“Lush, beautifully written, and deeply romantic, My Darling Duke will sweep you off your feet. My heart was lost to this couple from the very start.” —Amalie Howard, author of The Beast of Beswick Miss Katherine Danvers has always been a wallflower. But now, with her family on the brink of financial ruin, she finds herself a desperate wallflower. To save her family, she’ll do anything. Luckily, … family, she’ll do anything. Luckily, she has the perfect plan…
She’ll impress the ton by simply announcing she is engaged to the reclusive and mysterious Duke of Thornton, Alexander Masters, and secure strong matches for her sisters. No one has heard from the duke in years. Surely he’ll never find out before her sisters’ weddings, and she can go back to her own quiet life.
Soon, though, everything is out of control. At first, it’s just a few new ball gowns on the duke’s accounts. Then, it’s interviews with reporters eager for gossip. Before she knows it, Katherine has transformed herself into Kitty Danvers, charming and clever belle of the ton—with everyone eager to meet her thankfully absent fiancé.
But when the enigmatic Alexander Masters suddenly arrives in the city, dashing and oh so angry, he demands retribution. Except not in the way Katherine expected…
Each book in the Sinful Wallflowers series is STANDALONE:
* My Darling Duke
* Her Wicked Marquess
more
I give this book 4,5 stars.
It is a very emotional and heartwarming story about a lady who will give up her chance of happiness for her sisters to get their HEA and a lord who after a terrible accident has been sitting in a bathing chair almost unable to walk and only living for his sister finding their HEA in each other.
It was amazing to see these two very lonely and distraught people finding happiness laughter joy and love in each other but the travel to get there was a long and winding. It just made me so happy that even though they had so many struggles and they also had to fight all the gossip of the ton and their peers they fought themselves through it and found their HEA to.
It is a retelling of “Beauty and the beast” and I truly loved the main and side characters.
The only thing is that it is a little to long and she believes him a little to fast when he pushes her away.
But his grovel is great and he earns her back!
I can definitely recommend this book.
I got this book from Entangled Publishing and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I love beauty-and-the-beast type books and this one did not disappoint. The characters are well-drawn through deep introspection, and while purists might scoff at the premise I found it original and entertaining. I recommend this book to fans of historical romance who love a good story.
My Darling Duke by Stacy Reid
Sinful Wallflowers #1
Wallflower friends who have been out for awhile determine to create their own futures by doing what they would never do if diamonds of the first water. This group of friends decide to be a bit scandalous and in so doing forge their own futures…or at least guarantee their families a future. In book one of the series we meet most of the women but hear the story of how Katherine “Kitty” Danvers scandalously claims she is affianced to the Duke of Thornton. When he shows up at a ball she is not sure what will happen but puts her game face on and they meet together in a quiet room to…evaluate.
At first I thought this would be a predictable silly story though I have always enjoyed this author’s books…it was predictable in that there is a HEA but unpredictable in the fact that some big issues were discussed and handled with delicacy…well…a bit of steamy delicacy. This book made me think and care and fall for the two main characters while wondering what would happen in book two of the series.
What I liked:
* The willingness of the wallflowers to move forward with their lives – even if it means scandalous
* Kitty – she was willing to do what it took to provide security for her family. I also just liked her strength and willingness to honestly go for what she wanted
* Alexander – a man of strength and honor who put his sister first and paid the price for it. He is a good man and once he finally realized what he really wanted – he went for it.
* The story – I cared about the outcome and enjoyed reading how the two managed to come together…eventually.
* The willingness to tackle a story with real issues that needed to be overcome for the HEA to occur
What I didn’t like:
* Alexander’s dithering and lack of self-worth – at times
* The doctors’ negativity
* Having to say goodbye to Katherine and Alexander
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Amara for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
Miss Katherine Danvers has been a wallflower since her come out a few years ago. Now since the death of her father she desperately needs to find a way to provide for her sisters and mother. With the encouragement of a group of like minded wallflower embarks on a very daring plan.
Alexander Masters, the Duke of Thornton has been a recluse since the tragedy that changed his life forever. When word reaches him in Scotland of what is being said in London he knows it’s time to show himself.
Our outrageous heroine is very brave and will not back down even when the odds are against her. Our troubled hero needs to be brought out into the world again.
A very emotional and at times very amusing story. The characters are fabulous.
This is the first book in the series and I can’t wait to read the next one.
Brampton Manor, Hertfordshire
Katherine (kitty) Danvers, age 22, is part of a group of 6 young women who call themselves the Sinful Wallflowers. While they have each had more than one season, they have yet to attract a husband.
