The Duke of Devistation

 

I have read A LOT of historical romance books over the years. At last count I had over 300 on my kindle, 10 in print, 100 that I have read and returned on Kindle Unlimited, and countless more from libraries. I have read every single story plot you could imagine for a historical regency romance, and some do them perfectly while others fall short. 

 

HOWEVER, this book falls into the category of doing it perfectly while having a story line that I have never read before. I started this book about 2 hours before bedtime, and could not put it down! I just had to finish it! Each character is written in such a way that not only are they believable, but you can relate to them! A lot of times the scandal effecting the main characters in these type of romance books deal with a kiss or a misunderstanding. This scandal deals with the one issue at the heart of fear during this era: the fear of a dark family secret becoming known. 

The Amazon synopsis of this book is:

Elsie Hulbourne is satisfied with her life as the vicarage spinster, keeping house for her father and seeing to the needs of his parishioners. The only place she has ever found romance is between the covers of a novel and she likes it that way.

Edmund Thatchley, Duke of Castlemore, has earned his reputation as The Duke of Devastation by pursuing a relentless campaign of revenge against those who wronged him and his family. Merciless determination to achieve his goals has brought him wealth and power but it just might cause him to lose what he desires most of all.

When Elsie's and Castlemore's paths intersect, a blossoming attraction offers hope for a better life until revenge and betrayal threaten to destroy them both. Can they overcome the destruction wrought by resentment to find forgiveness, peace, and most of all, love?

Fans of Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer and the Bridgerton series will adore this charming romance set in the popular Regency period.

This book makes you want to scream at the Duke for being a stupid idiot more concerned with HIS feelings of revenge than ever once thinking of how it effects the innocent family members of the person who wronged him. You pity Elsie and feel for her when the scandal breaks, and you cant help but compare the two to Pride and Prejudice at times. The Duke being prideful and Elsie (while justified) a little prejudice towards the Duke at one point.

I particularly love how the characters are flawed in realistic ways. The Duke is broken, yet knows that he can find love -- he isn't letting that stop him. He goes about it the wrong way, and realizes his mistake when he sees exactly what devastation he has caused to the woman whom he considered a friend and fell in love with. Elsie loves her life as it is, but is a hopeless romantic as well and it shows in her choice of books. That being said, she is blind to the intentions of the Duke until it is too late -- believing him to be like a knight in shining armor. When everything is revealed, she stubbornly refuses to listen to her family and chooses instead to do what she believes is the best thing for her. 

The entire time you are rooting for the Duke to change and for Elsie to forgive him while at the same time hoping she holds out long enough to make it work for it and the author does a fantastic job of making that entire situation worth the wait.

When I tell you I love this book, I'm not exaggerating or anything. I love this book! I got it from Kindle Unlimited because I wasn't sure how much I would like it. It is not in my cart to purchase a paperback copy. This is the first book of 5 according to the author, and I cannot wait for the next installment. Everything is written perfectly -- from the realistic dialog of the characters to the descriptions of the places and outfits. Some authors tend to go into too much detail on things we don't care about, and not enough on the things we do. This author does not. She knows what people like to read and wrote this book to suit those people. If you love Jane Austen, you will LOVE Michelle Mignone!