A Mass Market Original–Also Available in a Hardcover Library EditionUSA Today bestselling author Lenora Bell returns with her third book in the sexy School for Dukes series.Ready.Raised in the countryside by her overprotective uncle, Miss Mina Penny’s dream of a triumphant London season is finally here. She determined her perfect match long ago: Rafe Bentley, the wickedest rake of them all. … Bentley, the wickedest rake of them all. There’s only one very large, very unyielding obstacle: Rafe’s brother Andrew, the reclusive Duke of Thorndon.
Aim.
This was supposed to be simple. Duke goes to London. Duke selects suitable bride. Love match? Not a chance. But when Drew meets Mina, she complicates everything. How can a lady armed with such beauty and brains fall for his irresponsible degenerate of a brother? Drew vows to save her from heartbreak and ruin, no matter the cost.
Desire!
But Mina is no damsel in distress. She’s daring, intuitive, passionate…and halfway to melting Drew’s cold heart. And although Mina thought she knew exactly what she wanted, one breathtakingly seductive kiss from Drew changes everything. Now Mina must decide between long-held dreams and dangerous new desires. Could her true destiny lie in the arms of a duke?
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4.5 stars rounded up
Wilhelmina “Mina” Penny has been sheltered for most of her life, she went to live with her uncle Malcolm Penny, who is a spy master, after the death of her parents (who were also spies). She longs to become a spy, but her uncle is very protective and refuses to train her for the field. So ever resourceful, Mina comes up with a new plan – she will convince Lord Rafe Bentley to marry her, he is a disgraced spy, she will help him restore his standing with her uncle in exchange for marriage, because she believes they will work well together and become an unstoppable spying team, much like her parents were. Easy, she just has to find Rafe an present her proposal.
Andrew “Drew” Bentley, the Duke of Thorndon has come to London from the wilds of Cornwall after he receives a letter threatening to kidnap his sister Beatrice because of Rafe’s antics. Having been kidnapped himself years ago, Drew would do anything to save his sister from that fate – even return to London.
As Mina prepares for the ball where she plans to confront Rafe, her uncle gives her advice on finding a husband – he has compiled a list of men that he would approve of and has given her information on them – he calls it the “Duke Dossier” – his number one pick happens to be Rafe’s brother, Drew! She doesn’t want to marry a duke, she wants adventure and intrigue – she does not want to be buried away in the country like she has been for years. She will appease her uncle and speak to Drew – but there is no way she is going to marry him – no matter how attractive and interesting his is – Really, it is not going to happen!!
Drew dances with Mina at his mother’s request and is intrigued by her – she is not fawning over him, in fact she is bordering on disrespectful. She makes it clear that she is not interested and they part ways. Later when a drop of wax triggers a panic attack and sends Drew out into the gardener’s shed, they meet again – this time she doesn’t realize he is there and she is changing into something more seductive to catch Rafe’s eye – Drew is mesmerized by her, but finally recalls himself and lets her know he is there before she completely embarrasses herself. Their paths cross again when she breaks into Rafe’s house and is surprised to catch Drew in a very private moment and then is caught by him in the study. When Rafe come in to find them, he incapacitates Drew and manages to escape before Drew can learn what he is up to. Mina is torn between following Rafe and caring for Drew, she chooses Drew and when he wakes, they form a partnership to figure out what Rafe is up to and finding the blackmailer threatening Drew’s family.
This was a fast-paced, fun story with wonderful characters and a little bit of everything going on in the story; there is intrigue, steamy love scenes, spies, villains, blackmail, action, adventure and a sweet HEA. I loved how well Mina & Drew worked together and the slow yet steady progress in their relationship, I thought the chemistry and compatibility between them was very well done and really sucked me into their story and forced me to become invested in their HEA – I did knock a ½ star off my rating because I personally didn’t care for the ending, Mina’s actions that late in the story just felt like added drama for drama’s sake and irked me. But overall I thought this was a fantastic read and would happily recommend it! It is the third book in the series, but it can absolutely be read as a stand-alone with no problem.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an uncorrected e-ARC that was provided to me by Edelweiss and the publisher.*
** 4.5 Stars **
I read this fast-paced, fun, steamy book in one sitting – and the pages just flew by. I loved the humor and found myself chuckling on numerous occasions during my reading. It is well-written, well-plotted with interesting characters and scenarios.
