Her secret will save a legacy…The daughter of a famed architect, Rebecca Lambert has been raised among the nobility yet understands the circumstances of her birth. As a common woman, she will never be able to pursue her passion and become an architect as well — at least, not under her own name. When her father slowly begins to lose his sensibilities and falls into debt, Rebecca becomes far … becomes far more than a secretary, but rather the designer. No one, however, can ever learn the truth.
He is duke only in name…
No one was pleased when Valentine St. Vincent was shockingly named the Duke of Wyndham — least of all Valentine himself. He made a career and a name for himself through the use of his fists, but all it led to was his brother’s death. Now determined to become the man his family always wanted him by fulfilling his brother’s destiny, Valentine is caught between two identities.
A relationship that can never be…
When Valentine hires Rebecca’s father, she must complete the work commissioned to them. But as she spends more and more time at Wyndham House and the Duke’s country manor, she finds herself hopelessly falling for a man she can never have. For the Duke of Wyndham must marry a woman of the ton for her dowry and respectability — two things Rebecca can never provide.
Will Rebecca and Val resign themselves to the lives chosen for them, or those they were born to live?
For readers over 18 due to some steamy scenes.
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I loved it!! All the characters came to life immediately upon appearance, especially Rebecca and Valentine whose personalities were unlike what society expected or dictated. It had a few surprises. I see myself reading it over and over again.
* This is my honest and unbiased review of the ARC.
Rebecca was just an architect hiding behind her father’s name and Valentine was just a pugilist turned impoverished Duke. He needed to marry a woman with a large dowry and she need to keep her father in business to pay off their debts and keep their home. They were wrong for each other, but they can’t help the way they feel. I loved that she redesigned his house to take into account his love of boxing and his sister Jemima’s love of scientific experiments. Jemima and her friends were all intelligent and creative and I’m looking forward to their romances in future books.
An unconventional duke marries an unconventional architect. Valentine never wanted to be a Duke and finds the role terribly restrictive until he meets Rebecca. It is a wonderful story with strong beautiful women struggling to fit into the society they were born. It is filled with wonderful characters who show true strength and courage. As the two spend time together they get to know what the truly important things in life are.
Rebecca Lambert, the daughter of a famed architect, has been watching her father fade with forgetfulness but they need this next commission to get them out of debt after her father designed many spec homes. Valentine, now the Duke of Wyndham, is being forced into renovations that they can’t afford but his mother is insisting they need to hold up images. Meeting accidentally in a closet, these two are taken with each other but he needs a wealthy bride for her dowry. While designing both of his homes, Rebecca finds herself basically putting the entire project to paper on her own and claiming it’s her fathers. Until Valentine’s mother finds out and then Valentine feels like hes’ been lied to and asks them to leave. Unfortunately for both Rebecca and Valentine, their love has already happened and they’ve become intimate. With Valentine’s sister helping, can Rebecca rightfully claim her only love? Will Valentine see what’s in front of him and forgo the status of having a rich wife or accept his fate. I love the characters in this story and the storyline is one I haven’t seen before, which was refreshing. I would highly recommend.
A sweet romance between one former commoner thrust into peerage and the daughter of a renowned architect who was not of peerage. Valentine only by sheer happenstance inherited an indebted dukedom. His mother a dominate force is trying to have Valentine marry for a dowry to cover their disgraceful financial situation. With his mother’s prompting they hired the foremost architect in England, Mr. Lambert, to renovate their London home and if funds permit their estate in the country. Mr. Lambert came to his appointment with his daughter, Rebecca. Valentine and Rebecca were mutually impressed with each other. Even though the debt held heavy on Valentine’s shoulders, he still could not resist Rebecca’s charms. However, Rebecca had a secret of her own that she fears if uncovered would ruin her father’s legacy and their lives. Valentine and Rebecca could no longer deny their attraction to each other and even though their lives were headed in different directions they embarked on a clandestine affair. Trouble came in the form of Valentine’s mother. She knew some of Rebecca’s secrets and let her know that Valentine was not for her. Mrs. St. Vincent revealed what she knew to Valentine and Rebecca and her father were fired, dismissed. Valentine felt betrayed and lied to by Rebecca. But she was never given the chance to explain. But a little fairy angel was privy to all that was going on and interceded for the good of Valentine and Rebecca. Such a pleasant story. It highlights Rebecca’s gifts and Valentine’s struggles. In the end all worked out for the best. A very enjoyable read.
I loved the storyline of a prize fighting Duke and a female architect. It’s a fun read.
London 1820
It started in a closet… Well, Yes really it did.. but I won’t give that away! A somewhat unconventional first meeting but it caught my attention right away!
