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rjordan19 's review for:
Big Duke Energy
by Christi Caldwell, Stacy Reid, Janna MacGregor, Amalie Howard, Kerrigan Byrne
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Is everyone ready for the longest review ever? No, you don’t want to read that? Okay….
<b>TL;DR</b> –
The Kerrigan Byrne is absolutely fabulous, but give yourself a refresher of The Duke in the Dragon Tattoo first. (5 stars)
The Christi Caldwell was forgettable. (3 stars)
The Amalie Howard scandalized me and I immediately moved some of her other books higher on my TBR list. (5 stars)
The Janna MacGregor was very steamy, but I wanted more from the characters (I haven’t read much of her work so that maybe would help me enjoy) – gave it an extra star because I loved the desk scene lol (4 stars)
The Stacy Reid was amazing – I would have loved a full length novel because I was invested in the characters and their feelings. (5 stars)
I'll forget I read the Caldwell and rate the whole thing at 5 stars. Lovely anthology!
Wait, you do want to read my 5 pages of thoughts including content warnings and sex locations?? Then read on!
<b>The Earl of the Train by Kerrigan Byrne</b>
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes, a bit
<b>Should I read in order? </b>
Yes – you’re going to want to read or reread The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo before diving into this one (And if you haven’t read The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo, you’ll want to start at the beginning of the series with The Highwayman)
<b>Basic plot:</b>
Sebastian is there to kill Arthur – but when he goes to do to the deed, he finds a sleeping woman in his bed instead – the very woman he had helped kidnapped years ago.
<b>Give this a try if you want:</b>
- A bit of second chance feel – their history was established in The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo but they never had a relationship
- Medium to high steam for novella – 3 full scenes with 1 scene containing 2 separate acts (see end of review for details)
- Forced proximity – these two are together pretty much the whole novella
- Pirate, turned nobleman hero and widow, turned companion heroine
- Victorian time period (The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo is listed as 1858 and I think this one is a few years after that)
<b>My thoughts:</b>
How can Kerrigan Byrne break my heart, put it back together, and make me breathless all in one small novella? I don’t know, but this is why she’s a top author for me.
I do wish I had skimmed through The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo before beginning this. I haven’t read it since 2018 so it’s been a hot minute and I only remember the basic details of that story. But Sebastian and Veronica’s story starts there, and the ending shows Sebastian’s betrayal that has lead him to this place in his life.
I was sucked with into this story with our heroine and hero being together almost immediately and working together throughout the story. I loved it!
Other thoughts:
I love this because my husband does this all the time haha
<I>
She splayed her hands against his chest and pushed with all her adorable strength. He even let her budge him a little, to soothe her ire.
</i>
Talking about his lips
<i>
“I know they’ve found their way between the thighs of a common strumpet,” she accused. “They could be diseased.”
</i>
This is so adorable
<i>
“But I am also a man of my word. I will walk in your wake and watch you take flight. I will never raise a hand or even a voice to you. I will cherish and adore you and try to make you fall in love with me every day until you do. I’ll let you win arguments at least eighty percent of the time, even though I’m usually right. I will give you two orgasms at least to every single one of mine-”
</i>
Content Warnings:
Signs of abuse/alluded to abuse – physical, mental and emotional
Remembered abuse of husband
Miscarriage by violence
Remembered death/murder
Human/Child trafficking mentioned
Infertility discussed
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes – this story is from 1%-21% of the anthology:
Note: Heroine is ‘experienced’ because she was married for a number of years. But she didn’t know females could orgasm until she witnessed it while she was captive (after the death of her husband)
8% - kisses and fingering orgasm for her (38% of this novella)
14% - oral orgasm for her, followed by a blowjob for him (67% of this novella)
19% - kisses, missionary sex (90% of this novella)
<b>Loved and Found by Christi Caldwell</b>
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡
Romance: 💞
Sensuality: 💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥
Humor: Maybe a touch
<b>Should I read in order? </b>
This book takes place during/after the wedding of Martin and Christina, who are the stars of It Happened One Winter (book 4 of the Scandalous Affairs series). There is also a brief scene between Edie and her brother, where he references events of his marriage (this would be His Duchess For a Day – The Heart of a Scandal #4)
<b>Basic plot:</b>
This is a second chance romance where our newly widowed heroine is finally free of her awful marriage and by chance meets the man she fell in love with long ago – both believe themselves wronged by each other and must work through their hurt.