When Kitty’s father passed away, their estate went to a cousin leaving Kitty, her sisters, and their mother with very little funds to support themselves. Thus, Kitty is desperate to find a husband to help support her family.
When a gossip sheet prints a story saying the Duke of Thornton is looking for a bride, Kitty sends the publisher a letter saying she is the man’s fiancee. She hopes this will open doors for her to help find husbands for her sisters and see them settled. She knows that the duke lives in a remote area of Scotland and not been seen in many years so she hopes he will never learn of this.
Perthshire, Scotland, McMullen Castle
Alexander Masters, the Duke of Thornton, is a lonely man who bears scars on his face, neck, and other areas of his body which he was burned in a fire trying to save his family. His lives with his spirited sister, Penny, and knows it is time that she was introduced to society. When his lawyer visits and congratulates him on his betrothal, he is surprised and rather amused at what Kitty has done. Intrigued to meet this brazen woman, he travels to meet her.
When they meet, she is nervous and apologizes for what she has done and tells him it is only to help her sisters. He then tells her that she alone must return with him to his Castle for two weeks. She finally agrees. When Kitty and Alexander spend time together at the Castle, they learn so much about one another. Kitty is a very strong, sensitive, and loving woman. Alexander is also very strong, but quite damaged. Is there hope for them to be together as a couple and find love?
Oh wow! What a beautifully romantic story. I am so impressed at how well the author created these two perfect characters. Her descriptions were wonderfully crafted and she shows she is a truly talented author. Well done! Do read this book. It’s a keeper and one that you wish you could award 6 stars.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Stacy Reid is one of my absolute favorite historical romance authors, and her latest does not disappoint. I adored Katherine–a wallflower determined to save her family (especially her sisters) from poverty. Wonderfully written, very romantic. I can’t wait for the rest of the series!
I thought the book had excellent character development. I felt vested in how H and h come to trust and care about one other.
Alexander Masters, Duke of Thornton, has never met Miss Kitty Danvers, but according to the papers, he and she are betrothed. Kitty doesn’t know Alexander, but she knows that he was badly injured a decade ago and has become a recluse. Desperate to help her family by giving her sisters a chance for advantageous marriages, Kitty pretends to be engaged to the reclusive Duke. Once her plan succeeds, she will “break” their engagement. It should work. After all they will never meet. Think again. Curious about Kitty and her motives, Alexander makes a rare trip to London. Their meeting is the beginning of an intensely emotional story. Anyone who likes Beauty and the Beast stories will love this one. The story is sad and sweet, sexy, and fun. A tale full of uncertainty and hope, all wrapped up in love and romance. An awesome cast of characters work to encourage and support Alexander and Kitty. Even though these two are obviously deeply in love, there seems to remain one hurdle. Alexander feels that it is unfair to tie Kitty to a man whose injuries have left him unable to make love to her or to give her children (no small hurdle). Kitty is nothing if not resourceful, and you will love the advice she gets (and takes) on how to turn this situation around and create a happily ever after. I thoroughly enjoyed My Darling Duke and highly recommend it.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.
This book checks all the boxes. A beautiful read for so many reasons. Always enjoy this author’s work.
Witty
Sinful Wallflowers #1, The Sinful Wallflowers are a group of young ladies on the cusp of becoming “old maids” and they have decided that they are finally going to do something wicked and truly sinful before becoming unmarriageable. First up we have Katherine Danvers, the daughter of a Viscount who five years previously died and left an annual stipend for the family but with a stingy heir the money is running low and since this is going to be her fourth season with no prospects she must do something drastic to help her sisters and her mother even if it means sacrificing her own future. After sending a letter to the gossip columnist stating she is to marry a reclusive Duke who hasn’t been seen in almost ten years has made Kitty Danvers the talk of the ton but more importantly it opened certain doors for her and her marriageable sisters.
Even after ten years Alexander Master, Duke of Thornton, is still considered one of the most eligible bachelors but he doesn’t concern himself with matters of the ton. After the terrible accident that left him scarred and at times wheelchair bound he has given up any thought to such things and given up hope of ever marrying. Alex never paid attention to the rumors about him until suddenly he has a fiancee, he isn’t concerned with it at first but the more he reads the fascinated he becomes and he decides that a trip to London is warranted.
Alex isn’t even angry and when he meets Kitty for the first time he knows he needs more. Letting her carry on with the lie and understanding why she did it were easy but he wanted something in return from her time away from London without a chaperone until his fascination with her wanes. Reluctantly she agrees and arranges with her mother to be out in the country taking care of a sick aunt. Her time in Scotland with Alex, his sister and his cousin was eye opening; their feelings grew and soon it was love but Alex is a hard one and his stubbornness might be the end of it.
