Series: Never a Wallflower

BOOK REVIEW: Much Ado About Dukes (Never a Wallflower #2) by Eva Devon

BOOK REVIEW: Much Ado About Dukes (Never a Wallflower #2) by Eva DevonMuch Ado About Dukes (Never a Wallflower #2)
by Eva Devon
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Shakespeare meets Bridgerton in this witty and lively marriage-of-inconvenience romance.

As far as William Easton―the Duke of Blackheath―is concerned, love can go to the devil. Why would a man need passion when he has wealth, a stately home, and work to occupy his mind? But no one warned him that a fiery and frustratingly strong-willed activist like Lady Beatrice Haven could find a way to get under his skin...and that he might enjoy it.

Lady Beatrice is determined to never marry. Ever. She would much rather fight for the rights of women and provoke the darkly handsome Duke of Blackheath, even if he does claim to be forward-thinking. After all, dukes―even gorgeous ones―are the enemy. So why does she feel such enjoyment from their heated exchanges?

But everything changes when Beatrice finds herself suddenly without fortune, a husband, or even a home. Now her future depends on the very man who sets her blood boiling. Because in order to protect his esteemed rival, the Duke of Blackheath has asked for Beatrice’s hand, inviting his once-enemy into his home...and his bed.

Each book in the Never a Wallflower series is STANDALONE:
* The Spinster and the Rake
* Much Ado About Dukes
* The Duke's Secret Cinderella

Review:

Much Ado About Dukes was romantic, charming and impossible to put down!  With characters that were full of life, a story-line that kept me turning the pages faster and an ending I adored, this book was everything!  If you love historical romance or adult romance, you definitely need this book in your life!

His head lowered ever so slightly. “Are you blackmailing me?” And then he smiled, a beautiful, teasing, devastating sort of smile. “Are you going to make every family dinner a complete catastrophe until I agree?”
She cocked her head to the side. “Possibly.”

Beatrice was convinced that love was never in her future.  Being raised by her Uncle, and having her cousin as a best friend, she was happily living her life and speaking out about women’s rights.  But when her fortune disappeared, she found herself in trouble and complete disarray.  To the rescue came Will.  William Easton, the Duke of Blackhearth, was the man she wrote to about women’s rights and never heard back from.  He was a formidable presence and she was convinced he was the enemy.  But when he proposed they marry and that they would both avoid the pitfalls of love, Beatrice paused to consider and I was already addicted!

“Perhaps we have more in common than we thought,” he said softly.
“The horror,” she teased before she inclined her head. “Who’d have thought it?”

Beatrice made a name for herself and she seemed so put together, driven and I loved that she would never settle for less when it came to love. She had seen how much her parents truly loved one another, before they died, and she only wanted that. She was perfectly content remaining single and I loved the relationship she had with her cousin, Margaret. They truly loved and cared for one another. Yet, Beatrice felt so lonely. Except when Will was in her vicinity, her life felt less lonely and fierier during those moments!

There was only one word for her.
Magnificent.
He did not know what he had expected, but this was not it. She was a positive force of a woman, and he was… stunned.

I am officially obsessed with William Easton, the Duke of Blackheath!  To a stranger he could come across as focused on his work and maybe closed off, but getting to see the side of him with his brothers….ohhhh there was so much to Will! He was such a good guy *cries because I want to steal him from the pages!*. I loved the interactions he had with his brothers but I loved even more all of Will’s thoughts that we got to hear as we alternated between him and Beatrice. He proved again and again why he was trustworthy and good. He apologized. He stood up. He surprised Beatrice time and again. But best of all he could joke and tease her, and those moments made my heart beat faster! Will was considerate, thoughtful, kind and extremely sexy.

“Beatrice, we shall make London quake underneath our polished boots, for you and I can make the world sit up and take notice. Nothing will ever be the same.”
How right he surely was.

Much Ado About Dukes made me laugh out loud and smile! The banter between Beatrice and Will was so much fun and I loved how it showed their other sides! From the moment they met, there was chemistry and the tension between them that was electrifying. But they were both weary of love. So the moments they caused each other to faulter was exciting and left me hoping for more! And as they spent more time around each other, they helped each other see who they truly were and open their eyes to the ways of the world. I loved that they brought out the best from each other. When their moment together led to more, this book was sensually seductive!

Will smiled down at her.
She met that smile with one of her own. A smile full of determination to succeed.
Yes, this was the beginning of something beautiful, and he would not let them fail.

