I enjoy reading historical romance novels set during world events that I don't know much about. That drew me initially to this novel from Sabrina Jeffries, set in the aftermath of the Napoleonic war.

I found myseld enjoying the second half of the novel, when the set up in the aftermath of the war and between the handful of characters was allowed to play out.

The first half of the novel was slow for my taste. I found my interest wavering and struggled to care about what was happening until later when all cards and plot points were on the table.

The lead characters felt stilted at times early on, as well. There could have been more digging into the mental health aspect of an English nobleman surviving eleven years of captivity in France, and ways that would manifest. It could have added depth to the Duke that otherwise felt a bit glossed over.

For those who feel a certain way about cringeworthy phrasing sometimes found during sex in romance novels, there are a few phrases used that took me out of the sex scenes.

Thank you, as always, to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of the ebook.

2.75 stars on StoryGraph rounded up to 3 on here.

Hazardous to a Duke’s Heart was an interesting story as it brought forth parts of the time period that we don’t often see, such as how the English nationals were held hostage in France. It also showed a realistic (for the time) portrayal of Tori’s brother, a character written with compassion and a favorite of mine in this story. Tori’s passion is sculpting, again, something no woman of the ton would carve out for herself as a career, yet her sculpting leads to another passion, far beyond her dreams… or so she thought until Jon mentions an inheritance from her father (Jon’s mentor and fellow prisoner).

Everything she desires is within her reach. Until one little white lie blossoms beyond “little”, her dreams may not be as near as she’d hoped, unless she and Jon answer one question without doubt…do you love me, for me and no other reason. The right answer will change two very stubborn people’s lives.

I enjoyed Hazardous to a Duke’s Heart very much. It’s a well-written story from an author I’ve come to trust to provide a good, realistic, love-filled romance. If you love a Regency Romance with a few subjects that we don’t often see, then you’d love this one.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author’s publishing house and/or NetGalley, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

I am always entertained by this author and really enjoyed this story. A great start to this new series. I loved the interaction between Jon and Tory. After being imprisoned for years in France, Jon is once again home, but with a load of guilt. He went to France with a tutor, Morris, and while there, they were imprisoned and Morris died just as they would be freed. Jon thinks the whole reason for Morris' death is his fault and just as he was dying, Morris ask Jon to look after his daughter and find her a husband. The problem is, Tory doesn't want a husband. She has her reasons and isn't sharing them with Jon. The more he gets to know Tory, the more he wants her for his wife, but he knows if she were to find out what really happened to her father, she would hate him. The best thing would be to find her a good man who can take care of her. The problem is, Tory is not cooperating. Will he have to tell the whole story? Will she ever speak to him again if he does?

A great start to a new series by Sabrina Jeffries, an author I go to whenever I am looking for a fast paced, sexy historical romance. Jonathan Leighton, a younger son to the Duke of Falconbridge, is back from France after being sent there with a trusted mentor to guide him while he matures into the man his parents hoped he would become. Upon his arrival home, he learns he is now the Duke as his two half brothers have recently deceased. He is also shocked to learn his late mentor’s daughter, Victoria, has been serving as governess to his sister, Chloe. Johnathan is not ready to address his guilt over his mentor’s death with anyone, especially Tory and he does what he canto make her life easier by telling her his father left her a dowry and asked him to ensure she married well. Of course, both Tory and Johnathan have secrets and as they spend more time with each other they will have to work together to ensure they each reach the HEA they want.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Sabrina Jeffries launches a new series featuring Englishmen returning from France after eleven years held captive. As you might imagine, there are emotional issues to work through as each hero finds his footing amongst all the changes during their absence.

When Jon left for his grand tour, he was young, arrogant, and carefree. Eleven years later, a much more sober man returns to responsibilities, family obligations, and a debt to repay to the tutor who didn't make it home. When he agreed to find the man's daughter a husband he had no idea what he was in for. I love when a hero's well-laid plans for his heroine are blown to smithereens in an instant.

I adored Tory. In her, Jeffries created a character who had my whole-hearted support, respect, and affection. The banter between her and Jon sparkles. I love her determination, her vulnerability, and her fierce protection of the secret she's keeping. The chemistry between this couple is undeniable and the feelings deepen as Jon struggles with what his heart wants and what his conscience demands.

Jeffries does a good job of introducing the lead characters of the next two books, giving readers a taste of what we're in for without allowing them to outshine the main couple. There's also a mystery that will unfold over the course of the series and an unexpected twist in this book that caught me by surprise. I'm eager to discover how it will all play out over the course of the series.

ARC received from publisher via NetGalley
Fair and unbiased opinion

Sabrina Jeffries always writes enjoyable period romances, and this one is no different.

This is a first in a new series which introduces us to a new Lord who had inherited his title whilst he was a captive of Napoleon. He comes back with a lot of guilt over his mentor dying during a botched escape plan, and he feels the need to set right with his mentor‘s daughter. This involves him feeling the need to help her find a husband, which is the last thing she wants to do.

