I Dared the Duke (Wayward Wallflowers)

by Anna Bennett

[stacey_is_sassy]

I Dared the Duke…and I liked it.

I’ve made my feelings known on the overabundance of Duke’s in historical romance but I’ll make an allowance this time because I liked this Duke. I Dared the Duke was a perfect example of why I love reading historical romance. It wouldn’t hurt to mention up front that this wasn’t something new. I’ve read numerous books with similar characters and storylines, but, I do believe that the author gets it right in this case. I got exactly what I wanted and hoped for...a comfort read. It was set back in the day where balls were your nightly entertainment, tea was enjoyed with a scone and manners and decorum was the true gauge of an accomplished lady. Add in rakish reputations, wallflower statuses and a mystery, I am one happy reader.

I really enjoyed getting to know the main characters in I Dared the Duke. At first, Miss Elizabeth Lacey is a little prickly, but honestly, I would have been too. She had been asked to be the Duchesses companion, by the Duchess, and was enjoying herself. When the Duke, Alex, finds out that his grandmother had hired a companion without telling him, he decided that it just wouldn’t do and set out to get rid of her. Alex and Elizabeth butt heads from the very start. The thing is, Alex had a very valid reason. He needs his grandmother out of the city and heading to their country estate…away from danger.

Alex has had a few too many accidents of late and is convinced that someone plans to murder him. Calling on his best buddy, the Marquess of Darberville – Darby, he hopes they can work out who is plotting his death and hopefully keep his grandmother safe. Now that Elizabeth is on the scene, he has one more head to worry about and he’s trying to keep them all safe. Unfortunately, Miss Lacey is a wee bit stubborn and takes him to task thinking he wants to force his dear Grandmother away. Not many have the guts to stand up to a duke and it makes Alex take more notice of her.

Between Alex’s unsavoury reputation as a rake, his noticeable scars and his seemingly unloving attitude towards his grandmother, Elizabeth is not impressed with the Duke. Oh, she can’t deny that he is handsome and virile but those attributes are not attractive to a wallflower…well, not those attributes alone. After a little time and some very forthcoming chats, they start to get to know each other better. When Elizabeth eventually finds out that the Duke is in danger, she decides to help find the culprit.

I Dared the Duke was a pleasure to read. The characters were interesting, the attraction between the main characters obvious and the steamy scenes definitely got my heart pumping. I did not guess who the culprit was until near the very end and my primary suspect didn’t end up having a darker side. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and will definitely be interested in reading more from Anna Bennett

To purchase I Dared the Duke from Amazon - http://amzn.to/2nyMfYL




I’m an Aussie chick who loves to read and review romance, drink coffee, be a Style Setter and stalk David Gandy. To see more of my reviews, fashion, food and pervathons -