Miss Wilhelmina (Mina) Penny has been chafing from the overprotective, restrictive, lonely existence she has lived since being orphaned. Her guardian (and uncle) is Sir Malcolm Penny, England’s spymaster. Mina’s parents were spies, as a matter of fact, she comes from a long line of spies and she desperately wants to follow in their footsteps. Her uncle has kept her under heavy guard on his estate, Sutton Hall, but she’s made good use of her time there – to spy on the spymaster. She’s learned all about his operation as well as how to pick locks, decode messages and has developed a real affinity for mechanical devices.
Finally, Mina has persuaded her uncle to provide her a season in London and she plans to take full advantage of it. She wants excitement and independence – freedom. Her plan is simple. She’ll find Lord Rafe Bentley and make him a proposal (literally) that he can’t refuse. Rafe is the biggest, most debauched rake in the ton as well as one of her uncle’s spies who is currently in disgrace. If he marries her and they become partners, she’ll share all of her knowledge of her uncle’s operations with him and get him back in her uncle’s good graces. Well – that was the plan – then – there was a kiss from someone else and well …
Andrew (Drew) Bentley, Duke of Thorndon and Rafe’s reclusive brother is NOT in London by choice. He received a blackmail letter at his estate in Cornwall and it said that if he didn’t pay, his sister, Beatrice, would be kidnapped. It also stated that they knew what Rafe had done. Talk about anger and frustration! While he’s in London to deal with Rafe and the blackmailer, he might as well find himself a bride. He shouldn’t have a problem finding some amenable debutante who could stand the wilds of Cornwall since he has absolutely no intention of ever living in London.
Drew suffered an extremely traumatic event when he was fifteen and he has had to deal with the ramifications of that ever since. He panics at certain scents, enclosed spaces and crowds – so he lives exclusively on his country estate in Cornwall where his days are orderly and repetitive. No surprises.
When Drew dances with Mina at her first ball, the sparks fly – but not in the way you think. She does all in her power to send him fleeing — too bad that her actions have the opposite effect. She isn’t looking to be a duchess, she’s looking to be a spy and Drew won’t get her there. Yet, in a gardening shed later that evening, he kisses her and sparks really do fly. That can’t change her mind though.
I loved both Drew and Mina and could see where and why each of them felt as they did. I could also see that they were a perfect match for each other. Each’s strengths bolstered the other’s weaknesses. Drew didn’t at all match what Mina thought he’d be – he was actually supportive and caring.
So, why didn’t I give it 5-stars? Well – I just thought the villain was overcome entirely too easily. I also thought Mina held on to the ‘I won’t marry Drew’ thing way too long. I also felt a little like I was left hanging with the information on Drew’s traumatic event. I would have liked to see the reason his father refused to pay – was it because he was a cold-hearted jerk or was there some mix-up, didn’t he love Drew. There was a vague reason given, but – I couldn’t understand why that would be the reason. Another thing is that I thought Mina was much too promiscuous for a young woman who had led such a sheltered life – even if she did overhear many crass things from her uncle’s visitors.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read and hope you will as well.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is Book 3 in The School for Dukes Series. I am a big fan of Lenora’s books. I don’t know how I missed the first two books in this Series. I really enjoyed this story, read it in one day, could not put it down. I was hooked from the first sentence “Stop the carriage!” roared Andrew, Duke of Thorndon, pounding on the ceiling with his fist”. This story is almost exclusively character driven with a stunning plot with moments of heartbreaking emotions, hair-raising danger, and steamy love scenes.
