The Duke Can Go to the Devil
Prelude to a kiss, Book #3
By Erin Knightley
ISBN: 9780451473653
Author’s website: http://www.erinknightley.com/
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Una
Description
In the new novel from the bestselling author of The Earl I Adore, May Bradford isn’t afraid to play devil’s advocate when it comes to a duke.…
After her mother’s death, May’s sea captain father sends her halfway around the world to live with his stodgy sister in England. The summer festival in Bath made for a lovely distraction, but now she can’t wait for her father’s return so she can leave this country, its suffocating rules, and one infuriatingly proper nobleman in particular behind.
Because he is the Duke of Radcliffe, William Spencer’s whole life revolves around his duties. He never steps foot outside the bounds of proper behavior, and he expects the same of those around him. With her devil-may-care ways, May vexes him nearly as much as she tempts him, but there’s something about her that he just can’t resist. He knows he’s falling hard for her, but with lives that are worlds apart, will they ever be able to find any common ground?
Review
This story epitomizes what I love about historical romance. Erin Knightly makes her females strong and able to stand up in the male dominated society they were born into. May Bradford is no exception. She has lived amongst the coarsest men of the sea and is able to appreciate all of the peoples and the cultures she has seen. What she can’t abide is the stuffy and restricting rules of Ton British Society. Sent to live with her Aunt she can only dream of the day her father comes and rescues her and takes her off to a place where she feels she belongs. Then she meets the Duke of Radcliffe and they immediately butt heads. He feels she is outrageous in her behavior and May finds him infuriating and rigid. Her only freedom are the young friends she has met during her stay but her Aunt is threatening to close that loop too if May doesn’t change her ways.
The Duke has never met anyone like May. Not only does she stand up to him and his values, but her intelligence and beauty keep him wanting to prove to May that his lifestyle has beauty too.
Physically they know they are attracted to one another but will it be enough to base a relationship on. When May’s father returns with an unwanted decision, May has to make a choice. William then also has to make a choice if he and May are to have a chance at a future together.
The Earl I Adore was good and this novel was just as good. I certainly look forward the next and future books in this series to see how the other characters develop. Knightley keeps the plots interesting and the love stories steamy for the times. Both books can stand alone on their own but reading the series will allow the reader to step into the time period and cheer for his/her favorite character laughing and crying with the ups and downs of the plot. Great reading for a lazy summer afternoon!