<b>Give this a try if you want:</b>
- Second chance – they were friends and lovers before our story picks up in 1829
- Soldier hero – he as a Lieutenant in the King’s Army
- Snowed in
<b>My thoughts:</b>
This one was all right. Honestly when I saw Caldwell with this line up, I was surprised. She just didn’t seem to fit with the other authors feels to me.
The thing that made me sad about this story was it felt like most of the romance and real relationship building happened off page. We get the prologue, which was fun, but they are little kids. Then everything that happens after as they grow up is skipped over and we come into this mess of hurt feelings. It really took away the feels for the romance for me.
I think if you love second chance trope this will be a bigger hit for you than myself. It also wasn’t too steamy with 1 scene. (Which, I wasn’t surprised but I was hoping she would step it up being in the same anthology as Reid, Byrne, and Howard.)
Random note for shelves
Hero cries in this novella
Content Warnings:
death of an (evil) spouse
carriage accident on page
ptsd episodes experienced by the hero on page
talk of possible infertility
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes – book is from 22%-39% of the anthology:
28% - kiss (35% into this novella)
37% - sex scene (88% into this novella)
<b>The Wolf of Westmore by Amalie Howard</b>
Overall: 4.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Just a bit
<b>Should I read in order? </b>
If you want the full knowledge of character cast, start with book 1 of the Everleigh Sisters series, The Beast of Beswick. I do think this one works decently as a stand alone. There is some minor page time with the Marquess of Roth and Isobel (the characters from book 2, The Rakehell of Roth) though.
<b>Basic plot:</b>
Lady Jocelyn and Lord Wulfric Bane are enemies. Born to rival families, Jocelyn’s father’s actions has only called Wulfric’s desire for revenge to come to the forefront. Jocelyn knows who she wants to share a night of passion despite the danger – and she disguises herself to buy the Duke of Westmore at a charity auction.
<b>Give this a try if you want:</b>
- Late Regency, England (1822)
- Tiny heroine, huge hero
- Ruined heroine – and hero...in a way
- Little Red Riding Hood feels
- Medium to high steam with light kink – 3 full scenes that include spanking, light bondage, and throat play
- Sold hero
Ages:
- Heroine is 23, hero is “older than that”
<b>My thoughts:</b>
I really enjoyed this novella! I’m a bit behind on Howard’s work. I wish I had read the prior novel but this one does work well as a stand alone.
Lady Jocelyn has always felt disposable and looked over by her father. She’s determined to make her own way, at least in who she loses her virginity to. Overall I liked Jocelyn, though I wasn’t overly in love with how she exposed their relationship.
Wulfric was my type of hero – dark and gruff and quite naughty in the bedroom.
The character depth felt pretty good for a novella and the sex was steamy. I do wish the kink had been better presented to the heroine in some of the scenes though. She seemed a bit...concerned some of the time and it lessened my enjoyment a touch.
Content Warnings:
Death of a friend/family member/parent
Mentions of opium dens
Remembrance of abuse (emotional, verbal, and neglect)
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes – this story is from 40%-59% of the anthology:
45% - kisses, breast play, spanking, fingering, and missionary sex (26% into the novella)
50% - kiss (52% into the novella)
54% - kisses, oral for her on a desk followed by desk sex with a bit of light choking – he grabs her throat but not enough to constrict her breathing completely (73% into the novella)
58% - tied up, gagged play with a feather and riding crop (heroine tied) (94% of the novella)
<b>Put Up Your Dukes by Janna MacGregor</b>
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Not really
<b>Should I read in order? </b>
I’m unsure – it was okay as a stand alone but I was also left feeling a bit like I was missing something. I’m not sure if these characters are mentioned much in prior works. (For example, I did read Rogue Most Wanted (The Cavensham Heiresses #5) and I don’t recall these characters in it but I do recall The Midnight Cryer being mentioned. So I have a feeling one should perhaps read in order...
