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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This book is so good! Dorks + rake makeover + kissing = DELICIOUSNESS. Run to read it!!
This book is totally charming.
When fire destroys part of her family’s farm and prevents them from manufacturing their honey soap, Jessica “Jess” McGale takes a position as a companion to Lady Catherton to help her brother and sister financially. But as luck would have it, Lady Catherton wants to travel abroad and has Jessica go ahead to London to make sure everything is ready for her. Jessica decides to visit some shops on Bond Street and convince them to sell her family’s soap and she is returning to the townhouse, defeated, no one is willing to sell her soaps without an endorsement from someone notable in society, when she sees Noel Edwards, the Duke of Rotherby surrounded by men asking his opinion on investments. She catches his attention when she joins the conversation and adds her opinion. He is impressed with her, but before she can talk to him again, he is swept away with his admirers. She continues on her way and again fate seems to favor Jess. There is a letter waiting for her, it seems her employer hurts her ankle and is unable to travel for a fortnight, but tells Jess to stay in London. Jess immediately forms a new plan – she will attend the “Bazaar”, which is an annual gathering to pair investors with companies in need of capital. The next day, dressed in one of Lady Catherton’s gowns, Jess sets out and is unsuccessfully trying to talk her way into the Bazaar, when Noel appears and invites her in as his guest.
Noel hasn’t stopped thinking of the bold woman who he met on Bond Street and vows to find her as soon as the Bazaar is over. He is overjoyed when he hears her voice and immediately intervenes. She is introduced to him as Lady Whitfield, widow of Sir Brantley Whitfield. He takes her under his wing and introduces her to the others. She fits right in to the group and soon the others are asking her opinion on investing. Noel is attracted to her and loves that she doesn’t seem to be impressed with his title and treats him like he is nothing special. He is determined to get her into bed and sets out to win her.
Jess knows that she is walking a fine line and that her lies could be exposed at any minute, so she tries to keep Noel at arm’s length and as much as she wants him, she can’t risk getting attached. But he is charming and kind and oh so handsome – she finds herself unable to resist, especially when it seems he is not only willing to let her be dominant in sexual matters, but actually desires it. And so, begins a very heated affair, but all too soon her lies will come crashing down and whatever feelings Noel might have had for her will be crushed. Has she lost everything or will love find a way?
This was a well written book, where a Breakfast Club hero meets a Working Girl heroine (with a nod to The Secret of My Success) at regency era Shark Tank. I didn’t dislike the premise and I even chuckled at man seeking investors for his Sparrow messaging system, but overall, I was disappointed – this book was supposed to be a regency – but it was a contemporary romance complete with “woke” characters that had no prejudices, 21st century morals and standards, dressed in period clothing. The story itself is fun, Noel is likable, but I never really felt like I got to know him and I had a hard time liking Jessica, who was lying to everyone, but didn’t have a problem telling Noel he was too arrogant and presumptuous. There are cameos with his “Union” brothers, steaming HOT love scenes, interesting secondary characters and a touching ending complete with an epilogue. This is the second book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone with no problems. Personally, I didn’t really care for this book and I don’t think that I will be continuing with the series, but that is based on my own preferences for Historical Romance and not the author’s ability to write an engaging story.
*I am volunarily leaving a reivew for an eARC that was provided to me.*
Would I Lie To The Duke is a phenomenal historical romance by Eva Leigh. Ms. Leigh has given readers a well-written book. The characters are fun and entertaining. Jessica is from a farm that makes soap to support the family. When their soap making screeches to a halt due to a fire she takes a job as companion to a countess. She finds herself in London without her employer for two weeks and masquerades as a lady of the ton to try to get backing to rebuild the family business. Noel is a Duke handles his own investments. Jessica and Noel’s story is loaded with drama, humor, lies, sizzle and just a little suspense. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from Eva Leigh soon. Would I Lie To The Duke is book 2 of the Union of the Rakes Series but can easily be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Oh, the joy to be had from reading a new Eva Leigh book.
Whaaa?
*looks innocently* (Well, tries to at any rate…)
It’s not my fault your mind automatically went in the direction of the gutter…
All I will say is – welcome! *snorts*
I do have to make one teeny-tiny confession before I go any further… I’ve still to read My Fake Rake – I know *nods*, the horror! But fear not, each book can easily be read as a standalone, Sebastian is waiting patiently on my kindle for me and it didn’t hinder my enjoyment of WILTTD in the least.
