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Masters of Seduction #1
A Duke but No Gentleman
In the last opulent days of the eighteenth century, a friendly wager turns into a heated feud that spans decades...and a love affair like none other.
What does it take to tempt a lady...
The Duke of Blackbern and the Marquess of Norgrave are boyhood friends who will still compete at anything. Racing, drinking, gambling, even seduction—until Lady Imogene Sunter crosses their path. Achingly beautiful, and innocent, she has no understanding of the jaded gentlemen who are courting her for favors—of how far they are willing to go to get what they want.
In this game of seduce and destroy?
Fighting for Imogen's affection should have been no more than their usual spirited rivalry. But when Blackbern discovers his feelings for Imogen have deepened, all bets are off. Norgrave, driven by his own demons, won't forsake his pride—and with one shocking act of betrayal that threatens Imogen and Blackbern's newfound desire, Norgrave will set the course for a generation of Regency bad boys who will go down in history as the Masters of Seduction.
What does it take to tempt a lady...
The Duke of Blackbern and the Marquess of Norgrave are boyhood friends who will still compete at anything. Racing, drinking, gambling, even seduction—until Lady Imogene Sunter crosses their path. Achingly beautiful, and innocent, she has no understanding of the jaded gentlemen who are courting her for favors—of how far they are willing to go to get what they want.
In this game of seduce and destroy?
Fighting for Imogen's affection should have been no more than their usual spirited rivalry. But when Blackbern discovers his feelings for Imogen have deepened, all bets are off. Norgrave, driven by his own demons, won't forsake his pride—and with one shocking act of betrayal that threatens Imogen and Blackbern's newfound desire, Norgrave will set the course for a generation of Regency bad boys who will go down in history as the Masters of Seduction.
292 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 30, 2015
48 people are currently reading
664 people want to read
About the author
Alexandra Hawkins
15 books680 followersAlexandra Hawkins is an unrepentant Anglophile who discovered romance novels as a teenager and knew that one day she would be writing her own. In "The Lords of Vice" series, she has combined her love of English history, mythology, and romance to create sensual character-driven stories that, she hopes, will touch readers' hearts.
You can also find me at:
www.facebook.com/author.alexandra.haw...
Fan page: www.facebook.com/lordsofvice
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You can also find me at:
www.facebook.com/author.alexandra.haw...
Fan page: www.facebook.com/lordsofvice
www.twitter.com/lordsofvice
https://plus.google.com/u/0/103785519...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
June 21, 2015
Well that did not go well :/ There were so many things missing in this one. The actual romance, the honorable hero, parental supervision. Instead I got slimy men who bet over an 18 year olds innocence and who would get to take her virginity, awkwardly included sex scenes that had a dirty feel to them since she was just a bet, multiple rapes, no real romance--things go from her being a bet to getting attacked to suddenly them being madly in love. And her family just being...okay with it all and that their 18 year old was disappearing from balls or sneaking out of her house or ditching her friends to go hang out with a true rake they'd forbidden her to even talk to. There were just too many parts missing to the story to get it from point A to point C. B was totally skipped over. Completely disappointed and not one I'd recommend.
September 16, 2016
I've given this a C- ar AAR, so 2.5 stars.
At the start, A Duke But No Gentleman seemed as though it was going to venture into darker territory than that which is normally found in the pages of an historical romance. When I finished the book, I came away appreciating the fact that Ms Hawkins has tried to do something a little different, but feeling that it hasn’t quite worked. I’ll give her credit for the fact that her rakes really ARE rakes and are, quite honestly, a rather unpleasant pair, but the story is more about the friendship between two men and how that is affected when one of them falls in love than it is a romance. Because of the prominence of the friendship and rivalry between Blackbern and Norgrave, the love story (such as it is) is pushed into second place, relegated to being the means by which the rivalry is propelled rather than present as a romance for its own sake.
The ungentlemanly duke of the title is Tristan Rooke, Duke of Blackbern who, together with his friend the Marquess of Norgrave, has gained an unrivalled reputation for reckless debauchery. The pair more or less grew up together and have spent most of their lives in a game of one-upmanship. Over the years, their wagers and bets have become more and more risqué, for higher and higher stakes so that by the time they’re in their mid-to-late twenties, there is practically nothing either won’t do in order to best the other. Spotting the lovely Lady Imogene across a crowded ballroom, Norgrave bets Blackbern that he will be the one to relieve the lady of her virginity. What Norgrave doesn’t know is that his friend has already met Imogene and is smitten; Blackbern tries to pretend indifference, but when Norgrave makes it clear that he’s going to pursue the lady whether Blackbern takes the wager or not, Tristan has no option but to play the game.
Lady Imogene Sunter is making her début this season, but is already in hot water with her father, the Duke of Trevett, because she helped a friend of hers to elope with the penniless suitor with whom the friend was in love. I thought that this would have some kind of relevance to the story, perhaps because it would lead Imogene’s parents to be doubly on their guard to make sure she wasn’t the target of unsuitable men – but that wasn’t the case at all, and the event seems to have been referenced only to let the reader know that Imogene is headstrong and unconventional.
While both Blackbern and Norgrave are shown to be disreputable types, it’s clear from the outset who the hero of the story is going to turn out to be. At first, Imogene is rather overwhelmed at the attention she is receiving from two such handsome and wealthy young men, but she soon discovers her preference is for Tristan, and is happy to entertain his courtship, despite his terrible reputation and the advice of her mother, who has naturally warned her against both men – and then does nothing to safeguard her from them.
When Norgrave realises that Tristan has won the wager, but has said nothing because he has actually fallen in love with Imogene, he (Norgrave) is furious and exacts a truly horrible and violent revenge. His intent to wound Tristan through Imogene once again makes the case that this is the story of a twisted friendship gone wrong rather than a romance.
While the book was reasonably entertaining, there are too many problems with it for me to be able to recommend it to anyone else. The biggest issue I have is the fact that Imogene, an eighteen-year-old débutante, is able to go wherever she likes whenever she wants without a chaperone. At one point, Tristan appears at an event at which Imogene is present and then whisks her away without a word being said by anyone. She has no maid or chaperone with her, and there is never any sense of her worrying about being missed. Later, she and Tristan leave a masked ball together and go to his house, where they make love for the first time. Imogene surrenders her virtue remarkably easily – at this point there has been no mention of marriage – and once again, the ease with which they are able to be alone just doesn’t ring true. I kept asking myself how her parents could have been so lax!
Then there’s the insta-love. Imogene and Tristan have spent a bit of time together – much of it alone, which just isn’t plausible – and then BAM!, they’re in love. There is no romantic progression or a sense of their having got to know each other and it feels like there’s a whole chunk of book missing where the “falling-in-love” phase should be.
While the writing generally flows well, and the dialogue, especially between Norgrave and Blackbern, is enjoyable, there were several times I was a little confused as to whose PoV I was in; and while there is mention of the fact that Tristan has trust issues, those are never fully explored or explained, which leaves both him and Norgrave coming across as rather two-dimensional. Tristan also appears spineless in that while he clearly knows his friend is out of control, he never makes the attempt to either curb Norgrave’s excesses or cut the apron-strings because he doesn’t want to brave Norgrave’s temper or lose his friendship. Fortunately, Tristan does eventually grow a pair, but it’s a long time coming and is only irrevocable after he is forced to face the depth of Norgrave’s depravity following the marquess’ attack on Imogene.
A Duke But No Gentleman had the potential to be a lot more than it actually turned out to be. The premise is definitely intriguing and put me in mind of early 18th century Revenge Tragedies, and especially of Choderlos de Laclos’ Les Liaisons Dangereuses, where the story also hinges on a wager over a seduction. Unfortunately, that’s where the similarities end, because here, the characterisation is weak, the romance is thin and there are too many inconsistencies and inaccuracies throughout for the story to feel convincing. Worst of all, I really couldn’t bring myself to care very much for the central couple, who are rather bland when all is said and done.
WARNING/SPOILER: The book includes two rape scenes; not overly explicit, but necessarily unpleasant to read.
At the start, A Duke But No Gentleman seemed as though it was going to venture into darker territory than that which is normally found in the pages of an historical romance. When I finished the book, I came away appreciating the fact that Ms Hawkins has tried to do something a little different, but feeling that it hasn’t quite worked. I’ll give her credit for the fact that her rakes really ARE rakes and are, quite honestly, a rather unpleasant pair, but the story is more about the friendship between two men and how that is affected when one of them falls in love than it is a romance. Because of the prominence of the friendship and rivalry between Blackbern and Norgrave, the love story (such as it is) is pushed into second place, relegated to being the means by which the rivalry is propelled rather than present as a romance for its own sake.