<b>Basic plot:</b>
Martin and Amelia have been estranged in their marriage for 5 years and all over conflicts with The Midnight Cryer, Martin’s titillating newspaper gossip column. Amelia has some favors to ask of Martin, and Martin is making changes with the newspaper that Amelia never expected...
<b>Give this a try if you want:</b>
- Regency time period (1819)
- Second chance romance feels
- High steam – these two go at it like rabbits
<b>My thoughts:</b>
I struggled with this one a little bit. Part of it was I just wasn’t super into a gossip rag newspaper plot. It just made the hero feel a little uncaring and unpleasant. Second chance also isn’t usually my favorite. But overall I think it worked here. The fact that they have been estranged for a number of years made me get into them rekindling their relationship, but it was a bit strange to me how she had still been seeing him regularly and being intimate with him. It made them feel like strangers exchanging bedroom slots at a brothel or something.
Still, there were a few parts that tugged on my heart a bit. And, well, I REALLY loved the desk scene. So that right there boosted the rating for me. I haven’t read too much of her work so I’m not sure how this book fits in with her other novels. That might have helped my enjoyment with it.
Content Warnings:
Thoughts of infertility (heroine has had sex every Wednesday for 5 years but no children yet)
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes – this story is from 59%-81% of the anthology:
63% (18% of this novella) – blowjob
64% - Hero tells heroine to undress and touch herself, oral for her, sex (counting both of these as one scene because they are so close together – he tells her to go upstairs and the second scene begins)
67% - (36% into this novella) kisses, missionary sex
70% (50% into this novella)- desk sex
75% - brief kiss
78% (86% into this novella) - kisses and missionary sex
<b>Duke of Every Sin by Stacy Reid</b>
Overall: 4.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: A bit
<b>Should I read in order? </b>
I am entirely unsure. I couldn’t figure out if this fits into any of her series, and as this is my first book ever by Reid, I had nothing to go on. I think I saw a review mention all novels in this collection hold secondary characters HEAs so I’m assuming it fits in somewhere. Let me know below if you know!
<b>Basic plot:</b>
Verity is losing her nephew – she watches him be placed on the Duke of Bainbridge’s door step and waits for the moment to grab him back. But when the duke takes him inside, she has no choice but to insert herself into his life as well.
<b>Give this a try if you want:</b>
- A child as one of the main focuses of the story
- Marriage of convenience
- Celibate hero
- Medium steam – 2 full scenes but there’s lots of kisses!
Ages:
- Heroine is 19, hero is 28
<b>My thoughts:</b>
A bit of this felt a little grasping to be ‘trope-y’ – like how the Duke was so feared and evil but I never really understood why, or really felt that in his character like I have in other ‘dark and beastly’ heroes. I also thought the marriage proposal was a little random – I was actually hoping he would hire her as a nursemaid or something to give them some close proximity – she could stay with Thomas and he could have someone help with the baby when he has no experience. The marriage felt a little weird. He basically says he marries her to stop her from doing something rash about the child. But you know what?? I don’t care. I really ended up enjoying this novel, so I’m letting those small ‘huh?’ things go.
I adored how protective and caring Ethan was from the beginning. When he went to Verity’s family after they were engaged, gosh I just melted.
I love that he watches her sleep. Creepy? Don’t care.
Artie was a lovely side character and I enjoyed him.
I just really enjoyed this book. It felt emotional to me and that really enhanced their intimacy. I am eager to read more Reid after this.
Other thoughts:
LOVED this part
<i>
The earl grimaced. “I...you might not be aware of it given that you have stayed away from the social scene for a couple of years, Your Grace, but...I…” he tugged on his cravat. “My daughter’s reputation-”
“I am aware of her selfless bravery and loyalty,” he said, “It has much bearing on my offer. It is rare to find such quantities in a lady of the ton.”
</i>
And I LOVE this line – ALWAYS!
<i>
“Open up,” he murmured, biting her lower lip.
