February 24, 2018
A Duke in the Night by Kelly Bowen
My Rating: 3 out of 5 Pearls
Series: The Devils of Dover #1
Publication Date: February 20, 2018
Duke. Scoundrel. Titan of business. August Faulkner is a man of many talents, not the least of which is enticing women into his bedchamber. He’s known-and reviled-for buying and selling companies, accumulating scads of money, and breaking hearts. It’s a reputation he wears like a badge of honor, and one he intends to keep.
Clara Hayward, the headmistress of the Haverhall School for Young Ladies, on the other hand, is above reproach. Yet when she’s reunited with August all she can think of is the way she felt in his arms as they danced a scandalous waltz ten long years ago. Even though her head knows that he is only back in her life to take over her family’s business, her heart can’t help but open to the very duke who could destroy it for good.
I love this ending! The story of Clara, her brother, a Baron, Harland , her sister Rose, an artist. At one point, they were wealthy, their parents flaunted society, their children, Harland, a Doctor, Clara running a school for the young ladies of the ton, Rose the Artist. Their parents wealthy lifestyle left them in debt, at their deaths,now they must find their way to sustain their way of life.
Into their lives comes a Duke, a man whose childhood started out in the Marshalsea, a prison for debtors. He got out at 12, lived on the streets, did whatever he had to do , to make certain his younger sister had more food, blankets, and care than what was provided. After his Uncle died, he became a very young Duke, who never for one moment forgot where he came from, or how his sister was forced to live! His one aim in life, the making of money, there could never be enough! If the book had left the story with these two premises, it would have made a non forgettable book! However, she through in so much feminist views, that would have shut her elite school down, in a ton second! Then the sensuality between Clara, and August, was ruined by Clara not being a virgin, in 1816? You can’t be serious, worse yet, the Duke, did not care?! Really! I would have happily given this a 5 pearl Review, however, the premise should be set in 2018, not two hundred years ago!
If you like feminist views, long before they were in place, then you will enjoy this book. However, if you are a purist, as I am, then no, it will not do!
I do not Recommend.
