This book was a struggle for me. The blurb made it sound like a fun read but I found the story dragged and was quite boring at times. I did find it odd that a Duke was being controlled by his family members to the extent that Arthur was.

There was nothing that made this stand out from the crowd. I actually picked it up and put it down several times. This was a miss for me

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

This book was very repetitive. How many times do we need to hear the word "perfection"? How often is it mentioned about her "perfect" memory? These things felt silly to me and with the plot centered around them I felt a disconnect with the story.

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Initially, I was amused by Tabithas tenacious spirit and her determination to be singular among wallflower but her interactions with the Duke felt forced and unnatural. She's desperate to get married to save her family but she uses her unique ability to memorize text to convince a very arrogant Duke to marry her. She chases him and she has to continue to prove herself. I just didn't feel the connection between them.

The blurb and the cover was giving a very interesting and beauitful vibe.
But the story ended up being meh for me. The characters had no chemistry...and things happen...but ... not much really happend? it was so it felt like. The smut was alright.

Among the fun with the ton. Tabetha and Arthur pursue a intimate relationship that blooms into something beautiful. The romance was very sweet and sentimental. As soon as I started reading the book I noticed that the words moved so easily., therefore, I new that this was going to be a fun book to read. I found the characters fun and enjoyable. Tabitha gal pals most definitely were the sunshine in her life. Arthur, brings entertainment to the book that helped keep the pages turning.

This took me ages to get through. I really enjoyed the plot but in my opinion the book was too long. It could easily deleted a few chapters and the story would be the same

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

After losing her mother, and the family's money in a ill-advised investment, Lady Tabitha Hampton knows that the whole family rely on her marrying, and marrying well. At the age of 27 though, and more intelligent than most of the ton, she's already known as a bluestocking, and avoided by most of the gentlemen on the marriage mart. To amuse herself and her friends during the season, a series of dares are given, one of which is that Tabitha is to be introduced to Arthur, Duke of Collingford multiple times, given different names each time. So when Arthur realises what is happening, and wants revenge, Tabitha is forced to tell him the truth, as well as the fact she has a photographic memory, which allows her to keep on top of the dares. Soon, a bargain is made between the pair - Arthur needs the perfect duchess, and Tabitha needs a wealthy husband. She is willing to learn how to be the perfect duchess, and with her mind, she'll pick it up in no time. Neither of them expect any feelings to become involved, but soon it's hard to keep a straight focus on the target.

I went into this with no expectations, and I hadn't read the synopsis since I requested the book, so was completely blind. I really liked Tabitha, and felt sorry for the situation she found herself in. She wanted to do what was best for her family, who really didn't appreciate her, or understand how much she had given up to try and support them. Okay, the whole dare situation was a little childish, but Tabitha, and her friends, Jane and Lillian, needed something to keep them entered during the balls and other society events. Once Arthur and Tabitha properly met, and started to get to know each other, the book definitely picked up, and I couldn't wait to be able to read it all, and see how their story panned out. Arthur's uncle Brutus was awful, and I despised him as much as the couple did, so I was extremely happy that Arthur and Tabitha eventually decided they didn't care what he thought, and were only going to think of each other from now on. I'm definitely intrigued to continue the series, and find out if Jane and Lillian get their happy endings!

I loved the romance between Ewan and Grace. Grace was quite a colorful character and I enjoyed the antics. It was a great escape read.
Many thanks to WOLF Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

DARING THE DUKE is the first book in the Debutante Dare series. I expect each will stand on its own, but I can’t wait to read the books for Miss Lillian Clarke and Lady Jane.

I fell in love with the three bluestocking wallflowers that have been on the shelf way too long.

Tabitha may not be perfect, but she has an eidetic memory. She was raised as a lady, but she can become the perfect duchess by reading and memorizing the rules of society, Debrett’s Peerage, and any other books on etiquette she can obtain. This is a dare to herself and to Arthur… one that can save her family and lead to love.

That’s what I love about reading historical romance. A bit of whimsy, a dash of the outlandish, and a full dose of romance. Passion, steam, humor, and a bit of silliness made this a fun read.

This is the first book I have read from Charlie Lane, but it won’t be my last!

Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC via NetGalley, my opinions are my own and are given freely.


Title: DARING THE DUKE
Series: Debutante Dare #1
Category /Genre: Historical Romance
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Grammar/editing: A – near perfect
Received from: WOLF Publishing (as an ARC gifted copy)

This was a 3.5 but I raised it to 4 due to the characters. Story was a bit off and on for me. I didn't really feel a true chemistry between Tabitha and Arthur. There was some humor regarding some of the dares. Story was slow in parts. I would try the second book though.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC for my honest feedback.

First in a series. This was a fun read from this author, whom is new to me. Tabitha and Arthur have a rocky start and then they enter into a fake courtship. Their journey was one that ranged from nemesis to friends to love. Definitely a nice read.

