How the Duke Was Won by Lenora Bell

April 21st, 2016 Kimberly Review 46 Comments

21st Apr
How the Duke Was Won by Lenora Bell
How the Duke Was Won
by Lenora Bell
Series: Disgraceful Dukes #1
Genres: Historical Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star
Heat Level: One FlameOne FlameOne FlameHalf a Flame

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

historical ROMANCE snarky nomnom

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
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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

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46 Responses to “How the Duke Was Won by Lenora Bell”

  1. 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!

  2. 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!

  3. 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.

  5. ailyn

    thank god i have no sister, but I do wonder about the ending… would the Duke realize the sham

  7. 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.

  9. 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

  10. 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.

  11. Lekeisha

    Looks like a great read. I feel giddy just reading this review. And what a great title for the series!

  13. 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!

  16. 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.

  18. 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!

  19. 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!

  20. 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.

  21. 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!

  22. 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 🙂