A Duke Deceived

2.5 stars

This book was well written and while there was as a lot of angst, which I love, the angst was caused by one of my biggest pet peeves in books-no communication. The H and h are both so full of pride that they keep things from each other instead of having a simple change conversation that could solve all the problems between them. There is so romance in the beginning, but the majority of the book is the H and h being at odds with each other. He thinks she’s cheating and vice versa. When they do reconcile, it’s short and obvious that we’ll see more of them in the next book. I’m still on the fence as to whether or not I’ll continue the series.

A Duke Deceived The Deceived Series, Book 1 by Cheryl Bolen
Story about Bonnie and her cousin Emily. Book follows both of their lives and Bonnie ends up suddenly marrying Richard so her mother can see her wed before she passes.
Found sex scenes a bit on the erotic side-hadn't expected them to be so explicit. Like the story line and how secrets unfold and how others are kept quiet. Love hearing both sides of the same scenes: female vs the male and what they are thinking.
So many misunderstandings that lead others to act fast and health emergencies come into play and you wonder if they will ever be together. Like hearing of all the fashion besides the styles but the fabrics used.
Like all outside activities and the travel and the card playing. Topics of discussion are interesting.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
Received this review copy from Harper & Appleton via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
#AdukeDeceived #NetGalley

The Duke of Radcliff marries the vicar's daughter just before her mother dies. What a surprise for everyone. Richard loves Barbara but is just unable to tell her. She is keeping a secret for her cousin, Emily. Richard thinks she is having an affair and she thinks he is seeing his o;d mistress. Life could be so good for them if they could just be completely honest with each other. Great love story.

This is a beautiful tale about two persons who were destined to be together but hurt each other by their inability to communicate their feelings and not clear their own misconceptions.
To add to their burden, their journey to love was littered by protagonists who sought only to torn them apart .
This story shows how with time and by instilling slowly tiny bits of this and that plus keeping, even if it is innocent, things secret, it can destroy a fragile truce and it brings the worse in anybody even a lover.
At time I was upset by both, she for keeping secrets from her husband that appear as if she betrayed him and him for thinking the worst first without even questioning his wife’s faithfulness.
Bonny and Richard are two very likable characters, they both are kind and honest but because of a minor gesture at the beginning of their relationship, everything is put in jeopardize and any new detail is turned the wrong way as they are unable to clear the water and have a real talk. Why they became easy prey for all those who want to split them up and their task is even easier as they are so easily deceived.
They were lucky despite their flaws and failure to trust the other, as they are both guilty, to be surrounded by caring people whom will help straighten things for them, as Bonny and Richard are blind to another’s sentiments.
My only complain is the lack of epilogue and the rushed conclusion. Sure Richard handled his marriage poorly and confined Bonny to their home, a bit of grovel would have been nice but Bonny by not acknowledging her supporting her cousin and doing things behind Richard’s back has only fueled his deception.

Hopefully, the reedition of this book announces its as being the first in a series, so we will get a kind of epilogue with the next book to come.

I was provided a copy by Netgalley and the publisher Harpen&Appleton, but I purchased my own copy and here is my true and unbiased opinion.