Loretta Chase always writes amusing, sympathetic, complex main characters. In Ten Things I Hate About the Duke, we meet Cassandra Pomfret, and we are reacquainted with Luscious Lucius, the Duke of Ashmont (whose fiancee ran away with his best friend in the previous book in the series, A Duke in Shining Armor).

As the title suggests, there are quite a few riffs on The Taming of the Shrew in addition to many more Shakespearean references. Cassandra is a notoriously outspoken young noblewoman who has recently returned to London from abroad. Her sister Hyacinth is the Season's most popular debutante. When Cassandra makes a splash at a political speech, her father lays down the law: Hyacinth's Season is over unless and until Cassandra will also take part.

The book opens for Lucius immediately after the duel in A Duke in Shining Armor. On what he sees as the worst day of his life, he continues his downward spiral by causing a carriage accident. And whose carriage is it? Cassandra's. After their meet-cute (she basically tells him to sober up and take responsibility for his actions), they part ways... until Ashmont decides that Cassandra would make the perfect wife. As a cover for his attentions, he helps his friend with his own courtship of Hyacinth.

Luckily, the similarities between Shrew and pretty much end there. Ashmont does not try to "tame" Cassandra, nor does he make a bet or take any cash from his friend to get Cassandra out of the way so that Hyacinth can return to Society. Instead, he learns about what's important to her (!), reads her favorite books (!!), and then listens when she talks (!!!). As in the best romance novels, the character growth (both individually and in a relationship) is given the most weight, and when our couple finally ends up together, we can see how what they've learned makes them perfect for each other.

Highly recommended!

This one was worth the wait! I read it in one sitting and am now once again (im)patiently awaiting the next entry. When I learned that Ashmont was going to be the hero of the book, I was skeptical - he was basically the WORST in A Duke in Shining Armor. But Lorette Chase works magic here and I was completely won over. Ashmont is a mess I couldn't help but love and Cassandra was incredible. She and Ashmont are sparkling together and I was rooting for them the entire way. One of my favorite reads this year!

I love this semi-updated Taming of the Shrew. It's not as updated as the movie 10 Things I Hate About You, so it fits in a great little niche as a historical romance. I could not wait to see how the author would spin this story. It's my first book by her, and I loved it. I went right out and purchased book 1 of this series after reading this one. Wonderful characters, scenery, romance, and a brilliant update of a beloved classic!

The Duke of Ashmont, a golden haired, blue eyed Apollo. The most beautiful creature Cassandra Pomfret’s ten-year-old self had ever seen. Her young love was doomed to disappointment over the years as he grew into a dim-witted waste of a human being. Only five days before, he was jilted on his wedding day (see book 1.) Cassandra herself was outspoken, always in trouble with society- a shrew. Drunken bad luck throws them together and his solution is they must marry to save her reputation. She throws a teapot at him as her response. Such clever descriptions. Ashmont pondering, excercising his brain. Cassandra’s point system making him want to please her. He had one point, 5,999 to go! I like that Cassandra had her eyes wide open to his faults. Drinking, gambling, women, pranks. She flat out told him she didn’t trust him and shouldn’t be doomed to marrying him. Doomed! He’s a Duke! The hilarity continued with her parents. Her stern father despises him and isn’t afraid to show it. When her mother trades insults with her frenemy couched in polite chitchat I couldn’t stop laughing. Luckily, Ashmont tries to change his ways and appreciates Cassandra’s boldness. She finds the good in him and they bungle along in a fun-filled courtship.

This is set in London 1833 Cassandra Pomfret is outspoken, doesn’t let societal pressure keep her from trying to do what is right and makes men cry. She is known as a shrew and at the age of 26 is considered an old maid who scares guys away with her outrageous behavior. She finally does something that makes her father put his foot down and forbids her sister Hyacinth to finish her season until Cassandra gets married. Enter Lucius Beckingham, Duke Ashcroft who is a rake and drunk since his bride ran away with his best friend and he just finished almost killing said best friend during an honor duel. While drunk he scares Cassandras horses that are driving her cart and makes them crash and destroy her cart and injuring her bodyguard. Since Cassandra ends up there without a chaperone and with Duke Ashcroft she will be ruined and it will ruin her sister as well. Duke Ashcroft makes it all go away with his money and they part ways. But she intrigues the Duke since she didn’t care about who he was and she ordered him around and treated him unlike how he is usually treated by women. He doesn’t recognize her since they had meet a couple time when they were kids since she is best friends with his best friend’s sister. They keep ending up in compromising positions so eventually they embark on the classic fake engagement trope since Duke Ashcroft is always about pranks and making a spectacular to the detriment of others it is only a matter of time before he does something that makes Cassandra call off the engagement. Of course this is not to be since they end up falling in love of course.