</i>
Content Warnings:
Post partum depression
Abandoned child
Abandoned while pregnant (side character)
Carriage accident resulting in death
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes – this story is from 81%-99% of the anthology:
87% - kiss (33% into this novella)
91% - kiss (55% into this novella)
93% - kisses, fingering orgasm for her, oral for her, missionary (66% into this novella)
94% - kisses and missionary (72% into this novella)
96% - brief mention of remembered sex, her on top (83% into this novella)
97% - kiss (88% into this novella)
<b>TL;DR</b> –
The Kerrigan Byrne is absolutely fabulous, but give yourself a refresher of The Duke in the Dragon Tattoo first. (5 stars)
The Christi Caldwell was forgettable. (3 stars)
The Amalie Howard scandalized me and I immediately moved some of her other books higher on my TBR list. (5 stars)
The Janna MacGregor was very steamy, but I wanted more from the characters (I haven’t read much of her work so that maybe would help me enjoy) – gave it an extra star because I loved the desk scene lol (4 stars)
The Stacy Reid was amazing – I would have loved a full length novel because I was invested in the characters and their feelings. (5 stars)
I'll forget I read the Caldwell and rate the whole thing at 5 stars. Lovely anthology!
Wait, you do want to read my 5 pages of thoughts including content warnings and sex locations?? Then read on!
<b>The Earl of the Train by Kerrigan Byrne</b>
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes, a bit
<b>Should I read in order? </b>
Yes – you’re going to want to read or reread The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo before diving into this one (And if you haven’t read The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo, you’ll want to start at the beginning of the series with The Highwayman)
<b>Basic plot:</b>
Sebastian is there to kill Arthur – but when he goes to do to the deed, he finds a sleeping woman in his bed instead – the very woman he had helped kidnapped years ago.
<b>Give this a try if you want:</b>
- A bit of second chance feel – their history was established in The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo but they never had a relationship
- Medium to high steam for novella – 3 full scenes with 1 scene containing 2 separate acts (see end of review for details)
- Forced proximity – these two are together pretty much the whole novella
- Pirate, turned nobleman hero and widow, turned companion heroine
- Victorian time period (The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo is listed as 1858 and I think this one is a few years after that)
<b>My thoughts:</b>
How can Kerrigan Byrne break my heart, put it back together, and make me breathless all in one small novella? I don’t know, but this is why she’s a top author for me.
I do wish I had skimmed through The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo before beginning this. I haven’t read it since 2018 so it’s been a hot minute and I only remember the basic details of that story. But Sebastian and Veronica’s story starts there, and the ending shows Sebastian’s betrayal that has lead him to this place in his life.
I was sucked with into this story with our heroine and hero being together almost immediately and working together throughout the story. I loved it!
Other thoughts:
I love this because my husband does this all the time haha
<I>
She splayed her hands against his chest and pushed with all her adorable strength. He even let her budge him a little, to soothe her ire.
</i>
Talking about his lips
<i>
“I know they’ve found their way between the thighs of a common strumpet,” she accused. “They could be diseased.”
</i>
This is so adorable
<i>
“But I am also a man of my word. I will walk in your wake and watch you take flight. I will never raise a hand or even a voice to you. I will cherish and adore you and try to make you fall in love with me every day until you do. I’ll let you win arguments at least eighty percent of the time, even though I’m usually right. I will give you two orgasms at least to every single one of mine-”
</i>
Content Warnings:
Signs of abuse/alluded to abuse – physical, mental and emotional
Remembered abuse of husband
Miscarriage by violence
Remembered death/murder
Human/Child trafficking mentioned
Infertility discussed
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes – this story is from 1%-21% of the anthology:
Note: Heroine is ‘experienced’ because she was married for a number of years. But she didn’t know females could orgasm until she witnessed it while she was captive (after the death of her husband)
8% - kisses and fingering orgasm for her (38% of this novella)
14% - oral orgasm for her, followed by a blowjob for him (67% of this novella)
19% - kisses, missionary sex (90% of this novella)
<b>Loved and Found by Christi Caldwell</b>
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡
Romance: 💞
Sensuality: 💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥
Humor: Maybe a touch
<b>Should I read in order? </b>
This book takes place during/after the wedding of Martin and Christina, who are the stars of It Happened One Winter (book 4 of the Scandalous Affairs series). There is also a brief scene between Edie and her brother, where he references events of his marriage (this would be His Duchess For a Day – The Heart of a Scandal #4)
<b>Basic plot:</b>
This is a second chance romance where our newly widowed heroine is finally free of her awful marriage and by chance meets the man she fell in love with long ago – both believe themselves wronged by each other and must work through their hurt.
