“A master storyteller.”–Affaire de Coeur Nearing thirty, the Duke of Rathburne is finally ready to make amends for the wager that caused him and his best friends such scandal–but taking on a ward who needs a husband is a feat he’s not sure he can manage. The last he saw of Miss Marlena Fast, she was a spirited little ruffian, not the sort of bride most bachelors on the marriage mart sought. … marriage mart sought. But one glance at the lovely lady she has become is enough to convince him otherwise…
Orphaned young and shuffled from family to family, Marlena counts on her fierce independence and quick wits to keep herself content. Being the responsibility of a notoriously wicked duke who upended so many lives is an unexpected challenge when she realizes he arouses her decidedly feminine desires. Marlena must be careful. She has her own scandalous secret to protect. If he finds out, will it shatter her chances of a happily-ever-after with the notorious rake?
It’s All About the Duke is the next Regency romance in The Rakes of St. James series from Amelia Grey.
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The Third Duke Has Fallen!
Rath, the Duke of Rathburne, has agreed to become the guardian for a young lady, Marlena Fast, as she is the ward of his father’s best friend who is extremely ill. He remembers meeting her once when she thrust a frog in his face. She was 12. Now, unknown to him, she writes the Miss Honora Truth’s weekly scandal sheet. Years ago, her best friend’s sister Veronica had to marry an older man due to his wager. The scandal sheet is a way to get back at the three Dukes and give some money to her friend Eugenia and her sister. Marlena doesn’t like Rath being her guardian until she gets to know the real man. She loves him, but how to explain the scandal sheet? Read this cute book to find out. I enjoyed it and it was nice to see how the first 2 Dukes have changed.
I received It’s All About the Duke by Amelia Grey from NetGalley in exchange of a fair review. This is the third book in the series but can be read as a standalone. However, I greatly enjoyed the entire series.
The Duke of Rathburne, Rath to his friends is the last of the notorious Rakes of St James that is single. With his other two friends married, he opts to become guardian of Marlena Fast, an orphaned young lady who’s current guardian is sick. But upon meeting her again, he becomes enchanted with her and strives to keep her distance. Marlena as well feels the draw to the rake and tries to stay away. But as the season continues and the attraction deepens, Marlena struggles to keep a secret that can hurt many.
This was, in my opinion, the best of the series. I greatly enjoyed reading the other 2 books however, upon reading this book, it felt like Ms. Grey wrote the other 2 books just to get to this story. Both Marlena and Rath were better developed and the banter between the 2 was better. Plus the back story- which is a given if you read the last 2 books- was developed more in this book. A sweet read that isn’t steamy. #ItsAllAbouttheDuke #NetGalley
It’s All About the Duke begins slowly, revealing that Rath, Duke of Rathburne, consumate rake, has agreed to take on a ward. Miss Marlena Fast, secret gossip columnist, enjoys gardening and spending time with her friends while plotting revenge on rakes that like to send secret admirer letters. Marlena’s character as a whole is not bad, the story just seems to drag for the first two-thirds of the book. Of course, the rake and the ward fall in love and the whole gossip columnist twist causes problems in a predictable way. The story is pleasant, not exciting or depressing, just pleasant. The story picks up at the end and leaves you with a satisfying HEA. Overall, I found the story okay and will continue reading books by this author. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.
Marlena doesn’t hold back her thoughts, “so after you kissed me quite thoroughly you bring Justine confections and me smelling salts.” The amusement he was so obviously experiencing didn’t leave his features.” There are times Rath has to set his woman straight, “I am never Your Grace when I am in your bed, Marlena…” I liked this book, I loved Rath.
4.5 Stars
It’s All About the Duke by Amelia Grey is the Third book in The Rakes of St. James series. This is the story of Rath, Duke of Rathburne and Marlena Fast. I have read the previous books but feel you can make this a standalone book.
Rath and his friends played a trick on some debutantes years ago that cause total scandal. Although the Dukes were taunted in the papers for years Rath still felt the edge of quilt. Now in his present day he wants to be the man his father hoped he would be. So when he receives a letter about a young women now in his charge he writes that he will be her guardian…but he did so in a drunken state so when he gets sober he thinks he made a grave mistake.
Marlena was orphaned at a early age so she is used to being passed around to different guardians. But they attraction she feels for him is different because she never felt this before.
I am such a fan of Ms. Grey’s writing…she one of my go to authors!
What could be worse? Trying to outlive an old scandal or trying to make a new one by writing about it? This series is about three rakes who made a wager long ago that has haunted them for years. With two happily married, the third, Rath, the Duke of Rathborn is left. Marlena Fast, has been writing a column under the pen name Miss Honora Truth, using her gossip sheet to keep reminding the public of the three men’s misdeeds. When fate steps in and Rath accepts a request to assume guardianship of Marlena and help present her to society, the irony is not lost on her. Has he found out who she is?
