Review - - The Worst Duke in London

The Worst Duke in London

by Amalie Howard

Taming of the Dukes - Book 3

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: September 24, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

 

Lady Evangeline Raine prefers animals to people and has no interest in marriage­--much to the dismay of her flirty younger sister, Viola. Because their father has one rule: Viola may be courted, only if Effie has a suitor as well.

Saddled with debt, Gage Croft, Duke of Vale, is determined to rebuild his estates. When the owner of his vowels offers him a fortune to charm the impervious Lady Evangeline for the season so Lady Viola can be courted, the game is on, even if it means pretending to seduce an unconventional wallflower.

But Gage gets much more than he bargains for in an adversary who wants to make her own scandalous arrangement. Effie will go to London for the season, but only if Gage agrees to be her lover. Yet when their fake courtship leads to passionate feelings, will their indecent proposal end with the season or be the start of something real?

PJ's Thoughts:

If you enjoy spicy historical romance with a modern feel, Amalie Howard’s The Worst Duke in London may be a good book for you. It’s the third book in Howard’s Taming of the Dukes series and while it features cameos by other couples in the series, it can be enjoyed as a standalone (though I enjoyed reading them order). 

Evangeline (Effie) is a woman who knows what she wants. She’s fiercely independent, well read (erotic novels, anyone?), devoted to her animal rescue efforts, and ready for a man…if not marriage. I like the way she goes after what she wants if, at times, I took issue with her attitude with Gage. Howard gives her a good growth arc though that satisfyingly develops her character as well as her relationships. I love how her friends support her, challenge her, and also hold her accountable. 

Gage is a total sweetheart. He’s big, muscular, an underground boxer, and a handsome but insolvent duke with a delicious Scottish brogue. Yes, he takes a wager that involves seducing Evangeline but he does so for honorable reasons…before he meets her. I like that his plans change once he gets to know her (alas, she has her own plans) and, also, as he begins to unveil his adversary’s true character. I like that he struggles with the ethics of what he’s doing - even though the physical relationship between him and Evangeline is consensual on both parts - especially as unexpected feelings begin to develop and then deepen (he falls first and hard). 

Supporting characters (including four-legged ones) add complexity and richness to the overall story. I especially appreciated the evolution of Evangeline’s sister, Viola as well as their sibling relationship. If you’re reading the series, we also get more information in this book about a couple of intriguing side characters whose stories I am eagerly anticipating. Will they - or won’t they - be a couple? And just who is running things at the Earl of Lushing’s club, Lethe? I can’t wait to find out.