When a lady bent on ruining rogues and a duke set on revenge attempt to derail each other’s plans, passion erupts into a love for the ages.After being left brokenhearted by a duplicitous rake, Anne Adair no longer desires a husband—she wants justice. She’s traded in her foolish dream of happily-ever-after for the much more sensible one of thwarting the blackhearted lords who prey on innocent … innocent debutantes. But her first mission proves rather complicated when the dashing, devilish Duke of Kilmartin comes to the aid of her target.
Simon Sedgewick, the newly titled Duke of Kilmartin, never thought he would return to England, let alone attend a ball full of simpering lords. But when his oldest friend’s reputation is being smeared and Simon discovers that the perpetrator is none other than his enemy’s granddaughter, his long-festering desire for vengeance flares to life.
The moment Simon spies Miss Anne Adair across the glittering ballroom, he knows that the ravishing beauty is the perfect instrument for the retribution he thought lost to him. He does not know, however, that Anne has devised a scheme of her own. And soon, these two wary hearts will discover that the best laid plans are no match for love.
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A LONG NOVELLA.
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Love this series and MY DARING DUCHESS was fantastic! Definitely daring, romantic and intriguing. Another must read by Julie Johnstone. I enjoy this authors writing style, her descriptions are vivid, her characters are positively awesome and her plots are intriguing. Highly recommended!
Would you do anything to get a man’s attention if you were not wed by a certain age? What if you fell madly in love with a man who did not reciprocate those feelings? A woman’s reputation was much easier to tarnish if a man willed it, but Johnstone turns the stakes in this historical romance. The Sisterhood for the Ruination of Rogues is prevalent and this group of women are determined that no duke or rogue should go unpunished for their thoughtlessness and foolishness. Readers will be entertained by the light humor and cunning nature of this story as it unravels.
Anne Adair is the leader of the Sisterhood and she is out to destroy one man’s reputation, in particular. After a friend confides in the Sisterhood about a compromising position that she was found in with a man being a rakish intent, Anne is determined to seek revenge for her distress. With only the best intentions at heart, she feels it is her duty to spread the word about this man and gain back her friend’s reputation. When a man seeks Anne out and wants to get to know her, she instantly feels an attraction, but knows better than to get involved with someone who is too charming and handsome for her own good. He can only be one thing…a rogue. Simon, the Duke of Kilmartin, is enamored by this beautiful woman…only too soon finding out that this may be the way to his revenge against her grandfather. His growing attraction for her might interfere, leaving them both in for some painful emotions that they’d rather not face. Can they both learn to set vengeance aside and seek out the love, acceptance and truth from one another?
Johnstone has a powerful, yet beautifully written story. The characters are wonderful, and the pace is fast and enjoyable. With this being the fourth installment in the Once Upon a Rogue series, it still remains a novel which can be read as a standalone. If you are a reader of historical romance, you may enjoy this book.
A copy of this book was provided to Turning Another Page by the author and in no way affects the honesty of this review. We provide a five-star rating to My Daring Duchess by Julie Johnstone.
Another amazing book by Julie Johnstone. It is refreshing to read a one of a kind story. Her characters are full of depth, uniqueness, and fun to get to know. I’ve said it many times, but I truly love reading Julie Johnstone’s books. She writes beautifully, her words flow together so nicely it makes reading easy and always pleasurable. I highly recommend My Daring Duchess, book 4 in Once Upon a Rogue series. When you finish this book, I’m sure you’ll want to get the remaining books too!
This story is a delightful romance about two people, Lady Anne and Simon, who is a duke, who begin their relationship as rivals. Anne is determined to “spread the word” in society that Simon’s best friend is dishonorable and untrustworthy. Simon knows that this is patently untrue. Simon also bears a grudge against Anne’s grandfather, another duke, for a terrible wrong the duke perpetrated against him several years prior. So what better way for Simon to obtain revenge for both himself and his friend than to use Anne. But first he must decide if Anne is deserving of such treatment, as Simon is himself honorable.
The two meet repeatedly at social events and both find that an attraction exists, and they want for the other to be better than they imagine. They have moments of banter that made me smile. But is it all wishful thinking? If Anne really believes that Simon and his friend are evil by nature, shouldn’t she have some proof?
The story involves a bit of mystery, a pretty evil antagonist, and plenty of intense attraction between Anne and Simon. I really enjoyed it and recommend it to romance readers and historical fans too.