Of course there is an automatic attraction that they both try to fight. Each chapter began with a quote of her witticisms from her column or thoughts. But the chemistry between the two is just overwhelming. There are several twist and turns with many delightful side characters coming into play. The story runs its course and comes to a page turning conclusion. Although part of a series, this book can be read as a standalone. But be sure to read the others and you will be glad you did!!
The Duke of Rathburne should know better than make decisions when in his cups. It is always going to cause him trouble. This time he just has to make the best of it. Who will ever believe, him, one of the Rakes of St. James as guardian to a young lady.
Miss Marlena Fast is terrified when the Duke turns up on her doorstep, he must have come to have her arrested for what she has done. Our heroine was orphaned as a baby and passed between different guardians. She has learned to be brave and independent. That along with her soft heart have led her into mischief with her writings.
Our hero will have to finally face up to the sins of the past, how can he make amends?
A funny and at times emotional romance with wonderful characters.
This is a highly entertaining story. The third and last in the series, but you could read each book on it’s own. I have read and loved all of them.
Rather Slow.
The author of a scandal sheet finds herself feeling guilty when she actually meets the individuals she has been writing about for the last three years. The premise of this book was good but it didn’t hold my attention and I struggled to finish it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I enjoyed this third and final book in the Rakes of St. James series. The series is based on a really lame scandal, but the books are all nice reads even if they are a bit prosy. You can read each as a stand-alone if you wish to do so. I loved the last names of all of the heroines in the three books – Swift, Quick and Fast.
The big scandal is a wager made by three young friends – all dukes. They would write ‘secret admirer’ letters to all twelve of the debutants who were in their first season. The letters would say that they had long admired the lady and hoped she would meet them at a certain place and time. Whichever of the dukes had the most ladies actually show up would win the bet. When all twelve of the ladies show up and word of the wager and the ladies all going to the meeting places leaks out – well – SCANDAL. The dukes immediately felt remorseful, but there wasn’t anything they could do to change things. Someone decides that the duke should be punished for what they did and starts a scandal column that only talks about the scandal and the dukes.
Rath, Duke of Rathburne, was the one who suggested the cursed wager and he’s felt guilty about it ever since. He’s come to a point in his life, he’s almost thirty, where he feels he should become the gentleman his father always wanted him to be. I know he was described as a rake and scoundrel throughout the book, but frankly, I just didn’t see it. Yes, he had mistresses and widows on occasion, but he wasn’t a letch and he didn’t chase innocent ladies. Seems he was just a normal gentleman of the time – and maybe better than most.
When Rath received a letter from Mr. Olingworth, a very good friend of Rath’s father, his first inclination was to turn down the request it contained. Then, after he has finished a bottle, he pens a letter to Mr. Olingworth saying that he agrees to be the guardian of Miss Marlena Fast. When he awakens the next morning, he regrets penning his acceptance, but it is too late – the letter is already in the post – thanks to his efficient new butler. Mr. Olingworth is quite ill and can no longer properly see to Marlena’s care. Rath had met Marlena once when she was about twelve and holding a frog. He was sure it was going to be a challenge because ‘ruffian girls rarely, if ever, become decorous young ladies’.
Marlena Fast has been an orphan since shortly after she was born. She’s been passed from place to place and never had a real home that was hers. First, she lived with an aunt and uncle, then Mr. Olingworth, then her cousin Justine. Now, it seems, she is being passed on again – into someone else’s care. But, it can’t be – not HIM – one of the Rakes of St. James. He’s one of the despised men who helped make her friend’s life miserable – she can’t be his ward.
I liked both Marlena and Rath and I liked the way their insta-lust grew into solid attraction and love. Now, I’ll be honest – I did skim-read some of those long prosy descriptions/conversations – but it was still a good read. The book often refers to the conversations as banter, but I think more often than not it was either bickering or arguing – there is some lovely banter too because they both had quick wits and a lovely sense of humor.
The secondary characters are a hit-or-miss bunch. I loved the other Dukes of St. James and their families that made an appearance – especially Lady Vera. Then, there are Marlena’s best friends, Eugenia and Veronica, I never did like them – they seemed more like users than friends to me. They did, however, redeem themselves a little in the end – well, Eugenia did anyway. When it comes to Marlena’s cousin, Justine, well – nobody has enough time, space or energy to deal with her!
One of my favorite scenes is of Rath in a ladies shop – he was looking for smelling salts. Yes – where else would you go to buy something ladies use except Miss Lola’s Lacy Linens? His interactions with Miss Lola and then a couple of unexpected customers are delightful. Definitely shows his humor and irreverence.
We also finally unmask Miss Honora Truth, the person who has been taunting the dukes in a scandal sheet for the last three years. Will her identity surprise you? Probably not – but it sure surprised the duke!
If you are looking for a hold-your-breath, action-packed read, this isn’t it. But if you are looking for a nice, steady read of two people coming together, finding love and dealing with obstacles, then you have found a good one here.
The first two books in the series are:
Last Night With the Duke– Duke of Griffin and Esmeralda Swift
To the Duke, With Love — Duke of Hawksthorn and Loretta Quick
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“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”