Week 4 Review: The Duke Starts a Scandal

From Goodreads:

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...

My Review:
Oh, it was such a delight to read this book! This series has had the turned-out-to-be-illegitimate duke, and the pretender (or his son, I can't remember) and now it's finally the one that ended up with the title, and oh, was it so good to read!

Both Susanna and Lucian have pasts that they want to keep quiet. She was a teenager and in love, and did what teenagers in love do, but was seen-and he died before they get could get married, so she was seen as a fallen woman. He was the one his family depended on to survive, and he turned to taking on clients. Both things that they don't want getting out.

I adored their relationship, because it started off pretty stormy, given that she fell for the imposter's tricks and all. That there's that attraction, but she works for him, yeah, that was a delightful wrinkle to watch them work with.

And of course, he wants marriages for him and his sisters right away so they're insulated from any exposure, having a house party to court these people-including someone who knew her dearly departed love and what they did. So that bit of blackmail from an awful person added more drama! 

Loved reading this book and I can't wait to read more by Sophie Jordan! 

Author: Sophie Jordan
Series: The Duke Hunt #4
Read: January 21st, 2024
Source: Bought 
Reason Why: Love her writing and this series, and it's a Historical Fiction 2024 Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Avon
Published: October 24th 2013

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars