Member Reviews

Lucien Grenier, Duke of Crewe has worked hard to develop a wicked reputation that keeps marriage minded debutants and their pushy mamas at bay. In fact, most of polite society gives Lucien a wide berth. That is of course until Jessamyn St. Claire’s sister gets pregnant and informs Jessamyn that Lucien is the father, and he is refusing to marry her / acknowledge the child. Jessamyn decides to see her sister wed, the baby acknowledged as the heir apparent and Lucien, the doting father / husband. She did witness her sister in a passionate embrace with Lucien at a ball before she stepped in and stopped it from progressing further.

Jessamyn decides the best way to “ruin” Lucien is to whiten his black reputation, something he guards at all costs. She proceeds to donate money to orphanages, sponsor bibles, donate to various charities, all in his name to make him more acceptable to the ton.

I did not enjoy this book much and thought the plot dragged on a little too long for my taste. I liked that Lucien was so protective of his brother, who has a mental and possible physical disability, and is the rightful duke. Lucien is a nice person, committed to his brother, caring and loyal. Jessamyn’s character was frustrating, and I did not feel the connection between the MCs. I also could not understand why her sister needed to name Lucien as the father of her child when the actual father was there!

I received an ARC from the publishers and NetGalley and submit my honest review voluntarily.

Was this review helpful?

Our hero in this historical romance is deliberately making his reputation as scandalous as possible, just to keep people away. Our heroine is the opposite. Her sister is in trouble, so she will do anything to help her. Even if that means taking on the worst rogue in town.
I loved the emotional reasons behind our characters choices. There is mischief made by both and surprises for them both.
This is the second book in the series but easily read on its own. I very much look forward to reading the rest.
Great fun.

Was this review helpful?

Fantastic Regency Romance

Love, deception, and secrets are at the heart of this riveting story. Lucien is a duke of deceit—a duke of secrets, and with good reason. When Jessamyn plots revenge, she opens Pandora's box. What secrets will she uncover? As she falls in love with the mysterious duke, she will find herself drowning in his secrets.

As with all this author's stories, this one will keep you glued to the pages from beginning to end. I have not met an Anna Harington book that I did not absolutely adore, and this one is no exception. If you like stories with romance and secrets, you just might love this book as I did. I look forward to what this author writes next.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this enemies to lovers romance. It’s very well written and full of twists, dark secrets, angst, battles of wills, verbal sparring and steam. Lucien and Jess are worthy adversaries with a strong, sizzling chemistry between them. He is a fake rakehell and Jess an overprotective and and sometimes prim heroine. There were a few moments where I was annoyed with her and I didn't like Jess’ sister. The side story with Phillip was heartwarming and I loved the interactions with him.
Although the book is part of the series and you meet the previous protagonists again, it is not absolutely necessary to have read the previous book, even though I recommend it.

Since his return from the war on the Continent, where he worked as a mercenary, Lucien Grenier, Duke of Crewe, has worked meticulously to build a reputation as a despicable rakehell and blackguard, feared and loathed by all to conceal his dark secrets and those of his father. But suddenly there are rumours surrounding him that portray him as a compassionate, warm-hearted benefactor, which could derail his elaborate plan.
Since her rakish father disappeared from their life, Jessamyn St Claire has taken care of everything and especially her younger sister Amanda. When Amanda is compromised and becomes pregnant, Jess believes Lucien is the father of the child, having spotted the two having a tryst at a ball, and she decides to force him to marry her sister. She therefore develops a perfidious plan to mess up his life and portray him as a reformed rake and decent benefactor, which also benefits her sister as his future wife.
As Jess doesn't believe him to be innocent in relation to her sister, Lucien has to find another way to stop her from poking around in his secrets and rehabilitating his reputation. But the young woman proves to be a worthy opponent, as she is not afraid of him and challenges him time and time again. And despite their rivalry, the two feel increasingly attracted to each other...

