A stunning debut for author Evie Dunmore and her Oxford Rebels in which a fiercely independent vicar’s daughter takes on a powerful duke in a love story that threatens to upend the British social order. England, 1879. Annabelle Archer, the brilliant but destitute daughter of a country vicar, has earned herself a place among the first cohort of female students at the renowned University of Oxford. … renowned University of Oxford. In return for her scholarship, she must support the rising women’s suffrage movement. Her charge: recruit men of influence to champion their cause. Her target: Sebastian Devereux, the cold and calculating Duke of Montgomery who steers Britain’s politics at the Queen’s command. Her challenge: not to give in to the powerful attraction she can’t deny for the man who opposes everything she stands for.
Sebastian is appalled to find a suffragist squad has infiltrated his ducal home, but the real threat is his impossible feelings for green-eyed beauty Annabelle. He is looking for a wife of equal standing to secure the legacy he has worked so hard to rebuild, not an outspoken commoner who could never be his duchess. But he wouldn’t be the greatest strategist of the Kingdom if he couldn’t claim this alluring bluestocking without the promise of a ring…or could he?
Locked in a battle with rising passion and a will matching her own, Annabelle will learn just what it takes to topple a duke….
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I will happily devour anything about the suffragists, but Evie Dunmore’s debut novel Bringing Down the Duke is one I’m already planning to reread. With just the right amount of romance and historical research, I was hooked on Annabelle and Sebastian’s story from the very first page. I can’t wait for the rest of League of Extraordinary Women novels!
A charming and beautifully written historical romance!
Two people with strong personalities, strategists, but who end up ensnared by a greater feeling.
Annabelle Archer should be content to be a good girl, look for a husband and raise her kids. But she wanted more from life.
So, after receiving Oxford admission letter, she would use any argument to convince her obtuse brother – a vicar, married and with several children – that her study in Oxford would be good… to raise his kids.
This opportunity for her arose mainly because she was being sponsored by the National Society for Women’s Suffrage (of course her brother didn’t know about this!)
Now, to maintain her status, Annabelle would have to help suffragettes to convince the important men of the government, those who pass the laws, that the causes in favor of women were good.
Not on purpose, right on Annabelle’s first time, she faced one of the most respectable men in the kingdom, the one for whom the queen always asked for advice, Sebastian Devereux, nineteenth Duke of Montgomery, also known as a cold, heartless man who had gotten rid of his wife and kept her dowry.
His eyes were striking, icy clear and bright with intelligence, a cove, penetrating intelligence that could cut right to the core of things, to assess, dismiss, eviscerate
At the queen’s request, Sebastian would be the chief strategic advisor for the election campaign of the Tory party, to help the Prime Minister to keep the power.
But in the meantime, Sebastian saw his younger brother, Peregrin Devereux, continue to do irresponsible things, like inviting his other irresponsible friends to a party at Sebastian’s country house, in the company of their mistresses.
In fact, these “mistresses” were the suffragettes who managed to be invited.
To Sebastian’s dismay, that suffragette he had met before – and had disturbed him in such a strange way – was among the guests. And after a misunderstanding, she ended up sick and invited to stay at his house for a while longer.
Over the time that they live and get to know each other, they find themselves with a greater attraction than they were able to handle.
Sebastian knew that at 35, he would have to find a wife to have his heirs. And although he thought Annabelle was beautiful and intelligent – even if she had too progressive ideas – she would not fit in to be the ideal duchess. Not after all the work he had been doing to recover all the wealth of the dukedom that his predecessors had squandered.
There was very little left for him to recover everything, and by helping the Prime Minister to win, Sebastian would get back the oldest family property, Castle Montgomery… lost in a card game.
The suffragettes fought for a greater good for women: the Married Women’d Property Act, so those women could keep their own property after marriage. Since only people with property to their name could vote, a woman must keep her own property if she wished to have the vote.
Sebastian had his own struggles: dealing with a rebellious brother, maintaining tenants and productive estates, pleasing the queen, knowing that his image was that of someone bad.
And when a suffragette and a hurt duke meet and understand each other, incredible changes can happen.
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This book manages to bring historical facts with the right hint of romance; show mistakes and successes of characters not perfect, but with flaws and ability to change. The search for being responsible and not just pleasing others.
Evie Dunmore is an author bringing new airs to historical novels.
10 stars
This one is getting a lot of buzz, and it makes total sense! Set in the late nineteenth century, our heroine (somewhat reluctantly) joins the women’s suffrage movement while falling in love with the duke who has the power to give women the vote. I love seeing the tie-in of the sweeping political movements of the time with a love story.
These two strong-willed characters fought their feelings for each other every step of the way, and it was quite the thrill to see them both capitulate and give up what they thought they wanted for what they really needed.
The cover of this book immediately drew me in (the horse, you guys… it works every time). Then I read the description. Set in Oxford? A suffragist? Yes please!