Gorgeous book cover! Tabitha is 27 and having her first season. She must marry well to bring her family back from the brink for financial ruin, which she caused.
Arthur must marry a woman his family approves of in order to fulfill his father's will and get his childhood home.
Tabitha fascinates Arthur and she is put to the duchess test.
I liked Tabitha and Arthur although I do feel like all of Tabitha doubts in the 2nd half of the book seemed a little out of character.
I enjoyed this book and can't wait for Jane and George's story next.

Lady Tabitha, having lost her family's money in a bad investment, is desperate to marry well to save her father and sisters. At 27, with red hair (unfashionable and wanton) and an eidetic memory, she is not what a wealthy young aristocrat is looking for in a wife. As a dare, she and her other wallflower friends play a trick on Arthur, the Duke of Collingford. Each time Tabitha is introduced to him, she gives a more and more fantastical name, thinking she is so beneath his notice he won't realize. Of course he does! Arthur has his own dilemma. He needs a wife his entire family will approve of in order to inherit his beloved childhood home, Rose Hall. She must be perfect in form, face, disposition, accomplishments and pedigree. Certainly not an aging, redheaded spinster! Tabitha convinces him she can use her memory skills as a way to study to become the perfect Duchess. They both feel anxiety and panic over their need for perfection and a sense of failure not being what their families want them to be. But what is perfection? Isn't is different for everyone? I enjoyed the description of Tabitha's memory process. Searching each room in her mind and opening the trunk she stored each piece of information.

To start I liked the idea behind this book. To me it sounded fun and mostly it was. Tabitha and Arthur were very likable, and I thought they made a great couple. I was very intrigued by Tabitha's unique talent and even though Arthur was a bit uptight and stuffy, that really worked for me. I love when the heroine can loosen up the hero. I can't say every aspect of the story set right with me. This is the kind of book that you are going to have to be accepting because some things just seem farfetched. If you can do that, I think you'll enjoy this read but if you are the type of reader that loves realism and needs a certain amount of accuracy in the details, it will be a bit of a turn-off. I thought it was very good and look forward to reading more of the series. I am electing to post a candid review.

I enjoyed this historical romance story with all of the characters. The two main characters were Lady Tabitha Hampton and Lord Arthur, the Duke of Collingford.

Lady Tabitha Hampton has a really good memory she can remember anything thing that she see and hears. The things that she wants to remember she puts them in a special trunk in her brain so that she can remember for later. But the talent that she has can't help her to find a husband. And she really need one because her father is sickly. And also with a bad investment that has left the family with little money.

Arthur, the Duke of Collingford is in need of a wife but not any lady will do. He needs one that can act like a perfect Duchess. With a fair of face, impeccable good manners and also has enough social influence to impact his parliamentary projects. But what catches his attention is a lady that is quite different.

This was a fun and laughable story. It also has a few emotional moments that had me a little mad at the characters. But it didn't make me put down the book and not finish it.

I received a complimentary copy via Booksprout and Netgalley. This is my honest unbiased opinions.

omg this one was so funny to read, and such a relief as I followed the story to the end. Our heroine and her girls get up to no good by daring each other to do stuff. In her case, she accepts a dare to get introduced to the Duke of Collingford. Not unusual, but she uses a different name each time. It's too funny to me. Anyway, she is so convinced he's to stuck up to even remember her in any of her incarnations. Boy is she wrong. Our hero Arthur does notice. He just can't get over what this woman has done, but he agrees to dare to give her a chance to prove she can be a perfect duchess for him. Of course, she's doomed to fail--no one is perfect. However, 2 people can be perfect for each other. Perfect love story!

A story about a girl in those times actually fighting for herself instead of being a pawn of society. Actually made something happen instead of being at the win of men as was the norm. ..

I wasn't expecting a ton when I picked this one up. I just wanted something to read quickly that would take my mind off things. Sadly, this wasn't the right book for that. Instead of providing escapism, it was just a slog. Not enough tension in the romance, not enough smut, and not enough plot I actually cared about. The characters were bland. This one wasn't bad, it just had a problem with being way too little in every regard.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

This was my first book Charlie Lane and it was an enjoyable read. It was beautifully written but the characters were slightly immature for their ages but overall it still held my attention. I enjoyed the humor in this storyline. Tabitha loses a large sum of money and decides to marry a duke. Arthur who is a duke must marry to get rose hall as a part of his inheritance clause. With a dare she introduces herself to the Duke with a different name each time...thinking he'll not remember. But he does. Arthur has a thing for perfection and she offers her great photographic memory. With her memory she'll transform into most perfect duchess. Instead of a perfect marriage they fall in love with each other.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Really enjoyed Arthur and Tabitha's story. The author is new to me but will look forward to reading her future books. The author weaves a great story of finding true love while seeking a perfect spouse. Great sex scenes, omg.