Cover Image: My Darling Duke

My Darling Duke

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My darling duke by Stacy Reid is the first in her Sinful Wallflowers series.
This delightful regency historical romance romp follows the love story between the beautiful and daring Katherine “Kitty” Danvers and the reclusive but powerful Alexander Masters the Duke of Thornton.
Alexander and Kitty’s story takes off after Kitty, in a desperate attempt to save her destitute family from ruin, fakes her engagement to the duke. Alex who has remained detached from the ton for six years following his injuries from the war is intrigued when he catches wind of the elaborate stories Kitty has spun about their relationship.
This book is full of regency romance classics in the best way possible. If you love a fake engagement, H&h forced to stay in a cabin/one bed/help each other undress, and a heroine who musters the courage to seduce her beastly Duke, then this is the book for you.
It also doesn’t explain too much about how exactly Alex gets over his illness/ inability to be intimate/walk but he presumably does, even though 80% of the book is about him being frustrated by his lack of progress.
The book doesn’t touch too much on the reality of these two being married, given that Kitty actually has a few sisters and her mum, but it does introduce us to Kitty’s other female friends who’s adventures will no doubt be the premise of the rest of the series.

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I like Stacy Reid’s book so I was excited to get an ARC of her newest novel. Overall, I enjoyed the story. Kitty was a character who I had a hard time with at first. I understand her desperation, but did not like that she stooped to fraud and theft to accomplish her goal. I think there were better ways she could have gone about achieving her purpose. Kitty did grow on me, but I liked Alexander much more. This was a quick, sweet read with some heat and is one I’d recommend.

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Katherine is a wallflower but her family is desperate and she will do anything to safe her family from financial ruin. She announces she is engaged to a recluse, the Duke of Thornton, Alexander Masters to secure strong marriage matches for her sisters. She doesn’t expect Alex to find out about what she has done but when he shows up in town and demands retribution what will Katherine do? Fast-paced historical read with plenty of drama and steam. I loved the characters and the story had me hooked from beginning to end. I loved it.

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Katherine Danvers is desperate to help her family that is on the brink of financial ruin. Unfortunately, Katherine is a wallflower and has no hopes of marriage. She will do anything to save her family. Kitty announces that she is engaged to the reclusive Duke of Thornton, Alexander Masters. Now, as the fiancee of a Duke, things start to get better for her family. If her luck can only hold out until her sisters have secured matches.

Alexander is surprised to find a wallflower has announced she is engaged to him. He hasn't been in the ton in years. He decides to meet Kitty to see what kind of a person she is. Kitty is shocked to find that the Duke wants to meet her. Once they meet, Alexander decides that he has to have her and the sparks fly!

I have always loved Stacy Reid's books. This one did not disappoint. I loved the dynamic between Kitty and Alexander. I liked how Kitty pulls Alexander out of his reclusiveness and loves him for who he is.


I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

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I received an ARC of this book.
Being unfamiliar with this author I went head first into the book with only the synopsis to drive me forward.

Katherine (Kitty) Danvers has had multiple seasons with them going nowhere. She has two sisters who need to marry and marry well in order to save their family from impending financial ruin. As they already have little money, the sisters are not marriageable and Kitty has had no luck. So she conducts a plan and claims to be engaged to a duke who has not been seen in years. With the duke’s name and title attached to her, her sisters immediately start attracting men and material things are coming to the family. Alexander, said duke, reads of his engagement in the papers. Surprisingly he does nothing but continue to send her stuff and plan a trip to meet her.

This book has a beauty and the beast retelling vibe, particularly in the second half of the novel. Alexander experienced an accident in which scarred his face, much of his body and made it so he is unable to walk without a walker, but is often confined to a wheelchair. In the age of this story, all things that makes this duke unwanted by society. Kitty is unaware of all this until meeting him. Despite his injuries she slowly falls in love with him, for him and his kindness. She doesn’t care for the looks. He “the beast” worries that she will eventually want for more (children) in which he can not provide for her.

