Slightly overwrought. He could NEVER propose…because he had encouraged another to play with HER nearly a decade ago. OH! The horror!!!!!
No chemistry, no sense. She gets a second chance at a season and throws it away as easily as if she’d been pursuing her pleasures for the past decade, when, in fact, she’s a virgin. Just didn’t track. The pieces might have worked but they were shoved together without credible growth.
Not interested in trying out further books.

UPDATE: Actually, just read “Her Wicked Ways” and WILL try out further books. ( )

I am usually on the fence about Ms. Burke's historical romances. Either I really like or have a tepid response to them. The Forbidden Duke is one I adored. Titus has committed acts in his past that he is not proud of. Wanting to be a better person he sets out to right the wrongs he caused, starting with Eleanor. Eleanor has lived with the fallout from an event that she tries to forget but society keeps punishing her for. The Forbidden Duke is a lesson in redemption, forgiveness and trust. People find it so easy to judge others but take offense when on the receiving end. I received an ARC of The Forbidden Duke in exchange for an honest review. An inspiring message in a heart warming package. ( )

He kept his back to her. "I would imagine so after being in London. Young women such as yourself are scrutinized in a horrid fashion."
She joined him at the bookshelf. "So are forbidden dukes. It makes one conclude that London, or rather Society, is the problem."

This was a little shorter (150ish pgs) than the average romance book length and the hero's character suffered a bit because of it. His almost completely removing himself from society seemed more sad and odd than understandable. The reason he does this is because he was a notorious rake when he was younger and now he shrugs off society by just eating alone in his club room and only showing up at his stepmother's ball for one dance. A longer page count could have delved into his character more; I felt we were just left with a completely solitary shell.

Heroine was pleasing to read about, with her having lived through a scandal and now older and wiser. She was enjoyable and refreshing as signs of naivety were completely absent. Although, I will say her eagerness to do scandalous things with the duke felt off because of how society turned its back on her the first time. The sexy library scene felt forced in to meet a requirement for at least one sex scene in a story; I think the book would have been better without it.

My favorite part of this story was actually the relationship between the duke and his step-mother. Heroes are broody and dark more often than not (not complaining) and usually their horrible childhood or dark pasts are the cause for this. It was so refreshing to see this step-parent relationship be so sweet and loving. This intangible bumped my rating from just ok to liked. I'll definitely be continuing on in this series. ( )

...when conscience and attraction collide

I enjoyed Titus and Eleanor's story. A woman ruined and repudiated at the bidding of another. Eleanor Lockhart, or rather Nora, ten years ago was caught kissing a careless rake who had hinted at marriage but reneged when they were discovered. Little did Nora know that Titus, as leader of the group, had encouraged this outrageous behaviour.
When Titus St. John, Duke of Kendal, realizes the worthlessness of these pursuits he forswears his hedonistic life and only appears during the season for one reason--the ball held by his beloved stepmother, Lady Satterfield. Titus only ever dances one dance, and that with a nonentity. Over the years this behaviour has earned him the dubious title, the Forbidden Duke. To dance with him is to be elevated to 'interesting' Nora's living circumstances have changed. She seeks a position as a companion and Titus's stepmother employs her. She has decided to give Nora the season missed. Lady Satterfield seeks the help of Titus. Giving that help just might be more than Nora or Titus expected.
The tension between the two is palpable and makes for some amusing situations. The picture of Titus as the reformed rake who flees society and turns his back on his hedonistic pursuits, all the while trying to assuage his latterly awakened conscience, is well done.

A NetGalley ARC ( )