I really enjoyed this. It was a really fast read and just super fun. I forgot how much I really loved historical romances. This was a fun and delightful spin on Taming of the Shrew and the push and pull between the characters was really great. There was some last minute intrigue that really pushed the story to its happy conclusion.

Thanks to Avon/Harper Voyager and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book in e-book form. All opinions in this review are my own

While I haven't read the first book in this series (yet), I adored both main characters in this book. Cassandra and Lucius are both considered outrageous by the ton, but in very different, gender-influenced ways. And yet their personalities match and both grow into better people because of the other. I highly recommend this story.

I recieved an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Cassandra Pomfreet is a strong willed, stubborn, and hard-headed 26 year old woman who speaks her mind. She is very reminiscent of Jessica from Lord of Scoundrels. Her father has forbade her sister from participating in the season until she has married, which she obviously does not want to do, and has basically given herself a reputation for being a shrew. The Duke of Ashmont is one of the three dis-graces. He is always playing pranks, drinking to excess, and acting a fool. Cassandra can't stand him, and thinks he has squandered his potential. After a somewhat tumultuous meeting, he decides that he wants to grow up and be worthy of Cassandra.

This book gave me lots of feelings. I'm happy that Loretta wrote another character similar to Jessica. She tongue lashes Ashmont a lot and I enjoyed the banter. I thought Ashmont grew a lot to be better for Cassandra, and I was happy that she made him work for her love and affection. Ialways loved the side love stories that she incorporates too. You get to see 2 budding relationships and the super sweet relationship of her parents. Her mom was probably my favorite character because she was shady in an underrated way with one of the villains.

That being said this was an extremely slow burn, and there wasn't a lot of physical chemistry between the main characters. I felt like Ashmont grated on my nerves, and just didn't feel like anything special. I thought the plot was a little weak, and moved at kind of a slow pace. I'd say the last 20 percent was harder to get through. Overall, I enjoyed it better than the last book in this series. It's a 3.5 star, but I'm going to round up to 4 because Cassandra's quick wit. I'm excited to read the next book about Alice.

This was a funny and light-hearted romance. I'm not accustomed to the hero is a bit of a silly character, but his character grew by the end of the book. Both characters became better people as their relationship progressed.

A must read hilarious, charming take on Shakespeare's Taming of The Shrew (Ten Things I Hate About You-1999 film). Cassandra Pomfret fell in love with Lucius as a child. He showed her the stars and was her hero. As Lucius grew up to be the Duke of Ashmont, he refused to grow up to be a responsible adult. Drinking, fighting, gambling became his life, When Cassandra literally crashes into his life, this Duke will never be the same, no matter how many points he earns. LOL!!!!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was something I wasn’t sure of in the beginning, as we’re treated to a drunk duke, who really needs to get his head on straight. He’s just lost his fiancée because he was drunk and wasn’t particularly in love with her, and dueled his friend for stealing her from him, see book one in the series. She’s a woman known for being a bit prickly, and not inclined to do things in the way expected of her, see quietly and obediently. She’s a fan of learning for women, but not quite a blue stocking, and they have a shared history. Honestly, I loved the little touches that were from their short shared past and brought forward, I loved the points bit, and the scene in the fair was wonderful. I like that this was definitely a battle of wits and that he was the one playing catch up, and that they were working as a team for most of the story.

What a read! Expecting a soft sweet romance, I was laugh out loud surprised to find myself flying through a book that delivered so much more. Loretta Chase always writes engaging books, but I truly feel she's outdone herself here. Fans of Shakespeare with "The Taming of the Shrew" and the 90's classic "10 Things I Hate about You" will absolutely love this historical play on the classic storyline.

Cassandra, our female lead is a refreshingly bold and opinionated woman that of course is thought of as "Medusa" by some. I've read other reviews and some readers don't seem to like her somewhat practical responses and approaches, but I loved it! She is considered an on the shelf spinster at 25, which I think would make anyone a little frustrated with societal norms of the time.

As we learn about this character, we find that her opinionated nature is never more present when she's around her childhood crush, Ashmont. Our hero is the opposite of Cassandra in the most delicious way. A prankster at heart, he's never once considered his actions in the entirety of his life. Which again, classic of what you always read of that time. A privileged male who does as he pleases no matter the wake of disasters flaring out behind him.

Thankfully Ashmont begins to adjust that attitude when he runs into Cassandra at the scene of his latest and greatest mistake. And when I say you find yourself falling into sea of sexual tension and playful bantering... whew! I've seen that other readers are annoyed that there are only two physically sexual scenes in the book, but sometimes the journey is a far greater reward. This novel reminds me of television shows where the two main characters don't get together until season four. You're on the edge of your seat during season's 1-3, and then once they're together, where's the excitement?

This book is now among my favorites. I've always loved enemies to lovers, and this one delivers whole-heartedly! I can't believe I haven't read the others in the Difficult Dukes Series, but I will be searching them out as soon as I finish writing this. And while it is part of a series, you can still read it as a standalone as I did. The next in the series appears to be Alice and Blackwood's story, which I can't wait to check out.

Giving this five well deserved stars, check it out for yourself and form your own opinion, I enjoyed every second as a rake was reformed!

My opinions are my own and freely given. Posting in Goodreads, B&N, Amazon and Netgalley. I can't wait to take this one to my bookclub!

ARC received for review

I put this one down, and really thought it was going to end up in the DNF pile. I read another book, and then went back to this one. I really enjoyed it. I'm wondering if I would have like it more if I had read the first book.

Cassandra and the Duke/Ashmont/Lucius had a past. Okay, not really. They knew each as children and she, of course, was in love with him. He and his friends were trouble makers, and she knew to she should stay away. It was a nice romance with a hint of intrigue/danger thrown in. I didn't even mind that [ the first love scene was in the last chapter (hide spoiler)].

Cassandra is a take charge kind of lady. Any situation she finds herself in she figures out a way to get out of it or fix it. So when her father gives her an ultimatum she runs with it. She gets the Lord she didn't know she wanted and gives her sister a chance at love.

I had high hopes for this book and in many ways this delivered. Following the premise of the movie Ten Things I Hate About You, the story starts off strong.
The heroine is a feminist, civic minded, and deeply disappointed in the way her childhood crush has grown up.
On the page, the hero is heartbreakingly handsome and apparently without morals. He's famous for his pranks, which seems to point toward his being horribly immature. This is hugely problematic for a grown man.
The hero changes over the course of the book, as a character should. However, the heroine doesn't seem to grow, beyond confessing to her schoolgirl crush and admitting her feelings for him. While the hero learns and develops as has his eyes are opened to the concept of feminism, the heroine's journey is less obvious.
What I struggled with:
continued teasing comments about the hero's lack of brains/intelligence/thoughts. The first time was funny. After that it lost the joke and seemed to be portraying him as a handsome bubblehead. A hero needs more than looks and money.
An explanation never came as to why he grew into an adult who never matured or thought of others. Other than throwing money at his mistakes, I didn't see a true realization of the damages he inflicted on the page. That means I didn't believe he wouldn't go do something thoughtless in the future just for fun.
There was a line in his point of view where he thinks that as long as she is the center of his universe, she will be his gravity and ground him. Tether him. Then only a couple pages later, she says something using the same metaphor, but essentially saying that she won't make anyone the center of her world. This implies a power imbalance, where he is panting after her, and she has all the control, and left the concept of a partnership in question.
What I loved:
The banter. Goodness, the banter is top notch. The dialogue is frequently laugh out loud funny.
The tension between the two characters is great on the page and well written.
The background of London and the events are beautifully depicted.
In the end, I'm giving this 3.5 stars. The book is enjoyable and the characters are a ton of fun. But I was left with doubts that the heroine wasn't signing up for a lifetime of babysitting.

