I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This series is great although each book can be read as a stand alone.
Regina has always done as her parents have demanded until she is faced with being married to an unsuitable boy. She runs away and ends up in Guthrie's arms, the Scoundrel of St Giles. Guthrie knows that regina is the key to finally getting vengeance on her father. So of course the 2 fall in love.
I love the noble so called villain that wants to protect the innocent that noone else cares about.
I liked regina finally taking charge of her life. Get book, can't wait for the next book in the series.

Carlton Guthrie, the Scoundrel of St. Giles finds the perfect solution for revenge when he finds a runaway bride Lady Regina Berkley key to revenge against her father the Earl of Hedgewick. Regina’s future bridegroom is the Marquess of Stokes is only fourteen and suffers from a continuing illness whose on father wants to continue is line and produce an heir. They are both victims of the father’s demands. She decides she can’t marry as her father orders and runaway straight into the Carlton who offers her sanctuary. A captivating story as the two struggle with their pasts, Hedgewick has haunted his past for the last twenty years how does one come to terms of the budding attraction between them. I have voluntarily read and reviewed these excellent story.

Carlton finds a runaway bride in the slums of London and offers to help her, not out of kindness so he can exact his revenge on her father. What will happen when sparks begin to fly between them? Fast-paced historical read with loads of drama, suspense and steam. Great chemistry and an entertaining story. I liked it.

This book is the fifth in the series, I haven't read any of the others, but this wasn't a problem. The book could be read as a standalone.

This book was well-plotted and flowed well. I found the characters intriguing. I love a bad boy, and our Hero is definitely a bad boy. This book stands apart from other historicals in that it is set primarily in the worst parts of London, while still featuring aristocracy as the main characters.

This is an excellent read for anyone looking for a change from ballrooms, rakes, and society. I'm looking forward to reading the books I've missed in the series.

I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Modern Regency historical, latest in the Diamonds in the Rough series. Here we have Carlton Guthrie, owner of a club in St Giles, where people drink and gamble and place bets on bare knuckle boxers. He is flamboyant, successful and driven, and although he is not a softhearted individual on the surface, he does ensure that criminals and abusers who attack people in St Giles, meet his own form of justice..

What most people don’t know is that he isn’t what he seems, he was once a young boy in a loving and affluent household, until one day his father and a maid were killed in his home and he ran away. He believes the Earl of Hardwicke responsible, and he is determined to kill him in revenge.

Regina is the only daughter of the Earl. She has always been biddable and compliant, as her parents school her into being the most accomplished and suitable wife for a peer. She often has to do things she doesn’t enjoy, and well, and has even been deprived of treats and normal pastimes towards this goal. When she is told she will be marrying a duke the next day, and she meets Stokes, who is only fourteen, with a wasting illness, they both realise that this marriage will be a trap fo them both, and Regina decides to run away that evening.

She runs into St Giles and that is where Carlton finds her. When he realises who she is, he decides he will harbour her, and use her as another way to torment her father. As they both find that they really like each other, they are drawn together, but Carlton knows that his plans for her father will destroy Regina’s feeling for him, so he refuses to decline their relationship further. When young women start disappearing and Regina is caught up in the matter, they both finally realise their feelings for each other. But how can Hardwicke be Punished without destroying Regina, and how can Carlton get justice if he spares the Earl.

I felt the book was readable, and the characters were likeable.

