I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I have read quite a few duds lately so I was hoping this would be a good read and I was not disappointed. This does bring a few Beauty and the Beast elements in and I did enjoy it. It was a pretty nice read.

Kitty Danvers has devised the perfect plan to save her family from ruin. They have fallen on hard times since the death of her father, her and her two sisters are deemed unmarriageable due their poor finances. She plans to raise their profile by claiming to be engaged to the elusive Duke of Thornton who has been hidden away in his Scottish castle for years. The effect is miraculous, her family are welcomed into society and her sisters are starting to form attachments to eligible bachelors. Alexander Masters is intrigued by Kitty’s antics and decides to break his self-enforced exile to travel to London to meet her. I really enjoyed this story, the tension and longing threading through the narrative made it impossible to put down. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this story. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Katherine Danvers , Kitty , has been a wallflower since her "come out" a few years ago but now after the death of her father she needs find a way to provide for her mother and sisters .
With the encouragement of her fellow "wallflowers" she pretends to be engaged to Alexander Masters, the Duke of Thornton - a notorious recluse , allowing her sisters a way into Society.
Word reaches Alexander in Scotland of his supposed fiancé - who would dare , why would they risk disgrace if found out ??
Our heroine is brave , risking all to help her family : Our hero troubled , neither wanting to be out and about in Society again nor having people talk about him again .
These are two wonderful characters , with depth and resolve , determined to make their way in a world where appearances are everything- resulting in a great read .

I was given an ARC of this book by Netgalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Interesting twist on beauty and the beast. Kitty is determined to help her sister make advantageous matches even if that means being sinful and attaching her name to the dangerous Duke of Thornton. Meanwhile, Alexander Masters (Duke of Thornton) is shocked to hear of his impending marriage to Katherine Danvers. Curiosity plays a central role in this different and sexy read. Why does the Duke of Thornton stay away from town? Who is Kitty Danvers and why take the chance at this lie? When the Duke finally comes to town Kitty is forced to face the man she is "betrothed" too and curiosity soon blossoms into something more. This was a really different story with likeable characters that you couldn't help rooting for. **my one issue was the ending....obviously need a HEA but it there was a lot overcome for Alex and it seemed like all his struggles and emotions were almost invalidated. Very neat HEA but it felt like it didn't need to be- not taking away any stars for this just merely an opinion** Looking forward to the rest of the Sinful Wallflowers!

This book reminds us that while it might be fun to read these stories, it couldn't have been very fun to live in the actual time (which is why I can not stand time travel stories that strand women in the past, where are the stories that bring a lady from that time and strand her in the present and watch her blossom with all the freedoms and opportunity she could have).

My Darling Duke

4 stars

This was a great book. It very much read like a classic love story and I loved the rendition of the Beauty and the Beast tale.

I’ve read a lot of regency era romances with a ‘beauty and the beast’ theme that took a more comedic take on the story and the writing, and this was different. I guess I went into it expecting that comedic aspect of it and was instead met with a serious tone and an articulate writing style that added to its uniqueness because I ended up truly falling in love with every part of it.

The writing flowed fluidly and phenomenally while the plot unfolded in a way that was wholesome and heartfelt. I loved seeing Katherine and Alexander falling in love and in turn I fell in love with them.

My Darling Duke is my first Stacy Reid but it won’t be my last. It holds its own in regency romances as it stands out for its unique plot, classic writing and wonderfully moving love story and I can’t wait to read more from the Sinful Wallflowers.

Miss Katherine Danvers has been a wallflower since her come out a few years ago. Now since the death of her father she desperately needs to find a way to provide for her sisters and mother. With the encouragement of a group of like minded wallflower embarks on a very daring plan.

Alexander Masters, the Duke of Thornton has been a recluse since the tragedy that changed his life forever. When word reaches him in Scotland of what is being said in London he knows it's time to show himself.

Our outrageous heroine is very brave and will not back down even when the odds are against her. Our troubled hero needs to be brought out into the world again.

A very emotional and at times very amusing story. The characters are fabulous.

This is the first book in the series and I can't wait to read the next one.

