Christy Carlyle concludes her Duke’s Den series with this sparkling romance about two reluctant allies intent on following the rules and breaking every single one.His Only Regret… behavior, and shocking the ton with his interests in trade. The debts that come with his title don’t fit the carefree lifestyle he’s created and when he’s forced to return to his family’s estate, he’s also forced to confront his one and only regret: the beautiful girl he left behind.
May Be Falling in Love…
Arabella Prescott has been the belle of more balls than she cares to remember. After three seasons and five rejected proposals, she’s done with the marriage mart. Bella’s hopes to live a comfortable life, alone, come crashing down when her parents demand she marry. But her salvation may come in the form of the man she hates the most.
Bella has never forgiven Rhys for what he did to her, but desperate times call for fake engagements. With a few dozen rules, their scheme begins, but it’s not long before the former enemies find themselves breaking every single rule, including the most important of them all: don’t fall in love…
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I loved this book, I loved Rhys, I loved Bella, I loved their friendship, I loved them together. Christy Carlyle writes a story that is well-written, smooth flowing and I got so into, I had to finish it in one day. This is the 3rd book in the Duke’s Den series, but it is a stand-alone book. Rhys and Bella were best friends when they were younger, until Rhys disappointed Bella during her 18th birthday party and they lost their friendship. Five years go by and they both needed help and they turned to each other. I enjoyed how their friendship turns to a love. I know you will love this book.
I received a free copy from NetGalley for my honest opinion.
Series: The Duke’s Den #3
Publication Date: 5/26/20
Number of Pages: 368
Rhys Forester and Arabella Prescott have a history – both a joyous one and a heartbreaking one. They were best friends from the time they were children running their family estates together – getting covered in mud, riding their horses – you name it – they were inseparable. Arabella was the person who knew Rhys better than anyone – knew all of his fears and secrets. Then, Arabella begins to see Rhys in a different light and he thoroughly breaks her heart. He just threw it down and stomped on it. Let’s just say that Arabella hasn’t been particularly forgiving – and I don’t blame her.
Rhys has lead a debauched hedonistic lifestyle for the last five years. He throws wild parties, acts recklessly, and womanizes every night while sleeping his days away. However, he has made his own fortune by investments of many kinds, but particularly as part-owner of the Duke’s Den. Then, his father dies and Rhys becomes the fifth Duke of Claremont – only to learn that the dukedom isn’t as solvent as Rhys had assumed it was. It is devouring all of his funds and he has to figure out what has happened. His father couldn’t have been that much of a profligate – or could he? Rhys heads back to his estate to investigate – but balancing ledgers is not his strong suit and he’s having a very hard time of it.
Arabella has had several very successful seasons and has declined a number of marriage proposals. She has ambitions of her own and they include publishing her own book – and remaining single. She thinks her parents have accepted her wish to become a spinster – until – she discovers that the house party they are planning is strictly to introduce her to several very marriage-minded men. Once she learns the reason for their insistence, she starts looking for ways around them. Who could be better to help her than Rhys? After all, he owes her – big time.
Each has a skill and ability the other needs, so they strike a bargain – they’ll have a fake betrothal to satisfy her parents and she’ll help Rhys with the ledgers and his sister’s debut season. Everybody wins! But, as they spend more and more time together, Rhys begins to realize what a horrible mistake he made years ago. Can he convince Arabella to trust him again? To love him again? Can Arabella learn to forgive Rhys and trust him again?
I really enjoyed this book and truly came to like the main characters. I do have to admit that I didn’t really understand Rhys’s descent into debauchery – I understand that his father wasn’t the best example and they didn’t get along, but I think I just didn’t really get enough information on that to understand it.
I hope you will give this well-written book a try and that you’ll enjoy it as much as I did. Happy Reading
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Everything about Rhys appeals to me. He is dissolute, a rogue and debauched. But is it a ruse to cover up his unhappiness? You will have to decide. A friends to lovers trope that does not always make you smile but will make you think. Arabella was hurt and I think she hangs on to it too long. Rhys thinks he is no good for her and I think he should get over his way of thinking. However, this is nice story about childhood friends who realize that they want to be together and fall in love.