I confess, I was expecting this to be heavier on the *historical* and thus a bit more serious (yeah, yeah, I know– it *says* it’s a romp!). But once I got over that, it was a highly enjoyable historical romance (emphasis on the romance). I zipped right through it. If you’re a historical fiction reader wanting a lighter read that’s a bit more elevated than your average historical romance, this is a total win. And if historical romance is what you’re after, this is also a total win.
Best romance book I have read in awhile. Finally, a female protagonist with a past!
Amazing from debut author! I loved it. Terrific story!
I enjoyed the heck out of this brilliant, engrossing, deeply researched historical romance that gets so much right about the politics of the Victorian era. It’s a love story set against the backdrop of the suffrage movement and a battle to restore laws regarding the property rights of women. Its heroine and her cohorts have the audacity to feel that women should have them. Given that Bringing Down the Duke is as sexy and funny as it is feminist, that’s close to the platonic ideal of historical romance for me.
An unusual heroine — one of the first female students at Oxford (and a somewhat reluctant suffragette) — and a charming part-Alpha/part-Beta hero make this a page-turning read! The historical detail is so well done and the cast of secondary characters add much to the story. I will definitely add her next to my to-read pile.
Bringing Down the Duke, book 1 in A League of Extraordinary Women series, is a debut novel by author Evie Dunmore. First of all, I was captivated by the cover and title that promised something fun, sweet, and charming. Then, I read the blurb, and I was already intrigued: one of the first female students at Oxford with one of the most powerful, influential gentlemen in Britain. What else could I ask for? These details alone surely piqued my interest before I even launched into the book. And it did not disappoint me one bit
Annabelle Archer was an impoverished country girl, but her sharp mind and thirst for knowledge had earned her a spot at Oxford. Here she was involved in a feminist movement, one of the significant events for women’s rights in British history. And she would need a support from prominent politicians, especially from a certain brooding duke…
Sebastian Devereux, Duke of Montgomery, was intimidating, yet responsible and loyal, a man of integrity and honor. He was enchanted by Annabelle’s clever mind and her sense of pride, but frustrated with her stubbornness, and yet willing to jeopardize his reputations to be with her. He has definitely become one of my most favorite historical heroes ever
I LOVE this author’s writing style: intelligent conversations, well researched historical topics, nice flow, and good story plots. The romance between the main characters was beautifully developed, starting slowly from casual dialogue about their political views in the beginning to hot passion in the bedroom. Just WOW
It was also an eye-opening reading experience that made me think about women’s rights in history, rights for higher education, rights for independence and freedom, rights to vote, to have a voice… I am grateful for these pioneering women who had sacrificed themselves to open doors of opportunities for future generations. I could never imagine walking around college or having a discussion with a male colleague in the presence of a chaperone
Absolutely 5- and more… I can’t recommend this book enough! I’ll surely look out for this author in the future.
5+ Stars!!
Bringing Down the Duke might just be my top read of 2019! At the very least, in my top 5.
Do not be fooled by the misleading book cover. While it does allude to a notable scene in the book, it is more of a caricature than an authentic representation of the story within. Although it contains some moments of lightness and witty repartee, it is not a rom-com nor is it a light and fluffy historical. Bringing Down the Duke is a romance with depth, historical accuracy, and some of the most authentic characters that I’ve read in HR. This author’s attention to detail was exemplary and it gave me a true understanding of the era and the valid motivations of each individual.
While the world in which this story was written was enlightening, the romance was absolutely divine. Sebastian and Annabelle’s chemistry was magnetic and palpable. Their romance, passionate and tender. And, oh, the angst! My heart broke as this couple were consistently pulled apart by societal dictates. When they finally reached their happily-ever-after, it was breathtaking and well-deserved.
Intelligent, deeply moving and achingly romantic, Evie Dunmore’s debut was everything I could have asked for and the reward I hadn’t realized I’d earned. Bravo!
I devoured this book!
I loved the characters and the dialogue. Not contrived or scripted, just a lighthearted and inspiring book. I LOVE that the heroine and her friends are genuinely kind, smart and brave. The sexy scenes were pretty vanilla but I’m good with that…just happy they hooked up
Such a fantastic debut novel, I can’t wait for more.
A very strong debut novel. I can see why it’s been hyped so much. Unflinchingly political and feminist, Bringing Down the Duke reminds me of Courtney Milan’s fantastic works, particularly The Suffragette Scandal.
Amazing debut by Evie Dunmore! Annabelle and Sabastian will break your heart and then put it back together. There is an underlying Pride and Prejudice vibe that is relevant to the time and the storyline was such a unique subject. Can’t wait for the other lady’s books!!
Ever since Annabelle Archer’s fall from grace at the age of eighteen, she has been living in her cousin’s household, basically acting as an unpaid maid. Now twenty-five, Annabelle burns with a desire to attend Oxford, which has opened a women’s college. She’s received a stipend, but in exchange she must support the suffragette movement. One of her first actions is to attempt to hand a flyer to the Duke of Montgomery, requesting his support for changing the Married Women’s Property Act.
