Lady Lavinia Gillingham prefers rocks and dirt to marriage. Her passion is science, and she’s determined to marry if-and only if-she finds a man who supports her interests and intellect. So far, she’s managed to avoid attention on the Marriage Mart, but when the Duke of Seduction pens anonymous letters singing her praises, she suddenly become the toast of the ton and matrimony seems … imminent.William Beckett, Marquess of Northam possesses the reputation of a rake, but is secretly a romantic. Spurned at sixteen, he doesn’t expect to feel the sting of Cupid’s bow a second time, and yet he’s able to woo the coldest of hearts with the anonymous words he publishes. As the Duke of Seduction, he uses his skill to help Lavinia, never anticipating she has no desire for assistance. While Lavinia is pursued by several suitors, Beck is the one who is seduced when he learns that love can strike twice…
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I loved this latest book in The Untouchables series by Darcy Burke!
Lavinia Gillingham loves science and if she ever marries she hopes to find a husband who supports her in her interests.
She finds herself one night on the receiving end of William Beckett’s attention and knowing of his rakish reputation is surprised at her attraction to him. They soon find themselves becoming fast friends and with it an attraction that neither one of them planned.
I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.
Lady Lavinia Gillingham prefers rocks her passion is science, and she’s determined to marry for love, but now the Duke of Seduction has targeted her for his next wallflower to help in the marriage mart. She doesn’t want to be propelled into the marriage market, why did he chose her! William Beckett, Marquess of Northam possesses the reputation of a rake, but is secretly a romantic as the Duke of Seduction, he uses his skill to help Lavinia not knowing she has no desire for assistance. Beck has a side to him very few people see, he’s a romantic at heart. For him he just doesn’t want to put his heart on the line again, one heart break was enough for him. Lavinia and Beck develop a friendship that blossoms and has Beck questing whether or not he can fall in love again. Can he stand by and watch other men peruse her without interfering as he prepares to see Lavinia married. A captivating story with a hero who wants love and to be loved, but can he overcome his past and grab is heart’s desire before another man claims her? Lavinia know if she doesn’t chose a husband by the season’s end her father will and she’ll not let that happen; she’ll find someone compatible to marry even if she’s in love with someone else. 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.
the Duke of Seduction a book about a guy that wishes that could help ladies out in the Marry Mart but did not relies that some of the ladies wished that they didn’t have any help. William Beckett, Marquess of Northam tries his best to help the ladies out by writing poetry about the lady for the week. He also tries to find out what happen to his sister over 16 years ago.
Lady Lavinia Gillingham loves her rocks and being outside and when she is the latest lady of the Duke of Seduction poems and she gets mad and tries to find out who it is and when she finds out who it is and she promise to keep his secret and these 2 becomes really good friends even when no one thinks that unwed ladies and guys should be friends
I love reading this book and can not wait to read the next one
Loved the story of Lavinia and Beck! Her penchant for sneaking into libraries at balls led to her introduction to Beck. He thankfully told her the truth about his writing pretty quick off the bad. I liked that in the story there wasn’t any misinformation that came between them to cause the problems. The only protagonist in the story was the hero himself with his own fears and personal battles. I always like H/h from past books showing up and wasn’t disappointed this time! I do hope Fanny and Sarah get their own story and that Lennox gets her HEA as well! Thank you NetGalley for the copy!
This is book 10 in the series and they never get tired. Each one is an enjoyable read. I found this one to be a very sweet read. Full of poetry and compassion. The hero is so different to the usual men of the Ton, wanting nothing more than the wallflowers to have their HEA and the heroine just wants to be able to study and learn, something women where just not allowed to do. She thought that love would never fit into her life and he just didn’t want to get hurt but together as in all good HEA they find it together. There is a large sex scene but as usual this reviewer skipped it and it didn’t impact my enjoyment of the book and will look forward to the next. I received this book as an ARC.
Let’s go to another story of a marquess, nicknamed ‘duke of something’, and who, because he himself suffered a disappointment when he was young – falling in love with an older woman – now he decides to help young ladies less noted for feeling good through his poems published in the newspapers, and these young women show a great result when some of them begin to marry.
However, our Marquess of Northam, or the Duke of Seduction, William Beckett, finally finds a lady so stubborn as himself …
Lady Lavinia Gillingham does not want to know anything about marriage. She is a geologist and feels much happier among her rocks than among humans.
But when a certain mysterious duke comes to help her in an unusual way, how could she resist?
And will the heart-broken duke give a new chance for love?
5 stars
Maybe my favorite of the series (so far)!
