Veena’s review of A Duke But No Gentleman (Masters of Seduction, Book 1) by Alexandra Hawkins
Regency Romance published by St. Martins Paperbacks 30 Jun 15
While this is a catchy title and certainly our hero the Duke is definitely a rake before he meets and falls in love, as is typical of most of the male protagonists in these romances, I wonder if a different title might not have been better for this story.
For all that Imogene is a beautiful, innocent debutante in her first season, she is not the typical virginal miss, making her a refreshing change and the subject of my pondering. I definitely enjoyed the story and the evolution of the dissolute nobleman into a tender force to be reckoned with in the future. His handling of the toughest situation that one might be called upon to handle is so tender and poignant that it made the story squee worthy for me.
Imogene is definitely trouble for all that she’s been brought up in loving privilege. From the get-go when she engineers her best friend’s romance to the dismay of said friend’s family and is chastised by her parents, I knew Imogene’s own journey would be quite intriguing. We don’t have long to wait as she quickly but effectively tangles with the young, handsome, and rakish Duke of Blackbern. The rest is history, but it still makes interesting reading.
What gives me a few bad moments in the story is Norgrave, Blackbern’s bosom friend. As both their characters emerge through the story, I kept asking myself how the two had remained friends for so long, particularly Blackbern. His desire to win is so extreme that given the ending of this story, I wonder if the author thinks to redeem him in a future book, since she invested so much into him in this one?
I definitely enjoyed this book and look forward to more in this series.
Grade: A
Summary:
In the last opulent days of the eighteenth century, a friendly wager turns into a heated feud that spans decades…and a love affair like none other.
What does it take to tempt a lady…
London, 1792. The Duke of Blackbern and the Marquess of Norgrave are boyhood friends who will still compete at anything. Racing, drinking, gambling, even seduction–until Lady Imogen Sunter crosses their path. Achingly beautiful, and innocent, she has no understanding of the jaded gentlemen who are courting her for favors–of how far they are willing to go to get what they want…
In this game of seduce and destroy?
Fighting for Imogen’s affection should have been no more than their usual spirited rivalry. But when Blackbern discovers his feelings for Imogen have deepened, all bets are off. Norgrave, driven by his own demons, won’t forsake his pride–and with one shocking act of betrayal that threatens Imogen and Blackbern’s newfound desire, Norgrave will set the course for a generation of Regency bad boys who will go down in history as the Masters of Seduction…