I received a complimentary copy from publisher through NetGalley.
I didn’t know that this was part of a series but I was not lost, and kind of figured out who the previous book featured and plan on going back to read it. I did enjoy this book. So we meet Arabella when she turns 18 and she has the biggest crush on her best friend, she is at her party and doesn’t want to give her speech without him she is too excited until she finds him with a widow in a scandalous position, she runs away and tells him to go, not only does he go but they do not speak for 4 years. Rhys has always regretted what happened with Bella and he truly misses her, but now he needs her help so he gets his gumption and goes and asks for it and for her forgiveness, she does agree but wants something in return, she wants to fake an engagement which she truly doesn’t want but needs so that her parents will stop trying to get her married off, but you guys know what starts as fake doesn’t stay there..I had read some previous reviews saying that Rhys betrayed her but he didn’t they were friends, she saw him as more but at that time he didn’t he just saw her as his friend.
rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinion
It Was Ok
It was good in the beginning but didn’t reach its full potential. The plot didn’t capture my attention as I had hoped, but was worth reading to finish the series.
As the third partner of the Lyon’s Den, Rhys Forester lives his life in London much in the same way as his father did, irresponsible and scandalous. When Rhys becomes the Duke of Claremont, responsibility weighs him down. Returning home means facing mounting debt, his sister’s first season and apologizing to the one person who always believed in him, Arabella. Five years ago, Rhys broke her heart. Since then Arabella has refused numerous proposals. All she wants is her independence. If her book of puzzles and conundrum is published she can get it. When Arabella and Rhys meet again it’s a game of favor vs favor. One step forward and two steps back when you’re afraid to trust. All Rhys can hope for is to stay a lucky man. No smooth sailing in this affair.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a free copy of this book.
Rhys Forester, now the Duke of Claremont, believes his only talent lies in entertaining people and he’s spent his life thus far completely immersed in scandalous parties and an even more scandalous interest in trade. But his inheritance comes with unexpected debts, leading to the necessity for Rhys to return to his family’s estate and investigate the issue. This means confronting the beautiful neighbor who was his lifelong friend until he inadvertently ruined their relationship in the only true regret he carries.
Arabella Prescott has had three seasons and rejected five marriage proposals and hopes to never have to endure the matrimonial scene again. She hopes to live comfortably, alone with her books, but her parents are intent on moving to Greece where her father has received a teaching position that greatly interests him and where the climate will be better for his health. They are loathe to leave her unsettled, but Bella knows thy need to go and soon, which means she needs a fiance and help may come in the form of the man she’d hoped to have no further dealings with.
Though she can somewhat forgive Rhys, she can never forget the hurt his actions caused. A fake engagement to him is just what she needs to appease her parents, but she must be careful to guard her heart. To that end, she establishes rules for herself and Rhys to ensure their engagement remains fake and no one gets hurt, but soon they find themselves breaking all those rules and what was meant to be fake rapidly becomes all too real.
I adored these two together, I just really wish Rhys had had a better sense of self-worth and not been such a wild, partying rake. I did love it when Rhys opened his eyes to the attraction he’s truly always had for Bella. I just wished Rhys would’ve pursued Bella a little harder, rather than giving her so much time to think and decide. Overall, these two were cute together and I was glad to see so much open communication between them. This was a satisfying ending to the series and I’m looking forward to what’s next from this author.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Arabella Prescott and Rhys Forester live on neighboring estates, and have been best friends since they were young children, even though Rhys is four years older. Although much of their youth was spent running about and playing, Bella is remarkably intelligent, and helped Rhys with his reading disorder. The years pass, and it’s now time to celebrate Bella’s eighteenth birthday. She’s nervous about having to give a speech in front of everyone, and is counting on Rhys’s face front and center to focus on. She also has been feeling her love for Rhys turn in a new direction, and hopes that he returns her affection. When Rhys isn’t part of the crowd, Bella runs off to seek him. And she does find him, unfortunately, it’s in the arms of an obliging older lady. Bella’s young heart is broken, and she is too distraught to listen to Rhys’s apology.