Andrew is a man damaged and tortured by a horrific incident when he was fifteen. He was kidnapped and kept chained to a wall in the hold of an old abandoned ship. He has told no one what happened to him and is determined to keep his trauma buried deep. He has isolated himself at his estate helping his tenants and other farmers improve their crop yield with new techniques and innovations that will help England’s farmers become more profitable. Keeping busy has helped get rid of his nightmares. Now he has to go to London to make sure his younger sister and brother are safe after he receives a blackmail note stating that if he doesn’t pay his sister will be kidnapped.
Miss Mina Penny has been practically a prisoner at her Uncle’s estate, he says for her own safety.
She is desperate to have a life full of adventure and having a purpose in her life. She finally gets to go to London to have a season. She is not interested in getting married. She has bigger plans for her life, but she has to find someone to help her.
Mina and Andrew are two strong-willed people who want something entirely different. Both equally stubborn and denying any feelings that they are experiencing for each other. They will have to learn to trust each other when Mina insists on helping him find the blackmailer. Drew has no idea that Mina’s Uncle is an intelligence chief and Mina wants to follow in his footsteps.
Both Drew and Mina are emotionally damaged from their pasts and it will take them on a journey that will reveal their secrets and insecurities. Do they have the courage to open their hearts and trust each other? Drew and Mina are truly wonderful characters that you will fall in love with.
I absolutely recommend this stunning story!!!
Finally !
I have read a book by Mrs Lenora Bell, as I say, too many talented authors and so few hours in a day. I probably might have an other book lost somewhere on my kindle shelves, but there nothing better for me than a new release to get an opportunity to read an author’s work. And I just loved this book.
It was a witty, clever, full of actions and wicked read, from the beginning I was entranced, impossible to put it why I finished it in a day.
Despite it being the third installment in a series, I never felt lost, after checking, the characters from the previous books are just some names quoted in the background plot of this one.
Now what about Mina and Drew, I just adored them. Whatever they told themselves they can’t be together, they can’t fall for the other because it is the total opposite of what they are looking for, they can’t stand to be apart, they need to be close, they are bonded by something larger than themselves, love.
They were shaped by their past, Mina / Miss Wilhelmina Penny is certain she must become a spy to continue the legacy of her mother. And sure, she has a knack to decipher coded messages and create weapons. And more, she wants to get her own choices, to be free to do as she wants with nobody to tell her she can’t or cage her in a golden goal. Why she sets in motion a course of action but everything was disrupted when a duke, The Duke she wants to avoid gets himself meddled in her scheme. Soon they are saddled together.
Andrew Bentley, Duke of Thorndon retreated from society some years ago but he is now back to London because of a threat on his sister. The kidnapping he suffered as a teenager of fifteen left lasting scars in his soul. Since he can’t stand to let his wall down, to relinquish power over him to another, why he refuses to get involved emotionally. And Mina is everything he is not looking for in a bride, she is solar, she attracts light and shines.
« “You could never melt into the shadows, Miss Penny. You’re a scene stealer. A wave maker. A hurricane. A thief of hearts.” »
So when they find themselves roped together, they work in unison, listening to the other, never letting one out of the plot.
Sure, they both have secret motives but they try to stay closer to the truth.
But slowly each will breach in the other’s heart and at a time, they will share what they kept hidden.
So, even when they were not so certain any more that once their mission will be over they will be able to get their separate ways, they stay together and fight hand in hand.
« He was the logical one, the cool-headed one, and she led with her emotions, but together they could solve any puzzle, any code. »
But their greatest challenge was not love, even when they denied themselves to recognize their sentiments for another for more than a deep attraction, they were in love. No, it was their fear to give power over themselves to another that bridled them to acknowledge their love and accept someone else’s.
« In that moment she discovered three very important things: (1) she didn’t like being shot at, because she preferred to be alive; (2) she didn’t want to shoot anyone else, because she didn’t want blood on her hands; and (3) she loved Drew. »
« “I love you, Mina Penny, because you unlocked me and discovered a hidden chamber in my heart. I can never go back to the darkness. And I will never stop loving you.” »
It was a beautifully witty fast paced tale about acceptance and surrender to something more grand, love. An amazing story about sharing another’s burden and supporting one’s dreams.
I was provided an advance copy by Edelweiss and the publisher HarperCollins, but I purchased my own copy. This is my unbiased and true opinion.
