This was a strong third entry in the Dukes of Darkness series, it had that element that I enjoyed from the previous two books. Anna Harrington has a strong writing style and I hope to read more from this series and author. The characters had that feel that I was looking for and enjoyed the historical romance going on. The plot was everything that I was looking for and worked with the romance element to this. I was engaged and invested in what was going on.

Such a good book! Good storyline too and so many emotions. I was not disappointed in the least. Definitely recommend !

Wow, just wow. This was such a good story. I could not put down. I loved the action, suspense, & romance. The twists were so good. I think this might be the best of the series.

Fierce passion and tender hearts are the driving forces of The Duke’s Only Desire for a beautiful and memorable story!

Horribly disfigured in a fire that took his older brother's life, Seamus "Shay" Douglass, the Duke of Malvern was a recluse. When circumstances dictated that he take a bride he did so reluctantly, as he was deeply conflicted because his bride was the woman he had always secretly loved and never could have and who he felt he did not deserve. Shay was a quiet broody hero with a huge noble streak. His devotion and silent suffering were heartbreaking to watch.

Lady Sophie Winter had long resigned herself to being a pawn in her family's ambitions and financial woes. Her beauty and kindness made her a catch even as those very same traits made her vulnerable to less than honorable intentions. Her persistence and gentleness were such that not only did she win over Shay but everyone she came in contact with.

As this story unfolded so did the barriers that Shay had put up around him leaving readers with a beautiful love story. The love and reverence shared between Shay and Sophia was rare and totally encompassing. Theirs was a once in a lifetime bond that was inescapable. As to be expected with this author there were ample amounts of drama and suspense keeping this work lively and readers on their toes.

Anna Harrington's affinity for hard fought true love shines in her works. This author consistently manages to subtly include the hardships and inequalities of women in the time period she is depicting without detracting from the love stories she is writing. Ms. Harrington's skill at entwining great suspense into her romances always makes for an exceptional reading experience. The Duke's Only Desire showed that love is so much more than skin deep and proved it again and again for a lovely story that will touch reader’s hearts.

This captivating romance begins with a forbidden love, a tragic twist, and a hero burdened by guilt and rumors of murder. Shay Douglass, the tormented second son turned reluctant Duke of Malvern, returns from a decade of self-imposed exile to claim a title—and a woman—he believes were never truly his to have. Meanwhile, Sophie, once betrothed to his late brother, has built a life without Shay, one she is determined to protect, even if it means denying the love they once shared.
The chemistry between Sophie and Shay simmers from their first re-encounter, but this isn't a tale of simple rekindling—it's about redemption, forgiveness, and the emotional scars that love alone may not be enough to heal. The past looms large, particularly the mystery surrounding the fire and John’s death, adding a layer of suspense that kept me turning pages late into the night.
Sophie is a resilient heroine—wounded but not weak—and Shay, while brooding and battle-worn, never veers into being irredeemable. Their forced marriage sets the stage for some deliciously angsty scenes, and if you are a fan of the “marriage of convenience” trope, you will not be disappointed. The themes of trust and emotional healing are beautifully handled.
If you love brooding second-chance romances steeped in scandal, secrets, and sizzling tension, then this book certainly delivers!
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review.

What a beautiful story. There were so many past emotions that they struggled with to be able to find their HEA.

Jessamyn St Claire is going after the Duke of Crewe since he ruined her sister. She wants her sister taken care of and will do everything in her power to see that it happens.

Lucien Grenier, Duke of Crewe is a blackguard and he likes his reputation what he shows society. Lucien doesn’t want his secrets to come out it might destroy everything.

Jessamyn tells Lucien that he ruined her sister and he tells her he did not. While Jessamyn is trying to change his reputation she finds out he’s not who she thinks he is.

As Lucien shows up where Jessamyn is they are attracted to each other. Feeling become involved but he tells her he can’t marry her.

Jessamyn follows Lucien and finds out what his secrets is. She tells him she can’t live with the lies. Lucien calls in his friends the Dukes to help him. True love wins in the end,
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

The Duke’s Only Desire has some of my favorite tropes, and it was exactly what I was looking for in a historical romance. I love a good “you’re mine, but I can’t have you” scenario. Another favorite is “whisking off to the country estate” where they have no choice but to work things out. I loved Sophie’s character and how she wasn’t going to back down from Shay’s rejection. Poor Shay didn’t stand a chance. I enjoyed Harrington’s trademark writing style of a well thought out story arc, with engaging characters, strong FMC, and spicy heat.

I would highly recommend this to historical romance readers who enjoy the forced proximity between characters that became friends in letters, but couldn’t be together, until…..

This whole series has been great and I can’t wait for more!

I have been waiting for Shay's story, and it was the emotional gut punch that I was craving. The story line between Sophie Winter and Shay Douglass focuses heavily on second chances, forgiveness, and perseverance. I loved that a good portion of this book really focused on the emotional aspect of their relationship, which to me made the book feel grittier and more raw emotional. That isn't to say there weren't external forces and other characters that helped drive the plot. And the plot twist toward the end, I didn't see that coming but it was just a masterful way to help the drama peak and allow for the happily ever after resolution.
This book was an amazing 5 start read. Anna Harrington has yet to disappoint.