Rhys realizes he has ruined his beautiful friendship. Unknown to Bella, he had already begun to live the rakish lifestyle that he would become notorious for over the next five years. His life in London consists of some genuine business ventures with his two close friends, but is full of wild parties, gambling, and a string of affairs and liaisons. When Rhys’s father dies, and there are serious financial problems, Rhys knows he must go back to his country estate and try to sort out the mess, as he’s now the duke.
While Rhys has been living as a libertine, Bella made her debut, and has turned down numerous marriage proposals. She is hopeful that her parents will give up on trying to marry her off, and allow her to happily become a spinster, and to write her puzzle books, which she hopes to publish. Her world is turned upside down when she hears Rhys’s voice for the first time since that awful party five years ago.
I’m all team Bella in this story, as I hated Rhys’s actions from his awful deed five years ago to the frivolous and ridiculous life he chose to live since then. Having said that, he does have an abundance of good qualities which were buried underneath the persona he created. He also felt genuine guilt and remorse over how he hurt Bella, and accordingly lost his best friend. I admire that he had the courage to ask her forgiveness, albeit five years later. I loved watching Rhys change the more time he spent with the “new” Bella, becoming a better person, and vowing that he would never break her trust again.
Bella was easy for me to like, as who doesn’t remember and sympathize with their first experience at heartbreak? What made this sadder was the decade of solid friendship before their falling out. I commend Bella’s resolve not to marry just for the sake of being wed, and how she worked at building her own future of becoming a published author. It takes a good person to forgive someone who has hurt you that badly, and I applaud Bella’s finally being able to do so.
Nothing Compares to the Duke is well written and enjoyable to read, with plenty of emotional scenes and some steamy moments. I think it will appeal especially to those readers who enjoy drama and many hurdles to overcome. I have to confess that I was left with a kernel of doubt as to whether Rhys could truly stay faithful to Bella, or whether the siren song of his former life would lure him back. I know I’m rooting for them.
I could not put this novel down. So here I am, exhausted, because I finished it in one read, overnight. So, that gets high marks from me just for that.
Opening prologue really reeled me in as I felt so badly for the young heroine, Arabella (Arry to the hero, Bella to everyone else). She has her heart broken by Rhys Forester on her birthday severing their young friendship.
Skip forward 5 years and they’re thrown back together as he takes ownership of the family estate after his father’s death. The family is more in debt than he realized was possible. He wants to find out why but the only person he knows who is good with puzzles and understands his shortcomings on reading is Arabella. He goes to apologize for the scene she walked in on 5 years ago. Can she forgive him, though?
Arabella Prescott is a strong female lead. Smart, discerning, compassionate, with the fire of curiosity in her. Her father’s been offered a job in Greece, and her parents are moving. She’s expected to marry or come with. She humors them for a dinner party where they’ve brought together 4 potential suitors – she’s only interested in getting her book of puzzles published in London. She’s already had 4 seasons and has turned down multiple proposals. Seems no one can compare to Rhys.
Rhys, now the Duke of Claremont, has followed in his father’s footsteps – or sheets. He’s got a horrible and well-earned reputation as a rake. No honorable woman would be seen with him. Or would she? As he asks Bella for the favor helping him with the missing funds she asks for his assistance – a dinner date that is soon followed by a fake engagement to run off the potential suitors and make her parents happy. Bella won’t be alone when they head to Greece. With the rules (no kissing, no touching, etc.) set, they try their hardest but nothing can keep them from wanting each other.