My Daring Duchess is the fourth book in the Once Upon a Rogue Series. This book tell the story of revenge, discovery and love. Anne wants revenge not only for her but all girls done wrong. Revenge is a dish best served cold and that’s just how Anne plans to serve it. She ends butting heads with Simon Sedgwick, Duke of Kilmartin, it’s really more a case of each of them trying to out best the other. I loved Simon and Anne story. This book will have have you smiling and falling in love with these two. I just wish the book was lobger. Another amazing book by Julie Johnstone
Simon Sedgewick, the newly titled Duke of Kilmartin, never thought he would return to England after his grandfather sent him away all those years ago in disgrace. Now he’s inherited the title and has returned to England with his sisters attend a ball full of simpering lords. He learns oldest friend’s reputation is being smeared, and Simon discovers that the perpetrator is none other than his enemy’s granddaughter. He sees a way to help his friend and seek revenge against those who wronged him all those years ago.
Granddaughter of the Duke of Rowan, Anne Adair no longer desires a husband, she wants to protect and warn other young debutantes away from the rakes and rogues of London society. She’s the president of the “Sisterhood for the Ruination of Rogues” club whose goal is to ruin the rakes who ruined them.
Simon see Lady Anne and decides she’s the perfect revenge against the Duke of Rowan and decides to peruse her and ruin her reputation. Anne is on to his game and sets out to uncover the mystery surrounding Simon and what happened all those years ago.
Simon and Anne have more in common than they first believed, both came from struggling families after their grandfathers deserted them, both are looking for love, family, trust and loyalty, someone to believe in them. This is a story filled with deception, mystery, intrigue and romance which make for an exceptional story I know you’ll truly enjoy.
This is my honest opinions after I voluntarily read a copy of this book that was provided to me with no requirements for a review.
What a fun romance this was with all the dirty linen in several families being aired in public! Anne, a Duke’s granddaughter living with her grandfather’s unpleasant ward, Mary, heads up the Sisterhood for the Ruination of Rogues. The rake they are going to try and ruin is a Lord Rutledge who supposedly ruined one of the members of the Sisterhood with a kiss. At the very next social engagement at which the Lord would be attending Anne was going to make the attempt to ruin him with gossip and such. But at that same social engagement another duke, Lord Simon Kilmartin, a friend to Lord Rutledge, was attending and he became very interested in Anne despite her intention to discredit Lord Rutledge. Ms. Johnstone‘s excellent writing described Anne’s family history and that of Simon in such a way that the confusing twists and turns in the story were made clear to the reader. I laughed out loud at some of the characters’ antics and there wasn’t just one happy ending…there were two!
Another wonderful story by Julie Johnston. One of my favorite tropes to read is the damaged hero or heroine, because it is wonderful to see be healed by each other. Simon Sedgewick has returned to England, the one place he hoped never to see again. Having been banished years ago due to untrue accusations, he is out for revenge for the untruths that were told. Attending a ball to he sees Ann Adair, the granddaughter of his enemy who smeared his name. Ann having been recently left bereft by a rouge, she is herself out to ruin as many rakes as she can starting with Simon. It really becomes a case of each trying to best the other, which as we know can never work out! But fate has a way of stepping in and bringing two people together who need each. As they spend time together can they hold onto their strong desires of revenge? Or will they give into their attraction and true selves and find happiness? Simon and Ann come alive and have you smiling and feeling emotional as they make their way through their feelings and learning to let go. Thank you Julie for another great story!
I truly enjoyed this book. I was gifted a copy of it. Lady Anne Adair has been duped by a rogue in her recent past. She is skeptical when the dashing Duke of Kilmartin, Simon Sedgewick begins to try to woo her. Because of a lame leg, Anne has always been a wallflower. Will Simon’s persistence win the day? Will Lady Anne let go of her bitterness and be free to see the truth about Kilmartin? This story is quite an emotional ride.
“He was perfection. It wasn’t simply that his face looked as if it had been chiseled from marble. There was an inherent strength there, as well as the set of his chin that suggested he had a stubborn streak. He wore his thick, wavy russet hair a little longer than proper, suggesting he didn’t give a fig about rules. His bronzed skin hinted that he enjoyed the outdoors, and as she swept her gaze quickly over his massive shoulders, down his torso, to his thighs, which appeared powerful even clad as they were in black trousers, she was certain he was very fit. Moving her gaze back up to his face, she startled to find him gazing intently at her, lips curled in an amused smile. Goodness!”
Johnstone uses her pen to expose the destruction that gossip and bitterness can bring to many. Anne’s transformation is a pleasant one and fun to watch. I highly recommend My Daring Duchess.
I just loved My Daring Duchess. I read it as a stand alone but I intend to go back and read the first three books in the series.
Anne Adair is a beautiful girl who has had her heart broken. She forms a group of ladies who are like minded to try and alert other ladies to which men are rogues. Their intent is for no one else to be hurt as these ladies have been. Anne’s first order of business is to try to alert other girls to the roguish ways of Lord Rutledge. He has kissed her friend and refused to marry her.