My Darling Duke by Stacy Reid
Sinful Wallflowers #1

Wallflower friends who have been out for awhile determine to create their own futures by doing what they would never do if diamonds of the first water. This group of friends decide to be a bit scandalous and in so doing forge their own futures...or at least guarantee their families a future. In book one of the series we meet most of the women but hear the story of how Katherine “Kitty” Danvers scandalously claims she is affianced to the Duke of Thornton. When he shows up at a ball she is not sure what will happen but puts her game face on and they meet together in a quiet room to...evaluate.

At first I thought this would be a predictable silly story though I have always enjoyed this author’s books...it was predictable in that there is a HEA but unpredictable in the fact that some big issues were discussed and handled with delicacy...well...a bit of steamy delicacy. This book made me think and care and fall for the two main characters while wondering what would happen in book two of the series.

What I liked:
* The willingness of the wallflowers to move forward with their lives – even if it means scandalous
* Kitty – she was willing to do what it took to provide security for her family. I also just liked her strength and willingness to honestly go for what she wanted
* Alexander – a man of strength and honor who put his sister first and paid the price for it. He is a good man and once he finally realized what he really wanted – he went for it.
* The story – I cared about the outcome and enjoyed reading how the two managed to come together...eventually.
* The willingness to tackle a story with real issues that needed to be overcome for the HEA to occur

What I didn’t like:
* Alexander’s dithering and lack of self-worth – at times
* The doctors’ negativity
* Having to say goodbye to Katherine and Alexander

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Amara for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

One of my favorite things about Historical Romance is its willingness to embrace the Bat Shit Premise. Society makes impossible demands of young women, who are forced to do crazy things to live up to expectations. But the lack of modern technology makes schemes like Kitty's claiming to be engaged to someone she's never met possible. And Kitty is just so charming that we want her crazy plan to succeed.

Historicals also often seem to feature the Beauty and the Beast trope. My Darling Duke embraces its fairy tale roots with the characters actually discussing how their story parallels the original. At the same time, it does something very modern with its representation of chronic pain and disability. Despite that, I felt like Alexander's relationship obstacles were much the same as all the other Beasts.

Still, I enjoyed the story and I look forward to more Bat Shit premises to come from the rest of Kitty's Sinful Wallflower friends.

3.5 stars

Brampton Manor, Hertfordshire

Katherine (kitty) Danvers, age 22, is part of a group of 6 young women who call themselves the Sinful Wallflowers. While they have each had more than one season, they have yet to attract a husband.

When Kitty’s father passed away, their estate went to a cousin leaving Kitty, her sisters, and their mother with very little funds to support themselves. Thus, Kitty is desperate to find a husband to help support her family.

When a gossip sheet prints a story saying the Duke of Thornton is looking for a bride, Kitty sends the publisher a letter saying she is the man’s fiancee. She hopes this will open doors for her to help find husbands for her sisters and see them settled. She knows that the duke lives in a remote area of Scotland and not been seen in many years so she hopes he will never learn of this.

Perthshire, Scotland, McMullen Castle

Alexander Masters, the Duke of Thornton, is a lonely man who bears scars on his face, neck, and other areas of his body which he was burned in a fire trying to save his family. His lives with his spirited sister, Penny, and knows it is time that she was introduced to society. When his lawyer visits and congratulates him on his betrothal, he is surprised and rather amused at what Kitty has done. Intrigued to meet this brazen woman, he travels to meet her.

When they meet, she is nervous and apologizes for what she has done and tells him it is only to help her sisters. He then tells her that she alone must return with him to his Castle for two weeks. She finally agrees. When Kitty and Alexander spend time together at the Castle, they learn so much about one another. Kitty is a very strong, sensitive, and loving woman. Alexander is also very strong, but quite damaged. Is there hope for them to be together as a couple and find love?

Oh wow! What a beautifully romantic story. I am so impressed at how well the author created these two perfect characters. Her descriptions were wonderfully crafted and she shows she is a truly talented author. Well done! Do read this book. It’s a keeper and one that you wish you could award 6 stars.