This is also filled with a lot of the fun banter that is usually in these books and of course the requisite happily ever after. I look forward to reading the rest in the series.

First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing an early copy to read and review.

Secondly, I would like to state that this is my first book written by Sabrina Jeffries.

While I loved the plot, enjoyed the whole storyline and could understand both main characters, they were just dancing around their feelings. I felt that something was missing.

I loved the past of Mr. Morris, the late father of the main heroine, beeing peeled like an onion.
The more into the story, the more you understand.
I also very much enjoyed the historical meaning of the Napoleon wars and learned something new.

All in all, I can say I enjoyed the book and would love to read more from the pen of this author.

A stunning regency romance!

My favourite genre of book. My favourite tropes. Everything about this book was perfect. The characters have life and backstory. They have a purpose - which is not just to fall in love with each other and live happily ever after. Though that always comes as an added bonus.

Jonathan Leighton has spent the last 11 years as a détenu, an imprisoned Englishman held captive during Napoleon's reign. His mentor, Dr Morris, who accompanied him on his Grand Tour, died as they were closing in on their freedom, and as his dying makes Jon promise to find his daughter Victoria a good husband. When he arrives home, he learns his two older brothers are dead and he's now the Duke. Jon takes it upon himself to forge a codicil to Morris's will to provide a £5000 dowry for her. Except that Tory, who was his sister's governess for a time, doesn't want anything to do with marriage...and Jon has eyes only for her.

Sabrina Jeffries chooses an interesting historical facet of the Napoleonic War era to start this story. Napoleon declared that all English civilians who *could* fight or lead troops (between 18 and 60) who were in France were to be detained. So Jon, who went to France for his Grand Tour and to grow up, is away from his home without contact for eleven years. This separation gives us a hero who has an excuse for not fitting quite in with society and freely ignoring some social norms, including dowering his sister's governess.

The book is a little uneven for me - especially since I know what Jeffries can be capable of - but the writing is strong enough and the plot and characters fun enough that this was an enjoyable read.

This was a very interesting story about a group of people I had not yet heard about: détenus. Civilians who were imprisoned as part of the Napoleonic wars. Quite a heavy topic and yet Sabrina Jeffries weaves their stories in but still keeps the tone light. There were many things that had really impacted Jonathan 's current mental state, which Tori was trying to figure out but I almost wanted a bit more of the angst and the glimpse into the unpleasantness of being in Bitsche and Verdun. I think it would have made the payoff much sweeter in the end of what they needed to overcome. From Tori's side she had a pretty good reason to not be with anyone or to marry and I liked how that story played out. What I wasn't sure of was how her dream would actually become a reality of opening her art school but maybe I was thinking too much about this while reading it. I did enjoy their banter and flirting but it was hard to really feel what they truly saw in each other as partners. I would definitely still read the next book but I don't think it's my favourite Sabrina Jeffries to date.
Steam: 🔥
Heart flutters ❤️

Great start to the series. Having to deal with freedom after so many years in jail. Going back to a London he did not know. Taking on a dukedom and a young lady were more things added. Along came slow love. I enjoyed the story.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the Publisher and leaving a review by my own choice.

A slightly modified fairytale with governess turned duchess plus sculpture and a side of processing of traumatic experiences. Of course, the heroine does not want to marry. Of course, the hero cannot marry her. Of course, the heroine is most understanding of hero’s flaws. Of course, the hero is (mostly) free thinking on women and society.
While the romance genre is mostly not given to deep explorations of the human nature, this book touched on several issues such as: women rights in the 1800s, women artists in the 1800s, women education in the 1800s, mental illness (in different variations) in the 1800s, war trauma in the 1800s, and much more, but did not go in the trouble to explore one of them in depth. Furthermore, none of these issues was the main or significant driver for the story or character development. Also, the “mystery” in the book is not resolved and only touched on in this installment, probably because the story is to be contributed as a series?
The plot does not include unforeseeable twists, but there is a lot of repetitions on why the MC or the FC cannot marry. A lot of repetitions. Which does not make the reasons more convincing. Partly cheesy dialogues in the cringy scenes.
A light, well written, but rather lengthy read with enjoyable characters.
Thanks to netgally for the arc. This is my voluntary reviews. Opinions are my own.

This is the story you need!
Jonathan was an English captive for years in a French Fortress. When he finally is able to return home things sure have changed drastically & he is now a Duke with responsibilities. On top of all that he has promised his friend & mentor that he will help his daughter find a husband.
Now then we have Victoria. She is a talented artist and has focused her future on opening a school for women artists. She isn't thrilled about her father's dying wish to get her married.
Soon Jonathan realizes he doesn't want her to marry someone else. She too is falling for him. Can they find a way to be together?
So wonderfully written. The story just seems to flow and grabs you from the start. Wonderful Strong characters matched with a perfect story and you feel like part of their world. It is packed with wit, great conversations and of course don’t forget that hidden passion. You won't be able to get enough.
I can't wait to read more from The Lords of Hazard series!! Go on and enjoy this adventure!!

