The spoiler-free summary: The Duke of Raffian, Raff to his friends, is a man obsessed with the fair-haired debutante with the angelic smile, Evangeline.

All the things I loved:

The hero: The Duke of Raffian even though he's a Regency F- Boy I still want him for Christmas.
The Spice: you can feel it and it is delicious. It builds up steam and pays off in a very satisfying way.
The plot: I literally sped read this in one sitting,
The relationship-building: I love that he has to learn to earn her love not just demand it.

The things I didn't love:
The implied age gap: I tend to stay away from stories that involve anyone under the age of 25 that marries anyone over the age of 30. It creates a power imbalance, especially at a time when women had very few choices and rights. The author neglected to disclose their ages but if you read enough historical romances you recognize the signs.
The girl is obsessed with another man. Let it go boo, sheesh.

Final Thoughts: Buy it, listen to it, or borrow it from your library!

This book was a Netgalley ARC read

The blurb cautions the reader that this novel goes full steam ahead. It is in fact a delightful romance between two completely opposite characters. Recognizing that it is time for him to take a wife and beget an heir, the Duke of Raffian, in his usual dominant style, has determined that he and his friends will participate in the season and find themselves brides. His friends are not as enthusiastic as he is. On their first foray, Raff sets his eyes on the beautiful and docile-looking Miss Evangeline Dalton and claims her as his wife-to-be. As Raff discovers, nothing is as it seems and although his Angel is intensely shy and dislikes being the center of attraction, she is in fact quite capable of making her own decisions and standing up for herself. Declaring that he will not have her heart and cannot own her, Raff makes her a promise that takes him on an unexpected journey. The book comes to a lovely conclusion, opening the way for Raff's friends to find their way forward. I received a copy of this romance from Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Obsession and seduction turns to love in this steamy and spicy regency romance. I quickly got captivated by Raff and Angel, and the story was passionate and demanding of a heartfelt happy ending.

First time reading this author- and I’m hooked!! This is a fast read- no slow moments. About a Duke who gets everything he wants, and he sees Evangeline ( pretty, young , shy, diamond of the first water) and then goes to her father for her hand in marriage. Of course they get married but he then realizes she’s in love with someone else. This book is very good, even though it moves fast you get to know the characters, it’s pretty much just the two of them so you understand they’re feelings and actions. A must read!

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC copy for review; this is my freely given opinion.
I loved this book! I can't tell you enough. I was missing the basic love story between a strong Lady and a Rake - don't get me wrong, I love heroines that have jobs, like journalists, scientists, etc, but sometimes it is good to go back to the basics. Not only do I recommend it, but I will buy this book in print!
Evangeline is a very shy Lady who thinks she is in love with someone else. Raff is a rake who understands his role as a duke and needs an heir. He singles Evangeline out and does everything he can to marry her. Evangeline is "forced" to marry him. The shy girl brings fire to the relationship and Raff realizes that she is not the biddable bride he thought she would be. The erotic scenes are hot! They are very well written, thoughtful, and respectable. Raff is a rake, but he respects Evangeline and does everything to protect her.
The only thing to say is that the final plot is resolved too fast, but I am giving 5 stars because Bella does an amazing job writing this story

Everything about this book felt somewhat underdeveloped. Hard to feel that much of a connection with , or between, the Duke or Evangeline. Not much to recommend it really, it all felt a bit anaemic.

Raff is obsessed with Evangeline from the moment he sees her. As a duke, he believes that she will make the perfect duchess, and he knows that what he wants, he will have. Yet Evangeline has no desire to marry Raff, but when her parents force her into the marriage, she is determined that he will never own her heart. However, Raff is determined that his Angie/Angel will demand his affections, even if it nearly kills him to wait.
This is a delightful romance, full of passion between two determined characters. Angie grows in confidence in her marriage to Raff whilst he learns to listen to her, realising it is the only way to gain her affection. This book highlights how both Angie and Raff have to change their ways if they are to have a successful marriage. A very entertaining read and I look forward to more books in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A brute of a duke sees a pretty girl at a ball and decides to wed her without even trying to get to know her or court her. She's against the marriage but doesn't have a choice as her parents force her hand. And she's left behind another unsuitable gentleman. Raff tries his best to seduce Evangeline even though she's reluctant and they start to grow closer over their honeymoon. They both have their own issues to work out and try to mature before they can really fall in love though.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋💋

The Duke of Raffian stole my heart while i was reading this book, my first from this author.
This was right up my street, a steamy and beautiful story, very well written, loads of new characters to get my teeth into and further books to intrigue me, what’s not to love.

This is a slightly forced marriage, but it’s all consensual in the bedroom.
He’s a gentleman, though I use the term lightly, a carouser, a womaniser, then he sees the woman to change him, across a ballroom floor.

Evangeline Dalton, a diamond if ever there was one.
And now the Duke must fight to keep his marriage and his sanity it seems, and keep his hands to himself until she gives herself to him .
Excellent book, can’t wait for the next.

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review



Sent from my iPhone

4.5 stars. William, a duke better known as Raff to friends, has finally conceded the inevitable: it's time to perform the one essential duty of his title--marry and sire an heir. When he is instantly captivated by the stunning Evangeline, it seems all his problems are solved. After all, what woman wouldn't leap at the chance to become a duchess???

This was great fun! Between all the very enjoyable spicy bits, there is quite a bit of heart and humor! These are both fundamentally good people who deserve to be happy and it's fun to watch them find their way there. Pick this up for a light, low-angst steamy good time!

Plot- 3/5
Spice - 4/5

If you want to read a historical romance with A LOT of spice and forced marriage, then don't hesitate. There seems to be an age gap trope as well but their ages aren't mentioned. The plot although intriguing, isn't unique. It's a fast paced read which you can finish in one sitting. I basically devoured it. And the spice is so good y'all. It's so well written.

Raff is a duke who is possessive and obsessed with making Evangeline his. He's basically a sort of character who gets what he wants. He's portrayed as a bad guy but is a marshmallow at heart. He's totally smitten with Evangeline at first sight.

Evangeline is a basic shy girl, who hates Raff's guts. She's in love with another man. And that's her WHOLE personality. I didn't like her as much, I would've liked to see more character growth.

The chemistry between the two is good enough.

I would've liked that the author had built more on Malcom's and Benedict's story even though it's clear we're going to get their stories next in the series.

Overall, an pretty good read. I give it 3.5 stars, rounded up to four.

eARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review. (Review posted on Goodreads as well).

Raff, the Duke of Raffian, makes up his mind the minute he sees Angie Dalton she will be his wife. She is his angel. Angie is not as receptive to Raff's attention, she has someone else she wants to marry. Raff won't give up until she marries him. Once married, she holds him off on their wedding night. She is shy and insecure. Raff has a lot to learn about his wife and his heart. One thing they both want, is to trust each other. Passionate, heated encounters that create steam. Love it when an arrogant Duke falls off his pedestal and is perplexed when he does not know why.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.