From the first few chapters, this one felt a bit different from the others–we’ve moved on from the initial core of characters (though they’re still showing up occasionally; Nora and Titus from book one– The Forbidden Duke –play a crucial role here), and each chapter begins with a snippet of poetry written by Beck, the hero. Lady Lavinia, the heroine, has a brand new set of friends who will undoubtedly feature in future books (woot!) as will at least one of Beck’s friends. Right from the beginning, the novel was a comforting combination of series old and new.
And then you really got into the story of this one…and…wow.
I liked Lavinia a whole lot from the start–she’s a strong heroine who knows what she wants out of life and has a really good heart. She’s quick to stand up for herself and her friends, but doesn’t act overly impulsively (with perhaps a few tiny exceptions, when she finds herself in a closed/isolated spot with Becky, of course… ;)) As a scientist, though, she also has a strong grip on reality, and when love looks like it might not be a reality for her she moves on to prioritizing what she needs out of a future relationship against what would be nice to have as she looks over her perspective spouses–which was heartbreaking to see, even as I had to respect her practicality.
Of course it wasn’t necessary in the end, because–Beck!
Beck is a wonderful hero. I enjoyed him from the beginning–his heart is in the right place as the Duke of Seduction, and he truly gets upset when he finds out that some of the women he’s written about neither wanted nor appreciated his “help” and tries to figure out what he can do to fix things. When we really get drawn into his story, though? OMG, I can’t even. His backstory and motivation really add so much to this story. Watching him struggle with depression (he refers to it as his “darkness”) and the grief he felt over the loss of his family was heartbreaking, and seeing Lavinia recognize, accept it, and help him work through it is wonderful.
I’m not going to lie. There were tears in my eyes for much of the last 10% of the book. So good!
As with the other series books, The Duke of Seduction would work well as a standalone. Some other series characters do pop up in the book, but if you don’t know (or don’t remember) their stories, no worries–any details you need to know are given here.
Can’t wait for the next book in the series 🙂
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
William Beckett, the Marquess of Northam, Beck to his friends, is a secret romantic. He’s on a mission to get debutantes who are wallflowers some attention through his anonymous poetry. And hopefully a match! His secret has had great success, and no one would ever think that the notorious rake he portrays is responsible!
Lady Lavinia Gillingham is ecstatic – much to her parents annoyance – that her dream as a spinster is almost hers.
Until an encounter of mistaken identity and a kiss that send a jolt of awareness through her have her second guessing that she might be missing out on something big.
When her name is mentioned in the Wallflowers and Spinster newspaper her life as she new it is forever changed! In every direction she turns she comes across Beck the rake that really isn’t who he portrays!
I loved Beck and Lavinia, both were wonderfully written their connection was amazing! From their first interaction and witty banter I knew that fireworks were on the horizon! Darcy Burke has another WINNER! I seriously want this series to go on forever and ever!
I received a complimentary copy from the author. This is my honest unbiased opinion.
This series continues to delight with the addition of the Duke of Seduction. Mrs. Burke continues her unique cast of characters with the introduction of Beck and Lavinia. Beck is a poetry writing rake with a soft spot for wallflowers and Lavinia is a wallflower with a love of geology. I truly enjoyed the way a simple wish to help wallflowers turned into love.
This is romantic, fun, entertaining and sweet story. Beck is fascinating, talented, sweet, caring and romantic, but he’s also tortured by the past. Lavinia is smart, optimistic, bold and determined. They meet when Beck mistakes her for the lady he has an assignation with, but they soon become friends. When the Duke of Seduction targets Lavinia to help her get noticed, she doesn’t appreciate it one bit, which spurs Beck into aiding her to avoid her new suitors. And neither realizes that along becoming friends, they’ve each developed feelings for the other. Beck faces the past at the same he that he comes to terms with what he feels for Lavinia, and has a whirlwind few days. The storyline is brilliant and the characters are likable and sweet. This is a must add for your TBR list, and put it at the top, along with the whole series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.
Lady Lavinia Gillingham is quite happy being a wallflower. She is a bluestocking who loves digging in the dirt for fascinating rocks. Having someone thrust her into to society’s limelight is not at all what she wants. Her mother couldn’t be happier.
William Beckett, the Marquess of Northam may have a reputation as a rake, but in reality is a quiet and sometimes melancholy man. Because of things that happened in his past, he has a tendency to bury himself in music and poetry. He wants to help young women like his sister who suffered at the hands of society. Unfortunately not all of them appreciate his “help”.
A very amusing historical romance with lovable characters. Our sensible heroine has her own plans for her life and they don’t include being set upon by men who couldn’t see her until her name was in print. Our hero has a darkness about him that he can only control through music.
A thoroughly enjoyable read. I love this series if stand alone stories.
