Instant attraction the minute these two bump into each other outside a train station. Artemis has left her position as a finishing school teacher to help her friend navigate the London season and sets out to find a patron for her women's college. And she's a secret gothic romance writer. Dominic is the dastardly duke with a reputation for harming his deceased wife and trying to reign in his wayward 15 year old daughter. When he decides to take a wife, he only has eyes for Artemis. Lots of different plot points and family connections going on in this book, and the respect and attraction that Dominic has for Artemis is the absolute best.

Up All Night with A Good Duke by Amy Rose Bennett
The Byronic Book Club #1
Historical Romance
Publication Date: June 28, 2022

Up All Night with A Good Duke, or in my case, up all night with a good book because this was an easy to read bingeable romance. Artemis is a bluestocking spinster content in her ways as long as it means she can open the school for girls she has always dreamed of. As suggested by the title our love interest is a widowed duke struggling to raise his teenage daughter on his own. After a series of run-ins the two strike a mutually beneficial bargain only for their plan to quickly go off the rails. Although romances can be kind of predictable, I mean it was obvious they were entering into bargain territory, the author still managed to throw an unexpected wrench in the plans and I always get excited when a romance novel can surprise me.

This is a mild taming of the shrew retelling. Mild being the key here because Artemis is never “unpleasant.” With her modern and forward thinking it's everyone else around her that’s “unpleasant.” Her own family makes me want to take them and shake them. Even in the end when Artemis is validated I had little sympathy for her family (after all was said and done I probably would have done the I Told You So Dance from Will & Grace before her aunt). In terms of the love interest, there is only one thing in historical romance I love more than a rakish duke and it's a misunderstood duke. Dominic’s reputation suffers because of misinformation and it isn’t until it starts to affect his daughter that he remerges into society. A concept in which I think is entirely relatable.

Not to give anything away but that scene on the cover was by far the best in the book and not just because it started with smut. This is an open-door romance with building sexual tension and spicy scenes scattered throughout. I saw a few Goodreads reviews that said the characters lacked chemistry between them which just baffled me. Their attraction could have lit a match across the room.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me with an advanced reading copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a new author for me and it was quite enjoyable.
Artemis Jones-"respectable" finishing-school teacher by day and Gothic romance writer by night-has never lost sight of her real dream: to open her own academic ladies' college. Dominic Winters, the widowed Duke of Dartmoor, needs a wife-someone who will provide him with an heir and help him to manage his spitfire adolescent daughter. The problem is, rumors are rife that he murdered his mad wife so his choices for a suitable bride are limited. But then he meets the ravishing and passionate Artemis Jones who might just be everything he needs.
I really liked Dominic. He learns a lot about himself through the book. The way he builds his relationship with his daughter is beautiful and sweet. I have some issues with Artemis. I absolutely love bluestockings, specially the smarter and brave ones, but she didn´t seem real to me. She was almost a contemporary character in a historical romance. I was a bit frustrated with her by the end of the story.
The book was well written, with a lot of great steamy moments and witty dialogs. There are also interesting side characters.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Wow this book was just so good and so easy to get lost in. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I just didn't want the story to end. I just couldn't get enough of these wonderful characters and I just loved getting to see their journey. I will most definitely be reading more stories from this wonderful author.

I was very charmed by this romance! I had never read an Amy Rose Bennett before and so I was excited to dive into this book. As someone who reads many 18th and 19th century historical romances, I have a lot of appreciation for when an author switches up the typical dynamics and therefore the highlight for me here was the role reversal between Dominic and Artemis. Often, in m/f historicals, heroines are clearer on their feelings about the relationship than the hero. In Up All Night with a Good Duke, however, it is Artemis who is genuinely not sure if she wants to marry Dominic and who was uncertain about whether she wanted to be a duchess. While it is common for the heroine to have some reluctance towards assuming this social role, Artemis seemed genuinely ambivalent about this possibility and was the one less certain about moving forward in their relationship. For a significant part of the book, she was convinced that she and Dominic were just going to have a good time and her hesitation was the main impediment to their happy ending. And it wasn’t out of a noble sense of self-sacrifice (“I can’t agree to marry him when he doesn’t love me”) but because she wasn’t sure she wanted to have kids (he needs an heir) and she feared that becoming a duchess would affect her various career prospects. Overall, Artemis felt like a genuinely conflicted heroine who had totally reasonable doubts about marrying a man defined by his high status in a patriarchal system.

