A compellingly intelligent and logical heroine, who is not overwhelmed or bullied by the hero, is a refreshing characterisation in a slightly more unusual plot for a historical romance.

Davina, daughter of a physician, (and part of the group of women who contribute to the Journal described in books 1&2 of the series) believes she is heir to a Scottish barony. She is seeking help from the king, to honour his promise to her relative to restore the estate. The King does not want to get involved, and involves the current owner of the property Eric, Duke of Brentworth.

He is immediately fascinated by Davina, and she by him. He is hiding a secret at his estate, and does not believe in her claim, however he decides to stay close to her investigation to disprove her claim as quickly as possible. As they spend time together he discovers her intelligence and forthrightness, and becomes more fascinated, he lets down his guard and becomes closer and closer to her, to the point where she is able to ease his demons when he arrives in Scotland.

Does Davina prove her claim? Will Brentworth try and outwit her? Can she help him to banish his demons?

I really enjoyed this, as I said Davina was such a capable heroine, able to hold her own and not get discouraged. Brentworth mellowed and changed for the better through his relationship with Davina, so all in all a very satisfying read.

Highly recommended

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Davina is seeking answers to lay claim to Scottish lands she believe belong to her family, but they were given by the English king to Eric, Duke of Brentworth. The banter between Eric and Davina as they seek answers to resolve the issue leads to romance.

Davina is an extremely independent heroine and Brentworth is used to getting what he wants. He has secrets he wants to keep that happened at this property. The story seems to be two parts - it begins in England and then switches gears and moves to Scotland. While overall I enjoyed the story, once the setting changes, things going on in England seem to vanish and aren't mentioned again. Specifically, Davina's boss - it seemed he would be a character to cause trouble, but he never appears again once they are off to Scotland.

Overall, a good story and sweet romance. Thanks to the publisher for a review copy via Netgalley.

I received a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Never deny a duke was an interesting book. Clara has been told by her father that her family is entitled to a estate in Scotland that was taken from her grandfather. Clara has petitioned the king to regain her legacy but brentworth, the duke and current owner of the estate refuses to give up his claim to a charlatan. I love the way Clara and brentworth's relationship develops. I really loved Clara as a protagonist and respected brentworth. The happily ever after really made sense.

I recieved a digital arc in return for an honest review.

I really liked the premie of this one. Something a little different. However I disliked how long winded it was. I didn't really like Davina. She was annoying and full of herself. I liked Brentworth much better.

2,5 stars.

This book really did not capture my interest. I found the leading pair to be super boring with zero chemistry. I put this book down so many times, it made it hard to finish.

So you have a woman who is trying to retain lands in Scotland she believes belong to her family, but there are people who are against this, in comes the love interest.. and it's just meh, I never felt intrigued or connected.

It is an okay read if you can't find anything else and or love historical romance fiction. I, however, have been spoiled by other authors and this does not do it for me.

I received a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, my opinions are my own.

Unfortunately I really struggled to get into this one. The opening of the book is extremely tedious and gives very little insight into why these two characters are supposed to be interesting. Neither Davina nor Eric seem to have much of a personality in their respective viewpoint sections, which makes reading about a property battle rather dull work. I would have liked to see more chemistry, and to be honest, interaction between the hero and heroine to begin with, to make me interested - unfortunately, I found it hard to care.

Great Read!!! Madeline Hunter fans will not be disappointed! Davina and Eric make a couple. Hunter fans know that she always has the best heroines, strong, smart without being annoying.
Davina and Eric start off in a land dispute within their families. Teaming up to find an answer, of course they fall in love. Eric is the last of the Decadent Dukes, and the most secretive, not so sure about the decadence, though. He is quiet but not shy.Hunter is always has a mysterious hero, in all her series! Which I love every one! If you haven't read through her back list it is worth your time and money.

Third in a trilogy of which I’ve only read the second one so far, and this is one of the best historical romances I’ve read in quite awhile!

I found this one to be different from the usual storylines in historical romance which was refreshing.

I loved both mains, and they seemed destined in many ways to find each other. The heroine Davina was particularly a favorite as a strong young woman who had assisted her father (doctor) growing up and wished to continue aiding others while determinedly trying to regain her family’s lost title/lands in Scotland. She was definitely one to cheer for! And Eric’s evolution from a follow-the-rules duke with a torturous secret to a man who is able to forgive himself and learn that it’s OK to feel passion was a pleasure to behold.

Also some wonderful sensual scenes and sexy chemistry. 🔥🔥🔥

Highly recommend!

Thanks to the author, #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.

Davina is in London attempting to claim her Scottish lands. The Duke of Beckworth has them. An interesting tale of Scottish barons who lost at Culloden, and the granddaughter trying to regain her parcel. Of course the sparks fly between the two, and it makes for a sweet story. The duke overcomes his demons and finds love. A good read.

It does start out slow, but stay with it because it does get better love the H&H. Thank you Net galley for letting read the book.

I actually like the premise of this one, because it's a bit unusual. Scottish Davina MacCallum arrives in London with the sole purpose of gaining an audience with the King in order to plea her case to have their family lands returned after the estate was confiscated by the Crown following the Jacobite rebellion. This was never going to be an easy task for her given that she is unable to prove conclusively that she is the true heir to the estate not to mention that the contested lands now belongs to the holdings of the powerful Duke of Brentworth, a man not even the King is keen to lock horns with.

Even the most supercilious functionary would be intimidated by the arrogance that Brentworth wore even more comfortably than his coats, and his garments fit him very well indeed.