Overall, it was a great story I’m having a hard time trying to decide 4 or 5 stars. It was wonderfully written and the characters were all well done. I have a feeling the second book is going to run parallel with this one. I really like the Beauty and the Beast similarities, it is kind of a retelling and a nicely done one too. I look forward to the rest of the series.
“We have to be wicked, improper, and terribly scandalous.” Thus the new mantra of the “Sinful Wallflowers,” six ladies in all, was born and Kitty Danvers had a plan.
Desperate to help her sisters find husbands and bring her mother out of her meloncholy since her father died, she decided to become engaged. That is to a Duke who had not been seen in many years and who may never know her bold delcaration to the paper. It definitely work, opening doors and so much more!
But when said Duke shows up, in a wheeled chair and scarred, what will happen? Having lived in seclusion for so long, he was curious of the women that had the nerve to pronounce herself his bethothed.
“He’d not lied when he mentioned the powerful force of curiosity that had compelled him to travel to London. Each newspaper mention had been a taunt, a beckoning lure, an artfully worded invitation, a curse and Alexander had almost driven himself mad with the need to confront the charlatan impudently using his name and arousing his long-dead soul in such a manner.”
Stacy Reid has written a story that pierced my heart for the hero and only made me want to comfort him… which of course he would push away. Stunning in its emotions, strong characters and a storyline that was unique and written in a way that shows this author’s rich wordsmith abilities that always leave me transfixed until the last page. Truly do not miss this one. It pulled at my heart but made it smile brightly at the end.
I loved reading Kitty and Alexander’s amazing story in My Darling Duke by Stacy Reid book 1 in Sinful Wallflowers series. Katherine, “Kitty”, Danvers might be a wallflower but she would do anything to save her family, after the death of her father. She has a devilish plan; a perfect plan. She will announce that she is engaged to the reclusive and mysterious Duke of Thornton, Alexander Masters, and secure strong matches for her sisters. After all, no one has heard from the duke in years. Most likely he would never find out and once her sisters are married off she can go back to her quiet life. Life doesn’t work quite as Kitty had planned. First she’s called on by one of the duke’s solicitors who moves the family into better quarters and allows her access to the duke’s accounts. Then there are inquisitive reporters eager to interview her for their gossip rags. Before she knows it she has become the center of society with everyone wanting to meet her absent fiancé. Unexpectedly, Alexander Masters arrives in the city wanting to meet this bold woman. Upon meeting, Alexander appears quite angry and demands retribution; but not the way Kitty expected.
Kitty was a character after my own heart. Kitty cared about others before herself as evidence by her masquerade. Alexander had been injured in a fire and fall, ten years prior; the burns disfiguring half of his body. One could not help but be moved by him, yet people were repulsed by his scars and he embarrassed when his legs would not work. Not Kitty, she was empathic; wanting to take away his pain and hurt. These two were a perfect match.
Ms. Reid wrote an emotional, love story that should not be missed. She provided a tale rich with emotions, sexual chemistry, humor, wonderful dialogue, and endearing characters giving Kitty and Alexander a chance to have a forever love. I highly recommend My Darling Duke to other readers and look forward to the next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
If there is one thing to be true, it is that after reading My Darling Duke I wholeheartedly need to read more historical romances.
From the very beginning I was taken with Katherine ‘Kitty’ Danvers brazen nature. She knows what she wants and she goes full force to get it. She’ll do anything she can to help her mom and sisters even if it means she’ll be the one to suffer the consequences because of her daring con. Her mischievous ways had me giggling and also ecstatic at her take charge manner. I just adored her to pieces.
Duke of Thornton, Alexander Masters had many layers. He’s a broody and scarred man who lives a lonely life and has no hope for the future. He lives with memories of horror and his pain was heartbreaking—which left me hurting fur him. He’s a recluse and keeps to himself. But that changes when he finds out about Kitty and of the con she’s made people believe. If anything it should anger Alexander, but it has left him more than a little intrigued.
I was so enthralled with Alexander and Kitty’s story. Their relationship is anything but conventional, but it works. Kitty has Alexander stepping out of the shadows and offers him the sweetest kind of hope that Alexander stopped believing in. And the crux of it all is that Alexander was truly a good man. It became obvious that Kitty and Alexander were perfect for each other and Kitty was exactly what he needed. I loved the friendship that was formed between Kitty and Alexander, and I especially loved them exploring their feelings for one another. I irrevocably love Kitty and Alexander’s story immensely.
My Darling Duke had me smitten from the very first page. I fell, and fell hard for Kitty and Alexander. I too adored Kitty’s friends, the women that made up the Wallflowers. The pieces I got of them has me that much more wanting their stories as well. My Darling Duke is an exceptional start to the Sinful Wallflowers series—just superb.