<b>Give this a try if you want:</b>
- Second chance – they were friends and lovers before our story picks up in 1829
- Soldier hero – he as a Lieutenant in the King’s Army
- Snowed in
<b>My thoughts:</b>
This one was all right. Honestly when I saw Caldwell with this line up, I was surprised. She just didn’t seem to fit with the other authors feels to me.
The thing that made me sad about this story was it felt like most of the romance and real relationship building happened off page. We get the prologue, which was fun, but they are little kids. Then everything that happens after as they grow up is skipped over and we come into this mess of hurt feelings. It really took away the feels for the romance for me.
I think if you love second chance trope this will be a bigger hit for you than myself. It also wasn’t too steamy with 1 scene. (Which, I wasn’t surprised but I was hoping she would step it up being in the same anthology as Reid, Byrne, and Howard.)
Random note for shelves
Hero cries in this novella
Content Warnings:
death of an (evil) spouse
carriage accident on page
ptsd episodes experienced by the hero on page
talk of possible infertility
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes – book is from 22%-39% of the anthology:
28% - kiss (35% into this novella)
37% - sex scene (88% into this novella)
<b>The Wolf of Westmore by Amalie Howard</b>
Overall: 4.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Just a bit
<b>Should I read in order? </b>
If you want the full knowledge of character cast, start with book 1 of the Everleigh Sisters series, The Beast of Beswick. I do think this one works decently as a stand alone. There is some minor page time with the Marquess of Roth and Isobel (the characters from book 2, The Rakehell of Roth) though.
<b>Basic plot:</b>
Lady Jocelyn and Lord Wulfric Bane are enemies. Born to rival families, Jocelyn’s father’s actions has only called Wulfric’s desire for revenge to come to the forefront. Jocelyn knows who she wants to share a night of passion despite the danger – and she disguises herself to buy the Duke of Westmore at a charity auction.
<b>Give this a try if you want:</b>
- Late Regency, England (1822)
- Tiny heroine, huge hero
- Ruined heroine – and hero...in a way
- Little Red Riding Hood feels
- Medium to high steam with light kink – 3 full scenes that include spanking, light bondage, and throat play
- Sold hero
Ages:
- Heroine is 23, hero is “older than that”
<b>My thoughts:</b>
I really enjoyed this novella! I’m a bit behind on Howard’s work. I wish I had read the prior novel but this one does work well as a stand alone.
Lady Jocelyn has always felt disposable and looked over by her father. She’s determined to make her own way, at least in who she loses her virginity to. Overall I liked Jocelyn, though I wasn’t overly in love with how she exposed their relationship.
Wulfric was my type of hero – dark and gruff and quite naughty in the bedroom.
The character depth felt pretty good for a novella and the sex was steamy. I do wish the kink had been better presented to the heroine in some of the scenes though. She seemed a bit...concerned some of the time and it lessened my enjoyment a touch.
Content Warnings:
Death of a friend/family member/parent
Mentions of opium dens
Remembrance of abuse (emotional, verbal, and neglect)
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes – this story is from 40%-59% of the anthology:
45% - kisses, breast play, spanking, fingering, and missionary sex (26% into the novella)
50% - kiss (52% into the novella)
54% - kisses, oral for her on a desk followed by desk sex with a bit of light choking – he grabs her throat but not enough to constrict her breathing completely (73% into the novella)
58% - tied up, gagged play with a feather and riding crop (heroine tied) (94% of the novella)
<b>Put Up Your Dukes by Janna MacGregor</b>
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Not really
<b>Should I read in order? </b>
I’m unsure – it was okay as a stand alone but I was also left feeling a bit like I was missing something. I’m not sure if these characters are mentioned much in prior works. (For example, I did read Rogue Most Wanted (The Cavensham Heiresses #5) and I don’t recall these characters in it but I do recall The Midnight Cryer being mentioned. So I have a feeling one should perhaps read in order...
<b>Basic plot:</b>
Martin and Amelia have been estranged in their marriage for 5 years and all over conflicts with The Midnight Cryer, Martin’s titillating newspaper gossip column. Amelia has some favors to ask of Martin, and Martin is making changes with the newspaper that Amelia never expected...
