The Love of a Libertine (The Duke's By-Blows, #1) (The Duke's Bastards, #1)

by Jess Michaels

[Lindsey Gray]

Although Michaels finished her best selling The 1797 Club series, we are reunited with three Dukes and their families as we veer off on another adventurous love story.

As the bastard son of the previous Duke of Roseford and the half-brother of The Duke of Desire, Morgan Banfield hasn’t had an easy life. His courtesan mother’s death several years ago and his rampant gambling and drinking have led him down a dangerous path. He’s betrayed friends and can’t seem to bond with his aristocratic brother, Robert. When he ends up in Newgate prison, he knows he must change his life. While he doesn’t like a helping hand from Robert, he agrees he might succeed as the man of affairs for the Duke of Brighthollow.

Lady Elizabeth “Lizzie” Margolis, sister of The Duke Who Lied aka the Duke of Brighthollow, has her own demons. At the tender age of sixteen, she was betrayed by a man who declared his love for her. Now twenty, she hates London and can’t stand the balls, parties, and the marriage market that encompasses the season. She isn’t thrilled another man with a horrible reputation is invading her life, but her brother assures her he will protect her from harm.

Now that we know the main characters, let’s dig into the story. Lizzie felt some attraction to her former beau, but her reaction toward Morgan is unexpected and considerably more. Morgan sees Lizzie as a naive girl at first, but can’t seem to set aside their attraction. Both know they should never act on the heat simmering between them, but neither can stop the burn created by their shared kisses.

Michaels gives us two dynamic characters who are vulnerable, yet strong in ways neither of them thought possible. While Michaels has written over forty-five stories, she gives us new and exciting tales every single time. This series will be no exception as she has begun to introduce us to the three half-siblings of the Duke of Roseford. Morgan and Lizzie find a love that knows no boundaries. As with every Jess Michaels release, I’m anxious to read two more upcoming stories in The Duke’s Bastards series, The Heart of a Hellion and The Matter of a Marquess.

I received The Love of a Libertine for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.