Lovely story that was thoroughly exciting and interesting to read. Oliver and Louisa had great chemistry. This is a Romeo and Juliet story here with both of their fathers being enemies and Louisa’s father continuing to hold onto the feud even when Oliver’s father has passed. Oliver is determined to retrieve the betting book and return it to its rightful place. Imagine Louisa’s surprise to find Oliver riffling through her drawers in the middle of the night trying to find said betting book!

Chemistry between them was good and even though I have not read every one of the books in this series, I was able to follow along quite well. I received an ARC from Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and submit my honest review voluntarily.

A Delightful Regency Romantic Adventure
Oliver is her family’s sworn enemy, so what is he doing rifling through Louisa’s drawers in the middle of the night? She’s holding the infamous betting book stolen from White’s—a thread that has run through the last five books and tied the series together so cleverly. But when Oliver fails to find it, and Louisa discovers it’s no longer where she left it, the two are thrust into a daring search for the dangerous tome.
Louisa never planned to help him, and neither of them planned on falling in love, but love has a way of ignoring family feuds and foolish decisions. Oliver, of course, has one secret that could either draw Louisa closer or drive her away forever.
Full of suspense, plot twists, and a slow-burn romance between sworn enemies, this story is a worthy continuation of an already entertaining series. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys Regency romantic adventures that blend mystery, danger, and romance.

As someone who hasn't read the rest of the series, I found this book worked well enough as a standalone, though I suspect I would have appreciated the overarching "betting book" plot more if I had the full context.

I really enjoyed Lady Louisa as a heroine. Her spirit and refusal to be sidelined were refreshing. The meet-cute--finding the duke rifling through her drawer--was original and set a great tone for their dynamic. Oliver, the Duke of Mortimer, is your classic brooding, controlled hero, and it was satisfying to see Louisa chip away at his reserve. Their banter was definitely the highlight for me. The adventure to Brighton was entertaining, and Louisa's little brother Leo stole every scene he was in. He provided some genuinely funny moments that lightened the mood. The romantic tension built nicely, though I felt the final resolution of their conflict was a tad rushed after such a steady build-up.

I did have a couple of quibbles. The reason behind the family feud felt a bit thin to me, and I was left wanting a bit more explanation about Louisa's past kidnapping, which was a significant part of her character but never fully explored. The villain's motives also seemed a little simplistic.

Overall, I found this to be a solidly enjoyable read. It didn't completely blow me away, but it was a perfectly pleasant way to spend an afternoon. If you're a fan of feisty heroines, stoic dukes, and a plot that involves more action than ballrooms, you'll likely enjoy this one as I did. I'd read another by this author.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

This was a grand ending to the series. Oliver and Louisa were well ma5ched. She's not a pushover and stands by Oliver when they set out to find a missing betting book that could totally create chaos amongst the heiresses of the ton if found. Along with her little brother, Leo (10), their adventure is full of witty moments, fighting off villians and finding that darn book.

Great chemistry between the protagonists that is not only physical but also intellectual. I really liked how their love story built over the plotline.

Honestly a lovely ending to the series. Louisa was strong without being overly stubborn and Oliver was absolutely charming and delightful. I like her brother and his friend a lot as well. I thought that it really tied the lose ends of the series with the book and the society up very nicely as well. I was just slightly confused by the kidnapping. I don’t feel it was fully explained.

I would have loved an epilogue far in the future showing all the couples happily ever after.

I am a fan of historical novels. I enjoy the who battles herself as well as her potential lover. Lots of interesting twists and turns that show how no matter the era and setting, we are still fallible, imperfect humans.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and have looked forward to this book, which is every bit as entertaining as the previous novels. The Duke of Mortimer's enigmatic presence hangs as a threat over the outcome of the Betting Book, and the last place that Lady Louisa expects to find him is pawing through the contents of her desk in the middle of the night. Enmity reigns between the Talbots and Mortimers, making the situation even more difficult. Despite the history between the two families, Louisa nevertheless feels safe with Oliver. When it comes to light that the infamous Betting Book that Louisa has been keeping safe has gone missing, and that her younger brother is aware of its disappearance, the race is on to recover it. Young Leo refuses to be left behind, and Oliver finds himself being beguiled by both sister and brother, realizing that they are a force to be reckoned with. I enjoyed the growing attraction between Oliver and Louisa and loved young Leo and his observations.  However, the Betting Book carries far more serious consequences than the fate of the heiresses of the ton, and it becomes imperative that it is retrieved so that justice may be served. Despite the Duke of Talbot's protestations, Oliver and Louisa finally admit to their feelings for one another, but before they can make good on their promises, they have an enemy to deal with. 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.