So despite the unique situation, they become friends. He helps her by keeping the lie alive. She helps him by being a friend and helping his loneliness. Together they fall in love and it is magical. What I especially love about this book is the development of the romance. It’s not quick. They do truly become friends while falling in love with one another. There’s a quote from a movie I love: “Love is friendship on fire” and this book represents that. Despite the attraction, the hold off and become friends but once the attraction builds more, on top of the friendship, it really all becomes enflamed creating one hell of a story. Alexander and Kitty are so great for each other. While she is young and “fresh” she had had a few seasons so both characters have an air of maturity around them.

Due to his limitations nothing physical happens for most of the book. I love that about this one. The story truly stayed true to the character’s disabilities and limitations and didn’t magically speed healing along in order to drive the physical aspects of the relationship.

I’m very happy I picked this one up. I can’t believe I need to wait a year for book 2, which is undoubtedly about a friend of hers in the club. I enjoyed this book immensely. A fairytale retelling without being too much of a retelling; more of a theme than anything. Magical, heartwarming, and lovely! I’ll definitely check out more from this author.

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Have you ever read a story when you just hoped that everything would work out for the couple involved? Well, this is how I felt when reading about Kitty and Alexander. They were two completely opposite but captivating characters. Kitty was just like a breath of fresh air as she entered into Alexander’s life. Alexander had suffered greatly and was still in a good amount of pain. This was dealt with in a sensitive way but also explained what Alexander went through on a daily basis. They were both very caring about their family members. There were a number of things to come to terms with, before a happy ending could be achieved. I loved the idea of Kitty and her friends forming the Sinful Wallflowers club and being determined to be more daring and not to be overlooked and left in the background. I look forward to reading about more of their stories. I found this book to be thoroughly engrossing, it did tug on my emotions on more than one occasion. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Good premises for this story but I really struggle to care for the Hero and Heroine. It was a very fast pace book.

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Such a touching story! This was definitely a hard fought love and I’m so glad that things didn’t magically fix themselves for the duke. This story is full of angst and emotion, but it was funny at times too. I can’t wait for more in this series.

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"We have to be wicked, improper, and terribly scandalous." Thus the new mantra of the "Sinful Wallflowers," six ladies in all, was born and Kitty Danvers had a plan.
Desperate to help her sisters find husbands and bring her mother out of her meloncholy since her father died, she decided to become engaged. That is to a Duke who had not been seen in many years and who may never know her bold delcaration to the paper. It definitely work, opening doors and so much more!
But when said Duke shows up, in a wheeled chair and scarred, what will happen? Having lived in seclusion for so long, he was curious of the women that had the nerve to pronounce herself his bethothed.
"He'd not lied when he mentioned the powerful force of curiosity that had compelled him to travel to London. Each newspaper mention had been a taunt, a beckoning lure, an artfully worded invitation, a curse and Alexander had almost driven himself mad with the need to confront the charlatan impudently using his name and arousing his long-dead soul in such a manner."
Stacy Reid has written a story that pierced my heart for the hero and only made me want to comfort him... which of course he would push away. Stunning in its emotions, strong characters and a storyline that was unique and written in a way that shows this author's rich wordsmith abilities that always leave me transfixed until the last page. Truly do not miss this one. It pulled at my heart but made it smile brightly at the end.

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I loved reading Kitty and Alexander’s amazing story in My Darling Duke by Stacy Reid book 1 in Sinful Wallflowers series. Katherine, “Kitty”, Danvers might be a wallflower but she would do anything to save her family, after the death of her father. She has a devilish plan; a perfect plan. She will announce that she is engaged to the reclusive and mysterious Duke of Thornton, Alexander Masters, and secure strong matches for her sisters. After all, no one has heard from the duke in years. Most likely he would never find out and once her sisters are married off she can go back to her quiet life. Life doesn’t work quite as Kitty had planned. First she’s called on by one of the duke’s solicitors who moves the family into better quarters and allows her access to the duke’s accounts. Then there are inquisitive reporters eager to interview her for their gossip rags. Before she knows it she has become the center of society with everyone wanting to meet her absent fiancé. Unexpectedly, Alexander Masters arrives in the city wanting to meet this bold woman. Upon meeting, Alexander appears quite angry and demands retribution; but not the way Kitty expected.