Sebastian Devereux, Duke of Montgomery, is a powerful man who is often called on by the queen to wield his political muscle in exchange for favors. His latest “assignment” is to become advisor to the Tory party and assure they win the next election. The carrot that Queen Victoria dangles is the duke’s family estate, which one of his predecessors gambled away. Sebastian wants this property very badly, so is resigned to fulfilling the queen’s wishes.
The next meeting between Annabelle and Sebastian goes south rapidly, as she is a guest of his younger brother. Sebastian mistakenly makes the assumption that she is his mistress and orders her out of his home. Annabelle’s pride and the duke’s arrogance cause them to butt heads until they overcome their misunderstanding. Once beyond this, the duke and the commoner seem to develop an affinity and even a genuine liking for each other.
Sebastian is a conservative, controlled, dutiful man. His entire existence appears to revolve around managing his dukedom and forwarding his political agenda. Yet, Sebastian is scandalously a divorced man, thus his current determination to maintain propriety is something he’s determined to do at all costs. His burgeoning attraction and affection for Annabelle makes him regret that she’s not of his social class, but since he can’t marry her, surely she’ll welcome becoming his mistress.
Annabelle learned a bitter lesson when her lover, who was also of the nobility, abandoned her. She’s determined to never repeat her mistake. This bright and passionate young woman knows that becoming the duke’s mistress will cause her to lose all respectability, her education, and her friends. As much as she has come to love the man, she can’t give up her whole future on what is sure to be a temporary arrangement. Annabelle has so much to offer the world, and is so limited because of being female at a time in history when she was beaten down and stifled.
The story of an upright noble and a spirited unsuitable commoner is a familiar one, but the telling of it in BRINGING DOWN THE DUKE is exquisitely done, setting it at a higher level. Sebastian comes off so unlikeable and uptight at first – then his layers start to be peeled away. We see the magnitude of responsibility that was cast upon him at a young age. The dwindling family fortunes, his reckless younger brother, his faithless wife, and his political duties all bear down on him. He works tirelessly to meet every challenge. Then he finds one thing he desires above everything else, and his own rules forbid him from grasping it.
I always greet a book by a new-to-me author with equal parts anticipation and trepidation. I so want to find a new voice that I’ll love to read, and, oh, did I find that in Evie Dunmore! BRINGING DOWN THE DUKE is beautifully written, captivating, romantic, interesting, and emotional. I was totally invested in the story, the history, and the characters and their beliefs. I particularly loved Sebastian’s journey of self discovery. He’s such a feeling and compassionate man beneath the icy veneer he showed the world. I love how he and Annabelle could be their true selves with the other, and how they both came to realize the truth of the importance of love. BRINGING DOWN THE DUKE is remarkable, and the fact that it’s a debut novel only makes it more so. I highly recommend it, and I simply can’t wait for the story of the next Extraordinary Woman.
I love all these new feminist historical romances that have come out lately, including Bringing Down the Duke, which might just be my favorite. This book is an absolute delight! It has humor, wit, great banter, and explosive chemistry between the main hero and heroine. The main hero, Sebastian, is so swoony, I am adding him to my book boyfriends’ list. Bringing Down the Duke is a must-read for historical romance fans.
I pre-ordered Bringing Down the Duke as a result of a funny tweet story told by an ARC reader whose young son found and read aloud her copy. Given the back cover description of the book, the line of dialogue mentioned (‘Behold those [reference to a female body part]”) did not seem to fit, and so I anticipated the book would be unexpected, witty and entertaining. My friends, Bringing Down the Duke delivered! (And don’t worry…the line served the theme and isn’t spoken by the hero or any of the secondary leads.) I adored the characterizations, the dialogue, the setting, and the plot. The sexual tension warmed slowly before coming to a lasting, roiling boil (hot, hot, hot) and the romance-worth-a-scandal had true-to-life emotional resonance. To sum up, Bringing down the Duke is a smart, delightful debut that gets my vote!
Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore is the First book in A League of Extraordinary Women Series. This is the story of Annabelle Archer and Sebastian Devereux.
Annabelle is the daughter of a country vicar who doesn’t have many options as a women but she does end up being one of the choose few women to get a place as a student at the University of Oxford. Annabelle does have to support the women’s suffrage movement in exchange for such a honored seat. Annabelle has a task to complete for the cause and she has set it on Sebastian Devereux the Duke of Montgomery. If she can get him to support the Married Women’s Property Act of 1870 will help her cause. Sebastian of course doesn’t support the causes that Annabelle does which leads to them butting heads. Sebastian thinks of a ideal that may fix his problem but what happens when that backfires and he learns he wants more from Annabelle.
Enjoyed their story and hope to read more from this author.
I really enjoyed this book and looking forward to the next one. It was fun, had likable characters and kept me interested from the beginning to the end. I would recommend this book to friends.