The Duke Identity: An Enemies to Lovers Hot Historical Romance

Grace Callaway

Apr 2018 · Game of Dukes Book 1 · Grace Callaway

About this ebook

From USA Today Bestseller Grace Callaway

Winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery & Suspense

National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award Finalist

“This story had everything you could ask for, humor, steamy romance, betrayal, and love. If you enjoy reading red hot romances with a good storyline and delightful witty characters, this is a must read!” -Goodreads

He's a policeman on a hunt for justice. She's a proud daughter of the London criminal underworld. Danger brings them together...and desire binds them in this steamy enemies to lovers romance.

Shattered by betrayal, former scholar Harry Kent has made a new life for himself as a policeman. Sent on a dangerous covert mission, he must protect a clever and wicked beauty who specializes in disguises and mischief. She stands for everything he scorns--and seduces him with every look of her innocent eyes...

A princess of London's criminal underworld, Tessa Todd wants to defend her family against cutthroat enemies. Her powerful grandfather, however, insists upon keeping her under lock and key. When she is assigned a stoic and damnably handsome new bodyguard, she resists his dominant ways--and a passionate war of wills begins...

Thrown together by crisis, Harry and Tessa will test the bounds of desire, loyalty, and trust. On the run from their foes and from their own hearts, they must find salvation in each other—before time runs out.

"I LOVED this book! It took me back to a Johanna Lindsey novel. What a fantastic idea to turn the Regency genre on its head and do an "underworld" take on it." -Daphne du Maurier Award Judge

Grace's books feature steamy historical romance, fun and feel-good happily ever afters, and exciting mystery and adventure. Her books are standalones which can also be enjoyed as part of her interconnected series set in the same universe.

GAME OF DUKES (hot Victorian romance)

#1 The Duke Identity (Harry & Tessa)

#2 Enter the Duke (Ransom & Maggie)

#3 Regarding the Duke (Garrity & Gabby)

#4 The Duke Redemption (Wickham & Beatrice)

#5 The Return of the Duke (Severin & Fancy)

#6 Steamy Winter Wishes: A Hot Historical Romance Short Story

LADY CHARLOTTE'S SOCIETY OF ANGELS (hot Victorian romance)

#1 Olivia and the Masked Duke (Livy & Ben)

#2 Pippa and the Prince of Secrets (Pippa & Cullen)

#3 Fiona and the Enigmatic Earl (Fiona & Thomas)

#4 Glory and the Master of Shadows (Glory & Wei)

#5 Charlotte and the Seductive Spymaster (Preorder available)

HEART OF ENQUIRY (THE KENTS) (hot Regency romance)

Prequel Novella: The Widow Vanishes (Will & Annabel)

#1 The Duke Who Knew Too Much (Alaric & Emma)

#2 M is for Marquess (Gabriel & Thea)

#3 The Lady Who Came in from the Cold (Marcus & Penny)

#4 The Viscount Always Knocks Twice (Richard & Violet)

#5 Never Say Never to an Earl (Sinjin & Polly)

#6 The Gentleman Who Loved Me (Andrew & Primrose)

MAYHEM IN MAYFAIR (hot Regency romance)

#1 Her Husband's Harlot (Helena & Nicholas)

#2 Her Wanton Wager (Percy & Gavin)

#3 Her Protector's Pleasure (Marianne & Ambrose)

#4 Her Prodigal Passion (Charity & Paul)

Ratings and reviews

4.5 stars I have been waiting for this book for so long and I had very high expectations. I'm happy that The Duke Identity met those expectations and more. This book was so much fun to read. It had a little bit of everything: steamy romance, strong familial love, compelling mystery, rich setting, adventure, and amazing main and supporting characters. I really enjoyed reading Tessa and Harry’s love story. I’ve loved Harry Kent since the Heart of Enquiry series and I am so happy he got his own HEA. Tessa is his perfect mate and better half. She’s such a clever, loyal, feisty, saucy, and absolutely lovable heroine. I loved her from the very first chapter. I loved how Tessa slowly helped him open up. Harry ended up being such a swoon worthy hero in the end – like his brother Ambrose, he is protective, honourable, and a gentleman through and through. I loved how Tessa and Harry were so comfortable with each other. Tessa allowed herself to be vulnerable with Harry and vice versa. It was the most wonderful thing ever. The London Underworld setting is fascinating. It was particularly great seeing the Underworld through Tessa's eyes because she had such a unique and fresh perspective. As for the plot, the mystery was engaging and compelling. I was intrigued from the very beginning and I couldn't wait to find out who was behind everything. The supporting characters were amazing – I was surprised to discover how much I loved Bartholomew Black, and even Mavis. There was so much familial love and loyalty in this book. For those who have read the Heart of Enquiry books, familiar faces show up in this book. I loved revisiting the Kents – they are one of my favourite historical romance families. We only got a taste of the London Underworld in the Mayhem in Mayfair and Heart of Enquiry series. Now we’re well and truly immersed in that world. I love the idea of Dukes who rule the Underworld and I’m SO excited to find out where this series is headed!!

I enjoyed the story, it had an interesting plot with dangers and twists that were unexpected. I liked the fact that the main characters were of a different class than those in most similar stories. That they were members of the "underworld" was a refreshing change. I did have to do a lot of skipping over the over the top sex scenes, would have liked this story better with less of that.

An exciting adventure featuring a scholarly policeman Harry and Tessa, granddaughter of the Black, the king of the underworld. Harry is on assignment to take down Black and has a chance encounter with Tessa. Hired to protect her, he hopes to get close to her grandfather but sparks begin to fly between the two! Harry had really closed himself off after a terrible incident when he was a scientist and was forced to put his work aside. Tessa fits right in with the underworld and is able to blend in with the scourge of society. But she is really a very independent, full of life woman who wants to be let out from how tightly her family has held her. The interaction between Harry and Tessa is so intriguing and they have a long road to begin to trust each other. I loved seeing the characters develop with each other and the trust and love between them grow. This one kept me turning the pages and I really was disappointed when it ended. I cannot wait to see more of this series!!

About the author

USA Today & International Bestselling Author Grace Callaway writes steamy and adventurous historical romances. Her debut book, Her Husband's Harlot, was a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart® Finalist and a #1 Regency Bestseller, and her subsequent novels have topped national and international bestselling lists. She’s the winner of the Passionate Plume Award for Historical Novel, and her books have been honored as finalists for the National Reader's Choice Awards, the Maggie Award of Excellence, and the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery and Suspense.

Growing up on the Canadian prairies, Grace could often be found with her nose in a book—and not much has changed since. She set aside her favorite romance novels long enough to get her doctorate from the University of Michigan. A clinical psychologist, she lives with her family in Northern California, where their adventures include remodeling a ramshackle house, exploring the great outdoors, and sampling local artisanal goodies.