Kitty was a character after my own heart. Kitty cared about others before herself as evidence by her masquerade. Alexander had been injured in a fire and fall, ten years prior; the burns disfiguring half of his body. One could not help but be moved by him, yet people were repulsed by his scars and he embarrassed when his legs would not work. Not Kitty, she was empathic; wanting to take away his pain and hurt. These two were a perfect match.

Ms. Reid wrote an emotional, love story that should not be missed. She provided a tale rich with emotions, sexual chemistry, humor, wonderful dialogue, and endearing characters giving Kitty and Alexander a chance to have a forever love. I highly recommend My Darling Duke to other readers and look forward to the next book in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

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**I received a copy of this book from the publisher/NetGalley in exchange for sharing this blog post and including a fair and honest review.**

Stacy Reid is a new author for me, and let me tell you, she absolutely delivered with this one. I adore historical romance when it is done well, and this one really was. My heart really felt for both Kitty and Alex, and I loved that it's a beauty and the beast storyline. I've read several with that type of story, and some work, some don't. This one worked! Kitty is both brazen and innocent, all at the same time, and her mischievous tactics had me simultaneously cracking up and cheering her on. I honestly could not get enough of it. And Alex is the absolute perfect dark and broody, layered like an onion hero. My type to a T, so of course I was smitten.

The writing in this book is great, and I loved getting into the inner monologue of both our characters. Of course, there are some frustrating communication breakdowns between them when they aren't quite telling each other the whole truth, but that is part of the story and what makes the plot compelling. There is a twist that had me so very emotional (I won't say more to avoid spoilers) and there were tears running down my face at various points in the story. Reid's writing just really spoke to me.

This book was just what I needed to warm my heart this New Year's, and I look forward to reading more in this series as they come out. If you like historical romance, read this one. You won't regret it!

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My Darling Duke is well-written historical romance with a solid good plot. I really enjoyed it. Good characters.

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Katherine is desperate. Her family is in financial ruin and she will do anything to protect her mother and sisters. She transforms herself into "Kitty", a much more outgoing and outrageous person than she normally is. She also lets the ton think that she is engaged to the Duke of Thornton. The reclusive duke has never shown his face in town when the other rumors started about him, so Kitty thinks she will be save from retribution. She just wants the connection to the duke to go long enough for her sisters to find good matches and to save her family from ruin. She didn't count on the duke showing up in London and calling her bluff.

Having been scarred and confined to a wheelchair after an accident, Alexander has been secluded at his estate for many years. Which is why is comes as a shock to hear that he has a fiancée. But the more he learns about his "fiancée", the more intrigued he becomes. So much so that he ventures down to London when he hasn't been there in years. After meeting Kitty in person, he decides he wants her for himself, so he makes a bargain with her...

Neither ever thought to get married, but could this fake engagement lead to an everlasting love?

I absolutely loved Kitty and Alexander's story!! I loved that Kitty would do anything for her family, even invent a fiancé! I loved that she stood up to the beastly side of Alexander and made him see that his injury didn't define him. I just loved these two together!! This was a phenomenal start to Reid's newest series and I can't wait to read the stories to come!

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loved this book and I felt that this was a really special romance. I thought Kitty and Alexander were pure magic together. It was so easy to get swept up into their story and to become deeply invested in their happiness. I found the story to be fun but also very moving. In my opinion this book was part Beauty and The Beast and part mad-cap comedy. Kitty had an amazing heart and even if her plan was crazy and wrong, I honestly couldn't find it in me to dislike her for it. The things we will do for those we love are endless and often unbelievable. As for Alexander, it was impossible not to feel for him. He had been through so much and my heart just ached for him. These two truly deserved to find love and happiness. Such a wonderful read!

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If there is one thing to be true, it is that after reading My Darling Duke I wholeheartedly need to read more historical romances.