The ungentlemanly duke of the title is Tristan Rooke, Duke of Blackbern who, together with his friend the Marquess of Norgrave, has gained an unrivalled reputation for reckless debauchery. The pair more or less grew up together and have spent most of their lives in a game of one-upmanship. Over the years, their wagers and bets have become more and more risqué, for higher and higher stakes so that by the time they’re in their mid-to-late twenties, there is practically nothing either won’t do in order to best the other. Spotting the lovely Lady Imogene across a crowded ballroom, Norgrave bets Blackbern that he will be the one to relieve the lady of her virginity. What Norgrave doesn’t know is that his friend has already met Imogene and is smitten; Blackbern tries to pretend indifference, but when Norgrave makes it clear that he’s going to pursue the lady whether Blackbern takes the wager or not, Tristan has no option but to play the game.
Lady Imogene Sunter is making her début this season, but is already in hot water with her father, the Duke of Trevett, because she helped a friend of hers to elope with the penniless suitor with whom the friend was in love. I thought that this would have some kind of relevance to the story, perhaps because it would lead Imogene’s parents to be doubly on their guard to make sure she wasn’t the target of unsuitable men – but that wasn’t the case at all, and the event seems to have been referenced only to let the reader know that Imogene is headstrong and unconventional.
While both Blackbern and Norgrave are shown to be disreputable types, it’s clear from the outset who the hero of the story is going to turn out to be. At first, Imogene is rather overwhelmed at the attention she is receiving from two such handsome and wealthy young men, but she soon discovers her preference is for Tristan, and is happy to entertain his courtship, despite his terrible reputation and the advice of her mother, who has naturally warned her against both men – and then does nothing to safeguard her from them.
When Norgrave realises that Tristan has won the wager, but has said nothing because he has actually fallen in love with Imogene, he (Norgrave) is furious and exacts a truly horrible and violent revenge. His intent to wound Tristan through Imogene once again makes the case that this is the story of a twisted friendship gone wrong rather than a romance.
While the book was reasonably entertaining, there are too many problems with it for me to be able to recommend it to anyone else. The biggest issue I have is the fact that Imogene, an eighteen-year-old débutante, is able to go wherever she likes whenever she wants without a chaperone. At one point, Tristan appears at an event at which Imogene is present and then whisks her away without a word being said by anyone. She has no maid or chaperone with her, and there is never any sense of her worrying about being missed. Later, she and Tristan leave a masked ball together and go to his house, where they make love for the first time. Imogene surrenders her virtue remarkably easily – at this point there has been no mention of marriage – and once again, the ease with which they are able to be alone just doesn’t ring true. I kept asking myself how her parents could have been so lax!
Then there’s the insta-love. Imogene and Tristan have spent a bit of time together – much of it alone, which just isn’t plausible – and then BAM!, they’re in love. There is no romantic progression or a sense of their having got to know each other and it feels like there’s a whole chunk of book missing where the “falling-in-love” phase should be.
While the writing generally flows well, and the dialogue, especially between Norgrave and Blackbern, is enjoyable, there were several times I was a little confused as to whose PoV I was in; and while there is mention of the fact that Tristan has trust issues, those are never fully explored or explained, which leaves both him and Norgrave coming across as rather two-dimensional. Tristan also appears spineless in that while he clearly knows his friend is out of control, he never makes the attempt to either curb Norgrave’s excesses or cut the apron-strings because he doesn’t want to brave Norgrave’s temper or lose his friendship. Fortunately, Tristan does eventually grow a pair, but it’s a long time coming and is only irrevocable after he is forced to face the depth of Norgrave’s depravity following the marquess’ attack on Imogene.
A Duke But No Gentleman had the potential to be a lot more than it actually turned out to be. The premise is definitely intriguing and put me in mind of early 18th century Revenge Tragedies, and especially of Choderlos de Laclos’ Les Liaisons Dangereuses, where the story also hinges on a wager over a seduction. Unfortunately, that’s where the similarities end, because here, the characterisation is weak, the romance is thin and there are too many inconsistencies and inaccuracies throughout for the story to feel convincing. Worst of all, I really couldn’t bring myself to care very much for the central couple, who are rather bland when all is said and done.
WARNING/SPOILER: The book includes two rape scenes; not overly explicit, but necessarily unpleasant to read.
June 14, 2015
Hawkins keeps it real about rakes, except she doesn't show how many of them died from venereal disease. I was livid about that *S$!@ bet from the beginning. Felt sorry for Imogen. I did feel when I read, and not always good things.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine in the July 2015 Issue. http://affairedecoeur.com.
Overall rating: 3.5/5.0 stars
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine in the July 2015 Issue. http://affairedecoeur.com.
Overall rating: 3.5/5.0 stars
June 18, 2015
Review can also be found on my blog.
TW: This book and review contains mention of sexual assault.
I was excited to see that Hawkins finally had new series coming out. I’m a huge fan of her Lords of Vice series and I have been dying for something new from her. I am really disappointed and let down by this book, which is surprising considering the author, and so far all the high ratings the book has.
I am so tired of rape being used solely for the purpose of showing that men are bad guys and for other men’s ‘manpain’. Sorry but I’m not here for that shit. You don’t need rape to show that a guy is an asshole. I knew right from the beginning which guy was the good guy, and which guy was the bad guy, and that this wasn’t just a friendly bet between friends. And that when the one friend ‘lost’ he’d lose with dignity and congratulate his friend. Oh no, he made it perfectly clear that he wanted her and wasn’t going to let anything get in his way. So there was really no need for the, not one but TWO, rape scenes that are described in the book. Sorry but they are the biggest reason this book is getting a one star rating from me. I can’t over look this poorly done plot device.
Other than that part, if I hadn’t known this was a new book, I would have thought I was re-reading a book. The plot to this one seems very similar to other books in the genre, I seriously had to stop for a second and think if I had read this one already, even though it’s a brand new book and not out yet. The whole bet between friends, seduction and sex before marriage, to ‘oh now we have to get married even though I’m a scoundrel and didn’t really want to get married when we started this but it’s okay because now I suddenly love you’ tropes are really, really overdone in this genre. I was hoping to find something a little more creative from this author considering I had loved her previous series so much. (And she had actually given me quite a bit of things in those that I hadn’t seen before.) Alas, this one just wasn’t for me.
I received an ARC of this book from St. Martin’s Press on Netgalley. This in no way affected my review.
TW: This book and review contains mention of sexual assault.
I was excited to see that Hawkins finally had new series coming out. I’m a huge fan of her Lords of Vice series and I have been dying for something new from her. I am really disappointed and let down by this book, which is surprising considering the author, and so far all the high ratings the book has.
I am so tired of rape being used solely for the purpose of showing that men are bad guys and for other men’s ‘manpain’. Sorry but I’m not here for that shit. You don’t need rape to show that a guy is an asshole. I knew right from the beginning which guy was the good guy, and which guy was the bad guy, and that this wasn’t just a friendly bet between friends. And that when the one friend ‘lost’ he’d lose with dignity and congratulate his friend. Oh no, he made it perfectly clear that he wanted her and wasn’t going to let anything get in his way. So there was really no need for the, not one but TWO, rape scenes that are described in the book. Sorry but they are the biggest reason this book is getting a one star rating from me. I can’t over look this poorly done plot device.
Other than that part, if I hadn’t known this was a new book, I would have thought I was re-reading a book. The plot to this one seems very similar to other books in the genre, I seriously had to stop for a second and think if I had read this one already, even though it’s a brand new book and not out yet. The whole bet between friends, seduction and sex before marriage, to ‘oh now we have to get married even though I’m a scoundrel and didn’t really want to get married when we started this but it’s okay because now I suddenly love you’ tropes are really, really overdone in this genre. I was hoping to find something a little more creative from this author considering I had loved her previous series so much. (And she had actually given me quite a bit of things in those that I hadn’t seen before.) Alas, this one just wasn’t for me.
I received an ARC of this book from St. Martin’s Press on Netgalley. This in no way affected my review.
June 30, 2015
I loved A Duke but No Gentleman and it deserves a bright and glorious 5 star rating. I remember going on a historical romance novel binge in high school and this book reminded why I did. It has all the key elements, high society, mystery, the rules of said high society, a rakehell, and the ultimate promise of love. Granted, this book took a few turns that not many in this genre do but that's what pushed it to the five star rating for me.
The scenario is quite simple in that there's a prize to be had, Lady Imogen Sunter, a wager between two ravenous rakes that are friends, The Duke of Blackbern and The Marquess of Norgrave, and the ultimate fall of seduction turned to love. Imogen is spirited, flirty, loyal, and charming. I liked her quite a bit. The Duke of Blackbern, Tristan, is a darkly charming character. He is known for seducing many women with his good looks, his charm, and his delightful bedroom skills. Tristan is easy to like for the most part since he takes care of his own, is quite the passionate creature, and doesn't run when he realizes his feelings for Imogen. Norgrave is the darker character, the bitter man, and cast as the villain. He does vie for Imogen's attention but does so in an underhanded manner and causes issues when he realizes he's been bested.
