The Daring Duke (1797 Club, #1)

by Jess Michaels

[Lindsey Gray]

At the age of fourteen, James Rylon made a decision that would change the course of many lives. Along with his best friends Simon and Graham, they started The 1797 Club. The clubs members consist of young men who will inherit a dukedom. The men of the 1797 band together to learn how to become the best leaders they can since some men can’t bother to teach their sons. Especially James’ father, the cruel Duke of Abernathe.

Flash forward to 1810, James is now the 15th Duke of Abernathe. He vowed long before never to marry and let the title die or pass on to distant family member. That was before he met Miss Emma Liston.

Emma is the daughter of a third son from a small viscounty. Although her grandfather is well respected, her father had been cut off long ago and with it, many of their society connections. Mr. Liston’s gambling and debauchery is a constant threat to Emma and her mother. Her mother is terrified the next time Liston remembers his family, he will bring a scandal that will make a match for Emma impossible. Emma must marry as soon as possible. Through her new friendship with James’ sister, Meg, Emma is able to befriend James and obliterate her wallflower status. Through an unusual arrangement, James agrees to a false courtship with Emma to elevate her prospects while keeping the marriage minded mamas away from him.

Michaels started this series with a bang! James and Emma are strong, dynamic characters with wastrels for parents. From the moment they meet, both James and Emma feel an undeniable spark. They have much more in common than they could ever imagine. James tries to deny the spark but soon begins a fire that will never be tamed. Michaels weaves several different threads together, some taut, others barely holding together, yet they form the perfect story. A very large curve hit me hard as I was not expecting it at all, but it was the perfect way to lead to happily ever after.

The Daring Duke is the first book in the exciting new 1797 Club series. Jess Michaels will be busy over the next few years. The remaining nine novels are planned to be released through 2018. I can’t wait to read each and every one!

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.