Definitely recommend
This is a touching beauty and the beast story by new to me author Stacy Reid. Wallflower Kitty boldly declares her engagement to a reclusive Duke. The scarred Duke, Alexander, comes out of seclusion to meet this upstart. Ms. Reid writes a great chemistry between a sweet, yet desperate, woman and a scarred man. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
Ms. Reid has such a great hand at keeping historicals light, sexy and easy to read! My Darling Duke had the perfect balance between hot and sweet, with loads of impropriety and lovable characters.
Kitty is in deep trouble. With several seasons and no prospects and her mother and sisters depending on her, she’s at her wit’s end. Being a wallflower is not helping things and being nice and proper didn’t really get her anywhere. Thus, she finds her solution, she’ll pretend to be engaged to a powerful but reclusive Duke no one has seen in a decade, gain notoriety and get her sisters great matches. Even if her own reputation will be tarnished when the engagement must inevitably end without a wedding, at least she’ll have managed to save her family.
What she didn’t count on? Alexander Masters, Duke of Thornton getting wind of her antics and confronting her about her deception.
I loved both Kitty and Alexander. I loved how she managed to resurrect parts of Alexander he had given up on. How she brought him back to life and how she herself blossomed once she decided to live for herself. They were great together and their chemistry was absurdly hot. Alexander had more than one hot-and-cold moment that drove me bonkers but one could understand where he was coming from, so I was able to overlook it.
While the story was very entertaining, I felt the beginning was a bit slow as our couple was not interacting directly with each other for quite some time. That said, once they actually get in each other’s presence things kick up a few notches and the rest just flew by for me.
With sweet romance, very hot inappropriateness and a fabulous epilogue, My Darling Duke was a total hit for me and I can’t wait to read about the other wallflowers and their naughty plans.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book*
What a wonderfully unorthodox story. Katherine (Kitty) and Alexander definitely fit that description. Their backstories also fit into that as well. You might expect a Duke to be a rogue or unorthodox and get away with it but a lady?
Life has forced Kitty into being unorthodox because a lot of responsibility is on her shoulders. But the real truth is that she always had a lot of courage and uniqueness that had been held in for years. But I liked how it got to the point where she said enough is enough. Being sweet and following society rules had gotten her exactly nowhere. And that’s when she came up with her wild plan. When the M.C.’s finally meet it’s because Kitty’s shenanigans intrigue him and that continues almost against his will. No matter how he tries to block her out, she still manages to wiggle her way to his attention. She is not someone easily dismissed. And Kitty finds that she is also mesmerized by Alexander and wonders if she will ever understand what makes him tick.
Alexander had gone to hell and back and that was so well described and felt in the story. The reasons that he has isolated himself from society has a lot of rumors floating around. But the truth is really painful and touches on issues that you don’t always read about. His sister Penny adds spunk and her own blend of being out of the ordinary. She loves her brother fiercely but she’s also not afraid to speak truth to him. Alexander’s servants also care for him deeply and they have a very close relationship to him. He treats them well and realized that he also views them as family too.
This story has plenty of emotions, some sexual heat, a H.E.A. and a good Epilogue.
Now after reading this book I would like to read more. Meaning the rest of the individual stories of the rest of the Sinful Wallflower ladies as well.
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
Beauty and the Beast Story.
This was certainly a bit different in that the Duke has accepted that he will never be able to have a normal relationship but cannot help being fascinated b the impudent Kitty who claims him as her fiancé in order for her sisters to make good marriages. An enjoyable story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I loved this book and I felt that this was a really special romance. I thought Kitty and Alexander were pure magic together. It was so easy to get swept up into their story and to become deeply invested in their happiness. I found the story to be fun but also very moving. In my opinion this book was part Beauty and The Beast and part mad-cap comedy. Kitty had an amazing heart and even if her plan was crazy and wrong, I honestly couldn’t find it in me to dislike her for it. The things we will do for those we love are endless and often unbelievable. As for Alexander, it was impossible not to feel for him. He had been through so much and my heart just ached for him. These two truly deserved to find love and happiness. Such a wonderful read!
An adorable and sweet story. Kitty is a wallflower who is tired of her status in society. She is also tired of hiding her true self. Along with her 5 friends they devise a plan to change their lives and determine their own futures. Alexander is a Duke and a recluse who has not been seen in society for a long time. He has no intentions of getting married because of his disability, but has learned he has acquired a fiancée. The characters are wonderful, witty and funny. As these two meet they find that they are comfortable with each other and begin to fall in love. This is a story about acceptance, hope and pure love. It will fill the reader with hope and joy.