Overall, I rather liked the story and fell in love with The Duke of Blackbern. As I said, he's quite the charmer and so it wasn't hard. The novel moves and keeps you held captive in the world of the English gentry.There's humor, passion, and the almighty happy ending. The story gets wrapped up with a very pretty bow and leaves no loose ends.
The scenario is quite simple in that there's a prize to be had, Lady Imogen Sunter, a wager between two ravenous rakes that are friends, The Duke of Blackbern and The Marquess of Norgrave, and the ultimate fall of seduction turned to love. Imogen is spirited, flirty, loyal, and charming. I liked her quite a bit. The Duke of Blackbern, Tristan, is a darkly charming character. He is known for seducing many women with his good looks, his charm, and his delightful bedroom skills. Tristan is easy to like for the most part since he takes care of his own, is quite the passionate creature, and doesn't run when he realizes his feelings for Imogen. Norgrave is the darker character, the bitter man, and cast as the villain. He does vie for Imogen's attention but does so in an underhanded manner and causes issues when he realizes he's been bested.
Overall, I rather liked the story and fell in love with The Duke of Blackbern. As I said, he's quite the charmer and so it wasn't hard. The novel moves and keeps you held captive in the world of the English gentry.There's humor, passion, and the almighty happy ending. The story gets wrapped up with a very pretty bow and leaves no loose ends.
Read
April 10, 2025Read: 2016
setting: 1792 England
lost review
setting: 1792 England
lost review
June 17, 2015
Originally Reviewed For: Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy
A Duke but No Gentleman by Alexandra Hawkins is not your mother's regency romance. It is dark, it is edgy and it borders on extreme behavior. For most of the book I waffled on whether or not I even liked it.
There's edgy and then there's Ms. Hawkin's Duke..
"The Duke of Blackbern and the Marquess Norgrave have always had the wildest of friendships. Best friends growing up, they bask in the pleasures the rich, opulent world that London has to offer, consuming drink and women at their leisure."
Lady Imogen Sunter, the innocent daughter of a Duke who pretty much has the world at her feet. Her father wants her married and is willing to allow so much before making the decision for her. No more flitting, it's time to get serious. But when she lands in the middle of a bet between two of the Ton's nastiest rakes Imogen finds herself in an entirely different world.
The Duke of Blackbern is not a nice man. It's not that he's a boys will be boys kind of guy.. or sowing his wild oats.. nope he's almost well for lack of better word, bad.. Yet when he meets pretty Lady Imogen, something inside of him starts to crumble and he realizes that maybe just maybe there is something more. Only his best friend seems to want her too and the bet is on.
The edge in this book was gritty but even more it was borderline mean. I wasn't sure if either the Duke or the Marquess could be redeemed and I certainly didn't feel there was a better man. At least initially.
As I read this book, I would get angry, become determined to put it down, to turn down the review, then I would read just a bit more and the story would get to me. Then it would begin all over again. The characters written in this book were certainly three steps forward, two steps back kind of characters. You think Imogen is a bit too naive, too trusty. That the Duke is a Cad at the very best ant the Marquess? Well you wonder just how deep his darkness goes.
And redemption? Yeah, you have to wonder if there is any for any of them and them POW.. Ms. Hawkins makes it darker but somehow wonderful.
This is not a feel good book, it's not an easy read but it is a very good book. Consider checking it out..
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of A Duke but No Gentleman, provided by netgalley and is scheduled to be released on June 30, 2015
A Duke but No Gentleman by Alexandra Hawkins is not your mother's regency romance. It is dark, it is edgy and it borders on extreme behavior. For most of the book I waffled on whether or not I even liked it.
There's edgy and then there's Ms. Hawkin's Duke..
"The Duke of Blackbern and the Marquess Norgrave have always had the wildest of friendships. Best friends growing up, they bask in the pleasures the rich, opulent world that London has to offer, consuming drink and women at their leisure."
Lady Imogen Sunter, the innocent daughter of a Duke who pretty much has the world at her feet. Her father wants her married and is willing to allow so much before making the decision for her. No more flitting, it's time to get serious. But when she lands in the middle of a bet between two of the Ton's nastiest rakes Imogen finds herself in an entirely different world.
The Duke of Blackbern is not a nice man. It's not that he's a boys will be boys kind of guy.. or sowing his wild oats.. nope he's almost well for lack of better word, bad.. Yet when he meets pretty Lady Imogen, something inside of him starts to crumble and he realizes that maybe just maybe there is something more. Only his best friend seems to want her too and the bet is on.
The edge in this book was gritty but even more it was borderline mean. I wasn't sure if either the Duke or the Marquess could be redeemed and I certainly didn't feel there was a better man. At least initially.
As I read this book, I would get angry, become determined to put it down, to turn down the review, then I would read just a bit more and the story would get to me. Then it would begin all over again. The characters written in this book were certainly three steps forward, two steps back kind of characters. You think Imogen is a bit too naive, too trusty. That the Duke is a Cad at the very best ant the Marquess? Well you wonder just how deep his darkness goes.
And redemption? Yeah, you have to wonder if there is any for any of them and them POW.. Ms. Hawkins makes it darker but somehow wonderful.
This is not a feel good book, it's not an easy read but it is a very good book. Consider checking it out..
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of A Duke but No Gentleman, provided by netgalley and is scheduled to be released on June 30, 2015
July 10, 2022
1 what the hell just happened stars...!
For someone who loved The Lord Of Vice series this book was like a sucker punch to the gut. I had so much more expectations from Hawkins that the magnitude of my disappointment is inexplicable.
The whole book felt like the first draft of an inexperienced author.
First of all the heroine's age. She was eighteen. I get that in regency period girls were married at even a lesser age but eighteen I can't deal with. I like matured heroines not someone ego is essentially still a child.
And let's talk about Caston and Tristian or not. I prefer not. I mean was that even a friendship? I don't think it even comes under the category of disfunctuonal relationship. It was baseless, pointless and completely impersonal. Why was Tristian even friends with such a obnoxious pathetic rapist. I did not get. Was he actually waiting for his friend to rape his girlfriend to understand that he is vile person? It just makes no sense.
The book was like a train wreck I couldn't look away from. It lacks logic, structure in its story and everything and anything that could make it meaningful.
The entire storyline just flowed like water. It lacked structure. From the time of first chapter to the end I was feeling ill by the absurdity of the story, character and the way everything was depicted.
One more thing I was confused and offended a bit about was how the author portrayed the rape and the reactions to it. It was awful and frankly repulsive. Within two chapters they behave like nothing even happened. I don't think that is how we should treat a sensitive subject.
And I definitely didn't think that the last segment regarding Imogen's friend was even requied. We already know that Norgrave is a pathetic asshole. You don't have to give additional proof that makes us gag. Yuck!
This entire 4 hours I read this book was like an emotional break up with one of my favourite authors. I still fell a bit betrayed that after 7 books I loved the eighth one made me give 1 star , which people who know me know how rare it is, because there wasn't anything beneath it..!!
Honest suggestion: The concept of rape has been used in books, yes. I have also read books where the heroine was violated. But with very few exceptions, it was written about with the sensitivity it deserved. So, when you choose to write about some this dark, keep in mind that you need to portray it in a way that it is digestible and even if possible empowering the survivors, not as baseless as it was written here.
For someone who loved The Lord Of Vice series this book was like a sucker punch to the gut. I had so much more expectations from Hawkins that the magnitude of my disappointment is inexplicable.
The whole book felt like the first draft of an inexperienced author.
First of all the heroine's age. She was eighteen. I get that in regency period girls were married at even a lesser age but eighteen I can't deal with. I like matured heroines not someone ego is essentially still a child.
And let's talk about Caston and Tristian or not. I prefer not. I mean was that even a friendship? I don't think it even comes under the category of disfunctuonal relationship. It was baseless, pointless and completely impersonal. Why was Tristian even friends with such a obnoxious pathetic rapist. I did not get. Was he actually waiting for his friend to rape his girlfriend to understand that he is vile person? It just makes no sense.
The book was like a train wreck I couldn't look away from. It lacks logic, structure in its story and everything and anything that could make it meaningful.
The entire storyline just flowed like water. It lacked structure. From the time of first chapter to the end I was feeling ill by the absurdity of the story, character and the way everything was depicted.
One more thing I was confused and offended a bit about was how the author portrayed the rape and the reactions to it. It was awful and frankly repulsive. Within two chapters they behave like nothing even happened. I don't think that is how we should treat a sensitive subject.
And I definitely didn't think that the last segment regarding Imogen's friend was even requied. We already know that Norgrave is a pathetic asshole. You don't have to give additional proof that makes us gag. Yuck!
This entire 4 hours I read this book was like an emotional break up with one of my favourite authors. I still fell a bit betrayed that after 7 books I loved the eighth one made me give 1 star , which people who know me know how rare it is, because there wasn't anything beneath it..!!
