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

William Finchley, or Finch to his friends, was sent to the Turner Academy at the age of 10, and never allowed to speak to his family again. Although his new friends, dubbed the Turner Terrors, all spoke about why they were sent to the school, Finch could never admit his past trauma to anyone. Now a vicar, he has found his place in the world, and is dealing with his scars. But learning his brother has died, and he is now the Duke of Sommersby, brings back memories which are better left forgotten. Though his friends, and their wives, are there to help him, they think he should marry and start a family, and he can't bear to let anyone that close. But will Victoria, Lady Pembroke, be able to make him rethink it? For Victoria, she was married off to her father's friend before she could have a season, and never had children with her husband, who was murdered by a prostitute, and left her with a pittance. Now free from her mourning, she's ready to rejoin society, and find a new husband to start a family. Her and Finch are immediately drawn together, and at risk of losing their hearts, but with their own views for the future being so different, can they find happiness together?

As the final book in the series, I loved how Destiny with a Duke really tied together so many plot lines. Ever since I read Discouraging the Duke, I've wanted to know more about Finch. He's always been the quiet one, on the outside from the others, but loved by all, and the way he kept to himself made me desperate to know more. Actually discovering the truth about his horrific grandfather, it definitely answered a number of questions, and I felt so sorry for him, especially as he had bottled everything up for so long. He had so many demons to overcome, and though he didn't always do the right thing, there were definitely moments of catharsis in the book, facilitated by his friends, his rediscovered family, and by Victoria. Victoria, for herself, had lost her mother at an early age, had to cope with an alcoholic father who gambled away everything, including his daughter, and marrying a man over 20 years her senior. She never had any friends, or people she could talk to, and was lucky that her aunt and uncle were happy to take her in once she was widowed. Meeting the wives of the Terrors, who immediately befriended her and took her under their wings, was like a dream come true, and finding love was neigh on unimaginable. I feel like their story was one of the best in the series, and I'm so glad all the Terrors were able to find their happiness!

She did it again . She gives us a diamond again . This is the story about Finch who never told his Terror Family why he end up at their school . His secret is very awful and he hasn ' t forgive himself . His grandfather was a monster . When he become Duke and at this first ball he meet the beautifull young widow Victoria . Even if he was intended to never marry and have an heir she make him feel like a new person . She is the reason he forfave his mother for not standing up for him when he was a boy . After their wedding day he keeps his secret from his wife and they live apart for 3 months . When he realises he will loose his other half he is telling her everything and he if finaly free from his past .
I received this book from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Destiny With a Duke is the fifth and final book in the Dukes Done Wrong series, and it is Finch’s story. I was so excited to finally read about the mysterious Finch, as he is the one Turner Terror who never revealed what happened to him when he was a child. As Finch becomes the new Duke of Sommersby, he attends his first season with the support of the other Turner Terrors and their wives. Finch has no plans to wed until he meets Lady Pemberton, who has just returned to polite society after the death of her husband a year ago. Finch and Victoria are so drawn to each other, but will Finch take a chance on love?

Finch’s story is probably the most heartbreaking of all the Turner Terrors, and there are parts of the story that deal with difficult and hard to read subjects. Topics including death, murder, child abuse, and more could trigger some readers, so I would strongly suggest checking out the content warnings before reading the book. Finch deals with feelings of unworthiness, especially when it comes to committing to Victoria. He is scarred and scared, and he has built a very large wall around himself. No one knows of his past, not even the Turner Terrors, and Finch find it impossible to open up about what happened to him. I like that Victoria helps him find ways to heal from the past and thinks her advice and support are the catharses for his emotional journey.

Victoria was in a loveless and childless marriage, and she longs for children. I love Victoria! She is so kind, wise, and honest, and I how that she takes charge of her life. For so long, Victoria’s life was dictated by either her father or her husband, and this is the first time she has the freedom to make her own choices. With that freedom comes a confidence and determination that Victoria embraces.

Victoria fits in so well with the Turner Terrors and their wives, and they readily welcome her into their continually expanding family. All of the protagonists from the previous books have secondary roles in this story, and their relationships are great models for Finch. He and Victoria see the love matches that all of his “brothers of the heart” made, and both wish for that as well. However, prior to meeting each other, neither Finch nor Victoria think this will happen to them, especially Finch.

The romance between Victoria and Finch is almost instantaneous. They feel such a strong connection from their first meeting, and the attraction is strong. Their love story is a bit different from the rest in the series since Victoria is the slightly more experienced partner, and Finch has no past experiences with women. Victoria is the first and only person to interest Finch, and it’s fascinating to see him try to reconcile his conflicted feelings, especially when other men show interest in Victoria. It’s clear that Victoria and Finch care deeply for each other. However, his fear, doubt, and past are Finch’s constant companions, and he finds it difficult to move past them. I love how Victoria advises Finch and how Finch listens to her wise words. They have a mutual respect and admiration that helps them both find peace, acceptance, and happiness.

I enjoyed this story and thought it was a great conclusion to the series. Like all of the books in the series, the characters are compelling, and the love story is wonderful. A novel about healing, learning to love yourself, starting over, and finding happiness, Destiny With a Duke will appeal to readers of historical romance. Thanks so much to NetGalley, Dragonblade Publishing, and the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

A vicar trying to save his own soul. A widow who yearns for children. A darkness that can only be dispelled with the healing power of love . . .

Since I started this series I have eagerly awaited Finch’s story — not because it would be pretty but because I knew his story would be one of great emotional growth. Finch has been in every book of the series, yet we know very little about him. He is the one who has joined all of his fellow Turner Terrors in matrimony yet he appears to never desire love himself. So, yes I eagerly awaited Finch’s story and I loved every minute of it!

Alexa Aston did not disappoint in this story. She does not shy away from taboo topics which are central to this story. Her characters are able to meet their past —head on — and work towards heeling.

I loved this story and I think all those who enjoy watching characters pass out of hell and into the light will enjoy the book as well.

I also as always with this authors work enjoy that she brings characters from previous books into the current story. I love catching up with all of the characters.

*Please check trigger warnings*

Overall 5 stars ⭐️& 5 flames 🔥

Ms. Aston has ended this series with the most compelling story of all the rest. Finch, an abused boy, was sent away to a boarding school for wild boys. He there meets life long friends among other second sons. Finch becomes a vicar but still cannot feel himself worthy of love. He finally meets his match in widowed Victoria. I look forward to her next series which is called the Second Sons of London. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.