by Lenora Bell
Series: Disgraceful Dukes #1
Genres: Historical Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Rating:
Heat Level:
The pleasure of your company is requested at Warbury Park. Four lovely ladies will arrive… but only one can become a duchess. James, the scandalously uncivilized Duke of Harland, requires a bride with a spotless reputation for a strictly business arrangement. Lust is prohibited and love is out of the question. Four ladies. Three days. What could go wrong? She is not like the others… Charlene Beckett, the unacknowledged daughter of an earl and a courtesan, has just been offered a life-altering fortune to pose as her half-sister, Lady Dorothea, and win the duke’s proposal. All she must do is:
* Be the perfect English rose [Ha!]
* Breathe, smile, and curtsy in impossibly tight gowns [blast Lady Dorothea’s sylph-like figure]
* Charm and seduce a wild duke [without appearing to try]
* Keep said duke far, far from her heart [no matter how tempting]
When secrets are revealed and passion overwhelms, James must decide if the last lady he should want is really everything he needs. And Charlene must decide if the promise of a new life is worth risking everything . . . including her heart
How the Duke Was Won by Lenora Bell is the first novel in the Disgraceful Dukes series. I devoured this delicious tale in a single afternoon. Funny and swoony worthy How the Duke Was Won delivered loveable characters as we watched wagers being bet and witnessed the Duke’s fall.
Coffee Dates with How the Duke Was Won
- First Date: James the Duke of Harland requires a bride of impeccable reputation to handle his estates and to protect those in his keep. Along with the aid of a friend, and his trusted butler, they select four eligible women and invite them and their mother’s for a three-day stay. One of those women is abroad and well a mama has to do what a mama’s has to do. Right? Charlene Beckett is the illegitimate daughter of an earl and a courtesan. The Earl’s wife remembers that her resemblance to their legitimate daughter is uncanny. Charlene agrees to pose as Lady Dorothea when she is offered a sum that will change not only her life but those of her half-sister. James appears wild, but lordy he appeals and I cannot wait to see this logical man’s plans fail. Charlene is strong, kick-ass, intelligent and more of a lady than most women of the ton. Ooo this is going to be fun!!!
- Second Date: It is like witnessing a catfight with four young ladies and their mothers all vying for the Duke’s attention. Bell gave them all unique voices and personalities. Not all of them wanted to win the Duke, and I loved the little house party and conversations. The chemistry and banter between James and Charlene is electric and I found myself giggling as I slipped easily into their story. We learn of James’s cocoa plants and lord all the talk of hot cocoa had me drooling. Be sure to have some on hand when you begin reading. I loved these tidbits, seeing the factory and learning about his time abroad. James knows Charlene is all wrong for him, as he plans to leave as soon as the bride he decides on is with child. The foolish, foolish man, I ALMOST feel sorry for him.
- Third Date: James and Charlene are falling for each other, although Charlene does not see herself as worthy of him. She is trying to secure a proposal for Lady Dorothea. Gads, marriage in this era was crazy. While I have no doubt, how our story will end, I am still a tad nervous. Will Bell put us through endless drama? What of the real Dorothea? The last third of the book had me smiling, shedding a tear, and laughing with joy. Sweet, swoon-worthy and just enough heat to curl your toes I adored this romance. I ended my dates with Charlene and James with a smile.
How the Duke Was Won offered a delightful romance and I am looking forward to more of Bell’s Disgraceful Dukes.
How the Duke Was Won by Lenora Bell #humor #swoony #romance Share on X
Candace
This sounds fun! I STILL need to pick up a historical romance. I’ve been meaning to for months. Just too many books to read and not enough time to read them!
kimbacaffeinate
Spring is the perfect time for a historical romance 🙂
Bookworm Brandee
This sounds like loads of fun, Kimberly! Your first coffee date left me with the same feeling. 🙂 Cat fights and chemistry, hmm? I love that James *thought* he needed a strong, respectable woman when what he really needed was Charlene. 🙂 This one’s going on my tbr mound!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes his well thought out plans made me giggle….
