He’s betrothed…but not to the woman who holds his heartShe’s hiding from the past…
Though thoroughly compromised—through no fault of her own—Jessica refuses the enigmatic nobleman’s obligatory marriage proposal. She’d rather face certain scorn and ridicule than be forced into a marriage of convenience. Or rather, inconvenience.
He’s avoiding his future…
Betrothed since childhood, Crispin has no interest in wedding the woman he’s expected to marry before Season’s end. The lovely country miss, Jessica Brentwood, holds the key to his heart, though he’s never hinted at his feelings for her.
When they are the victims of a cruel hoax, Crispin isn’t at all unhappy that he’ll have to break his unwanted betrothal to marry Jessica. Except, his betrothed isn’t willing to release him from their agreement, and the vengeful villains who conspired to ruin Jessica and Crispin aren’t finished plotting mayhem.
How can he convince Jessica his rakehell’s reputation is mostly conjecture and that he’s adored her from afar? Dare Jessica believe the scoundrel who swears he’s not a rogue and vows he wants to protect her?
This heartwarming secret admirer historical by a USA Today bestselling author will make you sigh and have you rooting for Jessica and Crispin to outwit those conspiring against them.
If you enjoy reading class differences, lovable rogue, duke, and intrepid heroine love stories with a pinch of mystery, a dash of humor, and gripping emotion, then you’ll adore Collette Cameron’s enthralling SEDUCTIVE SCOUNDRELS SERIES. Buy WOOED BY A WICKED DUKE and settle into your favorite reading nook for a page-turning, entertaining Regency world adventure you can’t put down.
Though this book can easily be read as a stand-alone, most readers prefer to read the series in order.
SEDUCTIVE SCOUNDRELS SERIES:
A Diamond for a Duke
Only a Duke Would Dare
A December with a Duke
What Would a Duke Do?
Wooed by a Wicked Duke
Duchess of His Heart
Never Dance with a Duke
The Debutant and the Duke ~ Coming soon!
Wedding Her Christmas Duke ~ Coming soon!
How to Win a Duke’s Heart ~ Coming soon!
Loved by a Dangerous Duke ~ Coming soon!
When a Duke Desires a Lass ~ Coming soon!
CHECK OUT COLLETTE’S OTHER SERIES:
Castle Brides
Heart of a Scot
Highland Heather Romancing a Scot
The Blue Rose Regency Romances: The Culpepper Misses
The Honorable Rogues®
Wicked Earls’ Clubmore
Jessica Brentwood was introduced to readers in Collette Cameron’s Only a Duke Would Dare when her disgraced father left the country for Australia. Since then, she moved in with her sister Theadosia and brother-in-law, Victor, the Duke of Sutcliffe, who is sponsoring her season. She is determined to be the epitome of decorum and not be exposed to even a hint of scandal. She unwittingly gets lured into a trap and finds herself caught in a scandal that will destroy her.
Crispin, the Duke of Bainbridge, only has eyes for Jessica and will do just about anything possible to woo her. Only one problem – he has been betrothed since childhood to a woman he cannot stand. He has been trying to break the betrothal without losing his many properties, but the woman and her father are being sticklers (even though she cannot stand him, either).
Crispin and Jessica find themselves embroiled in scandal; though both are completely innocent, it is enough to ruin them. Crispin offers for Jessica, who is reluctant to accept a marriage proposal based on need and duty, rather than on love. Can Crispin convince Jessica that marriage to her has been his dream for a while, and the proposal was not a complete whim?
My heart went out to Crispin and Jessica – innocent victims of two heartless and reckless individuals. Here are two loving, headstrong characters who are honest with each other and do not let their differences in station get in the way.
This is the 5th book in Collette Cameron’s Seductive Scoundrels series and many characters from previous books play wonderful secondary roles. This is a story involving mystery, death, revenge, humor, chickens (yes, chickens!), faith, and love. Although the book is part of the series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone. I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent reading the book. I received the book as an ARC and happily gave my honest review.
4.5 Stars
Hoping to put the shame of her father’s disgrace behind her, Jessica Brentwood is determined to be the epitome of decorum and propriety her first London Season especially as her newly married sister & her husband are sponsoring her. Betrothed since childhood, Crispin Rolston, the Duke of Brentwood has no interest in Lilith Brighton the woman he’s expected to marry before Season’s end. The lovely country miss, Jessica Brentwood, holds the key to his heart, though he’s never hinted at his feelings for her.
Then whilst at a ball both Jessica & Crispin are lured to a conservatory where she is drugged & he is knocked unconscious. On awaking he finds that they are in each others arms & naked
Now thoroughly compromised Jessica at first refuses the enigmatic nobleman’s obligatory marriage proposal but Lilith’s father won’t take a broken engagement lying down & throws obstacles in the couples path at every turn.