<b>Give this a try if you want:</b>
- Regency time period (1819)
- Second chance romance feels
- High steam – these two go at it like rabbits
<b>My thoughts:</b>
I struggled with this one a little bit. Part of it was I just wasn’t super into a gossip rag newspaper plot. It just made the hero feel a little uncaring and unpleasant. Second chance also isn’t usually my favorite. But overall I think it worked here. The fact that they have been estranged for a number of years made me get into them rekindling their relationship, but it was a bit strange to me how she had still been seeing him regularly and being intimate with him. It made them feel like strangers exchanging bedroom slots at a brothel or something.
Still, there were a few parts that tugged on my heart a bit. And, well, I REALLY loved the desk scene. So that right there boosted the rating for me. I haven’t read too much of her work so I’m not sure how this book fits in with her other novels. That might have helped my enjoyment with it.
Content Warnings:
Thoughts of infertility (heroine has had sex every Wednesday for 5 years but no children yet)
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes – this story is from 59%-81% of the anthology:
63% (18% of this novella) – blowjob
64% - Hero tells heroine to undress and touch herself, oral for her, sex (counting both of these as one scene because they are so close together – he tells her to go upstairs and the second scene begins)
67% - (36% into this novella) kisses, missionary sex
70% (50% into this novella)- desk sex
75% - brief kiss
78% (86% into this novella) - kisses and missionary sex
<b>Duke of Every Sin by Stacy Reid</b>
Overall: 4.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: A bit
<b>Should I read in order? </b>
I am entirely unsure. I couldn’t figure out if this fits into any of her series, and as this is my first book ever by Reid, I had nothing to go on. I think I saw a review mention all novels in this collection hold secondary characters HEAs so I’m assuming it fits in somewhere. Let me know below if you know!
<b>Basic plot:</b>
Verity is losing her nephew – she watches him be placed on the Duke of Bainbridge’s door step and waits for the moment to grab him back. But when the duke takes him inside, she has no choice but to insert herself into his life as well.
<b>Give this a try if you want:</b>
- A child as one of the main focuses of the story
- Marriage of convenience
- Celibate hero
- Medium steam – 2 full scenes but there’s lots of kisses!
Ages:
- Heroine is 19, hero is 28
<b>My thoughts:</b>
A bit of this felt a little grasping to be ‘trope-y’ – like how the Duke was so feared and evil but I never really understood why, or really felt that in his character like I have in other ‘dark and beastly’ heroes. I also thought the marriage proposal was a little random – I was actually hoping he would hire her as a nursemaid or something to give them some close proximity – she could stay with Thomas and he could have someone help with the baby when he has no experience. The marriage felt a little weird. He basically says he marries her to stop her from doing something rash about the child. But you know what?? I don’t care. I really ended up enjoying this novel, so I’m letting those small ‘huh?’ things go.
I adored how protective and caring Ethan was from the beginning. When he went to Verity’s family after they were engaged, gosh I just melted.
I love that he watches her sleep. Creepy? Don’t care.
Artie was a lovely side character and I enjoyed him.
I just really enjoyed this book. It felt emotional to me and that really enhanced their intimacy. I am eager to read more Reid after this.
Other thoughts:
LOVED this part
<i>
The earl grimaced. “I...you might not be aware of it given that you have stayed away from the social scene for a couple of years, Your Grace, but...I…” he tugged on his cravat. “My daughter’s reputation-”
“I am aware of her selfless bravery and loyalty,” he said, “It has much bearing on my offer. It is rare to find such quantities in a lady of the ton.”
</i>
And I LOVE this line – ALWAYS!
<i>
“Open up,” he murmured, biting her lower lip.
</i>
Content Warnings:
Post partum depression
Abandoned child
Abandoned while pregnant (side character)
Carriage accident resulting in death
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes – this story is from 81%-99% of the anthology:
87% - kiss (33% into this novella)
91% - kiss (55% into this novella)
93% - kisses, fingering orgasm for her, oral for her, missionary (66% into this novella)
94% - kisses and missionary (72% into this novella)
96% - brief mention of remembered sex, her on top (83% into this novella)
97% - kiss (88% into this novella)