All in all, an entertaining story with lots of tension, amusing and heart-warming interactions and unexpected twists that I am happy to recommend.

I received a free ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and left voluntarily.

Was this review helpful?

Good gravy... I am worn out!! What a journey! If there were EVER two people who should be together.... it's them My god, the longing, the unfortunate life circumstances keeping them apart, the DESTINY. Oh man, I am so happy they had a HEA. I stayed up waayyyy too late. But this book delivered!!

Was this review helpful?

Jessamyn St Claire comes to London to destroy the reputation of Lucien Grenier, Duke of Crewe. She believes he has ruined his sister and her intent is to see them wed. The cleverness of the plot is that she is ruining his rakish reputation by making donations in his name doing good deeds. She doesn’t realize that he has intentionally cultivated that notoriety. She isn’t expecting her own attraction to him. Or that everything she knows about him may not be true.

I enjoyed the writing and storytelling. I know the author from her Lord’s of the Armory series, but somehow missed the first book in this series. I read this easily on its own but will try to find a copy of The Duke and the Darkness (Aug 2024), to see if I missed anything.

Was this review helpful?

No good deed goes unpunished comes to mind reading this story. Lucian has a horrible reputation to save his family. He must keep up the pretence no matter what. Jess on the other hand has revenge as her motive and it determine to reverse Lucian's reputation. On a few levels, I found this very entertaining as each tries to get more creative in their quests. The loyalty to each person's family is wonderful to read. In this second book, the plot is uniquely different and engaging. The characters are wonderful including the secondary characters which I'm sure some will have a story of their own. Fabulous read.

Was this review helpful?

Lucien Grenier, Duke of Crewe is determined that all of society believes him to be selfish, black, and wicked until Jessamyn St Claire begins to meddle in his life. Soon society believes that he is doing good deeds for charities, children, reformers, and even nuns. With his reputation threatened, he discovers that Jess wants retribution for his ruination of her sister, which forced her to leave home. However, as Jess works to rehabilitate his character, she discovers that Lucien’s bad reputation is mere pretence. The more she uncovers, the more she learns of his goodness, and the more he captures her heart. Soon, it isn’t Amanda whom Lucien wants to marry but Jess.
An enjoyable romance with two characters that I really liked. Their chemistry and banter were entertaining, with plenty of wit shown by both. Lucien was easy to like, as his nature is apparent from the start of the book. Likewise, Jess struggles to bend to his requests to cease her mission, as her past has made her into the person she is. A great addition to the series, and I look forward to reading about the remainder of Crew’s friends.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

The Duke of Crewe has created and works hard to maintain a blackhearted, rakehell reputation. Recently, rumors have begun circulating that he is making charitable donations and supporting orphans, schools, and veterans. Who is doing it and why? Jessamyn believes Lucien is the father of her sister’s unborn child. She is determined to use whatever means she can to bring him around, even destroy his reputation by making him a good guy. As they engage in a battle of wits, they see each other in a different light, the people they really are. They develop a strong attraction and sizzling chemistry, but refuse to act on it. Lucien’s family secrets, his reason for keeping everyone away, stand in the way. This is an intriguing story with a complex problem at its center. The characters are well-done and draw you into their story. It is easy to understand the way Lucien and Jess behaved. It seems the family’s secret and problem may find a solution in a similar situation in the Monarchy. If so, Lucien and Jess, and the story will have a happy ending.
I received a special copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

Was this review helpful?

The Duke of Deceit by Anna Harrington is the second book in The Dukes of Darkness series and a definite must read if you love historical romances.
Lucien Grenier, Duke of Crewe prides himself on his wicked reputation and the secrets he keeps from society but soon rumors come out that possibly can cause him to lose the dukedom.
Jessamyn St Claire is determined to do everything possible to ruin Lucien Grenier's dark reputation. After eight long months Jessamyn wants retribution for her sister and that means Lucien will marry her or everyone in society will know what Lucien Grenier is really about.
However, they soon realize that their feelings for one another have changed and what they set out to do is not what they want now.
I really enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more books by this author in the future.

