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I am Lover of romance, who indulges in the romantic adventures of literature

My name is Renee, and I am the host of this site. I am a 34 year old woman, on the prowl for her mate, searching out the best of books, exploring the wilds of the imagination and delving into the heart of a beautiful love story.

 

Book Review-Blame It On The Duke by Lenora Bell

by | Nov 1, 2017 | Book Reviews | 8 comments

Book Review-Blame It On The Duke by Lenora Bell

Book Review-Blame It On The Duke by Lenora BellBlame It on the Duke by Lenora Bell
Also in this series: How the Duke Was Won
Series: The Disgraceful Dukes #3
on April 18 2017
Genres: Historical Romance, Regency Era
Pages: 384
Format: eBook
Source: Library
Goodreads
Amazon
three-half-stars

Have you heard? The future Duke of Barrington has just been gambled away by his father. To an heiress!The delicious details thus far...

Nicolas, Lord Hatherly, never intended to marry—nor add to the “mad” Hatherly line—but now he must honor his father’s debt to a social-climbing merchant or lose the family estate.

A notoriously wild marquess, won by her father at a game of cards, is the very last thing Miss Alice Tombs wants. She’s spent the last three seasons repelling suitors in spectacular fashion so she’d be at liberty to explore the world. She’ll just have to drive this one away as well.

Until Nick proposes an utterly tempting arrangement: one summer together to prove the legitimacy of their union, then Alice is free to travel while Nick revels in the time he has left before the Hatherly Madness takes hold.

It will be easy to walk away after a few months of make-believe wedded bliss—won’t it? Alice and Nick are about to find out...one sultry night at a time.

This ought to be fun . . .

Blame It On The Duke is the third book in the Disgraceful Dukes series. I have had such a great time discovering the author and her new work because she is quite talented and is guaranteed to suck you into a story….and her writing voice is very similar to some older romances that are heartwarming (AKA —Lisa Kleypas, Lorraine Heath and Gayle Callen). I was actually pretty excited to pick this one up and I have to say overall it was a great romance and even though I had some issues with the heroine, the story was superb and I couldn’t put this one down.

All I can do is be here with you right now, Alice. Right here. We can create memories so vivid that the weave themselves into the fabric of the universe. Into the light of the stars. The memory of this moment. You holding me. The memory of our kisses.

Now I don’t know if its my curse or what, but I have the biggest problem with characters that are written in historical periods that just don’t match the era. I am not sure it it was the authors idea or the push of the publisher since these more modern like heroines tend to be more popular. But it bothers me so much, because I really don’t want to read a historical and feel like I am read a contemporary. I know that I am not in the popular opinion in this book but the heroine just didn’t always work for me. But I did love her sassy personality just some things that would pop out of her mouth I was like HUH? Really? No woman from the 1800’s would ever say that. So it just didn’t speak out realistic at any time.

The plot was a bit overdone and highly dramatic at times. I felt like if these two had actually communicated a bit better, then it would have been smoother sailiing. I did find the premise of the hero being sold off to marriage a bit unrealistic, especially in the way that it played out in the story. I don’t think it was the set up really….because honestly I don’t mind the set up at all….it just had a feeling of cheesiness at times that just didn’t fit this author’s writing style or that actual built up of the romance.

What I found intrigued was that the fact that the heroine was a very scientific type of lady but she wanted more than knowing languages. She is researching the Kama Sutra, and I really enjoyed the way she goes about it, and we see how curious she is about her body and her sexuality even though she tries to hide the truth from the hero about why she is so determined to research this document.

So even though I had a couple of problems with the story, honestly I still had a fun time with this story. And from the main characters that are quirky, to the sensual built up romance, the snazzy side characters that leaves the reader with a smile and seeing the charm and wit enter in the story at all the right times. A romance that will lift up your spirits and give you tingles!!

 

About Lenora Bell

Lenora Bell is a third generation Alaskan and her hometown still has no traffic lights or fast food, but the public library is going strong!

An English teacher with an MFA in Creative Writing, Lenora has traveled the globe using music to bring smiles to classrooms. She currently lives in Switzerland with her carpenter husband and two naughty tiger-striped kitties.

In 2014 she won the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart® Award for Best Historical. She's thrilled to be debuting with Avon Books in 2016!

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8 Comments

  1. Ann Lorz

    Thanks for the great review. I’ve only read a few of her books. I don’t read as many historical’s as I use to. I need to read more.

    Reply
  2. Blodeuedd

    I like the new Fall look 😀

    Reply
  3. Lily B

    I think you need to make a dear Publishers post and write what you feel does not work in HR XD

    Reply
  4. Nick

    I really like this author too, and I’m glad you do as well. This one was probably my least favorite in the series. Her new series sounds SO AMAZING though! Can’t wait!

    Reply
  5. Quinn's Book Nook

    Awww, those little pumpkin stars are sooo cute. I’m sorry you didn’t love this. I know you like your historical romances to have more of an authentic feel to it. I still need to read Lenora Bell.

    Reply
  6. Angela @ Simply Angela

    I’m not too fond of modern heroines in historicals. It takes away from the book. I do like it if she’s progressive for her era but not modern. I love your new autumn look–it’s adorable.

    Reply
  7. Anna@herding cats&burning soup

    Such a pretty cover. Yeah, it bugs me when characters don’t suit their genre or time period quite right. But still sounds like a very entertaining read 🙂

    Reply
  8. Michele H

    I’m glad you had fun with this one too! There definitely were a few things that felt off or not quite right for the time period but it was entertaining and had some unique characters. I did really enjoy Alice and Nick’s chemistry. And that there was so much more to both of them than met the eye. 😉

    Reply

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