The passion and longing between Rhys and Bella were fantastic. This is one of those — they belong together, they both want each other and obviously love each other, now let’s see them figure it out — romances. I was slightly disappointed with her replies to him toward the end – she’s a little hard on him but it’s good to make him work for it after what he did when she was 17. But Rhys is really such a reformed rake that only has eyes for her. Well done.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rhys Forester, the new Duke of Claremont, cares only for pleasure as he hosts more and more decadent parties. He doesn’t want to think about ducal responsibilities and he especially doesn’t want to think about his great regret: hurting Miss Arabella Prescott on her eighteenth birthday. He will never forget the hurt on her face and wishes there was a way to undo his bad behavior. Arabella Prescott is a whiz at puzzles and has spent the last 5 years toward creating enough of them for publication. If she’s busy enough, there are a few moments a day when she doesn’t think about Rhys. Will her shattered heart ever heal?
This was such an enjoyable read! I loved that Arabella was clever and wasn’t afraid who knew it. And who doesn’t love a reformed rake. I’m glad Arabella didn’t immediately forgive Rhys when he apologized, although I thought her trust issues were drawn out a bit too much. They mystery of who was stealing Claremont money added a good twist to the overall story, but didn’t take anything away from Rhys and Arabella’s love story.
I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.
Nothing Compares to the Duke is the third and last book in the Duke’s Den series. The entire series is good, but the books can all be read as a stand-alone. The book was easy to read and flowed smoothly.
Rhys Forester, the new Duke of Claremont, lived a reckless life with parties and loose women. Rhys had made a fortune by investing but his struggle with reading had made him postpone his duties as the new duke. He was not able to make any sense of the ledgers and the absence of Mr. Radley, the estate steward, lead him to believe that Mr. Radley had stolen money. He knew his childhood companion; Arabella Prescott would be able to sort the accounts but wasn’t sure if Arabella would talk to him let alone help him. His behavior at her birthday party five years ago was reckless and he hadn’t seen her since.
Arabella Prescott “Bella” had her heartbroken when she found Rhys in the arms of another woman at her birthday party. She had hoped he would propose to her that day and her heart had been. She loved solving puzzles and logical problems and was wanted to take them to London to see if she could have them published. Her parents had decided to have a house party to celebrate her twenty-third birthday and had invited four gentlemen for her to consider marrying. They were planning on moving to Athens in a few months. She comes up with a plan when Rhys asks for her help. She would help him solve the mystery of the estate loses if he would pretend to a fake engagement until her parents leave. While searching for the estate manager, Rhys came to realize that he was shamelessly following in his father’s footsteps. He slowly came to realize his true feelings for Bella but was afraid his reputation would hurt her. Bella hesitates to trust Rhys again so tries to keep herself emotionally distant.
This was a great book to finish the series and was enjoyable to read. Both Bella and Rhys grew into better people while working to solving the mystery. Rhys wanted to be worthy of Bella and her trust. Bella’s cousin Louisa played a large role in helping Bella to realize her dreams and I hope to see her in a future book.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I hadn’t read the first two books before starting Nothing Compares to the Duke, and I’m glad to admit I didn’t feel like I had missed out, and was able to read without having any confusion.
Bella and Rhys used to be as thick as thieves until Bella, who had a crush on Rhys, found him with another woman. From then on, they never spoke until many years later when Rhys seeks Bella’s help.
I greatly enjoyed getting a glimpse of these two being young and carefree, and having that specific scene when the encounter happens told through flashback, rather than from memory. It definitely felt more powerful and brought all the feels for Bella.
I appreciated so much Rhys owning up to what he did and putting his feelings on the table right from the start. He knew it was the only way for Bella to forgive him and move on from the past. Once that happened, I just loved their little banter, and the course of them going on a “detective adventure”.
I was slightly surprised by the fake-engagement, but at the same time, I loved it! I’m such a sucker for this trope. When Bella proposed the idea, my heart got so giddy! I respected Rhys so much when he gave his answer to Bella. Rhys is just so perfect. *dreamy sigh* I especially loved all the conversations these two characters had. I will always prefer dialogue because it truly shows the reader that the characters are connecting, at least in my eyes.
Overall, Nothing Compares to the Duke is so lovely, enticing and marvelous! I loved the friends-to-nothing-to-partners-to-lovers trope mixed with fake-engagement trope. I’ll be reading more books by this author!
Once childhood friends, Rhys and Arabella had gone their separate ways when he had ruined their friendship on her eighteenth birthday. He began to live the life of his father, a rake with all the trappings that involved.
But five years later he inherited the Dukedom, which was not in the best of shape and he started waking up and seeing his life as it was.
Arabella had her seasons and was content to be left independent and write that book she knew she could. But her family decided it was time for her to marry.
The friends to lovers trope that the two decided to help each other and they eventually began to see the inside of their hearts and not all the outward dressing.
Loved these two characters and seeing how they tried to make their way back to each other, with some humor, and wonderful dialogue that made this story complete! Don’t miss this one! I read this through NetGallery and the publisher
NOTHING COMPARES TO THE DUKE by Christy Carlyle is book Three in The Duke’s Den Series. This is the story of Arabella Prescott and Rhys Forester, the Duke of Claremont. I have read the previous books (loved them) but felt this could be a standalone book if you wish to do so. Rhys and Arabella once were best of friends running around as children. But then when they were a little older Arabella started to have different feelings for Rhys who ended up breaking her heart and left. Now all these years later Arabella is turning down marriage proposals and working to get her parents to understand this but of course they aren’t excepting of this. Arabella wants to continue writing and just settling in to a spinster’s life but when she learns her parents have set in motion a house party to introduce her to eligible men she starts to think of a plan to help herself. Rhys is all kinds of wild with his life being a full on rake, even part owner in The Duke’s Den. But when his father dies he is left to return home to see what is going on with his new Title. Which leads him to needing help with his ledgers then with helping his sister’s debut season. This leads him to Arabella who they end up striking a deal to help each other with the situations they find themselves in. But neither counted on how their feelings start to be renewed and taking onto more emotions than before. This was another great story by this author.
4.5 Stars
Rhys Forester, the new Duke of Claremont, lives his life by four words: Enjoy All, Regret Nothing. He’s devoted to the pleasure of his wild soirees, reckless behaviour, and shocking the ton with his interests in trade. The debts that come with his title don’t fit the carefree lifestyle he’s created and when he’s forced to return to his family’s estate, he’s also forced to confront his one and only regret: the beautiful girl he left behind. Arabella Prescott has been the belle of more balls than she cares to remember. After several seasons and five rejected proposals, she’s done with the marriage mart. Bella’s hopes to live a comfortable life, alone, come crashing down when her parents are leaving for Greece & the only way Bella can stay behind is if becomes betrothed. Her salvation may come in the form of the man she hates the most. Bella has never forgiven Rhys for what he did to her, but desperate times call for fake engagements. With a few dozen rules, their scheme begins.
A well written book which is the third in the series, it could easily be read on its own. I loved both Rhys & Bella, sparks flew whenever they met. A lovely second chance, friends to lovers novel that gripped me from cover to cover. I loved how Rhys fell hard & fast for Bella but it was her who fought her feelings even though she’d never stopped loving him. The verbal sparring had me smiling & often laughing. A heart warming story that I thoroughly enjoyed
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
They have been chased by a highwayman and he demands that the carriage “stand and deliver.” The carriage flips over onto its side and she is injured badly but her son is safe. A gentleman slipped into the overturned coach to see if he could help. To her surprise, he turns out to be the very man who tried to rob them. He turns out to be Lord Torrington, Adrian Radcliff. Torrington talked her into helping him and they had a special license marriage. She had to think of Isaac, her son.
It is a different type of story. I must admit I really enjoyed it. The was some action, romance, and definitely an adventure. Lord Torrington had been a spy for fifteen years and had been chasing a French spy trying to get a missive to Napolean. It was easy to read, decisive, and written very well. The characters were charismatic. They tried to treat everyone with respect even if they did not deserve it. There were a lot of secrets in that house. I highly recommend this wonderful mystery and hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.