When an ambitious entrepreneur pretends to be a lady of means, she catches the eye—and heart—of a duke…Jessica McGale’s family business desperately needs investors and she’s determined to succeed at any cost. But she knows London’s elite will never look twice at a humble farm girl like herself. Posing as “Lady Whitfield,” however, places her in the orbit of wealthy, powerful people—most notably … places her in the orbit of wealthy, powerful people—most notably the Duke of Rotherby. His influence and support could save her company, but Jess never expected the effect he’d have on her.
Society thinks Noel is a notorious, carefree duke who dabbles in investments, but there’s a side to him that only his closest friends see. When he crosses paths with Lady Whitfield at a business bazaar, his world tilts on its axis. She’s brilliant and compelling, and brings him to his knees like no woman has before. Trust is difficult for Noel, but Jess makes him believe anything is possible. . .
As time ticks down on her Cinderella scheme, the thought of achieving her goal at Noel’s expense breaks Jess’s heart. He doesn’t just want her now, he wants her forever. But will her secret end their future before it begins?
Meet the Union of the Rakes—Eva Leigh’s latest Regency romance series inspired by the Breakfast Club and other classic 80s films!
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Eva’s way of telling a story is truly wonderful. I love the Breakfast Club vibe at the beginning and the Union is such a great concept (not novel, but great). I am having a hard time with this review. While I loved Noel in the first book and could not wait for his story, I thought he was a little too weak in this story. I could not imagine he would prostrate himself for a woman. He is very ducal but also wanted someone else to take control. I still liked him though. Now, maybe that is how Eva wanted to portray Noel. You do sympathize with him and the way he is treated. Now, Jess on the other hand, while I really liked her, I did not like the lies she told. She did not do it maliciously but still lies just don’t sit well with me. Overall. I thought the story was inventive and sweet.
On a side note, the guy on the cover looks way too young and inexperienced to be Noel. Just saying.
I received a complimentary copy from the author.
Eva Leigh’s Union of the Rakes series continues in Would I Lie to the Duke, which features Noel, the Duke of Rotherby and Jessica McGale. Jess is desperate to save her family business, so she masquerades as an aristocratic widow to gain entrance to an investors event to try to gain funding. There, she meets Noel, who is jaded with having sycophants follow him around all the time. Jess’ no-nonsense attitude is a breath of fresh air and he is instantly drawn to her sharp intellect. Jess is also attracted to him, but knows that while she is deceiving him they can never have anything real together.
After reading the first book in this series, My Fake Rake, I was very eager to read Rotherby’s story. This book was good, but also very unexpected. Jess and Noel were both very well-written, and the story moved quickly. Leigh added a lot of subtle nods to current trends (the Bazaar was very reminiscent of Shark Tank, and one of the prospective businesses was a communications organization making use of sparrows – called “Chirp”) which was amusing.
Overall I would recommend this book, and am looking forward to the next book in the series. The group of gentleman – the Union of the Rakes – is such a great idea, and I love reading about how this group of men from very different walks of life are so supportive of each other over such a long time.
Thank you to Avon/HarperCollins and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my review!
SPOILERS
The intimacy in this book is a dom/sub relationship, which is very tastefully done but was very unexpected. It serves the plot and makes sense in context, but all of their encounters follow this pattern. I would have enjoyed them having at least one encounter that was sweet? However that is just my opinion. I do think that there should be a content warning, however, in case someone did not want to read that type of relationship.
Review originally published at Romancing Romances.
I received an eARC at no cost from the publisher, and I am leaving a voluntary and honest review. Thank you.
3.75*
Would I Lie To The Duke is a book I had a hard time describing how it made me feel, for a very simple reason: I hate liars. [I like the fake relationship trope because both characters are aware and in on it]. And yet, I enjoyed this book quite a bit, with the exception of the moments I was reminded that Jess was lying, because she had several opportunities to tell the truth.
But let’s start at the begging. Jess’s family is in trouble and they might lose their livelihood, which is why she became a companion and is searching for people who will sell her family’s soap in London, as well as invest in their factory.
Cue the Bazaar. A place where wealthy people look for their next profitable investments. It would be a dream to be able to present her project there.
After being rejected by Bond Street vendors, Jess meets (at a distance) the also investor and savvy Duke of Rotherby, Noel. And luck has it, he is one of the Bazaar’s investors.
So, when Jess decides to try her luck, he is there, and she presents herself as a Lady, even though she is truly a commoner, a farm girl as she describes herself.
She continues her lie during the whole Bazaar, and her acquaintance with Noel, even when he tells her he feels so happy with her because she doesn’t lie, and she doesn’t want anything from him. She had several opportunities to tell him the truth. Not necessarily to the Bazaar people, but to him at least. And she abandons him after he pretty much pours his heart out. I was heartbroken for Noel.