That said, Dominic was also a fun character and fit well with Artemis—both romantically and tonally. At times, in historical romances, the characters are almost too noble and perfect—both heroes and heroines can have the tendency to think that any self-interested action makes them unlovable monsters. I appreciated that neither Dominic and Artemis were particularly saintly nor castigated themselves for not living up to an impossible standard. I particularly enjoyed how Dominic wanted to do well by his fifteen-year-old daughter and yet kept doing only a passable job of meeting this goal—he doesn’t fail his daughter horribly but neither is he an amazing parent. He sees that his daughter needs a female role model with whom she can bond, so he resolves to get married (itself a bit of a questionable line of reasoning), but then finds himself quickly distracted by his affair (which then turns into an engagement) with Artemis. His daughter loves to read Artemis's scandalous novels (published under a pseudonym) but Dominic thinks that they are unsuitable reading material for his daughter (before he knows who authored them), so he takes them away from her. Not long after, of course, he is embarking on a torrid affair with the author herself (unbeknownst to him—but he does know that Artemis reads the same Gothic romances that his daughter enjoys). In short, he is your standard vaguely hypocritical, flawed-in-a-normal-way parent. Similarly, Artemis doesn't agonize over being unable to save her family members from themselves. When her sister decides to engage in a relationship with the man who “ruined” Artemis herself years ago and her sister doesn’t listen to her warnings, Artemis departs for the country with Dominic, telling herself that there is nothing she can do if Phoebe won't listen to her. And she is right! Sometimes people have to learn the hard way and all you can do is be there when they call you in the aftermath—and that is exactly what Artemis does. Overall, Artemis and Dominic are refreshing for their reasonable and self-interested behavior.

All of the above is enhanced by the fact that the sex scenes here are quite hot! The connection between Artemis and Dominic is lust-forward, which I love to see, and it was a pleasure to read them figuring out their relationship. I recommend this book to anyone who loves historical romance, especially those interested in books set in the Victorian period, and/or who adore bluestocking heroines and steamy connections between main characters.

Miss Artemis Jones returns to London to help a friend navigate the season, and hopes to find a patron to help make her dreams of opening a women's college a reality. Dominic Winters, widowed Duke of Dartmoor, is looking for a wife to help guide his teenage daughter, but ugly rumors about his past have limited his options. Will a chance meeting between Artemis and Dominic turn into exactly what they both need?

This is the first book in a new series, The Byronic Book Club. As the story opens, Artemis Jonesis is working as a finishing-school teacher by day and Gothic romance writer by night. She quits her position when a friend asks for her help, and returns to town with a plan: thwart her aunt's attempt to manage her life and find a backer for her academic academy. But a meet-cute with a handsome duke was not in her plans.

I thought this story was fun and I enjoyed the playful relationship between Dominic and Artemis. Some secrets took longer to come out than others, but I do like that they confided in each other and built a relationship with trust and substance. I also enjoyed the development of the relationship between Artemis and Dominic's daughter, Celeste.

Tropes: Spinster, Bluestocking, Working Heroine, Secret Job, Widower, Fake Relationship, Compromised

Steam: 4

* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #UpAllNightWithAGoodDuke #NetGalley

Surprisingly fun. From the blurb I wasn’t expecting the delightful wordplay of the author. But anyone that comes up with Dartmoor’s Titanic Truncheon I’m going to read. It starts off typically with Artemis a 29 year old spinster quitting her teaching job to return to London to help her younger sister and a friend in their upcoming seasons. Artemis is a firm bluestocking and has no plans to marry. She also is secretly a Gothic romance writer. She runs into Dominic, the Dastardly Duke of Dartmoor and their story begins. Dominic Winters is widowed and has Celeste, a rebellious 15 year old daughter. He knows she needs a mother's guidance and it is time for him to remarry and produce an heir.

Both are strong minded characters. The story gets a little convoluted with her plan to stage a ruination but I like the engagement trope. And they take full advantage of the intimacy being engaged allows. It was steamy hot much sooner than I was expecting, with her often leading. There is a feel of Gothic mystery and actual plotting against them. And I like that villains actually get their just reward. The banter between the two MCs is fun and her befriending Celeste is sweet as she treats her like a young woman and not a child.

I am brand new to the author and am always thrilled to find good writers that have a catalog of books for me to discover. This is the first in a series called the Byronic Book Club. I assume that the books will be about Artemis’s friends and sister. I’m looking forward to Lucy’s story. But I will gladly read the whatever is next in the series. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Artemis and Dominic are two main characters that you can only route for. Neither has had an easy life.
Dominic was married to the love of his life. They had a daughter. But then his wife fell apart, having issues with depression. She eventually killed herself. But because there is no body, many think Dominic killed her and dumped the body to cover it up.
Artemis was courted, seduced and dumped by a rogue in her first season. A rogue she thought she loved. Ruined, she became a teacher, accepting the fact that she would be a spinster all her life.
Fate brings them together, more than once., 3x to be exact. There is a connection between them.
Dominic has to convince Artemis that things will work out between them. The convincing is the best part of the story.
5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.

