Member Reviews
Received an arc from Netgalley to review.
I liked the book and there is nothing wrong with the story , but it didn’t quite grab my attention, (maybe needed more focus on the romance side for me) but it did however have some memorable moments scatter throughout the book enough for me to finish it.
I give it a 3/5 overall.
I can't say this my favourite book but it wasn't bad either. It just seemed somehow... Lacking. I can't quite put my finger on what exactly was missing or why I didn't enjoy it as much as I have previous books by this author but I ended up skim reading the last 25-50% of it and found that I didn't feel like I was missing much by not reading it properly.
2.5 stars
Easy read and fun, especially if you are a fan of the romance novel. I grew up on the Harlequin Romance novels my mother read, though this novel, like many now, has a great deal more adult content. The characters are typical (poor, but clever young woman. Handsome, rich, pseudo caddish man). Good beach read.
I found this book a bit too easy to predict and was to cliche. It kept me interested to want to finish it to see what happened at the end but found that I was skimming through some parts rather than reading it. I think the love scenes although a bit racey were too drawn out for my liking.
Not for me as it turns out. I liked the blurb, but the reality in the book just didn't work for me. I didn't really like any of the characters and I didn't think the romance was developed enough - the backstory just felt a bit flat to me. Never mind.
Let’s begin with a DNF (or two). I thought this would be a fun read of a Duke meeting with the woman who scammed him and forcing her to stay with him until her debts are paid. I obviously should have read the summary much more closely as it does say he never suspects his lover of a single night scammed him. Well, his naivete and how utterly gullible he was pissed me right off. He was annoying and a wet blanket to be honest. I didn’t like him one jot. He was boring. So I began reading this book of a woman who scammed a man over one night and then left him with no intention of seeing him again and whilst I probably would have grown to like her (have to respect a woman who is making it on her own scamming the rich) I didn’t ever get to know her because boring mc-boringpants The Duke of Greyland was the one whose perspective you had at the start and he just gradually pissed me off by being an utter idiot so I DNF-ed before the book actually made me angry.
Does it count that I liked the idea at least?
This story for me was just Ok: I do love me a good historical that gets the juices pumping.
Sadly for me, this wasn't juice pumping stuff sigh.
There was nothing I could actually put my finger on that made me so disconnected here I just was.
From Duke Till Dawn is essentially a second chance love affair featuring a duke and a con artist at its centre.
So the Duke of Grayland and Miss Cassandra Blake have a moment: at least on his part.
Stepping back into there lives neither quite forgot the other: both still carrying a lit torch.
but with lies and deceit standing in there path blocking the way to true happiness it really does seem hopeless.
So when a chance encounters at a later date brings these two together again Cassandras lies topple over like a pack of cards revealing the utter deception beneath.
Not exactly impressed at being her patsy the Duke is determined to enact his pound of flesh.
But when Cassandras business partner does a runner leaving her in the lurch there's only one man she can turn to for help.
So yeh this was very instalove and a trifle monotonous in places.
This story had its moments but I essentially found it hard initially to warm to either character.
The Duke seemed to have a bit of a superiority problem and also seemed trifle clueless and unforgiving of what Cassandra had done ultimately for survival.
Did find this a bit harsh myself.
Cassandra well I just wasn't feeling her and I'm not really sure why that was.
Look: if you like a sweet love story that is equal parts suspense and romance then this will more than likely appeal to you.
Myself I prefer something a tad grittier.
So this was well written despite my slight disconnect and I can definitely recommend this on that particular front.
Just a shame this ultimately wasn't my particular brand of Bovril.
I voluntary reviewed an Arc of From Duke Till Dawn (The London Underground, #1)
All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
It was an enjoyable read but for some reason I just couldn't really get myself really into this book. Some of the scenes felt a bit strained and just didn't seem to flow but all in all, a good book.
A beautiful tale of the journey of one couple. Well written, and just beautiful- that’s the one word that sums up this book for me. A cuddle in a novel.
For me this was a generally enjoyable book, but there was one area that I felt let the book down - the sex scenes. They somehow didn't flow well. It was as though the publisher or editor said 'we must have some sex in the book', and the author complied but wasn't confident or didn't really like this type of writing.