Honest suggestion: The concept of rape has been used in books, yes. I have also read books where the heroine was violated. But with very few exceptions, it was written about with the sensitivity it deserved. So, when you choose to write about some this dark, keep in mind that you need to portray it in a way that it is digestible and even if possible empowering the survivors, not as baseless as it was written here.
September 21, 2015
I have to admit I was so disappointed in this story that I was close to DNFing this one at 50%. Anyone who knows me knows that my curiosity will not let me rest until I have read the entire story. In this one instance, I will my curiosity would have allowed me to just drop this book like the hot mess that it was. Now keep in mind this author is usually an auto-buy for me but for some reason this story slipped under my radar.
The story is based on a wager between two friends and who will claim a young lady's virginity first. That really turned me off the story but I thought maybe I was being harsh and should give the rest of the story a chance. I read a little further and still wasn't invested in the characters, the story, or the ending. This should have been warning #2 for me. But I continued on in the hopes that it would get better. It didn't. Warning #3 came when one friend seduces said young lady and the other friend is incredibly jealous (more so about losing the wager than anything else). Then we have something that comes out of left field entirely. This seems to be more and more popular as a trope among authors and I have no idea why. This tragic incident is not something that is easily overcome, not that I believe it can ever truly be overcome.
I was so very disappointed in this story. This may cause me to change my mind about needing to read every story until the very end.
The story is based on a wager between two friends and who will claim a young lady's virginity first. That really turned me off the story but I thought maybe I was being harsh and should give the rest of the story a chance. I read a little further and still wasn't invested in the characters, the story, or the ending. This should have been warning #2 for me. But I continued on in the hopes that it would get better. It didn't. Warning #3 came when one friend seduces said young lady and the other friend is incredibly jealous (more so about losing the wager than anything else). Then we have something that comes out of left field entirely. This seems to be more and more popular as a trope among authors and I have no idea why. This tragic incident is not something that is easily overcome, not that I believe it can ever truly be overcome.
I was so very disappointed in this story. This may cause me to change my mind about needing to read every story until the very end.
October 5, 2016
Yes, this is another book that does not really match the blurb: dark and more than a little sadistic and twisted.
My major complaint is how completely unrealistic and anachronistic it is. This is the Georgian era where there were certain social constraints placed on people according to their sex and social status. The heroine runs rampantly across London, and ends up raped as much from ignoring the social constraints of the time as due to the evil machinations of a truly disgusting villain.
Wow, I am actually blaming the victim, but I can feel my inner Dowager say to the chit, If you had not been where you were not supposed to be, this would not have happened! Yes, my eyes rolled ALL the time at her behavior. She has no supervision whatsoever, and she's a Duke's daughter.
The H is marginally better than the villain. Well, that's not true as the villain is about as bad a character as you can get especially towards the end, but the H is no prize. The H has used innocent girls in the past without any sense of shame over ruining them. Read the Rake Rulebook, dude. Even Lord St. Vincent of Devil in Winter kept away from innocents unless absolutely necessary, and he is the standard by which all rakes are measured. St. Vincent was going to MARRY his kidnap/potential forced seduction victim. I am speaking of the more unscrupulous SV in It Happened One Autumn. Hey, I know I'm on shaky moral ground here, but it's St. Vincent!
Minor complaint was I had a very difficult time keep the two male protaganists apart until the one went to the dark side, really over to the dark side.
Things I can not handle..
One thing I did appreciate about the story is the concept that friends we make as children may not be the friends we would associate with as adults. This is a theme that could have been explored better.
The story itself is good. However, I think if a more realistic look at the Georgian/Regency era and its strictures had been explored along with the dark elements of the anti-hero/villains action compared to the hero, this would have been a much better book.
My major complaint is how completely unrealistic and anachronistic it is. This is the Georgian era where there were certain social constraints placed on people according to their sex and social status. The heroine runs rampantly across London, and ends up raped as much from ignoring the social constraints of the time as due to the evil machinations of a truly disgusting villain.
Wow, I am actually blaming the victim, but I can feel my inner Dowager say to the chit, If you had not been where you were not supposed to be, this would not have happened! Yes, my eyes rolled ALL the time at her behavior. She has no supervision whatsoever, and she's a Duke's daughter.
The H is marginally better than the villain. Well, that's not true as the villain is about as bad a character as you can get especially towards the end, but the H is no prize. The H has used innocent girls in the past without any sense of shame over ruining them. Read the Rake Rulebook, dude. Even Lord St. Vincent of Devil in Winter kept away from innocents unless absolutely necessary, and he is the standard by which all rakes are measured. St. Vincent was going to MARRY his kidnap/potential forced seduction victim. I am speaking of the more unscrupulous SV in It Happened One Autumn. Hey, I know I'm on shaky moral ground here, but it's St. Vincent!
Minor complaint was I had a very difficult time keep the two male protaganists apart until the one went to the dark side, really over to the dark side.
Things I can not handle..
One thing I did appreciate about the story is the concept that friends we make as children may not be the friends we would associate with as adults. This is a theme that could have been explored better.
The story itself is good. However, I think if a more realistic look at the Georgian/Regency era and its strictures had been explored along with the dark elements of the anti-hero/villains action compared to the hero, this would have been a much better book.
June 30, 2015
Masters of contempt.
Lady Imogene Saunter is a young woman entering her first season. Little does she envisage that she'll will become involves with two dissolute rakes. The Duke of Blackbern and the Marquess of Norgrave place bets against each other over everything including who will be the first to seduce Imogen. Both men are licentious members of the ton. Norgrave, is a twisted nefarious blackguard whose does little to keep his towering rages or his sadism control. Blackbern is as much a cad, except he falls in love with Imogene, who's a starry- eyed young thing looking for love and adventure.
The rules of the time were very strict and Imogene courted disaster. Admittedly she didn't know that the Marquess of Norgrave was an outgoing sadistic knave who uses women and then throws them away. The more innocent the better.
Tristan, the Duke of Blackbern falls in love with Imogene and now he has to head off Norgrave, his childhood friend and longtime companion in dissolute pursuits.
However, in a rage at being 'bested' by Blackbern in their competition for Imogene's affection, Norgrave attacks Imogene, the woman he has supposedly become protective about. Brutality and rape are Norgrave's tools of seduction. Imogene confesses to Blackbern that maybe, in some twisted sense and against her will, the interaction with Norgrave was charged. Unfortunately, the idea that Imogene at some level enjoyed the situation appears to be perpetuated here.
These are two disturbing Regency knaves, contemptuous of women, who have crossed the line. They may be touted as Masters of Seduction but they are unconscionable sexual predators.
Blackbern does redeem himself through his love for Imogene that transcends the treatment she has suffered at Norgrave's hands. He doesn't judge her or push her away as most would in these times in this social strata. A hard story to be comfortable with as it deals with the darker dissolute side of regency times, and of all times where predators abound.
A NetGalley ARC
Lady Imogene Saunter is a young woman entering her first season. Little does she envisage that she'll will become involves with two dissolute rakes. The Duke of Blackbern and the Marquess of Norgrave place bets against each other over everything including who will be the first to seduce Imogen. Both men are licentious members of the ton. Norgrave, is a twisted nefarious blackguard whose does little to keep his towering rages or his sadism control. Blackbern is as much a cad, except he falls in love with Imogene, who's a starry- eyed young thing looking for love and adventure.
The rules of the time were very strict and Imogene courted disaster. Admittedly she didn't know that the Marquess of Norgrave was an outgoing sadistic knave who uses women and then throws them away. The more innocent the better.
Tristan, the Duke of Blackbern falls in love with Imogene and now he has to head off Norgrave, his childhood friend and longtime companion in dissolute pursuits.
However, in a rage at being 'bested' by Blackbern in their competition for Imogene's affection, Norgrave attacks Imogene, the woman he has supposedly become protective about. Brutality and rape are Norgrave's tools of seduction. Imogene confesses to Blackbern that maybe, in some twisted sense and against her will, the interaction with Norgrave was charged. Unfortunately, the idea that Imogene at some level enjoyed the situation appears to be perpetuated here.
These are two disturbing Regency knaves, contemptuous of women, who have crossed the line. They may be touted as Masters of Seduction but they are unconscionable sexual predators.
Blackbern does redeem himself through his love for Imogene that transcends the treatment she has suffered at Norgrave's hands. He doesn't judge her or push her away as most would in these times in this social strata. A hard story to be comfortable with as it deals with the darker dissolute side of regency times, and of all times where predators abound.
A NetGalley ARC
June 26, 2015
For all that it appears to be a standard Regency romance, A Duke But No Gentleman by Alexandra Hawkins is darker than most titles in the genre. The author plays a dangerous game in introducing rakes who go beyond acceptable rakish behavior to the point that their dark desires could easily be labeled as violence against women. Some of the women in this novel are willing participants but others are not.