Thoroughly enjoyable – lovely, complicated characters with issues to work out and danger to overcome. A fitting conclusion to the series.
Mina Penny finally gets her chance to experience London, and her one opportunity to connect with Rafe Bentley, a well-known rake, who can help her fulfill her dream of becoming a spy like her mother before her. But Rafe’s brother, Andrew, the Duke of Thorndon, feels he must protect her from his wastrel brother. Instead, he finds a woman who doesn’t need protecting. Mina proves to be daring and passionate. What follows is a fun tale of action, adventure and romance.
I love everything Ms. Bell wrights. Her charters are realistic and this book is a page turner.
I am so surprised this book has received reviews below 4 stars. I absolutely adored this book. It was funny and full of intrigue. I connected to Mina a lot. I think even today a woman can be defined by her husband and family and not who she is as a person. I loved the fact that she wanted to stand on her own two feet, yet still found the courage to let someone into her heart. And Andrew was a hunky fine Duke who gave her the space to find herself. I read this book in one night. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great read that will give you all the feels.
Another winner from Lenora Bell. I don’t think it can beat out For the Duke’s Eyes Only as my favorite, but it was really close. Lots of hilarious scenes, a dash of intrigue, and a sexy romance. I didn’t quite read it in one sitting, but only because life interrupted.
Mina’s story!
I really enjoyed the relationship between Drew and Mina–whether they were getting along or not, their chemistry was great and their banter was a lot of fun. Ms. Bell put them in a lot of ridiculous situations–many were a bit OTT but they were still so entertaining to read. The two of them on the page were such magic that I could have read a dozen more chapters of the two of them getting into scrapes and doing…other things. 😉
The one aspect of the story that felt like it needed some work, though, was the spying plotline. It was a bit hard to believe that Rafe (Drew’s younger brother) was really a skilled agent, partly because we hardly see him in that persona and partly because of how his mission turns out–there’s more explaining that Rafe has skills than actual witnessing said skills in action. The big confrontation with the villain also left me a bit nonplussed–he really didn’t come off at all like the big bad that he supposedly was.
Or maybe that was just me, rushing through that scene to get back to more quality Drew-and-Mina time. I fully admit this could be the case…
Drew and Rafe’s younger sister appears to be a heroine of a future book, and I am absolutely here for that. This was the third book in the series, but should work fine as a standalone as well. Past series characters are mentioned, but you don’t have to have read their book to enjoy Drew and Mina’s story.
Just an aside–I love the way the cover actually matches two scenes in the book. So often the cover art seems totally separate from the story itself; it’s refreshing to see that wasn’t the case here. Two thumbs up!
Rating: 4 stars/ A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
One Fine Duke: School for Dukes by Lenora Bell is book Three in the School for Dukes Series. This is the story of Andrew ‘Drew’ Bentley, the Duke of Thorndon and Wilhelmina ‘Mina’ Penny.
Mina’s parents were spies that died so she was raised by her Uncle. Mina wanted to be a spy too but her Uncle didn’t want that for her so she went to get it herself. Mina thought that Rafe would be the way to do that but Rafe’s brother Drew enters into the picture. Drew comes forward to protect his sister from his brother’s actions which leads him to meet Mina.
I have enjoyed this series and their story.
Funny, action-packed, and steamier than I expected.
“One Fine Duke” is the first book I’ve ever read by Lenora Bell, but it certainly won’t be the last. I have heard good things about Ms. Bell’s writing before and, based on how much I enjoyed this book, I wish I had picked one up sooner.
Many of the previous stories I’ve read that featured espionage plots were dark and filled with angst, but this one managed to be rather light and funny, and it was a lot of fun to read. I especially enjoyed the scene when Drew, the hero, happened upon Mina, the heroine, in a garden shed during a ball thrown by his mother. Mina and Drew’s banter in that scene and throughout the book was quite amusing.
