lies, betrayal, and tragedy. One woman vows revenge for her brother's downfall only to learn that there are three sides to every story-yours, theirs, and the truth. As she struggles to reconcile what she knows with what she learns, she must decide if her need for revenge is worth losing her heart's desire. .

Christopher Renshaw and Freya de Morya knew each other once. But that was 15 years ago before a tragedy tore their families apart. Now Freya works for a secret organization that helps women and is hiding her identity. When she goes to a house party to look for evidence of a murder and stop a bill about burning witches, she is reunited with Christopher, and it is not a happy reunion.

I liked Christopher and Freya. I thought they had fire and spark. Freya is brave, independent, and definitely flawed. She carries the hurt done to her family close to her heart and that makes it hard for her to trust. As the book progresses Freya's shell thins and eventually bursts. Christopher has some PTSD from his time in India and regrets his choices made as a young man. I like that he want's Freya prickles and all.

I think that this book was chock full of plot and didn't get to explore all its potential. Freya is a Wise Woman and a spy and I wish I could have learned a lot more about that part of her life, 99% of which takes place pre-book. She’s got so much potential and instead she comes out a bit too stubborn and shrewish. Christopher's story in India is touched on, but I wanted more sympathy for him as a youth. I also wanted to see him interact with more people besides Freya and Tess.

The secondary characters were awesome. I'm hopeful Messalina Greycourt and her sister will make a reappearance. I am also really curious about Gabriel Hawthorne. And I want to know what happened with Arabella Holland. Did she marry the earl?

So mostly I just needed a longer book. All the elements were there, I just need more backstory for both the main characters and they needed more time to fall past what they remembered of each other and actually love what is now.

I love everything that Elizabeth writes. She is a master storyteller with original plots and such wonderful flawed and beautiful characters.
This story is about how life throws obstacles in your path and challenges you to break through them to your HAE.
I recommend everything that that Elizabeth has ever written. As a bonus, she includes a fairy tale at the beginning of each chapter.

received in exchange for a honest review.

Did I love the book? No. Did I enjoy the book? yes but there were aspects that drove me batty.

Like:

The chemistry between Christopher and Freya

The history between them that puts tension in the air

The way Christopher respects Freya and her abilities and yet still wants to protect her

Christopher and how he has become who he is

Freya’s independence and the war within about what she really wants

The danger that underlies the story

How the story begins with that danger but also a great encounter between Christopher and Freya

Was okay:

the multiple stories-while it keeps you on your toes at times you wonder why so many plots

Freya’s attitude can be offputting at times

Didn’t like:

how we get backstories but they drop off: ex. India what happened to Christopher and what about his wife?

the angst withe Freya about Christopher and her career- didn’t add to the story really for me didn’t hurt it but didn’t add to it either

Overall:

Like the danger, Christopher and how he has changed but also regrets his past actions and has used this to be his catalyst to change. The romance is tension filled and exiting definitely keeps you on your toes. Love the way Christopher treats Freya and their interactions. The writing is good and the story good just some hiccups in how the story goes at times but do enjoy the overall story and romance.

NOT THE DUKE’S DARLING is the first book in a new series called the Greycourt. Guys, this series is so fun! If you’re a fan of the Maiden Lane series or like a little bit of action in your Historical Romance, then I’m sure you’ll love this book as well.

The heroine, Freya, was really fun and cool. She’s a member of the secret order of Wise Women so there was a lot about her character that I found intriguing. It’s been a while since I’ve been this excited about a new series, especially a Historical Romance one. But I have some pretty high hopes for this series if the next books are as good as this one.

Engaging from the first page, NOT THE DUKE’S DARLING is a refreshing new series filled with action and mischief. I think you’ll love the characters for their unique personalities and interesting motives. Hoyt’s writing has always been fabulous, but her ability to weave suspenseful scenes are what really sets her books apart from the crowd.