Review: A Good Read
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 07 8, 2014
Originally Reviewed For: Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and FantasyThree dangerous Dukes caught up in their own world. Each must face their darkest nightmares and decide if they truly do want to walk once again in the night. That is the basic premise of Eva Devon's Duke's Club Series. A not so unique concept and yet that's the challenge an author must face. Take something that has been done before and claim it as one's own. Ms. Devon adds twists and turns and likable characters to her own personal dance.Kathryn Darrell was a rich man's daughter, a very rich mans but when she married for "love" her father turned away, knowing that she was barely besotted and her useless husband wasn't attracted at all. But Kathryn paid.. and paid.. and paid. First with her money, then with her pride. Barely besotted turned to barely a wife, ignored and left in the country while her husband spent her money in town. Worse he spent her money on other women. Forced to remain a "proper" wife. Trapped. Until his death and suddenly Kathryn is free. Free to be an independent woman. Wanting to discover all the treats the ton has to offer. Dark and mysterious and full of sensual delights. And she has the perfect man to teach her. A man who doesn't want any attachments.. perfect. Only sensual delights aren't everything and Kathryn has way more to learn than she can imagine.Ryder Blake, Duke of Darkwell, known as the Duke of Debauchery gave his heart once. And to his mind he failed her. Now he's a widower insistent upon remaining loyal to the wife he lost. Well, loyal at heart not body. In body, he is willing to debauch just about any woman. Any woman except the surprisingly sweet Kathryn Darrell. While he can't want her body he finds he wants more. Only to have Kathryn he has to let go of the past. A challenge to be sure.When disaster strikes these two must make choices.. Kathryn has to decide just what it is she really wants and Ryder has to release that life is for the living.A good book.. it caught my attention but there were times it lost it. At times it was a bit stilted and it seemed that Ms. Devon tried just too hard to make all the pieces fit. Which was a shame because the story could have flowed wonderfully.It's hard to explain. I liked the book and I wanted to love it but there was a slight misstep in the story.That being said, I look forward to the next two books.. I think there is true promise to this series. So yes, I recommend it.ShauniThis review is based on the ARC of Once Upon A Duke, provided by netgalley