Two best friends, one beautiful woman, and one unbelievable wager: which of the men can strip her of her virginity? That is the story in a nutshell. There is the light dialog, the pretty descriptions of fashion and the era, and there is a lot of suitable passion to enjoy. But the story dips into an unforgivably dark area and the reader is expected to accept it as entertainment. Even though Hawkins tries to deal with the aftermath of sexual violence, I thought it was done a little too easily. I had a hard time with that and other story details that didn’t mesh with typical behaviors of the day (the ability of unmarried women for example, to go around on their own unattended). This was a mostly well written and engaging story but with enough unsavory bits that it could be hard to recommend. This is the first in a new series from Hawkins (Masters of Seduction), and the second installment (You Can’t Always Get the Marquess You Want), is due in 2016.
ARC provided by NetGalley.
https://greatreads4readers.wordpress....
Two best friends, one beautiful woman, and one unbelievable wager: which of the men can strip her of her virginity? That is the story in a nutshell. There is the light dialog, the pretty descriptions of fashion and the era, and there is a lot of suitable passion to enjoy. But the story dips into an unforgivably dark area and the reader is expected to accept it as entertainment. Even though Hawkins tries to deal with the aftermath of sexual violence, I thought it was done a little too easily. I had a hard time with that and other story details that didn’t mesh with typical behaviors of the day (the ability of unmarried women for example, to go around on their own unattended). This was a mostly well written and engaging story but with enough unsavory bits that it could be hard to recommend. This is the first in a new series from Hawkins (Masters of Seduction), and the second installment (You Can’t Always Get the Marquess You Want), is due in 2016.
ARC provided by NetGalley.
https://greatreads4readers.wordpress....
November 6, 2017
It is not enough to conquer; one must learn to seduce.
—Voltaire
honestly liked the book.
it was steaming hot, dramatic and had good plot twist...
BUT...
i can't really handle how easy she made stealing off to have sex sound.
i mean where were the chaperons? the mothers? the judging, gossiping ton??
and that irritated me so much that the book end up getting less stars.
October 31, 2016
A Duke but No Gentleman by Alexandra Hawkins is just another historical romance, where the protagonists are from high society, the young man enjoys life and women and his bride to be is young and innocent but she knows what she wants.
Tristan Rooke and Cason Brant have been friends from boyhood and now as young man, their favorite game, besides cards and drinking, is gambling, and they often gamble who gets a certain lady first into his bed. Usually the lady is an actress or widow or somebody else wife. They compete like young man usually do, without hating each other for winning.
Imogen Sunter has already spent one season in London, but she is still unmarried and this season her parents have decided to get their daughter married. Imogen is trying to stay single until she finds true love, but when she accidentally runs into an scoundrel lap, she becomes the wedge that brakes up an old friendship.
Caston has always been a bit of an exhibitionist and a brute in bed. He really does not care who is watching him having sex and he prefers to be the master in bed. Tristan is more reserved. He has no problem to share the bedfellows if he does not care for the lady they share, but if he cares, then the lady is only for him. So when Tristan catches Imogen in his lap on a ball, he has this strange feeling, he has to protect Imogen from Caston, even before Caston proposes a new bet, who will have Imogen first. Tristan can not show Caston that he cares about Imogen, since he knows that Caston will double his efforts if he knew that Tristan has feelings for Imogen.
Tristan hopes, that if he has Imogen first, he wins the bet, Imogen will be out of the threat, but he does not consider that Caston also has developed some feelings for Imogen. So Caston lures Imogen with false message to him and with it he destroys his friendship with Tristan forever. But Imogen and Tristan also destroy him, bodily and physically, so when Charlotte's brothers come to avenge for their sister, he has no stamina to run.
So it was a typical romance, where lovers get to bed before they are married, they need the special license to get a speedy marriage and their firstborn will appear before they have been married for nine months. The thing that bothered me in this story is the way that Imogen is running around London alone, without a chaperone. It was a time when a most precious thing for a lady was her virtue and if she was found alone with an unmarried man, they were married at once, before her reputation was tarnished. But in this book it's absolutely normal, that Imogen goes to ride with Tristan all around London and even outside of London alone, and her parents do not say once, that she should or could not do it. So it's no wonder that Caston had the possibility to abuse her, if she was permitted to visit a gentleman's house alone in a middle of a night.
It was a good story, just some thing sounded wrong, but it was readable.
Tristan Rooke and Cason Brant have been friends from boyhood and now as young man, their favorite game, besides cards and drinking, is gambling, and they often gamble who gets a certain lady first into his bed. Usually the lady is an actress or widow or somebody else wife. They compete like young man usually do, without hating each other for winning.
Imogen Sunter has already spent one season in London, but she is still unmarried and this season her parents have decided to get their daughter married. Imogen is trying to stay single until she finds true love, but when she accidentally runs into an scoundrel lap, she becomes the wedge that brakes up an old friendship.
Caston has always been a bit of an exhibitionist and a brute in bed. He really does not care who is watching him having sex and he prefers to be the master in bed. Tristan is more reserved. He has no problem to share the bedfellows if he does not care for the lady they share, but if he cares, then the lady is only for him. So when Tristan catches Imogen in his lap on a ball, he has this strange feeling, he has to protect Imogen from Caston, even before Caston proposes a new bet, who will have Imogen first. Tristan can not show Caston that he cares about Imogen, since he knows that Caston will double his efforts if he knew that Tristan has feelings for Imogen.
Tristan hopes, that if he has Imogen first, he wins the bet, Imogen will be out of the threat, but he does not consider that Caston also has developed some feelings for Imogen. So Caston lures Imogen with false message to him and with it he destroys his friendship with Tristan forever. But Imogen and Tristan also destroy him, bodily and physically, so when Charlotte's brothers come to avenge for their sister, he has no stamina to run.
So it was a typical romance, where lovers get to bed before they are married, they need the special license to get a speedy marriage and their firstborn will appear before they have been married for nine months. The thing that bothered me in this story is the way that Imogen is running around London alone, without a chaperone. It was a time when a most precious thing for a lady was her virtue and if she was found alone with an unmarried man, they were married at once, before her reputation was tarnished. But in this book it's absolutely normal, that Imogen goes to ride with Tristan all around London and even outside of London alone, and her parents do not say once, that she should or could not do it. So it's no wonder that Caston had the possibility to abuse her, if she was permitted to visit a gentleman's house alone in a middle of a night.
It was a good story, just some thing sounded wrong, but it was readable.
June 11, 2015
3.5
Probably one of the darkest historical romances I've read. I don't call myself an expert by any means, but I usually find historical romances to be of lighter fare. I've not read any of Alexandra Hawkins other works so I do not know if this is more her typical style or not, but I'm a little on the fence about this one. I think the writing was good and Ms. Hawkins handles certain subjects and their aftermath pretty well. But overall, I didn't find myself warming to any of the characters until way past the halfway mark.
Blackbern, our hero, was especially difficult for me to get a grasp on. While it is common in historicals for the hero to be known as a rake, usually by the start of the story it's not something seen on page (again not an expert this is just based on my own reading experience up to this point) because typically something will happen and said hero will start to pursue our heroine.
Here, we clearly see Blackbern in all his rakish glory at the onset. This creates a picture, for me, that was difficult to move away from even as Blackbern's heart changes. Couple that with the wager between himself and Norgrave and it was hard to imagine if Blackbern's actions were sincere or if he was playing a part to win a bet. It's true there's a point where it's clear where his heart lies, but for me this didn't occur until more than halfway through the book.
Overall, I liked Imogen. For all that she was pretty naive, and the situation she finds herself in was quite precarious with Norgrave and Blackbern. But when I think about it, she was the best character that she could have been given her situation at the start of the book; which is, she's eighteen years and and her family has just moved back to London to enjoy the season. She hasn't really been out in polite society before so truly she knows very little, and being newer to town she knows very few people and thus knows little of the rumors that surround said people. She never irritated me with her naivety. And after certain events in the book, I admired her more for her strength and her refusal to settle for something just because it might be the right thing to do.
If you like historical romance you may want to give A Duke but No Gentleman a try, but be forewarned there are pretty extreme acts of violence (both shown and talked about) featured and if that is something that you find rather difficult to read then I would steer clear of this one. I will not lie, there were moments I could feel where the story was headed and I put the book down and picked it up a few times to get through them, but I did read through them. This will by no means deter me from picking up another book by Alexandra Hawkins in the future if one catches my eye.
*Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Probably one of the darkest historical romances I've read. I don't call myself an expert by any means, but I usually find historical romances to be of lighter fare. I've not read any of Alexandra Hawkins other works so I do not know if this is more her typical style or not, but I'm a little on the fence about this one. I think the writing was good and Ms. Hawkins handles certain subjects and their aftermath pretty well. But overall, I didn't find myself warming to any of the characters until way past the halfway mark.
Blackbern, our hero, was especially difficult for me to get a grasp on. While it is common in historicals for the hero to be known as a rake, usually by the start of the story it's not something seen on page (again not an expert this is just based on my own reading experience up to this point) because typically something will happen and said hero will start to pursue our heroine.