I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this book. It had everything you would want in a book. It had a strong male Hero, humor, a mystery, and romance. It even got me a little choked up. I loved the secondary character of Phillip, who has downs syndrome. I thought it was handled tactfully and well written.
My only negative would be I felt the female heroine, Jess, was a little obnoxious. Even when all was revealed, all secrets uncovered, she was still not happy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.

Was this review helpful?

"The Duke of Deceit" is the second in The Duke's of Darkness series by Anna Harrington. Starring Lucien Grenier, Duke of Crewe and Jessamyn St Claire. In her quest to ruin the duke's dark reputation, Jessamyn unwittingly puts him in an untenable position. While I enjoyed the story overall, I was not a fan of Jessamyn giving Crewe an ultimatum. After the trouble she caused, while well intentioned in her mind, was rooted in untruths, and it's my opinion that she should have had the grace to support him either way.

I received a copy from the author, and this is my voluntarily given review

Was this review helpful?

I didn't like Jess. Like at all. She accuses him of lying all the time and when he is finally completely honest about his life (which he still never lied to her about) she is dismissive of his feelings and coming up to a solution. <spoiler> He is protecting his brother that has a mental and potential physical disability that is the true heir and instead of helping him come up with a solution just demands that he be honest about the situation. Even when he discusses how he could be tried as a traitor cause the royals don't like him. I can understand her wanting him to be honest about all of it but not helping to find the solution?? </spoiler> And the sub plot with her sister, she was kissing him and still demanding he marries her sister... like woman I don't get that at ALLLL. Lucien, I liked him. He was caring, loyal, committed, and generous. I honestly don't think she deserved him and I hate saying that so much.

Was this review helpful?

A little bit of tortured hero goes a long way in Anna Harrington's Duke of Deceit for an angsty story full of hidden truths and longing!

Lucien Grenier, Duke of Crewe seemingly proudly wore his cloak of depravity as he regularly reinforced his rakish reputation. Yet underneath his disreputable facade lived a hero with many secrets and the weight of his dukedom's sinister legacy on his shoulders.

Jessamyn St Claire was fiercely protective of what family she had. Loyal and resourceful Jess was a woman who could not tolerate injustice especially when the target of the injustice was her own sister.

Lucien and Jess were a couple who fought their attraction even while building it. With extremely charismatic dialog and feisty interactions this pair was captivating. Ms. Harrington expertly contradicted her hero with villainous behavior even in the middle of him performing acts of valor for an immensely intriguing portrayal. Even Jessamyn's misguided outrage was well done ultimately being the catalyst to exposing Lucien's burdensome deception.

This author's adeptness at including the sensibilities of the times she is depicting to show the rationale for her main characters choices and their repercussions was very well executed. Behaviors and decisions that do not make sense in modern times did in the context of this work and became clear by this story's end showing this writer's expertise in the time she was representing.

Anna Harrington continues to show her versatility as a historical romance writer with works showing the timelessness of love in defined eras. Her research is extensive yet is not overbearing allowing her stories to take center stage. Keenly aware of the differences in the times she writes in versus current times Ms. Harrington is able to accurately show the past and bring it into the present without compromising the integrity of history. Of note this author did a sensitive and perceptive job of showing the challenges of a character with Down's Syndrome in an historical setting. Duke of Deceit takes a dark past and brings it into the light for a well deserved happily ever after in the inimitable style of Anna Harrington!

Was this review helpful?