This is a beautify written story, classic in prose, with Loretta Chase's unique style, that's enchanting and heartwarming. I loved it all - the vibrant characters, the lovely prose, the heartwarming plot. It's nice to come to this world and escape the dreadful reality - there's conflict and adversity, but also humor and wit and passion. I can't wait for the next one. Recommend!

Shrew, Hoyden, Termagant, and Virago. All the terms used to dismiss and shame outspoken women. Cassandra Pomfret has voiced one too many strong opinions aloud in public and now her father has put his foot down. Her behavior is reflecting badly onto her family and she will settle down and marry soon. Until this happens her beloved sister’s season will be on hold. Cassandra is set on finding a work around for this ultimatum.

Ashmont, the jilted duke from A Duke in Shining Armor, realizes something has to change in his life. His bride ran from him on their wedding day, he almost killed one of his best friends in a duel, and his drunken actions caused a carriage to crash injuring the passengers. This accident is when Ashmont meets Cassandra again and he has to help her clean up some of the damage his wreckage has caused. As his brain fog lifts, he begins to grasp his role in all these situations. He is determined to become a better man, the man Cassandra adored as a child before he turned into one of the Dis-Graces. In their current situation, all Cassandra sees is the dissolute duke and he is hell bent to change that, do right by her reputation and marry her to get the love and family he has always desired.

I enjoyed Cassandra’s family. Her mother and her father, not as hard-hearted as would first appear when he issues his ultimatum, are supportive of Cassandra and very loving parents. I also like the running joke of Ashmont’s inability to remember her sister’s name, calling her every flower he can think of except Hyacinth, which is her actual name.

This book could be read as a stand-alone book. You wouldn’t need to have read A Duke in Shining Armor to enjoy Ten Things I Hate About the Duke. I liked the first book, but at times it seemed confining since a lot of the story took place in a carriage.

I am looking forward to the next Difficult Dukes book. Alice and Blackwood’s story. There have been hints of estrangement throughout the series and I like reading about couples finding their way back to each other.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books for the ARC.

Ten Things I Hate About the Duke by Loretta Chase is a delightful read! Cassandra Pomfret is outspoken and determined, two things that make her thoroughly unmarriageable. When a series of mishaps ends up with her being thrown together with the Duke of Ashmont, one of London's most disgraceful dukes, she wants nothing to do with him or his disreputable habits. Ashmont, however, sets out to woo the prickly Cassandra and win her heart.

Somehow this is the first of Loretta Chase's books I've read, so I wasn't sure what to expect. The story started off a little slowly, with lots of references to other characters and events (this is the second book in a series) and so I was a little thrown off, but quickly caught up and was able to greatly enjoy the book.

It's often said in historical romance that "reformed rakes make the best husbands", but I haven't seen many books tackle the reformation quite as head-on as this one does. From Ashmont's point of view we see him striving to overcome his ingrained habits to be a better person, and to be the person Cassandra needs him to be. We (and Cassandra) see him doing the work to turn himself around, and so the happy-ever-after is especially gratifying.

I would definitely recommend this book, and I look forward to reading the book preceding this, as well as the next one when it is available.

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley from the publisher in exchange for my honest feedback.

NOTE: This review will be published on all social media platforms the week before publication.

I think this is one of the best books I have read this summer. It was written in such a refreshing view. The heroine,who is a confirmed spinster aged 25 years,is one of the founders of a society that supports the lower class and poor. While they offer charity and succor to the poor, she actually questions the members of Parliment who try to write and pass bills that will keep the lower class downtrodden, not to mention the lack of women's rights. The heroine makes men cry. The hero is a childhood friend. He had defended her against a bully and spent one night looking at the constellations and telling her the stories of the stars. Nevermind that she describes him as an 'Adonis' as a child who grew up to be 'Apollo' with golden beauty no man should have. Yeah. She, on the other hand, is tall, but not bounteous, red-headed and no man wants her. The hero doesn't meet up with her at an inn where he caused her to be in a horrible carriage accident. And he doesn't do all that he can to help her. Needless to say the hero is a gentleman and the heroine refuses his attempts at courting. This was such a funny romance. I laughed out loud and my family looked at me like I was crazy. I couldn't believe how fast and smooth this book was to read, with one scene flowing into the next with no stops. The characters were all supporting the cast and made sense in the book. I liked that so much of the story was written in the hero's mind, as he corrected himself. He had such likely ideas and she helped him become the man she expected him to grow up to be. What a great book! I wish I could give it more than 5 stars.