“Rebecca hadn’t seen many men without clothing on. But she knew much of architectural planes and lines, of exquisite sculptures and works of art. Which this man had. From his chiseled shoulders down his bulging bicepts, back to his chest which seemed etched in granite, he was a vision.”
Rebecca and her father where at the new Duke of Wyndham, Valentine St. Vincent’s home to look at restoring the structure. They truly needed the money they would make and she was anxious due to her father having memory issues.
Valentine was a little tongue tied at Rebecca’s beauty and so there was a mutual attraction. But he needed to marry a heiress (as his mother stated many times!), as so many men of that time did, due to having inherited little money with his title. An unexpected title. One, he truly wished he could go back just being his old self!
Ellie St Clair delightfully weaves this tale filled with humor, lovable characters, a sister bent on scientic experiments (cannot wait to read her story!), and everything needed to make this a story I adored!!
I enjoyed this book.
Why?
Because they are in unexpected roles.
Well, in dual roles that shouldn’t intersect.
Rebecca has talent but as a female, she’s left to hide who she is and what her talents truly are.
Valentine is a duke who is a far off cousin who’s a fighter, not a proper duke. He’s learning.
He does have a sister, Jemima who’s a scientist.
There’s something to be said for meeting in a closet.
And they get closer when Rebecca is working on Wyndham house.
ONE OUTSTANDING JOY RIDE!!!
Ah snap! Ellie rocks the boat, tilting, swaying, staying afloat, breaking this little fella into a tizzy, jolting this gem into the eye of the storm, fusing it together piece by piece seamlessly. A swirling vortex chocked full of unforseen mishaps and daunting circumstances, blow this little fella into a tailspin with shocking results. Bracing the drama, intrigue, turmoil, secrets, distress and soaring suspense, as tension spirals, blazing this baby staggering heights. Exhibiting incredibly thrilling, well rounded scenario’s, ramping up the zeal and gusto with such intensity and precision, blasting this gem to life spectacularly. Struggling through the trials and tribulations, along with sharp twists, sleek turns and thin lines, testing our characters in ways they could have never anticipated. The chemistry builds as each layer is peeled back exposing an undeniable bond and amplifying affections, binding them to one another perfectly. The characters are genuine and realistic with depth and qualities that blend into amazing personalities. The scenes are so vividly detailed and descriptive it gives the illusion you were right there in the middle of ground zero with them. Remarkable job Ellie, thanks for sharing this little fella with us.
Valentine is a Duke, who never expected to be a duke. He makes money and enjoys boxing. Rebecca is the daughter of a famous architect. Her father is being forgetful, so Rebecca has been doing the designs for him, even though no one knows she is doing it. Valentine and Rebecca meet each other when Valentine hires Rebecca’s father to do work on his houses. Valentine and Rebecca are instantly attracted to each, but Valentine needs to marry someone with money and part of the town. I enjoyed their chemistry. Valentine is really a good down to earth Duke, and Rebecca fits him perfectly, you will also enjoy their story. This is the first book in a new series, The Bluestocking Scandals and it was extremely good. I can not wait for the other ladies’ stories.
Rebecca Lambert’s father is a well-known architect he has designed for some of the most prominent nobles in England but with age has started to show signs of forgetfulness and confusion luckily Rebecca has the knowledge to cover for him. They now face financial problems due to a housing project that hasn’t sold, so they really need the new commission for the Duke of Wyndham. Valentine was not happy to find himself a Duke but after his brother’s death, he had little choice but to step up. His first duty was to have Wyndham House completed properly at the wishes of his mother, then onto the country estate to do the same. Where the money was to come from he didn’t know which brings us to duty three, marry a rich noblewoman. Trouble is when he meets Rebecca both of them feel a spark. So how does a Duke in need of money and a young woman with a talent that she is unable to admit to who also is in debt ever find their happily ever after?
A woman trying to help her designer father who is losing his faculties. She doesn’t expect to fall in love with the impoverished duke they are working for. Even though she knows he must find a titled woman with a large dowry their attraction comes to a crescendo. He needs to stand up to his mother in order to keep the woman he loves, but when he finds out the designs are not by her father, he feels betrayed. Can forgiveness and love overcome these obstacles? I loved the development of the characters and relationships in this book. I received a complimentary copy and I am voluntarily reviewing.
Another wonderful series by Ellie St. Clair! This book is technically and emotionally terrific, telling a story of a strong willed woman who is passionate about a topic that she loves. She aspires to be successful despite the obstacles she encounters — yet following her heart. Great characters and inspiring tale that was hard to put down. Looking forward to the next book in the series!