Now, it’s no secret I love a bit of k/ink in my reads and, dayum, does Jess and Noel’s story deliver. As much as it pains me to say this, Tom, Duke of Northfield (DTLAD), you have been usurped. My affections now lie elsewhere. Noel has completely disarmed me.
WILTTD was everything I’ve come to love from an Eva Leigh read. Jess is a strong, independent female who, despite the conventions of the time, will do what she has to do in order to secure much needed funding for her family business. Impersonate a lady? Pfft, no bother. What’s a lie or two in the grand scheme of things? It makes you wonder though, doesn’t it? Do the ends ever justify the means? Matters of the heart are a minefield.
Together Jess and Noel are combustible. Jess is the first woman to ever bring him to his knees *coughs* (prepare to potentially burst something – that’s all I’m saying!).
Noel, Duke of Rotherby, is a man used to everything being handed to him on a silver platter. Yet, wealth and status don’t automatically equal happiness. All he craves is honesty. Can trust once lost ever be regained? Also, who knew? (This statement will probs only make once you’ve read it – sorry!)
Full of witty repartee (banter to my fellow Weegies), oodles of passion, drama, and a hefty dose of aaahhh moments, WILTTD cements why Eva Leigh remains one of my favourite historical romance authors.
After reading this Regency Romance love story, I found the book to be a good read. The characters are witty and a joy to read about. The writer brought humor, drama, and romance to her readers. The writer showed her readers the aspects of a family’s determination to build back a business after a tragic event. Jessica the eldest feels that it’s her job to make her family’s business successful again. Noel, he loves to help out his fellow man, but soon his offering hand extends to a woman who he is entranced buy. The writer focuses on the love that grows between the two characters. The details of the story are explained well. I was able to visualize the story as I read each page. I voluntary reviewed this ARC after receiving a free gifted copy.
This is the first book I’ve read by Ms. Leigh and I’m sure whether or not I’ll read anymore. Things I liked about the book was Noel’s Union friends. The prologue was compelling and showed how 5 unrelated young boys formed a bond that lasted into adulthood. I did like Jess’s character–she’s smart and determined to save her family’s business no matter what the cost. She had no idea it would cost her the one thing she never intended to wager though. The Bazaar was a unique idea, but even though Noel was an important member of this group, I didn’t care that much for his character. I didn’t get the sense of what made him tick and his motivations weren’t cemented before he met Jess. The erotic sex scenes turned me off and I just skipped over those numerous scenes.
I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.
I did enjoy this story, well apart from the fact that Jess continued to lie to Noel, even when she had plenty of chances to tell him the truth. Especially after she knew how Noel felt about liars. I can understand why she felt she had to carry the burden for her siblings but they were adults. Jess did like taking control in all ways. Noel had all anyone could want, he was handsome, wealthy and titled. He also had a group of friends from his schooldays, who kept him grounded but also looked out for each other. I did feel for Noel, when he had allowed Jess to know his innermost feelings, knowing that she wasn’t being completely honest with him. There is some angst in the latter part of the story but altogether an entertaining read. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Noel was a charming sweetheart. I liked his generosity, loyalty, and his open-minded business acumen was sharp. He had some surprising hidden layers, but that only seemed to add to his allure rather than take away.
Jess was a steely, motivated heroine. She went to extreme lengths to help her family farm, but sometimes it was to her personal detriment.
While her drive to succeed was admirable, I wish she loosened up enough to appreciate what was standing literally in front of her.
The relationship had a bit of D/s with Jess as the dominant and Noel the submissive. I wasn’t quite expecting that turn of events I think because of how strong Noel was. However, Jess could hold her own, so in the scheme of it all, the concept wasn’t really that far-fetched.
I enjoyed many things about Noel and Jess’s story. The financial conversations, Jess’s soap business sell, heck, even the charade Jess played-granted it was one big lie, but I’ll give her credit for the lengths she went through to achieve her goal to save the family business! My one complaint is just how long Jess’s lie was carried out.
Thank you Avon books/Harper Collins for the gifted ARC!