This was the story of the duke of Mortimer and,lady Louise start a journey together hunting for books to prove the involvement of her stepmother in criminal actives getting upto all sorts of activity and having lots of problems along the way the Cavanagh family are sworn enemies of Lady Louise family but there come through and are proven correct her stepmother is up to no good.
At the same time they find that they love one another.
This was a good read amusing in places especially when Louise,s brother gets involved.

The ladies who dare in this historical romance series caused havoc when they stole the betting book from Whites gentlemen's club. Little did they know just how much danger it could put them, and others in. Our heroine this time is no timid young debutante. She is brave and determined to set things right. Our hero has been tracking the book from heiress to heiress, knowing he can steal it back at any time. This time however it is in the home of his family's enemy. It's time to collect it.
We get to enjoy the adventures this will lead to. All of the characters are wonderful, especially little Leo. I am loving the whole series . I'm not sure if there will be any more, but I will definitely read them if there are.
Great fun.

It had to be that duke...

Young Lady Louisa finds Oliver, a duke who is her family's rival riffling through her drawers. He chases her and she takes him to task. Oliver is not used to acting rashly, but Louisa seems to have that affect on him.

A fast paced read with enemies turning into lovers.
Recommend.

Oh my! Mortimer is finally getting his story!! The betting book is still missing and the Duke, Mortimer is determined to find it, return it to White's and move on. Until Lady Talbot walks in, from there on it's a battle of wits, some suspense, angst and more. Fantastic read, great plot and even better characters. This can definitely be a standalone story, however what leads up to it is equally fun to experience.

This was a great ending for the series! I thoroughly enjoyed this story from the beginning and the events here nicely wrapped up everything from the first book. There is a nice balance of romance, action, mystery, and humor. Louisa and Oliver make a great team and I really liked following their story from (kind of) enemies to friends to romance. I also loved Leo, he added some extra humor/levity to the story. I especially liked that Louisa was not the type of character to sit back and let the guy do all the work/saving. The way she kind of inserted herself into Oliver's investigation despite his objections further demonstrated this. I liked getting to meet new characters and getting glimpses of the characters from previous books. The only part of the story that I thought was not fully developed was Louisa's kidnapping when she was younger - it plays a part in her relationship with Oliver but it was never really explained why she had been kidnapped and there did not seem to be a full resolution to that with regard to the kidnapper.

Only a Duke is the sixth book of the Ladies Who Dare series. I’m pretty sure this is the last of the series, as all loose ends have been wrapped up. 

Overview

Louisa has three types of men that she works to avoid: fortune hunters, criminals, and powerful men. Unfortunately, she is going to be tossed into the middle of all three. And it’s all because of that book. It started with the dark and mysterious Duke of Mortimer in her bedchambers, looking for that book. The book is not where she left it. Now the search begins, and she’s going to find more answers than she was expecting. 

Oliver Cavanagh, the Duke of Mortimer, never fails to find his mark. He is on a mission to take down the secret organization responsible for blackmail, theft, kidnapping, etc. His family's feud with Louisa’s family is causing him to operate unconventionally. But he’s so close, he can’t mess it up now. 

Positives 

I’m glad we finally got the Duke of Mortimer’s story. I was kind of hoping he was secretly pining for someone like Leods in By No Means a Gentleman. But this forbidden love makes up for my incorrect prediction. 

The supporting characters, especially Loisa’s little brother, add to the suspense and comedic relief. Kids say the damndest things! Don’t get me wrong, Louisa has fire of her own!

Negatives

I have nothing I can see that somebody wouldn’t like. The characters are good, the plot is steady and engaging, the romance is sweet, and there aren’t any lingering loose ends. 

Recommendations

★★★★★

A great end to our Ladies Who Dare series. We end with another five stars. I had no idea that the book's disappearance would lead to the takedown of a secret organization!

Forbidden fruit really is the sweetest!

Louisa & Oliver
She’s a duke’s daughter, he’s a duke. Their fathers were sworn enemies, and her father won’t let their feud go, not even after his nemesis’s demise.
She neither trusts nor likes her stepmother. Neither does he. In fact, he’s convinced she’s the leader of a criminal group and he will prove it. But to do that, he needs the betting book she lost. It simply vanished, reappearing in the wrong hands – hands that threatened her brother.
And then there’s the thing about her kidnapping a decade ago...

An unchaperoned impromptu road trip to Brighton, his trusted wingmen, a seaside cottage, nifty by-blow ruffians, a masquerade, an octopus, a stolen ledger, a peck for protection and a sizzling birthday kiss. And that’s just the beginning!
This cold calculated duke quickly understands he’s but a humble servant when it comes to his brave beguiling beauty – and her bratty, observant little brother; an adorable monster, really.
Loved the flow and the style. Loved the MCs and their budding friendship turned love match, his unimpeachableness and her impishness. Loved that they both rise above their family trouble, and that she trusts her gut and her own mind. Louisa is a force of nature, and she unapologetically blows his socks off! Oliver falls hard and fast, not that she’s far behind, but he carries one secret that could destroy everything... or make all the difference in the world.