This is the first book in a new series ” The Bluestocking Scandals”. I have read other books by Ellie St. Clair and have never been disappointed. This is a different kind of Regency story.
We have a Duke who doesn’t want to be one, wasn’t trained to handle the job and would like nothing better the to be able to go back to being a commoner and his boxing profession. All the responsibility for his mother and sister and all the Estates is over whelming. Not only does the new Duke of Wyndham,Valentine St Vincent have a lot to learn, he finds out the old Duke lost all his money before he died.
Valentine needs to marry a women with a Hugh dowry to be able to save the Earldom.
His mother is not helping as she wants to impress the ton with her new title. And has been buying clothes, a new carriage and jewels. She has also contracted a famed Architect, Albert Lambert to re-design and update both the London house and the County Estate !
Rebecca Lambert is the dutiful daughter of Albert the architect but she has a secret that no one can learn of are her father’s legacy will be lost and so will they. After a bad investment they are in debt and about to lose everything. She is always with her father, as he is starting to show signs of dementia. She wants nothing more then to be an architect on her own. But knows this could never happen as women are not allowed to be anything but a wife and mother. Most men don’t want a wife who is outspoken and smart.
Thy need this job for the New Duke to survive. The last thing she is thinking about is romance.
Fate has a different plan, when the New Duke of Wyndham, meets the architects daughter, Rebecca in his bedroom closet both are taken back at the intense attraction. They both know they should leave the other alone, but the heart doesn’t always listen to the head.
How will it every end Happy for them, with Valentin’s mother trying to force him to wed for money.
Rebecca is trying to save her father by doing all the work herself keeping the secret from all.
Her only friend is Val’s sister Jemima. As secrets are found out and things are said out of hurt and disappointment it seems that both Val and Rebecca will lose all.
This is a very fast moving, steamy love story with many twist and turns. I couldn’t put it down and stayed
up late to finish it. If all the books in series will be like this one, I can’t wait for the next one.
Be sure and get your copy. Hint– don’t start reading if you have appointments. As you will miss them.
I received and ARC from the Author and want to thank her. I am voluntarily giving my honest opinion.
Designs on a Duke
The Bluestocking Scandals Series #1
Ellie St. Clair
https://www.facebook.com/elliestclairauthor/
Release date 01/14/2020
Blurb :
Her secret will save a legacy…
The daughter of a famed architect, Rebecca Lambert has been raised among the nobility yet understands the circumstances of her birth. As a common woman, she will never be able to pursue her passion and become an architect as well — at least, not under her own name. When her father slowly begins to lose his sensibilities and falls into debt, Rebecca becomes far more than a secretary, but rather the designer. No one, however, can ever learn the truth.
He is duke only in name…
No one was pleased when Valentine St. Vincent was shockingly named the Duke of Wyndham — least of all Valentine himself. He made a career and a name for himself through the use of his fists, but all it led to was his brother’s death. Now determined to become the man his family always wanted him by fulfilling his brother’s destiny, Valentine is caught between two identities.
A relationship that can never be…
When Valentine hires Rebecca’s father, she must complete the work commissioned to them. But as she spends more and more time at Wyndham House and the Duke’s country manor, she finds herself hopelessly falling for a man she can never have. For the Duke of Wyndham must marry a woman of the ton for her dowry and respectability — two things Rebecca can never provide.
Will Rebecca and Val resign themselves to the lives chosen for them, or those they were born to live?
My review :
When a newly titled man with a not pristine past meet a woman harboring secrets which could destroy her family’s legacy …
Finally I have read an Ellie St. Clair’s story, it is sad to say but with so many authors, I am unable to find the time to read them all.
But, yes, it is done and nothing is better than discovering an author with a new series.
Even if it deals with a duke, I loved the characters were commoners, with a different upbringing than the usual private schools and balls.
Valentine is an wonderful man, overwhelmed by the task but trying to do the best as he can. He also lives with a guilt he can’t shake out of him but in time, he will accept his pain and live with it.
Also, he stands for what he thinks is right and won’t back off.
He needs to know he can trust those around him, why he didn’t really care for names and renown.
Where lies Rebecca’s deceit.
Rebecca is at her wit’s end, her father’s sanity looking like it is deteriorating faster and faster. Why she needs this commission.
Even if her father never really recognize her work, she is now the one providing it for them when his outbursts do not cause them to loose contracts. Why she must protect at all cost her father’s ailment. She never expected to fall for the newly appointed peer, yet he acts so differently from the other titled persons she has met.