Would I Lie to the Duke by Eva Leigh is book Two in the Union of the Rakes Series. This is the story of Noel, the Duke of Rotherby and Jessica ‘Jess’ McGale aka “Lady Whitfield”. I have read the previous book, wish did add to my enjoyment of this one, but I did feel it was a standalone book. Noel of course being a Duke is used to people fawning over him and not being all to honest. This of course has lead him to be somewhat less trusting. But, when he meets ‘Lady Whitfield’ he is intrigued by her from the start. Jessica is working to save her family bee farm and their soap business after a devastating fire. So while working as a lady’s companion she learns of a business bazaar that she wants to attend where she feels she could find the backing for her family business. But to have people accept her and to achieve her goal, she pretends to be “Lady Whitfield”. Jessica tries not to distance herself from the Duke but end the end can’t do so. Both become engaged with their feelings but what will happens when the truth comes out? Enjoyed their story and this author’s writing.
I really enjoyed this romance and in some ways felt it had a refreshing twist to it. That being said, I’m not sure if you are a true-blue historical fan that this book is going to work for you. If you are willing to have an open mind and not be obsessive about the historical accuracy, I think you will find this steamy read quite fun. Jess and Noel made quite the pair. Jess was so fierce, spunky and determined. I could sympathize with her loyalty to her family and her desire to do what she had to do to help them and their business. As for Noel, I found him a delightful blend of surprising contrasts. He was funny and charming. Trust me when I say that these two generate enough heat to add to global warming!!! Things get blazing hot when these two come together. This is my candid, volitional review.
Would I Lie to the Duke is an enjoyable read from Eva Leigh and the second book in the Union of Rakes series. I loved the first book in the series in which our hero, Noel, the Duke of Rotherby, is introduced. Both Noel and Jessica McGale, the heroine, are interesting characters. Jessica is determined and smart, with a talent for finance and investments. Her family’s business has suffered a setback and she is relentless in finding a way to keep things afloat. Noel is intrigued by her energy and talents. Jessica commits a major deception that controls the flow of the story.
In the course of their interaction the couple discovers a sexual twist — she finds she likes to dominate things and he enjoys being dominated. We are not talking about full BDSM stuff, just a bit of role reversal. It felt a little strange to me. No judgment, just a little off-putting. I did not see that in their characters until it appeared.
Would I Lie to the Duke is a good story, full of twists and turns on the way to the HEA. I didn’t like the characters as much as the first book in the series, but I will definitely be reading the others as they are published.
ARC provided through Edelweiss.
Noel Edwards, the Duke of Rotherby, made many good friends at Eton and they remain so today. Noel is generous and has a great sense of humor.
Miss Jessica (Jess) McGale and her two siblings own a large farm that was partially destroyed by fire leaving them in dire need of money to keep things going. They raise bees and using the honey make their own deliciously scented Honey Soap. Jess has always had a smart business mind and reads a lot to keep up with the financial world.
Jess has taken a job as a lady’s companion to the widowed Countess of Catherton. Jess is so efficient and manages everything about the woman’s home and life. Jess was in London awaiting Lady Catherton when word arrives that the woman has injured her ankle requiring her to rest. Thus, she will join Jess in London soon. Jess uses this time to try to find financial backing for making more of the soap and selling it. When she learns of an annual business bazaar, she calls herself Lady Whitfield and attends the bazaar. She is hoping to find someone to back her soap business.
Jess meats Noel and they click instantly. He is intrigued by her and thus begins a snappy conversation between them filled with sexual innuendo. Even though they attend some events as a group with the business bazaar, he wants to be with her alone, but she keeps putting him off…until she no longer can. When they do hook up, readers will need a fire extinguisher to keep the flames down.
I admired Jess’s tenacity in doing all she can to see that her family’s business can be saved. I liked the humor that Noel displays, in addition to his generosity to his friends. What I did not like was the incredibly explicit sex scenes. I have never read anything like that and have to desire to do so again. That’s what you call over the top. However, there are always those readers that will love it, so for those of you, enjoy.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I don’t read as many historical romances as I used to but the ones I’ve read recently have been truly excellent. And that includes both Would I Lie to the Duke and the previous book in the series, My Fake Rake. I will admit, I’m not the biggest fan of books where the hero/heroine are lying about something big that you know will come out and have the potential to wreck everything. That being said, Eva Leigh handles Jess’s false identity and Noel final reaction to it beautifully and realistically. Jess feels like she has the weight of the world on her. She wants to be the one to fix her family’s business and stumbles into a fake identity along the way.