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

Also on goodreads

He never imagined he'd be the man he was born to be, or that one woman's faith in him would change his life forever…When Carlton Guthrie, the Scoundrel of St. Giles, encounters a runaway bride, he offers to help her. Not out of kindness, but because she's the Earl of Hedgewick's daughter. Using Regina to exact his revenge on her father seems like the perfect plan. Until Carlton starts to fall for the innocent beauty. Seeking refuge with a notorious crime lord, was never part of Regina's plan. But in her blind attempt to escape the fate her parents have planned for her, options are limited. What she doesn't expect, is to pull aside Carlton's facade, and to find a tormented man who makes her feel safe and cherished – a man she could easily love, if he'll let her. This was a great story by a great author. I’ve read a number of her books and they don’t disappoint. I really liked both main characters as well as the plot. I recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

Book 5 in The Diamonds in the Rough is every bit as good as the previous 4. Sophie is one of my favorite Historical Romance Authors. Her books are character-driven and oh what wonderfully complex, intelligent characters. When they fall in love they go all-in with passion and commitment.

If you have read any of the books in the series you have met our Hero, Carlton Guthrie, The Scoundrel of St. Giles. Carlton is not all that he presents to the citizens of St. Giles. He has a secret that could change his destiny. You don't cross him without consequences. He runs his businesses with ruthless efficiency and rewards loyalty. He takes care of the poor while he waits to get the justice that is long in coming. Then one day it literally runs into him!

Lady Regina has followed all the rules that a young lady is taught. She is the perfect daughter. She loves her parents and her older brother and always thought that someday she would fall in love and have a family of her own. Then one fateful day her father summons her to his study to introduce her to her betrothed, a lord younger than her and of frail health. She knows that she can't marry him so she makes a rash decision and runs away and finds herself in a really bad neighborhood and accepting the help of a stranger.

This is classic Sophie Barnes. Two people who should never have met find themselves rethinking their life choices. When Carlton realizes Regina is the daughter of his enemy he hatches a plan to get the revenge he has been waiting for. Regina is falling in love with Carlton and decides she wants to stay with him and build a life together. Carlton feels the same but he knows he has to send her back to her father to complete his revenge.

Can Carlton get his justice and keep Regina for himself? Regina knows what she wants, but can she cut all ties with her family?

I loved this story and know that you will too! Even though this is part of a series it is a lovely story that can be read as a stand-alone. Sophie has done it again!!

DNF at 20 %. The storyline was not very believable and the actions of the characters were questionable. The heroine, in particular, was quite foolish and annoying.

Revenge=Love, Carlton is looking for revenge for his father's death. Regina is the way to get it. When she falls into his lap his plan begins to form.
Reading how Carlton and Regina interact is fun.
Recommend this book. I have read a couple of others in this series and will read more.
Can't wait for Ida's book.

London - 1820

Regina Berkly, 18, is the daughter of Charles Berkly, the Earl of Hedgewick. Regina is a lovely young woman who is well-educated and accomplished. Her father has just informed her that she is to immediately marry the Marquess of Stokes, age 14, and son of the Duke of Windham. When she meets the young boy, she is shocked at his adolescent appearance and obvious physical limitations caused by a form of gout. Knowing that her life would be a misery, she decides to flee in the night, where she runs into Carlton Guthrie, the Scoundrel of St. Giles. He knows her name and family connection and takes her to the Black Swan that he owns.

Carlton’s young life and family were ruined by Charles Berkly and now is his chance for payback. He has built up his wealth as a sort of crime boss and lives comfortably.

As Regina stays under the protection of Carlton, there is an instant attraction. Even though he is rough and speaks crudely, she sees his soft side.

Will her father find her and make her marry the young man he has chosen?

First off, I must say that I have long been a fan of Sophie Barnes and she is always at the top of my favorite authors. Unfortunately, I was not intrigued by this book because I did not like the violence and prostitution that the young and protected Regina was exposed to while she stayed with Carlton. Call me a historical romance prude, but I prefer stories to take place in the drawing room.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Carlton Guthrie, also known as The Scoundrel of St. Giles, has built himself an empire as a powerful crime lord, though his true identity is of much higher birth. Twenty years ago, while only a child of thirteen, his father, his home, and his very existence, were snatched away in a brutal act. Since that time, Guthrie has desired revenge on the man who stole everything from him, Charles Berkly, the Earl of Hedgewick. Two previous attempts by Guthrie to carry out his plot have failed, as it’s very hard to access the earl. So, when the earl’s beautiful young daughter literally crashes into him, and asks for his help, it seems that he finally has the means to enact his vengeance.