This is the fifth book in this lovely series, it could easily be read on its own but there are appearances from other characters in the series & Jessica is sister to Thea from book 2. I loved Crispin who was open with Jessica about their situation & he must have been rejoicing to be able to marry the woman he loved whilst aghast at the way she’d been treated. Jessica was a very grown up & strong young woman who’d coped with her father’s disgrace & was willing to face society. Their attraction to each other simmered but it was their verbal bantering & sparring that I loved. I adored the names her pets had & loved the picture conjured up of them following her in their crocheted jackets! Another lovely read which held me enthralled from start to finish.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
This was a nice easy escape read. Characters were very believable. Story line flowed well. Kept my interest completely from beginning to end. The hero duke was an honorable “rogue” while the heroine was no pushover. Characters from other “wicked” stories are included but this is entirely a standalone volume. As usual Collette Cameron pulls you in on page one and you end with an “Ahhh” and a smile on your face.
There is no other author who uses vocabulary like Ms Cameron. The use of unusual words adds a lovely addition to the wonderful stories she writes and this one is no different. Her characters are heartwarming and the story is a wonderful blend of sweetness and sadness. No matter which book you read you will love them all. This one is perfect for a quick Christmas read and it has no sex in it. I received this book as an ARC and was happy to do my review.
Crispin has had eyes for Jessica for quite some time! He is very good friends with Victor and Jessica’s sister Theadosia, the Duke and Duchess of Sutcliffe (Only a Duke Would Dare), and has wanted to court her since meeting her. He can’t since he has been betrothed to a very unsavory family. He has been trying to get out of it since he became of age. It is airtight!
At a Christmas time party he sees both his betroth and Jessica. He tries to enjoy himself when Brookemore asks for help, his brother is besotted and he needs help to leave. Crispin agrees and is taken to a room, once there he sees Jessica in need and then is knocked out cold. A cruel trick forces him to propose to Jessica, which he is happy to do. He learns his betroth and Brookemore has planned this….When push comes to shove Crispin and Jessica decide to marry in Scotland but the others are concerned for their safety. His betrophe’s father will stop at NOTHING to claim Crispin as his son-in-law. When the group’s planning is set (with security) BAM something horrible happens…Twists and turns with a bit of shock!! But a classic Cameron HEA!!!
This story hits the ground running. I was captivated from the first chapter. This is the kind of book that brings you back to Collete Cameron every time you need a great read. She brings out the emotions of each character and there is always some humor. “I want my pet chickens moved to your country estate”. You know it’s TRUE love when they let you have your girls with you. “Perhaps special satin-lined nesting boxes.” Perhaps this could be love.
Entertaining with a strong female lead in a man’s world.
Nice
A Definite Read!
Can you still hear my applause for this book. I absolutely loved it from beginning to end!
The characters are quite lifelike and adorable, the plot is clever and the telling of the story is quite effortless and very entertaining.
Definitely one to be read!
Hoping to put the shame of her father’s disgrace behind her, Jessica is determined to be the epitome of decorum and propriety her first London season. All is well until she is discovered naked in the arms of a notorious rake, Crispin, the wicked Duke of Bainbridge. Though thoroughly compromised, Jessica refuses the enigmatic nobleman’s obligatory marriage proposal. She would rather face scorn and ridicule than be forced into a marriage of convenience or inconvenience. Betrothed since childhood, Crispin has no interest in wedding the woman he is expected to marry before Season’s end. The lovely country miss, Jessica, holds the key to his heart. He has never hinted at his feelings for her. He wants to convince Jessica his reputation is mostly conjecture and that he has adored her from afar. – I loved this historical romance. The story was interesting from start to finish. Jessica and Crispin were both great, as were her sister and brother-in-law. I highly recommend this book.
I was determined to catch up with this series, and I’ve almost accomplished that goal, even though it is not a hardship to read this author’s works. Each book can be read in any order or as a standalone, but the reader will want to read about the other characters that pop up in the books, I’m no exception. In this outing, Crispin, the Duke of Bainbridge has had a pre-arranged marriage since he was a young child, a very unwanted and unsuitable betrothal. The woman he has always admired from afar, is Jessica Brentwood. When a malicious couple plot against them, and leave them in a compromised position, all hell breaks loose.
This is another wonderful book in the series, and I think that Crispin and Jessica are my two favorites so far in this series. I may say that often with this author, but she has a magical ability to endear her characters to the reader. This book went by so quickly, that I actually thought it was a novella, and it is not. That’s a pretty reliable sign of a good book.
So delicious.
