Series Rating: 5 Stars Format: Audio
Publisher: Berkley
This has easily become one of my favorite book series, I recommend most to those who love historical romance. Evie Dunmore has created a group of women who care for one another, want women's suffrage, and still have their happy ever afters. With the fourth novel in production, I thought it would be a great time to shout from the rooftops my love of these books.
Bringing Down the Duke - 5 Stars
Date Read: August 15, 2022
1879, Annabelle Archer is part of the first class of women admitted to the University of Oxford. At 25, she’s the poor daughter of a vicar and has few prospects, she convinces her uncle to allow her to go to school to try and do more with her life. Once she gets to Oxford, she has to work for her scholarship by promoting the women’s suffrage movement. There she has a memorable encounter with the cold, aristocratic Duke of Montgomery who steers politics at the Queen's command. Lucy, her friend, and sufferest leader is horrified to find out that Annabelle and the duke got into an argument, but she points out that if they can sway him to their cause, he can bring other men along.
Sebastian Devereux, has been a recluse and was ordered by the Queen to start throwing social engagements, take over a political campaign and win at both. He is looking for a wife of equal standing to secure the legacy he has worked so hard to rebuild. But Sebastian wouldn't be the greatest strategist of the Kingdom if he couldn't have the one he loves.
🌶️ Spice Meter 🌶️ : 4 out of 5 Peppers
I loved the chemistry between these two. Annabelle's past prevents her from ever wanting to get close to people again, and Sebastian can’t help but fall for her outspoken ways. As she stays at his estate for a holiday, they slowly grow closer but are forced to confront class differences and the pasts that they have been haunted by.
I enjoyed: the focus on women pioneers, the discussion about women's roles and position in society and their own homes, the friendship between the suffragists, the banter between Annabelle and Sebastian, and the yearning for him as well. I pretty much swooned from beginning to end.
A Rogue of One's Own - 4.75 Stars
Date Read: August 20, 2021
Lady Lucy has been called many things, a radical, a blue stocking fiery and mad. She would agree with you on that last point, she is fuming, she has finally gathered enough money to control a major publishing house in London but there is one thing standing in her way.
- Lord Ballentine. - (swoon)
Having a past history, Tristan agrees to hand over control with one catch - a night with her in bed. When they realize that there is more to their relationship things get complicated and fast.
🌶️ Spice Meter 🌶️ : 4 out of 5 Peppers
I actually read these out of order because this one was what my library had on hand. Lady Lucie is a strong female character fighting the good fight (suffrage) and found a guy who loves her for her fierceness and her brains, with lots of attraction disguised as mutual dislike.
The spice level in this one was lower than the other two, it felt that after the first novel she received feedback to tone it down to appeal to a wider market. It was still spicy but just not the level of detail that the other two received.
I did feel that the characters worked well together, they had great commentary and seemed to enjoy a verbal sparring match. It is a nice change of pace from the love at first sight trope that many other romances have, the hate-to-love relationship created great pacing to make this book so addictive.
Portrait of a Scotsman - 5 Stars
Date Read: September 6, 2022
Heiress Hattie Greenfield has been called lovely all her life. She has trouble with writing and arithmetic (the numbers and letters just don't stay still) and her family has coddled her all her life until she meets the Scottish self-made-man, Lucian Blackstone and has no choice but to marry him or be ruined.
Lucian Blackstone is a feared businessman, and he knows a good opportunity when he sees it, so he agrees to marry Hattie, his business rivals daughter, believing she'll be able to open doors that high society would rather stay locked to him.
The pair travel to Scotland and are forced into cramped quarters, Hattie finds herself falling for not what Lucian shows the world but the real him that has been hurt in the past. But when secrets come to life can Hattie forgive him or will she find her own way in a world that does not allow women the choice?
🌶️ Spice Meter 🌶️ : 5 out of 5 Peppers
Hattie has all the strength you have come to know from a Dunmore novel. She is the one that grows the most, starting out being a sheltered princess she grows to truly understanding and caring for those around her and wanting to better their lives. Before when she joined the suffrage cause it was just to have "a noble cause" in theory Hattie understood why it was important but did not get it to the full magnitude of what having freedom and the vote could mean. I can see why people would not like her but I enjoyed seeing how much she changed from book 1 to book 3.
As for the romance with Lucian, there was depth and true deceit that made it a great book. This was the first time I have read a romance novel where the pair has to start again and go through a real rough patch to get their happily ever after. The spice level definitely went up in this book compared to the second one and it was hot, hot, HOT! The scenes didn't come until past the halfway point but when you got there it was so worth it.
The writing is sharp and riveting and once I started, I couldn't put it down (literally finished this in two days).
Final Thoughts: This is a wonderful series and if you want a historical romance where the female characters are strong and independent, consent is at the forefront of every scene and you fall in love with each of the characters this is defiantly the series for you.
Can't wait until the 4th novel comes out in 2023!
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