In the end, I enjoyed the book, but ended up with the feeling that maybe they shouldn’t be together. Jess had her reasons to lie, but that still could have changed as they got to know each other.
I was always disappointed with Jess when she failed to tell him the truth. I think he would have understood (as he did in the end) but suffered less if she had been honest. And I believe he would have helped her, if only she had asked. My favourite part (with the exception of the very sexy, very steamy sex scenes) was when Jess’ siblings told her she didn’t need to be doing all of that on her own. I think she really needed that bucket of cold water to take her down from the mind-set of “I’m essential, nothing will work without me”. Because that’s the feeling I got when she said to herself, she was doing it for family, they needed her, who would take care of them? But they were all grown ups. So…. there was a lot of lack of communication that could have helped so much.
I did like Noel quite a bit, as well as his friends. He was intelligent, business savvy, he cared about his tenants. Yes, he used to be quite a rake, but he never forgot his responsibilities. He admired other smart minds, no matter their gender. And he had a crooked smile, who can resist that?
I’m sure that when you read this, you’ll think I didn’t really enjoy the book, but that’s a lie. Even with its problems, I laughed out loud several times as I was reading it, I loved the sexy moments, I really enjoyed a business/inventions background to the story, and I did like at least one of the main characters, which was enough to get me through the book with me cheering for Noel the whole time.
Steamy, great hero, and it left me curious about the other men in the Union of Rakes circle.
Leigh writes a compelling love story of a young lady caught in the web of her own making. Jessica McCall is desperate to save her family and their business after a fire. Able to get into the exclusive Bazaar to seek capital to fund the rebuilding of their business, Jessica becomes infatuated with the Duke of Rothesby, one of the most influential men in London. The infatuation is mutual. Instantaneous sexual attraction becomes a slow melting affair that can’t help but go up in flames. Secrets have a way of coming out and will be very painful for them both. A page gripping read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Still debating on this one. I think what kept me til the end was the references, since I am an 80’s girl I continued. However I dont like relationships that begin and continue with lies, yes I know it is the premise of the story, but knowing that Noel has problems with liars I think the truth should have come out sooner. That being said I get that Jess was willing to do about anything to save her business, well her and family’s business. All in all it is an entertaining book to pass the time.
rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions
What would you do to save your family and the family business? Lie? Pretend to be someone you’re not?
In Eva Leigh’s newest addition to the Union of the Rakes, WOULD I LIE TO THE DUKE, business-woman Jessica McGale does both those things. While her employer is at her country estate tending to a sprained ankle, Jessica talks her way into THE BAZZAR, a collection of moneyed and titled investors whom she hope to convince to invest in her family business. Jessica is whip smart and financially brilliant and she catched the eye of Noel, Lord Rotherby. Instant attraction leads to Jessica’s plan being altered. She needs money but she needs to be in Noel’s arms more.
This may have been the hottest book I’ve ever read by Eva Leigh. There are wicked sexy parts complete with scenes I’ve never read in a regency before and which had me blushing in my own home!! In a good way.
How these two find their way to an HEA is a tortuous turn of emotions, revelations, lies, and acceptance.
A great read for this new addition to the UNION OF THE RAKES and I can’t wait for book 3!!
5 well deserved and sexy stars from me.
Thanks, Netgalley and Avon for a sneak peak at what is sure to be a summer 2020 hit with readers.
To save her family’s small soap-making business, brazen farmer’s daughter Jessica McGale masquerades as society widow “Lady Whitfield” to infiltrate the ton and find investors. While Lady Whitfield is a hit amongst society, her business plans take a detour when she catches the eye of the handsome Duke of Rotherby, whose flirtations are too flattering not to act on.
It’s good to be Duke, but Noel is used to being surrounded by yes men all too willing to give him his way to curry his favor. Distrustful of most people, Noel lets himself go with the captivating and business-savvy Lady Whitfield, not realizing she holds a dirty secret. Jess has to figure out how to come clean while still keeping her soap company afloat.
On top of it all, The Union of Rakes series revolves around a motley crew of young men who met at detention at Eton a la The Breakfast Club. With nods to the 80’s flick Working Girl, Eva Leigh creates a bright and brazen heroine whose success you root for despite her scheme. Noel is as charming as any Regency buck, but his naughty mouth and eagerness to please set him apart from the plethora of dukes found in Romancelandia.
Fun and refreshing, with the same steamy sex scenes you require from an Eva Leigh book, Would I like to the Duke is another gem in her new series.