From the very beginning I was taken with Katherine 'Kitty' Danvers brazen nature. She knows what she wants and she goes full force to get it. She’ll do anything she can to help her mom and sisters even if it means she’ll be the one to suffer the consequences because of her daring con. Her mischievous ways had me giggling and also ecstatic at her take charge manner. I just adored her to pieces.

Duke of Thornton, Alexander Masters had many layers. He’s a broody and scarred man who lives a lonely life and has no hope for the future. He lives with memories of horror and his pain was heartbreaking—which left me hurting fur him. He’s a recluse and keeps to himself. But that changes when he finds out about Kitty and of the con she’s made people believe. If anything it should anger Alexander, but it has left him more than a little intrigued.

I was so enthralled with Alexander and Kitty’s story. Their relationship is anything but conventional, but it works. Kitty has Alexander stepping out of the shadows and offers him the sweetest kind of hope that Alexander stopped believing in. And the crux of it all is that Alexander was truly a good man. It became obvious that Kitty and Alexander were perfect for each other and Kitty was exactly what he needed. I loved the friendship that was formed between Kitty and Alexander, and I especially loved them exploring their feelings for one another. I irrevocably love Kitty and Alexander’s story immensely.

My Darling Duke had me smitten from the very first page. I fell, and fell hard for Kitty and Alexander. I too adored Kitty’s friends, the women that made up the Wallflowers. The pieces I got of them has me that much more wanting their stories as well. My Darling Duke is an exceptional start to the Sinful Wallflowers series—just superb.

Definitely recommend

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Ms. Reid has such a great hand at keeping historicals light, sexy and easy to read! My Darling Duke had the perfect balance between hot and sweet, with loads of impropriety and lovable characters.

Kitty is in deep trouble. With several seasons and no prospects and her mother and sisters depending on her, she’s at her wit’s end. Being a wallflower is not helping things and being nice and proper didn’t really get her anywhere. Thus, she finds her solution, she’ll pretend to be engaged to a powerful but reclusive Duke no one has seen in a decade, gain notoriety and get her sisters great matches. Even if her own reputation will be tarnished when the engagement must inevitably end without a wedding, at least she’ll have managed to save her family.

What she didn’t count on? Alexander Masters, Duke of Thornton getting wind of her antics and confronting her about her deception.

I loved both Kitty and Alexander. I loved how she managed to resurrect parts of Alexander he had given up on. How she brought him back to life and how she herself blossomed once she decided to live for herself. They were great together and their chemistry was absurdly hot. Alexander had more than one hot-and-cold moment that drove me bonkers but one could understand where he was coming from, so I was able to overlook it.

While the story was very entertaining, I felt the beginning was a bit slow as our couple was not interacting directly with each other for quite some time. That said, once they actually get in each other’s presence things kick up a few notches and the rest just flew by for me.

With sweet romance, very hot inappropriateness and a fabulous epilogue, My Darling Duke was a total hit for me and I can’t wait to read about the other wallflowers and their naughty plans.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book*

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Lindsey left behind some large shoes to fill and Reid is well on her way to proving herself up for the challenge. My Darling Duke transforms the way we look at romance. Katherine and Alexander capture attention with their larger than life personalities and fiery spirits. Emotions give way to an inspiring journey of hope that will leave any heart hauntingly breathless.

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I loved this book. Miss Katherine "Kitty" Danvers finds herself and her group of friends (the Sinful Wallflowers) in the situation of having to resort to extreme options to change their fates. In order to secure her sisters futures, Kitty declares herself to be the fiance of the reclusive Duke of Thornton, who hasn't been seen in town in years, hoping that the connections that brings will find her sisters situated by the end of the season before she announces the end of the engagement. Unfortunately for her this will probably run any prospects for her own future.

This book was the perfect mix of sweet and spicy, hopeful and sad, with a nice splash of humor and wit to balance it out. The author does a great job of making Alex, Duke of Thornton, seem both powerful and vulnerable, allowing the reader to sympathize with his loneliness and pain. You could really feel the friendship developing between the two, and I really was rooting for Alex and Kitty to work out, as they brought out the best in each other.