The very private Brentworth has his own reasons to put a quick lid on the escalating dispute, only Davina refuses to be silenced. She has grand plans for the property that go beyond her own need to be recognised as the baroness and rightful owner of Teyhill. And so they clash, a battle of two superior wills and wits.

"They think you have bullied her, and frightened her, and glared at her, and in general been Brentworth with her."

Of course, when strong emotions are aroused, certain things are inevitable.



Both protagonists were quite appealing. Davina was strong and independent with ambitions to help people with her medical knowledge courtesy of her late physician father, although she was aware that as a female, she would never be able to train as a doctor. However, she was testament that being strong and intelligent is not mutually exclusive to being feminine. Brentworth definitely valued all these characteristics in her. He was confident in his own skin and did not feel threatened by her intellect, but that didn't mean that he could not be protective of her. He was haunted by events from the past, but I like that once they got to Tyehill, he did not dwell on them for too long but found inspiration in Davina to finally move on and forward. Some parts were a bit slow-moving, particularly in sorting out the ownership of the estate, but all in all, a convincing and very well-written romance. Despite being the third book in this ducal series, this can be read independently.

Never Deny a Duke (Decadent Dukes Society, #3) by Madeline Hunter What a great ending to this series... Thanks to the publisher and #NetGalley for allowing me to preview this book. Brentworth (Eric last of the Decadent Dukes) Davina MacCallum (granddaughter of the missing Barron) This is a great enemies to lovers story... His property in Scotland (one he doesn't talk about) is the same property that Davina says is hers. There are many twists and turns (some politics with the King), laughs, angst, adventure and steam...all to get to a very HEA.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Great world building Wonderful characters Unpredictable Easy-to-read Funny Happily Ever After Romantic Entertaining Page-turner Steamy

Madeline Hunter is one of my favorite historical romance writers. Several of her books are on my keeper shelf. I always find her books to be well researched and well written. I guess I'm not surprised considering she has a PhD!

This was not one of my favorite books of hers. I felt like there was too much going on to focus on the couple--Davina and Eric. At the center of story is a land dispute between the two. Davina feels like her family estate was given to a prior Duke of Brentworth (Eric's ancestor) in error. She's determined to get her land back. The first 30% of the book goes into a whole lot of detail about the land and various decisions by two drunk kings as to whether the land should be restored to Davina. Then there's also something about Eric voting on whether the British colonies should allow slavery. And Davina is a physician wanna be and there may have been something about her helping a terminally ill woman to end her life but honestly I was sort of skimming by then.

The book definitely picked up in the second half. But I was so distracted by then that I didn't care much if Davina and Eric got together.

Davina is in London to press her family’s claim to an estate that had been given to an English Duke back in her grandfather’s time. She holds her own when being interviewed by the king’s man. But her claim is an embarrassment to the king so his man turns to the current owner, the Duke of Brentworth, for a solution. Eric is a bit of a cliche duke: handsome, confident, intimidating and with a secret. Davina and Eric’s conversations are smart and sharp; their friendship as well as the passion and romance builds slowly and organically. I was always pleasantly surprised by their reactions to each other’s actions/words and when they decided to be bold or hold back. Davina could have been bitter but chose to be happy and Eric respected Davina in a time when men were patronizing to women. Langford and Clara from the previous books also shined here (their spouses were a bit muted) and Davina’s chaperone was a nice touch.

I read this over two days - it was that good. Characters, story, dialogue, historical setting all excellently written.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy.

Before it was suggested in the book, I thought "why doesn't Eric just marry Davina". I like the way that it was handled in, Never Deny a Duke. Although I am a little bit sad to think that this might have been the last book in the, Decadent Dukes, series.

I have read almost all Madeline Hunter's books.
When I started to read "Never Deny a Duke" I knew this will be a hit again!
And it was! The author has a wonderful way to pull you in the storyline, makes you understand and almost feel for the heroes of the story and makes you sad when you are done reading - because the book is finished.
She is a wonderful historical romance writer, who not only creates great plots, but also makes you "feel" the era with her descriptions.
She will be an author I will always look forward to another book!

The first half of this book was almost a DNF for me. I was bored and found it hard to get into. But then something happened about halfway through and it became interesting. So the 2nd half of the book was very good. Thank you to netgalley for the ARC.

Never Deny a Duke begins a little slow and the story slows for a smooth sailing to a HEA. Davina wants her family's lands and title back. Her petition to the King never really progresses, so she comes to England, working as a tutor and further investigating her case. The Duke of Brentworth craves discretion and propriety and is somewhat captivated by Davina since she fails to fall at his feet. The inevitable butting of heads come when the Duke discovers its his lands she wants. Together, they investigate to prove or in the Duke's case disprove her claim. Now, I expected way more conflict but it was surprising mellow from here on out. They ride to Scotland and fall in lust before working on their ever after. Davina has potential to be a great heroine but I felt she sizzled out just a little bit with accepting all the sparkle of being Duchess and not really continuing her work as a healer. The HEA hits on her dreams of a hospital but Davina settles down to do naughty things with the Duke. This book suffers from no big conflicts, no major ups and downs, and just slowly makes its way to a HEA that I wanted more from. Still the book is a pleasant read on a quiet afternoon that won't rip the heartstrings. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.

A well told story with a mystery to solve as to whom some lands belong to. A great romance between Eric and Davinia. It kept my interest throughout. I would give it 6 stars if I could!

Took me a bit to get into the story for some reason - but I thoroughly enjoyed it by the time I was finished, I had not read the others in this series so that may have played a small part. Interesting characters and good romance.