After discovering this author in an anthology, this was my first full novel by her, and it did not disappoint! This story was delectable! Quick wit, diverting repartee, deliciously steamy, fast-paced and action packed. There’s no great mystery, but solving it is a perilous and utterly captivating ride.
An excellent read, and now – as for my longstanding tradition of starting series backwards – I simply need to read the first five books. Ah, the sacrifices I make... 😉

I really like this book! The heroine is fierce, feisty and not afraid of anything - besides marriage, that is. (Her reaction to her father forbidding something wasn’t like anything I’ve ever read before!) The dynamic between her and her ten year old brother is sooo much fun! Leo is hilarious! The writing is great and it has good pace; it really keeps you hooked. The plot is great, there’s suspense with the feud between the two families, the criminal organization and then the criminal Fury brothers were added to the mix. It all elevated the suspense to an even higher level and I really liked that. I couldn’t wait to find out if Reaper and the other brothers were good ‘bad’ guys or not. I suspected the former but you don’t really find out - I hope it will be picked up in another book.
I just wondered how Louisa could’ve known that the betting book was used by a criminal organization of women. You don’t read anywhere in the book that anyone told her about that, or how she found out about that. I know the betting book was stolen in the previous book but still, Louisa finding out should be explained in this book.
And why search for the betting book when there are copies? Oliver could just study those to find out who belonged to the organization, right?
Anyway, this book truly draws you in and I hardly couldn’t put it down. It is so much fun, entertaining, intriguing and with a true slow burn romance between Oliver and Louisa. Their chemistry is obvious and believable and I loved it.
The secondary characters are well developed. Leo is so great but also Oliver’s friend Helgate is quite interesting, and let’s not forget about the Fury brothers. They already made an appearance in book 5 and I really hope Tanya Wilde will explore these characters in another series, maybe?
I have previously read book 5 in this series and decided to buy books 1-4 while reading this latest book. Both book 5 and this one, book 6, are so very well written, I just couldn’t not buy the other books in this series. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series, I can’t wait!
Thank you Netgalley, Dragonblade Publishing and Tanya Wilde for providing an advanced copy of this book. I'm happy to leave my honest review; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
(For my review of book 5 click here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7426924569)

Louisa Talbot finds Oliver, the Duke of Mortimer, in her bedroom one night, and she discovers that he is hunting the betting book that has now gone missing from her bedroom. That starts a whole chain of events that involves the two of them, Louisa's young brother (who provides some laughs), some Brighton thugs, and a whole bunch of people up to no good. There is some snappy dialogue, and there is certainly a lot of action. But there are also some odd plots points and character traits. For instance, Louisa makes a big thing about staying away from powerful men ever since she was kidnapped 10 years ago. But I can't figure out what her definition of that is because she has no problem mouthing off to every powerful man she comes across. I would call this entertaining as long as you don't look too closely.

Only a Duke by Tanya Wilde is the 6th book in the series called Ladies Who Dare. Each book can be read as a standalone without a problem. (That is what I did.) The book is definitely a romance with a side of mystery and thriller.

Lady Louisa Talbot and Oliver Cavanagh, the Duke of Mortimer met in the most unusual way, while he was rummaging through her drawers. He is looking for a betting book from Whites (Men’s Club) and she was given it to hold by a friend. However, the book is missing which leads to a chase through parts of England, a ruthless band of brothers (thieves), and a conniving step-mother. Oliver (the Duke) is helping Bow Street Runners in tracking down a proof about an all woman’s crime ring. Louisa refuses to be left behind in his tracking and brings her younger brother Leo with them.

I enjoyed the novel. The characters were so well drawn. Leo, the younger brother, was one of my favorite characters. I liked Louisa’s rules about powerful men and avoiding them. Personally, I was not thrilled with all the sequence of events, but they were necessary for the mystery. Only a Duke by Tanya Wilde was a good read.

PS - The book comes out this week.

The two families, Talbot and the Cavanaghs, are enemies, and when Lady Louisa Talbot has to conspire with Oliver Cavanagh, the Duke of Mortimer, to recover a secret ledger from her family, sparks fly.

An entertaining romance and story, I loved the dynamic between Louisa and Oliver. An heiress and an investigator Duke find their happily ever after.

An intriguing premise for the sixth book.
Louisa was kidnapped at ten years old and ten years later she is still unable to sleep well.
Oliver is the Duke of Mortimer, the man who is tracking down a betting book and take down a criminal ring.
Their families are enemies but they encounter each other and decide to work together.
An emotional story with lots of action and a forbidden romance.
Loved the characters and the story.