Regina Berkly cannot believe that her beloved father is going to force her to marry a mere boy of fourteen, several years her junior. Though the young man is the heir to a dukedom, he is sickly, and not likely to live a full or normal life. As Regina talks to the young man, she discovers that he, also, is being forced into this marriage. When her father is immovable, Regina realizes that she has no choice but to run away. Without any set plans, she escapes her home, and flees, ending up in St. Giles, and in the arms of the notorious Scoundrel.

As Regina tells Guthrie her tale, he offers her shelter, all the while formulating a plan of how to finally get to Hedgewick. Guthrie doesn’t hold Regina prisoner, and, in fact, treats her very well. He sends anonymous taunting letters to Hedgewick, telling of how he’s ruined Regina, though he treats her with the utmost respect. The bow street runners hired by Hedgewick have been unable to find Regina, and weeks pass.

During her stay, Regina and Guthrie become very close. Regina begins to see that Guthrie is really a protector of the powerless, and only punishes those criminals who prey on the weak and vulnerable. While he becomes more and more entranced with Regina, Guthrie is determined that he won’t take her innocence, though neither of them can resist some kisses and caresses. Guthrie begins to feel things in the heart he thought was dead, while Regina begins to imagine a future living with him in St. Giles.

Before Guthrie furthers his plot of revenge, a series of events take the choice out of his hands. One of his own men betrays him, putting Regina in severe danger, and revealing more sordid activity taking place in St. Giles, but involving several “honorable” noblemen. Regina is spotted, and her father and his henchmen arrive to take her home and to have Guthrie arrested.

Regina is not stupid, and she saw her father’s reaction when he was confronted by Guthrie, who made reference to the events of twenty years ago. She knows that the father she loved is indeed hiding something, and she’s determined to get to the truth, and to get Guthrie out of prison, even at the expense of her own reputation.

It seems that Hedgewick definitely has a twisted history with Guthrie’s father, and that he has spent twenty years hiding his crimes and enacting his own revenge, part of which even involves the marriage he arranged for Regina to the young boy. I despised the character of Hedgewick, who, I believe, was truly a touch mad. Guthrie, on the other hand, is a lovable rogue with a heart of gold and an honorable streak a mile wide. When the truth is finally revealed, he has to make a decision about which world is now his own. For being so young, Regina exhibited maturity, strength, and intelligence, as well as determination to clear the name of the man she loved, no matter the cost. The romance in THE FORGOTTEN DUKE was sweet, strong, and believable. Guthrie’s history was, indeed, a sad one, but it formed him into the wonderful man he is today. I loved this hero and heroine, and how the story unfolded to allow them to find a way to have a happy ever after. I greatly enjoyed this emotional page-turner, and I recommend it to all fans of historical romance.

When informed of her impending marriage the day before, Lady Regina is surprised but resigned… until she meets the groom and discovers he’s a sickly 14-year-old who’s much more horrified by the idea of marriage than she is. Running away is the only escape option she has.

Except it absolutely wasn’t, since she had a loving older brother who would totally have helped her out. Regina was the literal epitome of the too-stupid-to-live heroine and I wanted to strangle her pretty much continuously throughout the book. She was naive and foolish, and not only that, totally disrespectful, repeatedly violating Guthrie’s privacy even after he’d asked her not to just because of her curiosity. I genuinely couldn’t imagine what a man in his thirties (Guthrie is 15 years older than Regina, who’s 18) would see in her. She was a burden he had to continually rescue, not a romantic interest, and I felt really icky about their age gap considering her childlike behaviour.