Lucien Grenier, Duke of Crewe is an enigma. He presents a facade of an irredeemable blackguard going from one scandal to another. When, in reality, that persona is a lie. He is actually a decent person doing good works anonymously. Jessamyn St. Claire is on a mission; to make Lucien's reputation as white as snow, unaware that his black reputation is not real and for good reason. At first adversaries, then calling a truce as she learns more of his truth. Occasionally, a book may have a character go back and forth between living in different levels of society, but this tale is unique in that Lucien never leaves his place in society, just lives a different level in addition to it. It makes for very interesting reading. The characters are great especially once Jess lets herself be less prudish. One of the best characters is Philip. It is rare that a person with Down's has an important role in a story. The author does an exception job of capturing his essence, no wonder the other characters want to protect him. Great tale to get lost in. I did not want it to end. Shay Douglass is next.

Was this review helpful?

This is the first that I have read by this author. The story was a little different then the usual story. Good guy wanting to have a bad reputation and be left alone. The young lady trying to right a wrong, but finds the wrong might be a little not what it was told to her as. I like the characters and their interactions with each other.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the Publisher and leaving a review by my own choice.

Was this review helpful?

I love the main characters in this novel, despite their initial antagonism. Jessamyn St Claire is determined to obtain justice for her sister, not realizing she is opening a can of worms. Lucien, the Duke of Crewe, is horrified to discover that someone is attempting to alter public perception of him, going against everything he has done to craft a wicked, dark reputation. The closer Jess comes to knowing Lucien the more she realizes that the situation is not at all what it looks like. As the truth evolves, the attraction between Lucien and Jess sizzles, however, with so many secrets Jess knows that she cannot live a lie. With some help from his friends, Lucien puts the past under the spotlight, and despite the novel closing on an uncertain note, Lucien and Jess hopefully find their way to future happiness. I received a copy of this well-written romance as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book with its very unusual plot in which he tries to maintain a bad reputation and she tries to make him appear good!!! Of course I won’t spoiler anything, but the result is hilarious, especially at the beginning, even if there’s some angst when his real motives are revealed. This is really a wonderful book, well written and with very intriguing characters. I loved how Philip is portrayed (you’ll discover who he is in book) and of course I loved Lucien, who stirred a protective instinct in me. I love misjudged characters very much and Lucien is exactly that, even if it’s his own fault. Highly recommended.

Was this review helpful?

The Duke Of Deceit by Anna Harrington is a delightful book. The premise is simple. Lucien, Duke of Crew, had dallied with her sister and now she was with child. Jessamyn St Claire intended to make sure the wedding took place, no matter what. It was a bumpy road. The Duke of Crewe had a bad reputation and was determined to keep it. Amanda had no idea what she was doing and Jess didn’t intend to tell her. She would deal with this if it took every coin she had. She was going to destroy his evil reputation and make him into a good man who would have no choice but to marry.

This lovely book hit on some major topics, such as Down Syndrome and society’s reaction to it, which actually remained much the same until only fifty or so years ago. It also told the story of a good man trying to navigate society with a huge secret, one that weighed on him heavily. Of course, only Jess could figure it out; maybe she’s the only one who cared to. It was an emotional story, for many reasons. All came right in the end, but not without a lot of heartbreak along the way. Well done!

I was invited to read the Duke of Deceit by Dragonblade. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #AnnaHarrington #TheDukeOfDeceit

Was this review helpful?

I completely devoured this story. I am now and forever a big fan of Anna Harrington's writing, and I must make it a goal to read everything she's ever written and will write.

Our two main characters, Lucien and Jessamyn, had sparkling, shiny, sweaty tension from their very first interaction. I looove a good tension/hatred fueled beginning to a relationship in a story like this, not going to lie. The reason for their "war" made for a really good base of them learning about each other and made way for their journey to falling in love, despite how unconventional it was.

Harrington created realistically flawed characters, with various reasons for being that way, but also gave them opportunity to learn and grow. I truly cannot gush more about how much I loved reading her words the entirety of this book.

Another thing I really appreciated about this was the representation of a character with special needs, which I cannot recall ever seeing in a historical romance before. It was explored in an overall very general sense, but the author's note gave some information behind Phillip's character instead of just glossing over it or leaving the reader to wonder what the backstory of him was.

Was this review helpful?