I will definitely read the next in this series, and I am already looking forward to it!

<i>I received a free advanced reader copy from NetGalley for my honest review.</i>

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Oh my, my.
I do believe I may have to retire for the evening...
...because I TOTALLY have a touch of "Duke fever"!

This was a title I saw coming up on the Entangled Publishing roster and while I was biding my time trying to keep the schedule open (Cybils Awards reading starts in like 24 hours!), I knew I couldn't pass this one up. Kitty and the rest of the self-dubbed Sinful Wallflowers are such a delightful bunch of smart, beautiful, and discerning women, that, thanks to the time period they live in, are starting to consider themselves past their prime...at two and twenty. *looks aghast...does not admit own age* They chatter and plot about how to change their lots in life, and while to some it seems merely as a potential dream, two ladies are putting actions where words only formerly existed. Maryann has her own designs on things (which we follow along the way), but Kitty...well, she takes the cake!

Despite being a self-proclaimed wallflower, I think she really wore that moniker only because it was bestowed, as we see another side of her come out while the story progresses. That's not to say she isn't sweet, demure, and innocent at heart, but she also has sass, brains, and good-natured cunning to spare. All her actions were for the sake of her family...and if one looks at it from the outside, it really wasn't such a bad plan. I mean, who would have thought the illusive Duke not seen for seven years or so would all of a sudden return to the ton? How was she to know his reaction to her transgressions would be so...unusual. Could she have guessed that things would work out the way they did...for all parties involved? The answer is no to most of those questions, though she did prepare for the worst...it wasn't exactly the worst she received, and THAT made for an especially tantalizing tale indeed!

All in all, a wonderful start to a series I'm leaving room for on my future reading list. It reminds us that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and that love can truly conquer all...even the most stubborn among us. Definite recommendation for Historical Fiction fans who like smart leading ladies and open minded gents willing to see just where curious situations may lead...

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Beauty and the Beast gets a fresh new retelling in the wonderful My Darling Duke. Stacy Reid has kicked off her Sinful Wallflowers series with a tale that’s both heartbreaking and heartwarming.

Kitty Danvers is desperate. At twenty-three, she is both unmarried and the head of a family with almost no money. With three younger sisters she wants to see happily settled, Kitty makes a bold move to capture society’s interest: she claims to be engaged to the reclusive Duke of Thornton. I loved Kitty’s spirit and determination. She’s got a good heart and is doing what she can for her family. Kitty is lively, unique, and a very easy to root for heroine.

Alexander Masters, Duke of Thornton, keeps his hand in politics but has otherwise withdrawn from society. He was horribly injured in a fire that also claimed the lives of his parents. I really liked that Ms. Reid didn’t simply wave off his devastating injuries, but rather shows the strength and determination Alexander has had to go through to be able to walk. He’s a man almost always in pain and is still healing, but much like the literary beast we all know and love, he’s locked himself away in his castle. When news reaches him that he’s supposedly engaged, he finds himself intrigued by the daring woman who is using his name. He’s even more captivated when he meets Kitty, and soon he strikes a deal with her that has Kitty in his clutches.

The romance between Kitty and Alexander is slow to burn and it works really well in this case, as Alexander and Kitty fall in love as they learn more and more about one another. They are both intelligent, stubborn, warm-hearted characters who fit one another like lock and key. But Alexander is determined never to marry because of the complications from his accident. However, the longer he and Kitty are around one another, the more she is determined to show them they can have the happiness he secretly longs for. Alexander was so lonely it broke my heart at times and I loved watching him come back to life around Kitty. As for Kitty, she’s got such spirit and inner strength it was impossible not to adore her. She deserves to find love with someone like Alexander, someone who wholly accepts her and sees how wonderful she is.

Whenever I pick up a Stacy Reid book I know I’m in for a good time and My Darling Duke is no exception. Ms. Reid perfectly balances the dark and the light, emotional turbulence with fun banter. I cannot wait to see what she has in store for Kitty’s fellow Sinful Wallflowers!

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