Devon Grey, Duke of Thornwood, felt someone was following him. He could hear footsteps, but every time he turned around the streets were clear. Then he noticed the edges of a blue dress peaking out from behind a street pole. Interesting. As he reaches his destination a beautiful woman in a blue dress bumps into him insisting she is going into the same seedy pub he was about to enter. So begins a mesmerizing night with Devon and the mysterious woman in the blue dress. When he awakes the next morning to find both the woman and his pocket watch gone Devon is angry and baffled. Who was she and why had she robbed him?Lillian Phillips’ life is a mess. After the loss of her beloved parents she is stuck under the care of her greedy older brothers. With gambling debts and political aspirations they develop a plan to marry her off to the highest bidder. Lilly is at a loss to stop them. Just when things can’t possibly get any worse, she bumps into the dark charming man she hasn’t seen in over a year, Devon. He’s been the man that has haunted her dreams. The one she hasn’t been able to forget. Devon does a double take at the beautiful little minx across the ballroom. Surely she can’t plan to rob noble gents at such a public affair. After the chaos she wreaked in his life, Devon is determined to stop her from getting her claws into another unsuspecting man. He knows her secrets – her thievery and loss of innocence. Oh he’s got a plan all right to make her pay for the trouble she caused. He will blackmail Lilly.What follows is a delightful and comical romance. Both Lilly and Devon are outstanding characters- with depth, humor, believable flaws, and very likable attributes. There chemistry is immediate and sizzling. While the first time Lilly managed to steal his watch, this time she ends up with something much more valuable … his heart. Alison Larkin was excellent as the narrator. The story flowed smoothly and was a pleasure to listen to. She portrayed emotion with expertise and brought the characters to life.The book was fun, steamy, engaging, funny, and romantic. Definitely a must read! 3 STARS (I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review). Lily's brother has been selling off the family heirlooms and goes too far when he tries to "sell" Lily off to the suitor with the highest bid. One person not on the list is Devon, Duke of Thornwood, who has the title but not the money.When Devon's father dies he returns home to take over family obligations and secure a husband for his sister when she has her season. His mother pressures him to marry but he resists. Then he meets Lily who betrays and breaks his heart by stealing from him after a night of passion. When Lily returns into his life Devon blackmails her into his bidding. In this game of love who is playing who?Must Love Dukes was a good historical romance. Devon is a great hero and Lily - at times annoying but did in the end make him a good match. I am more interested in Lily's friend, Susan's story.
What do You think about Must Love Dukes (2014)?
Yeah, I have no excuses for this other than bad impulse control. :P Review in the works.
—bass3991
I think I may have found another author to obsess over. Wow. Just wow.
—shelby917