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

Absolutely loved this retelling of the classic Beauty and the Beast.
A number of years after retreating from society due to a horrific accident that left him scarred and severely injured, Alexander Masters, the Duke of Thornton learns he has a fiance. One he's never met because it's not true. Miss Katherine Danvers, Kitty to her loved ones, is desperate to help her family so she reforms herself from a wallflower to the fiance of a Duke. He's been away from society for years, he'll never know.
The Duke turns up in London to see who this "fiance" is and Kitty is taken by surprise.
He soon realizes that he wants this intriguing woman and Kitty will learn it wasn't wise to tease the beast.
I fell for this damaged man right from the beginning. Damaged inside and out. The pain he suffers had my heart breaking for him. Kitty is strong and stubborn and determined. Perfect for someone who believes he isn't good enough for anyone.
The relationship that grows between Alexander and Kitty had me so engrossed I found it hard to put down. Unfortunately, I read this right around Christmas so I had to. Dang holidays getting in the way!
I highly recommend this book to everyone who love historical romance and especially those who love fairy tale retellings. This is my favourite Beauty and the Beast retelling I've read.

Kittie, Miss Katherine Danvers is a wallflower. Her family is almost in financial ruin and she needs a plan to save them all. If she can get betrothed to someone rich with a title, she could secure a match for her sisters. Unfortunately, there is no one like that in her life. She does know someone who has a title, money and hasn't been in London society for years. Maybe a fake betrothal, one that even the groom doesn't know about might be possible. Alexander, the Duke of Thornton finds out about the  "engagement" and decides to find out what is going on.He arrives in London angry and handsome. He wants retribution, but not in the way many would think. Alex has been living alone after a terrible accident  leaves him scarred and sometimes even leaves him in a wheelchair. When he gives her his demands for continuing with this farce, she goes along. Strong feelings develop. Will Alex believe he can be loved for himself?   I loved this book and want to read the rest of the series. I received this book from Net Galley and the publisher for a honest review.

Love Stacy Reid and everything that she writes! She just has a way of drawing you in and not letting go until the end.

Alexander Masters, Duke of Thornton, has never met Miss Kitty Danvers, but according to the papers, he and she are betrothed. Kitty doesn’t know Alexander, but she knows that he was badly injured a decade ago and has become a recluse. Desperate to help her family by giving her sisters a chance for advantageous marriages, Kitty pretends to be engaged to the reclusive Duke. Once her plan succeeds, she will “break” their engagement. It should work. After all they will never meet. Think again. Curious about Kitty and her motives, Alexander makes a rare trip to London. Their meeting is the beginning of an intensely emotional story. Anyone who likes Beauty and the Beast stories will love this one. The story is sad and sweet, sexy, and fun. A tale full of uncertainty and hope, all wrapped up in love and romance. An awesome cast of characters work to encourage and support Alexander and Kitty. Even though these two are obviously deeply in love, there seems to remain one hurdle. Alexander feels that it is unfair to tie Kitty to a man whose injuries have left him unable to make love to her or to give her children (no small hurdle). Kitty is nothing if not resourceful, and you will love the advice she gets (and takes) on how to turn this situation around and create a happily ever after. I thoroughly enjoyed My Darling Duke and highly recommend it.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

Sinful Wallflowers #1, The Sinful Wallflowers are a group of young ladies on the cusp of becoming "old maids" and they have decided that they are finally going to do something wicked and truly sinful before becoming unmarriageable. First up we have Katherine Danvers, the daughter of a Viscount who five years previously died and left an annual stipend for the family but with a stingy heir the money is running low and since this is going to be her fourth season with no prospects she must do something drastic to help her sisters and her mother even if it means sacrificing her own future. After sending a letter to the gossip columnist stating she is to marry a reclusive Duke who hasn't been seen in almost ten years has made Kitty Danvers the talk of the ton but more importantly it opened certain doors for her and her marriageable sisters.

Even after ten years Alexander Master, Duke of Thornton, is still considered one of the most eligible bachelors but he doesn't concern himself with matters of the ton. After the terrible accident that left him scarred and at times wheelchair bound he has given up any thought to such things and given up hope of ever marrying. Alex never paid attention to the rumors about him until suddenly he has a fiancee, he isn't concerned with it at first but the more he reads the fascinated he becomes and he decides that a trip to London is warranted.
Alex isn't even angry and when he meets Kitty for the first time he knows he needs more. Letting her carry on with the lie and understanding why she did it were easy but he wanted something in return from her time away from London without a chaperone until his fascination with her wanes. Reluctantly she agrees and arranges with her mother to be out in the country taking care of a sick aunt. Her time in Scotland with Alex, his sister and his cousin was eye opening; their feelings grew and soon it was love but Alex is a hard one and his stubbornness might be the end of it.

