The Bastard Rogue…
Peregrine Butler’s privileged blue-blooded world is rocked to the core when it is revealed he was born before his parents’ marriage and therefore is not the legal heir to the dukedom. Facing ruin, Perry must use his charm and good looks to win an heiress—all the while ignoring his fascination with the one interfering and alluring chit who is intent on sabotaging his efforts.
The Lady Vicar…
Everyone knows Imogen Bates, the virtuous daughter of the senile vicar. She can write a sermon in a day and spot a rogue in a second, so she sees right through Perry’s seductive façade. But Imogen’s plan to protect the heiresses of her beloved Shropshire from the erstwhile Duke of Penning, the bane of her existence since childhood, soon turns into something altogether unacceptable for the proper lady … who suddenly finds herself longing to keep his heated glances and tempting kisses all to herself.
Release Date: Jul 27, 2022
Series: The Duke Hunt
Book: 1
Heat Level: Sensual
Publisher: HarperCollins
Imprint: Avon Books
Price: $7.99
The Duke Goes Down was my first novel by Sophie Jordan and it was a good one! As far as historical romance novels go, this one also followed similar themes of rich man and not-so-rich girl meet and transition from an enemies-to-lovers romance. However, there were very surprising elements thrown into the story that made me appreciate the historical romance genre all over again.
The story follows Peregrine Butler’s (Penning) fall from grace as it is discovered that he was actually born prior to his parents getting married and therefore a “bastard” child who will no longer inherit any of his family titles and money. This was one of the surprising elements, never in any of the historical romances that I have read has there been a fall from wealth due to something like this. In my head, I couldn’t help but wonder why it matter when he was born since his parents got married in the end anyways. It really made me appreciate the nuances of that time period, and how strict and cold-hearted the rules could be. Penning goes out back to his country village to try to win himself a rich heiress who could help to keep him in the lifestyle that he is accustomed to.
However, Imogen Bates has other plans. Imogen has grown up with Penning and detests him, she was the butt of his jokes and had to endure his company at various Shropshire village events due to her father being the town’s pastor. Imogen cannot believe the nerve of Penning as he returns to the town he stuck his nose up at previously, and goes about trying to seduce one of her acquaintances. She sets out to foil his plans and teach him a lesson on humility.
While I did enjoy the story and found it very interesting how the author really played up the time period and how much it affected the characters, I did not really connect to either main character. I found Imogen to be childish and thought it was odd that she would go so out of her way to continue to ruin Penning’s chances at some sort of happiness. I can understand not liking someone and not wanting any sort of interaction with them, but to continually poke at someone when they are down seemed odd to me. I thought Penning was doing the best he could with his circumstances and really admired the way he grew into a more mature adult throughout the story, but I really could not understand what he saw in Imogen or how he could so easily forgive her.
I recommend this story to any fans of historical fiction who would like to see a change from the “rich and happily-ever-after” endings.
~ Harshita
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