Lavinia is a bluestocking, interested in geology. She is not interested in marriage unless she can find love with a man who will let her continue her study of rocks. Beck refuses to ever open his heart to love again, though he has no problem with short “associations” with willing women. However, because of a tragedy in his sister’s past, he feels strongly about the social mistreatment and snubs of wallflowers. Anonymously, he writes sonnets dedicated to specific wallflowers to help them find love. He has had a few successes; however, when he sets his sights on Lavinia, things go wrong.
The Duke of Seduction by Darcy Burke
The Untouchables #10
Lavinia’s parents want her married by or before the end of the season. She must make the best appearance even if it means being unable to completely see all around her since they won’t let her wear glasses in public. Lavinia is not really interested in marriage but may acquiesce if the right person shows up. Her real interest is in geology and earth formations and fossils and such. She has some friends to hang out with so who needs a man she doesn’t love to be wed to?
William “Beck” Beckett, Marquess of Northam is a rake and doesn’t care who knows it. He does keep hidden his penchant for writing poetry and music and playing the guitar, though. His life has dark periods and light ones and he is surprised when Lavinia seems to bring light into his life even though he is definitely not interested in marriage. (While I read I wondered if Beck was afflicted with depression or manic-depressive disorder…guess I will never know).
Lavinia and Beck set up a friendship of sorts even though society rather frowns on friendships between unmarried people of the opposite sex. Over time, even though Beck has said he will find a husband suitable for Lavinia, he begins to see that perhaps he would rather be with her than have someone else at her side.
This book has a slow growing romance, parents who want what they think is best for their daughter, a man who has lost his sister and wants to know why and who might have influenced her death, society with gossips and friends and balls and walks in the park, the revealing of why Beck’s sister really died and a slow growing relationship that leads to a HEA for Lavinia and Beck.
What I Liked:
* Lavinia’s strength
* Beck’s poetry and music
* The growing relationship between the two that seemed equal in more ways than one
* The friends of both
* Gage the Butler – will he have a romance of his own and if so, with whom?
* The comeuppance of the dastard
* The fact that at the end I wanted to read another book in the series
What I didn’t like:
* Hmmm…can’t really think of anything 😉
Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
William Beckett, Marquess of Northam, “Beck” to his friends, is an unrepentant rake, he is also a poet and a musician. He has endeavoured to use his literary skills to help the young women of the ton, so they don’t suffer as his late sister Helen did. His poems praising the largely ignored young ladies on the Marriage Mart appear anonymously in the Morning Chronicle under the pen name of THE DUKE OF SEDUCTION. Lady Lavinia Gillingham is one of those wallflowers; she is captivated by rocks and fossils, and she will only marry a man who will allow her to pursue her interest, or else she will remain a spinster. Until the day when a poem about her shows up in the newspaper and Lavinia suddenly becomes the toast of the ton. Lavinia’s mother is overjoyed, Lavinia infinitely less so.
What a gorgeous, lovely, tender, beautiful romance! If all rakes were like Beck, reading about them would be so much more pleasant. He is charming, a bit mercurial, and he really respects women, even more so after meeting Lavinia. It was nice to see a male protagonist, and a rake to boot, who truly understood the plight of women. Lavinia, for once, in her scientific endeavours is entirely credible; her intellectual pursuits are not exaggerated, and I loved her for being a sunny – yet sensible – presence. The romance that blooms between her and Beck and something to behold: unrushed, sweet, and initially based on mutual respect and a common cause. It’s rare to see a romance that feels so genuine; there was no doubt that Lavinia and Beck belonged together, and to watch them realise it in a realistic timeframe.
There is a subplot about Helen, it is superbly done, very exciting; it includes some startling plot twists, and also leads to tremendous character development. However, I could have done without yet another sex-against-the-wall episode: this is a particular pet peeve of mine, as I never see it as romantic; I simply don’t see the appeal, and I felt it was superfluous. THE DUKE OF SEDUCTION is a story that unfolds in a mostly quiet tone, the writing is gorgeous, and Lavinia and Beck’s chemistry is palpable from the very first time they meet. It is a very beautiful story, and probably the most romantic in this magnificent series, which even at book #10 has lost none of its charm, potency, and relevance. Long live The Untouchables!
Lady Lavinia Gillingham prefers rocks and dirt to marriage. Her passion is science, and she’s determined to marry only if she finds a man who supports her interests and intellect. So far, she’s managed to avoid attention on the Marriage Mart, but when the Duke of Seduction pens anonymous poems singing her praises, she suddenly become the toast of the ton and matrimony seems imminent. William Beckett, Marquess of Northam possesses the reputation of a rake but is secretly a romantic. Spurned at sixteen and knowing his sister was victimized by Society, he uses music and poetry to fill the void in his soul. As the Duke of Seduction, he uses his skill to help young women find marriage. However he never anticipated that some of his choices have no desire for assistance.