Here, we clearly see Blackbern in all his rakish glory at the onset. This creates a picture, for me, that was difficult to move away from even as Blackbern's heart changes. Couple that with the wager between himself and Norgrave and it was hard to imagine if Blackbern's actions were sincere or if he was playing a part to win a bet. It's true there's a point where it's clear where his heart lies, but for me this didn't occur until more than halfway through the book.
Overall, I liked Imogen. For all that she was pretty naive, and the situation she finds herself in was quite precarious with Norgrave and Blackbern. But when I think about it, she was the best character that she could have been given her situation at the start of the book; which is, she's eighteen years and and her family has just moved back to London to enjoy the season. She hasn't really been out in polite society before so truly she knows very little, and being newer to town she knows very few people and thus knows little of the rumors that surround said people. She never irritated me with her naivety. And after certain events in the book, I admired her more for her strength and her refusal to settle for something just because it might be the right thing to do.
If you like historical romance you may want to give A Duke but No Gentleman a try, but be forewarned there are pretty extreme acts of violence (both shown and talked about) featured and if that is something that you find rather difficult to read then I would steer clear of this one. I will not lie, there were moments I could feel where the story was headed and I put the book down and picked it up a few times to get through them, but I did read through them. This will by no means deter me from picking up another book by Alexandra Hawkins in the future if one catches my eye.
*Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2015
Lady Imogen Sunter, fist born daughter of the Duke of Trevett, has come with her family to London for her very first season and while attending one of her very first evening affairs runs smack into the notorious schedule and seducer ; Tristan Rooke, The Duke Of Blackbern, she winds up tumbling the two of them onto a settee . Blackbern seizes the
opportunity of having a young beautiful women literally laying upon him, to not only flirt but allow his hands to roam a bit, luckily for Imogen her mother soon arrives on the scene , before Imogen is not only blushing but totally under his spell . Imogen is soon dragged of by her mother to return to the dance , leaving Blackbern to follow in their wake and utterly captivated.
Blackbern is so captivated that his freind since childhood the Marquess of Norgrave takes notice . Though the two both have reputations for being Scoundreks and seducers they generally do not chase young innocents such as Imogen, unfortunately for Imogen ; Blackbern's interest in her arouses Norgraves. Blackbern and Borgrave have always been competitive in everything since being children always trying to outdo the other, so when Norgrave proposes they wager. Over who will capture Imogen's attention and her maidenhead, though Blackbern is resistant , when Norgraves states that he will pursue her regardless of Blackbern 's participation or not he effectively goads Blackburn into the bet.
To spite The duches of Trevett's warning to her daughter Imogen o stay away from them Imogen is quite enraptured by both if them but more so Blackbern, both play court to her , but it is Blackbern who breaks through the barriers Imogen has out up and Ina futile attempt to protect her from Norgrave and at the same time keep his beg a secret since she has come to mean much more to him than just a wager , allows. The wager to continue, but lies have a way of adding up and backfiring!
So yes , there are two rape scenes n this book which highlight just how depraved Blackbern's freind has become!
Does Norgrave get his, absolutely , twice over; my only wish is that Ms Hawkins had definitively killed the bastard off!
Ms. Hawkins could have turned the story and made Balckbern to be a horrible scoundrel also , instead she made him Imogen's rescuer and a vengeful white Knight, who did not walk away because the women he loved was compromised , during a time in history that walking away would be common.
So I happily give this five stars and look forward to future books in the series!
Arc graciously provided St. Marin's via Netgalley for an honest review!.
opportunity of having a young beautiful women literally laying upon him, to not only flirt but allow his hands to roam a bit, luckily for Imogen her mother soon arrives on the scene , before Imogen is not only blushing but totally under his spell . Imogen is soon dragged of by her mother to return to the dance , leaving Blackbern to follow in their wake and utterly captivated.
Blackbern is so captivated that his freind since childhood the Marquess of Norgrave takes notice . Though the two both have reputations for being Scoundreks and seducers they generally do not chase young innocents such as Imogen, unfortunately for Imogen ; Blackbern's interest in her arouses Norgraves. Blackbern and Borgrave have always been competitive in everything since being children always trying to outdo the other, so when Norgrave proposes they wager. Over who will capture Imogen's attention and her maidenhead, though Blackbern is resistant , when Norgraves states that he will pursue her regardless of Blackbern 's participation or not he effectively goads Blackburn into the bet.
To spite The duches of Trevett's warning to her daughter Imogen o stay away from them Imogen is quite enraptured by both if them but more so Blackbern, both play court to her , but it is Blackbern who breaks through the barriers Imogen has out up and Ina futile attempt to protect her from Norgrave and at the same time keep his beg a secret since she has come to mean much more to him than just a wager , allows. The wager to continue, but lies have a way of adding up and backfiring!
So yes , there are two rape scenes n this book which highlight just how depraved Blackbern's freind has become!
Does Norgrave get his, absolutely , twice over; my only wish is that Ms Hawkins had definitively killed the bastard off!
Ms. Hawkins could have turned the story and made Balckbern to be a horrible scoundrel also , instead she made him Imogen's rescuer and a vengeful white Knight, who did not walk away because the women he loved was compromised , during a time in history that walking away would be common.
So I happily give this five stars and look forward to future books in the series!
Arc graciously provided St. Marin's via Netgalley for an honest review!.
June 30, 2015
You don't have an idea about how excited I was when I first saw this book. I was more than excited when I got an arc of this title because I am a fan of the Lords of Vice series by Alexandra Hawkins and I had/have her in my mind as an author whose books I must read. Unfortunately, A Duke but No Gentleman was a disappointment.
I must warn you that this book contains three rape scenes. I wasn't ok with that and I wanted to make sure that you know what kind of book you are getting. And in two out of those three cases we knew the characters. I have read some pretty dark books, but in this case we are talking about someone who is a serial rapist and we are inside his head. It wasn't pretty.
I found the whole story poorly written to be honest. I didn't realize when Imogen and her duke fell in lust and then love. It wasn't exactly too fast. It was more about missing the parts where they develop feelings for each other. I felt that the book might as well be happening in 2015 because Imogen was coming and going as she pleased. No chaperones, no secret meetings that felt forbidden and the heroine gave up her virginity too quick and too easy if you ask me. And even though the word originates from the 1300-1400s, I found it weird and out of place when Tristan says that he should get Imogen cleaned up in case of infection.
I am not sure if I would recommend this book, though I might suggest that you should give it a chance if you don't mind the rapes. A Duke but No Gentleman wasn't the best way to begin a new series, but you never know how good or bad the next books will be. I will give the series another chance and read the second book when it is released and I hope that it will be better and this time preferably without a bet. I believe that if the book had less focus on the bet and more on romance I would have given a higher rating to the book.
I must warn you that this book contains three rape scenes. I wasn't ok with that and I wanted to make sure that you know what kind of book you are getting. And in two out of those three cases we knew the characters. I have read some pretty dark books, but in this case we are talking about someone who is a serial rapist and we are inside his head. It wasn't pretty.
I found the whole story poorly written to be honest. I didn't realize when Imogen and her duke fell in lust and then love. It wasn't exactly too fast. It was more about missing the parts where they develop feelings for each other. I felt that the book might as well be happening in 2015 because Imogen was coming and going as she pleased. No chaperones, no secret meetings that felt forbidden and the heroine gave up her virginity too quick and too easy if you ask me. And even though the word originates from the 1300-1400s, I found it weird and out of place when Tristan says that he should get Imogen cleaned up in case of infection.
I am not sure if I would recommend this book, though I might suggest that you should give it a chance if you don't mind the rapes. A Duke but No Gentleman wasn't the best way to begin a new series, but you never know how good or bad the next books will be. I will give the series another chance and read the second book when it is released and I hope that it will be better and this time preferably without a bet. I believe that if the book had less focus on the bet and more on romance I would have given a higher rating to the book.
July 22, 2015
I felt like scrubbing my eyes after reading this one. I immediately tried to find a story that was lighter than this because this just blew my mind in a very bad way.
If she had a dragon for a mother, why was Imogen constantly out and about with no chaperone? It's her first season, and she's only 18 years old.
Plus, her father consented to her consorting with Norgrave and Blackbern even though he must have heard the rumors about the two, and how they were beyond rakish.
The synopsis hinted at something dark, but I was not expecting two rapes. And Blackbern didn't even try to duel with the man. And that giving gifts and having sex with you is the way to assure your fiancee that you love her. Really. She has been such a sheltered girl, and so young, and she was brutally raped, and that's all you can do to assure her that you love her.
And Imogen's reaction was unrealistic. I felt that it wasn't enough to express the horror of the rape.
Norgrave's reason(s) for being that angry and dark and so vengeful against Tristan wasn't even established.
And the second rape victim was just too much. I shuddered so much when I read that she was married off to Norgrave, by her family, just to avoid having her child become a bastard. I mean come on...