Their attraction is one of instant recognition, but there is so much between them only waiting to tear them apart, they will both need faith in the other to see if they can make things work for them.
I loved the dynamic of their relationship, they are both aware of what is at stake and of what is expected from them but they also hope for more than they were willing at the beginning.
Valentine is a kind and caring man, he accepts people around him when they have proved their worth, he is not demanding of more, just to be honest. Rebecca has to be more cunning as for a woman, her line of work is unthinkable for her time, yet she listens and make her customers requests and needs primary to anything else.
Definitely a great first in a series, with the introduction of the future protagonists of the next books, all intriguing ladies.
5 stars.
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A pugilist who unexpectedly inherits a crumbling dukedom hires a famed architect and his daughter. However, all three are hiding secrets and fears. Good story. I received an ARC of this book.
Ellie St. Clair has started off a new series with a really good story with wonderful characters that you really root for from the beginning.
Valentine St. Vincent, is the new Duke of Wyndham after his brother’s death. This is not a title Val wanted, expected or trained for but he must accept in order to care for his mother & younger sister. He has been happy in his secret life as a pugilist which he has gained some notoriety from under an assumed name. Now he being torn between two worlds but knows he has to become what his parents always wished he would be – a gentleman.
Rebecca Lambert is the daughter of a famous architect who has done many projects for the nobility in England & when he designs his projects, they always stay at the property they are working on. She has grown up learning from her father & being around nobility but realizes the difference in her & their classes. Her father has gradually been losing his faculties & she has taken over much of his expertise – now she is doing is all. When the Duke of Wyndham hires her father for the renovation of his London townhouse & his country estate, she will have to keep the secret of her father’s health & her architect work a secret, as they really need the payment for work to clear some major debt her father mistakenly amassed.
When Val & Rebecca first meet, there is an instant attraction but they both realize they must do what is best for their families & cannot become involved in something that can never be possible. Can they get past the lies, deceit, attraction, romance or will they conform to the lives they’ve been forced to live or choose to live the life they want to live & love?
I was gifted the Advanced Reader Copy of this book & all opinions are my own & have been voluntarily given.
The daughter of a famed architect, Rebecca Lambert has been raised among the nobility yet understands the circumstances of her birth. As a common woman, she will never be able to pursue her passion and become an architect as well — at least, not under her own name. When her father slowly begins to lose his sensibilities and falls into debt, Rebecca becomes far more than a secretary, but rather the designer. Valentine St. Vincent never expected to be a duke & was happy as a physician’s son following the pursuit he loved but then he becomes Duke of Wyndham. Now determined to become the man his family always wanted him by fulfilling his brother’s destiny, Valentine is caught between two identities.
Valentine hires Rebecca’s father to work on the incomplete Wyndham House and also Stonewall the Duke’s country manor, the more time they spend together the more they fall in love but the duchy is in debt & his mother is determined he will marry a wealthy titled heiress.
This is the first in a new series & a lovely starter. Rebecca is intelligent, caring & always puts everyone especially her father before herself. Val is a pugilist who has spent the past few years trying to be the man his parents want him to be. There is an instant attraction between them, which only grows but Rebecca is keeping the secret of her father’s illness so there’s a disaster waiting to happen. I loved both Val & Rebecca & how their relationship developed. I also loved Jemima & can’t wait for her story. Whilst I was often angry at Val’s mother I could understand her motives even though I couldn’t condone them but she did redeem herself somewhat in the end. An enthralling read that I read in two sittings, it drew me in from the start & held me until the last page
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Enjoyed the story. Rebecca and Val, two people who end up with titles neither expected. Val a Duke and Rebecca his Duchess. The story tells of how they came together. Val hired Rebecca’s father as the architect to finish the London estate not knowing that due to his declining health, Rebecca is the one who completes the plans. There is a lot happening in this story but there is a HEA in the end. It is a well written story, entertaining and worth reading. I would recommend this book as a great read.
Designs on a Duke is the first in a new series by Ellie St. Clair. This is written in an era where women should not be “bluestockings” and do not work in what is considered “men’s jobs”. Rebecca has assisted her father, a famous architect, for many years. As his memory starts to fail, Rebecca takes on the design, planning, and mansion renovations which are credited to her father. The new client that they desperately need to be hired by is the new Duke of Wyndham. Rebecca can never share with anyone that she is the one that is behind the entire renovation. The new Duke was never expected to inherit and has secrets of his own that he cannot share. The two of them are immediately attracted to each other but their stations in life are a duke and a commoner. Can they find their way to each other amid all the secrets or will they go on the path they are expected to take.