Lindsey Gray
At the age of fourteen, James Rylon made a decision that would change the course of many lives. Along with his best friends Simon and Graham, they started The 1797 Club. The clubs members consist of young men who will inherit a dukedom. The men of the 1797 band together to learn how to become the best leaders they can since some men can’t bother to teach their sons. Especially James’ father, the cruel Duke of Abernathe. Flash forward to 1810, James is now the 15th Duke of Abernathe. He vowed long before never to marry and let the title die or pass on to distant family member. That was before he met Miss Emma Liston. Emma is the daughter of a third son from a small viscounty. Although her grandfather is well respected, her father had been cut off long ago and with it, many of their society connections. Mr. Liston’s gambling and debauchery is a constant threat to Emma and her mother. Her mother is terrified the next time Liston remembers his family, he will bring a scandal that will make a match for Emma impossible. Emma must marry as soon as possible. Through her new friendship with James’ sister, Meg, Emma is able to befriend James and obliterate her wallflower status. Through an unusual arrangement, James agrees to a false courtship with Emma to elevate her prospects while keeping the marriage minded mamas away from him. Michaels started this series with a bang! James and Emma are strong, dynamic characters with wastrels for parents. From the moment they meet, both James and Emma feel an undeniable spark. They have much more in common than they could ever imagine. James tries to deny the spark but soon begins a fire that will never be tamed. Michaels weaves several different threads together, some taut, others barely holding together, yet they form the perfect story. A very large curve hit me hard as I was not expecting it at all, but it was the perfect way to lead to happily ever after. The Daring Duke is the first book in the exciting new 1797 Club series. Jess Michaels will be busy over the next few years. The remaining nine novels are planned to be released through 2018. I can’t wait to read each and every one! I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
April Renn
Sizzling, fantastic read! The Daring Duke: The 1797 Club by Jess Michaels is the first book in her highly anticipated Regency, "The 1797 Club" series. Whew, get ready to be scandalized, wildly surprised, dangerously threatened with sizzling passionate. "The Daring Duke" definitely heats up the pages of this incredible story of James and Emma. The 1797 Club, consists of ten men who would all be dukes. And so this amazing saga begins.... This is James, the Duke of Abernathe, who is wild, charismatic, charming, and Miss Emma Liston, a longtime wallflower with an absentee father. She needs to marry before her father does something scandalous. So she decides to enlist the help of her friend Meg's brother, James. Filled with scandalous actions, an absentee father, secrets, passion and romance with a few surprises along the way. Can friendship, turned to passion equal a lifetime of love and HEA? Well written with Ms. Michaels' usual aplomp, her in depth characters, her vivid descriptions, her usual intrigue and her style for the romantic. Readers will be captivated by James and Emma's story. The secondary characters, definitely need stories of their own! I was sweep away with "The Daring Duke". Be prepared to be carried to a place where anything can happen, including happiness, and a daring road to finding your forever kind of love. Sizzling hot! Fast paced, page turning kinda of story! A must read, for sure! Can't wait to read Book 2. Once again, Ms. Michaels has created a spellbound romance! Fans of Jess Michaels, sizzling romance, surprises, Regency romance, daring Dukes and the fiery woman who tame them, will fall in love with "The Daring Duke". Another hit for Jess Michaels! Strongly recommended! I received a complimentary copy. Rating: 4.5 Heat rating: Sizzling Reviewed by: AprilR
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