A good story from Ms. Harrington that kept me invested in Sophie and Shay. Their chemistry was good and believable. While this is the second book in the series and it involves a group of friends, I had not read the first but was able to read it as a standalone. Shay is the scarred hero who has locked himself away from life itself and Sophie, now that her fiancé has died, she is free to marry whomever she chooses.

There is danger, mystery and romance thrown in to keep you interested and engaged from start to finish. I thoroughly enjoyed this and will be on the look out for the rest of the series.

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

Lady Sophie Winter fell in love with the second son, Seamus (Shay) Douglas, and he with her. Years later, an accident and a fire changes the future for Shay, he becomes the Duke of Malvern. After five years hearing nothing from Shay, Sophie is marrying another man, but Shay stops the wedding. The contract negotiated by her grandmother and his father years before states she marry the Duke of Malvern. At twenty-two, Sophie marries Shay, but he's not the same man she knew before, or is he? A threat from his uncle puts Shay and Sophie's marriage and the dukedom in jeopardy. It's a test for the strength of their marriage. Harrington writes a gripping love story with angst, jealousy, fear, anger and hope for a happy ending.
Descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

I can trust Anna Harrington to always deliver a solid historical romance that I get swept away in. This was an easy read

Second chance stories are always my favorite, and this one has so much more going for it. Lady Sophie and Shay Douglas shared a love at first sight together but he was a second son and she was contracted to his older brother, the heir to the Duke of Malvern. When a tragic fire takes her betrothed and leaves Shay badly scarred, he flees leaving her hurt and betrayed. Years later when he learns of her upcoming engagement to a fortune hunter, he returns to uphold the contract as the current Duke. Such a unique storyline with suspense, great characters, and intense emotion. This is such a powerful story of love, forgiveness and redemption!

The Duke's Only Desire by Anna Harrington is the third book in The Dukes of Darkness series and a definite must read if you love historical romances with some added suspense.
Ten years ago, Lady Sophie Winter and Shay Douglass fell in love the moment they met, but he was destined to be a soldier and she was contracted to marry his brother when I fire broke out killing his brother and scarring him.
On the day Sophie is supposed to announce her engagement Shay returns to enforce the old marriage contract that weds her to the Duke of Malvern. How can Sophie forgive Shay for leaving her and breaking her heart? The only way they have any hope at love is to forgive and forget their past hurts.
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author in the future.

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

Sophie was supposed to marry John Douglass, the heir the Duke of Malvern, but the night before the wedding, he died in a tragic fire. Seamus, John’s brother was severely injured. Sophie and Seamus were attracted to each other, but never acted on it. After the fire, they did see each other for five years, but when he discovers she is about to be betrothed to a fortune hunter, he shows up and insists the original contract with his father be honored. Sophie will marry him; the contract betrothed her to the heir of the Duke of Malvern, which with John’s death is Shay. This is an engaging story with some tension (actually a lot), misunderstanding, and danger. Shay’s guilt and scars cause him to resist the love that grows between them. Sophie is a strong and persistent heroine who refuses to give up. A well-written story enjoyable story with great characters and a hard-won happy ending.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

This was an excellent book. It kept me turning pages until the end. It was more complicated and covered way more years than I expected. Definitely give this one a try if you are looking for your next fantastic read!

I really enjoyed Shay and Sophie’s story. It had intrigue and romance and an interesting twist. Both characters were determined to protect the other and they found a deep love while doing so. 5 stars.

Author Anna Harrington creates a dramatic intense love story of redemption.

Sophie Winter’s character has a very interesting chain of events. Forced into a marriage contract when she was twelve years old that ended in tragedy now years later, she is ready to marry someone she doesn’t love but hopes she’ll come to love. Her life is filled with trauma and sadness, and she just wants peace. I admire the author’s way of making this come across the pages with ease. I felt her sadness and the loss of her real love, Shay, along with everything she desired for her future life. What I didn’t get from her character was a sense of despair but a woman who decided what her life would like in the future she picked.

Shay Douglass decided on the eve of her marriage announcement to take Sophie as his wife and enforce the clever marriage contract her grandma brokered even though he doesn’t feel he deserves her. Bravo Shay for finally stepping forward after 10 years.

Shay and Sophie take the reader on a merry chase with this love story that doesn’t want to be a love story. The events in this storyline show the readers that true love always tries to persevere despite all the odds against it. I was extremely satisfied with the ending, and I look forward to hearing if other readers feel the same way.

This third book in The Dukes of Darkness was a captivating and well written second chance romance. The characters were complex, determined, and likable. It was a very dramatic emotional story with drama, action, a horrible accident, a tragic death, severe injuries, blackmail, kidnapping, and so many emotional issues and intense plot twists that kept me very entertained. I enjoyed the delicious, passionate chemistry and love throughout. The ending was lovely. I highly recommend reading!

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

Ms. Harrington does a great job of blending romance and mystery. Her books are plot heavy but the character development doesn't suffer for it which makes me very happy. If you like mutual pining, friends to lovers, a scarred hero, with some mystery/danger thrown in, this is the book for you. I am anxiously awaiting the final book in this series because the others have been very well done.