by Lorraine Heath
Series: Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James #1
Genres: Historical Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
They are England’s most eligible bachelors, with the most scandalous reputations. But for the right woman, even an unrepentant rogue may mend his ways… Lady Grace Mabry’s ample inheritance has made it impossible for her to tell whether a suitor is in love with her—or enamored of her riches. Who better to distinguish beau from blackguard than her notorious childhood friend, the Duke of Lovingdon? With no interest in marriage, Lovingdon has long lived only for pleasure. He sees little harm in helping Grace find a proper match. After all, he’s familiar with all the ploys a scoundrel uses to gain a woman’s favor. He simply has to teach the lovely innocent how to distinguish honest emotions from false ones. How better than by demonstrating his wicked ways. But as lessons lead to torrid passion and Grace becomes ensnared in another man’s marriage plot, Lovingdon must wage a desperate gamble: Open his heart fully—or risk losing the woman he adores…
When the Duke Was Wicked is the first novel in the Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James series by Lorraine Heath. I love strong, witty, heroines and sexy misunderstood, flawed rogues and Heath pulled all of my heart-strings. Mini review: hilarious, romantic, hot and bittersweet, Heath made me melt.
We meet Lady Grace Marbly, whose dreams of finding real love are seeded in much more than childhood fantasies. Between her inheritance and her secret, she has difficulty sorting through her suitors. She turns to a childhood friend and former crush the Duke of Lovingdon. He has no intentions of marrying again and his fondness for Grace has him agreeing to give her lessons. The tale that unfolds is delicious, danger and hilarious. It also has some tender moments that wrecked me.
Take a beautiful, strong, and intelligent heroine with a secret that makes her fear rejection. Mix in a wounded rogue who hides his pain and guilt in a bottle and loose women. Add a pinch of attraction, a few lessons and some humor. The resulting brew will leave you laughing, sighing and maybe even shedding a few tears. I adored Lady Grace and her friends. She is bold and adventurous. Lovingdon was wonderful, and his story touched me. It was such fun seeing him fall. Grace and her friends made me giggle as she passed on the advice she learns. Secondary characters added to the tale and solidified my opinions of our couple. I was equally impressed by Grace’s parents. They were involved without being meddlesome and offered their daughter sound advice, love and support. The tale progressed wonderfully with just enough drama to keep me on my toes and heat enough to curl them. The ending was climatic and heartfelt and damn if my eyes didn’t become all watery.
When the Duke was Wicked was a delightful tale that I inhaled in a single day. I cannot wait for Once More, My Darling Rogue the next book in the Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James series which is set to release in August 2014.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Lindy
Great Review Kim! This sounds like such a wonderful story. I love the idea of the lonely Duke giving her lessons, and then falling in love with her. The story sounds steamy indeed. Plus, I love that it had humor, and made you feel.
kimbacaffeinate
This was such a fun read Lindy:)
Dani
Oooh! This does sound good. Thank you for posting such an interest review! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Welcome this was delicious 🙂
anna
Oh I do love those wounded rogues. I’ve not tried her yet but looks like I really need to!
kimbacaffeinate
I got this from Addicts, so you should have it 🙂
Rashika
This book came to my attention when one of my friends read it and loved it so I am super glad to hear you enjoyed it as well!! 🙂
Lovely review, Kimba!! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo can I could confirm how delightful it is! 🙂
Lorraine Heath
Thank you so much for the lovely review.
kimbacaffeinate
*blushes* No, thank you Ms. Heath I adored this tale, and characters 🙂
A Voracious Reader
Want this. That is all. 😀
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Carol!!
Andrea
Ohhh…this sounds delicious! Hilarious, hot and bittersweet is a winning combination in my book. And I’m so curious about the moments that wrecked you.
Thanks for the sweeeet review!
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Andrea this was a good one!
Victoria (aka Zemfirka)
Happy to know it both hot and humorous! 🙂 Shall check it out.
kimbacaffeinate
sweet 🙂
Amir
I haven’t read a historical romance in forever! I think my last ones were Anna Campbell’s Courtesan series. This sounds good and I have never tried anything from this author and since its a first in the series, I’ll add it on my TBR 🙂 Great review Kimba!
kimbacaffeinate
I will be reading this author again..such great characters 🙂
brandileigh2003
The attraction and humor sounds great.
kimbacaffeinate
This was delightful Brandi 🙂 have a wonderful weekend!
Angela Adams
I don’t read many historical romances, but I do read Lorraine Heath’s books…thanks for the review.
kimbacaffeinate
This was wonderful Angela!
Melissa (Books and Things)
Oh I like the sound of that brew! Must try this one. I hate to cry, but I doubt you are talking about that in the fetal position balling my eyes out kind of tears. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
No..that would be how I reacted to Twisted..lol This was a good cry!
blodeuedd
I want to inhale it in a day too
kimbacaffeinate
hehehe..enjoy Linda!
Debbie Haupt
Kimba, what a great cover it looks like the cover of a Women’s magazine from that era. When aren’t Duke’s wicked.
Great review. I’m not a huge fan of historical romance especially where the heroine is barely out of diapers.
Do you think I’d like this one?