Katiria Rodriguez
Ohh great review Kim! I absolutely love and enjoy historical romance and this one looks and sounds utterly amazing and right up my alley. Now after reading your review I am really intrigued about the plot line of the story. Thank you for your awesome post Kim.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you pick it up. I would love to hear your thoughts on it 🙂
The Bibliophile Babe
I always enjoy reading the titles of these types of books!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes…I cannot help by smile 🙂
ailyn
thank god i have no sister, but I do wonder about the ending… would the Duke realize the sham
kimbacaffeinate
Spoilers darling….
Angela Adams
Awesome Premise. Thanks for the post.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Angela!
Lover Of Romance
I haven’t picked this author up yet….but I am planning on it. This sounds so fun and I like that it has great humor in it too.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did 🙂
Stormi
I love a good historical romance and this one sounds good. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Me too and this was certainly fun 🙂
Nise'
I’ve been reading a lot more historicals lately. For some reason it is my go to genre during times of stress. And since I love debut novels, I will be picking this up for sure
kimbacaffeinate
It is a fun genre to escape with Nise 🙂
Katherine
I love a good house party romance and what a setup! I like that all the marital prospects sound unique and while I’m a little nervous about the whole hidden identity thing it sounds like it’s really well done here. Definitely adding to my TBR.
kimbacaffeinate
Could you image it is like a historical bachelor reality tv show..lol
Lekeisha
Looks like a great read. I feel giddy just reading this review. And what a great title for the series!
kimbacaffeinate
It was a fun one Lekisha,,thank you 🙂
Heidi
I’d be fighting for James too so I could have access to the cocoa!
kimbacaffeinate
Right…yum!
Cyn
I was thinking of picking this one up, I definitely will have to after this review! Food and snark? Yes, please!
Great review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
It was fun one Cyn 🙂
Sophia Rose
What a scenario! I definitely want to read this one to see how it goes with Charlene and the cat fights.
kimbacaffeinate
LOL can you imagine all these young ladies and their mothers ..eek gads.
kindlemom1
I need to put more histricals on my summer read list this year I think.
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, if you need a few must reads let me know 🙂
Quinn's Book Nook
I’m so glad you loved this. I’ve heard a lot of good things, but the premise really doesn’t appeal to me. Maybe I should try it anyway?
kimbacaffeinate
This is what happens when you have two days of historical romances on the blog. My earlier comment applied to The Earl Takes All..LOL Yes I wasn’t sure about this premise either but it worked.
Karen
I don’t normally like the idea of competing for a spouse but this still sounds sweet.
Karen @For What It’s Worth
kimbacaffeinate
Edward never did compete, so it worked as he kept his true feelings a secret out of love for his brother.
Jenny
YAY!!! I just got this one so I’m glad to see you loved it Kim! I was intrigued by the premise, and I’m always a bit of a sucker for a hero who can be a bit of an a-hole (like a guy that invites a bunch of women to compete for his affections). It’s always so much fun to watch them fall in love!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Jenny! I look forward to your take on it 🙂
Nick
I was curious about this one, Kim and wasn’t sure, but you’ve convinced me. I love the sound of Charlene and the whole concept of the plot. I am already rooting for these two to get their HEA! 🙂
Wonderful review!
kimbacaffeinate
It was fun, and he was so technical in his pursuit of a wife that it was hilarious.
Cindy
I used to always read historical romances, your review made me remember how much I loved them. Than you for this great review!
kimbacaffeinate
For about five years I read only historical and burned out. I didn’t touch them for almost another five and have slowly begun adding them in.
Ksenia
I haven’t heard about this book before, Kim. Sounds like a fun and quick read. Thanks for putting it on my radar. I like setting where several girls compete for one man. Wonderful review!
kimbacaffeinate
It was fun and of course the mama’s were crazy back then 🙂
Silvia
I was just thinking it’s been a while since I’ve read a historical romance, when *poof* look who reviewed a very interesting one! Thanks, Kimberly 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
LOL coincidence? I think not 🙂
blodeuedd
Would I do that for my sis? Noooo
kimbacaffeinate
LOL. Maybe if she was in danger of living on the streets.