It was the first time I couldn't find my interest with the heroine (at first). From the moment she met Dominic, she just excessively lusted after him, and I was like "Oh my God, girl, get a hold of yourself!". But then, when she and Dominic got closer, she started to see him beyond his looks and her state of mind was getting better. At the end, she wasn't that bad.

As for the plot, I had no objection. Perfect pace, perfect plot twist, perfect ending,...I loved it!

Dominic and Artemis - I loved them both - in emotional as well as steamy scenes, they rocked 😁

A very good story, developed in an interesting manner.  In spite of some predictable aspects,  it kept me engaged.

Am definitely looking forward to the next in series (esp to get glimpses of Artemis and Dominic's HEA 🙃🙃) 💃💃

3.5⭐️ “For the very first time in my life, I believe that happily-ever-afters are not only found at the end of a book. They are real.”

In the interest of transparency, I will admit that my initial motives for picking up this book were to check off my U book for an A-Z Reading Challenge. What I ended up with was an entertaining tale of resurgence and second chances.

Our bluestocking heroine, Artemis is intelligent, driven and caring. She has ✨PLANS✨ and no domineering aunt or villainous ex-suitor are going to get in her way.

Dominic is as refreshing as he is charming. Artemis is pleased to find out that nothing about him is as dastardly as society would make him out to be.

You’ll want to pick up Up All Night with a Good Duke if you like mature main characters, low angst and Taming of the Shew vibes {light on the Shew and heavy on the heart}

Thank you to the author, @SourcebooksCasa & @Netgalley for a free copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date for Up All Night With a Good Duke is June 28th, 2022.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

CW: death/disappearance of a loved one (past), discussions of struggles with mental health, discussions of miscarriage, grief, blackmail, gun violence, attempted murder

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/f historical romance
-insta attraction
-engagement of convenience
-competency kink
-single father
-this is just a hookup
-he falls first and hard

I adored this book and couldn't put it down, it was everything I love about romance books. Two people who on paper look like they don't match, but in reality are perfect for each other. Love and appreciate the things that other people have made them feel bad about. Dom has a past, both he and Artemis are on the outskirts of society for different reasons. He needs a wife and she wants spinsterhood in order to live a life of independence.

Their chemistry was off the charts from the very beginning and these two could barely keep their hands off each other. Accidentally falling in love, all while trying to take care of their family's. I adored the added twist that Artemis was a romance author. The same stigma of reading and writing romance was discussed as it is today and just the joy and escapism it offers.

The pacing, the writing, everything was just so earned. Artemis' slow building relationship with Dom's daughter, her realizing what she really wants out of life and accepting her feelings for him, and how he was just so very gone on her but trying to give her the space to decide what she wants. UNGHGHG. I loved this book and can't say enough good things about it.

Steam: 3.5

✨Dartmoor's Titanic Truncheon✨

This was so so so much fun!! It just made me so happy! I knew pretty instantly that the writing style was absolutely up my alley, yet I kept getting surprised by the next line that spoke to my soul. She is an undercover romance author and he's a misunderstood duke so really, I was born to read this book.

Artemis was such a goddess I love her to pieces!! That scene when she flaunted her engagement ring to the maid out of pettiness was MARVELOUS. We deserve petty queens! So many times heroines try to take the high road but she took the fun road and I love that journey for us 💅 I loved her relationship with both Dominic and Celeste. There were so many sweet and endearing moments between them, as well as flaming chemistry with her duke.

- Also for those who aren't a fan of romance authors in books who haven't actually had sex, never fear! Artemis is both an author and someone who enjoys having sex! I don't really mind when the heroines are inexperienced, but I really loved Artemis's dynamic here.

On that note, Dominic was such a fun character for me to read about. I am not normally used to heroes who have 15 year old daughters or who are pretty willing to sleep with the heroines right away. He was DTF and made it very evident. He was also just so hot and cute and sweet and misunderstood. I was rooting for him at all times!

There wasn't really a third act breakup, but the drama was still there! I love when the characters are unwillingly forced apart, rather than of their own volition. The villains got their just deserts and the HEA was just so perfect. There was a sick scene, proper steamy times, and fantastic euphemisms for that length of velvet encased steel we know and love.

The sex we got was hot but it could’ve utilized some longer more frequent scenes. She cotton-mouthed him on a TRAIN after taking off his suspenders and it was so perfect. We also had him use the word pussy once and this is totally personal preference but I LOVE IT in historical romances. He was just such an under the radar baddie I love him. The writing was so good during the scenes it’s really just a civic duty to include more. That’s my only qualm really!