Overall, it was a great story I'm having a hard time trying to decide 4 or 5 stars. It was wonderfully written and the characters were all well done. I have a feeling the second book is going to run parallel with this one. I really like the Beauty and the Beast similarities, it is kind of a retelling and a nicely done one too. I look forward to the rest of the series.

2.5 stars

***ARC received in exchange of an honest opinion***

I LOVE historical romances, but lately I feel like so few of them are pleasing me. And unfortunately My Darling Duke was one of those that I didn't enjoy.

The story didn't work for me and it didn't flow well. The dialogues and the plotline felt too forced and because of that I couldn't connect with the story or the characters.

A wonderful Romance full of mystery and passion. This book was not your typical steamy romance novel. The story between the main characters was a wonderful change. So often, the story is driven by the sex and nothing more, but with this book, the story was driven by the story line itself and that made for stronger connections between the characters, which in turn, leads to a more believable sexy scene. This was a great read!

Review will be live on Book Confessions Blog on 1-10-2020.

This is an enjoyable and entertaining story that caught my interest from the beginning, loved it and I could not put it down.

Likeable, readable romp
3 stars

I love a good historical romp and the premise of this sounded delightful and quirky. A plucky, down-on-her-luck wallflower devises a plan to save her family from ruin by faking an engagement to an illustrious (and absent) duke.

I devoured the first part of the book, swept away in the humour, writing and scene setting. And then I felt the book start to slow, and so too did my reading. When the pace picked up, I was once again eager to keep reading and keep reading often. And that was the same throughout the book. A lot happened. Some bits felt glossed over and slightly underdeveloped while others were interesting and perhaps overly detailed - but didn’t lend much to the ongoing story. At times it felt like the writing had been twisted into sentences that were far more complicated than they needed to be, but overall it was very engaging and readable.

As I (sadly) always do in a historical novel set in Britain, I started to count the Americanisms (gotten being a particular irritation of mine in supposed British books) but honestly, these were few and far between. Some did find their way through, coupled with a few historical inaccuracies and the unforgivable sin of having Scots (or at least folk in Scotland) drinking Irish whiskey instead of Scottish whisky.

Most importantly, I loved our main characters. Kitty was likably feisty while still retaining her sensible character, while Alexander was the overly grumpy hero who secretly yearns for love and affection. Alexander’s affliction was another unusual addition to the novel, and while it gave him motivation to keep Kitty at arm’s length, it did keep the sex scenes to a minimum in the book. Despite that, the emotion between the pair was very real and very well executed. I felt it, especially towards the ending. Sigh.

This is the first book in a new series, The Sinful Wallflowers, and many of the characters from upcoming books were introduced during this one (I’m assuming, anyway). There were too many for me to latch on to, which is a shame as I’m susceptible to being persuaded to buy future books based on their appearances in the first in a series. And I do think the idea of a bunch of wallflowers deciding to be sinful is a good one.

Stacy Reid is a new author to me and one I’d very much like to read again. While this book didn’t light up my world, it did entertain me for a while, and there were many aspects of the story that very much appealed.

This book surpassed all my expectations. Alexander & Kitty made me sigh & tear up. I fell in love with Ms. Reid's masterful storytelling.

The Sinful Wallflowers is a quintet of friends who have decided that society's labels no longer suit them. They've decided to be wicked - be more brave & bold - as they search for their version of happiness. Kitty Danvers is a heroine that I truly admired. Selfless, passionate, sweet-tempered, yet strong-willed when she had to be, she determined that her act of wickedness would benefit her entire family, even it killed what was left of her reputation. Yet, as she gets to know Alexander, she realises that her heart may have truly decided to make her wicked, indeed.

Alexander, Duke of Thornton, has spent a decade untroubled by rumors of his love life, yet Miss Danvers' plot awakens his very soul. Badly scarred from a fire that claimed most of close family as well as his ease of mobility, he is surprised & afraid of the strength of his feelings for her. He flat out warns her that he cannot offer her a traditional offer of marriage, yet he is haunted by visions of what could be.

I can't fully express how this book made me feel. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and am super excited about the rest of the series. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

I voluntarily read & reviewed an ARC of this book, received via Entangled Publishing & NetGalley.