Simon Sedgewick, Duke of Kilmartin, is Lord Rutledge’s friend. He does not believe his friend tried to entrap Anne’s friend so he attempts to try and stop Anne from spreading these rumors. But he also sees an opportunity to seduce Anne in an attempt to get revenge against her grandfather who had wronged him in the past. But as he attempts to seduce Anne, he also finds he is charmed by her. He also tries to show her that perhaps the ladies of this group are not being honest about these men. As Anne and Simon spend more time together, they begin to open up with each other as the walls they have built come tumbling down. When Anne learns things about Simon that question his character, she has to decide if she trusts him.
I loved Anne. She was completely not like the ton and showed her vulnerability to Simon. She chose to do what she thought was not right, not necessarily what was socially accepted. Great book, very well written.
Revenge is best served cold. At least until white hot passion melts that desire away.
Simon Sedgewick, Duke of Kilmartin, is set on revenge against those who saw him exiled. Unfortunately, his grandfather is no longer alive but his long time friend is. What better way to exact his revenge than to do what he was falsely accused of those many years ago – seduce and ruin the granddaughter of his nemesis.
Anne Adair knows how close she came to ruin at the hands of a rogue. Now she has a strong desire to ruin all rogues of the ton and what better way than starting with the rogue accused ruining her friend. She never expected the rogue’s friend to set his sights on her.
Can they hold onto their beliefs of what they each know as the truth or will the white hot passion melt more than their plans for revenge?
Beautifully written by Julie Johnstone. Each encounter, each barter showcases Anne’s strength while giving glimpses of the vulnerability she continues to have with the concept of love. Simon’s strong need for desire is tempered by glimpses of the caring man he is, making his one loveable hero.
Totally a 5+ star read!
When a lady bent on ruining rogues and a duke set on revenge attempt to derail each other’s plans, passion erupts into a love for the ages.
After being left broken hearted by a duplicitous rake, Anne Adair no longer desires a husband. She’s traded in her foolish dream of happily-ever-after for the much more sensible one of thwarting the despicable lords who prey on innocent debutantes.
Simon Sedgewick, the newly titled Duke of Kilmartin, never thought he would return to England from Scotland, let alone attend a ball full of simpering lords & ladies. The moment Simon spies Miss Anne Adair across the glittering ballroom, he knows that the ravishing beauty is the perfect instrument for the retribution he thought lost to him.
Simon was banished thirteen years ago by his Grandfather who was aided by his close friend the who happens to be Anne’s grandfather. Simon has always professed his innocence & the more Anne gets to know him the more she’s determined to learn the truth. I read this in under a day as I wanted Simon to be vindicated & just couldn’t put it down, the story was very well written & the characters very well portrayed, which is only to be expected from the author as she writes such good books & this doesn’t disappoint. It was also good to ‘catch up’ with characters from earlier books in the series. Simon is sigh worthy, he’s a self made man after being banished, he’s also so caring & thoughtful as shown by a pair of shoes he made for Anne & I couldn’t believe he was the rogue he was thought to be. Anne is a strong woman who will not be swayed but wants the truth
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Another GREAT by Julie Johnstone! My Daring Duchess is book 4 in A Once Upon A Rouge series. This book was very charming and clean, for those who don’t like too steamy of a book. You just fall in love with the characters. I just loved the whole theme of this book, you don’t have to be perfect for someone to fall in love with you, that there is so much more to a person than the physical. This book has deception, scandal, revenge, compassion, trust issues, kindness, misunderstandings, love of family, lies, hate, wealth, bullying, a women club, thoughtfulness, ruination and always love. This is a must read and I highly recommend reading My Daring Duchess by Julie Jonestone! Travel back to the 1800s London with Anne Adair and Simon Sedgwick, The duke of Kilmartin.
***This book was gifted to me and I am voluntarily reviewing.
I have to say I loved this book! My favorite part was that the H/h felt an instant attraction, but you got to watch as they slowly fell in love without them falling into bed. You could watch the love grow as they learned to trust each other instead of having to be told constantly they were in love. Anne had to learn to trust herself after a bad experience and Simon had to learn to let go of his past feelings. A nice clean/sweet romance read! The only thing I am disappointed in was that I didn’t see what happens to M. (not spoiling this, after reading story you’ll get it) I was gifted an ARC and my opinion was my own.
Trust is a very fragile thing and knowing who to trust and who not to, is very difficult as Simon and Anne find out in this story. Both are out for revenge for different reasons but it doesn’t take long before they start questioning who is telling the truth and who is lying.
I thought the story well written and really liked all the characters….not so much Mary, though! lol I also loved that the heroine was not physically perfect and that it didn’t bother the hero at all.
I was given an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.