I already can't wait for Lucy's book! I went it to this book having never read Amy Rose Bennett before, but I'm definitely a convert now. I have a few of her other books on my shelf and will try to get to them as soon as I can because wow I had such a good time.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶.25/5

Single dad to a teenage daughter falls for the progessive teacher - romance writer. Artemis is also trying to open a women’s college and in the hunt for someone to sponsor that. She runs into a duke a couple times, and loved their chemistry from the start. This is another modern - great steam- easy to read HR- its progressive and a little bit different with the setting more 1850s. We also get some Jane Austen references! Did I say she is also a steamy romance writer!

Loved her friends, sister, and daughter so much! I can’t wait for more of this series! High Recommendation for new-newbie historical romance readers!!

Amy Rose Bennett is a new to me author. I was honored to be invited by the publisher through Netgalley to receive an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

The writing was witty and engaging. I definitely plan to continue this series and may go back and catch up on some of the author's previous works. The theme was very woman empowering, which is appreciated.

The tone felt reminiscent of the gothic melodrama the heroine Artemis Jones wrote. She was very strong and independent. However, she didn't seem very wise. She reacted based on her life experiences like we all do. Unfortunately, that sometimes meant hiding and other times meant being too impulsive. Overall, she was a fine main character.

Dominic Winters, the widowed Duke of Dartmoor, was my favorite. He was respectful and supportive. Although not perfect and still mourning his first wife, I think he deserved more credit than his daughter or Artemis gave him in the beginning. I appreciated his honesty and ability to trust. He was very relatable and the perfect match for Artemis.

The story itself was quite erotic with descriptive and well written sex scenes. This author (or at least this book) has more than the average amount of sex. There is also some revenge and well rounded secondary characters. Overall a very enjoyable hot HR.

I usually always love a historical romance with a blue stocking heroine, but this one missed the mark for me. Artemis is a secret writer bluestocking who never wants to marry. Dominic is our duke hero who is looking for a bride - but not Artemis. Their is definitely an aspect of insta-love to the story, and maybe that added to what seemed like the lack of chemistry and tension. Their love story does not pull the story forward, and their “forced” plan doesn’t actually make sense and made it hard to push through. I had high hopes but this book wasn’t for me. I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Casablance, Netgalley and the author for an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This unusual historical romance hit all the right notes for me. I loved the independent heroine, a confirmed spinster and bluestocking who, despite being a fan of Jane Austen, really doesn't understand what all the fuss is about marriage. I also adored the hero - a duke with an age-old dilemma - what on earth to do with his recalcitrant teenage daughter?

This pair have serious chemistry and some of their exchanges are not for the faint of heart, but underneath it all there is a lovely theme of striving for what you want and not settling for less.

It's a great start to a series I am sure I am going to enjoy.

Up All Night With a Good Duke.

Was it a Victorian romance with thoroughly modern sensibilities? Yes.

Does the ending come together a little too fast? Maybe.

Is it a steamy diversion with Gothic secrets, misplaced bad reputations, and everything you’d want from a great romance novel? Absolutely.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn’t all that keen on this one. There were a few moments when I considered not reading on, but I’m generally not a quitter when it comes to reading. Artemis Jones is an outwardly respectable teacher by day and at night writes gothic romances under a pseudonym. Tired of the narrow curriculum at the finishing school she works at, she quits and heads to London, ostensibly to help out a friend who is trying to avoid the marriage mart, but with an ambition to find a sponsor to allow her to open her own school where young ladies can study the same academic subjects as young men. Dominic Winters, widowed Duke of Dartmoor has decided to find himself a new duchess, one who might understand his rebellious teenage daughter better than he does. Yes, these two meet and it’s instant attraction, of course, though neither will admit that it’s anything more than mutual lust. There’s a lot of sex in this book, which doesn’t generally worry me if it’s well written. Unfortunately Artemis is very forward for a Victorian lady. She drops her drawers at the slightest opportunity, and is quite enamoured of the Duke of Dartmoor’s ‘love truncheon.’ (I kid you not.) Nuff said.

*Received a copy for review.*
This book had a little bit of everything and I loved it all. A Widowed Duke who the ton gossips may have killed his wife. A “blue stocking” secret author who wants to open her own school for young ladies to study all the things. She also has no use for a husband.
Artemis & Dominic suit one another so we’ll. I loved their conversations and their secret plans to convince everyone that she has been debauched. They can both benefit from this arrangement.
The book moves quickly and it is such an easy read.
I cannot wait for the next book in this series.