Thanks
deb
kimbacaffeinate
Hehe and I love them wicked too 🙂
Michelle
I love the cover. I’m always a fan of humor in historical romances. 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed it Kimba!
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Michelle this was delightful. Have a fantastic weekend!
ShootingStarsMag
this wouldn’t normally stand out to me, but your review has me curious. It sounds like a lovely story.
kimbacaffeinate
It was a fun read Lauren 🙂
Heidi
I like that there is plenty of humor in this, that always improves a read in my opinion.
kimbacaffeinate
Oh I agree Heidi, I love books that make me giggle and smile 🙂
Candace
Aw, this does sound delightful! I love this “strong, witty, heroines and sexy misunderstood, flawed rogues” – YES PLEASE!
kimbacaffeinate
Must have been internet lag, both comments showed up. I deleted one. This was a fun read, and I laughed and smiled!
Michele-A Belle's Tales
This sounds wonderful — so happy you enjoyed it and that the ending gave you all the feels! Have a great weekend 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Michele, this was a delightful romp!
aurian
Lovely review, nothing new in the story line of course, but I do love this trope, and it all depends on the authors writing style if you like a book or not.
kimbacaffeinate
Believe it or not the secret is one I have never come across. At least not in a historical novel.
Cyn
I’ve been thinking of checking out more Lorraine Heath, glad to see this one was a inhale-in-one-day kind of read! It definitely sounds fun and I love an strong, adventerous heroine & a hero that can make you melt! Will definitely have to give it a go. Thanks for the review!
kimbacaffeinate
I really enjoyed it Cyn, hope you try her 🙂
Lupdilup
Ha! All had to see was that cover and the rating, ran to audible and got it, I’m downloading as we speak, I looked real quick through your review, I’ll be back tomorrow when I’m finish with book 🙂
Thanaks!!
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, you are as bad as me!!
kindlemom1
I love that you find so many great regency/historicals to read Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
I do love Regency romances..thanks Ali 🙂
Finley Jayne
I’ve started reading more historical romance books and When the Duke was Wicked sounds like a lot of fun-adding to my tbr list 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
It made me smile Finley and I love reading them between darker books to cleanse my palate and I do love a good Duke!
Carmel
I kinda want to read this one now just so I can meet Heath! He sounds dreamy, and I do love a strong heroine.
kimbacaffeinate
Oh he was, and he made me laugh!
Mary
Oh, those scandalous men. Who can resist? Not me. Especially when there’s humor thrown in AND a hot duke!
kimbacaffeinate
seriously right? LOL I do love my Dukes, Rogues and Scoundrels!
Glass
I am not big fan of historical romances, but maybe someday I decide to try to read them too. I’m glad you enjoyed reading this book.
kimbacaffeinate
If you do, be sure it is a regency romance.
Sharlene Wegner
Oh, I can’t wait to read this! I bought it 2 wks ago, but trying to read some older books this month. LOL! Glad you liked it!
kimbacaffeinate
Well this was two months old..but I know what you mean *eyes TBR piles.
Sharlene Wegner
Oh, 2 months, eh? I guess I can use it for the TBR challenge, then? 🙂 Time is running out!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes you can use it, but it came out Feb 25th. I however have had it in my tbr pile for two months…bwahahaha!
Felicia the Geeky Blogger
I loved this one too! It was so good and I told Lorraine (she is in my book club–how cool is that) that I about squeed when I realized it was the kids! Seriously I was all kinds of giddy!
kimbacaffeinate
It was wonderful and the secret was one I have never come across in historical romance. Have you?
Felicia S (The Geeky Blogger)
Nope that was totally unique and intriguing! I liked it and it added a bit of oomph to the story.
kimbacaffeinate
I thought so..it was well done 🙂
Wintry Darling
KIMBA. I have too many books to read already, stop making me want to read the books you’re reading. But this one sounds delightful! How can I resist? I love witty heroines. Oh, dear. Onto the TBR list it goes….
kimbacaffeinate
Some days I feel the same way, as I one -click buy across the blogosphere. Have a lovely weekend Wendy!
Jessica
Oh, how I love to find new HR to try! It’s become my new favorite palate-cleanse read, but I’ve only been reading them for like a year, so I don’t have many authors that I can default to. More and more TBRs . . . 😉
kimbacaffeinate
OMG, Jessica that is what I use it for too. I cannot do the same genre back to back. So I will go..mystery, contemporary romance, thriller, historical romance, urban fantasy etc, etc, etc.
Christy
Ah, the humor is a major selling point for me, and I love good secondary characters. The cover is so pretty, it looks like a painting.
kimbacaffeinate
One of these days I am going to just send you one and force you to read it. It must be a Regency. *evil grins*
Naomi
Great review Kimberly! I think I’d like Lady Grace… She seems like a hoot! So glad you enjoyed this one, I know how much you enjoy historicals.
Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Naomi, this made me smile and laugh 🙂
Melliane
I love historical romances and it’s nice to discover some new author mainly when the stories are like that. I confess I’m curious to read about the lessons, I’m sure it’s really fun. Thanks for the lovely review!
kimbacaffeinate
Oh the lessons were delightful and the secret was something I have never seen in a historical novel