I really don't recommend this to anyone.
If she had a dragon for a mother, why was Imogen constantly out and about with no chaperone? It's her first season, and she's only 18 years old.
Plus, her father consented to her consorting with Norgrave and Blackbern even though he must have heard the rumors about the two, and how they were beyond rakish.
The synopsis hinted at something dark, but I was not expecting two rapes. And Blackbern didn't even try to duel with the man. And that giving gifts and having sex with you is the way to assure your fiancee that you love her. Really. She has been such a sheltered girl, and so young, and she was brutally raped, and that's all you can do to assure her that you love her.
And Imogen's reaction was unrealistic. I felt that it wasn't enough to express the horror of the rape.
Norgrave's reason(s) for being that angry and dark and so vengeful against Tristan wasn't even established.
And the second rape victim was just too much. I shuddered so much when I read that she was married off to Norgrave, by her family, just to avoid having her child become a bastard. I mean come on...
I really don't recommend this to anyone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2015
Warning: This review contains MANY SPOILERS. Read at your own risk!
Not your normal historical. This was a dark,gritty, emotional read. It bears warning that this books contains not one but two rapes.
I Loved Hawkins Lords of Vice series. I was looking forward to this new series of hers but seriously, "Masters of seduction" they are not! Two "gentlemen" bet on how to strip an 18 year old virgin of her virginity. How disgusting is that? They would be considered true degenerate rakes. While you can see from the beginning that the "hero" had misgivings he went along with his "friend" in whatever depravity he wanted.
The poor virgin, was allowed to sneak out of ballrooms, and do all manner of things a debutante with a CHAPERONE would not have been able to do! It was disgraceful!
There was no romance. Basically it was "seduction" until she was raped by the evil gentlemen and then the "hero" was "in love" with her. I could find no redeeming qualities in the "hero" at all. The aftermath of violence was dealt with a little to easily in my opinion.
The story overall left a unsatisfying, slimy, taste in my mouth, my heart and my brain!
ARC provided by NetGalley.
June 30, 2015
Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
#1 in the Masters of Seduction series.
I wanted to like this book and, in fact, it started out well. In typical Regency romance fashion, there were two gentlemen vying over a young feisty lady, and they made a wager about her. But there things went dark because the wager was for an uncomfortable prize (in my mind) and their actions were so dismissive and demeaning to the women they discussed that it became disturbing. Hawkins writes well, and I was caught up in the story, the dialog was often amusing and light, but the story got bogged down way too much and deviated from a nice light romance into a dark and unfortunate series of bad situations. There's nothing that says that this type of story doesn't have its place, but I was expecting a typical romance and this was definitely not it. The HEA was tainted, and the book unfulfilling for me. I won't penalize the author for my dislike of these particular characters, so I will probably look for more from her.
#1 in the Masters of Seduction series.
I wanted to like this book and, in fact, it started out well. In typical Regency romance fashion, there were two gentlemen vying over a young feisty lady, and they made a wager about her. But there things went dark because the wager was for an uncomfortable prize (in my mind) and their actions were so dismissive and demeaning to the women they discussed that it became disturbing. Hawkins writes well, and I was caught up in the story, the dialog was often amusing and light, but the story got bogged down way too much and deviated from a nice light romance into a dark and unfortunate series of bad situations. There's nothing that says that this type of story doesn't have its place, but I was expecting a typical romance and this was definitely not it. The HEA was tainted, and the book unfulfilling for me. I won't penalize the author for my dislike of these particular characters, so I will probably look for more from her.
July 1, 2015
I like Alexandra Hawkins' books but will admit this one may not be for everyone. Her books are always well written with great characters. I couldn't put it down! This series is set before the Lords of Vice series. In this one, the hero and his best friend are a little darker than the Lords of Vice. The friend has a lot of problems and there was not enough of his background to know what his childhood was like. That may be explained in a later book. The hero was wild but not evil. The heroine was naive but not stupid. As a Duke's daughter, I did think she was less chaperoned than she should have been for the time frame. At least a maid should have been with her even if she ordered her away.
July 30, 2015
I can take reading a lot of things. I can read about rape, violence, divorce, abortions - all sorts of terrible topics. Hell, the plot doesn't even have to be award-winning. All it takes is that you:
1. Make me care about the characters.
2. Make the writing flow. (I can't exactly describe what I set my standards by for this point, but I know whether it'll work for me when I read it.)
This book's first chapter was intriguing. The rest.... was not.
1. Make me care about the characters.
2. Make the writing flow. (I can't exactly describe what I set my standards by for this point, but I know whether it'll work for me when I read it.)
This book's first chapter was intriguing. The rest.... was not.
Want to read
April 24, 2016He's a duke but he's not a gentleman, okay? Don't get the wrong idea here.
March 22, 2023
Dnf'd. This was slow, and I was just not getting on with it. Unfortunate because I had high hopes. Ah well. Onto the next book. 2 ⭐.
Read
September 27, 2020DNF
July 1, 2015
Review: 2.5 stars – rounded
I was intrigued by the premise of two friends that are vying for a single girl. Isobel is newly arrived for the season, and in a bit of difficulty from her aiding a friend to elope with an unsuitable (read not titled) man. Despite her ‘naivete’, Isobel quickly is enchanted by Tristan, and her mother catches them in a compromising position. Warning off Tristan, she is determined, at that moment, to keep Imogen from the notorious pair of friends.
Tristan (The Duke) and Norgrave (the Marquess) have been ‘friends’ for years, actually, they are acquaintances who compete over EVERYTHING, cards, horses, whether the sun will rise …you get the picture. Both are spoilt children with a need to cover their decided insecurities but proving their superiorities. While Hawkins does portray the thoughtlessness in their behavior and personality in keeping with rakes of the day, these two hit every distasteful emotion possible for me: I had difficulty finding redemption or solid traits to admire in either man.
Tristan, after the brief interlude with Isobel is intrigued, but Norgrave knew of the encounter with her mother and proposes a wager: the one who claims the fair Isobel’s maidenhead first will win. And, rather than recognizing the over the top nature of the wager, Tristan is all in.
Told in rotational POV, the voices are uneven in their clarity and singular purpose: this had the characters of Tristan and Norgrave particularly confused. Isobel is a bit clearer, but the absolute flaunting of all social conventions for a debutante of the time was incredibly problematic for me. How is it that Isobel is able to travel where, when and with whom she chooses, freely without a chaperone? Of course, giving her such freedoms allows for multiple moments to tryst with Tristan, until he wins the bet. And then. The story goes completely south. Norgrave, in a fit of jealousy or pique or just depravity lures Isobel to a meeting, where he rapes her. And, she purportedly enjoys is. Sorry, but Ms. Hawkins jumped far over the line of acceptable here.
An attempt to recover from that incident and a few ‘incidents’ due to Norgrave’s bad behavior and the story wraps with a bow. Unconvincingly for me. I can’t say that I would recommend this story, I’m saddened by the lack of believable plot: I could easily believe in and understand, even as I disliked them. Isobel, to me was half-finished and less interesting as a person, she was an element, for a purpose, without clear intention.
I received an eArc copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
I was intrigued by the premise of two friends that are vying for a single girl. Isobel is newly arrived for the season, and in a bit of difficulty from her aiding a friend to elope with an unsuitable (read not titled) man. Despite her ‘naivete’, Isobel quickly is enchanted by Tristan, and her mother catches them in a compromising position. Warning off Tristan, she is determined, at that moment, to keep Imogen from the notorious pair of friends.
Tristan (The Duke) and Norgrave (the Marquess) have been ‘friends’ for years, actually, they are acquaintances who compete over EVERYTHING, cards, horses, whether the sun will rise …you get the picture. Both are spoilt children with a need to cover their decided insecurities but proving their superiorities. While Hawkins does portray the thoughtlessness in their behavior and personality in keeping with rakes of the day, these two hit every distasteful emotion possible for me: I had difficulty finding redemption or solid traits to admire in either man.
Tristan, after the brief interlude with Isobel is intrigued, but Norgrave knew of the encounter with her mother and proposes a wager: the one who claims the fair Isobel’s maidenhead first will win. And, rather than recognizing the over the top nature of the wager, Tristan is all in.
Told in rotational POV, the voices are uneven in their clarity and singular purpose: this had the characters of Tristan and Norgrave particularly confused. Isobel is a bit clearer, but the absolute flaunting of all social conventions for a debutante of the time was incredibly problematic for me. How is it that Isobel is able to travel where, when and with whom she chooses, freely without a chaperone? Of course, giving her such freedoms allows for multiple moments to tryst with Tristan, until he wins the bet. And then. The story goes completely south. Norgrave, in a fit of jealousy or pique or just depravity lures Isobel to a meeting, where he rapes her. And, she purportedly enjoys is. Sorry, but Ms. Hawkins jumped far over the line of acceptable here.