What kind of nitwit tries on her wedding dress in the middle of the night and then decides to run away with it and absolutely nothing else? And then, weirdly, apparently she couldn’t get out of the dress on her own, even though she’d gotten INTO it on her own. This made about as much sense as the rest of the plot, also riddled with continuity errors and impossible, anachronistic events.

I’ve enjoyed previous works by this author, but I really can’t recommend this one. Two stars.

Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley.

Received an advanced copy from the publisher.

I did not expect Sophie Barnes to make me like Carlton Guthrie but here we are. This books could probably stand on it's own but I would highly recommend reading it as part of the Diamonds in the Rough series, which I felt stumbled a bit with the last book but recovered excellently here.

Regina is a refreshing heroine who has an overwhelming amount of empathy and kindness which she never loses throughout the book. She flees a problematic arranged marriage and ends up being taken in by Guthrie, a crime lord we've met in previous books, who knows exactly who she is and wouldn't you know it he has been plotting revenge against her father for an unspecified, at first, grievance for 20 years.

Guthrie, in classic romantic lead fashion, does not want to like Regina as he plans to use her as a means to an end. But oops, he catches feelings because he's not a bad person, just a broken one.

This is trope-y as hell: broken alpha male confused by *feelings* is saved by the love of an innocent woman. It only works because Barnes has made these characters fully-realized and a bit unexpected. Guthrie is ruthless but with a solid moral compass. Regina is naive but not an idiot. The plot twist is unexpected and the ending is satisfying as heck.

London, 1820
Regina had always been "the dutiful daughter, the proper young lady who never who never strayed from protocol and always behaved with decorum. She could simply walk out the front door and vanish." Runaway bride Regency style! Of course it was going to be a forced marriage by her father and it just could not be....
So she did run without thought and literally ran into her fate. Not that she would know that for awhile, but Carlton Guthrie, known as the Scoundrel of St. Giles saw his opportunity. She would be the key to extract the revenge on her father that he had been waiting for...
Regina seemed very naive in some ways due to her being so sheltered, but she seemed instinctive on seeing the true Carlton. Carlton had a lot of secrets and he had perfected his "persona" which really held a tortured soul underneath. Whether he could resist her or not and she maintain her innocent soul took them on a journey not soon forgotten!
Sophie Barnes is a wonderful writer and I always enjoy her stories and this was no exception!! Looking forward to the next in this series!

Lady Regina has always done whatever her family asked of her. Even if she has detested something, she has done it. However, when her father arranges for her to be married to a mere child, Regina cannot go through with it. Regina sets off in the early morning to escape that fate.

Carlton Guthrie isn't called "the scoundrel of St. Giles" for nothing. When Regina runs into his arms, he cannot believe his good fortune. Once, long ago, Regina's father ruined him, and Carlton isn't about to pass up his chance at getting revenge. Unfortunately, the unthinkable happens and Carlton starts to care for Regina. Will he win her back or is it too late?

THE FORGOTTEN DUKE is part of the enthralling DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH series by author Sophie Barnes. It consists of five novels to date: A MOST UNLIKELY DUKE, THE DUKE OF HER DESIRE, THE ILLEGITAMATE DUKE, THE INFAMOUS DUCHESS and THE FORGOTTEN DUKE. THE FORGOTTEN DUKE is Carlton's story. It is somewhat of an enemies to lovers story... at least from Carlton's side. I was up late burning the midnight oil with this one.

❤️ out of 5
I really couldn’t connect to this book so it was a DNF at 25%. I really struggled to connect with the characters, the storyline and the writing (although I have read and enjoyed this author before).

For me the believability of what I read so far was very low. The heroine literally is running away from home to escape an arranged marriage to a 14 year old boy when she happens upon a man she recognised as the Scoundrel of St Giles and he offers her residence to escape her situation and she accepts. After a 2 minute conversation with a stranger. I was absolutely baffled but decided to keep going.