Noel immediately knows that he wants Jess. The attraction between them is burning. But even from their first meeting, it’s Jess’s intelligent mind that draws him like a moth to a flame. Noel, despite being the powerful duke, is not the traditional historical alpha.
I loved the sexually submissive duke that Noel is and it is so authentic to the relationship between Noel and Jess. They really work together as a couple and, both inside the bedroom and out. Noel is able to let go of the weight and expectations of being a duke and fall into Jess. Jess is able to be in charge in this situation without the pressures of her family business. They are two puzzle pieces that fit perfectly. The relationship between Noel and Jess is really what drives the book and helps me overcome with discomfort with the secret identity plot.
This is an unique spin on the traditional historical romances and I’m so happy with the direction the genre is moving. This is one of the most beautifully crafted historical romances I’ve ever read and I’m just enamored by it and can’t recommend it enough!
A woman, Jess, misrepresents herself to save her family business. A duke, Noel, finally allows himself to trust someone who does not try to profit from his station. They fall in love and must deal with the aftermath of Jess’s lies. I look forward to the next in the Union of the Rakes series. I received an ARC from NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for my honest review.
People will do desperate things to save family. This is a tale of an intelligent, capable oldest sister struggling to save the family business and keep her siblings together. Jessica McGale will do whatever she must to get the McGale soap & honey farm a success after a fire damages 1/3 of it and her parents passing away. She’s also taken a job as a paid companion to Countess Catherton.
The Countess has sent Jess to London to prepare for a short stay there before they take off for an extended time on the continent. Jess takes the opportunity to visit the shops on Bond Street to hopefully find someone to sell the family soap in London and find investors to rebuild the farm & factory. While coming out of Daley’s Emporium she chances upon Duke Noel Edwards in discussion about whether a certain business is a good investment and interjects her opinion on it. This begins Jess and Noel’s acquaintance and him seeing her as having shrewd business acumen.
Noel is an investor. Thanks to his cadre of 5 friends from Eton, The Union of The Rakes, he realizes he’s in a position to help people and investing is one of those avenues. His friend Lord Trask has a Bazaar every year bringing select investment opportunities to a group of people willing to invest. When Jess shows up at the doorstep hoping to advance McGale Soap, Noel takes her for a fellow investor and so the tale begins. I loved watching how Jess carefully introduces these people to her family’s soap and how she tries to keep her distance from Noel since she recognizes their chemistry. Noel on the other hand has never been so impressed by a woman before and is determined to seek her attention. Reading this story you know there is a train wreck ahead but I couldn’t wait to see it sorted out in the end. This was extremely well written story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
3.5 stars rounded up.
Jessica McGale’s family makes the best soap to be found in England, but just as she was hoping to expand their production, a fire put paid to those plans. Now working as a lady’s companion, Jess knows she must find investors to keep the business afloat and keep herself and her two siblings together. When she winds up with two weeks in London without her employer, Jess sees her chance. Pretending to be the fictional widow Lady Whitfield, Jess finds her way into the circle of London’s wealthy and business-minded, including the entirely too attractive Duke of Rotherby. His support and influence could fix everything if Jess can just rein in her reaction to him.
Noel, the Duke of Rotherby, is well used to sycophants and flatterers who know him as a wild rake with a casual interest in investments. Only his closest friends know the real man beneath the societal facade. When he meets Lady Whitfield, he’s delighted by her sharp wit and obvious intelligence. He’s unprepared for his reaction to her and struggles with trust, but Jess makes him feel comfortable just being himself.
As Jess’ bold plan comes to fruition, she struggles to keep up the ruse and it is soon obvious that attaining her goal will mean losing Noel. He’s not interested in temporary; for once Noel wants a woman by his side always, but Jess’ secret is a big one and it might be too much for Noel to overcome given his difficulty with trusting others.
