How the Duke Was Won: The Disgraceful Dukes (Disgraceful Dukes, #1)

by Lenora Bell

The pleasure of your company is requested at Warbury Park. Four lovely ladies will arrive...but only one can become a duchess. James, the scandalously uncivilized Duke of Harland, requires a bride with a spotless reputation for a strictly business arrangement. Lust is prohibited and love is out of the question. Four ladies. Three days. What could go wrong? She is not like the others...Charlene Beckett, the unacknowledged daughter of an earl and a courtesan, has just been offered a life-altering fortune to pose as her half-sister, Lady Dorothea, and win the duke's proposal. All she must do is: * Be the perfect English rose [Ha!] * Breathe, smile, and curtsy in impossibly tight gowns [blast Lady Dorothea's sylph-like figure] * Charm and seduce a wild duke [without appearing to try] * Keep said duke far, far from her heart [no matter how tempting] When secrets are revealed and passion overwhelms, James must decide if the last lady he should want is really everything he needs. And Charlene must decide if the promise of a new life is worth risking everything ...including her heart.

• ISBN10: 0062397729
• ISBN13: 9780062397720
• Publish Date: 26 April 2016
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 10 April 2021
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Avon Books
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 384
• Language: English

Reviews

[Rowena]

How the Duke was Won is the first book that I’ve read by Lenora Bell and it won’t be the last. It’s also the first book in the Disgraceful Dukes series. I’ve heard great things about this series and after my sister read and enjoyed it, I figured it was about time I read it for myself. I’m glad that I did because James and Charlene were a fabulous couple!

This book follows James, the Duke of Harland and he needs a wife. Someone that he can knock up with his heir so that he can go back to what he loves (make chocolate for hot chocolate). He didn’t want the title of Duke and he certainly doesn’t want wife, or love. So the quickest way that he can think to get back to his life of making chocolate is by hosting a party and only inviting four potential brides so that he can pick one of them then be on his merry way.

Charlene is the bastard child of an earl and nobody is more surprised when her father’s wife shows up at her house to offer her a job that will bring a whole lot of money her way. The money is welcome as she’s tired of struggling to pay the bills and all she’d have to do is pose as her half-sister, the legitimate daughter, Lady Dorothea. If she can pretend to be her, make the duke choose Dorothea as his bride then she’ll walk away with more money than she ever hoped to have.

There was a whole lot of shenanigans going on at this party and even though the beginning dragged a bit, I enjoyed the story as a whole. I enjoyed getting to know both Charlene and James. I enjoyed Alice and I really enjoyed Dalton. Lenora Bell wrote a charming historical romance that really gathered storm as the story progressed and it was a lot of fun. I’m so glad that I took a chance on this new to me author and I definitely recommend her stuff to anyone wanting a solid historical romance.

Both James and Charlene were fun and the chemistry between them steamed up my kindle so they get no complaints from me. I couldn’t wait to jump into the next book so that should say something. I definitely recommend.

Grade: 4 out of 5

[Amanda]

I picked this one up because Sarah MacLean wrote a special note about it in the publisher's newsletter. I love MacLean's books, and I'm always willing to give a recommendation a shot. It was totally worth it. After the end of How the Duke Was Won, I'm going to need book 2 when it comes out.

James, the Duke of Harland, isn't your conventional duke. As the second son, he was never supposed to be duke. But now that he is, he finds that he needs a bride. One who's born and bred to be a duchess. Then there's Charlene, daughter of a courtesan, posing as her half-sister---an earl's daughter---corralled into winning the duke's proposal by the countess.

You don't have to go much beyond that setup to realize how doomed the relationship is. Lies and nearly hard-wired beliefs go a long way toward keeping these two apart, even as they get closer. Charlene, raised in a bawdy house, seems to have the right skills to seduce a duke, even as she mangles their interactions.

James knows that Charlene-as-Dorothea is woman he wants... which is the worst kind of bride he could have. (Since he plans to leave.) Charlene is just fighting to get her sister and mom out of the bawdy house, and protect other women who have little choice in life about what they become.

A fantastic Regency-era romance that has enough hijinks and laugh-out-loud moments to make it difficult to put down, How the Duke Was Won is a debut that had me taking notice. Book 2 features Lady Dorothea, Charlene's half-sister, and I cannot wait.

[kimbacaffeinate]

Coffee Dates with How the Duke Was Won

• First Date: James the Duke of Harland requires a bride of impeccable reputation to handle his estates and to protect those in his keep. Along with the aid of a friend, and his trusted butler, they select four eligible women and invite them and their mother’s for a three-day stay. One of those women is abroad and well a mama has to do what a mama’s has to do. Right? Charlene Beckett is the illegitimate daughter of an earl and a courtesan. The Earl's wife remembers  that her resemblance to their legitimate daughter is uncanny. Charlene agrees to pose as Lady Dorothea when she is offered a sum that will change not only her life but those of her half-sister. James appears wild, but lordy he appeals and I cannot wait to see this logical man’s plans fail. Charlene is strong, kick-ass, intelligent and more of a lady than most women of the ton. Ooo this is going to be fun!!!


• Second Date: It is like witnessing a catfight with four young ladies and their mothers all vying for the Duke’s attention. Bell gave them all unique voices and personalities. Not all of them wanted to win the Duke, and I loved the little house party and conversations. The chemistry and banter between James and Charlene is electric and I found myself giggling as I slipped easily into their story. We learn of James’s cocoa plants and lord all the talk of hot cocoa had me drooling. Be sure to have some on hand when you begin reading. I loved these tidbits, seeing the factory and learning about his time abroad. James knows Charlene is all wrong for him, as he plans to leave as soon as the bride he decides on is with child. The foolish, foolish man, I ALMOST feel sorry for him.


• Third Date: James and Charlene are falling for each other, although Charlene does not see herself as worthy of him. She is trying to secure a proposal for Lady Dorothea. Gads, marriage in this era was crazy. While I have no doubt, how our story will end, I am still a tad nervous. Will Bell put us through endless drama? What of the real Dorothea? The last third of the book had me smiling, shedding a tear, and laughing with joy. Sweet, swoon-worthy and just enough heat to curl your toes I adored this romance. I ended my dates with Charlene and James with a smile.

Copy provided by publisher This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer