A duke with secrets.
Lucian, the newly minted Duke of Penning, has much to prove— to himself, his family and the ton. Craving spotless respectability, he must find an aristocratic wife. Unfortunately, he can’t keep his eyes—and thoughts—off his deliciously distracting housekeeper. Such a dalliance can only mar the facade he’s constructed to protect his sisters’ future from the demons of his past…but this fiery passion is a temptation he cannot resist. While Susanna may not the bride he needs, she is everything he desires.
A woman with a past.
As the housekeeper to one of the grandest estates in England, Susanna Lockhart has worked determinedly to become all that is proper and efficient, and she never steps over the line. Romance is an indulgence for the upper class, not for her—and most especially not with her employer. But every smoldering glance from the surly, handsome duke calls to the long-buried reckless wanton inside Susanna. A love between them can never be, but will Lucian and Susanna risk being together…
Even if it starts a scandal…
Release Date: Oct 24, 2023
Series: Duke Hunt
Book: 4
Heat Level: Hot
Publisher: HarperCollins
Imprint: Avon
Price: $6.99
I wanted to love this, but in the end, it was just okay.
Jordan has always delivered in two areas: conflict and steamy historical romance. If you’re wanting more of the same stuff that makes her books great, this definitely hits the mark in steamy but falls a little flat everywhere else.
We have Lucian, our duke, who is an unlikely heir and is now forced to be respectable for the sake of the dukedom and his sisters’ future. Of course, he has this unwanted attraction for his housekeeper, Susanna. Susanna herself has a past that she doesn’t want revealed. She’s cultivated a life of propriety, but Lucian tempts her beyond all reason. Add in a house party and two match-making sisters, and things are bound to get out of control.
There was plenty of opportunity for grade-A conflict, but the reality is that both hero and heroine suffer from severe lust and little else. The conflict felt forced rather than natural, with barely any interactions that didn’t move quickly to the physical. Add in a villain that is there to fill page space and secondary romance to take up the remaining, Jordan seems to have no love lost for Lucian and Susanna’s story.
Overall, this book felt a bit all over the place. While all the elements were present, great characters, fabulous setting, trope heaven, and plenty of conflict opportunity, it left me unimpressed. It should really only be 2.5 stars, but I’m giving it 3 because it still has the author’s voice.
~ Landra
Amazon | iBooks | B&N | Kobo | Google Play