Drew and Mina were both well-developed, endearing characters, and they really seemed to bring out the best in the each other. Even though he initially came across as reserved and even a little bit boring, underneath it all Drew was actually very sweet, not to mention rakishly handsome and seductive. I appreciated that he recognized Mina’s intelligence and skills and didn’t try to forbid her from participating in the espionage work that she loved. As for Mina, she was feisty and independent, but also kind and loving. She helped Drew overcome the scars of his past and realize that he could have a happy future that included more than just the development of new agricultural practices in the isolation of Cornwall.
I haven’t read the previous books in this series, but this book stood very well on its own and I didn’t feel lost at all. I plan to go back and read the previous books now, however, and also look forward to reading whatever Ms. Bell plans to write next!
*ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Oh wow, this book really took me by storm and is so well deserving of huge 5 stars! We first start off with a man running for his life bare naked down the streets of London, it is no other than rake Rafe the brother to the Duke of Thorndon who happens to be coming by in his carriage. Seeing his brother he scrambles him inside and they get to his townhouse and Drew (Thorndon) inquired about a letter he received regarding their sister. Rafe, of course, gets upset and off he goes, not revealing anything to Drew, he only informs him that he’d best be prepared for the upcoming ball as their mother is on the marriage hunt and with Drew, back in town she’s going to be trying to find him a match. Drew has lived the past five years in the countryside attending to their decrepit estate and trying to revitalize and found through farming he has been able to put to rest some of his past, a past that is now coming back to him in full force with the threat in the letter. He does desire marriage but he wants a calm lady who is good with her hands and isn’t afraid of farming, he definitely does not want a whiny girl.
We next meet Whilemena or otherwise known as Miss Mina Penny at her Uncle’s townhouse where she’s being prepared for the season. She truly does not desire marriage except to only one person and that is for a very specific reason, to be a spy and live a life of danger and adventure. That particular person happens to be Rafe, the Duke of Thorndon’s rakish brother. She’s met him several times at her uncle’s country estate and knows of his ventures in antiquities and also know the underlying darkness of those ventures and that he’s truly a spy. Coming from generations of spies, she too desires the same. However, at the ball thrown by Thorndon’s mother, it isn’t Rafe she dances with and soon begins to be very attracted to, but the boorish and reclusive Duke of Thorndon. As the story continues so many amazing and quite humorous things occur between the pair and whilst Mina still tries to be with Rafe and see her dream fulfilled it is Thorndon that soon captures her heart! Will she continue her dream of being a spy and marry Rafe or will she allow her heart to open up to country boy Thorndon and be a simple, yet very happy country miss?
Truly a remarkable read and I really fell in love with Drew and Penny and felt the pain they both have suffered in their younger lives, especially Drew. Ms. Bell is truly a phenomenal storyteller, she grabs the reader from the first page and does not let go, with scene after scene we are more drawn into the lives of her amazing characters and I truly can’t wait to see more from this series ahead.
4.5 Stars
Raised in the countryside by her overprotective uncle, Miss Wilhelmena (Mina) Penny’s dream of a triumphant London season is finally here. She determined her perfect match long ago: Rafe Bentley, the wickedest rake of them all. There’s only one very large, very unyielding obstacle: Rafe’s brother Andrew, the reclusive Duke of Thorndon.
Andrew has lived at Thornhill in Cornwall for the past five years but a threatening letter has him high tailing it to London & whilst he’s there he’ll find himself a meek, gentle wife. So simple. Duke goes to London. Duke selects suitable bride. But when Andrew meets Mina, she complicates everything. Mina is no damsel in distress. She’s daring, intuitive, passionate and halfway to melting Andrew’s cold heart. And although Mina thought she knew exactly what she wanted, one breathtakingly seductive kiss from Andrew changes everything.
There was so much I loved about this book primarily the humour. The pace was fast & I was surprised how quickly I read it. Delightful characters added to the enjoyment. There was a mystery to solve but this played second fiddle to the growing relationship between Drew & Mina. A red dress in a garden shed, a secret room with a chaise that seemingly had a mind of its own – both scenes were priceless. There were a couple of issues which I felt were either glossed over or not resolved at all but these didn’t detract from my enjoyment of this feel good book
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read