Review + Giveaway: Falling Into Bed with a Duke

FALLING INTO BED WITH A DUKE
The Hellions of Havisham #1
Lorraine Heath
Historical Romance
384 pages
Avon Romance
Available Now
Source: eARC from publisher for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
In the first in a dazzling new series, New York Times bestselling author Lorraine Heath introduces the Hellions of Havisham—three charismatic rogues destined to lose their hearts...

After six unsuccessful Seasons, Miss Minerva Dodger chooses spinsterhood over fortune-hungry suitors. But thanks to the Nightingale Club, she can at least enjoy one night of pleasure. At that notorious establishment, ladies don masks before choosing a lover. The sinfully handsome Duke of Ashebury is more than willing to satisfy the secretive lady's desires—and draws Minerva into an exquisite, increasingly intimate affair.

A man of remarkable talents, Ashe soon deduces that his bedmate is the unconventional Miss Dodger. Intrigued by her wit and daring, he sets out to woo her in earnest. Yet Minerva refuses to trust him. How to court a woman he has already thoroughly seduced? And how to prove that the passion unleashed in darkness is only the beginning of a lifetime's pleasure?

MY THOUGHTS
Falling Into Bed with a Duke is a quick, fun read with a standout leading lady; one of those ideal historical romances that utterly satisfies while leaving us in a state of anticipation as we begin the wait for a few of the secondary characters to step forward and have their moment in the spotlight.

Minerva is a true gem of a heroine, a woman utterly uncompromising in terms of marrying only for love who sticks to her guns in humorous fashion throughout. Because her hand in marriage comes with an impressive dowry attached, she's been forced to fend off suitor after suitor suffering from any number of financial ailments, leading her to become understandably distrustful of a man's motive. Though trust doesn't come easily to her, she thankfully doesn't analyze Ashe's every word or action looking for deception, instead she simply approaches with caution while allowing herself to enjoy their relationship for what it is as well as what it isn't.

Her sharp mind and quick wit–while marks against her in the eyes of Society–endear her to us immediately, and we can do nothing but sit back and enjoy as she goes toe to toe with the men of the aristocracy. Where other ladies giggle and swoon, Minerva asks questions and gives her honest opinion, but she does so politely and often with a laugh, never coming across as overly blunt or critical as a result. She has a mean left hook and a knee she knows how to aim with unerring precision to boot, making her a force to be reckoned with in the best possible way.

Overall, Falling Into Bed with a Duke will delight lovers of historical romance, giving us a strong woman who fully accepts what Society considers to be flaws and refuses to carve out pieces of herself to fit into a more biddable mold. Watching as Ashe begins to see beyond what the peerage has taught him to look for in a woman is a joy, and I simply can't wait to scoop up whatever Ms. Heath decides to write next.

Rating: 4/5

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LORRAINE HEATH

photo courtesy of Kayla Marie Photography

LORRAINE HEATH always dreamed of being a writer. After graduating from the University of Texas, she wrote training manuals and computer code, but something was always missing. After reading a romance novel, she not only became hooked on the genre, but quickly realized what her writing lacked: rebels, scoundrels, and rogues. She’s been writing about them ever since. Her work has been recognized with numerous industry awards, including RWA’s RITA® and a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. Her novels have appeared on the USA Today and New York Times best-seller lists.

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