He was too dangerous to be denied… beyond redemption. Except once they are tossed together after a winter storm, she is dangerously close to declaring her love because in the dark of night, he was all Lily could see.
Maximillian Masters learned long ago to stay far away from dewy eyed maidens. He was too cynical, too experienced, and much too adverse to marriage for such a lady. Which is why he must never see the lovely Lily again no matter what some ridiculous gypsy predicted. Except, when he is stranded and at the mercy of winter, Lily is there and the more he sees her, the harder it is to deny temptation.
This is a standalone romance but is part of a five book series with a prologue:
How to Reform a Rake
Don’t Tell a Duke You Love Him
Meddle in a Marquess’s Affairs
Never Trust an Errant Earl
Never Kiss an Earl at Midnight
Make a Viscount Beg
more
Besides himself in frustration and anger, Max, The Duke of Longley, abandons his friends and sets off for London, with one thought in his mind: avoid the Ducat sisters at any cost. He did not take into account a severe snowstorm, a broken carriage wheel and the one woman he cannot forget opening the manor house door to him. The plot of this romantic Regency novel is entertaining and witty but has undercurrents of pain as Lily struggles to maneuver her way out from under her mother’s thumb. One by one, Max finds himself inveigled into meetings with the Ducat sisters at midnight but to his surprise, he discovers a self-sacrificing love between the girls that makes him long for what they have. Just when Max thinks he has lost the one good thing he has ever encountered, love comes to find him, just as the gypsy told him. I enjoyed this romance, the humour, and the banter and in particular the thawing of the Duke of Longley’s heart. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
This is one of the most thrilling ones I’ve read! Definitely read the free prologue How to Reform a Rake first because it really gives that extra boost. No matter what they did fate was going to put them together. He didn’t believe any of it until that door opened. It was a powerful love at first sight with him tossing aside everything to help her if needed. It has one of the best wedding scenes and a great ending.
Lily would do anything to help her sister, even say no to the man she loved. Her mother blamed her for everything and almost destroyed her. I loved how she stood up for herself and listened to her sisters.
Max completely changed as soon as he was around her. I loved how he listened to her sisters and knew what he would do. He was like a puppy when it came to her in front of all those people.
I can’t wait to read her sister’s stories, especially Adelaide because she is really going to be fun.
Copy provided for an honest and voluntary review.
“How a single tarot card would ever guide him he couldn’t imagine, but then again, he’d never expected to have a fortune-teller predict that he’d kiss the very woman who had plagued his imagination for the past several months.” Oh yes, Max, the Duke of Longley is sigh worthy to the extreme! Just love a man who is the darker, brooding type but it seems his time may have come. After all, the cards declared it! Grabbed right from the start when Max is leaving the brothel he and his four friends, all rakes, had spent the night at due to the weather. (oh yes and what happens pushes the story!)
Lily Ducat, one of five Ducat sisters, is the woman the tarot card selected. Wouldn’t you know he became stranded in his carriage on the road where Lily was staying due to weather had to stay? Love to see a rake come to his knees!
This is such a marvelous romantic story that had me in its grip until the end. Tammy Andresen continues to amaze me with every word she writes. The characters, settings and storyline always come alive and I can only smile as I turn the last page!! Cannot wait for more of the friends of Max!!
A bit of a love at first sight story. Max is a rake who knows he needs to stay away from Lady Lily. Lily has a big heart and the wrong type of men always seemed to want her. After a brief meeting in a shop months ago, neither has forgotten the other. A delightful novella with wonderful characters and dialogue. I really loved the sisterly bond of the Ducats. We meet three of the five sisters who will have a story in this series and they are indeed a force to be reckon with. I’m eager to see how each rake will crumble at their feet.
Tammy Andresen writes the most charming and wonderful stories! Don’t Tell a Duke You Love Him is book 1 in the How to Reform a Rake series. You can help but fall in love with her characters even a cold hearted duke. Tammy can take to you far away places and times and her writing is so easy to follow that I found that I could just lose myself in her story. This story has a gypsy, rogues, peer pressure, destiny, a snow storm, a scandal, a broken engagement, guilt, a heartless mother, and love at first sight. Tammy Andresen never disappoints me in her books and I highly recommend this book!
***This book was gifted to me and I am voluntarily reviewing.
Don’t Tell A Duke You Love Him is a fantastic historical romance by Tammy Andresen. Ms. Andresen has delivered a book that is well-written and loaded with amazing, lovable characters. Max is the Duke of Longley and has had Lily on his mind since he first met her, months before. His carriage is damaged and he is forced to find lodging at the home of the Mayfields, where Lily, her mother and two sisters were spending Christmas. Lily is trying to keep her sister Camille from marrying the unappealing Mr. Mayfield. Max and Lily’s story is loaded with drama, humor and spice. I enjoyed reading Don’t Tell A Duke You Love Him and look forward to the next book in this series. Don’t Tell A Duke You Love Him is book 1 of the How To Reform A Rake Series but it can be read as a standalone. I do suggest reading How To Reform A Rake first though to get the back story on Max. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from a third party. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4.5 Stars
Maximillian Ableman, The Duke of Longley is a rake and should be left well enough alone. He first saw Lady Lily Ducat in a shop several months ago & hasn’t been able to forget her. He & four of his friends place a ridiculous bet & then he storms off only to find himself stranded & who should be staying at the manor where he seeks help?
I read the prologue to this series in an anthology & my interest was sparked. Five noblemen who are all rakes & rogues, five sisters & a bet made at Christmas. This novella was enchanting, the author is so very very good at writing short stories that deliver on story & characters that are well fleshed. Max & Lily are victims of their parents’ disdain but in each other find their soul mate. I read this story in an afternoon & whilst I was left feeling happy & satisfied with the ending, I was also left wanting to read the rest of the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Maximillian Masters, Duke of Longley is one of 5 friends, as close as brothers, who had made names for themselves as scoundrels, drinkers and womanizers. They never messed with young, virtuous ladies and they were happy with their way of life. However; Max was introduced to Lily Ducat in the spring and hasn’t been able to forget her – he hasn’t been with a woman in months.
Lady Lily Ducat and her 4 sisters are ready for marriage, Lily met Max one time a few months prior and the hasn’t forgotten the butterflies she felt in her tummy, but her mother reminded her of what kind of a man he was.
All the fun begins when Max shows up at a Christmastide house party and has to stay because his carriage has a broken wheel – wait until they both find out who is there. The book is fun, romantic, celebrating good friends and loving sisters. I highly recommend this read – you won’t be disappointed as Tammy weaves another wonderful tale of love!