I loved this story. Though I recommend reading the previous book in the series, this story can be read as a stand alone. After reading the previous book, I wasn't sure how Ashmont could be redeemed but I'm happy to say that I was convinced. Cassandra was a strong heroine who wouldn't accept less than she deserved.

Ten Things I Hate About the Duke (Difficult Dukes, #2)
by Loretta Chase

GR bookshelves: to-read, 20-08, 4-5-stars, bad-boy-good-girl, beautiful-cover, enemies-to-lovers, fairytale-trope, fake-relationship, favorite-characters, mutual-pining, netgalley, opposites-attract, romance-1800-1850, romance-regency, slow-burn, virgin, wild-childhood-redeemed, 2020-best

4.5

This would be a higher grade if there were more romance (the kissy kissy cuddly kind) in this novel! I did enjoy it - but there's so much happening before the principal characters eventually confess their love for each other, we don't get enough of them as a romantic “stars in their eyes” couple. I know, I know, you're whispering "falling in love IS romantic, Em" - and you're right! I know it, too! I just want people (people = every couple in the romance novels I read) to acknowledge their love for each other and then to spend more than one chapter enjoying/show boating their "Happily Ever After." And NOT just in swoony epilogues (which I love, too, by the way. Definitely keep those!)

(Side note for the sexy times worriers out there: There are quite a few sexy shenanigan moments in this story because the Duke of Ashmont is SEXY AND HOT AND TOTALLY IN LUST WITH CASSANDRA. They’re awesome!).

Anyway, moving on. EVERYONE ON EARTH (read: me) has been waiting for the second book in the Difficult Dukes series. A Duke in Shining Armor was fabulous (the audio was maybe even better), and I couldn't wait for Ms. Chase to spend more time with our jilted, naughty, wild and flawed Duke of Ashmont (one of Ripley's mischievous/scandalous besties). Friends, family, sort of aunts...well, they're exhausted by his antics and perfectly willing to tell him so. Fortunately, Ashton’s Come to Jesus moment happens hard on the heels/hours after a duel disaster with Ripley (who "stole" his fiance Lady Olympia Hightower).

Ashmont, drunk and sad over nearly killing his best friend Ripley, is biding his time over cocktails with his second at one of his favorite pubs. The owners are used to his hijinks, fond of his coin, and tolerant of his behavior. But as usual, the day doesn't quite go to plan. When chaos erupts at the pub, Ashmont steps outside to shoot his pistol and put an end to the hijinks, and inadvertently sends a carriage and its riders careening through the street. Horrified, he runs to help and watches the carriage tip over. He’s relieved when the redhead who was holding the reins sits up, and then the woman next to her stirs and also appears unharmed. He’s considering what to do next when the vaguely familiar woman stands up, begins insulting him and hits him with her hat, knocking him off his feet.

Still drunk and now dazed and a little bit afraid, he gets up and follows her to the man lying motionless near a tree. Ashton immediately recognizes him. It's Tom Keeffe, a once successful jockey who survived a terrible accident that ended his career, and Ashton is a fan. They exchange greetings as Cassandra (the redhead who seems vaguely familiar to Ashmont) fumes, until she finally silences the pair. Ashton, confused about why the woman is with Keeffe and uncertain what to do next (he doesn't want to make her mad) staggers and then passes out. Oops. Friends, it’s been a LONG and DRUNKEN day. He comes to after the redhead dumps a bucket of water on his face and tells him to get up and make himself and his money useful. #badass

Cassandra Pomfret, sometimes referred to as Medusa or deGriffith’s Gorgon or Cassandra Prophet of Doom, is intelligent and opinionated. She's also, much to her father’s chagrin, unafraid to share her opinions, and when Ten Things I Hate About the Duke (WOW THAT IS A LONG TITLE!) begins, her plain speaking has gotten her into bigger trouble than usual. Trouble with The Family. Exasperated by her behavior and unwilling to tolerate it any longer, her father issues an ultimatum he hopes will force her to change: Hyacinth, her beautiful, beloved younger sister - the belle of the season - cannot marry until Cassandra does. She also can't attend any of the events of the season. The ultimatum saddens and infuriates Cassandra who decides to get away from London and reassess how to move forward - without hurting Hyacinth (who is remarkably kind about the whole thing. From start to finish she's lovely!).