Much Ado About Dukes was romantically addictive! I loved the way this book unfolded, I loved the moments that tugged at my heart and I also love that it made me scream out loud for how something played out. This book constantly pulled on my emotions! And fyi, you definitely don’t have to read the first book in this series to enjoy this one! I just have to say one more thing…. I absolutely loved Ben, Will’s brother.  He needs his own book please!

She beamed at him. “Together?” she whispered. “How can we lose?”

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

BOOK REVIEW: The Spinster and the Rake (Never a Wallflower #1) by Eva Devon

BOOK REVIEW: The Spinster and the Rake (Never a Wallflower #1) by Eva DevonThe Spinster and the Rake (Never a Wallflower #1)
by Eva Devon
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

The marriage game is afoot in this clever blend of My Fair Lady meets Pride and Prejudice with a twist!

Edward Stanhope, the icy Duke of Thornfield, likes his life in a certain order. Give him a strong drink, a good book, and his dog for company, and he’s content. But when he goes to his library and finds a woman sitting in his chair, petting his dog, what starts as a request for her to leave quickly turns to a fiery battle of wits, leading to a steamy kiss that could ruin them both if they were caught.

So of course, damn it all, that’s when Edward’s aunt walks in, and thereafter announces Miss Georgiana Bly is the future Duchess of Thornfield.

Georgiana was content to be a spinster, spending her days reading and working to keep her family out of debt. But now her days are spent locked away with a growly duke, learning how to be the perfect duchess, and her nights spent fighting the undeniable attraction to a man who was never meant for her.

As their wedding day approaches, the attraction between them burns hot and fierce, but is it enough to melt the duke’s chilly facade?

Review:

The Spinster and the Rake was a delightful romance that left me with a smile on my face.  If you’re a fan of historical romance and opposites attracts, then you’ll definitely want to add this one to your tbr!

Georgiana knew she had to simply accept the fact that she was marrying a man who would likely never love her. Who might not even know how to. Still, it was…hard.

Edward Stanhope, the Duke of Thornfield, always had women trying to snare him.  Even though he had a cold, icy exterior. So when Edward went into his library, to get away from life for a moment, there was a woman sitting in his chair who refused to leave.  After a verbal sparring and a passionate kiss, which unfortunately had an audience, he was left with the tough decision to make Georgiana the future Duchess of Thornfield.

Vindication coursed through her veins. At long last, she had shaken him and nothing could have felt better in this moment. Not even his kiss.

I loved Georgiana!  She was honest, brave and had a strong head on her shoulders.  I was delighted how vocal Georgiana could be and that she had no filter when it came to talking with Edward.  She definitely kept the Duke on his toes!  But I felt awful for her.  She did not want to be a duchess and people would talk.  Why would a Duke even become engaged to someone like her?  It wasn’t feasible.  But fate has a funny way of intervening in our lives.

“I am not a dog, Your Grace.”
“My dog is obedient and causes me a great deal of happiness. So we can agree on that point. You, Miss Bly, are not a dog.”
She gasped.

Edward was such a mystery to me, and we got to be in his head too.  He seemed judgey and to assume the worst at times.  His walls were built up so high making him a challenge to get to know.  But while he was regal, I loved how Georgiana made him falter and pause at times.  I enjoyed that she was capable of making him see things in other ways, especially in regards to his behavior.  So while it took us a while to get to know him inside and out, it was worth the wait.  As Edward started to come out of his shell to Georgiana, you guys I melted.  There was this other side of him that wanted to make her happy and please her.  Every single tiny gesture or thought Edward did for Georgiana lit up my entire world!

This.
This was what would bring them together, even when everything else was tearing them apart. Of that he was certain.
Her lips parted as she gasped against him.

When Georgiana and Edward were together, they were fire and ice.  I loved watching how they butted heads, but they had to get to know each other.  And it wasn’t a quick process.  They both had so much to learn about not only each other, but what their new future would be like too.  Georgiana would no longer be spending her life as a spinster and Edward wouldn’t be living his life in solitude anymore.  While there was common ground here and there, they had to work to make their relationship grow.  And all the while, the passion between them burned brightly.

Edward wished her to be happy…
Much to his amazement, he wished it with all his heart. But most of all, he hoped they could find happiness together.

The Spinster and the Rake was an entertaining story that romance lovers will enjoy.  And if you love HEAs, you’re going to love the epilogue in this book! It was fabulous!  While Eva Devon is a new to me author, I’ll definitely be checking out her other books!

PS Their game of bowls…..oh my heart that was the moment that gave me so much hope and love in my heart.  They both give a little, have fun and I’m falling in love with them together.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

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