I just love a good historical romance. It's more in the angsty side but I'm here for it.

Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are of my own.

The absolute drama in this historical was fantastic, and balanced so well with the comedy of ruining a man's hard-earned reputation by improving it.

Lucien Greneir, the Duke of Crewe, has many secrets. One so bad, that if the public were to know about it, his life would be destroyed. This is why he can never marry. But when Jessamyn St. Claire starts to spread rumors about him being a nice, charitable Duke, he’s furious as this can lead nowhere except to his ruin. But what is he to do except to turn the tables on her and announce their engagement.

This was such a sweet story and also heartbreaking at times. This is the first time I have read a story with this storyline (not giving away any spoilers). I loved the banter between Lucien and Jessamyn and how their relationship slowly developed into more than they expected or maybe even wanted. What Lucien did to overcome his past truly showed how much he loved Jessamyn that he would risk everything in order to marry her. Very nice story. I’m looking forward to reading about the other dukes.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

This book was so fun to read as Jess is convinced that she needs to protect her sister from being ruined when she turns up pregnant. Lucien has some huge secrets to hide but they are for a very good reason and to keep them hidden, he needs to project a false character.

Jess keeps working to make Lucien look like a good guy which he really is but he can't have that side shown to the world! She is so inventive of "gifts" in his name that I couldn't stop laughing!

I really was surprised that she won't allow any secrets in her life so even though she knows Lucien has good intentions for keeping secrets, she turns him down. Wow, what he went through to prove to her that he really wanted her was amazing and I won't give any spoilers away! You have to read it. At first, I was thinking, what good would it do to expose all the dirty laundry when there could be pretty negative impact on some others but I can see Jess's point that those secrets were a heavy burden to bear and what a load to remove the secrets.

Now, I have to read the previous book with Jess's friend and the following book!

Lucian, the Duke of Crewe, is known for having a bad reputation. But underneath his disguise, he is the total opposite. The question is why?Jessamyn St. Claire will do whatever it takes to force Lucian to marry her sister. After all he seduced her and left her expecting a baby or did he? Jess decides the best way for him to marry her sister is to reverse his reputation as giving and benevolent. Lucian has his reasons for being a rake, but it's a secret that puts the dukedom at jeopardy. An emotional rollercoaster ride from the beginning to the sweet ending.
Descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

Thank you #NetGalley for the advanced copy of #TheDukeofDeceit by Anna Harrington in exchange for an honest review.

This was an enjoyable read by Anna Harrington. It is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. I have not read book 1 in this series and there were no holes in the story that I missed because I hadn't read book 1. Jess is a bit over the top with her vindictiveness to get her sister married to the dissolute duke but if you don't have it too seriously, it can be fun. I loved Phillip and was interested to see the inclusion of his character. TBH I wasn't sure how Harrington was going to get Lucien to come clean with his secrets and still be a satisfactory HEA but she did it and in a way that was believable. Shortly after reading this book, I found book 1 and a pre-order of book 3 and got them both.

This is an original and well written love story. A lie and misconceptions lead to trying to upheave a life as a method of getting their way. After that, the plan backfires due to emotions and truths told so a relationship begins. The characters are delightful and likable. I enjoyed the witty banter and humorous incidents that led to a beautiful love and a happy life. I highly recommend reading!

A delightfully unique storyline where Jessamyn St Claire is out for revenge against Lucien Grenier, Duke of Crewe because he ruined her sister. One of the things I adored about this story was how ingenious Jessamyn was while ruining Lucien. The constant friction between them really gave the story the extra umph needed for this to be an outstanding read.

There were so many interesting things about Lucien’s character and when the reader finds out the real reason behind his behavior, they will fall in love with him like I did. I love how the author added an element of surprise around Lucien and then at the very end of the book she explains in detail some facts about the secret situation.

It is really hard for me to not give more detail about this book without giving it away, but I will say it made me cry and it made me happy. Her explanation at the end is true because I have experience in this area. Will you read this book and let me know if you agree with me?

Read Author Anna Harrington’s book it will delight you and make you think.

Overall I liked the romance and the Duke was such a lovely man … but - Jess was just so self righteous and annoying and I really don’t like the whole “I think you ruined my sister but let me fall in love with you while I try to ruin you “ trope . So really I wish the book kept some of the overall story line and dialogue but had a better heroine

My rating 3 ⭐️

I expect there are two more stories in this series and hope to read them as well

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.