This tugged at my heartstrings in so many ways. Jon had suffered in numerous ways, as with his friends and mentor. Victoria carried the weight of the world and much more. They both had to find healing and learn love cannot be denied. I found myself googling many aspects of this historical fiction, which makes them next level. I get to feel history on a personal level. I shed tears more than once and felt whole and happy at the end. Brilliant book.

Lord Jonathan Leighton has been gone for 11 years - detained in France by Napolean with some friends and his mentor. When he returns to England, he finds out that his half brothers have died and he has now inherited a dukedom. He also has a promise to keep that he made to his mentor.

Victoria Morris is in a bad way. She has been working as a governess to Lord Leighton's sister, but since Chloe is in her second Season, Tory is more of a companion to Chloe. She is kind of in limbo, since she is no longer a governess, but hasn't been named a companion. She is also about to lose the lease on her cottage and has a huge secret that she has been keeping from everyone.

Jon is immediately attracted to Tory, but since she is the daughter of his mentor and the one that he has promised to find a suitable husband, nothing can come of the attraction. That is, until they become involved. Jon finds out Tory's secret and assures her he can take care of everything. Tory finds out Jon's secret and it causes a rift between them.

Add in some intrigue that followed Jon from France, and you have a fabulous read! Sabrina Jeffries does an amazing job of bringing Regency England to life, and now adding the interesting aspect of the dentenus makes the story so engaging. Sabrina has done it again with this new series! I can't wait to read the next books!

As a fan of historical romance, reading Sabrina Jeffries was already a must.

With this new story we have our hero who after returning to English soil learns that he is the new Duke and must honor the promise made to his mentor who died during captivity, and that is to take care of his daughter, a lady who refuses to be married and who has her own plans for the future.

The formula of this trope of the independent lady who dictates her rules and the hero who for whatever reason wants to marry her off and they end up falling in love, never fails, at least in my case.

I ended up loving Jeffries' pen and I'm sure I want to read what follows of the next characters, because I was intrigued for more.


Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC.

Author Sabrina Jefferies does another great job in her new book “Hazardous to a Duke’s Heart” first in a new series, called Lords of Hazard. The author sets up the story in the prologue in Bitche Prison, France, April 1814. The reader gets to know Lord Jonathan Layton, who is the main character in this story and the prisoners who are his friends, the Earl of Heathbrook, Captain Wuentin Scovell, and mentor, Dr. Morris. The beginning of the story takes place during Napoleon’s war while they are in prison.

The dramatic beginning leads to an exciting storyline with Jon a new duke trying desperately to redeem himself by getting Dr. Morris’s daughter, Victoria, married and in a financially secure life. Meanwhile, her sharp wit, intelligence, desire to control her life while protecting her secret creates a fun story of her and Jon clashing over everything.

These two characters are thoroughly entertaining and will keep readers attention to the very end.

The lesson I learned from this book is that protecting someone special takes sacrifice and love. Sometimes there won’t be a happy ending if you don’t allow it. This book is about hoping and receiving more than one thought possible.

The Duke of Falconridge’s third son, Jon, leaves for France on a grand tour. He leaves with his tutor, William Morris and then they are detained in a French prison during Napoleon’s war. During this time, Morris dies, and he asks Jon to take care of his daughter, Tori. Jon returns to England to find that he is the current Duke. Tori (Victoria) is Jon's sister governess. The attraction is instant between them. However, Jon must find a husband for both his sister and her governess. Can he put his own feelings aside about Tori and find a suitable husband for her?

The banter between Jon and Tori is fun and this regency romance pulled me into the story from the beginning. My first book by Sabrina Jeffries and it won't be my last.

Sabrina Jeffries latest romance novel is a winner. the prolific author has launched a new series with "Hazardous to a Dukes Heart. " The historical fiction centers on the English citizens who were detained in Napoleonic France for fourteen years as the war waged on. . He had promised his dying mentor that he would find the man's daughter a good husband. When a Lord returns to England he discovers that he is now a Duke, and the woman he was supposed to provide for does not wish to marry anyone. Fan's of Julia Quinn will love this romance with all the tropes. It is love at first site, but neither person feels worthy of the other and they both have secrets that get in the way. This somewhat spicy novel will keep you reading. Jeffries provides lots of detail to round out the main characters, and I couldn't help loving them flaws and all. Without providing spoilers, I will say that I was very happy to see the inclusion of a disabled person toward the end of the story. I was thrilled to get an advanced reader's copy of this novel for review from the publisher. I loved this story and can't wait to read the next book. She lays the groundwork here for other love matches and I am waiting to see these characters get their Happily Ever After.

If you enjoy book clubs, this is the May pick for Kensington's Between the Chapters Book Club on Facebook.

This book had an interesting backdrop as the hero had spent 10 years as a detenee in France during the Napoleonic war, in other words, he was a civilian prisoner of war. At times, Jon, our hero was a bit of an a$$ and much of this was explained as a consequence of his captivity. The heroine, Tory, was exactly what John needed as he worked to normalize his life after captivity. 4 stars.