An attempt to recover from that incident and a few ‘incidents’ due to Norgrave’s bad behavior and the story wraps with a bow. Unconvincingly for me. I can’t say that I would recommend this story, I’m saddened by the lack of believable plot: I could easily believe in and understand, even as I disliked them. Isobel, to me was half-finished and less interesting as a person, she was an element, for a purpose, without clear intention.
I received an eArc copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
June 5, 2015
Title: A Duke but No Gentleman
Series: Masters of Seduction #1
Author: Alexandra Hawkins
Pages: 302
Genre: Regency Historical Romance
Heat Level: 3 out of 4 flames
Overall Star Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Naughty Book Snitch Kay
Warning: this story includes a rape scene.
I've been literally bitching about needing a good historical romance to read. It had been eleven months and counting. When I saw this book on NetGalley, I freaked. Alexandra Hawkins is one of my favorite historical romance authors and I have been waiting for her to write another book since the wrap up of her last series. I love books that take place with in the Ton with a bit of suspense. What I got with this story was that and a whole lot more.
Tristan is a Duke and Imogene is the daughter of a titled man. She needs to make a great match for her family. Tristan's best friend since childhood and Tristan notice Imogene and a wager is made. Which of them can seduce her first. Tristan is truly taken with Imogene but you know what happens when the two Ps are involved. Pride and Penis. Despite his feelings for her, which continue to grow the more he spends time with her, he keeps the wager going.
One of the surprising things is that his best friend starts to feel like maybe Imogene would be good for him too. When you read this book, you know the two men are rakes but you get a pretty in depth look at it here. What really took me by surprise was the amount and level of the suspense. It was really high for a historical romance. Something else surprising was Tristan's best friend being a complete and utter psycho. I kept thinking that he would be the hero of the next book in the series. God, I hope he's not. Eww.
This had all of the elements I love in historical romance and I liked it a lot. It just didn't feel like Alexandra Hawkins to me. Again, I liked it and will read the next one, just wondering who it will be about.
Book given in exchange for an honest review via the publisher and NetGally.
Series: Masters of Seduction #1
Author: Alexandra Hawkins
Pages: 302
Genre: Regency Historical Romance
Heat Level: 3 out of 4 flames
Overall Star Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Naughty Book Snitch Kay
Warning: this story includes a rape scene.
I've been literally bitching about needing a good historical romance to read. It had been eleven months and counting. When I saw this book on NetGalley, I freaked. Alexandra Hawkins is one of my favorite historical romance authors and I have been waiting for her to write another book since the wrap up of her last series. I love books that take place with in the Ton with a bit of suspense. What I got with this story was that and a whole lot more.
Tristan is a Duke and Imogene is the daughter of a titled man. She needs to make a great match for her family. Tristan's best friend since childhood and Tristan notice Imogene and a wager is made. Which of them can seduce her first. Tristan is truly taken with Imogene but you know what happens when the two Ps are involved. Pride and Penis. Despite his feelings for her, which continue to grow the more he spends time with her, he keeps the wager going.
One of the surprising things is that his best friend starts to feel like maybe Imogene would be good for him too. When you read this book, you know the two men are rakes but you get a pretty in depth look at it here. What really took me by surprise was the amount and level of the suspense. It was really high for a historical romance. Something else surprising was Tristan's best friend being a complete and utter psycho. I kept thinking that he would be the hero of the next book in the series. God, I hope he's not. Eww.
This had all of the elements I love in historical romance and I liked it a lot. It just didn't feel like Alexandra Hawkins to me. Again, I liked it and will read the next one, just wondering who it will be about.
Book given in exchange for an honest review via the publisher and NetGally.
October 14, 2015
** This may contain spoilers**
I won a signed copy of this book from the author.
This was the first book I read by Alexandra Hawkins. I very much enjoyed this book. I love Tristan and Imogen's love.
*** Just FYI there are a couple rape scenes in this books so if you are not for that then maybe you should not read. I know most of the time that this will give the author low ratings for that. In my opinion it is in no way okay for rape but this would not be the first story i read with a rape scene in it. How i look at it is story of a time when woman where married off to men they did not love or men just for an heir. Many of them were taken the hard way. Now is it right no. But it is what it is. I still enjoyed this story even though I disliked those parts. I will not rate the whole story because of that.
This story starts out with The Duke of Blackbern and the Marquess of Norgrave who are boyhood friends. They are like brothers to each other have been or years. Both of these men are known for their reputations on sleeping with woman and neither being interested in marriage. Until Norgrave makes a bet with Blackbern that he will win the affections of a certain lady and claim her maidenhead before Blackbern. All is going well until Blackbern develops feelings for Imogen. Their relationship develops and Norgrave becomes jealous of that fact that Blackbern would push him aside for some woman. A woman that he is infatuated with as well. This pushes Norgrave's darker side to come out and he hurts Imogen and gets nearly beaten to death by blackbern and an ended friendship.
All in all i really enjoyed this book and I would suggest it to friends. :)
I won a signed copy of this book from the author.
This was the first book I read by Alexandra Hawkins. I very much enjoyed this book. I love Tristan and Imogen's love.
*** Just FYI there are a couple rape scenes in this books so if you are not for that then maybe you should not read. I know most of the time that this will give the author low ratings for that. In my opinion it is in no way okay for rape but this would not be the first story i read with a rape scene in it. How i look at it is story of a time when woman where married off to men they did not love or men just for an heir. Many of them were taken the hard way. Now is it right no. But it is what it is. I still enjoyed this story even though I disliked those parts. I will not rate the whole story because of that.
This story starts out with The Duke of Blackbern and the Marquess of Norgrave who are boyhood friends. They are like brothers to each other have been or years. Both of these men are known for their reputations on sleeping with woman and neither being interested in marriage. Until Norgrave makes a bet with Blackbern that he will win the affections of a certain lady and claim her maidenhead before Blackbern. All is going well until Blackbern develops feelings for Imogen. Their relationship develops and Norgrave becomes jealous of that fact that Blackbern would push him aside for some woman. A woman that he is infatuated with as well. This pushes Norgrave's darker side to come out and he hurts Imogen and gets nearly beaten to death by blackbern and an ended friendship.
All in all i really enjoyed this book and I would suggest it to friends. :)
August 3, 2015
> Love this story and its like all Alexandra Hawkins Barbara Pierce gold mine. Regency England a duke and a Marquess are out being the roges that Mothers keep their daughters away from. Imogren has come up from the country and she is at a ball . While dancing someone ( a lord) Has torn her hem. while coming down to go back to the ball he rushes and Bumps into a male form , a duke to top it off but she doesn't know that. They fall onto a couch . The duke being a gentlemen that he is breaks her fall . They banter back and forth and the fliring is very fantastic . They don't know who each other is . Even though he is a duke , he dosnt know that she is a dukes daughter. The mother cathes them and warns Imogran. Meanwhile the dukes best friend ( they do everything through think and thin) a marquees sees her also and they do a bet. Not just any bet . Whoever takes her Virginity wins the bet. Fast forward to one of the dukes estates with a castle he takes her to the top to see the view and they make love , yes he wins the bet . But he keeps quiet about it . Imogran doesn't know about the bet. Fast forward again the Marquess finds out what happened so he tricks Imogrin to the dukes house I can go on and on about this story . but I don't want to spoil it . Doers the duke go after him. . does anything become about . Its a must get
July 23, 2015
This is book 1 in the Masters of Seduction series.
The Duke of Blackbern and the Marquess Norgrave are the best of friends. They spents their days and nights drinking, gambling and making bets against each other. This time the bet is over who can win the affections of Lady Imogen Sunter.
Imogen soon makes her preferences known for Blackbern, which upsets Norgrave. He doesn't like to lose. Will the love of two change the lives of all three of them?
I really like this story until the rape occurred and then I had to force myself to continue reading it. I'm really disappointed that Hawkins felt the need to add this to the story. The same outcome could have been achieved without the scene going that far.
I will say that the actual rape scene was not written in the story, but it is talked about and you know it happened.
This is my first full size story by Hawkins that I have read (I have read a novella) and I had such high hopes. I haven't given up on the author, but I think I will read the reviews before picking up another by her.
Thanks go out to St Martin's Press via NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.
The Duke of Blackbern and the Marquess Norgrave are the best of friends. They spents their days and nights drinking, gambling and making bets against each other. This time the bet is over who can win the affections of Lady Imogen Sunter.
Imogen soon makes her preferences known for Blackbern, which upsets Norgrave. He doesn't like to lose. Will the love of two change the lives of all three of them?
I really like this story until the rape occurred and then I had to force myself to continue reading it. I'm really disappointed that Hawkins felt the need to add this to the story. The same outcome could have been achieved without the scene going that far.
I will say that the actual rape scene was not written in the story, but it is talked about and you know it happened.
This is my first full size story by Hawkins that I have read (I have read a novella) and I had such high hopes. I haven't given up on the author, but I think I will read the reviews before picking up another by her.
Thanks go out to St Martin's Press via NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.
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