That said, I thought that the story contained some interesting reflections and reminders about the lot of girls born into the slums. The story told us not only about the hierarchy of the Underworld and criminals but that girls had little choice but to work in brothels and get the 'pox' from a very young age,; work in the cotton mills (or similar) and get a lung disease; or learn to be thieves. Remember that the phrase 'mad as a hatter' came from the lead poisoning that working in a hat factory brought with it and the subsequent brain deterioration.
So thieving was perhaps the best option for them.
'Respectable' trades required references, from scullery maid to shopgirl and unless you had a reference you couldn't obtain legal work.
The sadness of being dirty, hungry, lice ridden and without belongings was brought out clearly - no belongings because a. you had probably stolen what you had from other, and b. they stole it back...
I felt very much for the female character in this novel and thought that she had made the very best of her sad life.
This is a nice pleasant read.
The characters are interesting, but unfortunately the plot is just very predictable.
Still a nice easy read.
Historically based, sexy, erotic, mystery and intrigue escapade romantic story.
Very well written, and very enjoyable to read.
An unethical historical romance which despite the raunchy sex scenes failed to light my fire. Rugged ,upright hero and poor misunderstood heroine.
I'm a lover of well plotted, plausible Regency romances. This could have so easily not worked as it should, but the writing style and the story were spot on. A book to keep and reread.
I thoroughly enjoyed this fairly light-hearted story. It takes you into places in London that were very grim in Regency London, showing a side that we don't usually read about. The characters of Cassandra and Alex, Duke of Greyland were very well drawn and you could respect their points of view. Cassandra had been brought up by her father after her mother left them, and she had lived with him in Marshalsea debtors prison, Cassandra running errands for pennies to feed them. After her father died, worn down by their grim existence, Cassandra lived on the streets, picking pockets to survive. She graduated to conning people, which is how she met Alex in the first place, persuading him with a hard luck story to give her £500. Alex, on the other hand, has been brought up knowing he had a life of obligation, he would have to look after the people on his estates, and take his place in the House of Lords to help run the country. Someone like Cassandra should never come within his orbit! But she gives him a joy, and excitement, in his life that he never expected to have.
The story has many twists and turns before the couple can admit to their feelings for each other, and by the time they do Cassandra has already left him to try and make a life for herself in South America. It is well worth reading, it very much has the feel-good factor.
For me it was a bit unbelievable that the main characters fell so in love after a few days that they haven't forgotten each other in 2 years... Other than that, I enjoyed the story and that it showed more of the underbelly of London than the glamour of a duke's life. Good plot and easy to read.
Another great read that I really enjoyed it was funny and enjoyable and also intriguing read and I would totally recommend reading it
A lovely tale of a lord and lady who double crossed him, and how they became lovers again - and the problems this causes. A lovely red, a bit sexy, a taste of downtown London, read it. I really enjoyed it.
Gripping read from this author who is relatively new to me. There is deception, danger, seduction and romance. I was intrigued from the beginning
I received a copy from Netgalley and I am voluntarily leaving my own honest opinion
From Duke Till Dawn is a regency romance set in London.
Alex Lewis is the Duke of Greyland who has just been jilted by his fiancée The marriage proposal had been one of convenience, and although spurned, Alex is more inconvenienced than hurt.
Meanwhile, he can’t help recalling the beauty he fell in love with, two years ago, in Cheltenham, a mystery woman he named ‘The Lost Queen’, and who haunts his dreams. She was the widow Cassandra Blair, but she disappeared from his life after one night of passion.
Alex’s friends feel he needs cheering up, so they take him to a new gambling hall. To his surprise, he meets Cassandra once more. Here she is employed as a hostess. When they do get a chance to speak, she gives him a credible reason for hurriedly leaving Cheltenham. But Cassandra is not who he thinks she is, and unfortunately he overhears her speak her speak of her role in the world of conmen/swindlers.
I liked the elements involving the underworld of London; I thought they added fresh and interesting slant to the standard regency romance. The author balanced the underworld element with secretive dealings within the upper echelons of city life, all of which is laced with hot romantic moments. I recommend this book to lovers of the genre.