This is the tenth book in the series & it could be read on its own but seriously why would you when the whole series is so very very good. The characters have plenty of depth & I really liked Lavinia & Beck, she’s very passionate about science & likes to sneak away at balls to the library to read scientific books, he suffers from black moods & at times his depression threatens to swamp him. The pair first meet in a library & from then onwards their meetings abound with both humorous & serious interchanges, it’s obvious to the reader that they are perfect for each other & that they are falling in love but it takes them some time to realise. The gift of some fossils was so touching & after that I couldn’t put it down. The secondary characters are also delightful & there are several friends who I would like to see have their HEAs. Another engrossing enthralling read & I hope the series conitues to grow
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Sigh…. What an emotional, perfect story full of characters with such feelings and emotions that you do not know what to expect next. Beautiful poetry at the start of each chapter that was brilliant for the storyline.
A hero, William Beckett, Marquess of Northam who suffers from depression and dark moods, mainly due to the death of his sister years ago and a failed romance when he was very young. He has so much depth though because he can play the guitar beautifully (I think this is a first in a story I have read) and is actually a great poet.
Lady Lavinia Gillingham has been out in the marriage mart and her parents are pressing her to pick a husband and marry. But she prefers her geological studies more than the idle pursuits of the ton and tries to remain a wallflower to ward off any boring men. But she is thrown into the spotlight as she is named in the paper with the “Duke of Seduction” going on about how wonderful she is!!
When she meets Beck in a surprising situation, she has a hard time forgetting him as they keep running into each other. Can she help him from his darkness and he help her find her perfect match?
I truly loved Beck and Lavinia and was so anxious as I turned each page to see what would happen. Although part of a series, this can be read as a stand alone. But why would you want to do that? Darcy Burke has woven a magical series that only has me anxious for the next story and I cannot wait!!!
What a delight! Darcy managed to intertwine what seemed like two major storylines into one: developing the romance between the two main characters and dealing with the hero’s unresolved family past. All while keeping the story entertaining and the characters very believable. I enjoyed The Duke of Seduction and look forward to the next books in The Untouchables series.
I received a copy of this book through a giveaway. This is my honest opinion of the book.
A reversal of roles paves the way for an intriguing opposites attract romance. The Duke of Seduction is my favorite Darcy Burke novel to date. In a world full of complications the answers can prove to be quite simple. He’s a free spirit. William has a love them, then leave them reputation that hides a sensitive heart. He dreams of a forever love. A soulmate to own his heart and share his life. When his perfect woman turns out to be a cryptic puzzle. He’s determined to learn more. Lavinia is a woman on a mission. She knows what she wants and will buck the odds to get it. Will her passion for science blind her to the acceptance she’s always craved? The Duke of Seduction enchants because it’s not just a romance. Lavinia and William are seeking their own place in a world of stereotypes. With charm and emotion, Burke uses humor and heart to deliver a powerful message about the benefits of being true to self, no matter what. Reality meets fiction.
Darcy is a master. Every book in this series just gets better and better. This story had every single one of my favorite HR elements. The Heroine was a bluestocking, a scientist. The Hero, a reformed rake was a poet. Their friendship and relationship were unlikely, but perfect.
The plot was engaging, the story well written and appropriately “swoony”. There were many little bits of the story that I loved. I even laughed out loud in some places. This was my favorite sort of story, and Lavinia is my favorite sort of heroine. I very much enjoyed Beck and his very well written struggle with depression.
This story was a breath of fresh air, and I wholeheartedly recommend it, and indeed the entire series, to all historical romance lovers.
Lady Lavinia Gillingham is oddly fascinated with geology instead of the usual ton pursuits of embroidery and husband-hunting. William Beckett, Marquess of Northam (Beck to his friends), is a rake with a secret talent for poetry and guitar. The story opens with Lavinia, while at a ball, sneaking into the library to read The Geologic History of Cornwall (a page-turner if ever there was one). She is so absorbed in the details of the book that she does not hear Beck come into the room. Beck thinks she is his latest lover waiting for their tryst and kisses her on the neck before he realizes that she is not who he thinks she is. WHOOPS! After a brief conversation and separately leaving the library, Beck decides he should write a poem (an ode, really) to be published in the morning paper extolling her virtues, except Lavinia was not looking for help in the romance department. And she lets Beck know that. Their friendship grows from there. This was a fun adventure between two people who want different things from life, but end up wanting each other more.