We have a duke betrothed since birth, that would be Crispin. A lovely country miss trying to be the perfect debutante. Too bad there’s just plain meanness afoot. That would lead to Jessica being thoroughly compromised. But can Crispin finagle out of his engagement? Can Jessica trust a duke with a rakes reputation?
I thought the leads were charming. There’s definitely meanness afoot and I very much enjoyed.
Recommend.
Wooed by a Wicked Duke by Collette Cameron is the fifth book in the Seductive Scoundrels series and definitely worth reading if you love historical romances.
Miss Jessica Brentwood hated gossip and wanted little to do with London’s haut ton society, but because she is in London living with her sister and brother-in-law and having her first season she has to attend many of the planned events, but finding herself caught in a compromising situation with Crispin Rolston, the Duke of Bainbridge is only going to make those tongues wag even more.
Crispin doesn’t just want it to seem he is doing the honorable thing. He also wants Jessica to know that he has come to care for her, only it is more difficult to prove that to her than he ever expected.
I’m definitely looking forward to reading more books by this author in the future.
I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.
This is a must read! Crispin has you hooked from the beginning. The feelings he has for Jessica but doesn’t show bc he is betrothed to another speaks volumes for his character. Jessica and Crispin take you on an exciting journey to find what most people only dream of. This book will keep you enthralled from beginning to end!
I really enjoyed this story. Jessica had the strength within to be willing to put up with the scorn of the ton rather than be married without love. Crispin knew what he wanted, and he wanted Jessica despite her family history. His determination to win over Jessica kept me reading. The secondary characters were just as wonderful and supportive to these two. I recommend this story.
I received an ARC of this story, and this is my unsolicited review.
Now I have had the chance to read as well as listen to this story. I found that Stevie Zimmerman did a wonderful job of narrating this story that I found enjoyment once again.
Crispin, Duke of Bainbridge, hasn’t been able to think of any way to get out of his betrothal. Apparently, his betrothed is as opposed to the match as he is, and she has found a way out. She and her cohort perpetrate a hoax that sees Crispin and Jessica Brentwood are compromised. This should make both of them happy, but things are never that easy.
This is a great story. Terrific characters and an interesting plot keep your attention from beginning to end. The Brentwoods and their friends and family pull together; villains pop up from all sides. There are twists, turns, mystery, betrayal and revenge, and definitely a few surprises (the one at the end is a doozy). I thoroughly enjoyed this one and highly recommend it. I look forward to James Brentwood’s story.
A wonderfully told story full of Ms. Cameron’s signature wit and humor! I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it’s full of wonderful characters, some you’ll recognize from previous books in this series. There are a few surprises, and best of all the low down dirty trick played out on Jessica & Crispin may be the best thing that happens to them. I hope you’ll read this story and find out what happens. I know you’ll enjoy it! I received an ARC of this book and chose to freely give a review.
I just adored Crispin and Jessica’s story. He was betrothed since childhood, and she is trying to put aside the shame of her father’s disgrace. They are both the victims of a horrible joke that compromises them. He offers marriage, but she declines. She does not want to be in a marriage of convenience.
Ms Cameron did a great job of bringing the characters together. I was rooting for this couple from the start. There were so many twist and turns in this story. I could not put the book down.
3.5 stars, rounded up
Crispin Rolston, the Duke of Bainbridge has secretly longed for Jessica Brentwood from the first moment he met her, but he has never made his desire known as he is trapped in an unwanted betrothal. He has tried everything to dissolve the betrothal, including cultivating (and embellishing) a rakish reputation, in hopes that his betrothed, Lilith Brighton will call off the engagement. But so far, nothing has worked and it seems like Crispin will have to give up his dream of a love match.
Jessica has also been attracted to Crispin, but he is a rake and someone she would never consider for marriage – she already lives under a cloud of scandal thanks to her father and the only reason she is accepted at all is because her sister is the Duchess of Sutcliffe. As much as she likes Crispin, she will never risk her heart or her fragile reputation with a man like him. But when they are tricked into a compromising situation, marriage may be the only way to quash a scandal.
But Jessica still resists, Crispin is still betrothed and needs to end his engagement and prove to Jessica that she can trust her heart to him.
This was a cute, sweet story, but it was short and personally, I felt like there was too much going on in too short a story – I liked Crispin and Jessica, but their issues took the spotlight and I didn’t think they had enough time together to form a deep and abiding love. I did think they had great chemistry and if the story had been a bit longer I am sure their characters would have convinced me that they were meant to be. I did like the novella and it is a great addition to the series with mild love scenes, cameos and a HEA. While it was not my favorite, I did enjoy the book and would be happy to recommend it.
Jessica tries very hard to have a spotless reputation – then she is found naked in the arms of Crispin. Who drugged them and set them up? Good story, good mystery to solve. I received an ARC of this book.