Cassandra is enroute to the home of her former governess, accompanied by her maid and companion and friend Tom Keeffe,

He’d taught her to ride and drive. He’d been with her from the time she was a troublesome girl of fourteen and he a crippled ex-jockey of six and twenty. For nearly twelve years she’d relied on his wisdom, and not only about horses.

when disaster strikes. A group of men pour out of the Green Man onto the street, and then a buffoon shoots his pistol into the air, sending her horses into a frenzy.

Cassandra is cataloging her injuries and trying to sit up when she recognizes the man crouched next to her asking if she's okay. It's the beautiful, angel faced Duke of Ashmont, the man she loved as a young girl until he proved unworthy of her affections. The same idiot who just fought a duel with his best friend after his fiancee jilted him. Well. Shit.

Oh friends! This whole scene is a hot mess of Ashmont trying and failing to fix the GIGANTIC mess he’s made, and Cassandra awesomely putting him in his place. I loved her, I loved him, I loved sweet Tom Keeffe - who quickly does some romantic mental matchmaking, and I loved how the carriage disaster sets these two on a path together. Ashmont is no dummy (he just acts like one in public All the Time). He’s a sexy badass who keeps making bad decisions, but has finally realized that drinking and shenanigans are ruining his life. He’s also just met the one woman who gives as good as she gets. Fortunately he has an uncle (and his only living relative) to help him out of his various messes, but this time - instead of fixing everything - he gives Ashmont advice...and Ashmont follows it.

Unfortunately for Cassandra, a single woman involved in a carriage accident (while minimally chaperoned), plus an infamous drunken duke, plus an injured former jockey, plus a missing maid, plus an overnight visit in a small village at a local inn famed for the exploits of the three dukes who love to visit, equals a disaster in the making. Fortunately the drunken duke is super rich and keeps the rumors quiet, but then he just can’t stay away. And then the real nightmare begins.

ASHMONT DECIDES HE WANTS HER. TO BE HIS WIFE. AND HE’S SEXY AND HOT AND NICE AND KIND AND TRYING TO BE BETTER. FOR HER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And lucky for readers, the only person who thinks Ashton’s interest in Cassandra is a disaster, is CASSANDRA! (well, her dad, too). Ashton is IN LOVE. And Cassandra used to love Ashton. AND it is a battle of wits, and sexy smirks, and good smelling cologne and smart, clever repartee, and chemistry and...friends, this novel is so much fun.

Look, the majority of this novel is a game of Cassandra trying to pretend she doesn’t want Ashton to prove his love to her, and Ashton slowly but surely figuring out the best way to do it. He quickly realizes Cassandra is good to everyone but herself, and he makes it his job to understand his prickly, brainy lady love. He reads Wollstonecraft, learns about issues that are important to her, and protects her from anyone and anything that aims to do her harm. Oh yeah, there are a couple of villains in this story, too! Ashmont and Cassandra are lovely together in every iteration - enemies, co-conspirators, friends, and eventually lovers, and it is a JOY to read yet another terrific Chase romance.

Readers expect the carriage disaster to prove the biggest impediment to love between Cassandra and Ashmont, but it's a nice misdirection from this brilliant author. It's the villains of this story that actually nudge the romance in the right (sexy times) direction and keep readers on their toes with their fingers crossed. Great chemistry, sparkling dialogue, well developed principal characters, and a lovely opposites attract pairing made my heart go BOOM. These two are meant for each other, and this book is a TREMENDOUS follow-up to the equally good A Duke in Shining Armor. Fans of the series will be very happy.

Terrific. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. Can’t wait for the audio.

P.S. You want to know about Ripley and Olympia, and the Duke of Blackmoor and Alice, don't you? I wish we spent more time with them, but their cameos are all-to brief. We still don't know what's up with Alice!