My next issue was that I just really couldn’t connect to the writing.... there was no flow, and it felt rather stagnate and forced- anyone else ever felt like this? I was intrigued by the hero but the way he acted around the heroine made no sense, and the heroine herself was you long and foolish but also not in a way that made no sense to me.

The Forgotten Duke by Sophie Barnes
Diamonds in the Rough #5

Regina is a dutiful daughter. She has known forever that she will marry for the convenience of her parents. She is disappointed in their choice however, and finds the nerve to run away the morning of her wedding.

The Scoundrel of St. Giles is well known for his dastardly deeds, even by sweet and innocent Regina. Yet, he provides her safety, food, comfort and isn't at all the villain she thought he was. But Regina doesn't know Carlton's past and why he is so determined to keep her with him.

I haven't read any of the other books in the series, but it was fine as a stand alone. But I have read that Carlton is found in other stories in the series, and the series seems to be well loved, so perhaps start at the beginning for the full effect.

This book has such high reviews from all of my goodread friends. I think I just had bad luck with this book. There was something about it that did not pull it together for me. I have so many questions and complains and am just left asking, “Why?”. Why was this happening? Why was that happening? WHY are they falling in love? I don't know. But it happened. And it's not a bad book at all, it was just missing something for me. And there was a lot of action and chaos going on, which is not something I love. But you might! So, everyone else give it a try.

My favorite part of this book was that he had a mustache, which I think are hideous, and the heroine thinks it's hideous. Lol. Is that random?? Just kidding, there were a lot of really cute scenes in this book, and the hero's love is powerful for the heroine. I think truly one of my favorite parts was when he found out she'd never had cake and makes sure to get her one to try.

I give 3 stars

What follows are SERIOUS SPOILERS and my random questions, thoughts and wonderings.
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Firstly, I'd like to address the reason she had to run away from her wedding. Her betrothed was a 14 year old boy with some degenerative disease that affected his muscles. Okay, I get it, she's 18 and she doesn't want to marry a child. But he was SO NICE. And I felt SO BAD for him. I was actually hoping this was the hero and they had some kind of separation and then came back together when he was older. But she was so devastated thinking he couldn't ride horses with her or play hide and seek with their imaginary kids. I just thought it was ridiculously shallow and stupid reasons. I'm not mad at her for running away but I wish it was done a bit different. I want Stokes to have his own story. He deserves love oh so much.

I also didn't like how the names for people changed. They were all the 'right' names but it was annoying me. Like the brother was sometimes called Marcus then he was called Viscount Seabrook and I was like who the f is Viscount Seabrook lol. And Guthrie is Guthrie half the time and Carlton half the time.

So, Regina runs away and just runs into the Scoundrel of St. Giles and decides he's the perfect man to stay with. Ummm okay. She's so naive it hurts. And immediately they are so attracted to each other but I don't feel it. I don't get why? Like what drew them together. I guess the physical attraction but it didn't have the feels of that.

So Carlton has a huge plan of revenge. He wants to hurt Regina's father so he keeps her close and sends her father threatening notes about compromising her.

There's a scene where Regina starts rearranging furniture in his room and rooting through all of his stuff. Pulling everything out his drawers and putting everything on the bed and that scene was just so weird and annoying to me. They barely knew each other, well I guess that's why she wanted to root through everything, but I was so annoyed with her for that. And then she was all like chewing on her lip, oh why are you mad?

Regina decides she wants Guthrie so she has the brothel owner give her a training. But it doesn't come to anything in the book and I was a little sad about that. I was wanting a little more from her sexual curiosity.

Patrick. He's one of Guthrie's cronies and has worked for him forever proving his worth and trust. But for no apparent reason, both Guthrie and Regina get the heebie jeebies from him. He kidnaps her and other women and sells them to be raped and hurt and who knows what else. He does this because he knew he would always be the one not in command. The way the scene was done it was just so...lame. Like Guthrie was like “Why'd ye do this?” and Patrick was like “It seemed like a good way to get ahead” It just seemed so lackluster of a response to someone who literally stole your woman and knew she'd be raped and hurt. He does intend to kill him after their discussion but Regina stops him to save his soul. Maybe I read too much Kerrigan Byrne, but he deserved to die. There were children as young as 8 years old kidnapped for this endeavor. I have no remorse for the criminals.