I enjoyed this book overall, just not as much as I wanted to. I liked the Cinderella-esque stance, but Jess’ lie went on way too long. It would’ve been much more satisfying for me if she’d confided in Noel as he did in her. Jess didn’t open up to Noel much and this made the relationship feel a bit one-sided to me, especially given the fact that, in my opinion, Jess didn’t do nearly enough groveling or apologizing in the end. It also annoyed me that Jess, knowing the precariousness of her lie, had the gall to call Noel presumptuous. He was nothing but good to her and didn’t deserve the disdain she showed him for the first half or so of the book, even if she was trying to keep her distance to protect her scheme. For his part, Noel was a fantastic hero, one of my new favorites in fact. I loved that he could be vulnerable and a bit submissive, but there was never any doubt that he was a strong and powerful man. He was fabulous and I just thought he deserved more from Jess. I enjoyed this book, despite my annoyance with Jess and the length of her lies, and I very much look forward to Duncan’s book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was an entertaining, well-written historical romance. Jessica McGale needs support for her family business and pretends to be a lady of means to be able to come in contact with London’s elite. Noel, Duke of Rotherby, dabbles in investments, and when he meets Jess, he is impressed with her business knowledge. They discover a shared attraction, and everything becomes complicated. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.
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 so when the lady she’s companion to becomes ill & stays in the country Jessica goes to London posing as “Lady Whitfield.” Society thinks Noel the Duke of Rotherby 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.
This is the second book in the series & is easily read on its own. Another very well written books with characters of depth who are well portrayed. I liked both Jessica & Noel but didn’t love them & I found their insta-lust hard to believe. The pace of the book was good & I was drawn into the story & wanted to see how things were resolved. I also loved the humour which mad me laugh out loud at times not my favourite book by the author but still an engaging read
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Review: I was gaga over the first book in this series – My Fake Rake – a solid 5 star novel. It had all my favorite tropes and a nerdy hero. The concept of combining 80s RomComs into novels (each of the rakes is an archetype from The Breakfast Club – Noel in this book is closest to the Princess/Molly Ringwald) is right up my alley. This one also has Working Girl (Jess McGale/Tess McGill), maybe some ofThe Secret of My Success. I liked this book a lot but I’m not in love with it, as I was the first one. I think part of it is the Duke finds out he’s a Sub (though this is mild) and that’s just not my thing (wanting to please her – hell, yeah – wanting to be commanded – meh, for me). This was a fun book to read and I look forward to McCameron’s book with Lady Farris. Beuhler? Beuhler? Anyone?
Series: The Union of the Rakes
Type: Regency
Heat: 9/10
Tropes: Appearance vs Reality (Jess is just a country girl, pretending to be Lady Whitfield, a widow), mild Dom/Sub.
Premise: Jess (a Lady’s paid companion) tries to save her family’s (McGale & McGale) honey soap manufacturing business by selling it to shops on Bond St, but they won’t have it unless it’s already in demand by the nobility (sort of a Regency celebrity endorsement). So, Jess pretends to be a Lady and suggests the soap to other nobility at the business Bazaar. She had already caught the eye of Noel Edwards – Duke of Rotherby. Now he thinks Lady Whitfield is a financial and business genius as well. Will Jess get her family’s honey soap factory in demand again? Or will her family be split apart? Will Noel find out she’s not a Lady and she’s been lying to him? Is there a future for them?
The Good: Very strong female lead. Despite pretending to be a Lady, she makes no bones about who she is as a person. And she does not care that Noel is a Duke at all. She knows what she wants. So does Noel.
The Bad: The Bazaar wasn’t that romantic, for me. But as a geek it was interesting.
Noteable quote: Funny reference to an invention, at the Bazaar, that sounds just like Twitter:
“Trained sparrows will take brief communications from your home to a central hub. You can chirp at someone with your short message. The hub is where the sparrows will feed, so if someone wants to see if they have received a message, they can check the feed, as I call it.”
Confused mutterings rose up from the guests.
“Does that mean we’ll have to continuously hover around the feed to see if anyone has a message for us?” Vicscount Hunsdon asked.
“Obviously, you cannot spend all day at the feed.” Mr. Pine stammered.
“That would be a spectacular waste of time,” Baron Mentmore said irritably.
**Many thanks to Edelweiss+ for providing an ARC in order to write this unbiased review.**