Then the end just dissolved into chaos with revenge plots being revealed, murders being spoken of and charged, etc. The relationship was lost to me.

The Forgotten Duke, by Sophie Barnes, is available through booksellers 1-28-20. Forgotten is book 5 in Ms Barnes Diamonds In The Rough series. I believe this is my first read of Ms Barnes work. I must say I'm impressed. I wish it were possible to rate in half stars, I'd give Forgotten a solid 4.5. I intend to backtrack and try out the first 4 stories. I'm curious if they'd stand up to my expectations of Ms Barnes writing (high). I've found most historical romance books to be a bit of entertaining fluff. I like fluff, eat it up, love it. But, a steady diet of fluff leaves me more appreciative of a complex emotional plot.

Our hero, Carlton/Valentine has been dealt a rotten hand in life and lives for revenge. He's plotted it and thought about it ad nauseam. He doesn't seem to realize that he made his life so much more than only anger. His story moved me, the hurt, rage, longing, subterfuge, nature vs nurture. He's interesting and once I knew his background I became invested in his HEA. The balm to his soul arrives in one Regina Berkley. Her father has pledged her in marriage to an inappropriate teenager. That poor kid is just as miserable as Regina at the though of what was to come. He's very sick & she is overcome with sympathy & actually runs away to save them both. Her father and his machinations made me hurt & angry on her behalf. Regina is strong & sassy & basically saves herself with only a bit of help from Carlton. Theres a perfect ending, it made me happy, was satisfying. I'm interested to see where the Diamonds series goes from here.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#SophieBarnes #Netgalley #DiamondsInTheRough #TheForgottenDuke #historicalromance

A wonderfully delightful read in vividly written world full of courtly rules and dark secrets that may just destroy them all of they let it. Funny and seductive. Tragic and disturbing. You may just find yourself falling for the Scoundrel of St. Giles right alongside Regina. He is more than what he seems, and she desperately wants to uncover his sectets. He is a contradiction and a puzzle she longs to solve. She is unique and lovely and is slowly creeping into the dark crevices of his heart. A beautiful story with a touch of darkness, and one I could not put down!

Desperate times call for desperate measures!

The trope is familiar. A powerful man having come from nothing is now a force to be reckoned with in the infamous St Giles.
Carlton Guthrie holds many secrets and he's sworn to take his revenge for a dardastardly deed that destroyed his childhood.
Lady Regina Berkly, the daughter of the Earl of Hedgewick, flees from an unwanted marriage foisted on her by her usually doting father. Of course there's something havey cavey about the whole affair. Her future bridegroom is the Marquess of Stokes. He is fourteen and suffers from a continuing illness. I liked this young person whose life has been one of constant pain, who's just as much a pawn of his father's desperation for the family line to continue, as Regina is of her father's scheming. I was touched by Stoke's forthright words to Regina, "as I deteriorate with time, you will regret being my wife, just as much as I will regret ruining your life.” The wedding is to be quickly done, within a couple of days.
Early on the day of her wedding, backed into a corner Regina bolts. Garbed in her bridal dress and bonnet, she runs away from Mayfair into unknown parts--St Giles. Where she literally stumbles into Guthrie, The Scoundrel of St. Giles. Guthrie seizes the chance to avenge himself against Hedgewick, 'the man who’d haunted [Carlton's] nightmares for two long decades, offering Regina sanctuary. The story flows from here as Regina and Carlton struggle with different purposes that in the end meld into one.
Flawlessly executed and a scintillating read! Loved the cover BTW!

An ARC from the author via NetGalley